Dimensional Storekeeper - Chapter 165

Chapter 165: Wing Blast, Burp of Resurrection!
Yoru and Tsuki padded up to the table and carefully tilted their heads, placing the cans just right so they wouldn’t roll off the edge.

It wasn’t their first delivery run. They’d learned after one too many fizzy disasters that a tilted can on a smooth table was asking for trouble.

Now? They had it down to muscle memory.

“Good job, you two.” Hao said, giving each kitten a quick pat on the head.

Yoru puffed his chest out like a soldier reporting for duty. Tsuki raised her chin, tail swishing with pride.

Hao chuckled, picked up one of the Wing Blast cans, and popped it open with a crisp hiss.

Then, turning to the unconscious rat on the table, he gently pried open Little Sneak’s mouth. The rat looked half-dead but also weirdly at peace, mouth slightly ajar with a thin string of drool clinging to one fang.

His limbs were flopped out in dramatic angles, as if a nap had ambushed him mid-talking.

“Oi.” Hao muttered and gave Little Sneak a light slap on the cheek. Nothing hard.

Just enough to jiggle the little guy’s face a bit.

Still nothing.

Not even pretending, huh? Must’ve really gone full NPC.

With a sigh, Hao took the opened can and began pouring a slow stream of Wing Blast into the rat’s mouth – carefully, continuously, like a miniature waterfall trickling down his tongue.

Little Sneak didn’t stir, but his throat reflexively swallowed every drop.

By the time the can ran dry – barely a minute later – the rat’s round belly had inflated!

His limbs stayed limp, but his mouth curled ever-so-slightly upward.

Was that… a smirk?

Yep. A very obvious smirk, like he was dreaming of treasure chests filled with cheese coins.

His complexion had improved. Still paler than usual, but definitely no longer ghost-level.

‘Was it because he’s a Lesser Abyssal Beast?’ Hao wondered, squinting at the smug sleeping rat.

That had to be it. At his level, he should’ve had a vast dense qi reserve despite his tiny body, and the Wing Blast must’ve been just enough to refill most of it.

Judging by how he looked now, maybe around seventy-five to eighty percent restored.

Hao flicked him on the forehead.

“Chibisuke. You awake now? You good?”

The rat’s ears moved. His tail gave a tiny flop.

Then… a burp.

Little Sneak’s nose twitched, his mouth slowly opening like a baby bird asking for a second serving. His eyes fluttered, not fully awake, but just enough to convey one thing.

He wanted more.

Hao’s face soured instantly. His right cheek tensed awkwardly as if it was trying to detach from his skull in protest.

Was this guy for real?

Did he really want another can?

Should Hao knock him out again just to reset his attitude?

He raised his hand with a sigh, fingers ready to deliver divine judgment… but Little Sneak cracked one eye open, peeked, then immediately slammed it shut like he’d seen the gates of the underworld.

Hao stared.

The rat stayed still.

He scratched his head instead.

“Forget it.” Hao muttered, grabbing Little Sneak by the nape. It was an easy grip.

A mother cat lifting her overdramatic kitten who got too excited.

Little Sneak’s eyes flew open.

His legs flailed. His tail whipped side to side.

Pii!

Piii!

SQUEEEE!!

He squeaked so loudly that Yoru and Tsuki both perked their ears, glanced at each other… then raised their paws and gently bopped Little Sneak on the head.

One after the other.

Boop. Boop.

The kind of curious, lazy bop cats do when they’re not sure if the thing in front of them is food, toy, or just annoying.

Little Sneak froze mid-squirm.

‘Let me go, human!’

‘I’m sorry, alright!’

‘I messed up! Thank you for saving me too, geez!’

It sounded more as if he was saying it to avoid getting flicked rather than from genuine gratitude, but Hao let it slide.

He released the scruff-hold, and Little Sneak dropped onto the table with surprising flair, landing in a crouch like the superhero who swung in buildings using webs.

Hao blinked.

Then slowly shook his head.

‘…I really can’t believe this guy.’

Clip farming every minute.

Hao had a sudden suspicion.

This little rat might just have talent as a streamer. If someone gave him a mic and a camera, he’d probably rake in a million in crystals and gold coins from donation baits alone.

Before Hao could even open his mouth, Little Sneak shot up with a jolt and started yapping at full speed.

‘What was that liquid, human?! That was – hff- so good!’

His nose convulsed wildly. His pupils dilated. Then he narrowed his eyes.

‘Wait a second… was that some kind of… soul-binding potion? A mind-control elixir?! Did you just try to enslave me with flavor?!’

But the outrage barely lasted a breath.

‘Because if you did, wow… That stuff tastes like lightning and Spirit Rain Blossoms got married and bottled their love.’

Spirit Rain Blossoms – a plant resembling Kanzan Cherry Blossom Tree, known for its exploding blooms and wild bursts of qi. They only bloomed during thunderstorms, and, they happened to be Little Sneak’s favorite.

‘And the effects?! My meridians are buzzing! My qi’s back like I’ve been soaking in a spirit spring for days! My tail isn’t even sore anymore!’

His gaze slid across the table and fixed – sharp and laser-focused – on the two cans of Wing Blast,

‘Was that the drink you made me drink, human?’

The little rat blurred into motion.

In a blink, Little Sneak was off the table entirely, hovering in midair with all four limbs wrapped around the can

‘Give me one more!’ he shouted.

‘I’ll pay, I swear!’

…

Luckily for Little Sneak, he was privileged enough to drink two cans of Wing Blast – courtesy of Hao’s generosity and Hao’s own poor wallet.

That was two whole crystals gone. Gone!

After Little Sneak burped for the second time and announced that he could now see wind, Hao had finally asked what exactly happened.

He listened. Patiently. Nodding a few times. Staring a few times.

By the end, Hao looked at him.

And blinked.

“…Are you dumb?”

Little Sneak was insulted. Outraged.

He inflated his cheeks and declared proudly.

‘I was considered smart back at the base! Real smart!’

He even placed a hand on his chest, as if remembering a distant time when he wasn’t this current version of himself.

But the moment he said the word Kurome, the fog came back into his eyes. All rationality, dignity, and possibly intelligence began to evaporatez

He’d followed his big sister to a city once.

Then again.

And again.

And this time, from somewhere so far that he wasn’t even sure if that place really exist.

Hao stared at him for a long moment.

He wanted to ask something.

Then decided it wasn’t worth the headache.

…

As the sky shifted, soft purple clouds stretched across the horizon, painting the mountain peaks in faint shades of gold and rose.

A gentle wind swept over the soaring cliffs where the Drifting Sword Sect resided, brushing through silver-leafed pines and whispering over the jagged tips of rusty steel swords embedded into the earth.

At the mountain’s edge stood a tall wooden gate, aged with time but still imposing.

Above it, a wide wooden sign hung slightly crooked, its surface carved by countless deep sword slashes.

The words “Drifting Sword Sect” were barely visible between the cuts.

Oddly enough, green vines had started to grow into the slashes themselves – curling inside the wounds, filling the gouges like nature was trying to stitch them shut.

Beneath that ancient gate, a lone man stood.

His eyes were calm.

His head.

It shone.

Under the moonlight, it gleamed like polished jade – reflecting light from three different angles.

He stood there silently, glowing gently.

A beautiful moon rose behind him.

The man raised his head.

Ji Yunzhi had arrived.

Here to fulfill the deal he made with Lin Yijun.

He stepped forward and knocked once on the massive wooden gate.

Thud.

The echo hadn’t even faded before the door creaked open by itself.

Two disciples stood inside.

Both wore simple balck robes embroidered with soaring sword on the chest.

Their long black hair was tied neatly, swords hanging by their sides in identical scabbards of deep gray.

They looked calm. Alert. Polite.

Ji Yunzhi didn’t waste time.

“I’m here to speak with your elders.” he said.

“Regarding the pill trade.”

He opened his mouth to elaborate –

“Greetings.” the disciple on the left cut in smoothly, stepping forward with a slight bow.

“Senior Brother Bai, correct?”

The other one followed immediately, also bowing.

“Greetings as well, Senior Brother Bai.” he said respectfully.

The first disciple lifted his hand and ripped a green leaf in half.

Clean. Quick. Sharp.

Like it was some kind of signal.

“The message has been sent.”

“Elder Tang Sheng should be aware of your presence by now.”

“He’ll be on his way shortly, Senior Brother Bai.”

Then, pausing with a respectful tone, he added.

“Please wait just a moment. It won’t take long.”