Word of the steward’s sudden decline had spread, even if no one knew the details. Servants whispered among themselves, and even the outer disciples seemed more cautious than usual.
Li Ren sat near the wall, finishing his porridge.
He opened the system.
Divine Debt Ledger
Host: Li Ren
Realm: Interest Gatherer (Stage 1)
Debt Qi: 120/200
New Feature:
System Store – Locked
Unlock Condition: Settle one more significant debt
“One more,” he murmured.
His gaze drifted across the courtyard and landed on Mei Lin.
She was working as usual, washing clothes in the corner. Nothing about her posture suggested hope or excitement.
Just routine.
Above her head, the text still hovered.
Target: Mei Lin
Debt: Bound servant contract
Total: 11 spirit stones equivalent
Status: Active
Li Ren stood up.
Time to finish this.
Inside the steward’s office, the air felt stale.
Steward Han sat behind his desk, staring at a stack of contracts. His movements were slow, his expression hollow.
When the door opened and Li Ren stepped in, his face paled.
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“You again…”
“I need one contract,” Li Ren said.
The steward swallowed. “Which one?”
“Mei Lin. Servant contract. Eleven spirit stones’ worth.”
Steward Han hesitated.
“You think you can just take it?”
Li Ren didn’t raise his voice.
“I’m settling the debt. That’s all.”
The pressure in the room returned. Not overwhelming, but enough to make the steward’s breathing uneven.
He didn’t argue further.
Li Ren opened the system.
Debt Collection: Mei Lin
Settlement Options:
-
Extract collateral
-
Transfer contract
-
Pay debt directly
He selected the last option.
Debt Qi Conversion Available
Rate: 5 Debt Qi = 1 spirit stone equivalent
He confirmed the transaction.
A portion of energy left his body.
Debt Qi Spent: 55
Debt Settlement Initiated
A contract on the desk glowed faintly.
Li Ren picked it up.
The seal at the bottom shifted.
Debt Settled: Mei Lin
Contract Status: Released
He folded the paper and tucked it into his sleeve.
Steward Han stared at him.
“You really paid it…” he muttered.
Li Ren didn’t respond.
He simply turned and left.
Outside, Mei Lin was still working.
Li Ren approached and held out the folded contract.
“Here,” he said. “Your debt is settled.”
She paused, then took the paper.
Her eyes moved slowly across the text. When she saw the settlement mark, her expression didn’t change much.
No tears.
No dramatic reaction.
Just a long, quiet breath.
“So it’s done,” she said.
“Yes.”
She folded the contract carefully.
“We had an agreement,” she said. “I’ll work with you until the value balances out.”
Li Ren nodded.
“Information, errands, and anything reasonable,” he said. “No blind loyalty, no dangerous risks without discussion.”
“Good,” she replied. “I’m not interested in being someone’s follower.”
He smirked slightly.
“Neither am I.”
She tucked the contract into her sleeve.
“What’s the plan now?” she asked.
“Same as always,” Li Ren said. “Find bigger debts.”
She nodded.
“That suits me.”
That night, Mei Lin didn’t sleep in the servant quarters.
Instead, she sat near the courtyard wall, watching the sky.
Freedom felt strange.
Unfamiliar.
But not unwelcome.
Across the yard, Li Ren opened his system.
Debt Qi: 65/200
System Store: Unlocked
A new tab glowed softly.
He smiled faintly.
“Business just expanded.”
And this time, he wasn’t working alone.
Not because of loyalty.
Not because of romance.
But because, in a world built on debts…
Partnerships were sometimes the most valuable assets of all.