Chapter 2: Crimson City

On the road, Bai Mingliu walked alongside Zixueta.

He noticed that despite her short stature, she moved incredibly fast.

As a member of the demon race, he prided himself on his physical prowess.

Yet now, watching Zixueta ahead, he felt a bit ashamed of his own pace.

His height towered over hers, a stature others envied.

But no matter how tall or strong he was, he hadn’t protected his people before.

It was as if his muscles were for nothing.

Zixueta would glance back at him while walking.

If he lagged, she’d deliberately stop to wait.

After changing his appearance, Bai Mingliu noticed people’s gazes held less hostility.

Their eyes seemed to say they didn’t recognize him.

Seeing him look around, Zixueta said coldly: “Are you that famous?”

Bai Mingliu froze, shook his head, and said sheepishly: “I… I want to eat something…”

Zixueta turned away, ignoring him.

He asked: “Where are you taking me to find work?”

“Whatever you’re good at, find a shop for it. I’ve been kind enough—not throwing you out, giving you medicine, food. You know medicine costs money.”

Right after Zixueta spoke, Bai Mingliu retorted: “You have to save me fully! I gave you that stone!”

Zixueta stood there, her back to him.

Moonlight illuminated her figure, making her seem like she was plotting something.

But soon after his words, she turned, walked to a nearby shop, and bought a biscuit.

She didn’t eat any herself, handing it straight to him.

Holding the biscuit, Bai Mingliu was annoyed she wouldn’t meet his demands.

But seeing she bought it for him and not herself, he couldn’t help saying: “Why not get one for yourself?”

Zixueta kept walking forward, her tone flat: “Costs money.”

“But didn’t I give you money?”

He didn’t realize his words could easily annoy.

Zixueta didn’t bother looking back, quickening her pace:

“You think that stone covers everything? Medicine, food, daily necessities—medicine’s the most expensive. You think being rich means you can spend freely?

One illness, and that money’s gone. You keep mentioning that stone. Mention it again, and I’ll cut out your tongue.”

She was truly fed up with this guy.

He kept bringing up the stone for every request.

Bai Mingliu seemed startled by her words.

Looking at her figure, he chuckled after a moment: “You’re joking, right?”

Before she could reply, he continued: “People who spend money can earn it easily too. I know a great place to make money.”

“If it’s so great, why aren’t you there?”

Her words left him speechless.

Zixueta had more to say:

“Someone skilled can work anywhere. Good with words? Do sales. Know the area? Sell real estate or deliver packages. Artistic? Design clothes or interiors. Can sing? Release an album.

Your clothes looked expensive when you arrived, yet you say you’re broke? That means you lack talent. A prince’s status doesn’t grant wealth or power these days. Have you passed the system’s talent test at A-level?”

Bai Mingliu followed, saying sheepishly: “I… I haven’t…”

Zixueta’s gaze and tone were cold: “So you’re broke.”

She sighed: “Fine, I know a place where you can work. There’s a shop that’d suit you.”

Bai Mingliu shook his head, grabbing her clothes: “I don’t want that place. I want the money-making spot. I think you can get me in.”

Zixueta stopped: “Where?”

Hearing this, Bai Mingliu perked up: “On Street 3 of the Human Exchange in Crimson City!”

He let go of her clothes, jogging ahead to face her.

Seeing him crouch and put on a pitiful act, Zixueta knew she’d better agree, or this grown man had a ninety percent chance of throwing a tantrum on the ground.

“This is vampire territory, a trading hub. Human Exchanges are everywhere. Just say Street 3. Vampires buy wings to have mages send them to the human world.

Lucky for you, this is a peaceful part of the city, or a cannonball could’ve ‘whooshed’ down and ended you.”

She told Bai Mingliu: “Areas are divided by noble rank. Some I can’t enter. What’s your credit score?”

Bai Mingliu didn’t understand: “Huh? Credit score?”

After a moment, he recalled:

“Oh, you mean the currency locals pay with, converted from credit! Demons don’t use credit scores. Don’t worry about that area—no payment needed.

They have human products, stuff high-tier vampires get summoned to the human world for and bring back. High-end clothes made of magic silk—commoners can’t use or buy them. We’ll get what we need there.”

He finally took a bite of his biscuit—crisp and fragrant.

Zixueta frowned as he ate.

Bai Mingliu stood, saying cheerfully: “Let’s head to that area!”

Zixueta opened the system to locate it: “Hmm… not too far, not too close… we can walk.”

Flying vehicles lined the road, all locked.

If it were farther, she could’ve scanned one, but for this distance, they walked.

Along the way, she eyed the shops.

Bai Mingliu, curious about her actions, said: “You don’t go out much, do you?”

Zixueta replied flatly: “I like reading at home.”

Bai Mingliu grinned: “That won’t do! Staying home reading, you miss out on tech advancements. There’s so much you don’t know! You should get out more!”

Zixueta didn’t respond.

She hadn’t entered the street yet, but standing at its entrance, she could smell a strong odor.

Despite the many shops, they were nearly empty.

No one, not even robots, guarded them.

Otherwise, everything would’ve been looted.

Yet there wasn’t much to steal—the remaining items weren’t in demand.

Many shops were closed.

You wouldn’t notice unless you looked closely.

Electronic trash bins overflowed with uneaten food and unopened drinks, some with pull-tabs intact.

Closed shops were marked by floating signs in dark script: ‘Closed.’

The deeper they went, the stronger the foul smell—

Not just heavy pollen but the scent of men and women’s desires.

As they reached the street’s center, where shops began to have people, Bai Mingliu said: “I’ll cover your eyes for the rest. You’re young—some things aren’t suitable.”

He asked: “Want me to carry you? The road ahead’s tough—sloped, with obstacles.”

Zixueta saw him reach out.

Reluctantly, she took his hand.

Bai Mingliu finished his biscuit, tossing the wrapper.

Whoosh—an electronic trash bin zipped over to catch it before it hit the ground.

Zixueta eyed the bin’s contents, looking displeased.

Bai Mingliu pulled a ribbon from his pocket, blindfolding her.

As he hoisted her onto his back, she muttered: “Such a waste… can’t we pick it up?”

Bai Mingliu replied carelessly: “If you want it, take it. No one’s stopping you.”

She didn’t take him seriously, changing the subject: “What’s back there that I can’t see, even if I paid?”

His face reddened: “Uh, you just can’t look. I’ll get you to the street’s end.”

He carried her forward.

Zixueta heard men’s laughter, the air thick with sweat and perfume.

Soon, she caught women’s gasps.

Bai Mingliu, seeing the scene, wished he could unsee it.

He couldn’t help shouting: “You’re doing such brazen things in broad daylight?”

Few paid him any mind.

Zixueta said: “Ignore them. They’ll face the consequences of their actions.”

Then, with one hand around Bai Mingliu’s neck, she opened the system and dialed the interdimensional police.

He didn’t stop her.

After she called, he ran forward quickly.

Zixueta said nothing, just let the sounds reach the other side.

They listened, then asked: “Where is this?”

Bai Mingliu replied: “Street 3, Crimson City.”

They paused, then said: “We don’t have jurisdiction there. Find the local authorities.”

They hung up quickly.

Bai Mingliu couldn’t help saying: “So they’re so brazen because no one stops them. They’ve bribed people.”

“You’re taking me to a dangerous money-making place?” Zixueta asked.

Bai Mingliu said sheepishly: “Do you mind? I’ve known this place is unsafe for a while. I think you’re talented, so I want us to save it together.”

Zixueta’s grip tightened on his neck.

Bai Mingliu felt like he could barely breathe!