Shi Qinian had an excellent sense of direction. After some time, the fog gradually thinned, and a town became faintly visible in the distance.
By then, Zhao Zhao had mostly regained his strength, so without hesitation, he pushed away Shi Qinian, who had been supporting his arm.
Shi Qinian didn’t mind, casually teasing, “Divine Son Zhao Zhao is quite heartless—using someone and then discarding them.”
Zhao Zhao merely glanced at him coolly.
Shi Qinian: …
The rumors were true—Divine Son Zhao Zhao was indeed aloof.
Seeing Zhao Zhao continue walking toward the town ahead, Shi Qinian kindly reminded him, “Beyond that town lies the Demon Clan Territory.”
Zhao Zhao nodded, “Mm, let’s part ways here.”
Considering Shi Qinian had helped him, Zhao Zhao politely clasped his hands in a gesture of thanks.
“Who said anything about parting ways?” Shi Qinian was taken aback. “Aren’t you heading to the Demon Realm to rescue the Divine Maiden?”
“Mm.”
“Then it’s better for us to act together and watch out for each other.”
“Oh.” Zhao Zhao understood his meaning.
Shi Qinian: …
The two walked in silence until they reached the town. Shi Qinian found a clothing shop and gestured for Zhao Zhao to change his attire.
Zhao Zhao looked puzzled, “Why?”
Shi Qinian stared at the ornate robe Zhao Zhao wore, which clearly belonged to the Divine Realm, his expression unreadable. “You’re here to rescue someone in the Demon Realm, not to be a guest.”
“It’s best if we keep a low profile.”
Shi Qinian casually picked up a garment from the shop and handed it to him, saying, “Put this on.”
Zhao Zhao turned his head away, not even glancing at the clothes. “No.”
This time, Shi Qinian was baffled. He asked, “Why?”
“Don’t like it.” Three simple, straightforward words—if he didn’t like it, he didn’t want to wear it.
“You, you, you…” Shi Qinian stammered for a while, unsure what to say.
Logically, as long as he wasn’t traveling with Zhao Zhao, whether Zhao Zhao changed his clothes, revealed his identity, or encountered danger had nothing to do with him.
But looking into Zhao Zhao’s cool yet clear eyes, Shi Qinian thought, He’s just a Divine Son who has only been in the world for a thousand years. It’s normal for him to be a bit spoiled and willful.
Shi Qinian had been in the world for two thousand years, with far more experience than Zhao Zhao. This time, he’d just treat it as taking care of a newcomer.
He forced a smile and asked gently, “What kind of clothes does the Divine Son like?”
Zhao Zhao shook his sleeve, indicating with the gesture that he liked the one he was wearing.
“That won’t do. You must change.”
By the end of his sentence, Shi Qinian’s words carried a hint of gritted teeth.
Seeing Zhao Zhao remain unmoved, Shi Qinian tried every argument he could think of until Zhao Zhao finally agreed to look at some clothes.
“Not this one—the style isn’t good.”
“This one won’t do—the sleeves are too tight.”
“No, too rough.”
“Can’t—don’t like black.”
“This one’s too flashy…”
After a while, Zhao Zhao finally picked out a similarly moon-white robe. Just as he was about to say something, Shi Qinian, with a stern face, immediately pushed him into the changing room. “Just hurry up and change.”
After a moment’s thought, he added, “Take off your White Jade Crown, too.”
Then, he casually picked out a garment for himself and began changing as well.
In no time, both Zhao Zhao and Shi Qinian were dressed and ready.
Even without their ornate robes, their handsome appearances remained undiminished, though they now seemed less distant and more approachable.
Seeing Zhao Zhao like this, Shi Qinian’s gaze seemed drawn to him. Suddenly, he noticed the jade pendant hanging from Zhao Zhao’s waist and suggested, “Why not take off the jade pendant as well…”
Before he could finish, he abruptly caught sight of the character “Chen” engraved on it.
Seeing his suddenly changed expression, Zhaozhao thought he was angry. Not wanting to provoke him, she directly removed the jade pendant.
“Removed.”
Shi Qinian: …Alright then.
Shi Qinian had originally agreed with the other two Divine Sons and Divine Maidens who went to the Demon Realm to rescue Nanyue to meet at the city gate at noon. Since it was still early, he took Zhaozhao for a brief stroll around the town.
Zhaozhao saw many novel things, but each time Shi Qinian asked what she wanted, she shook her head.
“Shi Qinian, what is that?”
Shi Qinian looked up and followed the direction of her finger, seeing a man blushing as he stuffed a sachet into a woman’s hand.
“That’s a sachet, a token of affection.”
Zhaozhao frowned.
Seeing this expression, Shi Qinian knew she didn’t understand again.
Truly a little Divine Son untouched by worldly affairs.
“Simply put, that man likes that woman, so he gave her a sachet that symbolizes affection.”
Hearing this, Zhaozhao said something startling, “You should buy one too.”
Shi Qinian was stunned and asked incredulously, “Buy what?!”
“A sachet.”
Zhaozhao said with utmost seriousness.
“Then give it to the woman you like.”
Shi Qinian’s mouth twitched, “That’s completely unnecessary. You don’t need to think about this for me.”
Zhaozhao thought, if it weren’t for the mission, who would bother thinking about this.