After entering the town, Luo Yu chatted leisurely with the locals.

Xiong Thirteen Sister was a girl Luo Yu had known since childhood in the slums. They were nearly the same age.

Years ago, Miss Mei had taken both of them to work at the brothel.

At first, they were too young—just washing dishes and running errands. Later, as they grew older and prettier, they began serving men.

But Xiong Thirteen Sister knew her looks weren’t enough. Unlike Luo Yu, who charmed men with dance alone, she’d sold her virginity young just to survive.

A few grayish hairs curled near her ears, slightly misshapen—a hint of her grizzly bear heritage. Most lowborn Lower Demons bore such traits, their surnames tied to their animal bloodlines.

Humble families gave simple, ugly names to children—easy to call, easy to raise.

*Xiong Thirteen Sister* meant she was the thirteenth daughter born to the Xiong clan.

Luo Yu, nearly drowned in a toilet at birth, had no parents to name her. She’d simply opened her eyes and declared, "I’m Luo Yu," to anyone who’d listen.

*"The wind today is rather boisterous."*

Walking down her hometown’s main road, Luo Yu felt a weight lift from her chest. Her mood brightened.

She clasped her hands behind her back, striking a pose like a martial arts master.

The girl leading the way glanced back. Seeing Luo Yu’s unchanged antics after a year apart, she suddenly smiled, unburdened.

"What’re you laughing at?"

"I’m not laughing." Xiong Thirteen Sister’s grin vanished instantly. "Seriously though—coming back alone like this? Dangerous. That carriage driver kept staring at you weirdly from afar."

"You know my strength."

Luo Yu peeled her hands off her backside and crossed them confidently over her chest. "Back at the brothel, I was a master of *holding back*. I knew exactly how to tease men—making them crave what I wouldn’t give. That idiot driver? So smitten he didn’t even ask for fare."

"Just... be careful. Don’t push your luck. You’re the only girl from our slum who hasn’t fallen yet. Sigh."

"Impossible." Luo Yu smirked. "I was born a man. *No one* understands men better than me."

*"I’m always the one outsmarting others—not the other way around."*

"...You’re spouting weird stuff again." Xiong Thirteen Sister pressed her lips tight.

"Our gap in enlightenment is just too wide." Luo Yu shook her head, disappointed. Then she looked up sharply. "Wait—why are firecrackers going off in broad daylight? Celebrating my glorious return?" She fought a grin. "Tsk. The townsfolk are too kind."

*Pop! Crack!* The sounds echoed around them. Suddenly, a dud firecracker bounced near Luo Yu’s feet.

"Whoa."

She picked it up, lit the fuse, and tossed it skyward.

*Bang!* It exploded mid-air. Luo Yu crouched, legs spread wide, grinning at the burst.

"Fun?" Xiong Thirteen Sister asked.

"Super fun!"

"You’re still such a kid." Xiong Thirteen Sister yanked her up. "This fuss? It’s all for the Champion’s arrival in Lan City. Everyone’s celebrating, offering gifts—begging the Champion for help. A natural third-tier master might even raise the dead!"

"Did they help you?"

"Nah. The Champion’s accountant just takes gifts, says nothing. But you know how it is—you gotta grease palms."

Luo Yu’s teeth clenched. Hatred for the Champion seared her bones.

*"What a golden spoon birth."*

She lit another firecracker and hurled it.

*Crack!*

"Fun."

As they talked, a middle-aged man with wolf ears strode past, hauling a huge slab of pork ribs.

He’d nearly reached the street’s end when he recalled the pretty girl crouched by the firecrackers. Her face seemed familiar.

He backtracked, stepping backward.

Peering down, he gasped. "Holy hell—it’s Luo Yu, that little brat!"

"Ugh. Which old fossil’s yelling now?"

Luo Yu stood, spotting the man and his pork. "Wolf Second Uncle? Weren’t you dying of lung rot? Still kicking?"

"Watch your tongue!" The man jabbed a finger at his notched wolf ear. "Wolf *First* Uncle died. My lungs aren’t *that* bad yet."

"Eh, same difference." Luo Yu smiled sweetly, snatching the pork from his grip. "By the way—how’s Auntie Seven’s illness?"

"Hanging on, wasting away..." Wolf Second Uncle ground his teeth, yanking the meat back. "Since you’re back—when you visiting Miss Mei?"

"Not urgent."

Luo Yu smoothly reclaimed the pork, shoving it under her shirt. Her belly swelled like she was pregnant.

"Second Uncle! Such a grand homecoming gift? Too kind! I’m starving anyway."

"Hold on—"

"Who said this was *for you*? I bought it to bribe the Champion to heal my wife! Spit it out, you little—"

"Second Uncle’s *so* modest!" Luo Yu waddled off, belly-first. "You know I’m a big shot now! Gifts shouldn’t be shy! Don’t worry—I’ve got *plenty* of power! Bye! Time for a feast!"

She vanished, pregnant-belly bouncing.

"Wait—my pork! I saved for *months*! That little thief—"

Wolf Second Uncle tried chasing but collapsed, hands on knees, gasping. "Damn... this lung rot..."

"Wolf Second Uncle?"

He turned. "Thirteen? You were with that brat Luo Yu?"

"What’s wrong? Angry?" Xiong Thirteen Sister helped him up.

"...She stole meat I saved for *years*. You think I’m *not* angry?"

"I’ll talk to her—"

"Save it. By the time you finish chatting, that pork’s already digested." He slammed a fist into a stone pillar. "Damn luck. Should’ve ignored her."

Too breathless to run, he scoured alleyways for Luo Yu.

"Where’d she vanish? That pork’s for the Champion! Not some snack... She used to be sweet. Just sharp-tongued. What did the capital *do* to her..."

"Don’t worry, Second Uncle." Xiong Thirteen Sister patted his shoulder. "She’s probably joking."

"Joking?" He stroked his chin, then scoffed. "That girl’s a bottomless pit. Ate slop meant for livestock her whole life. That pork? Dead on arrival."

"Calm down. Go eat. Your chimney’s smoking—someone’s cooking." She pointed.

"Impossible. Seven can’t even stand."

He looked up. Smoke curled from his roof.

"Huh?"

Peeking through the window, he saw a young girl in his wife’s apron, chopping *his* pork in *his* kitchen. Rice bubbled on the stove.

Her eyes sparkled. Drool glistened on her chin.

Luo Yu hacked at the meat, telling jokes to Wolf Auntie Seven, bedridden on the cot.

Auntie Seven giggled behind her hand, murmuring how long it’d been since she tasted meat.

Wolf Second Uncle’s blood ran cold.

"Holy shit—that little bastard! Eating my rice *and* flirting with my wife?!"