Chapter 9 No Retreat

The reason the Demon Market decided to hold a fireworks display during the Xie family’s wedding banquet was that many demons had also participated in the daytime festivities. After mingling, the idea reached Xiao Bu’er, Song Yan’s capable assistant, who naturally sought to help Song Yan make a hefty profit.  

This Xiao Bu’er was none other than the petty-minded friend Su Qing had mentioned.  

As for Xiao Bu’er, his background was truly impressive. Despite his lofty status, Su Qing had never crossed paths with him—and naturally, this time would be no exception.  

According to Song Yan, Xiao Bu’er was the second prince of the Heavenly Realm and the Heavenly Ruler’s most cherished son, making him an exceedingly noble figure. As for why he associated with a blockhead like Song Yan, one could say they were birds of a feather.  

When Xiao Bu’er first met Song Yan, he found himself outmatched in arguments, games, and even in charming beauties. As the second prince of the Heavenly Realm, this was utterly humiliating. So, he took the opposite approach—giving Song Yan the nickname “Blockhead Immortal,” implying he was foolish, when in truth, it was sheer jealousy of his cunning and experience.  

But Song Yan knew better than to oppose the Heavenly Ruler’s son, so he cheerfully accepted the title. Seeing Song Yan’s gracious attitude, Xiao Bu’er decided to befriend him.  

Yet, deep down, Su Qing believed both men were equally rotten.  

Song Yan loved money, so Xiao Bu’er schemed endlessly to help him earn more—this Demon Market was one of his devious ideas.  

Song Yan loved beauties, so Xiao Bu’er set up several Houses of Pleasure within the Demon Market, filling them with enchanting female demons, stirring the desires of male demons.  

Song Yan loved cold fish delicacies, so Xiao Bu’er dispatched people far and wide to gather the freshest catches and sell them in major taverns.  

In short, it was all ill-intentioned. On the surface, he seemed to cater to Song Yan’s whims, but in reality, he was just trying to oppose him.  

Put simply, he refused to admit Song Yan was smarter and went out of his way to tarnish his reputation.  

But reputation was something Song Yan couldn’t care less about. If he did, why would he ignore even Mingyu Xianjun’s words? Now, whenever someone mentioned his hopeless disciple, the immortal’s white beard would bristle in fury.  

The fireworks display was set up by the Ba Bridge in the Demon Market, designed in imitation of the Tang Dynasty’s grandeur. By the time Su Qing and Mu Qing Shi arrived, the place was already crowded. As for Jiu Jiu, she had naturally run off to play with Little Oriole.  

Long lantern wheels hung by the bridge, adorned with hundreds of Wind Lanterns in various colors, shimmering like glazed porcelain from afar.  

“You seem to be in high spirits, my lady!”  

Mu Qing Shi’s eyes, illuminated by the Wind Lanterns, were especially captivating—as if they could seize one’s heart and control its rhythm.  

Su Qing averted her gaze and replied softly, “Thank you for the invitation, young master.”  

Mu Qing Shi gazed at her with amusement, seemingly seeing through her discomfort. “Are you nervous, my lady?”  

Su Qing felt him step closer, and instinctively, she retreated.  

One step, two steps—until there was nowhere left to retreat.  

Suddenly, a flicker of irritation rose within her. She glared coldly at Mu Qing Shi, saying nothing.  

Indeed, he was deliberately provoking her. He wanted to see her emotions, not the aloof demeanor of an immortal.  

In truth, Mu Qing Shi had already succeeded—he just hadn’t realized it.  

From the moment Su Qing could get angry at him, he had won. If she didn’t care, why would she be angry?  

Mu Qing Shi was truly clueless.  

But Su Qing’s anger was very real.

Looking at the woman before him who seemed intent on keeping strangers at bay, Mu Qing Shi felt somewhat helpless. He extended his arm and rolled up his sleeve, revealing a large bruise to Su Qing.  

Then he turned slightly, gesturing for her to look behind him. It turned out the crowd had grown so dense that turning around was impossible, let alone stepping back.  

That bruise was the result of making enough space for Su Qing.  

If one wanted to protect something, one had to sacrifice something—such was the way of the world.  

“Su Qing has wronged the young master!”  

A pang of guilt struck her. The bruise had a purplish tint, suggesting the impact had been severe.  

“Tsk…” Mu Qing Shi suddenly let out a faint hiss—more people had squeezed in.  

Su Qing couldn’t bear it. She reached out to pull his sleeve back down and tugged him slightly toward her, leaving a fist-sized gap between them. Lifting her gaze to meet his, she said, “This might be better!”  

Mu Qing Shi stared into those eyes, his heart surging like stormy waves, yet he maintained his usual composure and replied softly, “Thank you, miss.”  

At such close proximity, both Mu Qing Shi and Su Qing felt their hearts racing unbearably fast, yet they pretended as if nothing were amiss, their expressions perfectly calm.  

Just how breathtakingly handsome Mu Qing Shi was—only Su Qing in this moment could truly know.  

His brows were like ink diluted with a touch of water, his dark eyes reflecting faint violet under the lantern light. That cool yet gentle glow ensnared her gaze completely.  

“Does the lady find the sight pleasing?”  

He grinned, his expression utterly roguish.  

Su Qing studied his face and replied flatly, “Moderately so.”  

Mu Qing Shi chuckled lowly, raising both hands to touch the willow behind her, effectively encircling her in his arms.  

“How about this?”  

Su Qing scoffed.  

“Not enough.”  

Mu Qing Shi leaned down slightly, bringing his lips close to the crown of her head, and murmured, “And now?”  

The corners of Su Qing’s lips curled. Suddenly, she reached out and slapped his injured arm hard, then spoke as if nothing had happened, “Now it’s pleasing.”  

A sharp pain shot through Mu Qing Shi. He furrowed his handsome brows and looked at her helplessly. “The lady has a cruel heart.”  

Su Qing ignored him, turning her head to watch the fireworks that had just begun lighting up the sky. Softly, she said, “It’s started.”  

Hearing this, Mu Qing Shi withdrew his hands and turned slightly, joining Su Qing in gazing at the dazzling display of colors.  

Fireworks, no matter how fiery at the start, always ended cold. But a human heart was different—it remained warm until death.  

Sometimes it might grow cold, but only because what you cherished did not cherish you in return.  

Mu Qing Shi glanced at Su Qing from the corner of his eye. Her face was serene, save for the faint upward tilt of her lips—the only hint of her current mood.  

The sky blazed with brilliance, like a shower of meteors. Tonight was impossibly beautiful.  

Mu Qing Shi felt he was beyond saving. Even the pain in his arm seemed insignificant. She had struck him hard, yet his heart was inexplicably glad.  

At least she was willing to resist. Unlike before, when she would swallow her displeasure without a word.  

Perhaps this was a good omen.