Chapter 43: Throughout My Time Away from Home, I've Always Relied on Friends!

“Why are you two so nervous?” Xia Xiu crossed his hands on the table, his eyes playfully fixed on Muji and Lifin.

“...”

“...”

Muji and Lifin looked somewhat embarrassed. They exchanged a glance before Muji, the traveling frog, finally broke the silence. He tugged at his suit and solemnly introduced himself to Xia Xiu:

“Ribbit, hello, I’m Muji from Dimension Express.”

“Y-You... Hello, I’m Lifin from Spirit Street,” Lifin followed, stating his name.

“Ribbit~ Abraham, to be honest, one big reason we wanted to join the Magical Creatures Research Club is because of your presence. Of course, now that Camille Sephinny is here, we know joining your esteemed club was the right choice,” Muji said slowly to Xia Xiu.

“So, is there something you need from me?” Xia Xiu smiled and asked.

“Ribbit, of course there is. After all, members of the Heavenly Lineage rarely stray beyond the Sanctuary, which has always maintained a closed education system...” Muji said meaningfully to Xia Xiu.

“Oh? And?”

“This is information for the outside world. The Sanctuary’s decisions have always been made by the thirteen highest authorities of the Resolution Assembly—exceptional figures with unparalleled power. Usually, these thirteen elders remain in their positions indefinitely. But in this land, there’s no such thing as permanence, so turnover in the Resolution Assembly is not unusual.”

“However, the current assembly has remained unchanged for nearly a century, and during this time, the Sanctuary has become increasingly closed off. Even if someone awakens unexpectedly outside, members of the Heavenly Lineage quickly bring them back. Yet now, there are actually members of the Heavenly Lineage studying abroad...” Muji’s eyes locked seriously with Xia Xiu’s, while Lifin looked at him with excitement.

After hearing Muji, Xia Xiu instinctively stroked his chin, pondering.

Indeed, the Sanctuary does reclaim Heavenly Lineage members who have strayed, but not by force—usually, fellow members invite them back, as Ximen did with him before.

Refusal isn’t an issue because the Sanctuary knows those who stray will eventually return, even if not immediately, later bringing themselves back to the Unknown Realm.

Xia Xiu himself would return eventually, as many Heavenly Lineage applications and facilities only function properly within the Sanctuary’s headquarters.

Moreover, in this land, it's rare to find even one person who unexpectedly links to the Heavenly Lineage within ten years.

“So, you think those old stubborn elders up top are about to be replaced, and someone studying abroad now is paving the way for new policies later. You came to me to gain insight into the Sanctuary’s inner workings,” Xia Xiu said with a smirk, uttering words that shocked Muji and Lifin.

“Ribbit~ No, no, I didn’t say that! Don’t say such things!” Muji hurriedly shook his hands to deny it.

Even if the thought crossed his mind, he dared not speak it aloud. Mentioning those revered names and having them sense it would be a huge problem.

How dare this guy bluster so boldly here? If anything went wrong, it wouldn’t be him in trouble, but them.

Watching Muji’s trembling hands, Xia Xiu laughed and said, “Don’t be so nervous, it was just a joke—you won’t lose your head for that.”

Ribbit! That’s not so sure, Muji thought.

“You’re honest because I’m the reason you joined the Magical Creatures Research Club. That proves you truly want to be friends with me. No matter your motives, I’m calling you two my friends now,” Xia Xiu said warmly.

Muji and Lifin were stunned for a moment. Weren’t all Heavenly Lineage people supposed to call others heretics and barbarians? But this guy didn’t seem like that at all—he looked like a sunny, approachable young man.

“Since we’re friends, helping each other should be natural,” Xia Xiu’s smile grew even warmer.

“Ribbit?” Muji looked at Xia Xiu in confusion.

“Friends, remember? I recall your Dimension Express has secret channels dealing in all sorts of extraordinary items, some even bypassing the Heavenly Lineage’s scrutiny,” Xia Xiu suddenly shifted gears, narrowing his eyes at the now wary Muji.

“Ribbit~ We always conduct legitimate business in accordance with the Terra Supernatural Veil Law. We never break the law!” Muji declared righteously.

“Oh? Is that so?”

Xia Xiu quietly opened the “Abnormal Community Life Guide” and shared the interface. Muji’s tiny eyes instinctively widened upon seeing the guide.

Ribbit—

How does he have the Life Guide?

Damn it! The app’s internal management is supposed to be handled by the Wand People...

Those money-grubbing fat penguins!

They must know someone from the Heavenly Lineage slipped in, yet pretend ignorance and haven’t told us a thing.

Muji cursed the Wand People’s unscrupulousness and irresponsibility in his mind.

---

“Ah, I was looking at the ‘Wand People Communications: Annual Financial Report List of Extraordinary Enterprises in the Central Region’ and noticed Dimension Express hasn’t been doing well recently. If the Tribunal levies a fine or seizes goods now...” Xia Xiu lamented, rubbing his head.

“Ribbit~ You, you haven’t reported this to them yet...” Muji’s tone suddenly grew humble.

“That’s not like me—I’m not one to casually write complaints. Besides, we’re friends, and you’re from Dimension Express. How could I ever harm a friend?” Xia Xiu answered with conviction.

“Mr. Abraham, if you have any requests, please tell me. I will definitely convey them to the higher-ups,” Muji suddenly sat upright on the flying carpet, speaking seriously to Xia Xiu.

“Oh, really...” Xia Xiu’s smile stretched to its widest.

When he installed the “Abnormal Community Life Guide,” he had already considered extortion—oh no, he meant negotiating well with the suppliers, since there are many stimulating goods sold there.

Here’s Xia Xiu’s plan:

[Whirlpool Music] — a bunch of stubborn tough guys; trying to negotiate might backfire.

[Wand People Communications] — utterly shameless.

[Ambrose Restaurant] — too far away.

[Dimension Express] — originally planned to visit their branch sometime.

Unexpectedly!

Now they’ve come seeking him. Fate, indeed!

“To be honest, since I was born in this land, many have helped me—the kind-hearted big sister, brothers like family, and cheerful, generous seniors,” Xia Xiu said warmly.

“Now, there’s one more—that’s you, my warm and hospitable friend,” he continued enthusiastically to Muji.

Ribbit——

Looking at Xia Xiu’s bright, beaming smile, Muji inexplicably felt a deep sense of fear within.