Chapter 8: Where Did Feng Aotian Come From?

“……”

Kane was dumbfounded.

How did this woman know?

Could she be Enya’s accomplice?

While Kane’s brain was running at full speed, the “shopkeeper” chuckled and said:

“The Myriad Demon Banner is indeed used to refine and control demons, that much is true. But most people only know half the story. The banner was originally crafted by the Undying Demon King to imprison his lover—it’s a magical artifact meant to bind his beloved to his side forever. He never got the chance to use it, though, because the Hero attacked first. So the Demon King repurposed it to control demons and fight the Hero.”

“Besides the Myriad Demon Banner, that customer also bought a whole bunch of… toys. Clearly, she knows the banner’s proper use.”

“Young master, why don’t we take a guess—who do you think all these things are meant for in the end?”

Behind the mask, the shopkeeper’s seductive eyes narrowed like a mischievous silver-tabby cat, gleaming with wicked amusement.

“I’m more interested in whether there’s a way to undo the Myriad Demon Banner.”

Kane squinted hard under his mask.

“Well, that depends on who it’s used on. After all, the refining process is quite different between males and females.”

The shopkeeper didn’t look directly at Kane, adopting a flippant tone as she twirled her purple hair draped over her shoulder.

“……”

So it’s one of those ‘you want something, you have to pay the price’ kind of deals.

After thinking it through, Kane sighed in resignation.

“Alright, at this point I won’t hide it from you.”

“Mhm~”

“Actually… I have a friend. He’s being targeted by a woman.”

“…….”

The shopkeeper didn’t say anything.

She shifted the hand propping up her chin, switching the position of her crossed legs emerging from beneath her black robe.

Her high heel was half-slipped off, dangling from her stocking-covered toes.

With the soft hum escaping her lips, the shoe swayed back and forth—she was clearly saying, ‘Go on, I’m listening.’

Kane pursed his lips, took a moment to organize his thoughts, then said:

“The one targeting my friend isn’t just anyone. It’s a girl who’s been by his side for years.”

“Oh? Is she pretty?”

“This isn’t about being pretty. If you must know, she’s the type who’s charming, elegant, beloved by all, great at everything from managing the home to cooking, and utterly devoted to him. The kicker? She doesn’t even want a dowry.”

“Pfft!”

“You laughed, didn’t you?”

“Young master, don’t worry. I’m a professionally trained shopkeeper. No matter how funny something is, I won’t laugh. Snrk—pfft.”

The “professional” shopkeeper couldn’t hold it in after all and burst into laughter, swaying with mirth.

“……”

Under the mask, Kane stared with dead fish eyes.

If this wasn’t the only place that might have a way out of his predicament, his bad temper would’ve made him walk out already.

“Sorry, I just suddenly remembered—my friend’s grandma is getting married today.”

Even after laughing, the shopkeeper didn’t forget to patch things up with a joke.

Kane gritted his teeth, growing impatient: “So do you have a way or not? If not, I’ll go to another shop.”

The shopkeeper stopped laughing and switched to a businesslike smile.

“Don’t worry, young master. This may be a black market, but we pride ourselves on honest service. While I don’t have anything that directly counters the Myriad Demon Banner, I do have a few ways to help your friend out of his predicament.”

“It’s my friend,” Kane emphasized.

“Ah, yes yes, your friend.”

The shopkeeper covered her mouth and giggled, sounding like she was humoring a child.

“Wait right here. I’ll go get it. Might take a little while, so feel free to browse around.”

With that, the shopkeeper stood gracefully, swaying her curvy figure as she disappeared into the back of the shop.

Kane exhaled slightly in relief.

At least for now, things seemed manageable.

Seeing that she wasn’t coming back anytime soon, Kane followed her suggestion and began browsing the store.

The shop wasn’t large, but it had quite the selection—an eye-catching array of items filled the space.

Kane picked up a few at random to inspect.

“Strawberry-flavored black stockings, stinky tofu-flavored white stockings, ‘Love Me XL’, painless gender-swap pills… and what’s this? Loli Voice Candy? Seriously, what kind of weird stuff is this place selling?”

His expression grew odd.

But then again, this original game wasn’t exactly what you’d call proper.

So a game like that selling sketchy items… kind of made perfect sense.

“Sorry to keep you waiting. Here, these are the things I was talking about.”

The “shopkeeper” laid out her so-called solutions in front of Kane one by one.

Kane gave her the same look a grumpy old man on the subway gives when looking at someone else’s phone, eyes full of suspicion.

“You really think this stuff will help me—help my friend get through this?”

“Of course,” the shopkeeper said confidently, “If you can’t deal with the Myriad Demon Banner, then deal with the person using it. That’s the solution I’m offering. Since your friend and that girl are so close, you can weaken her combat ability. That way, she won’t be able to use the banner anymore.”

“Or is your friend too scared to even spike a drink? No way, right? Don’t tell me your friends are afraid of women.”

“……”

Tch. Black market brats really are born evil.

Kane clicked his tongue inwardly, then asked, “How much?”

“Same price as before.”

“Too expensive.”

“But that’s already the lowest I can go. I’m just a small business owner, you know. Not even making much profit here.”

The shopkeeper covered her face dramatically, sighing.

Then her eyes landed on something in Kane’s hand.

“How about this—I’ll throw in those goodies you’re holding as a bonus. Deal?”

What do I want with Loli Voice Candy? I’m not some sleazy tea-seller… Just as Kane was about to refuse—

Ding-ling-ling.

The chime of the doorbell rang again.

Another black-robed figure, the standard black market attire, stepped into view.

Kane hadn’t planned to care—until he caught sight of the two swords strapped to the figure’s back, one black, one white.

“That’s it. No more bargaining.”

Kane dropped his card onto the counter, didn’t even look back, swept the items off the table into his arms, and rushed out the door.

As he brushed past the new arrival—

“Hey, you—”

The newcomer reached out a hand, trying to stop him.

Kane didn’t stop. He moved even faster.

He dashed through the black market alleys, wind rushing past his cheeks, his heart pounding in his ears.

Only one thought raced through his mind.

—Why the hell is the Feng Aotian-type heroine showing up here?

……

Inside the store.

The “shopkeeper” looked at the card on the table, then at the now-empty store, and finally toward the direction the two black-robed figures had gone, tilting her head in confusion.

“Ugh, normal customers like me are still too rare, huh.”

Just as she mumbled that, footsteps echoed from upstairs.

An old grandma, hunched and slow-moving, walked down.

She spotted the girl behind the counter and sighed.

“There you go sneaking back in again. I’ve told you a hundred times—don’t come in here without permission. Everything inside is expensive.”

“Heehee, sorry, Granny.”

The “shopkeeper”—or rather, the girl pretending to be the shopkeeper—stuck out her tongue playfully.

She pulled off the black robe, revealing her slightly wavy, long purple hair, which flowed freely down to her calves.

Granny took the robe from her, wrapped it neatly, then turned to rummage behind the bar as she asked:

“How’ve you been lately? Seen anything interesting?”

The purple-haired girl smiled sweetly and replied:

“Lately, I keep seeing a girl who’s been with someone day and night trying to refine me into the Myriad Demon Banner.”

“Oh? Is she pretty?”

“This isn’t about being pretty. If you must know, she’s the kind of girl who’s charming, radiant, adored by everyone, great in the kitchen and the parlor, and completely devoted to him. And the best part? She doesn’t even want a dowry.”