Chapter 51: The Slave Market Encounter

Although Song Ze was imprisoned here and couldn’t figure out the situation outside, from others’ discussions, he learned that the one who came was actually the Elder Prince.

And it seemed that this was slightly ahead of the outside timeline—that is, before the Elder Prince bought him at the auction, and when Andreya was still on the human side.

“I must seize this opportunity,” Song Ze said, taking a deep breath.

Actually, this shouldn’t be too difficult. After all, with that subconscious sense of familiarity, it surely would be easy.

The only problem was that he now looked like a demon. Though his face was still the same, who knew how demons identified people? Would they recognize him?

****

A few days later, in the palace, at the Elder Prince’s residence.

Everyone was doing their tasks trembling, hardly daring to breathe. After all, the Elder Prince was unpredictable by nature, and today, he seemed shrouded in dark clouds since early morning, making everyone afraid that any sound they made would draw his attention—an outcome that couldn’t be summed up by mere death.

The Elder Prince stood up, his expression cold, unreadable.

“What’s scheduled for today?” he asked casually.

Everyone was startled. Wasn’t it the Elder Prince himself who decided these things? Why ask them now?

No, this couldn’t be simple. Surely it was a test. If they answered wrong, they’d be killed!

“Today, your plan is certainly to select slaves at the market,” one person quickly said. “After all, your magical beasts need new playmates!”

“Yes, choosing slaves of such low status—His Highness is truly merciful, giving them this opportunity. Even if they die in an accident, they die with honor.”

One after another, they spoke, twisting the Elder Prince’s actions into something perfectly reasonable. Of course, they called it “playthings for the magical beasts,” but in reality, the slaves were just toys. Surviving a few days was considered lucky.

No one raised any objections. For the high-ranking demons of the demon realm, this was ordinary business. What was a few dead slaves? The Elder Prince’s most infamous trait was attacking nobles he disliked on the street—even other nobles feared meeting an untimely end before enjoying their privileges.

After hearing their flattery, the Elder Prince looked uninterested, making everyone anxious. What was wrong with him today?

“No need to go today,” the Elder Prince said flatly. “I have other, more important matters to assign.”

“I want you to find a human,” he said.

“What, Your Highness? No humans have appeared here for a long time…” “Shall we ask the Second Prince to have his scouts bring one from the other world?”

“No,” the Elder Prince frowned slightly. He didn’t know why this sudden thought had come to him. Everything else seemed unimportant. All he wanted was that human.

He didn’t even know what the human looked like, but he knew that when he saw them, he would recognize them. “Just search within the demon realm.”

The others quickly nodded, not finding anything odd about his request. The Elder Prince was like that—acting on whims. Who would dare defy him?

****

It wasn’t until that day that Song Ze realized he had overthought things. What opportunity? There was none!

Though it was a s*ave market, the slaves were divided into territories. The good spots were already packed. Someone like him could only stand at the very back.

“This is too miserable.”

Song Ze huddled in a corner, thinking that even if someone looked, they wouldn’t see him!

“What should I do?”

…

Outside the s*ave market, the person in charge was nervously watching the proud, red-haired beauty before him, his face plastered with a fawning smile.

She was Miss Os of Duke Os’s family. Though not yet officially engaged to the Elder Prince, everyone already considered her his betrothed. Today, the Elder Prince had suddenly cancelled, but Miss Os came instead.

The Elder Prince’s attitude toward her had always been indifferent, while her enthusiasm for him was well-known—though he rarely responded in kind.

“So this is where His Highness was supposed to come today?” she asked, looking around with disdain, her voice cold.

The person in charge could only swallow his grievances. He had hoped to build a long-term partnership with the Elder Prince, but now the prince wasn’t coming. What rotten luck.

“What a waste—I made a special trip,” she said, displeasure clear in her tone.

“Miss, don’t be angry. His Highness must have something important…” a servant quickly said, knowing Miss Os was also capricious and unpredictable.

“Hmph. You have a point.” Miss Os was still annoyed, but felt that coming all this way for nothing would invite ridicule from other nobles. So she turned to the person in charge. “Where are the slaves prepared for His Highness today? Bring them all to me.”

The person in charge dared not refuse. “Yes!” he said immediately.

Miss Os strode proudly into the s*ave market, glancing at the slaves who had been cleaned up better than usual, her eyes filled with contempt.

“These useless trash with no magic—His Highness actually wanted to buy them?” she said in disbelief.

The slaves there were of extremely low strength. If they were any stronger, they’d have been sold to nobles as guards, not left unsold here.

“That’s because His Highness is merciful,” the person in charge lied.

In truth, everyone knew the Elder Prince bought them as feed for his magical beasts!

The slaves trembled under Miss Os’s oppressive aura. No matter how they looked at it, being bought by her meant immediate death!

They certainly didn’t want that fate. So, with mutual understanding, they began to scheme.

Just as Miss Os was thinking she’d pick any random piece of trash to get it over with, a golden-haired demon youth was suddenly shoved out from among the other slaves. He stumbled and fell into the aisle.

The demon youth looked up, his slender body trembling as if in fear. Everyone could clearly see his pale, delicate features, his blue eyes looking up innocently. He seemed nothing more than a pitiful, helpless s*ave.

The person in charge’s face changed drastically. He hadn’t noticed such an attractive s*ave among his lot. But now it was too late—he knew exactly what the other slaves were up to.

Offending Miss Os now meant death, even for someone of unmatched beauty. He could only scold angrily: “What do you think you’re doing?! What if you disturb Miss Os? Seize him!”

Song Ze felt like cursing. He hadn’t expected the honored guest to be Miss Os!

Miss Os was the Elder Prince’s betrothed! In reality, she had already tried to kill him several times, even breaking into the Elder Prince’s residence to attack him. If the Elder Prince hadn’t returned then, he might have died!

Now he had run into her here—clearly this illusion was trying to kill him by setting up this situation!

Song Ze’s eyes filled with tears. He was already mentally preparing to reload.

The guards rushed forward to subdue this unlucky s*ave.

“Who allowed you to touch him?”

Miss Os’s arrogant voice suddenly rang out.

Everyone froze, not daring to move. Was Miss Os planning to kill the s*ave herself? Such hatred!

Those nearby could clearly feel the temperature around her rise, a sure sign of her fury. How displeased she must be!

They looked at Song Ze as if he were already dead, deep sympathy in their eyes.

As Miss Os approached step by step, Song Ze closed his eyes, ready for death.

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