CHAPTER 64
In a certain room where Dante stood face to face with Ryu Shion Meilin, the third-ranking member among the five Underworld rulers of the Red Light District of Tianyu, the atmosphere was strangely calm.
Ryu Shion Meilin slowly began circling around Dante, her eyes traveling from his feet to his head and back again. She studied his strange clothing design with open curiosity, taking in every detail as though she were looking at something that had never existed in her world before. His hairstyle did not fit any era she knew, nor did the way he carried himself. There was something unnatural about him, something that could not easily be explained.
She stopped behind him for a moment, narrowing her eyes.
"You... have an uncertain aura about you. Not merely in terms of your appearance, but your whole look says otherwise," said Ryu Shion Meilin.
She stepped closer.
Her fingers gently touched Dante's cheek before slowly sliding down along his neck, then over his shoulder and toward his chest. Her expression carried a playful curiosity as she continued downward, stopping before she could go any further.
"My, my... at such a young age, already reckoning to please a certain maiden, handsome boy?" she teased.
Dante remained completely composed.
Rather than backing away, he stepped closer to her.
The sudden movement caught her slightly off guard. Dante leaned toward her and whispered in a calm, almost playful voice.
"Who knows... I might just be eager for dessert, lady."
Ryu Shion Meilin's eyes widened for a brief moment.
Then her lips curled into an amused smile.
"Hmhm... bold. Stupid, but bold."
She slowly withdrew her hand and looked him directly in the eyes.
"What is your name, child?" she asked.
"Maladeva," Dante replied.
The name was not his own.
As part of the rules surrounding his departure from the Ruthwilfer Trial, their given names could never be revealed. They were expected to use false names and establish themselves under those identities wherever they went.
Ryu Shion Meilin repeated the name quietly.
"Maladeva..."
She tasted the unfamiliar name a few times, as though deciding whether she liked the sound of it.
"Hmph. A long name. I'll just call you Deva instead."
She gave him a knowing smile.
"And don't ask. I'm a practical woman of needs."
"Did I complain? I think not," Dante answered.
A faint smirk appeared on his face.
Ryu Shion Meilin raised an eyebrow.
"Hmm... interesting."
She slowly walked away from him, her footsteps echoing across the room. She stopped several paces away before turning her head slightly.
"You don't quiver at my presence. Not even showing the slightest bit of respect toward an elder."
Her tone remained playful, but there was a sharper edge beneath it now.
She turned fully toward him.
"Never in my life have I seen a person like you, Maladeva."
Ryu Shion Meilin then returned to her seat and lowered herself onto it with the composure of a queen sitting upon her throne. She crossed one leg over the other and rested herself comfortably against the chair, her eyes never leaving Dante.
"Let me guess. You're here on the king's order to kill me..."
She paused.
"Though you're the first to arrive."
Her fingers lightly tapped against the armrest.
"How did you know my headquarters was this restaurant?" she asked.
"Simple."
Dante's eyes moved around the room before returning to her.
"You stand out too much."
"Stand out?" she repeated.
"Very bright lights. Lots of advertisements. You know how to persuade guests not by words, but through the body of a female."
Dante's voice remained calm.
He gestured slightly toward the surroundings.
"You feed on their hunger for lust, greed, and many other desires. Yet it's enough for them. They just keep gobbling from an endless stream of an infinite chalice until they don't realize..."
His eyes narrowed.
"...they've been played."
Silence descended upon Ryu Shion Meilin's room.
For several seconds, neither of them spoke.
Ryu Shion Meilin stared at Dante.
Then her shoulders began to tremble.
"Puhahaha!"
She suddenly burst into laughter, covering part of her mouth with one hand.
"That's something an idiot would say."
Her laughter continued for several moments before gradually fading.
"Although..."
Her expression changed.
The amusement remained, but something more calculating had entered her eyes.
She snapped her fingers.
An escort immediately entered the room, carrying a metal tray with two items resting upon it.
Ryu Shion Meilin tilted her head toward Dante and motioned for the escort to hand the tray to him.
Dante watched silently as the escort approached.
"I'll give you a little test, handsome boy."
The escort stopped in front of Dante.
"There will be an auction in three days. During those three days, you'll need to obtain as much gold, silver, and copper coin as possible."
Ryu Shion Meilin raised one finger.
"Here are two items."
She pointed toward the first object.
"On the right is a scroll containing the location of a rundown, abandoned building across the street."
Her finger then moved toward the second object.
"On the left is a sigil pass to enter the upcoming auction."
The escort lowered the tray slightly, allowing Dante to examine both items.
Ryu Shion Meilin leaned back in her seat.
"If you wish to enter the auction, you'll need that pass."
She paused before continuing.
"And if you wish to participate in my little test, you'll need the building."
Dante looked down at the two items.
His eyes remained unreadable.
He picked up neither of them.
Instead, he raised his gaze toward Ryu Shion Meilin.
"And why should I do this?" he asked.
Ryu Shion Meilin smiled.
"Think of it as a test, Deva."
She leaned forward, resting her chin against one hand.
"If you bid as the highest bidder in the upcoming auction, I'll acknowledge your worth."
Her smile widened.
"And as a bonus, you can keep whatever it is you bid."
Dante remained silent.
Ryu Shion Meilin waved her hand casually.
"Until then, dismissed."
She snapped her fingers.
Nothing happened.
Her expression froze.
"Hmm?"
She looked toward her fingers.
"Strange. Usually it works."
She snapped again.
Nothing.
Her brows furrowed.
She snapped a third time.
Still nothing happened.
"What's going on?"
Dante's lips slowly curled upward.
A faint smirk appeared across his face.
"You mean this?"
He raised his hand.
Snap.
The sound echoed through the room.
Ryu Shion Meilin's eyes immediately widened.
Dante lowered his hand.
"It was all a setup."
The room suddenly felt different.
The air itself seemed to become heavier.
"You thought you had me in your domain, lady."
Dante's gaze sharpened.
"But the truth was..."
He took a slow step forward.
"...you've been inside my domain since I stepped foot into the Tianyu Dynasty."
Ryu Shion Meilin's eyes widened further.
For the first time since Dante had entered the room, the amusement on her face disappeared.
Her fingers tightened slightly around the pipe in her hand.
Then, almost imperceptibly, her grip loosened.
Dante watched her reaction without saying another word.
A moment of silence passed between them.
Then he finally spoke.
"Though I think I might accept this challenge of yours."
Ryu Shion Meilin remained silent.
Dante's expression became more serious.
"But I don't want to be acknowledged."
He paused.
"If I win this challenge of yours, you give me the names of the Wolf Lord and the Raven Lord."
Ryu Shion Meilin thought about it for a moment.
Her fingers lightly tapped against the armrest of her chair as she stared at Dante. The playful smile slowly returned to her face, though there was now a hint of genuine interest behind her eyes.
Then, she answered.
"Deal. If you win and become the highest bidder, I'll give you the names of those two other lords."
Dante gave a small nod.
"Then, I shall take my leave."
He turned around and began walking toward the exit.
"Oh, before I forget."
Dante stopped.
He snapped his fingers.
The invisible domain surrounding Ryu Shion Meilin's room immediately evaporated. The strange pressure that had filled the room vanished in an instant, returning everything to normal.
Ryu Shion Meilin blinked.
She took a slow breath.
"I feel lighter all of a sudden," she said.
She rolled her shoulders slightly, realizing only now how heavy the atmosphere had felt while Dante's domain surrounded the room. The oppressive sensation that had been weighing down her body and senses was completely gone.
Dante glanced back at her.
"Until then, see you in three days, lady."
With that, Dante stepped out and left her room.
The door closed behind him.
Ryu Shion Meilin remained seated in silence.
She stared at the closed door for several seconds.
Her fingers slowly touched her lips as her mind replayed the interaction she had just experienced. The way Dante had spoken to her, the way he had remained completely calm in her presence, and most importantly, the way he had deliberately allowed her to believe she had control of the situation.
She couldn't control the strange excitement that began to stir within her.
That boy had shown her a side of himself that she had not expected.
A side that appeared almost submissive.
Almost.
"This boy..."
A mischievous smile spread across her face.
"...is really, really getting to me."
She giggled softly.
"Fufufufufu..."
Meanwhile, Dante and Kaen made their way out through the exit of the building.
Kaen walked beside him, her ears twitching repeatedly as she tried to process everything that had happened.
"Master, what happened in there?" she asked.
"Oh, a little bet between a minor and a major."
Kaen tilted her head.
"I don't get it, but you said bet. What did you bet on her, nya?"
Dante reached into his belongings and pulled out the scroll Ryu Shion Meilin had given him.
He unrolled it.
The document revealed the ownership rights to a rundown, abandoned building located directly across the street.
Dante looked toward the building.
Then he looked at Kaen.
"Let's open a restaurant, Kaen."
"Nya?"
Kaen's eyes widened.
She stared at Dante.
Then at the scroll.
Then back at Dante.
And just like that, the two of them headed toward the building across the street.
Once they reached their destination, however, Kaen's excitement quickly disappeared.
The building was in terrible condition.
Mold covered the walls. Several wooden panels were soaked from years of moisture, while some of the floorboards creaked dangerously beneath their feet. Dust covered almost every surface, and the entire place smelled as though nobody had stepped inside for decades.
Kaen slowly raised one paw toward her nose.
"Nya..."
She looked around with disbelief.
"What kind of bet did Master make with that lady in the room?"
Dante calmly walked through the building, inspecting the interior.
"That lady in the room was the third lord of the Underworld, Ryu Shion Meilin."
Kaen froze.
Her ears stood completely upright.
"Eh?"
She slowly turned toward Dante.
"Ehh?"
Her eyes widened.
"EEHH?!!"
Her entire body jolted.
"EEHHH???!!!"
Kaen looked as though her soul had nearly left her body.
"The third lord?! That lady?!"
Dante nodded.
Kaen's mouth opened and closed several times as she tried to process the information.
Dante then explained everything that had happened inside Ryu Shion Meilin's room, from their conversation and the test she had given him to the wager they had made concerning the upcoming auction.
After hearing everything, Kaen slowly placed her paws against her cheeks.
"So we're going to open a store that can make fast money, and in three days, we're going to the auction house?"
"Exactly."
Kaen's tail began wagging.
"Nya..."
Dante looked around the abandoned building.
Then he snapped his fingers.
Within the next five hours, Dante and Kaen, alongside fifty Shadow Soldiers, cleaned, repaired, and remodeled the entire building.
The transformation was almost absurd.
The mold was removed. The damaged wooden structures were replaced. The floors were repaired, the walls were reinforced, and the entire interior was cleaned until not a trace of its former state remained.
What had once looked like a forgotten ruin had been transformed into a brand-new establishment.
Kaen stood in the center of the newly renovated building, turning around in amazement.
"Nya, five hours with fifty of Master's Shadow Soldiers, and it's so new-looking, nya!"
She placed her paws against her hips and proudly looked around.
"But Master, how are we going to stack up gold coins in three days?"
Dante chuckled.
"I already sorted that out months back."
Kaen blinked.
"You did?"
"I was saving it for a special occasion."
Dante's smile widened.
"But who knew it would be the best timing for it here in the brothel district?"
Kaen tilted her head.
Before she could ask another question, Dante snapped his fingers.
The world around them suddenly became disoriented.
The walls seemed to stretch.
The ground beneath their feet distorted.
The entire building twisted into an unfamiliar landscape as space itself appeared to bend around them.
"NYAAA!!!"
Kaen screamed as her body stumbled forward.
"This cat..."
"Is really something..."
Both Dante and Kilamahi muttered within their consciousness.
When the distortion finally settled, the world around them had completely changed.
The sky was a light purple.
Soft winds swept across an endless grassy field, carrying with them a strange yet peaceful atmosphere. The familiar presence of the Shadow Realm surrounded them.
Kaen slowly pushed herself off the ground.
She looked around.
"Where are we, nya?"
Dante stood calmly beside her.
"Welcome to the Shadow Realm, Kaen."
"Nya?!"
Kaen's ears suddenly perked up.
She turned around.
Standing over her was Lustia.
Kaen's eyes immediately lit up.
"Lustiaaa!!!"
She jumped to her feet and rushed toward her.
Kaen wrapped her arms around Lustia and hugged her tightly.
"So good to see you, Lustia!"
Lustia smiled and returned the hug.
"Back at you, Kaen."
She gently patted Kaen's head before turning toward Dante.
Her expression immediately became formal.
Lustia lowered herself to one knee and bowed her head.
"My liege."
Dante nodded.
"Lustia, are the chickens ready?"
"They are."
Lustia rose from her kneeling position.
"I have raised them to be big and stuffed."
Lustia was now a Commander-ranked Shadow Soldier and Dante's closest first knight, whom he had resurrected two years ago during the Academy invasion.
She then turned and began guiding Dante and Kaen toward the Shadow Citadel.
As they approached the massive structure, the atmosphere became livelier.
The moment Dante stepped foot inside the Shadow Citadel, the entire army seemed to notice his presence.
Heads turned.
Soldiers stopped what they were doing.
Then someone shouted.
"THE LIEGE IS HERE!!!"
Chaos immediately erupted.
"Fuck! We didn't clean the place mighty clean!"
"Get the throne seat!"
"Clean that statue!"
"Someone polish the floor!"
"Where's the ceremonial banner?!"
Dante stared ahead.
"..."
Kaen looked around at the soldiers scrambling in every direction.
"Master is really popular, nya."
Dante slowly looked down at her.
"Do you want me to take away fish for the next whole week?"
Kaen's ears immediately dropped.
"Shutting up, nya."
Lustia quietly covered a smile as she continued guiding them through the Shadow Citadel.
Eventually, they arrived at a certain location.
Lustia led them toward a nearby field surrounded by fenced walls.
Kaen's ears suddenly twitched.
She looked through the fences.
Then her eyes widened.
"Nya?"
She stepped closer.
Her jaw slowly dropped.
"So many chickens...!"
Kaen's eyes widened as she stared at the enormous flock of chickens filling the field.
Dante immediately got to work.
Lustia and Kaen stood together at the corner of the field, watching him with curious expressions. Neither of them knew exactly what Dante was planning to do with the enormous number of chickens surrounding them.
Kaen tilted her head.
"Nya... What is Master about to do?"
Lustia remained silent.
Then, the next second.
SNAP!
The sound echoed across the field.
Both girls' jaws practically dropped to the ground.
Dante had casually snapped one of the chickens' necks, ending its life before tossing its body into a massive shadow-conjured boiler that had suddenly appeared nearby.
Kaen's eyes widened in complete shock.
"NYAAA! WHAT ARE YOU DOING, MASTERRR?!!!"
Dante turned his head toward her.
"Huh?"
He looked down at the chicken in his hand.
"Killing them so I can sell them for gold coins."
He answered as casually as if he were explaining something completely normal.
Then he turned back around.
SNAP!
Another chicken.
SNAP!
And another.
Kaen slowly turned toward Lustia, her expression filled with disbelief.
"Big Sis Lustia, aren't you going to say anything?" she asked desperately.
Lustia shook her head.
"My only purpose is to serve my liege and only my liege."
She answered so calmly that Kaen could not believe what she was hearing.
Then Lustia walked forward.
She picked up a chicken.
SNAP!
Kaen froze.
Lustia casually tossed the chicken into the shadow-conjured boiler before reaching for another one.
"YOU TWO ARE INSANE, NYAAAA!!!"
"No shit, Sherlock."
Both Dante and Lustia answered at the exact same time.
Kaen stared at them.
Dante and Lustia stared back at her for a brief moment.
Then they returned to their work.
SNAP!
SNAP!
SNAP!
"Hoho, I'm joining in too. This looks fun."
A familiar voice suddenly echoed across the field.
Kaen slowly turned around.
Kilamahi had materialized into her physical form.
Kaen's face went completely pale.
"EVEN THE ALDERMAN GODDESS TOO???!!!"
Kilamahi walked toward the chickens with an amused smile on her face.
"Why not? It looks entertaining."
Kaen grabbed her head.
"NYAAAA!!!"
She was completely lost and dumbfounded.
Dante suddenly paused.
He looked toward Lustia.
"Huh? Lustia, have you been reading the books I made?"
Lustia stopped what she was doing and turned toward him.
"Yes, my liege. I really love this Sherlock Holmes."
Her expression remained calm, though there was a faint look of genuine enthusiasm in her eyes.
"It's very interesting and also very worth reading."
Dante smiled.
"That's good. I'll make more for you once I have time."
Lustia's eyes softened slightly.
"I'm counting on that, my liege."
Two hours later...
Everything was finally prepared.
Dante had finished his work.
After breaking the chickens' necks, he removed their feathers and placed them into the large shadow-conjured boiler. The preparation continued as he carefully worked through the enormous amount of meat.
Once the chickens were properly cleaned, Dante began preparing them for cooking.
He massaged and tenderized the meat before adding various spices.
Afterward, he roasted the chickens until their skin turned a beautiful light brown.
The aroma slowly spread throughout the Shadow Realm.
Kaen's ears immediately twitched.
"Nya..."
Her nose moved slightly as she smelled the food.
Dante finally stepped back.
"Alright, all done."
He then began preparing the actual dish.
After chopping the necessary ingredients, Dante added a black liquid onto the rice, mixing it carefully. He then placed the roasted chicken alongside slices of cucumber and added a bowl of soup.
Once the dish was complete, Dante picked it up and handed it to Kaen.
"Go on. Eat."
Kaen looked down at the food.
Her eyes moved toward the roasted chicken.
For some reason, she hesitated.
"Sorry, Mr. Chicken."
She picked up a piece.
"Hmp!"
Kaen took her first bite.
She chewed.
And chewed.
Then she swallowed.
Her eyes suddenly widened.
The next second, Kaen began eating rapidly.
Her hands moved quickly as she devoured the food in front of her.
Dante watched silently.
Lustia remained beside him.
Kilamahi simply smiled.
In less than three minutes, Kaen had completely finished the entire meal.
She slowly placed down her utensils.
There was a brief moment of silence.
Then she suddenly raised her empty bowl.
"SECOND PLEASE! NOW!"
Dante stared at her.
"...I guess it works."
What followed afterward was Kaen eating one serving after another until she was completely stuffed and could no longer eat another bite.
"Nya..."
She leaned back with a satisfied expression.
"I can't eat anymore..."
Once everything was prepared, Dante gathered the cooked rice, roasted chicken, and spices.
It was finally time to return.
Dante snapped his fingers.
The world around them became disoriented once again.
Space distorted.
The purple sky disappeared.
The Shadow Realm faded from view.
Then, in an instant, they returned to the original world.
"Nya!"
Kaen immediately stumbled slightly before looking around.
They had returned to exactly where they had left.
Her eyes then moved toward a nearby Tianyu clock.
She froze.
"Wait... seven minutes?"
Kaen stared at the clock.
She looked at Dante.
Then she looked back at the clock.
"Seven minutes?!"
"Time works differently between the two worlds, Kaen," Dante said.
He immediately began placing the ingredients down.
"Now quit yapping and help me set up the store."
"Nya... Yes, Master."
It took them some time, but they eventually finished setting up the stall.
The ingredients were arranged.
The cooking equipment was prepared.
Everything they needed was placed in its proper position.
At last, their newly opened restaurant was ready.
On the opposite side of the grand building where Ryu Shion Meilin resided, the third-ranking lord of the Underworld was currently seated in her private study, examining various ingredients and conducting experiments involving poisons.
Several small containers filled with colorful liquids were arranged across the table. Some emitted faint fumes, while others bubbled gently beneath the controlled heat of her magical equipment. Meilin carefully mixed one of the substances, her eyes focused on the reaction taking place inside the glass vial.
Until suddenly, a rich aroma drifted into the room.
Her hand stopped.
The liquid inside the vial continued to swirl.
Meilin slowly raised her head and sniffed the air. The scent was rich, savory, and strangely enticing. It carried the fragrance of roasted meat, fragrant rice, and spices, filling her study despite the closed windows.
Her brows twitched.
"What in hell's name is that scent? And it's clearly good, but it's disturbing my patience!" she exclaimed, visibly annoyed.
She placed the vial down with a sharp clink.
"What kind of food dares to interrupt my experiments?"
Before she could investigate the source herself, a guard hurried into the room and bowed.
"Mistress."
"What?" Meilin snapped, turning her attention toward him. "If this is about that damn smell, you'd better have a good explanation."
The guard swallowed.
"It concerns Maladeva, mistress."
Meilin's expression shifted slightly.
"Deva?"
"Yes. He has opened a restaurant across the street, and it has already attracted a considerable number of customers. The line continues to grow."
Meilin stared at him.
For a moment, she said nothing.
"You're kidding..."
She slowly rose from her seat.
"It's been about six hours since I gave him the task, and he's already getting a lot of gold coins?!"
"More like five silver coins, mistress," the guard replied.
Meilin froze.
Her eye twitched.
"Five..."
Her fingers curled.
"Five?!"
She slammed her hand against the table.
"What is he, an idiot?! Who in their right mind sells food for five silver coins?!"
The guard remained silent.
Meilin stormed toward the window, her footsteps growing heavier with every step. She pushed open the curtains and looked down at the street.
Then she spat out her sake.
"WHAT THE HELL?!"
The scene below was beyond anything she had anticipated.
A massive line of customers stretched along the street, winding past nearby establishments and growing longer by the minute. People stood shoulder to shoulder, some holding coins, others impatiently waiting for their turn. The aroma of Dante's cooking drifted through the district, drawing in even more curious customers from the surrounding streets.
Meilin's mouth hung slightly open.
Her restaurant, which had once commanded attention throughout the area, was now being overshadowed by a newcomer who had arrived in Tianyu only a day earlier.
She slowly lowered her sake cup.
"...That boy."
A grin began to spread across her face.
"What a monster. He came to Tianyu just one day ago and turned my turf upside down."
She leaned against the window frame, her eyes fixed on the bustling restaurant.
Then she laughed.
"Hahaha! He's literally making me want to taste him."
Her tongue slid across her lips in a deliberately suggestive, almost sadistic gesture.
The guard shifted uncomfortably.
"Mistress, may I remind you that he only has two days before the auction?"
Meilin slowly turned her head toward him.
"And your point?"
"He needs gold coins to enter, not silver."
Her smile faded.
For a moment, the room fell silent.
Meilin stepped away from the window and returned to her futon seat. She lowered herself onto the cushion, crossing her legs as she considered the situation.
Then she raised one hand.
A faint purple glow gathered around her fingers.
With a flick of her wrist, a magical chessboard materialized before her, hovering just above the floor. The board was intricately designed, with dark and light pieces arranged in their starting positions.
Meilin rested her elbow against her knee.
"Play with me."
The guard gulped.
His eyes drifted toward the chessboard.
He knew precisely why she had summoned it.
"Mistress..."
"Don't worry," Meilin said, waving her hand dismissively. "I just want to spar."
The guard hesitated before sitting down opposite her.
He carefully adjusted his position and reached for one of the pieces.
The game began.
As time passed, the restaurant across the street continued to thrive. More customers arrived, more food was served, and the line grew longer. Meanwhile, Meilin's own establishment gradually lost the attention it had once enjoyed, its lights appearing dimmer in comparison to the lively restaurant opposite it.
Meilin moved one of her pieces across the board.
Her gaze remained fixed on the chess match, but her thoughts were elsewhere.
"Things are going to be different now, I can tell."
She paused.
"Something is about to change in the rankings."
The guard halted his hand above the chessboard.
He understood what she meant.
"M...Mistress, you don't suppose..."
Meilin smiled faintly.
"Yes..."
She picked up a white piece and tapped it lightly against the board.
"Cai Yok Tan."
The name carried a hint of irritation.
"That greedy pig loves attention. A sadistic pervert who takes whatever he desires, but never tolerates another person having something he wants."
She placed the white piece down.
"He's going to notice Maladeva."
The guard remained silent, his eyes following the movement of her hand.
Meilin leaned back slightly.
"But Maladeva..."
Her smile returned, this time with a possessive edge.
"That boy is under my turf."
She reached for another piece, slowly turning it between her fingers.
"We have rules. If we don't, we'll be nothing more than the monsters we are."
She placed the piece onto the board.
The guard lowered her gaze, quietly contemplating her words.
"Aaannnnd... checkmate."
Click.
Meilin placed the final bead at the center of the board, securing her victory. She leaned back against her futon seat, a satisfied smile spreading across her face.
"Excellent as always, Mistress," said the female guard.
Meilin merely hummed in response. However, the rich aroma drifting in from outside continued to invade her study. The scent of roasted chicken, seasoned rice, and fragrant spices had grown stronger, filling the room and disrupting her concentration.
She sighed, resting her cheek against her palm.
"What's so great about this dish he made? It's only one dish, and the citizens are going crazy over it."
She glanced toward the window, where the bustling sounds of the street could be heard.
"Go and buy that meal. Bring it to me."
The female guard immediately bowed.
"As you wish, Mistress."
She turned and left the room, leaving Meilin alone with her chessboard and unfinished poison experiments.
Four hours later, at 8 p.m., the female guard finally returned with the packed meal.
Meilin was seated in her study, her fingers tapping impatiently against the table. The moment she noticed her guard entering, her eyes narrowed.
"I ordered you to get the meal, and you came back four hours later?" she asked, her voice carrying a mixture of frustration and irritation.
The guard bowed her head.
"Forgive me, Mistress, but Maladeva insisted that I line up like every other customer, despite knowing that I work for you. He also told me to deliver a message to you."
Meilin raised an eyebrow.
"And what is that?"
The guard straightened slightly.
"All customers are welcome. All are treated the same, no matter what position they're in."
For a moment, Meilin said nothing.
Then her lips curled into a smirk.
"Maladeva..."
She leaned back in her seat, lightly tapping her fingers against the armrest.
"You're an honest little boy, I see. Yet arrogant in your own way."
The female guard tilted her head.
"Is it really arrogance, Mistress?"
Meilin turned her gaze toward her.
"Hush now. Prepare the packed meal you bought. Let's see what's so good about this dish."
"As you wish."
The guard carefully placed the packed meal on the table and began preparing it for Meilin.
A few moments later, Meilin and several prostitutes from her establishment gathered in a circle inside the restaurant hall. The female guard stood nearby, having opened the food container and arranged the meal for everyone to see.
The rich aroma immediately spread throughout the hall.
One of the prostitutes leaned forward, her eyes examining the food.
"Looks simple, Mistress."
Another woman nodded, studying the roasted chicken and seasoned rice.
"Though, taste is always king."
Meilin glanced at her and chuckled.
"Smart. At least you eat so much."
The prostitute laughed awkwardly, while several others giggled around her.
Meilin picked up a spoon and scooped some of the seasoned rice together with a piece of roasted chicken. She paused for a moment, examining the dish before finally bringing it to her mouth.
The moment she took her first bite, her eyes widened.
She chewed the rice and chicken together, allowing the flavors to settle across her tongue. The rice was savory and fragrant, while the chicken was tender, its roasted skin carrying a rich blend of spices.
Meilin's expression slowly changed.
She had expected something ordinary.
Instead, she found herself taking another bite.
"Hmm..."
She reached for the bowl of soup and took a sip.
"Ara..."
Her eyes softened slightly.
"That's some heavy spice the boy put in. A little spicy with the ginger, and the broth is at an excellent heat for the body."
She lowered the bowl and looked at the meal with renewed interest.
"So this is what has everyone lining up for hours?"
The prostitutes surrounding her had been watching closely. Their curiosity quickly turned into impatience, and several of them leaned toward the table.
"CAN WE TRY TOO, MISTRESS?!"
The entire group called out at once.
Meilin closed her eyes and sighed.
"Now, now, children. There's a bite for everyone."
She picked up the spoon again and began feeding them one at a time.
The first prostitute stepped forward, opened her mouth, and accepted the bite. Her eyes immediately widened.
"Mmm!"
Another woman eagerly raised her hand.
"Me too, Mistress!"
"One at a time," Meilin said, laughing softly. "Don't fight over it."
She continued feeding them, giving each woman a small taste of Dante's dish. The women laughed and exchanged excited reactions as they sampled the rice and chicken.
The female guard stood beside the table, watching the scene with a faint smile.
Meilin continued serving the women, her usual sharp and commanding demeanor gradually giving way to something gentler.
For a moment, she looked around the restaurant hall.
The women were laughing.
Some were complimenting the food, while others were eagerly waiting for their turn. There was no bargaining, no threats, and no struggle for power in that small circle.
Just a simple meal shared among them.
Meilin slowly lowered the spoon.
The warmth of the atmosphere felt unfamiliar.
She had spent years surrounded by people who feared her, obeyed her, or sought something from her. Her world had always revolved around power, greed, and the desires of those beneath her authority.
Yet this moment felt different.
She looked down at the remaining food, then toward the window facing Dante's restaurant.
A faint smile appeared on her lips.
"Maladeva..."
She shook her head lightly.
"That boy really is troublesome."
One of the prostitutes giggled beside her.
Meilin glanced at the woman and gently nudged the bowl toward the group.
"Go on. There's still some left."
The women happily gathered around the meal.
And for the first time in a long while, Ryu Shion Meilin felt something she had almost forgotten.
Warmth.
Somewhere around the same time, on the western side of the Red Light District, lay the casino territory, a vast stretch of land owned by none other than Cai Yok Tan, the Pig King of Prosperity.
"One more, people!!! Oink! Oink! Oink!"
Inside the main, ginormous casino building, on the highest floor, Cai Yok Tan sat comfortably upon his extravagant throne.
Two personal concubines rested beside him, attending to his every need as the casino's lavish decorations glittered under the golden lights. Below them, the sounds of gambling, shouting, and coins clattering filled the air.
"Hahahaha!!!! And that's another jackpot!"
Cai Yok Tan threw his head back in laughter.
He had just raised the stakes and won three jackpots in a row. His large belly shook with every laugh, and his fingers drummed against the armrest of his throne.
"Another flush!!!" shouted his casino dealer.
The dealer frantically laid the cards across the table, his eyes filled with admiration and fear.
"No! No! My life's savings!!!" cried a nobleman, his face turning pale as he stared at the cards.
Cai Yok Tan leaned forward, his enormous grin revealing his satisfaction.
"Hahaha! Pathetic noble! You think you can go against me?! The Pig King of Prosperity?!"
He spread his arms wide, as if the entire casino belonged to his glory alone.
"Nobody beats me in my own house!"
Outside, fireworks erupted across the land of Prosperity, illuminating the night sky with brilliant colors. The explosions echoed through the district, announcing Cai Yok Tan's dominance over his territory.
"In another two days, the Year of the Pig shall be enlightened!"
He stood from his throne, raising one fist toward the sky.
"I, Cai Yok Tan, am inevitable!!! HAHAHAHA!!!"
The nobleman attempted to crawl away from the table, but Cai Yok Tan turned toward him with a mischievous grin.
"Hey, you."
The nobleman froze.
Cai Yok Tan approached him, grabbed him by the back of his clothing, and dragged him toward the rooftop's edge.
"Boss! Wait!"
The nobleman struggled desperately.
"Please! I can pay you back! Just give me another chance!"
Cai Yok Tan laughed.
"Another chance? You already had three!"
With a sudden kick, he sent the nobleman flying off the rooftop.
The man plummeted toward the sharp spikes waiting far below.
His scream faded into the darkness.
Cai Yok Tan brushed his hands together and turned back toward his subordinates.
"Oi, he got a wife?"
One of his thugs immediately stepped forward.
"No, boss. He never got married, but he fools around with women throughout his territory."
Cai Yok Tan's nostrils flared.
"Oink! Oink! Oink! Oink!!!"
He burst into another fit of laughter.
"Lucky rat, you lucky bastard! If you had a wife, I wonder how tasty she'd be, kekekeke."
The surrounding thugs laughed nervously.
Suddenly, the rooftop doors slammed open.
BANG!
One of Cai Yok Tan's thugs came rushing into the room, nearly tripping over his own feet.
"Boss! Boss!"
Cai Yok Tan snapped his head toward him.
"Tsk! You're ruining my thunder."
"Sorry, boss! But there's a commotion at Lady Shion's turf!"
Cai Yok Tan's expression shifted.
"And what commotion is that?"
The thug pointed toward the distant streets.
"Look there, boss!"
Cai Yok Tan walked toward the edge of the rooftop and peered down from his towering casino building.
Below, a massive line had formed near Ryu Shion Meilin's territory. The crowd stretched across the street, growing longer as more customers arrived.
The bright lights and lively atmosphere surrounding the unfamiliar restaurant stood out against the surrounding establishments.
Cai Yok Tan's eyes narrowed.
Then his grin returned.
"Ho ho... Looks like a new opponent is disturbing my turf, huh?"
The thug hesitated.
"But isn't that on Lady Shion's turf?"
Cai Yok Tan turned toward him sharply.
"Fool! The line! The line! Can't you see they're lining up on the crosswalk, dumbass?!"
He pointed aggressively toward the streets.
"Bring me my wagon. Time to see who's causing the borders to shift."
The thug immediately bowed.
"Yes, boss!"
Cai Yok Tan chuckled as he looked toward the growing crowd.
"Let's see what kind of fool thinks he can steal my attention."
Somewhere else, deep beneath the streets of Tianyu, a hooded figure walked through a narrow underground cave.
The walls were damp, and the faint sound of dripping water echoed through the darkness. The figure's footsteps splashed against the shallow water covering parts of the stone floor.
A few rats scurried across the path.
As the figure continued walking deeper into the underground passage, the number of rats increased. They gathered along the walls, beneath broken wooden platforms, and around the scattered debris.
The figure continued forward without hesitation.
Eventually, a swarm of rats blocked the passage.
The hooded figure stopped.
"Are you going to push away a paying customer, Rat Smuggler?"
The rats squeaked and shifted restlessly.
From within the swarm, a voice answered.
"Squeak! The only reason I'm pushing you away is because you're a demon. A filthy one at that."
The rats parted.
From the center of the sewer cave emerged none other than Gui Myeong Kage, the Rat King Smuggler.
He leaned upon a supporting walking cane, his aged body slightly hunched as his sharp eyes examined the hooded visitor.
Gui Myeong Kage was a name known throughout Tianyu's criminal underworld.
Whatever you needed, he was the rat who could obtain it for you, provided you had the money to pay his reasonable price.
He tapped his cane against the stone floor.
"You have five seconds to explain why you're in Tianyu, or I will..."
"Will what?"
The hooded figure interrupted him.
"Kill me? You're still a senile old man."
The figure reached up and pulled back his hood.
Revealed beneath it was Ceylon, the Commandment of Reverence.
His pale complexion and severe expression stood out against the dark surroundings. He calmly reached into his belongings and tossed a sack toward Gui Myeong Kage.
The sack landed at his feet with a heavy thud.
Gui Myeong Kage glanced down.
Ceylon spoke without a hint of concern.
"Information only. I think the price is right, no?"
Gui Myeong Kage crouched slightly and opened the sack.
His eyes widened at the sight of the gold coins inside.
He clicked his tongue and tossed the sack toward one of the nearby rats.
The little creature grabbed the sack, dragging it away into the darkness.
Gui Myeong Kage turned his attention back to Ceylon.
"Speak."
Ceylon stood motionless.
"Calamitus..."
Gui Myeong Kage's expression changed.
Then he began to laugh.
"Squeak! Do you really think this much will..."
Ceylon tossed another sack of gold coins toward him.
The sack landed beside his cane.
Gui Myeong Kage stopped speaking.
Ceylon tilted his head.
"Not enough?"
He raised his hand, revealing a spatial ring.
Without hesitation, he removed it and tossed it toward him.
"Inside are all that's left of what I have. I don't need them. I need that information."
Gui Myeong Kage caught the ring.
His expression became more serious as he considered the weight of the offer.
He glanced at the gold sacks, then at the spatial ring in his hand.
For a moment, he remained silent.
"You know, you're clearly the most wanted demon to be killed in Tianyu after what you did."
Ceylon's expression did not change.
"Don't care. Information. Now."
Gui Myeong Kage narrowed his eyes.
The underground cave grew quiet.
The rats surrounding them stopped moving, their tiny eyes fixed upon Ceylon.
The old smuggler finally sighed.
"...Main castle. Underground."
He paused, his grip tightening around his cane.
"Now get lost."
Ceylon turned away without another glance.
"As you wish."
He walked deeper into the passage, his footsteps gradually fading into the darkness.
Gui Myeong Kage watched her leave before turning back toward his domain.
He leaned heavily on his supporting walking cane and slowly made his way through the sewer passage, his expression filled with unease.
"By the heavens..."
He looked down at the spatial ring in his hand.
"What have I made a deal with...?"
Chapter 64 — End.