Incognito in the Demon Market

Meanwhile, the scene shifted to Su Xiaoxiao’s circumstances.

Shortly after leaving the Demon Palace in the carriage Shayue had provided, Su Xiaoxiao alighted, instructing her escorts not to follow.

These Demon Soldiers, possessing exceptional skill, had already received Shayue’s orders. Thus, they obeyed Su Xiaoxiao’s every word, merely shadowing her from the shadows to ensure her protection.

After days of relentless heavy snowfall, the snow finally ceased today, giving way to the sun. Though little of the snow had melted, the gentle drip-drip of thawing ice could still be heard.

Donning a fox-fur cloak and pulling up her hood, Su Xiaoxiao ventured into the Demon Realm’s liveliest market. While it couldn’t quite rival the bustling Ghost City, it was far from deserted.

In fact, it boasted significantly less gore than the Ghost City. Both the street vendors and the storefronts were immaculately clean and orderly, giving the impression at first glance of a vibrant human marketplace.

Su Xiaoxiao, of course, remained oblivious that this pristine order was all due to Shayue’s instructions. Every market and town throughout the Demon Realm was forbidden from being dirty, bloody, or embroiled in internal conflicts over trade.

No one dared defy the Demon King’s words, unless they truly wished to shorten their lifespan.

Walking amidst a throng of demons, Su Xiaoxiao felt surprisingly little fear. The mere act of leaving the Demon Palace had brought a significant sense of ease to her heart.

The market offered a chaotic assortment of goods, yet it was far more palatable than the blood-stained Ghost City. At the very least, it spared Su Xiaoxiao from nausea and revulsion.

After walking for a short while, Su Xiaoxiao’s steps faltered as she spotted a stall adorned with various trinkets. She paused and addressed the owner.

As Su Xiaoxiao questioned him, the vendor, having noticed her approach, grew so nervous that large beads of sweat began to trickle down his forehead.

“These are small trinkets made with illusionary magic,” the vendor stammered. “Wearing different kinds allows you to impersonate various races, and even change your hair color.”

Su Xiaoxiao lowered her gaze, picking up a white cat-shaped item to examine it. The proprietor quickly added, “It’s hardly a valuable trinket. If Your Majesty likes it, please, simply take it.”

“How could I possibly?” Su Xiaoxiao murmured, her voice soft. “Aren’t you running a business? You’d be losing money.”

“No, no, no…” The green-faced, fanged demon boss quickly lowered his voice, his posture becoming fawning. “It’s merely a trifle. For it to catch Your Majesty’s eye is my greatest honor.”

The green-faced, fanged demon monster cast a quick glance at the small jade pendant hanging around Su Xiaoxiao’s neck, and sweat poured from him like rain.

‘To see this pendant is to see the Demon King himself,’ he thought. ‘How could I dare ask for money? I must truly be tired of living.’

“Alright, thank you, boss,” Su Xiaoxiao replied.

Seeing the boss’s fervent insistence, Su Xiaoxiao placed the pair of white cat ears on her head. Using the illusionary magic to conceal her demonic aura, she then departed.

Upon hearing this, Shayue couldn’t help but smile to herself. ‘This little fish is indeed young, foolish, and naive. I’ve instructed the Demon Soldiers to watch over her carefully and bring her back at the appointed time. As for anything else, if she wants to play, let her play.’

Gu Yan looked as if she had been struck by lightning, thinking, “And you said you don’t like her? You’re lying to ghosts!”

Indeed, after Su Xiaoxiao donned the white cat ears, she traversed a street, noticing that the scrutinizing gazes directed at her had significantly diminished compared to before. Yet, some demons still watched her, their eyes brimming with desire.

Her silvery-white hair, coupled with the fluffy cat ears, made Su Xiaoxiao appear even more lively and adorable, creating a stark contrast to the surrounding demons, as if they belonged to two entirely different artistic styles.

Su Xiaoxiao was no longer the naive ‘fish’ she once was, oblivious to matters of affection. She recognized the thoughts of lust in the eyes of the other demons, and understanding their intentions, she swiftly pulled up her hood and departed the area.

Of course, unbeknownst to Su Xiaoxiao, all the demons who had been watching her moments ago had silently vanished.

Su Xiaoxiao stopped once more after walking down another street. She recalled that the green-faced, fanged demon monster had been intently staring at the jade pendant hanging around her neck, leading her to believe it belonged to Xiyue.

Bringing it out so conspicuously felt overly ostentatious, so Su Xiaoxiao tucked the jade pendant, which had been visible, beneath her fox-fur cloak.

She was now over six months pregnant. The little fish-cub in her belly, nurtured by Xiyue’s spiritual energy, had been much calmer these past few days. When it wasn’t restless, Su Xiaoxiao didn’t suffer.

Perhaps because Su Xiaoxiao was too slender, and bundled up heavily against the severe cold beneath her fox-fur cloak, her protruding belly was not noticeable.

The snow in the market had been cleanly swept away, making the paths non-slippery. Su Xiaoxiao had no particular destination in mind; she simply wandered aimlessly, looking for anything interesting.

When she grew tired, she sought rest in a nearby tavern.

With the illusionary cat ears on her head and her transformed silvery-white hair, Su Xiaoxiao appeared to be merely a remarkably striking purple-furred cat demon among the demon race. Yet, due to her exceptionally beautiful face, she still drew several glances from other demons upon entering.

Su Xiaoxiao instinctively tugged her fox-fur cloak tighter, then found a relatively clean corner and settled onto a wooden stool.

The waiter, a male fox demon with a perpetual smile, approached Su Xiaoxiao. “Miss, what would you like to order? Today, we have fresh human blood, mixed with aged wine. It’s quite nourishing and excellent for cultivating your power. Would you care for a portion?”

Su Xiaoxiao’s face paled slightly upon hearing this, but she managed to maintain her composure. “N-no, thank you. Just a pot of clean water for me.”

To only order a pot of water in a tavern, even from a cat demon as beautiful as she was, caused the waiter’s smiling face to visibly cool by several degrees.

Su Xiaoxiao quickly added:

“And two plates of pastries, please.”

Fearing another bizarre offering, she quickly clarified, “Do you have any pastries made from the flower essence of the Flower Tribe?”

Upon hearing this, the waiter’s expression changed once more.

“We do!” he exclaimed. “Miss truly has discerning taste! The Flower Tribe’s nectar is very rare. I’ll prepare it for you right away.”

Once he had departed, Su Xiaoxiao let out a sigh of relief, reaching a hand through her fox-fur cloak to touch her belly.

No sooner had the waiter left than two demon envoys from a nearby table approached Su Xiaoxiao’s. They pulled out a stool and sat down directly.

“I noticed you the moment you walked in,” one of them began. “Do you have a companion? Look at your tender skin and delicate appearance… You’re pregnant, aren’t you?”

Su Xiaoxiao regarded them warily, unsure of their intentions. She instinctively covered her belly and did not respond.

The two demons, still undeterred, pressed on, addressing Su Xiaoxiao:

“Why is there no one accompanying you? How could anyone carelessly abandon such a beauty, allowing you to wander out in this freezing weather?”

Just then, the waiter brought Su Xiaoxiao’s water. It was chillingly cold and carried a distinct, fishy odor, utterly unlike the sweet, clear water she usually drank.

The smell, in fact, made Su Xiaoxiao feel a little nauseous. She lifted the cup to her lips, but then, frowning, set it back down.

She no longer wanted to drink it.

The more she ignored them, the more challenging the two demons found her to be.

“Why are you still drinking plain water?” one coaxed. “If you’re willing to call me ‘good brother,’ I’ll certainly take excellent care of you.”

“The weather is severe, and more heavy snow is expected in a few days. Food is so scarce,” the other added. “But if you, a beauty such as yourself, follow us two brothers, you’ll never suffer.”