Transforming into a stunningly beautiful fox spirit, leaving a scar on the heart of a prodigy.

Deep within the Heavenly Demon Emperor's Palace, the doors to the sleeping quarters were tightly shut.

The hall was dark, with no lights on, except for a few luminous pearls emitting a pale glow.

The air was filled with a strong smell of alcohol, as well as the scent of burning ambergris.

"Bang!"

A muffled thud broke the silence.

It was the sound of a fair hand slamming heavily onto the table.

The golden cup on the table trembled, spilling the remaining wine, which dripped down the edge of the table.

Indra was fast asleep, his head buried in his arms, slumped over the table. The loud noise didn't wake him; it only made him frown and mumble a few inaudible words in his sleep.

The person standing in front of the table was a woman.

She wore an inconspicuous light blue dress, and her hair was casually tied up in a bun with a wooden hairpin in it.

Looking at the demon emperor who was completely drunk, she didn't say anything, but simply raised her hand and smacked his noble head without any politeness.

"Thump!"

That sounds painful.

Indra suddenly sprang up from the table, his royal robe embroidered with nine golden lions being torn askew.

He clutched the back of his head, the drunkenness in his eyes instantly dissipating. Just as he was about to explode, he looked up and saw the person in front of him. The swear words that were on the tip of his tongue were swallowed back, replaced by a wrinkled smile.

"Senior... Senior Sister?"

Indra rubbed his head, quickly stood up, and gave up the main seat. His movements were so practiced that they were almost heartbreaking.

"Why have you come? You didn't even have someone announce your arrival so I could have come to fetch you."

Tianpeng didn't sit down, he just looked at him coldly.

"A notice? A notice tells you to hide all these wine jars in the room?"

She casually picked up an empty wine jar, weighed it in her hand, and then tossed it back onto the table.

"Emperor Shitian, you've really made something of yourself. A single imperial edict, a million spirit stones, and you're even going to grant land and appoint kings to rule the world together. Anyone who didn't know better would think that the treasury of your Heavenly Demon Dynasty was filled by a sudden downpour."

Tianpeng's voice wasn't loud, but it carried a chill.

"Just for a dream?"

Indra's smile froze for a moment.

He waved his sleeve and set up a soundproof barrier, and his previously cloudy eyes became clear at that moment.

"Senior sister, that wasn't an ordinary dream."

He pointed to his forehead.

"You know my true form. Nine-Headed Primordial Saint, an ancient and extraordinary species. All illusions in this world are illusory in my eyes. My spiritual sea cannot even be breached by those few old, immortal quasi-emperors."

Indra walked to the window and opened it.

The wind blowing in from outside dispersed the smell of alcohol from the room.

"A few days ago, I dreamt of traveling through the void and saw a Dharma image."

He turned around, stared into Tianpeng's eyes, and spoke with unprecedented seriousness.

"Nine tails blot out the sky, white robes whiter than snow. That aura is not that of an ordinary demon race, it is... the aura of the Great Dao."

"You know my innate supernatural abilities: to avoid misfortune and foresee the future. The moment that fox appeared, I saw my master."

Upon hearing the word "master," Tianpeng's previously nonchalant expression became somewhat more composed.

"master?"

"Yes."

Indra took a deep breath and lowered his voice.

"My master's Dao injury from back then has never been healed; it was a backlash from the Heavenly Dao. But in this dream, I sensed the aura of that fox, which can mend my master's Dao."

Silence fell in the room.

Only the mournful sound of the wind outside the window could be heard.

Tianpeng looked at his junior brother, who was usually absurd but never let him down in crucial moments.

She knew of Indra's abilities.

Although this old lion loved to drink and boast, he never made a mistake when it came to important matters.

If that fox could really heal Master's injury...

"Snapped!"

A crisp slap rang out.

Indra covered his face, completely bewildered.

Tianpeng withdrew his hand, flicked his wrist, and glared at him irritably.

"Just look for people, why make such a big fuss? Are you trying to make sure everyone knows your dynasty is doomed?"

This slap wasn't delivered with demonic power, but purely with physical strength, leaving half of Di Shitian's face bright red.

But instead, he laughed.

The fact that my senior sister was willing to physically assault someone means that this matter is over.

"Senior sister is right."

Indra rubbed his face, grinning mischievously.

"I'm just thinking that a generous reward will surely bring forth brave men. Besides, as long as we find that fox, what does it matter if we lose half the country, or even the throne?"

Tianpeng rolled his eyes at him.

"Stop talking nonsense. Don't mess things up; those people from the Holy Land are eyeing your head."

"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."

Indra straightened his robes, regaining his imperial majesty, though his half-swollen face made him look somewhat comical.

"Senior Sister, it's rare for you to come all this way, don't stay cooped up in the palace. I heard a new restaurant called 'Drunken Flower Pavilion' opened in the south of the city, their osmanthus wine is absolutely amazing. Today, your junior brother is treating, all you can eat!"

……

South of Tianyao City, at the Drunken Flower Pavilion.

This is the most bustling den of extravagance in the capital, frequented by either high-ranking officials and nobles or accomplished cultivators.

In the private rooms on the second floor, the aroma of tea and wine was intoxicating.

Tianpeng leaned against the window, holding a white jade wine cup in his hand, gently swirling it.

The wine in the glass is amber in color, viscous, and clings to the glass, exuding a rich osmanthus aroma.

She took a sip.

It was soft and smooth on the palate, with a sweet aftertaste. Then, a warm current slid down the throat and into the stomach, making the demonic energy in the meridians more active.

"Good wine."

Tianpeng squinted his eyes and let out a satisfied sigh.

"This wine contains the essence of a hundred years, as well as a trace of the essence of herbs and trees. What's rare is that the brewing technique has blended these elements together seamlessly."

She put down her wine glass and looked at Indra, who was pouring wine for her across from her.

"If I could drink this wine every day, I would gladly become a doorkeeper beast who only eats offerings and does no work."

Indra laughed heartily.

"If you like it, Senior Sister, I'll buy this restaurant and give it to you."

"Vulgar."

Tianpeng gave him a disdainful look.

At that moment, the door to the private room was pushed open.

A plump and still charming woman walked in, carrying a plate of freshly baked osmanthus cakes.

She is the manager of this Drunken Flower Pavilion and also the one who brews this osmanthus wine.

Seeing the extraordinary demeanor of these two guests, especially the woman in green, whose elegant bearing, despite her simple attire, made even the seasoned proprietress, who had seen countless people, feel a little uneasy.

"Esteemed guests, these are complimentary snacks from our shop. Please enjoy them."

The proprietress put down the plate and was about to leave.

"Wait a minute."

Tianpeng called out to her.

"Shopkeeper, do you have pen and ink?"

The proprietress paused for a moment, then quickly nodded, "Yes, yes, I'll go get it right away."

A moment later, the brush, ink, paper, and inkstone were placed on the table.

Tianpeng picked up his brush and dipped it in thick ink.

She looked out at the bustling streets and then at the aroma of wine filling the room.

With a flick of the wrist, the brush moves like a dragon or a snake.

The calligraphy was wild and unrestrained, exuding a domineering sword intent, yet at the turns and twists, it also concealed a touch of feminine tenderness.

First line: Three thousand travelers in the mortal world, do not disturb the immortal in wine.

The second line reads: "A sword's frost chills fourteen provinces; listen to the wind's whisper."

Horizontal scroll: A World Within a Drunken Dream.

After finishing writing, Tianpeng threw the pen away.

"Shopkeeper, frame this calligraphy and hang it in the center of the main hall."

She pointed to the calligraphy, her tone calm yet exuding an undeniable air of authority.

"If war breaks out in this Heavenly Demon City in the future, no matter which demon king or human cultivator sees this calligraphy, they will all have to avoid your restaurant."

Although the proprietress couldn't discern the terrifying Daoist aura contained within the words, her intuition told her that she had encountered a true god.

She was so excited that her hands were trembling. She thanked him repeatedly and left, holding the calligraphy as if it were a priceless treasure.

Indra looked at the calligraphy and marveled at it.

"Senior sister, the sword intent in your words is so strong that even the Great Sage would feel a chill down his spine. This restaurant is likely to become a forbidden area from now on."

Tianpeng ignored him and simply poured himself another glass of wine.

"Drink your drink and stop talking nonsense."

……

It was in the private room next to Tianpeng and Dishitian.

The atmosphere, however, was quite enchanting.

Su Xiaojiu leaned lazily against the soft couch, holding a cup of osmanthus wine in her hand.

Although her current avatar has not yet recovered its cultivation, the languidness and allure ingrained in its bones are impossible to conceal.

Bai Yin sat next to her.

This once ruthless "Tiger Fiend" was now clumsily peeling a spirit crab.

His hands, which could easily tear apart a cultivator at the Casting Cauldron Realm, were now carefully gripping the crab shell, afraid of crushing the crab meat with too much force.

Open your mouth.

Bai Yin handed the peeled crab meat to Su Xiaojiu's mouth.

Su Xiaojiu opened her mouth and bit down, her tongue accidentally brushing against Bai Yin's fingers.

Bai Yin's body stiffened for a moment, and his ears instantly turned bright red.

"This wine is good."

Su Xiaojiu swallowed the crab meat, took another sip of wine, and her eyes sparkled.

"It's sweet but not cloying, and it has a certain charm. It's better than anything I've ever had before... better than anything I've ever had in my life."

She almost let slip that she had drunk the imperial wine in the capital city in her previous life.

Bai Yin looked at her satisfied expression, his eyes filled with doting affection.

But his focus is clearly different from that of normal people.

"Do you like it?"

Bai Yin asked a question.

"Yes, I like it."

Su Xiaojiu nodded, then picked up a piece of osmanthus cake and put it in her mouth.

"This pastry is also quite good; it's soft, chewy, and sweet."

Bai Yin nodded thoughtfully.

He stood up, walked to the window, and glanced down at the backyard.

That's where the kitchen is located.

Several cooks were working busily.

Bai Yin turned around and looked at Su Xiaojiu with a serious expression.

"Since you like him, then we'll take the cook with us."

Su Xiaojiu was stunned for a moment, and almost spat out the pastry in her mouth.

"Take it away? How?"

"Knock them out, stuff them into sacks, and carry them back to Yunmengze."

Baek In answered confidently, his tone as calm as if he were asking, "What should we eat tonight?"

"Take the brewer with you too. There's a cave in Yunmengze with the perfect temperature for brewing."

As he spoke, he began to plan the route.

"When it gets dark, I'll jump out of the back window. You wait here for me while I go catch them. They're just two mortals; I won't need to use my demonic power, and it won't alert the city guards."

Su Xiaojiu looked at the man in front of her who was seriously planning the kidnapping and couldn't help but laugh out loud.

This is the logic of demons.

Simple, crude, and direct.

If you like something, just take it back.

Whether it's a person or a thing.

"Silly tiger."

Su Xiaojiu reached out, hooked her arm around Bai Yin's neck, and pulled him in front of her.

Their noses almost touched.

"We're here to enjoy the scenery, not to become bandits."

She reached out her finger and gently tapped Bai Yin's forehead.

"Besides, even if we arrest the cook, who's going to buy me ingredients? The Yunmeng Marsh is full of fish and wild boars; do you expect me to eat roasted meat every day?"

Bai Yin frowned.

He clearly didn't consider the issue of the food supply chain.

"Then... arrest the vegetable vendors too?"

He asked tentatively.

Su Xiaojiu laughed so hard she nearly fell into Bai Yin's arms.

"Alright, alright, stop thinking about all that nonsense."

She held the wine glass in her hand to Bai Yin's lips.

"Want to try some? This is good stuff."

Bai Yin lowered his head, took her hand, and drank the wine in the glass in one gulp.

The wine is very sweet.

But he felt that none of them had the sweetness of the smile of the person in front of him.

The turmoil in the Demon City was ultimately thrown into chaos by an imperial edict.

Indra, this old lion, may seem to be living a life of debauchery, but in reality, he is as clear-headed as a mirror.

Using the pretext of searching for foxes and offering half the country as bait, he merely wanted to add a few more pillars to save the collapsing edifice.

Tianpeng saw through everything, which is why he delivered the loudest slap and drank the wine with gusto.

That painting, "Drunken Universe," is not just a calligraphic work, but also a way to save face and ward off the evil spirits and monsters that fill the city.

But who could have imagined that the very person who stirred up the storm in the land was right next door, drinking wine and being served by that silly tiger?

Bai Yin, this tiger demon, lives a purer life than anyone else.

In his eyes, the survival of the Heavenly Demon Dynasty was not as important as Su Xiaojiu frowning.

What imperial ambitions and grand ambitions, what titles and honors, are not as practical as kidnapping that cook who can make osmanthus cake back to Yunmengze.

This robber's logic of "I want to steal a chef to cook for you" sounds absurd, but upon closer examination, it reveals a deep and ingrained affection.

Separated by a wall, on one side lies a grand scheme of power, on the other, tender moments of peeling crabs and feeding wine.

Fate loves to play these kinds of jokes.

The lifeline that Indra had been searching for all over the world was right under his nose, pampered by a silly tiger into a delicate creature that couldn't be lifted by his hands.

As the saying goes:

A fleeting dream of the nine-layered palace, an imperial edict hangs high in the chaotic west wind.

With delicate hands, she wields her brush to quell petty villains; in her drunken state, her brushstrokes are rich and powerful.

Those separated by walls do not inquire about rise and fall, but only plan for the kitchen to be put into a cage.

Watching the tiger's clumsy hands peeling crabs is a far cry from the wealth and power enjoyed by countless households in the world.