The first time Luo Qingyan died, it was over three copper coins. The second time, it was over a steamed bun. By the third time, he had learned two important things about life:
The heavens were deeply unfair. Debt collectors were worse than demons.
"Pay up."
A shadow blocked the sunlight. Luo Qingyan, currently crouched behind a street stall pretending to be invisible, slowly raised his head.
Standing in front of him was a man dressed in white immaculate robes, long black hair tied neatly, expression colder than a winter river. He did not belong here.
The mortal market was noisy, chaotic, full of smoke and shouting vendors. Yet he stood untouched, as if the world itself dared not brush against him.
Luo Qingyan squinted.
"…You look expensive."
The man's brows twitched. "You owe me three thousand spirit stones."
"Ah," Luo Qingyan said, immediately lying down on the ground. "I am dead."
His name was Luo Qingyan, former outer disciple of a third-rate cultivation sect, current professional freeloader, part-time liar, and full-time survivor.
The man in white is Shen Wuyou. Peak master of Qingyun Sect, Sword immortal, Legend.
And unfortunately, His creditor.
"You borrowed from me," Shen Wuyou said calmly.
"I borrowed from your junior disciple," Luo Qingyan corrected. "There's a difference."
"He is my disciple."
"That sounds like a personal problem."
The silence that followed was so cold that even the nearby tofu vendor quietly backed away.
Shen Wuyou looked down at him.
"You used the money to gamble."
"I invested it."
"You lost."
"I diversified."
A long pause. Then
"Stand up."
Luo Qingyan did not move.
"I said"
"I'm still dead," Luo Qingyan muttered. "Please respect the deceased."
Something flickered in Shen Wuyou's eyes.
Not anger.
Something worse.
Amusement.
"You cannot die," Shen Wuyou said lightly. "You signed a contract."
"…What contract?"
"The one you didn't read."
Luo Qingyan froze.
"…That feels illegal."
"You stamped it with your blood."
"That feels very illegal."
Shen Wuyou extended his hand.
A thin golden thread appeared between them faint, but unbreakable.
Luo Qingyan stared at it.
"…What is that?"
"A soul-binding debt contract."
"…You're joking."
"I am not known for humor."
Luo Qingyan sat up slowly.
Then very slowly, he said:
"…So, if I don't pay you back?"
"You cannot reincarnate."
"…What."
"You will remain tied to me."
"…WHAT??"
The market erupted into chaos as Luo Qingyan grabbed Shen Wuyou by the collar.
"What kind of demonic contract is this?!"
"A legally recognized one."
"By WHO?!"
"The heavens."
"…I want to file a complaint."
"You may do so after repayment."
Luo Qingyan stared at him.
Then, with great sincerity:
"I don't have money."
"I know."
"I don't have skills."
"I know."
"I don't have dignity."
"I can see that."
"…Then what do you want from me?!"
Shen Wuyou looked at him for a long moment. Then said, quietly
"Stay."
The world stilled.
Luo Qingyan blinked.
"…Stay?"
"Until the debt is repaid."
"…And how do I repay it?"
"You work."
"I don't work."
"You do now."
Luo Qingyan considered running. Then he looked at the golden thread wrapped around his wrist. Then at Shen Wuyou. Then back at the thread.
"…If I jump off a cliff?"
"You will respawn beside me."
"…If I drown?"
"The same."
"…If I"
"You may try," Shen Wuyou said mildly.
"…You're terrifying."
And just like that Luo Qingyan, who had spent his entire life avoiding responsibility was now bound to the most terrifying man in the cultivation world.
"…Can I at least eat first?" he asked weakly.
Shen Wuyou paused.
Then, unexpectedly
"…Yes."
Luo Qingyan lit up instantly.
"Boss! Two bowls of noodles!"
He turned back, grinning.
"Since you're my creditor, you're paying."
For a moment Shen Wuyou almost smiled.
And that was how it began. A debt, a bond, and a story that would end in either immortality. Or ruin.