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)
…
When the Yinchao royal family arrived at Black Dragon City, it was just past sunset. The roads on either side of the city gates were lit with streetlights, bright as day.
Had Yin Ao not looked up and seen the night sky, he might've thought he got the date wrong.
The closer he got to Black Dragon City, the more nervous he became. It had been so long since he'd seen his royal sister. He remembered her every smile, every carefree gesture. Though they had never been close, he had always quietly watched over her.
Now, seeing everything in Black Dragon City tied to her, he could only think—she must've fulfilled her dream.
In the night, Black Dragon City shimmered like a sea of stars. Yin Jixue and Lou Zhao stood atop the city wall, gazing down at the lights, filled with emotion.
"When I first came here, I felt this was my chance to truly shine. Maybe because you were too good-looking, I treated this place like my home, and watched it become better and better with my own eyes."
Lou Zhao wrapped an arm around her waist and whispered in her ear, "So it's all thanks to my good looks. What if I'd been ugly?"
Yin Jixue confessed her original plan.
"If you were ugly, we would've had a calm, strategic conversation about the Demon Clan's future. I'd help develop the Black Dragon Clan, and you'd give me the freedom and power I wanted, protect my country, and never interfere in my decisions. Based on my abilities, the success rate would've been around 80%."
Silence.
After a long pause, Yin Jixue nudged him with her elbow. "Why aren't you saying anything?"
Lou Zhao mumbled, "I'm just thinking how cold-blooded you are. If you hadn't taken a liking to me, and you'd planted those sweet yams… I would've agreed to any condition. I could've even named you the Human Emperor. Even if you weren't in the Black Dragon Clan, anywhere in the Demon Realm would be the same."
Because Yin Jixue had the strength to back it up, a single crop of sweet yams solved the Demon Clan's food problem. That was no small feat.
As they looked over the glowing city, Yin Jixue teased, pointing below, "Look, behold the prosperous empire I conquered for you."
Lou Zhao buried his face in her neck and mumbled, "Mmm… soft rice is delicious."
This boyfriend was just too charming, and paired with that devastatingly handsome face, the satisfaction was off the charts.
…
The caravan approached the city, and soldiers formed two neat rows at the gates—after all, these were the Queen's family members.
Yin Jixue asked Lou Zhao to fly her down and land in front of the vehicle.
Out first came the Court Historian, followed by the Head Eunuch, then the Ministers of War and Works.
And finally, her family.
Yin Jixue hadn't expected even the ministers to tag along. Most people feared the Demon Clan, didn't they?
When she'd invited just her parents, she'd worried they wouldn't dare come. Yet the reply had come swiftly—and her tsundere younger brother had come too?
Was it really okay for an emperor to just waltz into the Demon Realm?
Her maids, Fengxiu and Ruoshui, stepped forward promptly to greet them.
Ever since Lou Zhao returned, the two maids had become nearly invisible. Whenever he was around, they would excuse themselves, not wanting to delay the birth of a little prince.
Yin Jixue collected herself and lifted her dress to approach her mother.
The Empress Dowager couldn't help but fuss, "Child, why are you walking like that?"
She had once been a refined noble lady in the palace—how had she become so bold after marrying into the Demon Clan?
Yin Jixue's stride was only larger than usual, mostly because the Demon Clan wore flat shoes.
She greeted them politely: "Mother, Father, why is the Emperor here too?"
Yin Ao huffed proudly, "If Royal Sister didn't invite me, then of course I came uninvited."
Yin Jixue chuckled. "I just assumed you were too busy to spare the time. You're always welcome in Black Dragon City."
The group entered the city with fanfare. After asking around, they all decided to walk to the Demon Palace so they could see the sights.
Yin Jixue agreed.
The palace was big. They could take a carriage at the gate.
Rumors had painted Black Dragon City as barren and backward, but before the Empress Dowager could even worry about her daughter's well-being, she was already dazzled by the vibrant colors.
The Minister of Works asked curiously, "Why is your night as bright as day?"
Ruoshui answered with a smile, "The Queen had those streetlights built herself."
Hearing the maid call her daughter "Queen," the Empress Dowager got a clearer sense of her daughter's status.
Seeing they were alone, she leaned in and asked quietly, "Xue'er, is the Demon King not in the city?"
Yin Jixue tried not to laugh—Lou Zhao, walking right beside her, had been completely overlooked.
He replied calmly, "I am the Demon King."
The Empress Dowager gasped. The Retired Emperor and Yin Ao both instinctively shifted into defensive stances.
But the Demon King did nothing—he just remained quietly at Yin Jixue's side.
The Empress Dowager and Retired Emperor exchanged a glance and decided: we'll just stay in our lane.
After all, this was the Demon King. If not for Yin Jixue, he probably wouldn't even look at them.
Yin Jixue hadn't asked Lou Zhao to change for her. A Demon King was meant to be proud—he didn't need to bow to her parents.
A glance was introduction enough. No need to play family.
The Empress Dowager and Retired Emperor thought the same.
Yin Ao, however, watched Lou Zhao carefully. He saw no hint of force or discomfort in his sister's behavior. On the contrary, she seemed completely at ease with the Demon King—their every movement in sync.
That gave him peace of mind.
Of course, Lou Zhao noticed the Emperor watching him. But he said nothing, acknowledging it would just make things awkward.
Yin Jixue brought everyone to the rotating restaurant atop Black Dragon Tower.
The Empress Dowager asked, "Don't demons pay respects to their queen?"
She thought her daughter would command great ceremony—yet no one bowed.
Yin Jixue explained softly, "The Demon Clan has no kneeling etiquette. A bow of the head is a sign of respect. I'm already used to it."
The Empress Dowager relaxed. It was natural to be nervous in a foreign realm, especially one ruled by demons.
The revolving restaurant was a marvel. Had there not been so many people, the Minister of Works would've dropped to the ground to study the mechanics.
Lou Zhao waved his sleeve, and a gentle demonic aura enveloped everyone, ensuring they could move freely, eat without side effects, and even be protected in times of danger.
Yin Jixue explained, "This is a buffet. Everything is pre-made. Just pick what you like. The Demon King's spell ensures you can eat anything safely."
Hearing that they were now imbued with demon energy, the Ministers of War and Works sniffed at each other. Smelled like nothing.
They still rushed to get food first.
The Demon Clan's buffet was packed—three full rows of spinning trays, each lap offering new dishes.
And those colorful wines… The Minister of War was drooling.
The head eunuch tried to serve Yin Ao, but was waved off. "We're in the Demon Realm now—blend in. You eat your meal."
He ended up going with the historian to grab food.
They caught the exact moment when a spicy batch of crayfish was set out, glowing red and utterly not for the faint-hearted.
The historian, fearless, scooped up a full plate. Looks festive. First day in the Demon Realm—let's celebrate!"
The eunuch looked away. Hard pass.
Meanwhile, Yin Jixue personally guided her parents and brother, showing them what to take and pointing out the best dishes.
The Empress Dowager and Retired Emperor, who waited on hand and foot their whole lives, felt an odd sense of accomplishment serving themselves for once, as if they'd made the dishes themselves.
They stuck to mild foods like rice balls and stir-fried greens. Everything else looked too unfamiliar.
Yin Jixue, meanwhile, loaded up her brother's plate.
Quiet as always, Yin Ao suddenly asked, "Are you happy in the Demon Realm?"
Yin Jixue looked back, confused. "Why ask that all of a sudden? I'm doing pretty well. I make all the decisions in the Black Dragon Clan. I've got the freedom I always wanted."
Yin Ao looked stunned.
"He… doesn't mind?"
Yin Jixue beamed, her dimples showing. "In our house, I handle external affairs. He handles the internal."
Yin Ao instinctively glanced around for the Demon King, and only relaxed when he didn't see him nearby.
He warned, "Don't say that in front of him again. What if he hears it?"
Yin Jixue shrugged. If no one believed her honest answer, what else could she say?
Back at the table, the food was already piled high.
Ruoshui reminded them, "Please don't waste food. Take only what you can eat."
The Minister of War blinked. "Demons care about food waste, too?"
He'd been a general. In the army, wasting food meant going hungry for three days. In war, rations were life—and wasting them was tantamount to treason.
Ruoshui smiled, "Grain is hard-earned. Of course, we don't waste it."
The Minister nodded in approval.
…
Back at the guesthouse, the Xuanwu Demon Lord returned to find Elder Turtle nibbling steamed sweet yams.
The Demon Lord sniffed. "What are you eating?"
"These are called… sweet yams! A local delicacy of the Black Dragon Clan!"
The Demon Lord found the name oddly familiar and asked for a serving himself.
Soon, a second bowl was brought out—creamy, mashed, fragrant, and sweet.
The taste was nostalgic, like the ancient Demon Realm ten thousand years ago.
But how had such a thing ended up here?
He casually asked, "Where did this come from?"
Elder Turtle, no longer arrogant after staying in Black Dragon City and gathering intel, explained honestly, "They say it was among the dowry the Queen brought. Someone found the seeds and tried planting them."
The Demon Lord fell into deep thought. That story was embellished, but the Queen was involved.
He frowned. "Why are you still here? Didn't I tell you to return to the clan?"
Elder Turtle proudly shared the convenience of Black Dragon Express.
"The reply's already been sent. Any more instructions?"
The Demon Lord had assumed he'd need to return personally. So, Black Dragon Express was that efficient?
"In that case… why are you still here? Tomorrow is the sale for Spirit Communication Tablets. Go wait by the store and get one!"
Elder Turtle wilted. They hadn't revealed their identity last time—now they had to line up like commoners.
He muttered curses at Black Dragon City. Why don't they just make more of them?!
That night, Elder Turtle went to Black Dragon Tower early. He was determined to be first.
But by morning, he was fuming.
"What?! The pre-order names already went in? What about me?!"
The guard said apologetically, "You can come back in the afternoon. But please be early."
He had just dozed off by the door. He should've heard them open, but they'd been so quiet!
If only he'd announced his identity earlier…
He heard the Elder of the Winged Tiger Clan had gone in and never came out—probably buying out the whole stock.
Furious, Elder Turtle had two extra bowls of rice out of spite and went back to stake out the shop.
The store reopened in the afternoon. He charged in first, only to be told the factory hadn't delivered the goods yet. He was asked to take a seat.
While waiting, Elder Turtle dozed off again.
When he woke, a clerk was gently shaking him. "We're closing. Please come again tomorrow."
Groggy, he asked, "Why didn't you wake me?!"
The clerk smiled warmly. "You looked so comfortable, I didn't want to disturb you. Everyone else tiptoed in to avoid waking you."
Elder Turtle, full of frustration, had no choice but to hold it in. The clerk was too considerate—he couldn't even stay mad!
Hmph!