Chapter 88: Negotiating Terms

You really are a little glutton. Here, have another piece.

Dao Sansheng laughed as he bent down, fished another spirit stone out of his hair tie, and tossed it over. The little creature leapt up, swallowed it in one gulp, then rolled onto its back, lying lazily on the ground with its belly exposed.

He had only fetched some water, but so much time had already passed. If he went back late, that fellow would certainly not let him off. Dao Sansheng rubbed the little creature’s belly.

Come on, let’s go back. We still have to cook something delicious later.

With two wooden buckets balanced on his shoulder, he walked toward the thatched hut. This amount of water was nothing to Dao Sansheng—he was about to break through to the Qi Refining stage.

As soon as he entered the hut, the man on the bed sat up, looking at Dao Sansheng with impatience and open disdain.

Boy, how can it take you so long just to fetch some water? What were you doing, trying to find a way out?

He shook his head again, looking at Dao Sansheng with regret and a cold sneer at the corner of his mouth.

Let me tell you, I’ve lived here for over thirty years and haven’t found a way out. You think you’re going to find it in a few hours? Stop dreaming and get to work. Otherwise, you’ll suffer for it.

As soon as he finished speaking, Dao Sansheng curled up on the ground, his body glowing faint green, pounding the floor with his fists, groaning, teeth clenched tight, his eyes turning blood-red, brows knitted in agony. Only then did the man seem satisfied.

Not bad, much better than last time. But I’ll increase the poison next time. Every time you disobey, I’ll make it stronger. You won’t even know how you die.

Dao Sansheng struggled to his feet, the pain finally ebbing from his body. The little creature darted over, circling around his feet.

He picked up the water buckets and poured the water into a stone basin, preparing to go fetch another load, when the man stopped him.

I’m starving here—hurry up and make some food. You can fetch water tomorrow. Don’t make me angry.

With that, the man took out a gourd, poured a cup of green liquid, and drank it.

Surveying the room, Dao Sansheng found only a large piece of spirit beast meat left from before; there was nothing else. Fortunately, he had brought some spices, so he sat down to prepare.

He used his spiritual power to light a pile of firewood, then cut the meat and skewered it, sprinkling salt before placing it over the flame.

As soon as the fire met the fat, it flared up. Dao Sansheng rotated the skewers, dusting them with pepper, cumin, and various seasonings. In a little over ten minutes, the aroma filled the whole hut. The man’s mouth was watering as he watched Dao Sansheng.

Boy, is it ready yet? Hurry up, or I’ll let you have another taste of pain.

But this time, his tone was clearly softer.

It’ll be ready soon, Dao Sansheng replied, turning the skewers for a while longer before handing a few over. The man snatched them eagerly, not caring that the meat was still hot, and devoured them in a matter of moments.

When he’d finished, he gazed longingly at the skewers still roasting in Dao Sansheng’s hand, licking his lips.

I want more. Still, you’re quite the cook, boy. I’ve decided not to kill you after all, and I won’t use you for experiments. But you must cook for me every day—three meals, you hear?

This time, the man didn’t use poison at all; he simply spoke to Dao Sansheng, stretching his hand out greedily, standing almost behind him, drool nearly dripping onto the floor.

Dao Sansheng turned the skewers, added some more spices, and smiled at the man.

I’d like to build a wooden hut next door, to have my own room. Also, I need time to cultivate, but I’ll guarantee your three meals a day. Without my permission, you can’t disturb me.

Before he’d finished speaking, the man lunged, grabbing Dao Sansheng’s collar, his face contorted with rage.

That’s impossible! Don’t even dream about it! I, Du Xuetao, never compromise. Not now, not ever. In this cave, I make the rules, not you! Understand?

Du Xuetao glared sternly, gripping Dao Sansheng’s collar. But Dao Sansheng showed no fear, simply offering the skewer in his right hand, waving it under Du Xuetao’s nose, and taking a satisfied sniff himself.

Du Xuetao’s eyes were fixed on the skewer. Without realizing it, drool was already running down his chin, dripping onto Dao Sansheng’s clothes.

The aroma reached his nostrils, and his nose followed Dao Sansheng’s hand unconsciously, unable to look away for fear the food would disappear.

Only then did Du Xuetao realize how undignified he looked and, somewhat embarrassed, still tried to sound fierce.

Fine, I’ll agree this once, but just this once! Don’t push your luck. Only for cultivation—don’t try anything else, or you know what I’m capable of.

Hearing this, Dao Sansheng finally handed over the skewer. Du Xuetao seized it and quickly retreated, as if afraid Dao Sansheng would take it back. Watching him go, Dao Sansheng thought to himself:

Eat all you want for now. When I find a way out, you’ll be left here alone, and I’ll take the little one with me. Then you’ll really know what torment of the soul feels like.

Dao Sansheng roasted skewers the entire afternoon, until even the little creature’s belly was round and full, lying contentedly on the ground, soon falling into a deep sleep.

Dao Sansheng didn’t hold back either. After working all morning and afternoon, he finally had this tyrant satisfied. He deserved a rest himself.

He had just lain down when Du Xuetao, who had been resting for half the day, suddenly sat up, pointed at the twilight outside the door, and kicked Dao Sansheng on the side.

Boy, you finished all the meat today, and it’s getting late. Go catch a few spirit beasts, or there’ll be nothing to eat tomorrow. Now’s the time—at dusk, the spirit beasts come out to hunt.

Dao Sansheng looked at Du Xuetao, thinking that he hadn’t seen any spirit beasts along the way. Now that night was falling, the beasts would be even more ferocious. Sending him out now was a death sentence—if he ran into a powerful spirit beast, he’d die here before even thinking about escape.

What are you spacing out for, boy? Take the Horned Dust Mouse to the outer area—there are spirit beasts there. It’ll lead the way.

With that, Du Xuetao kicked Dao Sansheng again, grabbed the little creature, and threw it onto Dao Sansheng, pointing out the door as if he couldn’t wait another moment to be rid of them both.

The little one landed on Dao Sansheng, scrambled up, licked his face, and dashed toward the door.

Dao Sansheng picked up his things and hurried after it. Du Xuetao lay back down, patting his full belly with satisfaction and muttering to himself.

Why didn’t I think of this earlier? If I’d just put the first person who fell in here to work, I wouldn’t have suffered all these years. Killing the others who fell in was such a waste. Next time someone falls in, I’ll put them to work, too—together with this boy.

With that, Du Xuetao began to daydream about his future—living in a real house, everything taken care of, life a paradise apart from the world.