Love Blossoms

The two stood there, staring at the scene before them…

“Hey. What kind of place is this?” Xiya asked, giving Bai Ci a disdainful look.

“You brought a cute girl to somewhere like this…”

“This is a… uh… cultural exchange center,” Bai Ci forced a dry laugh.

“Exchange center?” Xiya narrowed her eyes suspiciously.

“Then tell me—why are those women looking at you like they want to devour you alive?”

“Well…” Bai Ci swallowed hard.

“Maybe because I’m… unusually handsome?”

He was clearly uneasy. Truthfully, from the moment he stepped onto this street, something felt off.

Just moments ago, after dealing with that unknown monster, they’d intended to investigate it immediately.

At such a critical time, every suspicious clue might be linked to Garuda’s rebirth.

A never-before-seen creature appearing in the very city where a Demon Lord was destined to return? That alone was deeply strange.

Perhaps it could help their mission to kill Garuda.

But they had no plan yet—and as night fell, Bai Ci decided they needed shelter first.

After all, the path may be winding, but the future is bright!

Convinced by his own logic, Bai Ci embraced the principle: sharpening the axe won’t delay the woodcutting.
First, find a place to rest—for both of them.

Yet whether by muscle memory or some twisted fate, even as his mind churned with thoughts of Garuda and monsters, his feet carried him straight into this street.

And Xiya, blissfully unaware, followed without suspicion.

By the time Bai Ci snapped back to reality, he’d already led Xiya deep into the heart of this pleasure district.

Women in revealing clothes eyed him with suggestive gazes. The air reeked of cloying perfume.

“This is bad… really bad…”

Bai Ci felt cold sweat trickle down his back. He now had a pretty good idea of what this place was.

Thankfully, Xiya didn’t seem to understand its nature. Otherwise, if this lady realized he’d brought her to some unspeakable establishment…

Garuda might not even need to resurrect—Bai Ci would already be dead by her hand.

Though he’d seen oceans of blood and death on Earth, the sight before him—enough to make any adult male’s pulse race—left him trembling inside.

Experienced women swayed their slender waists, peering from both sides of the street, curiously eyeing Bai Ci and Xiya walking down the middle.

“What a handsome young man…”

“……”

Bai Ci dared not respond.

“Even though I’m so tired today… if it’s you, I wouldn’t mind~”

A provocatively dressed woman winked at Bai Ci, her cleavage barely contained by her low-cut top.

Bai Ci pretended not to hear.

Xiya, noticing the scene, tightened her grip on Bai Ci’s hand—almost like staking a claim.

Bai Ci glanced at her awkwardly. Xiya raised an eyebrow, clearly displeased.

Good—this street wasn’t long. If he quickened his pace, they’d reach the end in about ten minutes…

Bai Ci calculated silently in his mind.

“I’m a professional at this—you’ll definitely be satisfied~” another teasing voice called from the side.

“What does ‘professional’ mean?” Xiya asked, suddenly wary.

“I don’t know!”

Bai Ci knew feigning ignorance was his best move. Was he supposed to explain to this innocent Demon Lord what “professional” implied in that context?

The constant taunts made him panic.

Pulling up his hood, he clasped his hands together in prayer: Don’t see me, don’t see me…

These women usually entertained greasy middle-aged men.

Seeing a relatively clean-cut guy like Bai Ci, their eyes lit up like wolves spotting fresh meat.

They also noticed the stunning lavender-haired beauty beside him—but ironically, married men were more fun to tease.

Years of experience had taught them that.

“Sure you won’t come in for just a bit?”

A somewhat attractive girl gave Bai Ci puppy-dog eyes, so alluring they could steal a soul.

Bai Ci’s mind went blank.

Mechanically, he turned to Xiya—only to see her fists clenched, knuckles cracking. Her lavender hair floated as if stirred by unseen wind, dangerous energy crackling around her.

“There will be a more appropriate time for such pleasures!”

Bai Ci declared solemnly, pushing away the delicate hand trying to wrap around his neck.

In that moment, he looked almost saintly—though he himself had no idea how he managed such a morally upright act.

Probably thanks to the murderous being glaring at him beside him…

“Then I’ll be eagerly awaiting your visit~”

Hearing that, Xiya’s small hand clamped down on the soft flesh of Bai Ci’s waist—and twisted hard.

“!! Hey! Easy, easy! You’re tearing my skin off!”

“Big… sister?”

“You called me big sister?!”

Xiya froze, stunned beyond belief, staring at Bai Ci as if he’d committed blasphemy.

Bai Ci instantly realized his fatal mistake. He stumbled back, drenched in cold sweat.

The women along the street sensed danger and quickly retreated indoors.

You know…

Calling a beautiful girl “big sister”…

Xiya’s voice was unnervingly soft, as she slowly advanced.

“is exceedingly impolite.”

The next second, she opened her mouth, revealed her sharp fangs—and sank her teeth into Bai Ci’s arm.

I’m sorry! Let go!!!

“…….”

I’M SORRY!!!

Bai Ci yanked his arm free and bolted at full speed, vanishing around the corner at the end of the street.

“Don’t run!”

Leaning against a damp wall, Bai Ci gasped for breath, his legs still trembling. He touched his bitten arm—neat rows of teeth marks stood out in red.

Women… are far scarier than demons!

After catching his breath, Bai Ci cautiously peeked out. Far away, Xiya stood at the street entrance, arms crossed, puffing with anger, scanning for her runaway prey.

Bai Ci took a deep breath, steeling himself to walk out—

“Hey, kid. Done having fun? Pay the protection fee and scram!”

Still recovering from the ordeal, Bai Ci turned—only to find himself surrounded by a group of menacing thugs.

“Protection fee?”

Bai Ci blinked, bewildered. Was this place truly lawless?

Robbing people before sunset? These guys were insane!

Scratching his head, he examined the intruders closely.

Even the leader was no older than him, wielding a crude bone knife.

His hair hung messy behind his head. Around him stood several ragged boys, all malnourished but radiating hostility.

Hmm?

“What the hell are you staring at?! Hand over your money now!”

A young thug cursed from behind.

Xiya, arriving just then, mimicked the thug’s fierce expression.

“Hey! Did you hear him? Hand over your cash!”

She copied it perfectly—even nudging Bai Ci twice with her elbow.

“Are you kidding me? We’re the ones being robbed! Do you think this is a game?”

“See those bone knives? One stab and you’ll behave.”

Bai Ci glared at the carefree Xiya, then mockingly poked her smooth arm with a pretend knife.

“Look at you. It’s just money.”

Xiya scoffed at Bai Ci.

“Just money?”

“Then you pay.”

Hearing that, Xiya instantly changed her demeanor. She pointed at the thugs with righteous indignation:

“Robbery is wrong! True happiness comes from creating it with your own hands…”

Bai Ci stared, utterly speechless.

A Demon Lord lecturing humans on morality?
What kind of absurd world have I fallen into?

Before preaching… maybe reflect on your own past actions first?