Ch 81: Guide to Running a Shop in Another World II

As midnight approached, several groups of guests still lingered in the inn’s lobby. The most striking among them was the central table, occupied by a peach-clad peach spirit and a silver-haired, red-eyed demon lord.

The other tables were filled with cultivators, who seemed wary of the central duo—Wuling and Jizhuang.

On their table sat numerous bottles of wine, and the two drank uninhibitedly, their flushed faces betraying slight intoxication.

Wuling had not visited the internet café for a while, and Lu Yao had thought of saying a few words to him.

But with Jizhuang present, she decided against it and turned her gaze away, choosing to catch up with Zeyuan and pretend she hadn’t noticed them.

Zeyuan received a redwood key tag from the innkeeper and waited for her to approach. “There’s a room on the third floor. By night, it faces the Tear Sea, and by morning, it overlooks Ni Bay. At this hour, you can still hear the songs of the merfolk.”

Lu Yao asked, “You booked that room?”

Zeyuan nodded. “Let’s go.”

The two kept a low profile, entering without drawing attention.

As they climbed the stairs, Zeyuan moved to Lu Yao’s right side, walking alongside her and shielding her completely from view.

Though slender, his height and presence ensured that anyone looking from below would see only the sway of her skirt.

The lobby remained quiet, and Lu Yao spoke softly, “That kind of room must be expensive.”

Zeyuan replied, “The owner of this inn comes from the Wild Mountains and is skilled in illusions. Most of the rooms are connected to illusionary realms. However, this particular room is not—it holds a special position. Still, most guests don’t know this, so the prices are the same. Since you’re accompanying me, there’s no need to worry about trivial matters.”

Lu Yao remarked, “You seem very familiar with this place.”

Zeyuan said, “I spent years wandering the human realm in search of that object.”

Lu Yao pressed further, “…So you’ve already searched this place?”

Zeyuan tilted his head slightly, his black eyes as deep as an abyss, and replied with unshakable confidence, “Didn’t I not find it?”

Lu Yao: “…”

Ever since his memory loss, this man had become shamelessly brazen.

She couldn’t help but wonder how he would react to recalling these “ridiculous” moments once his memories returned.

The corners of her mouth curved upward.

Zeyuan noticed and blinked, his hand brushing against his thumb in a rare display of unease. “What’s so funny?”

Lu Yao shook her head. “Nothing.”

Downstairs, the candle flames flickered suddenly as a faint blush-colored mist drifted through the door, coalescing at the base of the staircase into a figure clad in red.

The figure was a stunning woman with an alluring figure, captivating features, and a sultry gaze. Her hair was adorned with a four-cornered lantern hairpin, the lantern’s crimson flame casting flickering shadows with each sway of its tassels.

The beauty called out, gazing up at the two ascending figures: “Zeyuan, you didn’t mention last night when you booked the room that you’d be bringing a delicate guest along.”

The beauty of demons and spirits in the Floating World Continent was unparalleled, each possessing their own unique charm.

Though Lu Yao considered herself accustomed to seeing all kinds of beauties, she was momentarily startled by this woman’s allure.

Moreover, the woman seemed familiar with Zeyuan.

But what did she mean by booking the room last night?

Hadn’t they just rushed to book a room?

Lu Yao glanced curiously at Zeyuan beside her.

A faint blush colored his usually impassive face as he handed the redwood key tag and Mo Bao to Lu Yao, saying, “Mo Bao knows the room’s location. Go on ahead; I’ll follow shortly.”

Lu Yao hesitated, clutching the key and holding Mo Bao in her arms, but eventually nodded. She decided to head upstairs first without pressing him further.

The commotion caught the attention of the other guests in the lobby. Even Jizhuang and Wuling turned their gaze toward the stairs.

Wuling raised an eyebrow when he saw Lu Yao and immediately glanced at Jizhuang to gauge his reaction.

The flickering candlelight on their table wavered, and in the blink of an eye, Jizhuang’s seat was empty.

Jizhuang appeared at the base of the staircase, his red eyes a mixture of surprise and delight. “Yao’er, you’ve returned.”

He took a step forward, reaching out as if to touch Lu Yao’s face.

Lu Yao frowned and instinctively took a step back. Her fingers twitched, summoning her magic wand from her storage space.

A streak of golden light shot from an angle, the lotus branch striking Jizhuang’s hand and forcing him back. Lu Yao felt a sudden pressure at her waist and, before she could react, found herself pulled into Zeyuan’s embrace as he retreated.

Once they gained some distance, Zeyuan cast a cold glance at Jizhuang, who had missed his mark on the stairs below. Lowering his gaze, he spoke to the red-clad woman: “Chi Jiumeng, drunks like him should be thrown out.”

Chi Jiumeng’s face, previously filled with melancholy, straightened. She bowed slightly toward Lu Yao. “Apologies for disturbing the guest. I’ll have him escorted out immediately.”

Lu Yao, still held tightly by Zeyuan, blinked rapidly and tried to wriggle free.

The man’s arm felt like steel—unmoving.

“…Zeyuan,” she muttered.

His ears reddened, and his pitch-black eyes trembled slightly. After a brief pause, he lowered his gaze to her, his voice steady and calm: “Let me escort you to your room first.”

Jizhuang, witnessing the scene, glared with bloodshot eyes. With a swift motion, he summoned his life-bound artifact. The blade, glinting with icy light, lunged directly at Zeyuan.

Before it could reach its target, Wuling moved, appearing in an instant atop the redwood railing. The tip of his spear, adorned with pink tassels, intercepted the blade. “Jizhuang, get a grip. She’s not Yu Yao.”

In the meantime, Chi Jiumeng materialized a greenwood spear, thin mist rising around her.

But Jizhuang had anticipated her move. With a flick of his long sleeve, he released a soft whip that coiled around Chi Jiumeng’s waist and flung her downstairs.

The onlookers, sensing trouble, quickly abandoned their tables, tossing down spirit stones as they ran for the exit.

Jizhuang broke free of Wuling and Chi Jiumeng’s attempts to restrain him, his crimson eyes locked firmly on Zeyuan.

Zeyuan released Lu Yao, shielding her behind him. “What’s his problem?”

Lu Yao sighed helplessly. “He probably mistook me for someone else.”

Zeyuan’s fingertips glowed as a golden lotus branch materialized, his expression icy. “If his eyesight’s poor, perhaps it should be fixed properly.”

“Wait—” Lu Yao interjected.

Zeyuan tilted his head slightly, listening.

Lu Yao urged, “Ease up a bit. Don’t make too big a scene.”

By all accounts, a demon lord and a demon emperor should represent the pinnacle of combat strength.

But with Zeyuan being Lu Mingxiao, things weren’t so straightforward.

After all, in the Nitean Continent, even the little Yingtong could effortlessly crush Spirit Elixirs. Even gods tread carefully around the Godslayer.

If a misunderstanding ended with Zeyuan obliterating Jizhuang…

Lu Yao didn’t want her internet café to become the target of the entire demon clan’s resentment.

Zeyuan’s eyes darkened, the edges of his black pupils tinged with a fiery crimson that seemed to consume the shadows within. With a flicker, the flames extinguished the last remnants of black.

He turned and descended the stairs. “Mo Bao.”

The little creature leaped from Lu Yao’s arms. “At your service, my lord.”

“Take Lu Yao to her room. Rest assured, I’ll hold back and keep things contained.”

Lu Yao: “…”

Why did that sound a little passive-aggressive?

…

Third Floor, Chongdeng Inn

Mo Bao dutifully escorted Lu Yao upstairs. Once inside the spacious guest room, Lu Yao sat uneasily in the center, clutching Mo Bao in her arms. The sorrowful songs of merfolk echoed faintly, adding to her restlessness.

Mo Bao blinked up at her. “Don’t worry. His Lordship has never lost a fight.”

Lu Yao sighed. “…That’s not what I’m worried about.”

Mo Bao tilted his head in confusion. “Then what’s bothering you?”

Leaping from her arms, he crossed the table to curl up on a soft cushion, his brows furrowing tightly. “Don’t tell me you’re worried about that lovesick demon emperor?”

Lu Yao glanced at the little creature, whose face was full of disdain. “Didn’t the gates to the demon domain close five hundred years ago? How do you even know about the demon emperor’s gossip?”

Mo Bao snorted. “What’s so strange about that? His love for Yu Yao is known across all six realms…”

Never assume demons don’t indulge in rumors.

Over two hundred years ago, the demon emperor had scoured the heavens and earth for Yu Yao’s soul, causing chaos across the Three Realms.

Though the gates to the demon domain had been sealed, they hadn’t completely cut off news from the outside world.

The jokes about the demon clan had the little magic creatures laughing uncontrollably.

Mo Bao paused mid-sentence, suddenly remembering something, and scowled bitterly. “…I guess only our lord doesn’t know.”

Their master, Zeyuan, was as impervious as the stones at the bottom of the River of Forgetfulness.

Lu Yao asked curiously, “If all of you know, how could he not?”

Mo Bao shook his head vigorously. “Demons are naturally emotionless. But our lord was born with demonic eyes, severing all ties to love—he is utterly heartless. Did you see that red-clad woman earlier?”

Lu Yao nodded.

“That’s Chi Jiumeng, the owner of this inn, a great demon from the Wild Mountains. She’s been in love with our lord for 800 years, but he’s completely unaware. And look at me—I’ve been bound to him by contract for 900 years, yet he’s never shown me a sliver of affection.”

Lu Yao: “…”

Mo Bao was still sulking over what had happened before they left the inn.

If Zeyuan was like a cold, unfeeling stone, then Lu Yao was a warm, comforting heat pack, radiating warmth wherever she went. Mo Bao had seen Lu Yao chatting amicably with the guardian beast Budu at the internet café, and his envy nearly spilled over.

He couldn’t get close to Zeyuan, so he clung to Lu Yao instead.

As Lu Yao held Mo Bao in her arms, she had no idea she had become his “backup option.”

Outside, Zeyuan and Chi Jiumeng stood face to face.

“…”
“…”

Jizhuang had been taken away by Wuling, but Zeyuan, preoccupied with Lu Yao, hadn’t given chase.

Chi Jiumeng, as the innkeeper, felt compelled to apologize after the commotion that had startled Lu Yao. She followed Zeyuan upstairs to make amends, but neither expected the little magic creature to speak so recklessly, gossiping about things it barely understood.

After a long moment of silence, both of them sighed, lowered their raised feet, and prepared to enter the room.

Just then, Lu Yao’s voice came from inside: “Since the Demon Lord is heartless, what do you all like about him?”

Mo Bao answered confidently, “I like that the lord is heartless, like a god of unmatched strength. Look at that demon emperor—once he grew emotions, he was ruined.”

Lu Yao: “…Oh, as long as you’re happy.”

Mo Bao, recalling how Lu Yao had chatted warmly with Budu at the café, couldn’t help but ask, “What kind of person do you like?”

Lu Yao tilted her head, pretending to think. “Hmm, just an ordinary person would do.”

Mo Bao frowned. “What’s so good about ordinary people? They’re like useless trash.”

Lu Yao thought for a moment, almost grasping at something but missing it. “Strong or weak doesn’t matter. As long as they can always stay with me, that’s enough.”

Chi Jiumeng glanced at Zeyuan, suppressing a laugh but not daring to let it show.

Zeyuan brought a human woman here, and she had thought the demon realm might finally have some gossip… ahem, joyous news.

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