Chapter Four: Temptation
Li Chengzhu turned toward the source of the voice and saw, to his surprise, a captivating woman dressed in fiery red standing behind him, though he hadn’t noticed her approach. On Earth, Li Chengzhu had been a journalist, interviewing countless celebrities and stunning beauties, but compared to this woman, those he’d met before could only be considered above average at best. In her presence, they would be utterly eclipsed.
Especially now, as he watched her gaze at the little creature, her expression puzzled and thoughtful, Li Chengzhu felt his Adam’s apple bob involuntarily, a stirring rising below his waist. A faint blush crept over his weathered face. He discreetly pressed down on his rebellious little soldier through his pocket, and managed to speak, “Miss, can I help you?”
Only then did the alluring woman notice Li Chengzhu. A flawless smile blossomed on her face, her large eyes curving into crescent moons as she threw him a coquettish glance and spoke in a voice as fragrant as orchids, “Is this spirit beast yours?” As she spoke, she extended a slender, snow-white finger toward the little creature.
This woman gave Li Chengzhu a strange feeling, reminiscent of the high-class escorts arranged by company bosses during his past interviews, yet not entirely the same. Though seductive, she was not vulgar.
Staring at her delicate, alabaster hand, Li Chengzhu’s face flushed even deeper. Only after a long moment did he manage to calm himself, shaking his head, “It’s not mine. It just follows me.” Ever since the little creature had risked its life to save him, Li Chengzhu no longer saw it as just another spirit beast.
The little creature seemed to understand, too. It stretched out its pink tongue and affectionately licked his wrinkled face, leaving it sticky and uncomfortable.
The woman laughed even more merrily at the scene. “It’s quite intelligent,” she said, then, as if casually, asked, “Is it a Treasure-Seeking Mouse?”
Li Chengzhu was puzzled. “Treasure-Seeking Mouse? I’m not sure. I usually just call it Little One.”
The woman glanced at the plump creature and smiled charmingly. “Little One—what a fitting name.”
“Squeak! Squeak!” protested the creature from Li Chengzhu’s shoulder, clearly displeased by her teasing.
“You really don’t know what kind of spirit beast it is?” The woman seemed genuinely interested.
Li Chengzhu stroked the creature’s head. “I honestly don’t know. I’ve never seen one like it before.” This was the truth—after more than two months wandering the forest, he’d only ever seen this one, and aside from recognizing the Bearded Finch of the Immortal Realm, he knew nothing of other spirit or immortal beasts.
The woman studied the little creature for a while, then sighed in mild disappointment, “Perhaps I was mistaken.”
Li Chengzhu’s curiosity got the better of him. “Do Treasure-Seeking Mice look like Little One? What’s their use? You seem quite interested.”
The woman regarded him with surprise, as if amazed that he could be ignorant of the famous Treasure-Seeking Mouse of the Immortal Realm. Yet, after a long look, she seemed convinced he wasn’t lying. “Treasure-Seeking Mice do look like your Little One, but they’re smaller—about half its size—and their tails are longer. Though only mid-rank, second-tier spirit beasts, they’re the only ones in the Immortal Realm able to sense concentrations of spiritual energy. As their name suggests, Treasure-Seeking Mice are used to find treasures and are immune to barrier spells.”
Li Chengzhu was astonished. He hadn’t expected these mice to be immune to barriers! Now he was certain Little One was indeed a Treasure-Seeking Mouse—for when it stole his first Sky Mystery Stone, it had entered and exited his alarm barrier without triggering it. And when he’d first encountered Little One, it had been half its current size.
Li Chengzhu glanced at the creature’s tail, which he’d once severed; it had yet to fully regrow. He congratulated himself silently—well done, indeed.
Thinking of the creature’s abilities, Li Chengzhu imagined mountains of rare treasures piling up before him—a fortune beyond measure.
The woman, amused by Li Chengzhu’s drooling expression, asked, “Would you sell it to me?”
“Squeak! Squeak!” Before Li Chengzhu could answer, Little One raised its front paws in protest, the whiskers beside its nose bristling defiantly, clearly unhappy with the suggestion.
Li Chengzhu wiped the drool from his mouth and said generously, “As I said—it’s not mine. It just follows me. If it wishes to go with you, I won’t stop it.