Zhaozhao had lost interest in further sightseeing, so Shi Qinian took him to the city gate to wait for the other two.
Around noon, the two arrived as scheduled.
“Shi Qinian!”
The handsome Divine Son Jun Si, dressed in ordinary crimson robes, strode toward them with long, swift steps. Half a step behind him was the Divine Maiden Ye Liangqing, clad in plain deep purple robes.
Jun Si and Ye Liangqing clearly knew Shi Qinian, and as soon as they met, they greeted each other warmly.
Shi Qinian then introduced Zhaozhao to the two, saying, “This is Divine Son Zhao Zhao. He will be joining us on this mission.”
A smile graced Ye Liangqing’s delicate, fair face as she said kindly, “Divine Son Zhao Zhao, pleased to meet you.”
“Likewise.” Zhaozhao nodded expressionlessly.
Beside them, Jun Si exclaimed in surprise, “Divine Son Zhao Zhao?”
Zhaozhao glanced at him indifferently.
Jun Si’s eyes flickered, and he scratched the back of his head awkwardly. “I remember you. I even played with you when we were kids. Have you forgotten?”
“Alright, you must have forgotten.” He probably never remembered someone like him in the first place.
His indifferent eyes seemed to have never paid attention to other people or things.
Although he already knew Zhaozhao didn’t remember, Jun Si continued on his own, “Shortly after Divine Son Zhao Zhao was born, the Divine Emperor summoned me and six other Divine Sons to keep you company and relieve your boredom.”
Zhaozhao remembered the incident but not him as a person.
He nodded. “Mm.”
Shi Qinian smiled slightly. “So you’re all friends.”
Zhaozhao said nothing.
Jun Si chuckled and rubbed the tip of his nose, feeling somewhat guilty.
They could hardly be considered friends.
After exchanging a few pleasantries, the group hurried toward the Demon Realm without delay.
With two more people, Zhaozhao spoke even less, often walking alone at the front or back. Shi Qinian, intending to look after the solitary Zhaozhao, frequently struck up conversations with him.
Time passed unnoticed, and by nightfall, they had already entered the territory of the Demon Clan.
As Divine Sons and Divine Maidens, all possessed exceptional Divine Power. Using a mere Veiling Art to disguise themselves as members of the Demon Clan was effortless.
Their golden eyes had turned red, and they exuded the aura of the Demon Clan all over.
For some reason, Shi Qinian always felt uneasy looking into Zhaozhao’s cold, red eyes.
Noticing Shi Qinian’s evasive gaze, Zhaozhao asked, “Am I frightening?”
Shi Qinian smiled. “No, it’s just that I’m not used to it yet.”
The four traveled through the night, and by evening, they had reached the central region of the Demon Clan, where Nanyue was imprisoned in the dungeon of the Demon Palace.
The group split into four directions to scout the unfamiliar area separately.
On Zhaozhao’s side, as he turned a corner, he unexpectedly collided with someone—or rather, a demon. Instinct told him it was a demon with considerable Demonic Power.
The demon reached out to steady Zhaozhao’s shoulder, as if afraid he might fall.
“My apologies, I wasn’t watching the road carefully.” The figure wore black robes and an exquisite gilded carved mask, leaving only a pair of crimson eyes visible.
“No matter.”
Zhaozhao had no desire to engage with him and tried to walk past.
Unexpectedly, the demon seemed quite interested in Zhaozhao, blocking his path and asking enthusiastically, “I find you quite agreeable, young friend. How about becoming friends?”
“Not interested.”
Zhaozhao brushed his hand aside and strode away.
The man clung to him like a stubborn burr, following behind and asking all sorts of questions.
Zhaozhao’s temper had always been short, and just as he was about to explode, Shi Qinian, who had noticed something unusual in the distance, hurried over.
He stood in front of Zhaozhao, slightly out of breath from hurrying over, and asked, “May I ask what you need?”
He addressed the man in the black robe, wearing a perfectly polite smile.
The man in the black robe spoke with a hint of laughter in his voice, seemingly in a good mood. His gaze fixed intently on Zhaozhao as he said, “I just wanted to make friends with him.”
“My apologies, but it’s already late today. Perhaps we can meet again another time if fate allows.”
With that, Shi Qinian took Zhaozhao’s hand and prepared to lead him away.
Seeing this, the man in the black robe hesitated for a moment but ultimately did not follow. In the shadows, his crimson eyes gazed at Zhaozhao with tender affection.