"Because I like it, I want it."
The demon gods were speechless. That long table symbolized power.
It was a historical relic, yet giving it to a third-class demon was simply absurd.
But...
Because they had a request, they compromised.
Xu Xian left, just as he had come. Accompanied by the high priest, he departed from the palace of giants, which was permeated with a crimson blood mist.
He went to find a place to stay.
In the grand hall, the ten demon gods and the small priest sat in their high-backed chairs. Before them, the space was empty; that table was gone.
It had been taken by Xu Xian and placed inside his Divine Sword Pool.
After Xu Xian left, they remained seated there, their faces dark and incredibly ugly.
They sat in a heavy silence. It was only after a long time that sparse murmurs of dissatisfaction and complaints began to ring out.
"So greedy!"
"Greed is good, greed is good..."
"One day, we'll make him spit it all back out with interest."
"Let's go..."
One by one, the demon gods departed, and one by one, they appeared outside the Demon Dao Pavilion. Together, they entered to select the primordial demon script they wanted translated.
Jin Yu was among them.
Even while choosing, they did not forget to whisper to one another, complaining about the youth known as Bai Mang.
Most of their words were filled with contempt and bitterness; there was not a single note of appreciation or praise.
Chi Ming was deep in thought. He knew his daughter's heart. If Bai Mang truly could condense nether fire...
And if he truly was the person chosen by the Supreme Demon Lord, he wouldn't mind if his daughter had a bit of a story with him.
But at the thought of Xu Xian's style of doing things, he felt a bit of a headache.
If they actually ended up together, he feared his daughter would be sold by Bai Mang, and Chi Ji would still be helping him count the money.
That would not do!
Each of the demon gods made their selection, but they all harbored their own hidden agendas and deep thoughts, known only to themselves.
The Demon Abyss had entered the night. The bleak wind continued, and a chilly rain fell steadily. The deep glow from the Nether Pool lit up the curtain of rain, creating a hazy atmosphere.
In Vagrant Alley, a few straggling vagrants walked onto the streets.
Beyond the Outer City, colorful umbrellas gathered in clusters.
People were in pairs or groups of six or seven. In the streets, alleys, tea stalls, and wine shops, there were always discussions about that Vagrant Alley.
A mortal demon.
A youth.
A name that became known to everyone overnight.
Bai Mang.
Bai Mang's Bai, and Bai Mang's Mang.
The heavenly demon race in the Inner City were still waiting for news, some with wild speculations and others with anticipation.
Whether the youth's end would be life or death, and whether the rumors of him being able to translate primordial demon script were true or false.
The answers were always worth looking forward to.
Not until the Demon God Hall opened and closed, and not until the demon gods went to the Demon Dao Pavilion.
They finally had their answer. Yet, they were still hoping that they, as heavenly demon race, could get a share of the spoils, or at least catch a whiff of it...
On the other side, Xu Xian followed the high priest to select a place to settle down.
Xu Xian complained that this place wasn't right or that place was no good. Here the decor was too old, there the location was too remote. He was incredibly nitpicky about the feng shui and orientation.
Jin Qing kept her patience and did not rush him, letting him stroll through the wind and rain to enjoy the first night view of the rainy season.
Perhaps because she had played the role of a maidservant for over half a month, she had already grown accustomed to following by Xu Xian's side.
Or perhaps it was because Xu Xian's performance tonight had been too brilliant, so she gave him enough good grace to indulge him.
In fact, Xu Xian didn't have many requirements for the location. He only had one requirement.
A house where he could jump into the Nether Pool in a single leap—the closer, the better.
He wanted to leave himself an escape route.
The castles of the ten demon god palaces were too high, and their walls were also tall. Although one could see far, there was still a distance to the Nether Pool. Some ordinary courtyards were too low and didn't offer a wide enough view.
They walked for an hour and spent an hour choosing. The two of them had nearly flown around the entire bank of the Nether Pool. Jin Qing's good temper was almost worn out, and she said with some displeasure:
"What exactly do you want?"
Xu Xian said innocently, "I'm picking a house?"
"Don't take it too far," Jin Qing warned indifferently.
Xu Xian curled his lip and said nothing. He had indeed spent quite a while choosing, and it was mostly good enough. He simply pointed at the nearest residence and said, "Fine, let's go with this one."
Jin Qing glanced at the residence and then gave Xu Xian a strange look, but remained silent.
Sensing her peculiar gaze, Xu Xian asked, "What, is it not allowed?"
Jin Qing shook her head and asked a seemingly random question.
"Do you and the Huang family... really have a grudge?"
Xu Xian looked bewildered. "What do you mean?"
Jin Qing narrowed her eyes slightly and said calmly, "Nothing. Let's go."
Confused, Xu Xian followed her.
A moment later.
Jin Qing led Xu Xian past the high walls and directly into the courtyard.
When he saw the cluster of little golden-haired ones in the courtyard, Xu Xian suddenly realized what Jin Qing had meant by that question.
So this was the Huang family's courtyard.
Inside the courtyard.
All the golden-haired ones, regardless of age or gender, bowed respectfully in greeting.
Golden hair.
One of the high and low priests, and the white-haired youth who must be Xu Xian—they knew who they were, even if they didn't know why the two had come uninvited.
Jin Qing ordered someone to report and call out the person in charge.
Xu Xian wondered to himself—it couldn't be the home of that little golden-haired one named Huang Xiao, could it?
Just as the thought popped up, he looked up and saw that familiar face.
The moment their eyes met.
Xu Xian was stunned.
Huang Xiao was also stunned.
Xu Xian: "..." It really is.
Huang Xiao: "..." Here he comes again.
Huang Xiao bowed respectfully. Jin Qing got straight to the point and explained her purpose. "This residence has been requisitioned by the Nether Hall. From now on, it will be Bai Mang's residence. Take your people and move out."
Huang Xiao's shock doubled.
"Ah!"
Jin Qing said coldly, "Is there a problem?"
Huang Xiao lowered his head, gritting his teeth in secret, and shook his head. "No, I'll move right away."
The Huang family had many residences, but this one was one of his private assets. Usually, when he didn't want to stay in the demon god palace, he would come here for some peace and quiet. Now, it was gone.
With the high priest being so forceful, there was no need to think; this must be a consensus reached by the demon gods. What else could he do? He could only comply.
Even if he felt aggrieved.
He glanced at Bai Mang. Bai Mang responded with a smile, his eyes carrying a hint of apology.
Xu Xian did feel quite embarrassed. He had humiliated him during the day and was stealing his house at night.
Huang Xiao acted quickly, leading his people away in no time.
As soon as they left the residence, Huang Xiao began cursing incessantly. "That damn Bai Mang! I knew he had a grudge against my Huang family. He's just targeting me! Just you wait, I've noted this debt, this divine son will remember this."
In the courtyard.
Jin Qing asked Bai Mang if he was satisfied. Xu Xian said it was okay, just barely acceptable. Jin Qing then asked if there was anything else he needed. For example, did he want a few maidservants or guards?
Xu Xian said it was fine as it was; he preferred to be alone for some peace and quiet.
Jin Qing agreed and told Xu Xian not to play any tricks, promising that she would naturally protect him.
Xu Xian was skeptical and really wanted to comment that she probably couldn't beat those ten old guys in the Demon God Hall.
However, he held it back.
Just before Jin Qing left, Xu Xian couldn't help but ask:
"I have a divine ability taught to me by my master that can isolate my aura; even those at the ninth stage can't detect it. But I'm very curious, how were you able to track my existence?"
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