Chapter 51

Suddenly, Luo Han pressed her fingers against her temple. Ling Qingxiao, noticing, turned his head with a questioning look. But as soon as she met his gaze, her eyes darted away even more.
Ling Qingxiao frowned. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing, nothing.” Luo Han shook her head, hastily clearing her mind of stray thoughts. But Ling Qingxiao’s expression showed obvious doubt. Afraid he’d press the issue, she quickly changed the subject, tugging him toward the magical screen. “Look, the prices in Da Ming City are outrageous. Just two outfits cost ten thousand demon coins.”
Even though she had deliberately chosen the pricier items, this was still much higher than the Celestial Realm’s equivalent. Ling Qingxiao noticed, but went along with her distraction. “Da Ming City thrives on...unsavory industries. Many come here to launder their wealth and hide the origins of their money. Over time, everything in Da Ming City has become expensive.”
“Oh,” Luo Han responded. Then she added, “You might as well just say it—brothels and gambling dens. It’s not like I wouldn’t understand.”
Ling Qingxiao sighed. “I’d prefer it if you didn’t.”
Luo Han thought to herself: not only did she understand, but she actually wanted to take a look around. Staring at the hefty total on the screen, she instinctively reached for her money.
She just wanted to touch that million demon coins to reassure herself—but to her horror, her hand came up empty. Startled, she quickly looked down. “Where’s my demon coin pouch? I just put it here.”
Ling Qingxiao glanced down and narrowed his eyes, spotting a tiny glimmer beneath the hem of Luo Han’s robe. He leaned forward to pick it up. The sudden proximity made Luo Han freeze in place. She watched in real time as Ling Qingxiao’s face moved closer, enveloping her in his cool, refreshing aura. Before she could react, he had already withdrawn, placing a small, blue demon coin into her palm.
Luo Han stared at the coin for a moment before realizing, “Oh, it just fell on the floor. But I could’ve sworn I left it on the table...Wait, what was I saying? Oh right, where’s the red one?”
The red demon coin was the most valuable—worth a million demon coins. Far more important than the blue one.
Ling Qingxiao also realized something was wrong. He scanned the area with his spiritual sense but found nothing.
Luo Han, noticing his silence, suddenly had a very bad feeling.
Ling Qingxiao’s gaze lowered, landing on the Devouring Beast. Luo Han turned at the same time and stared at the creature.
The beast was chewing on something, and when it sensed their gazes, it looked up with wide, innocent eyes and let out a sheepish “Maaah~.”
Luo Han’s voice trembled. “Did you...eat the red demon coin?”
The beast blinked and tilted its head innocently.
I wasn’t allowed to eat the flowers. So...wasn’t I supposed to eat the stones?
“AH!” Luo Han was horrified. She grabbed its mouth, trying to pry it open. “How long ago did you swallow it? Can you spit it out?!”
Ling Qingxiao sat calmly on the side, watching the commotion. After a moment, he reassured her, “It’s fine. When we return to the Celestial Realm and retrieve the Demon-Sealing Stone, we can get the red demon coin back as well.”
“Is this about the red demon coin?!” Luo Han nearly lost it. “The new outfits are being delivered any minute. How are we supposed to pay?”
As soon as the words left her mouth, she felt the barrier at the door ripple.
A polite voice called out, “Honored guests? I am a messenger from Eight Treasures Pavilion, here to deliver your new clothes.”
…
The young deer demon from Eight Treasures Pavilion had waited for some time, assuming no one was home. Just as he was about to leave, the wooden door suddenly opened.
A man in white stood at the entrance—his features were ethereal, his presence otherworldly. For a moment, the deer demon was completely dazed.
Ling Qingxiao cleared his throat. For the first time in his life, he found himself in an awkward situation. “Thank you for your trouble. Please leave the clothing here. Unfortunately, we don’t have any small change at the moment. Would you mind returning tomorrow morning for payment?”
Snapping out of his daze, the deer demon quickly agreed. Da Ming City often allowed purchases on credit—after all, each guest’s entrance token recorded their debts. If they failed to settle their balance, the city guards simply wouldn’t let them leave.
The deer demon was about to depart when he hesitated, glancing back at the strikingly beautiful immortal. On impulse, he added, “Immortal Lord, just so you know, there will be interest on the debt. The longer you delay, the higher it grows. In some cases, it can even surpass the original amount. It’s best to settle it as soon as possible.”
Zhongshan owned several cities, so how could Ling Qingxiao not understand this principle? But understanding was one thing—right now, there was simply no solution.
Ling Qingxiao endured the awkwardness and gave the little deer demon a slight nod. “I understand. Thank you. Sorry to trouble you to come again tomorrow.”
“It’s nothing, really.” The little deer demon waved his hands hastily, looking a bit flustered as he ran off. Even after he had gone quite a distance, he couldn’t help but turn back to look at the immortal at the door.
Green leaves rustled in the wind, and a white-robed immortal stood at the entrance, looking as if he had stepped out of a painting. He took a step back and shut the wooden door, completely sealing himself off from view.
The little deer demon felt an inexplicable sense of loss. So this was an immortal from the Thirty-Six Heavens? As expected, they were nothing like the demon race.
After closing the door, Ling Qingxiao sighed helplessly. “Alright, he’s gone.”
Luo Han, still covering her face, lay sprawled across the table, too embarrassed to look up. Hearing Ling Qingxiao’s voice, she cautiously peeked out from between her fingers. “Really?”
“Really.”
Now that the red demon coin had been eaten by the Devourer Beast, not only Luo Han but also Ye Zinan and Zou Jibai found themselves in the embarrassing predicament of having bought things without any money to pay for them. Sure enough, before long, there was another knock on the courtyard gate—this time, their clothes had arrived.
Since Ye Zinan and Zou Jibai had each bought their own outfits, there was no need for extra discussion—whoever spent the money had to answer the door. After Zou Jibai brought the clothes inside, the four of them sat in the flower hall, the atmosphere heavy with silence.
Feeling the tension, Zou Jibai’s voice grew weaker as he spoke. “We told them to come back tomorrow for the payment. But in the meantime...where are we supposed to find demon coins?”
Luo Han took a deep breath. She couldn’t keep avoiding the problem any longer. “How much did you two spend on your clothes?”
Zou Jibai hesitated and fidgeted. “Mine was a little over ten thousand.”
Ye Zinan added, “Mine was about the same, maybe a bit more.”
Luo Han’s vision darkened. She had already thought spending over ten thousand on clothes was extravagant, yet these two had somehow managed to spend even more—on a single outfit each!
She clutched her chest, feeling short of breath. Good grief. They had been millionaires when they entered the city, but within a blink, they were broke—and in debt, no less!
Neither Zou Jibai nor Ye Zinan dared to speak. The Devourer Beast, too, had shrunk back into a corner, afraid to show its face.
Fate was unpredictable. Just moments ago, they had been wealthy beyond measure. Now, they had nothing and even owed money. Star Lord Tianyu wouldn’t arrive for another fifteen days—were they supposed to go without food and drink until then? Even if they could endure hunger, what would they do when the shopkeeper came knocking tomorrow to collect payment?
After wallowing in despair for a moment, Luo Han forced herself to pull it together and said solemnly, “There’s no use complaining now. At this point, we have two options. First, we ignore everything and wait here for Star Lord Tianyu to arrive. When he gets here, he can settle our debt along with the accumulated interest.”
The room fell silent for a moment before Ling Qingxiao spoke. “Forget it. I refuse to embarrass myself like that.”
Ye Zinan, too, looked deeply resigned. “I’ve survived for a hundred thousand years. At the very least, let me keep my dignity intact in my later years.”
Zou Jibai shook his head even more vigorously. The thought of returning to Changyi—where mating season was approaching—bearing the shame of having to be bailed out of debt by the Celestial Palace was horrifying. If he went back with that reputation, he could kiss any potential mates goodbye for the next three years.
…That was just too cruel.
“Good. It seems we’re all in agreement—we’re going with the second option.” Luo Han had never actually considered making Star Lord Tianyu pay their debts. She had only said that to set up this moment. “Our second option is to find a way to make money in the demon realm and cover up this whole mess before Star Lord Tianyu arrives.”
No one objected. Pleased, Luo Han clapped her hands. “Alright, settled. Now, what skills do you all have? Any money-making ideas?”
Zou Jibai hesitantly suggested, “Street performances? Maybe martial arts demonstrations?”
“No.” Luo Han rejected the idea outright. “That’s way too embarrassing. And we have a mission to complete—we can’t afford to expose ourselves.”
Ye Zinan said, “If performing is out of the question, how about...selling our looks?”
…
Luo Han fell silent. Then, the other three turned to stare at Ye Zinan. He quickly waved his hands. “I was just joking! We bird demons are loyal to one mate for life. I would never do such a thing.”
That joke was not funny at all. Luo Han cleared her throat and said seriously, “Selling ourselves or performing aren’t discreet options. Right now, if we want to make quick money without drawing attention, the best choice is the gambling house.”
“I knew you were going to say that.” Ling Qingxiao was unsurprised and coldly rejected, “No.”
“Why not?” Luo Han countered. “Unless you have a better idea?”
“I have other demon realm crystals. Selling just one should be more than enough.”
“The crystals you’d consider selling are probably quite valuable. If someone traces them back to us, what then?”
Ling Qingxiao’s gaze was calm and unwavering. He didn’t hesitate. “We’ll sell them on the black market.”
Luo Han was shocked. “You’re fine with going to the black market, but you won’t let me go to a gambling house?”
“They’re different.”
“How?” Luo Han argued. “Gambling houses are legitimate businesses—they pay taxes and operate openly. But the black market?” She didn’t even give Ling Qingxiao a chance to respond before delivering her final blow. “Besides, rare crystals are accounted for. If someone recognizes them as ones collected by the Second Young Master of Zhongshan, and they suddenly appear in Da Ming City, wouldn’t that expose our location?”
That was a stretch. There were countless crystals in the world. The chances of someone recognizing theirs were much lower than the risks of gambling.
Yet Ling Qingxiao still refused, and the standoff continued.
In the end, Luo Han decided to settle things democratically. She turned to the other two. “What do you think? Do we listen to him or to me?”
She was sure she would win by a landslide. But to her surprise, Ye Zinan hesitated, glancing between Luo Han and Ling Qingxiao’s indifferent profile, and ultimately chose not to take a stance.
Zou Jibai slowly raised his hand to support Luo Han, only for Ye Zinan to press it down.
Ye Zinan smiled. “I’m fine with either. We abstain.”
Meanwhile, Zou Jibai weakly protested, “Actually, I—”
“Shut up.” Ye Zinan glared at Zou Jibai. “This has nothing to do with you. Stay out of it.”
Luo Han was not someone to provoke, and neither was Ling Qingxiao. When two big shots were arguing, the underlings had no business interfering.
“Fine.” Luo Han nodded and suddenly raised her voice. “Devourer Beast.”
The Devourer Beast shuddered and hesitantly walked over. Luo Han gently patted its head and smiled sweetly. “You heard everything I said, didn’t you? Do you agree with me?”
Ling Qingxiao sat calmly to the side, staring at it with an icy gaze. The Devourer Beast was frightened by that emotionless look, but the hand stroking its head was even more terrifying. In the end, it surrendered under the oppressive aura, trembling as it raised a hoof.
“Alright.” Luo Han patted its head in satisfaction and turned to Ling Qingxiao. “We each have our own opinions, so we’ll settle this fairly with a vote. Ye Zinan and Zou Jibai abstained, and Devourer Beast voted for me. That means my side has the majority. We’re going with my plan.”
Zou Jibai was a little surprised and whispered, “That counts?”
Luo Han arched a brow and smiled. “Devourer Beast has the bloodline of the Taotie, a fearsome creature known across the land. Are you saying its voice doesn’t count?”
The Devourer Beast slowly bared its teeth at Zou Jibai. It was strange—how could a sheep bare its teeth? But seeing such an expression on its face was downright terrifying.
Ye Zinan quietly scooted farther away from Zou Jibai. Zou Jibai gave in and quickly nodded in agreement. “Of course! The Devourer Beast is part of our team. Its vote absolutely counts.”
Luo Han leaned on the table with one hand and raised a challenging brow at Ling Qingxiao. Her eyes were full of triumphant amusement. “Ling Qingxiao, for the greater good, obey the team’s decision?”
Ling Qingxiao was so furious he became eerily calm. He nodded at Luo Han and even gave a small, almost imperceptible smile. “Alright.”
That “alright” sent a shiver down Luo Han’s spine. He looked exactly like the type to act indifferent on the surface but secretly hold grudges. Was he going to keep a little black book on her?
Even if Ling Qingxiao bore a grudge, she was still going to the casino. The decision was made, and without further discussion, everyone went to their rooms to change.
Wearing celestial robes to a casino was obviously inappropriate. They couldn’t tarnish the Celestial Realm’s reputation. If they were going, they needed to disguise themselves as demons or fiends.
Luo Han had purchased a demon-style outfit. It was primarily black, adorned with golden patterns, and tailored to fit snugly. The outermost layer had an abundance of dangling tassels and pendants, which jingled with every movement.
Satisfied, Luo Han put on a veil. The veil was also styled after the demon aesthetic, with a sheer black layer underneath and black and gold beads embellishing the outer layer. It covered the lower half of her face without obscuring her beauty, instead adding an exotic and mysterious allure.
After checking her outfit, she pushed open the door. As soon as she stepped out, she spotted a figure in blue standing beneath the flower-covered trellis. Hearing her movement, the figure slowly turned around, and in an instant, the brilliant blossoms behind him lost all their color.
His outfit was still in cool tones, but this shade of blue had a hint of pink, warming it up slightly. Rather than appearing dull, it had an inexplicable vibrancy.
Demon aesthetics differed greatly from the Celestial Realm’s; their garments didn’t emphasize flowing elegance but instead highlighted the wearer’s figure. Ling Qingxiao’s outfit wasn’t skin-tight, yet his broad shoulders, straight back, and narrow waist made the design striking. His long, slender legs only accentuated his tall, elegant frame, making the attire exude an irresistible allure.
It was worth noting that enchanted garments adjusted themselves to fit their wearer’s body perfectly.
Luo Han had always thought Ling Qingxiao looked like an immortal in his white robes, but now, dressed in blue, his stunning features were even more prominent. His beauty was unparalleled, yet his temperament was as cold as ever. The stark contrast of these qualities blended seamlessly, creating an almost unreal charm.
Luo Han quickly pinched herself, forcing her gaze away from Ling Qingxiao’s waist. But it really was so slim—what would it feel like to wrap her arms around it…?
Luo Han found Ling Qingxiao looking uncomfortable, but when she saw him eyeing her form-fitting outfit, she realized he was just as unaccustomed.
Why were demon outfits like this? Some areas even had embroidered cutouts—how was this appropriate?
For a brief moment, the two stood in silence in the flower hall. Luo Han felt awkward, and Ling Qingxiao didn’t know where to look. To break the tension, Luo Han quickly called the Devourer Beast over and pretended to focus on its disguise.
There was no way they could leave it alone in the courtyard; the house would probably be gone by the time they returned. Fortunately, in Da Ming City, all sorts of beings walked the streets, so bringing along a sheep wasn’t unusual.
A sudden idea struck Luo Han. She rummaged through her storage ring and pulled out a hair ribbon she had bought earlier, tying it into a massive bow on the Devourer Beast’s head. The ribbon was an extravagant purchase from Yiluan Pavilion in Tianzhao City—it had its own glowing aura and even scattered flower petals as it moved.
The Devourer Beast blinked, its eyes lighting up. Beasts had very straightforward preferences, and from its reaction, Luo Han knew it loved the accessory.
…Who would’ve thought? This ancient fierce beast actually had a thing for girly pink aesthetics.
Ye Zinan and Zou Jibai emerged soon after. Ye Zinan was dressed in his usual flamboyant red, while Zou Jibai had opted for beast hide. When they saw the Devourer Beast’s new look, they both fell into speechless disbelief.
Thinking they were out of earshot, Zou Jibai whispered to Ye Zinan, “It already looked menacing, but now it really doesn’t look like a good guy.”
The Devourer Beast heard him and bared its teeth again. Zou Jibai hadn’t expected to be caught again and quickly shut up.
Luo Han, on the other hand, was very satisfied with the Devourer Beast’s look. She stood up and said, “Let’s go.”
The four of them left, but Zou Jibai, being impatient, had already walked far ahead. Luo Han, on the other hand, stopped at a street stall on the corner. She had already passed it but hesitated, then turned back and used her last one-and-a-half demon coins to buy a mask.
Since she had so little money, she could only afford a half-mask. Luo Han handed it to Ling Qingxiao, who frowned upon seeing it. “I don’t need it.”
“Yes, you do,” Luo Han insisted. “You’re too good-looking. There’s no way you won’t attract attention. Look, even I’m wearing a veil. For the sake of our mission, sacrifice a little and cover your face.”
Ling Qingxiao was still reluctant, but Luo Han didn’t bother negotiating. She simply stood on her toes and tied the mask on for him. Since immortals, demons, and devils all possessed divine sense, masks and veils in the Six Realms were designed to block perception to some extent.
As Luo Han suddenly leaned in, Ling Qingxiao instinctively wanted to step back, but she grabbed his shoulder. "Don't move. This is official business. You need to cooperate."
Ling Qingxiao had no choice but to stand still. Luo Han held onto his shoulder with one hand while fastening the mask with the other.
Ahead, Zou Jibai and Ye Zinan had already walked forward, but when they noticed the two weren’t following, they turned around—only to witness a rather explosive scene.
Ye Zinan clicked his tongue. "It's broad daylight. Even if this is the Demon Realm, you two shouldn't be like this."
Ling Qingxiao, already feeling awkward, was even more flustered. Luo Han, meanwhile, struggled to keep her balance on tiptoe, forcing her to hold onto his shoulder. But that meant she had only one hand free, making it difficult to tie the mask properly.
After struggling for a while, Ling Qingxiao finally gave in and reached up to fasten it himself.
Their fingers brushed, and Luo Han could feel the coolness of his fingertips. Maybe it was due to his cultivation technique, but his hands were always cold—like jade.
Luo Han was momentarily distracted until Ling Qingxiao's voice sounded in her ear. "Done."
She snapped back to reality and saw that Ling Qingxiao had already secured the mask. Meanwhile, she was still resting her hand on his shoulder. Feeling a little self-conscious, she quickly let go and turned away—only to find that the others, including the Devourer Beast, were staring at them with unblinking eyes.
Zou Jibai leaned over and whispered, thinking he was being discreet, "Are they...?"
"Shut up. That’s obvious," Ye Zinan shot him a glare, then smiled at Luo Han and Ling Qingxiao. He proactively took the Devourer Beast's leash. "You two take your time. We'll go ahead."
Luo Han was a bit flustered. She wanted to clarify that it wasn’t what they thought—her relationship with Ling Qingxiao was purely professional, with no romantic entanglements involved. But the two had already turned and walked away. If she called them back just to explain, that would make things even more suspicious.
Now, only she and Ling Qingxiao were left. With Ye Zinan leading the Devourer Beast away, Luo Han didn’t even have an excuse to break the awkward silence.
She forced herself to make small talk. "I thought you'd explain."
"Explain what?"
"The situation just now. I was only thinking about our mission, not whatever they misunderstood."
"Mm." Ling Qingxiao nodded indifferently. "People’s words can never be fully clarified. As long as one has a clear conscience, there’s no need to care about outside opinions."
Luo Han smiled in agreement, but inwardly, she wasn’t so sure.
After Ling Qingxiao finished speaking, he strangely fell silent.
Did he really have a clear conscience?