Chapter 540: Since Time Immemorial, Red and Black ???

“Luo Mo, don’t go!”

“Come on, I know what I did wrong now! Next time, I won’t just… ow!” A swift kick from the kitsune sent the bear demon tumbling pathetically down the alley. His larger-than-average bulk made for an even more ungainly sight.

“Get lost!” the kitsune snapped, red-faced with fury. She stormed off and disappeared at the end of the alley. Muttering curses under his breath about the kitsune, the bear demon stomped away in the opposite direction.

Ye Wenxin had been watching throughout the entire process. She had expected someone to notice her presence at least. But it seemed she was all but invisible as a beggar.

“No worries. Luo Mo’s been coming out every day lately to hunt for prey,” Wen Susu whispered reassuringly.

Ye Wenxin feigned disinterest. She tucked the bowl away and tossed the ragged cloth aside before returning to the bustling street. Undeterred, Wen Susu trailed behind her. The two strolled aimlessly through the city again. But before night had fallen, Ye Wenxin sensed another person following her.

The kitsune had probably rushed out to check on Ye Wenxin immediately after finishing her classes. Although she never explicitly stated it, Ye Wenxin had become special to her. So special that she had prompted the kitsune to alter her principles. Yet, the kitsune remained concerned about whether Ye Wenxin could navigate this realm independently.

Entering the nearest inn, Ye Wenxin approached a waiter to inquire if they were hiring. The waiter looked troubled but eventually went to fetch the innkeeper.

“Are you some uncivilized lout? Shouting inside like that… I’ll have you know, this is the most sophisticated establishment in the city…” The innkeeper grumbled, visibly disappointed with the eager waiter. However, his eyes gleamed upon seeing Ye Wenxin. He cleared his throat. “Young lady, are you looking for work? We can be quite demanding.”

The innkeeper’s beady eyes and rotund figure immediately gave Ye Wenxin the impression of an unsavory person. She felt she had encountered a once-in-a-blue-moon lecher but quickly remembered that men found her unappealing. The innkeeper was likely not interested in her looks.

“I can handle hardship,” Ye Wenxin replied. The innkeeper gestured for her to sit and began explaining her job responsibilities. Ye Wenxin had anticipated she would be running back and forth in the kitchen. But the innkeeper informed her that she only needed to serve dishes. She readily agreed. Of course, this job was merely a temporary measure to garner the kitsune’s sympathy.

However, Ye Wenxin underestimated the inn’s popularity. A pack of demons burst in at nightfall, and the inn quickly became a flurry of activity. All eyes turned to Ye Wenxin, regarding her as a living, delectable meal instead of a human. It soon dawned on her that the innkeeper wasn’t human either—he was a pig demon.

Demons typically favored young women and children, and Ye Wenxin was a prime target in their eyes. She could hear the pig demon innkeeper whispering to the other demons, plotting to sell her off. The atmosphere was charged with competition. One dog demon even drooled as he stared at her, a clear indication of how delicious the fresh meat of a child would taste.

However, Ye Wenxin was well past her teen years. She pretended not to be aware of her precarious situation. Ye Wenxin continued to work diligently, serving half-cooked dishes to the demon customers.

The atmosphere was oddly quiet, punctuated only by the sounds of wet gulps in time with her movements. Ye Wenxin never imagined her first experience of popularity would be for her body. Midnight approached yet she was just starting to get busy. The inn was packed, and Ye Wenxin sensed the demons were waiting for something. What it was, she had no idea.

Finally, the innkeeper’s expression shifted to one of delight. He hurried out the door, eagerly welcoming what he deemed a distinguished guest. Ye Wenxin peered in that direction and spotted the red kitsune from before. Her face was bandaged, her expression dark, suggesting she had not recovered from her showdown with the kitsune.

Ye Wenxin pretended she hadn’t met her before, but the red kitsune spotted her immediately. She took a sniff in her direction.

“What do you think, Boss Red? This one’s top quality, right?” the innkeeper said obsequiously, blatantly trying to seek favor. The red kitsune glanced at Ye Wenxin and commented, “Not bad—slightly better than the last. The meat from that one was so tough it hurt my teeth.” She pointed at her teeth in mock complaint while the innkeeper laughed along and led her to the most prominent seat in the inn.

One seat remained conspicuously empty despite the crowded inn. Ye Wenxin had a feeling the spot was reserved for a certain kitsune. As a strong contender for the throne, the black kitsune was a notable figure alongside the red kitsune in Liu City. Ye Wenxin figured she would likely see her make a grand entrance soon.

“Where is that black fox anyway?” Barely a moment later, the red kitsune grew impatient and demanded the innkeeper of the kitsune’s whereabouts.

He hurriedly responded, “Miss Luo said she’d be here soon.” The red kitsune raised an eyebrow and asked in a cutting tone, “Why is it that she gets called ‘Miss Luo’ but I’m just ‘Boss’?”

Her irritation showed in the way she tapped her fingers sharply on the table, glaring at the innkeeper. His face fell, and he quickly scrambled to appease her, “Why, of course, it’s because your position is far superior, Boss Red. That’s why I address you with such respect.” This answer seemed to mollify her slightly until a voice rang out mere seconds later.

“Oh? Isn’t it because you look… older, and so ‘boss’ just felt more fitting?” The words came from a woman dressed in a flowing black dress, with black hair and eyes. She stepped into the inn like a shadow incarnate, giving off the illusion of an enchantress. Ye Wenxin watched as the kitsune appeared dressed to the nines, contrasting with Boss Red.

The kitsune was undeniably more beautiful than the red kitsune.

Jealousy flickered in the red kitsune’s eyes as she sneered. “You’re only a few hundred years younger than me, useless Luo Mo.”

They appeared to be smiling, but the kitsune hadn’t even taken her seat before the sparring began. It was obvious they didn’t get along.

Meanwhile, Ye Wenxin was busying herself nearby when she caught the kitsune sending a casual glance her way. She couldn’t even begin to guess what the kitsune might be thinking. Ye Wenxin continued working until the innkeeper sent her off to the kitchen, signaling the start of tonight’s auction.