At half-past two in the morning, all the lights on the old street were extinguished, leaving only the flickering streetlights and countless wild cats prowling the rooftops, occasionally letting out a few wild cries.
At the end of the old street, in an ancient-style shop, Yu Daochen rested his chin on his hand, half-slumped on the table. Dressed in a white T-shirt, shorts, and a pair of death-grip flip-flops, he looked exactly like the idle, good-for-nothing punks loitering around the streets.
If Yu Daochen hadn't been handsome, he would have been utterly despised if he walked out.
It had been almost a week, and not a single customer had shown up. Was it because the shop had been closed for too long?
Yu Daochen sighed. Normally, he would have comfortably reclined in his rocking chair, eyes closed, waiting for customers. But it had been over a week, and he hadn't even seen a ghost. How could he not be anxious?
As Yu Daochen was worrying, a figure slowly walked from the old street towards the shop.
Seeing this, Yu Daochen grinned: Speak of the devil, and business is coming.
Normally, Yu Daochen would have waited for the customer to ask who Master Yu was, but today was different.
Just as Yu Daochen was about to greet him, he took a closer look and his face immediately fell: Hmph, it's someone from the same trade.
Yu Daochen was somewhat disdainful and continued to rest his chin on one hand, still worried.
The young man wore ordinary sweatpants and a black T-shirt, with dark skin. He looked no different from an ordinary worker, but the backpack on his back, twice as tall as his head, was exceptionally striking.
The young man looked at the three large characters "Midnight Spirit Shop" on the plaque: This must be the place.
The young man stepped into the shop. Before he could speak, Yu Daochen preempted him: "Fellow Daoist, if you wish to stay, you must drink three cups of 'Please Come In' tea."
The young man sized up Yu Daochen, then suspiciously took out his phone and looked at a photo. Elder Hu had mentioned that the sect leader was around eighteen years old and handsome. Although the young man before him was wearing shorts and flip-flops, his appearance was indeed handsome.
After confirming it was Yu Daochen, the young man could hardly believe his eyes. He had known since childhood not to judge a book by its cover, but was this truly his sect leader?
"Zhou Fu, a disciple of the Yanhuo Sect, pays his respects to the Sect Leader." Zhou Fu cupped his fist in a salute.
Yu Daochen blinked, then realized. This guy must be the person Elder Hu recommended, the disciple representing the Yanhuo Sect at the Fengtian Assembly.
Yu Daochen coughed dryly, tidied his clothes, and shed his lewd expression.
After all, he was now the Sect Leader of the Yanhuo Sect, and he had to exhibit the proper demeanor.
"I am Yu Daochen. I presume you have already learned the situation from Elder Hu," Yu Daochen said solemnly, adopting the air of an otherworldly master.
Zhou Fu nodded. "He fought the Black List powerhouses to a draw, suppressed numerous experts in the Nanyang Village incident, and dared not make a move. He is the proud son of the current martial world, the new Sect Leader of the Yanhuo Sect, Yu Daochen."
"This disciple received the news, adjusted for two days, and then took a bus, which is why I arrived a few days late," Zhou Fu explained.
Yu Daochen waved his hand. He hadn't expected Zhou Fu to have such a good attitude. However, his attire truly made him look like a worker.
"It's fine. Put down your backpack first."
Yu Daochen looked at Zhou Fu's bulging backpack, curious about what was inside.
Zhou Fu was pleasantly surprised by Yu Daochen's lack of airs. The martial world rumored the Sect Leader to be ruthless and decisive, but seeing him today was quite different.
Zhou Fu glanced around and finally found a corner to put down his backpack.
"Master specifically instructed me before departure not to cause trouble for the Sect Leader."
Yu Daochen observed Zhou Fu's behavior. An ordinary person would have placed the backpack on the table, but this young man was so cautious.
"I only have one room here. The rooms upstairs have rules, and the backyard is occupied. So, you'll have to make do with sleeping on the floor," Yu Daochen said, preparing to fetch a blanket and quilt.
Zhou Fu quickly waved his hand: "Sect Leader, there's no need to be so polite. I brought my own blanket and quilt."
Yu Daochen looked bewildered and turned to glance at the bulging backpack in the corner.
"I thought it was all magical artifacts. I didn't realize it was blankets and quilts."
Zhou Fu walked over, opened his backpack, and took out a blanket and quilt.
"You bring these things when you go out?" Yu Daochen asked curiously.
"This disciple remembers his master's teachings: do not be extravagant when traveling," Zhou Fu said, then took out a toothbrush and towel from his backpack.
Yu Daochen could hardly believe his eyes.
To be honest, if Yu Daochen hadn't been sure that this kid had qi on his face, he would have almost believed that this kid was truly a worker.
"Zhou Fu, you don't need to bring so many things when you travel," Yu Daochen said after some thought.
Zhou Fu was obedient to Yu Daochen's words: "This disciple remembers the Sect Leader's teachings."
Yu Daochen had a good impression of Zhou Fu, but he had no memory of him from their previous encounter at the Yanhuo Sect.
This is how the Midnight Spirit Shop is. When there are no customers, it's just idle like this. The two of them began to chat.
Zhou Fu had been an orphan since childhood. When he was two years old, his only caregiver, his grandfather, entrusted Zhou Fu to the Yanhuo Sect and then passed away. Zhou Fu's talent was not high, but he was the most diligent. At the age of eighteen, Zhou Fu left the Yanhuo Sect and started working outside.
Yu Daochen sighed after listening. He didn't expect this kid to have a similar background to his own.