Following Duke Christine of the Blood Clan’s orders, Lai Te arrived at the remote town that day. Melting into shadow, he silently approached a tiny clinic on the town’s edge.
As Princess Sisha’s fiancé, Duke Christine had long sought to control his future wife—fearing her power would grow too strong to contain, or worse, that she might challenge for the throne of Vampire Empress. The simplest solution? Eliminate whoever stood behind her rise.
Initially cautious, Lai Te investigated the clinic’s origins and its owner thoroughly. Finding nothing unusual, he relaxed. As the duke’s guard and a Sixth Realm demon himself, this ordinary mission posed no challenge. Still, he grumbled inwardly: traveling so far just to deal with some nobody wasted precious time.
Slipping past quiet houses onto the street, the clinic came into view. Lai Te ducked into the alley opposite and stole a glance inside. Three figures: one man, two women. The man seemed the clinic’s owner—the target. The women appeared frail: one bundled tightly like a patient, the other chatting lightly like a guest. No matter. Everyone inside would die today.
“I’ll step out for a moment,” he faintly heard the tall woman in a white business suit say.
“Alright,” the clinic owner replied with a smile.
“I… I’ll step out too,” added the blonde patient with a single ponytail.
They rose and strolled leisurely toward the alley.
“A little mouse is hiding,” Su Zhaoyu murmured with a smile.
“Nanzhou’s always chaotic. Rats are everywhere,” Situ Qingxue remarked flatly.
*Rats? Are they talking about me?*
Hidden in darkness, Lai Te’s brow furrowed slightly. Discovered—and called a *mouse*? An ultimate insult to a Sixth Realm demon!
“Just a Sixth Realm demon,” Situ Qingxue added, arms crossed, utterly indifferent.
*How dare she?! Do you know how many centuries it took me to reach this realm?* Fury burned within him.
“Heh. Since I’m found out… you die first,” Lai Te chuckled dryly, stepping from the shadows and lunging at them.
“A mere Sixth Realm demon dares act boldly before me?”
Amber vertical pupils flashed in Su Zhaoyu’s eyes as she locked onto the charging shadow. Her concealed aura erupted.
*Danger!* Lai Te halted mid-lunge and recoiled—but too late. Su Zhaoyu flicked a finger. Temperature plummeted. Ice encased him instantly. Lightning cracked down. Situ Qingxue’s sword flashed. Ice and demon shattered into fragments.
“No need for you to intervene,” Su Zhaoyu said, gazing at the debris.
“Eliminating demons is the Hero Association’s duty,” Situ Qingxue retorted curtly, sheathing her blade.
Su Zhaoyu studied her. “Did you come to buy something?”
“No. The Hero Association covers my medical needs.”
“Did he try to sell you anything?”
“He tried. But I’m not easily fooled,” Situ Qingxue said with a hint of pride.
“So… you took nothing?” Su Zhaoyu’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“I’d never need anything from a tiny clinic. Problem?” Unaware of Su Zhaoyu’s shifting tone, Situ Qingxue turned away.
“Nothing. Just… your Association has great benefits,” Su Zhaoyu shrugged.
“ Weird,” Situ Qingxue muttered.
Back inside Lu Feng’s clinic:
“How’d it go?” Lu Feng pulled Su Zhaoyu aside quietly.
“Hopeful, I think.”
“Take it slow. Generosity never hurts.”
“Mm. I’ll try.” She glanced at Situ Qingxue outside.
“Those items I gave you last time… were they alright?” Lu Feng asked anxiously. *(The chrysanthemum tea was nearly expired; the incense box already opened…)*
“Your items worked wonderfully,” Su Zhaoyu smiled.
“Then… more chrysanthemum tea?” Seeing her blissfully delighted expression, Lu Feng’s eyebrow lifted. *Good sign. Maybe sell more.*
“Please, I humbly request more,” Su Zhaoyu said with a slight bow.
*So straightforward. A true fan? Lu Feng was already smitten.*
“Wait here.” Lu Feng headed to the counter.
Su Zhaoyu shifted beside him, subtly blocking Lu Feng—and the items—from Situ Qingxue’s view. Watching Su Zhaoyu’s smug smile, Situ Qingxue scowled.
*Showing off? Mocking me for being single? Ugh, this couple—stop flaunting it.* She pouted and looked away.
Lu Feng handed over the tea. Seeing Su Zhaoyu treasure it like a relic, he scratched his head. “Drink it soon.” *(Past expiry… might upset her stomach.)*
“I will,” Su Zhaoyu replied. *He truly cares for my cultivation.*
Then she presented an exquisite crimson-crystal box etched with golden patterns. “A humble gift from my lands. Please accept it.”
“…May I open it?” Lu Feng asked, flustered. *Rich people’s goods…*
She nodded. He opened it—disappointment flickered across his face. A peach, smaller than a fist, pale and unripe.
*Am I supposed to eat this?*
“The pit can be planted in a pot,” Su Zhaoyu smiled.
Essentially, a decorative sapling.
As Lu Feng sighed, Situ Qingxue’s pupils contracted slightly.
*The demon peach—from White Peach Mountain’s sole demon tree, fruiting once every millennium—she just… gave it away?!*
Su Zhaoyu truly had a generous heart.
