Heilong-kou (Black Dragon-Mouth/Pass)
Heilong-cheng (Black Dragon-City)
Heilong-yuan(Black Dragon Wall)
Heilong Bay (Black Dragon Bay)
Heilong Ridge (Black Dragon Ridge)
Censorate (Supervisory Court)
Yuling City (Jade City)
Jingui Town (Golden Turtle Town)
Xuanwu City (Black tortoise City)
Qinglong (Azure Dragron)
…
The Xuanwu Demon Lord, accompanied by Elder Turtle and Golden Turtle, set out to visit the Black Dragon Clan.
To truly witness the changes that had taken place, they deliberately took the route from Yuling City to Black Dragon pass—an undercover visit of sorts.
They traveled aboard the Demon Lord's mount: a Grade 8 demonic beast, the Kunpeng—a beast that swims as a Kun and flies as a Peng. In its true form, it blotted out the sky, able to soar from Xuanwu City to Yuling City in just half a day.
Upon arriving in Yuling City, they found that even it seemed livelier than today's Xuanwu City.
Not that Xuanwu City was dead, but it no longer held the bustling prosperity it once did.
The Xuanwu Demon Lord was the first to change his appearance: "Let's keep a low profile. Don't reveal your identities."
He took on the look of an ordinary middle-aged demon. To passersby, the three of them were just Xuanwu merchants.
They hadn't walked far before a demon approached them with a smile.
"Are you three headed to Black Dragon City?"
Before the Demon Lord could answer, Elder Turtle snapped:
"This is Yuling City, isn't it? You're not even from Black Dragon City, so why would you ask if we're going there? Don't you have any respect for the Demon Lord?!"
The young man looked distressed—he'd never met such unreasonable guests before.
"Sir, what are you saying? We're all just trying to survive. Of course, we hold the Demon Lord in our hearts. But what do you expect us to do—starve here in Yuling City just to prove our loyalty?"
Elder Turtle flared up, whiskers trembling: "Why would anyone starve? I've never heard of a Xuanwu demon starving!"
The young man grew indignant. "That's easy for you to say. Just because you haven't heard of it doesn't mean it doesn't happen. Do you know what we've been eating?"
"Before food aid is delivered, we go days with nothing. We've been eating the stuff only bottom-tier demons eat—black sludge."
That "black sludge" was clay.
"You privileged demons have no idea what life is like for those of us at the bottom!"
"Outrageous!" Elder Turtle roared. "Do you even know what you're saying?!"
The Demon Lord raised a hand to stop him.
"Lead the way," he said to the youth. "Tell us more about your life as we go."
The young man smiled—business at last.
"Sure thing. Follow me, I'll take you to Black Dragon pass on my tricycle."
The trike was one he'd bought on installment from a dealer in Yuling City. If he hauled enough cargo, he'd be able to pay it off within six months.
When not doing deliveries, he waited at the city gate for merchants to hire him for trips to Black Dragon pass. Transporting them was another good source of income.
As he drove, he explained, "This trike was made in Black Dragon City. They even make pedal-powered ones for short-distance hauling. Mine runs on oil—needs engine oil. I go to Black Dragon pass's gas station once a month to refuel."
Golden Turtle glanced at the Demon Lord, then asked, "What if you run out of oil and can't get there?"
"Then I just ask someone to bring the message. Someone will deliver oil to my doorstep, though I'll need to pay a small delivery fee."
Golden Turtle said, "That can't be cheap."
The young man beamed. "It's pretty cheap—only ten Black Dragon Pearls. And if you've owned your vehicle for less than a year, the cost gets reimbursed."
He explained the concept of reimbursement, leaving Golden Turtle deep in thought. No wonder so many of their Xuanwu merchants had abandoned their homes for Black Dragon City.
Reimbursement was a big expense, yet Black Dragon City covered a full year's worth for any locally purchased vehicle. Even he was tempted to buy one, whether or not he knew how to drive.
That kind of after-sales service was already more than enough to impress.
The Xuanwu Demon Lord turned to Elder Turtle.
Elder Turtle snorted through his nose. "Is this what's seducing our merchant caravans? Petty tricks like these?"
The young man didn't take offense. He could tell this old man was one of those rigid traditionalists who would never accept change.
"It's not just this," the young man said. "Back in the day, Xuanwu City was the most prosperous of all demon cities. Those merchants—trust me—they've got high standards."
Elder Turtle wasn't convinced. "Then what else? Don't tell me it's just these tricycles."
"Of course not. Honestly, I can't even explain it all. You'll understand once you get there. Black Dragon City is nothing like it used to be. If I had the money, I'd buy a home in Black Dragon pass right now."
Before the elder could retort, the young man said with longing in his voice, "There's a school being built in Black Dragon pass. I want my kid to study there. I've asked around—they accept any demon child, no matter the clan. Even if I can't afford a house, I'll save enough to get married and send my kid to school."
That silenced Elder Turtle.
A school.
The Xuanwu Clan had never had such a concept. Or more accurately, they'd never considered the idea.
What was knowledge of demons? They were demons—strength came from power, not books.
That was the elder's view too, and he said as much. But the young man just smiled.
"Yeah, I used to think the same. But this tricycle? It was built by students from one of their schools. Those merchants haven't left yet—they're waiting for the school in Black Dragon pass to finish construction. They've already bought shops nearby."
Golden Turtle was flooded with mixed feelings.
Even though his Golden Turtle Clan was the most business-savvy in the Xuanwu Clan—and even in the human world, the term "golden turtle son-in-law" referred to a rich, desirable man—compared to Black Dragon City, they were just playing house.
The Demon Lord asked calmly, "You admire Black Dragon City. Why are you still in Yuling City?"
The young man showed no change in expression, answering with a professional smile.
"Yuling City is where I was born. I've had my share of hard times, but I never thought about leaving. Look at Black Dragon City. It used to be a dead end. But those demons—rather than leave—they chose to starve with their clan. And because of that, they survived long enough to see a way out. Yuling City isn't any worse off. One day, it'll grow too."
…
Yin Jixue had no idea that people on the road were discussing Black Dragon City—or that another major figure was soon to arrive.
But none of that mattered to her. Even if the Xuanwu Demon Lord stood right in front of her, she wouldn't recognize him!
Recently, Feng Xiu and Ruoshui had taken in Xiao Ye as their disciple, turning the Demon Palace into a literal playground.
If nothing went wrong, Xiao Ye would likely become her subordinate someday.
She was baffled.
Why are they all child laborers!?
Lou Zhao leaned in and sniffed her.
"You smell nice. Did you brew wine again?"
Yin Jixue wrapped her arms around his neck and planted a kiss on his cheek.
"Yep. I brewed extra this time, so you can finally live your dream of being spoiled with immortal wine."
Lou Zhao lifted her and sat down, holding her in his lap.
"So this is what it feels like to be a kept man?"
Yin Jixue gave him another kiss. "This counts as being kept?"
Lou Zhao buried his face in her neck. "Why wouldn't it?"
His breath was hot and ticklish against her skin, making her instinctively pull back.
Luckily, he held her tight, keeping her from falling—just ended up pressing her closer.
Blushing, Yin Jixue quickly changed the subject. "You know, I think this 'atavism' phenomenon might be caused by sweet yams."
Lou Zhao was nibbling at her ear. "You mean that thing with the changeable flavors?"
"Yeah. We haven't let the foreign merchants eat much of it, but for our demon citizens, it's a staple food."