Seeing that Shenhe had already grasped the basics, Su Han quietly left.
Faced with this unfamiliar new environment, Shenhe felt no discomfort. However, when she lay on the bed, her fingers brushed against the red rope on her wrist.
"Should I take it off?" she murmured to herself.
There was both expectation and fear in her tone, because those nightmares were not only terrifying, but also left her emotionally unstable after waking.
Suddenly, she remembered Su Han's words:
"The red rope suppresses your constitution, but it also binds your emotions. Don't you want to see your true self?"
Thinking of that, Shenhe finally made up her mind. Her slender fingers grasped the red rope and slowly untied it.
As drowsiness crept in, the exhausted Shenhe soon drifted into sleep. Yet before losing consciousness, she still followed Su Han's teaching, circulating the Ice Heart Technique in her mind until she fell completely asleep.
That night was not perfectly peaceful, but she slept deeply and well.
At seven in the morning, Shenhe opened her eyes. Looking at the bright sunlight pouring through the window, she could hardly believe it.
"I didn't have a nightmare?"
Since childhood, whenever she removed the red rope, she would be haunted by nightmares. If she didn't, her sleep would always be restless and draining.
Since the tragedy that befell her family, this was the first time she had ever slept so soundly.
Just as Shenhe was marveling at the change in herself, a knock came at the door.
"Shenhe, are you awake? I brought your breakfast."
"Come in."
"Alright."
Su Han opened the door and placed the food on the table. But when he looked up and saw Shenhe, he froze completely.
Everyone knew that Shenhe's clothing was already minimal. Now, without the restraint of the red rope, the tight black outfit perfectly outlined her graceful, alluring figure, enough to outshine every actress Su Han had ever seen in films.
As he stood dazed, Shenhe walked over and asked, "What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell? Your forehead feels hot."
The cool touch of her hand on his forehead instantly sobered Su Han up. He silently cursed himself for his lack of composure and hurriedly ran the Ice Heart Technique until the heat in his body faded.
Only then did he answer her.
"It's nothing, I was just thinking about something. Let's eat first."
"Mm."
Shenhe didn't understand what was going through Su Han's mind, but since he said he was fine, she believed him.
Breakfast was similar to yesterday's, dishes combining herbs and ordinary food.
After a while, Su Han asked, "How did you sleep last night? I see you've taken off the red rope."
"Very well! I thought I'd be plagued by nightmares without it, but it was the opposite, the Ice Heart Technique really works."
Putting down her bowl and chopsticks, Shenhe described her experience in detail.
Hearing that she was fine, Su Han relaxed. But as he looked at Shenhe, now without the red rope... another thought struck him.
"Right, since you won't be wearing the red rope anymore, you should change your clothes."
"Why?"
"It's… not very proper. Just wear a little more, that's all. Of course, at home it's fine."
He added that last part deliberately, after all, it'd be a shame if he couldn't at least enjoy this hidden blessing himself. As for anyone else who dared to look, he'd gouge their eyes out.
Shenhe didn't quite understand, but seeing Su Han's serious expression, she remembered that her master had once warned her similarly, that she shouldn't dress too lightly outside.
After a pleasant breakfast, Shenhe returned to her cultivation, while Su Han began tending to business.
The system had upgraded recently and granted him a bonus manga. He still hadn't checked which one it was.
Opening the system interface, he now saw two existing manga series, with the third slot still empty, meaning it hadn't been unlocked yet.
"System, where's the gifted manga?"
"Responding to host: You need to draw it from the card pool. With your current Level 2 system permission, there is a high chance of obtaining a high-grade manga!"
"What are we waiting for, then? Draw!"
Excited by the chance of pulling a rare manga, Su Han eagerly activated the draw.
Soon, countless manga shadows appeared before him. Many were already partially unlocked, JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, One Piece, even A Certain Scientific Railgun. And more were sealed behind red locks.
He even caught sight of the Legend of Sword and Fairy series.
"That one too? They turned that into a manga?"
Su Han was shocked, but then again, since Wind and Cloud had been adapted from a live-action series, why not Sword and Fairy?
Of course, judging from the red locks, it was clear that low-level users shouldn't even dream of unlocking it yet.
Finally, the spinning card pool stopped, and Su Han's eyes widened.
"Fox Spirit Matchmaker?! I actually drew Fox Spirit Matchmaker!?"
He could hardly believe it. Out of all possible choices, this was his third manga?
Compared to Wind and Cloud and The Outcast, the world of Fox Spirit Matchmaker was on an entirely different level, filled with cultivation arts, powerful artifacts, and spiritual techniques. Any single one of them could drastically enhance his strength.
But another thought followed.
With such a high-level manga, upgrading through system points would probably cost an astronomical amount.
"Well, whatever. Having it is better than not having it. I can always cultivate slowly."
Unbothered, Su Han checked the system panel.
[Manga]: Fox Spirit Matchmaker
[Permission]: Level 1 (May create Volumes 1-2)
[Restriction]: Sell 1,000 copies to unlock the next content
[Reward]: After selling 1,000 copies, unlock one draw; after 7 draws, gain a free treasure draw
[Treasure Pool]: May obtain random items from the Fox Spirit Matchmaker world, techniques, potions, artifacts, or even bloodlines. Super treasures are unavailable below Level 5 permission.
[Bonus]: If a technique is obtained, it can be upgraded through points, one manga sold equals one point.
Compared to Wind and Cloud and The Outcast, this manga's requirements were much steeper.
Still, Su Han didn't mind. He had plenty of fans now and could even sell his manga across Mondstadt. Even if the target number rose, it wasn't a big problem.
Besides, romantic manga like this were always top sellers.
As a transmigrator, Su Han understood well that compared to the fierce battles of Wind and Cloud or the cultivation-focused Outcast, a story about love, like Fox Spirit Matchmaker, had the greatest emotional impact.
No matter young or old, man or woman, from Liyue or beyond, no one could escape the pull of love.
"Xu Er! Gather the team! We're promoting a new manga!"
"Boss, I've been waiting for this!"
Having been idle for some time, Xu Er lit up with excitement at the news.
When it came to shop duties, he wasn't as skilled as the professionals, but in street promotion, only Su Han and Tian Tiezui surpassed him.
When Xu Er arrived at the courtyard, he immediately spotted a massive billboard. The art style was totally different from the previous two series, it featured a girl with fluffy ears and a tail, radiating a cute charm.
Coming closer, Xu Er noticed that there was even a poem written on it. He couldn't help but read it aloud:
"What is love in this world,
That makes even magpies unable to bridge longing's sorrow?
That makes butterflies fail to sip the sweetness of joined hearts?
That makes gods defy the heavens just to return home?
That makes souls endure countless cycles, just to meet once again."
By the final verse, Xu Er was completely stunned.
"This poem… is truly romantic."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Bonus chapters every 200 Power Stone!
10, 20, 30 Advanced chapters in my Patreon!
patreon.com/hollyrisk