Facing the Rising Sun

After gaining a brief understanding of Sin City, Bai Ci bid farewell to the gang of thugs.

“Stay alive…”

That was his parting words to them.

He knew exactly what this city was about to face.

“Finally found it.”

Not long after, standing before a building marked with a sign reading “Lilith Inn,” Bai Ci exhaled in relief.

If he hadn’t found shelter soon, he and Xiya would’ve ended up sleeping on the streets.

Sleeping on the streets in this place…

Recalling the chaos within the city,

Bai Ci shivered involuntarily.

Thankfully, Xiya still seemed cheerful—her presence eased him slightly.

Bai Ci pushed open the door and cautiously surveyed the interior.

“Hello? Is anyone here?”

To his surprise, the inn was unexpectedly clean. The wooden floor gleamed, polished to a shine, and the air carried a faint scent of lavender.

The environment wasn’t bad at all—at least it was tidy. Now he just had to hope the price wasn’t outrageous…

“Welcome~”

In response to his call, a woman in a lavender dress descended gracefully from the stairs.

“Welcome to Lilith Inn. Are you two looking for lodging?”

“Oh my, rare guests indeed,” she remarked, her gaze shifting between them before settling on Bai Ci’s exhausted face.

“Yes, we’d like…”

Bai Ci suddenly hesitated, turning to Xiya.

“Uh… how many rooms?”

Xiya raised an eyebrow. “Shouldn’t you have decided that earlier?”

“Oh, then one room, please.” Bai Ci said without thinking.

“!!?” Xiya whipped her head around, her pale cheeks instantly flushing red.

“O-one room?!”
“You idiot! Pervert!”

“We’re travelers. Gotta use our funds wisely.”

Bai Ci leaned close, whispering into her ear. Warm breath brushed against her sensitive lobe.

Seeing her ears turn crimson, nearly dripping with blush,

Bai Ci suppressed a laugh and added mischievously: “And make it a double bed…”

“……..”

“So shameless…”

Xiya bit her lower lip, voice barely above a whisper.

Since Xiya didn’t outright refuse, Bai Ci took it as consent!

“Hehe~ One large double-bed room for two, please!” He gave a V-sign to the woman.

“Of course. That’ll be three silver coins per night.”

Three silver coins…

Let me check.

Bai Ci reached into his pocket. His smile froze.

His expression turned awkward.

Ha… ha… ha…

After several forced laughs, he patted every pocket—only to produce a few copper coins.

These were scavenged from the roadside over the past few days.

As each copper coin clinked onto the counter, the woman’s lips twitched.

With difficulty, she asked: “Are you… serious about this payment…?”

Uh.

“Sorry… I’m truly broke!” Bai Ci lamented helplessly.

Then he subtly lowered his gaze toward Xiya beside him.

“What are you planning?” Xiya instantly became alert.

“Lend me some money.”

“No.”

“Why not?!”

“Because I don’t have any either…”

Xiya mumbled, twirling her hair.

“What about the money you earned while pretending to be a Saintess?!”

“All spent on food.”

“Also, that pendant I gave the thugs earlier? That was the only valuable thing I had left.”

Who could’ve imagined—one of the seven rulers of the continent, a Demon Lord reduced to being unable to afford a hotel stay?

Bai Ci felt his world crumbling. Was he really going to end up homeless with Xiya?!

Now he finally understood what it meant to be brought low by a single copper coin.

“Well… if you’re willing to help me with something, I could offer you free lodging.”

The woman smiled gently, seeing Bai Ci’s desperate expression.

“Really?!” Hope reignited in Bai Ci’s eyes.

“There’s no such thing as a free meal, you know…”

Xiya sighed, watching Bai Ci’s sudden excitement with pity.

Sure enough, the woman revealed her condition the next moment.

“If you’re willing…”

“I am! Of course I am!”

“Wait—you haven’t even heard my request yet?”

“It doesn’t matter! I can do anything! Just name it!” Bai Ci thumped his chest confidently.

Xiya remained silent, wearing the expression of someone who clearly didn’t want to be associated with him.

“This morning, everyone in the city was talking about a mysterious figure who instantly killed one of the monsters terrorizing us lately.”

The innkeeper’s eyes sparkled. “The elemental energy radiating from you… that was you, wasn’t it?”

Bai Ci raised an eyebrow. He hadn’t expected the news to spread so fast.

Clearly, this city had sharp ears.

Whether becoming famous right after arriving was good or bad—he couldn’t tell.

“I’m Lilith, owner of this inn,” she said with a graceful curtsey.
“All I ask is that you protect this place from monster attacks. As long as you stay, your lodging will be completely free.”

“Deal!” Bai Ci accepted immediately.

Fame or infamy aside—the priority now was getting a bed.

Finally, after a long day, Bai Ci and Xiya had a place to rest.

Still, considering Xiya was an unmarried young lady, Bai Ci ultimately switched the double bed room to a twin-bed setup…

Until the last traces of twilight were swallowed by night,

in the room of Lilith Inn, Bai Ci lay on his back, staring at the wood grain on the ceiling.

Xiya curled on the other bed, back turned to him, her purple hair spilling across the pillow like a flowing river of stars.

The room was so quiet their breathing echoed.

“Hey…”

Xiya spoke suddenly, muffled by the pillow.

“Are you asleep?”

Bai Ci turned his head. The girl had wrapped herself into a cocoon, leaving only a half-visible, flushed ear.

“Not yet. What is it?”

“……”

Xiya stayed silent for a moment, then flipped over, gazing at Bai Ci with big, pitiful eyes.

Her pink irises shimmered under moonlight, like stardust trapped inside.

“I’m a little cold.”

“Oh.”

“Do you want…” Bai Ci cleared his throat. “I could give you my blanket?”

“Are you made of wood?!”

“Well, what do you suggest? Should I come lie next to you and hold you?”

“No way!” Xiya squeaked like a cat stepped on its tail, burying herself deeper into the covers.

“Well… maybe not…”

Then, under her breath where Bai Ci couldn’t hear: not entirely impossible…

Bai Ci listened to the rustling beneath the quilt and chuckled softly.

He quietly walked over, poking the human-shaped lump through the blanket.

The mattress dipped slightly under his weight.

Feeling his presence, Xiya subtly scooted closer. Her hair brushed his knuckles—tingling.

A sudden gust lifted the curtain. In the dark, Bai Ci felt cool fingers gently hook around his own.

“I-it’s just extra cold tonight!”

Xiya stammered defensively.

Bai Ci smiled silently.

A Demon Lord afraid of the cold?

He slowly lay down, leaving just the right gap between them—

close enough to catch each other’s comforting scent, but not touching.

“Sleep well.”

Bai Ci whispered, staring at the ceiling.
“I’m right here.”

Outside, distant wind whistled. Xiya’s breathing grew soft and steady.

When Bai Ci thought she’d fallen asleep, he suddenly felt warmth press against his back.

The girl’s forehead gently rested on his shoulder blade—like a small boat docking at a lighthouse.

“…Idiot… Xiao Ci.”

She murmured dreamily, this time with a hint of a smile.

The next day.

“You idiot…”
“Come here…”
“Get up!”

Thud!

Ow…

A long-forgotten sensation…

Accompanied by her shout, Bai Ci felt a sudden weight on his chest.

Opening his eyes, he saw Xiya straddling him—face-to-face.

For a moment, Bai Ci froze. This scene…

Yue Ling…

Before he could stop himself, the name slipped out. The second he realized his mistake, it was too late.

?

Xiya’s pink eyes flared with fury.

“You slept in the same room as me—and called another woman’s name?!”

A pillow came flying, striking him full in the face.

S-sorry! Bai Ci flailed, trying to explain, but got smacked again.

It wasn’t intentional—just that the moment had been too painfully nostalgic.

“Whatever. It’s not the first time anyway.”

Xiya huffed, turning away as she jumped off the bed. Her hair swept across Bai Ci’s nose,

its faint fragrance stirring unwanted thoughts.

Watching the sulking Xiya, Bai Ci had no idea how to comfort her.

His experience with women was severely lacking…

“Want to go out together?”

Bai Ci stretched, trying to ease the tension.

“No.”

Xiya’s reply was crisp and final.

“Then stay here and wait for me to come back, okay?”

“.…Hmph…”

Seeing Xiya give no response, Bai Ci sighed helplessly.

Are all Demon Lords this jealous?

Ah, well. Either way, he needed to keep gathering intel.

With that thought, Bai Ci headed downstairs.

Just as he reached the bottom step, he saw a youth in a black cloak speaking quietly with Lilith at the entrance.

Lilith stood beside him, appearing slightly tense.

When Bai Ci appeared, the youth’s pupils contracted sharply.

Their eyes met.

“Ah… good morning?” Bai Ci scratched his head, yawning.

“Good morning.”

The youth replied flatly—voice low and steady.

Lilith said nothing, offering only a faint smile.

Without further exchange, Bai Ci passed them and stepped outside.

Strange guy…

As they brushed past, Bai Ci clearly felt the youth’s gaze following him.

Even after leaving the inn, he sensed unseen eyes lingering on his back—uncomfortable, unsettling.