**Chapter Thirty: Are You Looking for an Assistant or a Henchman?**
Although Luxianbei was unsure about the reliability of Jumeng’s “thesis remnants” offered as a sacrifice, the efficiency was undeniable.
In just one hour, Jumeng had received over two thousand “offerings.” After another half hour spent filtering through the cluttered text for duplicates and meaningless content, and after Jumeng’s confirmation and reorganization, there was even time to play a couple of rounds of Fall Guys.
Two hours later, a lengthy, more than thirteen-thousand-word patchwork thesis was born, significantly longer than the typical small thesis, almost rivaling a graduation thesis.
“Here you go, all set! Where’s the stuff?”
“Wait, I’m about to show you the treasure!”
Jumeng glanced outside and tilted her head, “Huh? It’s still morning and you’re so eager to see my treasure? Isn’t that a bit much?”
“Hey! As the old saying goes, ‘A day’s plan starts in the morning!'” Luxianbei replied.
“……” Jumeng propped her chin and pondered for two seconds before saying seriously, “Luxianbei, your pickup lines have really improved lately!”
“Honestly, are you fooling around with some dog outside behind my back?”
In an instant, the image of a certain dark-skinned, golden-haired girl flashed through Luxianbei’s mind, and he replied with a straight face, “In fact, the leader of my Siye Society is just the kind of dog you mentioned.”
As he spoke, Luxianbei reached into his jacket pocket, fished out the core of a certain urban legend, and placed it in front of Jumeng’s delicate white hand that was extended toward him.
Jumeng took the core of the urban legend that looked somewhat like crystallized fatty pork, scrutinizing it for a moment before turning to Luxianbei with a frown.
“Something’s not right!”
“What’s wrong? Is this urban legend core toxic or something?”
Jumeng looked at Luxianbei with a serious expression and said, “I mean you, something’s off with you!”
“How could a three-legged cat spiritual ability user like you, who just drew spirit patterns, have killed such a creature… uh, according to Siye Society, it’s classified as a B-grade urban legend, and you weren’t even injured?”
“This… actually… maybe…” Luxianbei’s lips parted slightly, momentarily at a loss for words.
Would she believe me if I told her that out of extreme fear, I unleashed my potential, swept beneath it with a sliding tackle, and cut its belly open with a family heirloom kitchen kn*fe, elegantly completing the k*ll?
d*mn it, what an outrageous lie, I can’t say that!
While Luxianbei was deep in thought, a tender white hand suddenly extended in front of him, waving slightly, the faintly glowing mark on it particularly conspicuous.
“Man, please stop your lying!” Jumeng’s voice echoed beside Luxianbei’s ear.
Luxianbei, “……”
I don’t want to!
Isn’t it because you’re hunting the urban legend me, and I can’t dare tell you the truth?
Just as Luxianbei was feeling as anxious as if a madman was beating his brain, Jumeng’s words came like a reprieve.
“Forget it, men always have a few dirty little secrets; I can’t be bothered to care.”
As she spoke, she picked up the hard-as-iron urban legend core and popped it in her mouth. With a crunch, she bit off a small piece, then waved her hand at Luxianbei.
“Xiao Bei! You bought porridge for breakfast, right? Quick, bring it to me; this urban legend core is as greasy as lard and I need to wash it down with some porridge.”
“Got it, Your Majesty, coming right up!”
Luxianbei replied, fetching a bowl of vegetable porridge and handing it to Jumeng, then watching her consume it—one mouthful of porridge, one mouthful of urban legend core, swiftly finishing it all.
At that moment, he realized that standing in front of him was the genuine article, a high-level urban legend, effortlessly devouring a B-grade urban legend core.
Eating an urban legend core with porridge like a bun, could any other urban legend pull that off?
While Luxianbei was musing, he suddenly asked, “By the way, Sister Mengmeng, do you know about Dawazeng?”
Upon hearing this, Jumeng looked surprised, her gaze scanning Luxianbei from top to bottom, “I know! Why do you ask? Want to go on a trip?”
“I do want to go,” Luxianbei replied with a straight face, his tone somewhat despondent, “My father had made plans to go there before he passed away, unfortunately…”
“Isn’t there around a month until winter break? I plan to go then and fulfill a wish.”
Upon hearing this, Jumeng’s expression relaxed as she casually glanced at the glowing mark on her hand. Noticing it hadn’t lit up, her previously tense nerves eased.
“I suggest you don’t go.”
“What? Why?” Luxianbei inquired, perplexed.
“There’s a gathering place for urban legends there, similar to Peach Source, you understand?” Jumeng explained.
“This…,” Luxianbei frowned, “Is it not allowed for outsiders to visit your Peach Source?”
“How could that be!” Jumeng raised her chin slightly, looking somewhat proud, “Someone like me, so reasonable and understanding, of course wouldn’t do something like that.”
“Our Peach Source is a national 5A scenic area, okay? The annual ticket sales and gift shop bring in a lot of money!”
Luxianbei, “……” You old-timer, isn’t it because you’re envious of the dividends that you let tourists in?
“However, Dawazeng is different.” Jumeng continued, “Ordinary humans can go, solitary spiritual ability users are allowed, and even regular urban legends can go, but you can’t.”
“Why? What would happen if I went?” Luxianbei asked, bewildered.
“The leader of the urban legends there doesn’t get along with the Siye Society!” Jumeng said with a serious expression, “Since you are a Siye Society operative, if you go, you will surely d*e.”
Luxianbei furrowed his brow at Jumeng’s ominous words and weakly asked, “Is it really that scary? Is the leader there very strong?”
“I, the dignified Jumeng, have organized three Hundred Demons Walks to occupy Peach Source’s territory. You know about the Hundred Demons Walk, right? Siye Society should have taught you about it?”
Luxianbei nodded.
He had indeed seen information regarding the Hundred Demons Walk in *The Book of Siye*, and it was mentioned in the knowledge of the Great Serpent God.
In simple terms, it’s when an upper-level urban legend connects their aura with the ley line aura of a particular area through a special ritual, declaring dominion over it.
To put it even more simply, it’s akin to a dog marking territory.
The sprawling mountains within the Bamboo Slips Illusion were the fruits of the Great Serpent God’s Hundred Demons Walk.
Of course, aside from marking territory, the Hundred Demons Walk has many other benefits.
But *The Book of Siye* didn’t elaborate, and during the Great Serpent God’s peak, they didn’t care, so Luxianbei wasn’t particularly clear on it.
“Do you know how many times the urban legend leader in Dawazeng has organized this?” Jumeng asked.
Luxianbei shook his head.
Jumeng looked at Luxianbei as if he were foolish and said seriously, “Thirty-three times!”
“Wow—!” Luxianbei gasped in shock.
“Scared, huh?” Jumeng smirked, “In any case, I can’t be sure how strong the urban legend leader there is, but they’re definitely a big deal!”
“With your little body, if you went to that kind of place, you’d probably be taken down in three seconds, lying down and letting them do as they please; at that point, don’t come begging me for help!”
As if sensing some important information, Luxianbei narrowed his eyes and teased, “So if I really went and encountered danger, would you come to save me?”
“I…,” Jumeng hesitated, “Save you? For a little fish like you, am I just going to run off and clash with a big deal? Is that what you think?”
“Tsk! Ungrateful woman!” Luxianbei rolled his eyes at Jumeng, turned around to head upstairs to grab his backpack, and rushed back down, darting into the bathroom.
After locking the bathroom door behind him, Luxianbei climbed onto the toilet and retrieved three bottles of disaster water from the ceiling cavity, carefully stuffing them into his backpack.
Having witnessed the explosive power of the disaster water at the South Suburb Slaughterhouse, Luxianbei felt that keeping such dangerous items at home was unsafe, and they needed to be disposed of promptly.
Just as Luxianbei was neatly putting the three bottles of disaster water into his backpack and restoring the ceiling cavity, Jumeng’s voice suddenly rang from outside the door.
“Hey! Luxianbei, I’ve noticed you’ve been sneaking into the bathroom a lot lately?”
Hearing this, Luxianbei tensed up, almost spilling the disaster water-filled backpack he was holding.
“Are you… having kidney issues?”
“You’ve got kidney issues!” Luxianbei blurted out.
“Eh—! Don’t be shy! Do you know what my power is? It’s managing the reproduction of all things! I’m very good at curing that kind of problem; do you want to give it a try?”
“Three thousand years of ancient formula, cures kidney deficiency, sugar-free, effective within three time spans, howling like a celestial wolf!”
“Get lost!”
————
In a corner of the apartment.
The gathered urban legends eavesdropping on the daily banter between Luxianbei and Jumeng fell into silence.
After a long while.
False Teeth spoke seriously, “Do you think the medicine they were discussing is really that effective?”
“Why? Are you having kidney deficiency?” Mafun asked in surprise.
“Don’t misunderstand; I’ve just recently become stronger in spiritual energy and remembered a lot of memories from before. In those memories, I had a friend…”
“Is this friend you?” the Eye interrupted.
“Nonsense! I’m doing just fine!”
“It’s okay, we all understand! If you really want that recipe, just put in some effort and make the witch get kidney deficiency!” Mafun suggested.
“Sounds good! I’ll download some quality resources to his phone later!”
“Good luck! If you get it, share a portion with me!” Mafun added.
After a pause, it clarified, “Uh, we’re not experiencing kidney deficiency; we’re just in need of funding for building the organization, and selling the kidney deficiency medicine could be a good choice.”
……
Thus, the workshop for the production of the “Witch’s Kidney Treasure” from the old Huacheng brand was established in a form that a certain witch was completely unaware of.
————
Having left the apartment and walking toward Huacheng University of Technology, Luxianbei finally had the chance to think quietly.
Through deciphering the knowledge of the Great Serpent God, he had successfully obtained the formula for fully correcting the defect and learned about the Ghost Market as a trading place for spirit energy items through Water Brother.
If it weren’t for the hiccup with the group entry review for the Urban Legends Chat Group, he would have long gone to the Ghost Market to trade disaster water for materials.
Luxianbei had planned to sell the disaster water to Fat Second Grandpa later in the day and at the same time buy some materials from him.
However, he couldn’t buy it all from him. Water Brother said he wasn’t a decent fellow, and if he figured out something from the materials Luxianbei bought, that would likely be problematic, Luxianbei thought.
Ever since learning about Dawazeng’s information from Jumeng, Luxianbei, who initially didn’t care much about correcting the defect, suddenly felt a sense of urgency.
Since my dad didn’t d*e accidentally, I must find out the cause of his d*ath; I can’t rely entirely on the investigations of the Urban Legends Chat Group, I need to prepare for both sides.
And to understand my father’s cause of d*ath, figuring out what he was escorting to Dawazeng is likely a crucial part.
Jumeng said that the urban legend leader there is very powerful, so I just need to have the strength to defeat it!
Hmm, as long as I take a bit more time, do a little more preparation, and complete a little more of the defect, I will definitely succeed!
Deep in thought, Luxianbei unknowingly walked to the printing shop in front of the gate of Huacheng University of Technology. He stopped pondering, took out a USB drive from his pocket, and entered the printing shop.
“Boss, please help me print a copy of my small thesis!”
The printing shop owner took the USB drive handed by Luxianbei and responded, “Alright! Just a moment!”
————
Half an hour later.
At Huacheng University of Technology, in the College of Arts and Literature Experimental Building, Ancient Special Characters Research Room.
As Luxianbei watched Professor Ma, he felt uneasy, his mood akin to being caught copying homework as a child and being punished to stand in the principal’s office.
Professor Ma looked at his small thesis for over ten minutes, with a serious expression, brow furrowed, occasionally making strange sounds like “Hmm?” and “Oh!”
Scared.JPG
Luxianbei hadn’t expected Jumeng’s thesis to be particularly reliable, but now, seeing Professor Ma’s expression, it was no longer a question of reliability.
He just hoped it wasn’t too outrageous.
“Luxianbei, this small thesis of yours, although the writing style is a bit too conversational, it’s not without merit; several viewpoints interpret the history of the Dongyi people’s reverence for the totem deity from a very novel and unique perspective, which past scholars have rarely focused on.”
“Thank you for the compliment, Professor,” Luxianbei said modestly.
Isn’t it novel and unique? Are there any past scholars who are the deities of the Dongyi deity system, Jumeng’s kin? Luxianbei thought to himself.
“This small thesis of yours is very good. Are you interested in publishing it?”
“What?”
Luxianbei tilted his head.
This is outrageous; although it’s not the kind of outrageous he was previously imagining.
For someone like Professor Ma, who is particularly strict in academics, to say “very good” like this indicates that this small thesis indeed has standards.
But…
“What’s wrong? Reluctant? Afraid of embarrassment?” Professor Ma furrowed his brow slightly and said, “You don’t need to worry about that; I can help you revise it.”
“In the end, you don’t even need to put my name on it; after all, you completed most of it independently. Just add my name to the acknowledgment list, heh heh!”
As Professor Ma spoke, he looked left and right at the small thesis in his hands, clearly quite fond of it.
“Professor, that wouldn’t be appropriate; I feel…”
“Then tell me, what are you worried about?” Professor Ma interrupted, waving his hand, “In my view, while this small thesis doesn’t delve deep enough and its viewpoints are a bit shallow, it indeed provides several valuable research directions, and should be shared.”
“Or do you plan to research it yourself?”
Luxianbei, “……”
That’s not it; it’s just that it wasn’t created by me, making me feel particularly guilty.
If I really wanted to research it, I could just stay home every day, pin Jumeng down, and thoroughly research the ins and outs.
After pondering for a moment, Luxianbei conceded, “Alright, Professor, let’s publish it!”
As soon as Luxianbei finished speaking and was about to add a few more words, he saw Professor Ma slam his hand on the table excitedly, “I’ve been waiting for you to say that!”
“With the qualification from this thesis, you can barely join the group! Then I’ll see who dares to speak ill of you!”
“What now?”
Professor, you’re not making sense!
Luxianbei’s mind suddenly filled with a multitude of question marks.
“Isn’t Yanjing University recently initiating a joint research project on Dongyi culture? I also want to be involved, and since you have such talent in this area, I thought to bring you on as my assistant…”
Upon hearing this, the question marks in Luxianbei’s head instantly transformed into trembling exclamation marks as he exclaimed, “No, no! Professor, please just let me off this time!”
“Last time I helped you research bamboo slips, it caused a whole bunch of trouble, and I almost got stuck in the Bamboo Slips Illusion; this time, let me take a break and let you harm someone else, alright?”
“How could that be considered harming?” Professor Ma replied, “Isn’t it helping you gain qualifications? It’ll make things much easier for your graduate school application afterward.”
Luxianbei, “……”
Graduate school application? I’m afraid I won’t even live to see that day!
“Professor, aren’t you afraid of causing any more issues? Based on the various materials I collected while writing my small thesis, if any urban legends emerge, it’ll be way crazier than the bamboo slips.”
Yeah! That’s right, fierce and adorable, bugging people and not leaving, gorging every day, checking up on people frequently, capable of rapidly treating kidney deficiency within six hours, and most urban legends can’t even beat her; aren’t you scared?
“This…” Professor Ma hesitated for a while, looked seriously at Luxianbei, and solemnly stated, “That’s why I want you to become my assistant!”
“……” Luxianbei remained silent for a few seconds, his face expressionless, “Professor, you tell me honestly, do you want an assistant or a henchman?”
“Well, I’ll be straightforward,” Professor Ma said seriously, “I want both.”
Luxianbei, “……”
You’re really at that age and still playing the ‘I want it all’ game, can you handle it?
Seeing Luxianbei looking troubled, Professor Ma stood up and patted his shoulder, “Don’t stress over this; I only suggested it. If you don’t want to, we can forget about it. I’ll find someone else.”
“That…” Luxianbei looked at Professor Ma and nodded, “I’ll think about it when I get back?”
“Mm, take your time!” Professor Ma said with a pleased expression, “The project won’t officially start until next spring, and there’s over two months to go. Just let me know a week before it begins.”
“Got it, Professor, I’ll be off now. I still need to go to the library.”
“Go ahead! I’ll handle the thesis publication matter!”
Just hope nothing goes wrong… Luxianbei thought, responding softly.
“Mm! Thank you, Professor.”
