78: Separated by a Billboard
Admittedly, Leticia was indeed curious about the story behind the war, but that didn't mean she would explore those hidden truths together with Bai Ling.
Two people with the same goal weren't necessarily friends, just like two groups worshipping the same deity would view each other as enemies.
"Let me make this clear first—I won't cooperate with you, but I won't stop you either." Leticia sipped her cold bubble tea and informed Bai Ling of her attitude.
"Why?" Bai Ling tilted her head. Since they had the same goal, why couldn't they be open and honest about this matter?
"I don't trust you." Leticia stared into Bai Ling's eyes and said calmly. "Unlike you, I need to be responsible for the demon race."
"I also have to be responsible for humanity."
"But you don't have to be responsible for the demons. The source of that war could be anywhere except among the humans." Leticia shook her head. Although she was reluctant to admit it, in that war, humans were indeed the most innocent party.
The battlefield was on human territory, humans suffered the most casualties, and all intelligence indicated humans were the ones being attacked. When the first race launched war, humans didn't even know other worlds existed beyond their own.
If Bai Ling wanted to seek the truth about the war, she could only find clues in other worlds. Once she needed to go to the Demon Realm to search, Leticia wouldn't feel comfortable letting this human-shaped nuclear bomb wander around freely.
"So, curiosity aside, you'd better prepare thoroughly before investigating this matter." Leticia worked hard to suck the remaining coconut jelly from the bottom of her cup. In principle, she wasn't opposed to Bai Ling investigating the truth.
"For example, you need to think about how to convince me, this Demon King, to allow you, this great enemy of the demon race, to enter the Demon Realm to search for clues."
"Umm, money?"
"We're talking serious business here. Money can't solve this kind of problem." Leticia chuckled, indicating she wasn't someone who was swayed by money—at least not on matters concerning the demon race.
Speaking of wealth, Leticia wasn't intimidated by Bai Ling at all. She was the Demon King, after all—theoretically, everything in the Demon Realm belonged to her.
And the demons' prosperity was evident to all.
It's just that Leticia was currently in fugitive status and couldn't access those funds.
"You don't need to give me an answer right now anyway. I wasn't planning to return to the Demon Realm. If you can convince Qila to let you in, I won't object either."
Getting Qila to agree to Bai Ling's request would be much more difficult than getting Leticia to relent.
Among the demon high command, Leticia actually had the most benevolent attitude toward humans. Those other noble demons really viewed humans no differently than wild beasts.
"I'll consider it carefully." Bai Ling looked at the half-remaining milk in her hands and nodded thoughtfully.
Leticia looked up at the clock in the shop. It was already noon.
"After lunch, it'll be about time to meet the Guild Leader." She muttered to herself, then shifted her gaze to Bai Ling. "What do you want to eat?"
"Umm, anything tasty is fine." Bai Ling indicated she wasn't picky—as long as it was edible, she didn't mind.
From a certain perspective, Bai Ling really was quite a worry-free girl.
"Just like a pig." However, Leticia obviously wouldn't say anything nice about Bai Ling. "Let's go, there are quite a few restaurants nearby..."
Leticia had only spoken halfway when a black-haired girl suddenly appearing in her peripheral vision made her swallow the rest of her words.
"Holy shit!" Without hesitation, she ducked behind a nearby billboard and whispered to Bai Ling, "Help me hide, quickly."
"Ah?" Bai Ling looked around and quickly spotted the culprit causing Leticia's current situation.
Qila was standing at the counter, chin propped on her hand with a smile, talking to the front desk girl.
"That's my sister. She absolutely cannot see me here." Leticia thought Bai Ling didn't know who that girl was. "Did she come early?"
Qila appearing here was normal. After all, the transaction was happening tonight, and Leticia had specifically requested Qila to come for the trade.
Even if Qila had been somewhere else before, she should indeed have arrived in Central City by now.
Scouting the location, having subordinates check if there were any ambushes at the trading site—very normal.
"I think you could use disguise magic to disguise yourself." Bai Ling suggested. She had already seen Qila's gaze looking in their direction. If nothing unexpected happened, Qila would very likely come over directly.
"No way. I stand by my name and sit by my surname. Hiding and concealing is the behavior of petty people." Leticia indicated she wouldn't do such undignified things.
She was now frantically praying for Qila to buy her bubble tea and leave quickly, but Qila's choice greatly exceeded her expectations.
Qila actually walked over!
And she was walking straight toward Bai Ling!
"Sister Bai Ling, long time no see." Holding a cup of warm bubble tea, Qila smiled and greeted Bai Ling.
Last time she had already guessed that Bai Ling was the one who stole that book, and now for this transaction, Bai Ling should also be one of the informed parties.
Communicating with Bai Ling before the transaction began would also give her peace of mind.
Moreover, there should have been another person sitting here just now.
Looking at the empty cup on the table, Qila thought to herself.
Who would be acting together with Bai Ling today?
Was it that short person in white?
They were here for preliminary preparations for the transaction too, right?
Seemingly casually glancing at the billboard behind her, Qila giggled. "Sister Bai Ling seems to have had a guest just now?"
Bai Ling nodded calmly. "Mm, but she already left."
Left, but not completely left.
Leticia stood behind the billboard like a statue, not daring to breathe heavily. She didn't want to know why Qila was so familiar with Bai Ling—she just hoped Qila would leave quickly.
But Qila had absolutely no intention of leaving. On the contrary, she adjusted her sitting position, looking like she was about to have a good chat with Bai Ling.
"Sister Bai Ling, I know you took the book. What I want to know now is whether the transaction is also between you and that white-clad young lady and me?"
"Uh, I can't answer that question conveniently." Bai Ling didn't know how to respond either. She was just a safety fuse this time—the specific matters still had to be decided by Leticia.
"Oh, then it seems it really is Sister Bai Ling." Qila stuck out her pink little tongue. "So what exactly do you want to know? I can tell you directly here."