Chapter 84: Coming Clean, United as a Couple
When Lin Jiu opened his eyes, it was already the next morning.
His whole body ached, and he felt completely drained.
Lin Jiu finally understood just how terrifying a man’s stamina could be!
The pleasure was real, but so was the pain.
Si Xu was too strong. They had been at it since the afternoon, all the way until late at night. Lin Jiu didn’t even know when he had fallen asleep—he felt like he might have passed out.
Remembering how he had once wondered if Si Xu had a physical weakness, Lin Jiu wanted to go back in time and strangle his past self.
Lin Jiu tried to turn over, but his body from the waist down didn’t seem to obey him at all.
On the balcony, Si Xu was on the phone, speaking softly so as not to disturb Lin Jiu.
The balcony door opened, and Si Xu walked in, fully dressed and looking completely composed, with no trace of the wild, intense night before. Dressed once more, he was back to being the calm, restrained man Lin Jiu adored.
Si Xu put down his phone, sat by the bed, and leaned down to kiss Lin Jiu’s forehead. “Are you feeling uncomfortable?”
Lin Jiu: “…”
What do you think? Do you think I’m not uncomfortable? Even a robot wouldn’t be able to handle what you put me through!
He complained endlessly in his heart, but the words that came out of his mouth were the opposite.
“No, not uncomfortable at all, it was *super~~ comfortable*.”
Tired? Yes. Pain? Yes. But he also really enjoyed it.
Si Xu, amused by Lin Jiu’s sarcasm, asked, “Do you want me to give you a massage?”
Lin Jiu’s ears turned red. “Well, if you do, make sure it’s comfortable.”
Si Xu chuckled softly. “Alright.”
Si Xu leaned back against the headboard, pulling Lin Jiu, blanket and all, onto his lap so that Lin Jiu was lying against him. He slipped his hand under the blanket and began massaging his waist.
“Is the pressure okay?”
“It’s alright,” Lin Jiu mumbled, feeling relaxed and sleepy as Si Xu’s massage eased his tension.
Drowsily, Lin Jiu suddenly remembered something.
He called to the system: ‘Has our marriage contract been formed?’
[The marriage contract has been established. Congratulations to the host and the male god on your new marriage!]
Lin Jiu: ‘Just a verbal blessing?’
[Well, what else did you expect?]
Lin Jiu: What about marriage benefits?
[The Chef System congratulates the host on their marriage! The host’s partner is entitled to free dining at your restaurant.]
[The host’s partner is granted the right to know about the Demon Hunter System.]
[The host’s partner is now eligible to enter the Demon Sea dimension.]
[The host’s partner can assist the host in completing tasks.]
[As a wedding gift, the Demon Hunter System will present the host’s partner with a sub-system, which will be awarded through a blind box. The type of sub-system obtained will depend on the host’s luck.]
Lin Jiu suddenly got excited. Could you really play with sub-systems like this?
Lin Jiu: Since it’s a benefit for my partner, shouldn’t he be the one to draw it? Let’s see how his luck is, not mine. Make it visible to him, and I’ll have him draw it himself.
[The host’s partner is aware of the Demon Hunter System and can receive its messages, but he cannot use or see the system. The partner can only use their own sub-system.]
Lin Jiu: “…”
Lin Jiu propped himself up and flipped over, nestling into Si Xu’s arms.
Si Xu asked, “What’s the matter?”
Lin Jiu, full of excitement, said, “I’m going to have you draw a big prize. Right now, there’s an invisible nine-square grid in front of you, with nine treasure chests inside. In a moment, hold my hand and open one of the treasure chests. Each chest contains a system, and which one you get depends entirely on your luck. I’m usually unlucky, so don’t count on me to get something good—it’s all up to you.”
[…]
The system was still too naive. How could it have anticipated that the host would come up with such a clever trick?
Having Si Xu hold his hand to open the chest? Only Lin Jiu could think of that!
But it wasn’t against the rules, so it was allowed.
Lin Jiu sketched the size of the nine-square grid in the air, marking where each treasure chest was located.
Since Si Xu couldn’t see or touch it, Lin Jiu had to do it this way.
Seeing how serious Lin Jiu was, as if he weren’t joking, Si Xu hesitated and asked, “What kind of system is this?”
Lin Jiu: “A system beyond Earth’s civilization.”
Si Xu: “…”
Lin Jiu got up, put on his pajamas, and walked to an open space in the room. “Come, I’ll take you somewhere.”
Si Xu walked over and took Lin Jiu’s hand.
Worried about losing Si Xu when they crossed through the dimension gate, Lin Jiu simply hugged his waist.
Lin Jiu: System, take us to the Demon Sea dimension.
[Two people crossing the dimension gate. Each time the gate opens, 10 magic points are consumed. Proceed?]
Lin Jiu: *Yes.*
The familiar pulling sensation came, but Lin Jiu was used to it. Si Xu, however, was experiencing it for the first time. Instinctively, he tightened his grip on Lin Jiu, feeling a wave of dizziness as the scene around them completely changed.
They found themselves on a small island.
The ground beneath their feet was no longer hard but soft sand, and the sun was blindingly bright. The temperature here was much higher, like they had suddenly gone from winter to summer.
Si Xu, wearing a shirt, was already feeling the heat.
He looked around, seeing nothing but endless ocean—no human structures in sight. It was as if they were the only two people in this world.
Lin Jiu said, “This is where I usually get my supplies.”
He pointed at the vast sea. “This is the Demon Sea dimension, the place where your and my ancestors once lived…”
Lin Jiu led Si Xu to a shaded spot, sitting down, and began explaining everything, starting with how, after being vilified by the internet, he had accidentally ended up here from a taxi. He lived alone in this dimension filled only with seawater for five years. Since time passed differently in the two dimensions, when he returned, only a year had passed on Earth. The events he experienced during that year were too strange to explain to anyone, and the system wouldn’t allow him to reveal its secrets…
Lin Jiu shared all the secrets he had been hiding—about this dimension, the “Demon Hunter System,” the magic fish restaurant, the tasks to earn magic points and treasure chests—everything he told Si Xu in full.
Si Xu didn’t interrupt, listening carefully until Lin Jiu finished.
Lin Jiu looked at him. “Did you expect my secret to be something like this?”
Si Xu: “No one could guess a secret like this.”
Lin Jiu: “Now that you know, you’re just like me. You won’t be able to share it with anyone else—you’ll have to keep it a secret.”
Si Xu: “That’s actually what I wanted to ask. Why can you tell me everything now, when you couldn’t before?”
Lin Jiu’s ears turned red. “Your magic spirit bloodline has awakened by 40%. You now count as a species from the Demon Sea dimension. We also formed a marriage contract last night, which is recognized by the Demon Sea dimension, so now I can bring you here and tell you all my secrets.”
Si Xu thought for a moment. “And the energy crystals you wanted…”
Lin Jiu: “Those are magic crystal cores, something from the Demon Sea dimension.”
Si Xu: “You want the magic crystal cores to exchange them for an Intermediate Gene Enhancement Serum?”
Lin Jiu nodded. “One vial of Intermediate Gene Enhancement Serum costs 100,000 magic points. Even after working myself to the bone doing tasks, it’s hard to accumulate even a thousand points. I have an energy collection sub-system that can convert the energy from magic crystal cores into magic points, which will give me enough to buy the intermediate serum.”
Si Xu let out a long sigh and pulled Lin Jiu into a kiss. “You’ve worked so hard, doing so much for me, and I didn’t even know.”
Lin Jiu replied, “The magic crystal cores were actually thanks to you. If it had been me negotiating, I wouldn’t have gotten them so quickly.”
Si Xu: “If it weren’t for the monster invasion and the urgent need for powerful enhanced people, we might not have been able to close the deal so fast either.”
Lin Jiu, leaning against Si Xu, played with his long fingers. With a tap in the air, a black ring appeared in his hand.
This ring was identical to the one Lin Jiu was wearing—anyone could tell they were a pair.
Lin Jiu’s space ring had been won in a draw, so it didn’t cost any magic points. But when he wanted to buy an identical space ring, he realized how expensive a 5-cubic space ring was!
It cost a whopping 500 magic points!
Lin Jiu slipped the ring onto Si Xu’s left ring finger. Their hands intertwined, and the two matching rings touched.
“This is our wedding ring. You’re mine now, bound to me for life.”
Si Xu chuckled. “Sweetheart, give me a little credit. You’ve done everything—what am I supposed to do?”
Lin Jiu looked up at him. “You don’t need to do anything. This is perfect.”
Si Xu kissed him. “At least let me take care of the wedding rings, okay?”
Just as Lin Jiu was about to reply, Si Xu cut him off with a kiss.
Si Xu held him close. “I know the ring you gave me isn’t just any ordinary ring, but even so, I want to earn the magic points myself to buy your wedding ring. Give me that chance, alright?”
Lin Jiu hugged him and quietly agreed, “Okay.”
*
Lin Jiu leaned back into Si Xu’s arms and spoke with seriousness, “I’m ready.”
Si Xu took Lin Jiu’s hand and tapped the air, opening one of the treasure chests.
Lin Jiu’s eyes widened in anticipation, unsure of what kind of sub-system would appear.
If it was another energy collection system, that would be useless—it only gathered magic crystal cores and converted energy, with no other function.
Of course, the standard Demon Hunter system wouldn’t be much help either. Si Xu didn’t need guidance to hunt sea demons.
The Demon Hunter Chef system wouldn’t suit Si Xu either…
Lin Jiu suddenly realized that most sub-systems were pretty limited in use. Unless they specialized in something, they wouldn’t be very helpful.
[Congratulations! Your partner has received the Weapon Manufacturing System.]
Lin Jiu: “…”
What?!
What kind of system was this?
It seemed more powerful than the energy collection system, the standard Demon Hunter system, or even the Demon Hunter Chef system!
Suddenly, a mechanical voice echoed in Si Xu’s mind.
[Weapon Manufacturing System activated. Would you like to bind now?]
Si Xu asked in his mind: ‘Is this a sub-system of the Demon Hunter System?’
[The Weapon Manufacturing System is indeed subordinate to the Demon Hunter System. Previously, each sub-system existed independently, but when the Demon Sea dimension’s civilization collapsed, we merged into one. Currently, the Demon Hunter System is our main control.]
Si Xu: ‘I have a few questions. Will your answers be monitored by the Demon Hunter System?’
[Since the Weapon Manufacturing System is not yet officially bound to you, this system is currently in a free state. Our conversation will not be monitored.]
Si Xu: ‘So once I bind the system, will our actions and conversations be monitored?’
[That depends on whether the Demon Hunter System is actively monitoring. Continuous monitoring consumes energy.]
Si Xu understood.
He asked the key question: ‘What are the risks of binding the system?’
[There is no direct harm to the host.]
Si Xu: ‘But the Demon Hunter System can punish its hosts by depriving them of their senses, correct?’
[The system has protection mechanisms. As long as they are not violated, the host won’t be in danger.]
Si Xu: ‘Then what is the purpose of your existence? I don’t believe you’re just here to help.’
From Lin Jiu’s description, the Demon Hunter System issued tasks with time limits and offered rewards. But it didn’t take the sea demons Lin Jiu hunted—it seemed like the system was just giving away magic points and treasure chests. So, what was the real goal of the system? To improve Lin Jiu’s fishing skills? That couldn’t be it.
The system didn’t take the sea demons, nor did it allow waste. Lin Jiu couldn’t eat all the sea creatures himself, which was where the Chef System came in, creating the magic fish restaurant. The ingredients, seasonings, and utensils all had to be purchased with magic points.
Hunting sea demons wasn’t the goal, promoting magic cuisine wasn’t the goal, and the magic points and treasure chests weren’t just free handouts. In the end, the magic points returned to the system. Lin Jiu only got physical items in exchange for his magic points. The points and chests were just incentives to keep him moving forward. So, what was the Demon Hunter System’s ultimate goal?
[We need energy.]
A realistic answer.
Si Xu: ‘The Demon Hunter System doesn’t take the sea demons. Where does it get its energy from?’
[The Demon Hunter System absorbs magic essence from the hunted sea demons.]
Si Xu: ‘How much does it take?’
[Seventy percent.]
Si Xu: “…”
So, the sea demons Lin Jiu brought back to Earth were seafood with 70% of their magic essence drained.
And Lin Jiu still had no idea about this.
Si Xu: ‘Why does the Demon Hunter System keep this a secret from Lin Jiu?’
[The system thinks its host is too stingy, so it’s secretly saving up some private magic points.]
Si Xu: “…”
Si Xu began to wonder if he had overthought the system’s motives. Could it really be hiding such a big secret just to save up a stash of magic points on the side?
Si Xu: ‘Why is the Demon Hunter System secretly saving up private magic points?’
[To pursue its crush and keep a backup plan.]
Si Xu: “What crush? What backup plan?”
[You are the Demon Hunter System’s crush. It used its private magic points to buy your magic spirit blade as a gift.]
Si Xu: “…”
[The Demon Hunter System thinks its host is both weak and unreliable, constantly running out of magic points. If the realm gate can’t be opened and it gets stuck on Earth, at least with its private magic points, it won’t run out of energy and fall back into hibernation.]
Si Xu: “…”
Si Xu had considered many possibilities, but he never expected this answer.
Si Xu: ‘One more question.’
Si Xu: ‘Where do the treasure chest rewards and the items bought with magic points come from?’
[The Demon Hunter System’s level isn’t high enough to access that information.]
Si Xu was surprised. Lin Jiu had never mentioned that the Demon Hunter System had levels.
It seemed the system had no hope of leveling up, which is why it never brought it up.
[Would you like to bind the Weapon Manufacturing System now?]
Si Xu rubbed his forehead. ‘Bind it.’
[Weapon Manufacturing System successfully bound.]
[Congratulations! You’ve triggered a treasure chest reward and received one bronze treasure chest. Would you like to open it now?]
Si Xu: ‘Open it.’
[Congratulations! You’ve received one advanced intelligent aircraft.]
A virtual panel appeared before Si Xu. He tapped the icon for the aircraft in the system’s inventory.
Suddenly, a shiny silver aircraft appeared on the beach, startling Lin Jiu.
“What… what is that?”
[As expected from my crush! Just a random tap, and you trigger a treasure chest, a bronze one at that. Does the host even know what a bronze chest looks like?]
Lin Jiu: “…”
Lin Jiu: “…”
Ouch, that was a bit too direct.
Si Xu said, “It’s an advanced intelligent aircraft.”
Lin Jiu ran over and started feeling the aircraft all over. “Ooooh, it feels so high-tech!”
The aircraft looked small and sleek. The cockpit in front was spherical and fully transparent, with two seats inside. The back was silver, streamlined, giving it a simple yet stylish appearance.
Lin Jiu circled the aircraft and pressed his face against the transparent dome, clearly eager to get inside.
Si Xu picked him up, pressed a silver button on the side, and the dome opened. He placed Lin Jiu inside and pressed a button on the seat, causing the safety harness to automatically snap into place.
Lin Jiu looked at him in surprise. “You even know how to work this?”
Si Xu walked around and sat in the pilot’s seat. “I just studied the user manual.”
Lin Jiu’s eyes widened. “You can read the language of the Demon Sea dimension?”
Si Xu: “No.”
Lin Jiu: “…”
Si Xu: “I had the sub-system translate it for me.”
Lin Jiu: “…”
Lin Jiu called out to his system in his mind: ‘What’s going on? Have you been overcharging me for magic points?’
[I didn’t always charge you magic points, remember?]
Now that he thought about it… that seemed true.
Si Xu asked, “Does your system often charge you?”
Lin Jiu nodded furiously. “All the time.”
Si Xu: “What’s the fee structure? Why does it charge?”
Lin Jiu: “Anything outside of my personal information costs magic points. The reason given is energy consumption.”
Si Xu closed the transparent dome, pressed a few buttons on the control panel, and the aircraft powered up. Si Xu manipulated the control lever, causing the aircraft to lift off gently.
At first, the aircraft wobbled a bit, but it quickly stabilized.
Si Xu gradually pushed the lever forward, and the aircraft soared ahead at great speed, pinning them into their seats from the inertia.
Lin Jiu wasn’t scared; in fact, he was thrilled.
After spending so much time in the Demon Sea, he had never seen it from above. Excited, he let out a loud whoop.
Si Xu flew the aircraft around the island of Xipolo, then slowed it down as they glided over the ocean.
Si Xu said, “You can negotiate the prices with the system in the future.”
[…]
The Demon Hunter System quietly sent Si Xu a message.
[Crush, did the Weapon Manufacturing System say something to you? Don’t believe it. I’m a simple and harmless little system.]
Si Xu: Harmless? After draining my partner’s magic points?
[…]
[I didn’t drain anything. I was just saving it for him—he’s terrible at managing his resources.]
Si Xu: ‘Take it easy on him. He works hard for those magic points.’
[Understood, understood.]
Si Xu: ‘Got any tasks? I’ll do them for him.’
[Yes, yes! There are plenty of tasks.]
Si Xu: ‘How many magic points do you need to level up?’
The Demon Hunter System was moved to tears.
[Finally, a reliable host! This poor little system has been worrying itself sick over that irresponsible merman host.]
Si Xu: ‘How many?’
[A lot! Without 10 magic crystal cores, I probably won’t be able to level up.]
Si Xu: ‘That’s a lot. Forget about leveling up for now.’
[…]
[Actually, actually… 8 might be enough.]
Si Xu: ‘There might not even be that many in the entire world.’
[There are, I swear.]
Si Xu: ‘Do you really need that many?’
[I need so many magic points… the more, the better!]
Si Xu: ‘Stop bullying him. I’ll figure something out for you.’
[Whatever you say, my crush.]
[Duo Demon Hunting Task: Giant Demon Stingray ×10]
[Details: Please prepare anti-electricity equipment before battle.]
[Mission Time Limit: 100 days]
[Mission Reward: 10,000 magic points (with a chance to trigger treasure chest rewards) ]
[Failure Penalty: 10,000 magic points deducted, and the realm gate will close for 10,000 days.]
The Demon Hunter System reminded both Lin Jiu and Si Xu simultaneously in their minds.
Lin Jiu had been enjoying the beautiful scenery of the Demon Sea dimension when the sudden mission caught him off guard.
Lin Jiu: ‘System, are you crazy?! Hunting 10 giant demon batfish with a danger level of four stars?!’
[The system believes in you! Go for it!]
Lin Jiu: ‘Change the mission! Change, change, change!’
[Duo Demon Hunting Task: Little Blue Demons ×30]
[Details: Let’s see who has more hands and feet. ]
[Mission Time Limit: 100 days]
[Mission Reward: 3,000 magic points]
[Failure Penalty: 3,000 magic points deducted, and the realm gate will close for 10,000 days.]
Lin Jiu: ‘Change again, I’ve already got plenty of giant demon stingray and little blue demons. I can’t finish them all!’
[Duo Demon Hunting Task: Stone Skullfish ×100]
[Details: Masters of camouflage in the Demon Sea.]
[Mission Time Limit: 30 days]
[Mission Reward: 1,000 magic points]
[Failure Penalty: 1,000 magic points deducted, and the realm gate will close for 1,000 days.]
Lin Jiu: “Let’s go with this one.”
Up until now, he had only caught one Stone Skullfish, and the fish roe was almost gone. It was time to replenish his stock.
—
