To speak of Hai Ying, she was considered a noble of sorts in the Sea Dragon Kingdom. The inn where Hongluo and Wanniang stayed was operated by the Sea Dragon people.
Previously, she had mistakenly believed that “Ma Jiu” had died. In her grief, she had sent people to look into those traveling with her.
She had thought that taking good care of this demon and ghost would do justice to the fate that bound the three of them when they fought enemies together on the Splendid Platform.
Who could have imagined that “Ma Jiu” would actually return alive from the Wuwang Sea?
The non-humans treated others with sincere warmth. After her initial shock, she was overjoyed and immediately hosted her with fine wine and good meat.
Even the Wuwei Sect disciple, Tu Jiuxiao, had rushed over after receiving the news that “Ma Jiu” was still alive.
Hai Ying hosted a banquet that was filled with exotic, non-human characteristics.
There was half-meter-long plump jellyfish, sliced raw to be quickly boiled in a pot and eaten with seaweed paste and mustard paste. There was the Six-Eyed Flying Fish, a creature with six wings on its back that was extremely difficult to catch; its bowl-sized eyes had been scooped out and served in a clear broth. There was also the Deep-Sea Thousand-Legged Octopus, a Foundation Establishment stage demon beast, of which only the barbels around its mouth were stewed, giving them a crisp and tender texture like cartilage.
In addition, there were giant clams, sea urchins, yellow croakers, sea beasts, and all kinds of colorful, dazzling spirit herbs and extraordinary flowers from the sea.
The dishes were decorated with pearls and embellished with coral, naturally overflowing with spiritual energy. Accompanied by fine aged mulberry wine, it truly made one's mouth water.
“When you were possessed by the Sky Demon that day and fell into the Wuwang Sea in a daze, I really thought you were dead. Who knew your luck would be so good, Ma Jiu? You actually managed to run into a passing merchant ship and save your life.”
Hai Ying clicked her tongue, lifted a wine jar carved from a seashell, and patted Nan Zhi on the back.
“I misunderstood you before and was rude to you. That was very bad. As you humans say—‘no fight, no friendship’! Come, come, come, this is Spiral Shell Wine, which can only be drunk in our Sea Dragon Kingdom. It’s brewed with one hundred and thirty-nine kinds of spirit herbs and the blood of thirty-six demon beasts. You can’t get it anywhere else!”
With that, she heroically raised the wine jar and gulped it down, draining the entire jar. Within moments, her eyes grew hazy, and she wobbled, letting out a burp:
“Burp! I apologize with wine today. From now on, the two of us are sworn sisters, as if we crawled out of the same snake's belly! Anyone who wants to touch you will have to step over my corpse first! Sister Nine! Quick, call me Elder Sister!”
“...Elder Sister.”
Nan Zhi looked at the clearly drunk Hai Ying. Half-amused and half-helpless, she drank a cup in return. Yet the moment the wine entered her stomach, her dantian instantly ignited like a ball of fire. The dry heat immediately transformed into traces of spiritual energy that dispersed into her limbs.
Three breaths later, she slowly exhaled a breath of wine. Fine sweat beaded on her forehead, and a faint flush bloomed on her face.
“This truly is a fine wine of the Demon race. The spiritual energy within it is incredibly overbearing. Fortunately, I didn't drink it too quickly, or I would already be passed out on the floor.”
She looked over at Tu Jiuxiao again, only to find that he seemed completely unfazed, pouring the wine into his mouth as if it were water.
—He was indeed a tough character.
“Hahaha! How satisfying! The three of us fought that Golden Core demon to the death that day, and many fellow cultivators witnessed it. Especially you, Sister Nine. Quite a few people have been asking me about your background, guessing which of the Three Great Sects you might be a direct disciple of.”
Hai Ying wiped the wine from her lips, her smile widening.
“If they knew you came back alive from the Wuwang Sea, their eyes would surely pop out of their heads.”
“They guessed wrong, then. I belong to no sect. I am merely an ordinary rogue cultivator, just with slightly better luck than others.”
Nan Zhi smiled slightly, then asked about the state of the Rakshasa Sea Market after the Dragon Girl fell into the sea. Hai Ying and Tu Jiuxiao exchanged a look, both of their expressions turning solemn.
“The situation isn't good.”
Tu Jiuxiao was still wearing his Wuwei Sect robes today. His entire outfit was plain and simple, the very picture of a penniless sword cultivator.
“Since the Dragon Girl's death, there have been unusual movements within the twelve nations of the four directions. Even our sect has urgently recalled all disciples at or above the Nascent Soul stage. The Sea Market is about to fall into chaos.”
“Now that Lady Dragon Girl is dead, we don't know who will take the position of Sea Market Master.”
Hai Ying tidied her hair, her snake tail slapping the ground with loud smacks.
“The twelve nations have never respected one another. If not for Lady Dragon Girl, there wouldn't have been peace all these years. On the other hand, the ruler of the Yaksha Nation, Great Black Yaksha, harbors malicious intent and wants to seize the position of Sea Market Master amidst the chaos.”
When she said this, she made no effort to hide her disgust.
After all, the Sea Dragon Kingdom and the Yaksha Nation were still at war. If a Yaksha truly became the Sea Market Master, the future of the Sea Dragon Kingdom people would certainly not be pleasant.
“The Dragon Girl was already a Late-Stage Nascent Soul cultivator. Are there any great demons with higher cultivation among the twelve nations?”
Nan Zhi propped her chin in her hand and said, “In my opinion, the Dragon Clan won't abandon such a lucrative piece of meat like the Rakshasa Sea Market. They will likely send someone to take over. However, the Dragon Girl managed this place for hundreds of years, and her influence is deeply entrenched like the roots of a great tree. It won't be easy for others to snatch this position.”
“In three months, the Sea Market will host the Four Directions Assembly.”
Tu Jiuxiao suddenly interjected, bringing up what seemed to be a completely unrelated topic.
“The Four Directions Assembly is held once every century to showcase treasures, eliminate evil, and compete for the top spot. It was originally intended to deepen the connection between the sects and the twelve nations, and all the sects and influential families of the North Province would participate. It shouldn't have been moved forward, but half a month ago, the Sect Master of the Qingjing Sect invited all fellow cultivators under heaven and announced that the Four Directions Assembly would be held ahead of schedule.”
“The Qingjing Sect also wants to interfere in the affairs of the Rakshasa Sea Market?”
Nan Zhi realized instantly. “The Sea Market cannot go a single day without a master. If the Dragon Palace cannot nominate a new Sea Market Master, then naturally, the position will go to whoever is most capable. I just wonder who the Three Great Sects are planning to bet on.”
“The Qingjing Sect has always been on good terms with the Yaksha Nation. The Hehuan Sect plays both sides and remains undecided. Our sect...”
Tu Jiuxiao expressionlessly cracked open a crab, chewing it to pieces with a crunch before swallowing.
“...will likely choose either Qingqiu or the Sea Dragon Kingdom.”
“You cultivators from the great sects are truly shameless! How long has Lady Dragon Girl been dead, and you're already so eager to seize her Sea Market!”
Hai Ying cursed angrily, her beautiful face slightly contorted with rage.
“Besides, this is an internal affair of our twelve nations! What does it have to do with your Three Great Sects? The Sky Demons are so powerful, yet you humans are still thinking about internal strife! Pui! What's so good about great sects? Truly disgusting!”
“This is not something a mere Foundation Establishment disciple like Fellow Daoist Tu can decide. Put your mind at ease, Elder Sister. The Dragon Palace will definitely not sit idly by. Besides, what if the Dragon Girl, like me, also managed to escape from the Wuwang Sea?”
Nan Zhi offered comforting words to shift the topic:
“I survived a great disaster, so we should be happy today. Let's not speak of these disappointing matters. Previously, my saber was destroyed by the Sky Demon, and I've been having a headache trying to find a reliable Artifact Crafter to forge a new, suitable weapon. Do you two have any recommendations?”
—The Three Great Sects' plan to encroach upon the Rakshasa Sea Market relied on the premise of Ao Mingzhu's death. Since the Dragon Girl was still alive, these assumptions would never become reality.
Hearing Nan Zhi's words, Hai Ying let out a resentful snort. She then realized that since Tu Jiuxiao was willing to reveal these secrets, he likely disapproved of his sect's actions as well.
Having gone through life and death together that day, she wasn't someone who couldn't swallow her pride. She immediately looked away and squeezed a sentence out from the back of her throat:
“I'm sorry. I shouldn't have lost my temper at you.”
“No need. Thank you for the hospitality.”
Tu Jiuxiao didn't have much of a reaction. He simply nodded calmly, swallowed the food in his mouth, and gave Nan Zhi an address:
“This is an artifact crafting shop run by the Demon race. Not many people know about it. If Fellow Daoist Ma wants to find a reliable Artifact Crafter, look for the Short Dhuta inside.”
Rate on N.U.
