Facing the utter silence inside the inn and the unwavering gazes of everyone present, the mysterious man opened his fan and smiled. “Of course,” he said. “Although this matter was spoken by Lord Mu, I am merely relaying it. Whether it is appropriate or not, that must be for all of you to judge.”
He did not speak in absolutes, yet those around him could not help but feel a stir in their hearts… This was the path to ascension personally recommended by the Heavenly Dao himself!
Though the Demon Emperor was undeniably formidable, the method of ascension lay within reach, and there would always be those willing to risk their lives for it.
After all, even ants, small as they were, could kill a lion if present in sufficient numbers. Just like how, inside the illusion realm, mortals, acting as vessels, could imprison a dragon God for over ten thousand years.
Feng Qingyun, well aware of such matters, set down his cup silently. Clearly, the small number of people here posed no threat to Long Yin, yet he could not help but frown slightly. Long Yin, however, smiled carelessly, as if Mu Hanyang’s bounty held no meaning for him. He even had the leisure to hand his own teacup to Feng Qingyun.
Feng Qingyun drank with a cold expression, staring unblinkingly at the others. Still, no one spoke. Even if some were tempted, to murder a cultivator in the Golden Core stage was a matter so risky that no one dared organize it openly.
Feng Qingyun withdrew his gaze, taking the teacup Long Yin handed him and placing it lightly on the table, then gently curled his finger.
Long Yin understood and leaned close, asking, “Instructions?”
Feng Qingyun pressed his lips together. There were too many eyes here, and he suspected the strange man might be one of the immortals. He dared not speak too plainly, so he leaned close to Long Yin’s ear, his voice soft as he asked, “Guess what I’m thinking?”
Spoken in that coaxing, almost teasing tone, the words drew the attention of the cultivators nearby, who glanced over, curious at who could be so fortunate.
Only Long Yin immediately understood his meaning and smiled knowingly. “Didn’t you say before that I’m not allowed to guess freely?” He asked, but Feng Qingyun feigned displeasure, answering, “I’m letting you guess, so don’t make such a fuss.”
At once, the blood deed’s command responded. Long Yin immediately pulled him close, laughing.
“Alright, alright, I’ll guess, I’ll guess.” With that, he held out a piece of pastry to Feng Qingyun’s lips, continuing, “See if I’m right.”
Feigning being coaxed, Feng Qingyun lowered his gaze and bit into the pastry.
They were seated in a secluded corner, and the high-level cultivators near the center were engrossed in discussions about ascension, so only a handful noticed them. However, those who did watch their closeness visibly grimaced, recoiling as if overwhelmed by the greasiness of their actions before looking away.
And beneath that outward show of affection, the two communicated directly through the authority of the Heavenly Dao.
[Can you hear what that person is thinking?] Feng Qingyun thought.
[This Lord cannot.] Long Yin replied.
Feng Qingyun was taken aback.
[How can you not hear?!]
[Back then, they did not have this ability. Nearly half of the immortals died by my hand, but later on, those who survived cultivated methods of mind control through various means… though the effect is limited.]
Feng Qingyun was momentarily stunned. Long Yin spoke so lightly, yet in just a few words, Feng Qingyun could picture the other’s imposing presence, sword in hand, taking on thousands at once.
Teasing him, Long Yin said: [What, the Little Palace Master thinks your husband is impressive, so much that you worship him utterly?]
[I don’t worship you!] Feng Qingyun snapped back, turning to look at the immortal who had just made the shocking declaration before falling silent. [So, according to you, this person uses mind control…]
[Hmm.] Long Yin replied. [It must be a leftover immortal.]
Feng Qingyun frowned slightly. That immortal clearly wished to use Mu Hanyang’s blade to kill Long Yin, yet the source of his murderous intent was unclear.
Whether the immortal had seen through Long Yin’s identity or simply wanted to wipe out all Golden Core cultivators to prevent interference, he could not tell.
If the former, then Mu Hanyang truly was foolish beyond belief, useless enough to fail at setting a proper trap and leaving them surrounded by enemies!
However, the latter made more sense.
The Heavenly Gate Ceremony had invited cultivators from across the world, clearly aiming to gather all high-level cultivators in one place. In previous ceremonies, only those in official favor or allied with the Xiān Gōng Sect were invited. The sudden expansion of including pretty much everyone was suspicious.
A thought occurred to Feng Qingyun. Perhaps an immortal was already manipulating Mu Hanyang, and his bounty had a hidden reason… But that was nothing more than yet another reason to call Mu Hanyang stupid!
Feng Qingyun fell into thought. Long Yin did not interrupt, pouring him a cup of tea. Feng Qingyun drank from it, but at that moment, a calm voice broke the silence, questioning, “This friend… you’ve been watching for a long time.”
The crowd turned. Seeing the two of them so closely intertwined right behind them, their expressions shifted, some showing astonishment.
Feng Qingyun swallowed the tea, waiting until Long Yin casually set down his cup before speaking: “I am of low cultivation and dare not claim any understanding. Only through my Dao companion’s reminder did I dare reflect deeply… how can the invisible, formless Heavenly Dao take shape?”
The hidden immortal smiled. “All things under heaven, insects, birds, beasts, can take form. Why not the Heavenly Dao itself?”
“…The Hevenly Dao nourishes all under heaven, sustaining sun and moon, shaping mountains and rivers, guiding natural rhythms…” Feng Qingyun answered.
“Exactly.” The immortal spoke confidently. “In ancient times, mountains and rivers could attain consciousness. The Heavenly Dao grants blessings to all under heaven, and now is repaid by the people.”
Feng Qingyun feigned acquiescence, nodding. “…Your words are reasonable. I see now I was overthinking.”
Others murmured in agreement.
Finishing his tea, the hidden immortal rose, claiming he had cultivation matters, and left without inviting further questions or debate. Behind him, Long Yin silently released a trace of demonic Qi to follow him.
Sometimes, leaving things hinted at rather than explained could spark infinite speculation, swaying those who were undecided. After the mysterious man departed, the remaining people were stirred by his words, and the atmosphere became livelier.
“It seems that…” someone commented, “Lord Mu might indeed be the manifestation of the Heavenly Dao!”
“Hmm… Considering he quickly became the leader of the Righteous Path and sat there for centuries, only the Heavenly Dao could explain it!”
Others nodded and, soon enough, someone cautiously asked, “If he really is the Heavenly Dao… then can his promises be trusted?”
“They should be… after all, when the Heavenly Dao speaks, how could it be false?”
“So that means… if we present the Demon Lord’s head, ascension should be possible?!”
At this, everyone’s breath caught. They were clearly tempted, yet no one dared be the first to act. Only that Cultivator Gong, who had been the most passionate earlier, slammed the table and exclaimed, “Gentlemen, the ancestors once said, ‘It’s enough to hear the Heavenly Dao in the morning, even if it means dying at dusk!’ We have cultivated to this day, seeking nothing more than a way to ascend! Now, the Heavenly Dao guides us to punish the wicked and uphold justice, and to advance to the heavenly realm together… how could that be wrong?!”
His words were grand and stirring. A few cultivators were visibly moved, yet still, no one dared speak.
Cultivator Gong let out an exasperated sigh as if frustrated with their hesitation. Rising, he declared indignantly, “If you, friends, are unwilling, then I shall go alone! When I take down the Demon Lord’s head, we shall meet again at the Heavenly Gate Ceremony!” He spoke and lifted his sword as if ready to leave. Behind him, someone bit their lip and said, “Friend, wait… I’ll go with you to accomplish this great task together!”
At that, Cultivator Gong beamed with joy, asking, “You would accompany me?”
With someone taking the first step, the rest followed naturally. One by one, people agreed, and in the end, five cultivators allied with his cause on the spot. Even those who lacked the courage to join still voiced admiration.
Only the young man from before frowned, seeming unwilling to cooperate. After finishing his tea, he flicked his sleeve and left.
With that little killjoy gone, the remaining group grew more animated. Under the praise of others, the group of five began dreaming openly of killing the Demon Emperor and ascending in broad daylight.
Feng Qingyun narrowed his eyes slightly, tracing the rim of his cup, contemplating how he could make an example of them. Yet before he could act, Long Yin suddenly laughed.
His laugh seemed extremely awkward amid the atmosphere of righteous indignation, so everyone paused, turning toward him.
It was the same man who had earlier flirted with his Dao companion, handing over tea and hand-feeding him pastries. The group’s expressions soured, and Cultivator Gong found himself momentarily at a loss for polite address, stupidly asking, “…You… Why are you laughing at?”
“I laugh at nothing more than a group of fools openly gathering to discuss how to take this Lord’s life, yet they cannot even recognize this Lord sitting right here,” Long Yin said, glancing at Feng Qingyun with a smile. “Second Palace Master, do you not find this amusing?”
Feng Qingyun merely sipped his tea, seemingly too disinterested to even glance at them. “Not funny at all,” he calmly replied. “In fact, it’s irritatingly stupid.”
The group froze. Understanding the meaning in their words, their faces changed, and some could not contain their fear, trembling as they shouted, “…The Demon Emperor…?!”
Of the five, the quickest to react went pale and, without a word, darted straight for the door while the others remained frozen. Feng Qingyun did not move, yet with a flick of his hand, his sword Qi cut across, forming an invisible barrier at the doorway.
The fleeing cultivator collided with it unexpectedly, screaming in pain as his shoulder and cheek were cut, collapsing to the ground.
The inn fell utterly silent once more. An indescribable fear permeated the air, but no one dared to even breathe.
Cultivator Gong could not bear the oppressive atmosphere. Slamming the table, he rose, his voice trembling with fury: “Demon… even if you kill us all, there will be others! Do you think you can survive unscathed?!”
He spoke with righteous anger, hoping for support. Yet when he looked around, the others were silent, their faces ashen, fear rooted deep in their bones.
“Is that so?” Long Yin sneered. “Then perhaps you should all go wait in the Underworld first. Once this Lord dies and joins you, won’t that be a cause for celebration?”
His words were terrifying, aimed not just at the five but at all who had discussed the plan earlier. The shock was immediate. The cultivator attempting to flee was reduced to a trembling mess, crawling forward with blood streaming down his face. “I… I was blinded by foolishness…” he mumbled. “Second Palace Master, Demon Lord, you are magnanimous! Please spare me this once!”
The Cultivator Gong, who was busy slamming tables left and right in indignation, stared at him, unable to believe it.
The friend who had just allied with him merely seconds ago was now degraded to pleading for life!
As for Feng Qingyun, still holding his cup, he lowered his gaze to look at the trembling mess on the floor. “Who leaked the news from the Xiān Gōng Sect?” he asked.
“I… I do not know…” the man stammered, looking toward the leader. “Cultivator Gong, friend, you must know!”
Cultivator Gong’s breath caught. Coldly, he snorted: “No comment!” Yet in that instant, the man acknowledged the answer himself. Long Yin caught the thought and looked at Feng Qingyun, narrowing his eyes.
It was Liu Wu.
Feng Qingyun set down his cup, his expression icy. “If you’re unwilling to speak, then so be it.”
The rest seemed strangely relieved by his words, their faces still pale. Some thought Feng Qingyun’s words would be enough to hold Long Yin in place, but the truth soon struck them like a blow.
“Second Palace Master,” the Demon Emperor said. “These people all belong to your Righteous Path. This Lord shall not act beyond my authority.” With that, Long Yin gathered some demonic Qi in his hands before continuing, “So, Second Palace Master, should these people be killed or buried alive?”
“Why kill them? That would be wasteful,” Feng Qingyun said calmly. “Cripple their cultivation and let them return to inform Mu Hanyang: half of the Ancient Beast’s hearts are in my hand. Whether he can reclaim the Heavenly Dao’s authority depends solely on my mood. So how dare he recommend anyone for ascension?”
“Wish to take the Demon Emperor’s head?” Feng Qingyun spoke coldly. “If anything happens to him, I shall bury the future of all under heaven alongside my Dao companion. If you doubt me, try and see.”
The hall fell silent, save for faint gasps.
Only Long Yin’s smirk threatened to write the word ‘pampered’ across his face.
Yet Feng Qingyun’s imposing words had an additional purpose: he confirmed in front of everyone that Mu Hanyang was indeed the incarnation of the Heavenly Dao, but if he wished to reclaim his position, he would still need those hearts in his hands.
Thus, the attention of the cultivator world would largely shift to Mu Hanyang, leaving Long Yin aside.
As for the Demon Emperor, eager to show everyone just how much his Dao companion loved him, he drew his demonic Qi blade. In front of him, the remaining cultivators were petrified, unable to move.
“Since the Second Palace Master is willing to spare your lives…” Long Yin tapped his demonic Qi blade slowly. “Do you expect this Lord to act personally, or do you plan to save face yourselves?”
The cultivator on the ground acted immediately, sending a strike to his Dantian. In an instant, he spat a mouthful of blood, and his cultivation plummeted from Foundation-Building straight to the Qi Condensation stage.
The inn fell utterly silent. Upstairs, other guests stayed behind closed doors, fearing collateral damage.
That was the Demon Emperor! Once displeased, he could kill the entire building!
Fortunately, his temper seemed subdued by the Second Palace Master’s presence, and the rest of the cultivators were also quite sensible. Seeing no way out, they reluctantly crippled their cultivation, knowing Long Yin’s wrath would otherwise spare no one.
Once they had done so, the Demon Emperor merely lifted the corner of his mouth, showing no intention of mass slaughter. In full view of all, he wrapped an arm around Feng Qingyun’s waist, whispering, “See, this Lord lost not a single hair. Don’t be angry, Second Palace Master.”
In fact, his words were not just simple coaxing. Since their earlier reconciliation, Feng Qingyun had been anxious over Long Yin’s safety. So now, half feigned, half earnest, he whispered, “If he had dared to touch you… without fulfilling Master’s orders, even the Heavenly Dao itself…” With that, Feng Qingyun deliberately stopped mid-sentence, as if it were a slip of the tongue, glaring at the remaining cultivators.
Long Yin chuckled. “Master is far away,” he answered. “Once she ascended, she can no longer be angry at you.”
Holding Feng Qingyun’s waist, he led him out of the inn. After they left, the surviving cultivators analyzed what had just occurred, soon realising…
Feng Qingyun likely already knew that Mu Hanyang was the Heavenly Dao’s reincarnation! Not only that, he had been entrusted by his Master to collect the hearts of the Four Ancient Beasts! Once complete, the Heavenly Dao’s authority could be restored, and the path to ascension opened!
Some even speculated… perhaps Feng Qingyun abandoned the Righteous Path and joined hands with the Demon Lord to search for the hearts of the Four Ancient Beasts on behalf of his Senior Brother…
But that theory was quickly dismissed.
After all, Feng Qingyun’s disdain for Mu Hanyang was genuine, and his closeness with Long Yin was too intimate to be an act.
Regardless, Feng Qingyun’s words confirmed Mu Hanyang’s identity as the reincarnation of the Heavenly Dao, and that was all that mattered!
With Feng Qingyun’s endorsement, the news spread faster than ever. Within ten days, even mortals knew that Lord Mu from the Xiān Gōng Sect would return to his rightful place as the Heavenly Dao during his sect’s Heavenly Gate Ceremony and, with that, the path to ascension would also open.
But it was nothing more than a premonition of what had already happened, inside the dragon God’s illusory realm. The darling of heaven will once more be roasted on the pyre of worldly expectation. And by the time he realized it was a deception, the flames would conceal a bottomless chasm.
Ultimately, Mu Hanyang’s fate would be a fall from the highest platform, leaving only ashes behind.
For Feng Qingyun, though, it was of little consequence. He felt no satisfaction from it, nor did he harbor expectations for the future.
…………………….
When the two left Fengdu, they were already in the mortal realm. In less than half a day, they arrived at the rumored location of Qinglong’s heart, the mortal kingdom of Jinlin.
By coincidence, or perhaps fate, Long Yin’s demonic Qi seemed to have followed that suspected immortal to Jinlin as well.
Everything seemed fated.
However, the Jinlin restricted any cultivator from entering. Since they didn’t want to enter the city conspicuously, they had to disguise themselves as ordinary mortals.
Somehow, Long Yin had acquired a carriage that looked like a miniature golden palace, making Feng Qingyun’s eyes twitch at the sheer wastefulness.
But ultimately, after Long Yin’s persistent coaxing, he relented.
“…Fine, make it lavish,” he said. “Better to avoid anyone judging us by appearances… It’s less trouble.” Feng Qingyun donned a veil and glanced at Long Yin. “I’m a duke’s son from neighboring Daxia, visiting relatives,” he continued. “Our family venerates a fox demon and can perform minor spells, but I am not a cultivator. You are my guard, so do not let anything slip.”
Long Yin laughed, saying, “Understood, Master.”
Feng Qingyun’s ears warmed at the title. He turned away quickly, holding Long Yin’s hand as they entered the carriage.
The Demon Emperor’s carriage was no ordinary vehicle and could travel by itself. However, if it appeared unmanned, the mortal guards outside Jinlin would surely block it. Thus, Long Yin used his demonic Qi to conjure phantom horses and attendants to guide the carriage outside, while he acted like a careless noble inside, holding Feng Qingyun close in the opulent carriage.
Feng Qingyun allowed him to kiss and rub him, while he gazed through the window at the passing city.
He hadn’t been to the mortal realm in a long time. Though Jinlin had not changed dynasties, the outskirts already looked very different; the inner city would be even more transformed.
To mortals, a century was enough for monumental change.
Feng Qingyun felt somewhat melancholy. Feeling ignored, Long Yin leaned in, speaking casually: “My Little Palace Master once said, the Heavenly Dao nurtures all beings, like parents to the world…”
Lost in thought, Feng Qingyun didn’t react immediately, simply asking, “Hm? What is it?”
Long Yin teased: “How about you call ‘Father’ and give this Lord some face?”
Feng Qingyun blinked, completely stunned. But after catching the mischievous glint in his eyes, he blushed furiously, slapping him. “Have some shame!”
Long Yin didn’t even dodge. The strike landed squarely on his face, but it was as soft as a feather. He then cheekily pressed Feng Qingyun’s hand against his cheek, asking, “Why hold back, my Little Rose?”
Feng Qingyun was embarrassed and furious, so he glared at him for a long while before deliberately turning away to nurture their little egg, keeping his face cold.
The tiny egg dutifully “watched” Long Yin, its shell rising as if taking note of the injustice.
“Beichen, your Daddy’s angry again,” Long Yin murmured, touching the egg. “One day, if Father is gone, you must comfort him well…” However, Feng Qingyun could not hear that, cutting him off with a glare. “You’ll return to your rightful place, not die! Can you even speak properly?!”
Being scolded only made Long Yin feel more mischievously satisfied. But before he could apologize or sneak in a kiss, the carriage suddenly jolted.
Feng Qingyun, already irritated, nearly lost his temper. He covered the egg, lifted the curtain, and frowned outside.
At the city gate, a woman was being restrained by soldiers, crying, while her child was yanked out from the cloak in her arms. The child looked terrified, but no one cared for his tears. Instead, everyone looked at his distinct tail and fox ears.
Feng Qingyun’s heart skipped a beat. Was that a half-demon?
Around the woman, people gasped in shock.
“Fox calamity! A fox calamity!”
“Monster!”
Amid the commotion, the soldiers split into two groups, bowing respectfully as if greeting someone important. A knowledgeable onlooker whispered, “…The Imperial Advisor has arrived!”
Indeed, an old man with a long beard stepped forward from the city, and the soldiers around him solemnly exclaimed, “Welcome, Imperial Advisor!”
But Feng Qingyun squinted, noticing that the so-called Imperial Advisor was in fact… a Qi Condensation cultivator.
The Kingdom of Jinlin forbade cultivators from entering, yet bowed down to one?
Before he could ponder, the Imperial Advisor waved his hand over the woman, and fox ears and two tails instantly appeared. There was a lot of uproar, and the Imperial Advisor half-closed his eyes. “This is a calamity-bringing fox,” he solemnly said. “It must be executed immediately.”
The fox woman paled, kneeling in desperation: “Imperial Advisor!” she begged. “I only came with my child to find my husband! I mean no harm… ah!”
Before she could finish, one of her tails was severed in a flash of blood.
Feng Qingyun’s brow twitched. The woman’s aura was pure of any malice. She had already been harmed during childbirth, limiting her cultivation, so why show such cruelty to someone already suffering?
But even in agony, she still clutched her child tightly. The child, barely four years old, spoke slowly, “Mom… ma… mama!”
“Take this fox to the Heavenly Prison! If no envoy from Qingqiu Mountain arrives within a month, execute her! As for this spawn…” the Imperial Advisor glanced at the child, “let him fend for himself.”
The soldiers praised his mercy, but the fox woman wailed, pleading: “My son is half-demon, only four! He won’t survive outside! Please let him go with me to the prison!”
Her cries were heart-wrenching, but the soldiers ignored her, separating mother and child.
Feng Qingyun glanced at Long Yin. Understanding, Long Yin lifted the curtain and stepped down, shouting, “Slow down!”
The soldiers scowled, asking unkindly, “Who are you?!” The Imperial Advisor, intending to return to the Palace, also stopped and looked at Long Yin.
Long Yin assumed the role of a guard flawlessly, answering, “My Master is a Daxia noble, descended from fox demons. You may not harm this fox woman.”
The Daxia royal family was backed by a demonic fox ancestor, so they had plenty of foxblood descendants. Jinlin, respecting such lineages, could not outright refuse.
But the Imperial Advisor narrowed his eyes, asking, “If they are Daxia nobles, why not report your arrival to the King?”
“My Master is merely visiting relatives, with no intention of trouble,” Long Yin said.
“Visiting relatives?” The Imperial Advisor sneered. “This is no time for sightseeing. You two should leave.”
Long Yin raised his eyebrows, acting cluelessly as he asked, “What do you mean?”
The soldier next to the Imperial Advisor replied: “Several deaths occurred recently in the Palace. Our nation fears the arrival of the fox calamities. Please excuse our caution.”
The Kingdom of Jinlin had experienced chaos related to fox demons in the past, so all foxes who entered the city were now strictly monitored. However, Long Yin smiled. “This lowly one understands that you’ve encountered problems with foxes before,” he said. “But what does it have to do with this fox woman and her child? Why insist on punishing the innocent?”
At his words, the soldiers relaxed, but the Imperial Advisor intervened.“No,” he stubbornly said. “If she returns disguised as a human while I am absent, will you be responsible? Can your Master assume such liability?”
The atmosphere stiffened, and Long Yin narrowed his eyes. “Then she will come with us,” he said. “If any incident occurs, we will take responsibility. How does that sound?”
“Take responsibility?” The Imperial Advisor’s voice turned cold. “You dare? What guarantee do you offer?”
At that, Long Yin smirked, producing a token and tossing it to him. The Imperial Advisor seemed shocked that a mortal could act so boldly right in front of him, but grasping the token, his face changed.
It was the token of the heavenly fox Patriarch!
The fox woman froze, then knelt immediately with her half-demon child. “Please, benefactor, save us!” she cried. “I only sought my child’s father! I mean no harm!”
In the mortal realm, the kingdom of Jinlin was backed by the Xiān Gōng Sect and the Righteous Path, Daxia by Qingqiu Mountain and the ancestral demonic clans, Fengdu by the Underworld, and Luoming by Long Yin’s Demon Palace.
The royal line in Daxia allowed its descendants to wear tokens according to their bloodline. The purest of blood received one inscribed with the symbol of the fox Patriarch himself, a nine-tailed heavenly fox. Then, counting down, there were tokens inscribed with six-tailed heavenly foxes, four-tailed, and two-tailed ones. As for lesser foxes, none dared challenge the authority of anyone who possessed such a token.
Long Yin’s token was fake, of course, but as the Demon Emperor, not even Qing Luo or the former fox Patriarch down in the Underworld dared to call on his bluff. Claiming he had a token was sufficient to assert his authority.
The Imperial Advisor’s expression soured, yet he dared not speak against the token. After examining it, he grudgingly asked, “If anyone dies in the capital, what then?”
“If a single person dies,” Long Yin scoffed, “my Master will retrieve their soul from the Underworld. If not returned, this lowly one will compensate with another life. Agreed?”
Hearing his domineering words, everyone present was stunned. The Imperial Advisor, however, mocked him, saying, “Such arrogance! Even if your Master was the fox Patriarch himself, not even he could dictate the Underworld’s will!”
“Whether arrogance or not, just clear the path,” Long Yin said calmly. “If it fails, this lowly one will take the punishment myself. No need for you to worry.”
“You’re but a slave!” The Imperial Advisor growled. “How much is your life worth?! If anyone dies in my kingdom, any kind of death…” The Imperial Advisor said with a gloomy face, “I will have your Master pay!”
Even natural death counted.
He was clearly looking for trouble!
The fox woman paled, and she quickly straightened up. “Benefactor, I…” But before she could speak, a clear, moonlike male voice rang from inside the carriage.
“Good,” Feng Qingyun said. “A gentleman’s word is his bond. Since the Imperial Advisor has spoken, watch closely.” With that, the cold, authoritative voice continued: “Long’er, bring the fox lady inside.”
“…Yes, Master.” Long Yin paused, then glanced at the fox woman, saying indifferently: “Get on.”
The fox woman immediately knelt back in gratitude, then carefully mounted the carriage with her half-demon child, making sure that her severed tail wasn’t dirtying her benefactor.
Inside, the lavish interior stunned her, followed by a floral scent that sent shivers down her spine. As if encountering a great demon, it nearly made her fall to her knees.
Yet when she looked up, only a mortal youth sat inside. Despite the veil he wore, his bearing was extraordinary. However, there was no trace of spiritual energy around him, and he seemed wholly human.
The young man looked at her and smiled gently. “Young lady, please sit down,” he said. “No need for formality.”
He smiled through the veil, and the fox woman, startled, quickly bowed with her child. But just as she was about to speak in gratitude, a brisk wind swept past. The vigorous human guard from before followed, entering the carriage.
Then, in her completely dumbfounded gaze, the audacious slave laughed, took the beauty in his arms, lifted his veil, and kissed him. Then, in a low voice, he complained, “Master, who called me Long’er just now?”
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