The madam’s fawning voice sounded along with the knock on the door, “Young masters and misses, there’s a young gentleman outside looking for you.”
Ye Liangqing reacted swiftly, immediately gathering the drawings on the glazed table.
She instinctively glanced at Shi Qinian and, seeing him nod, stepped forward to open the door.
Outside, as Zhao Zhao had expected, stood the black-robed man. Once the door opened, she could sense his gaze fixed on her. Zhao Zhao lifted her head impatiently and met his deep crimson eyes.
The black-robed man’s eyes curved slightly, and ignoring the others, he walked straight toward her.
However, before he could reach her, the other three blocked his path, speaking in unison, “What do you want?”
The black-robed man appeared good-natured, smiling as his peripheral vision remained on Zhao Zhao. “Just catching up with a friend.”
Hearing this, Zhao Zhao pushed past them and approached the black-robed man. “I don’t know you.”
“Didn’t we just meet today?”
Zhao Zhao tilted her head slightly, her expression cold. “And?”
“And now we’re acquainted.”
The black-robed man was like a sticky plaster. If Zhao Zhao weren’t in a situation where she couldn’t afford to cause trouble, she would have stepped forward and struck him with her sword.
Zhao Zhao ignored him, and the others remained silent as well.
Seeing the situation turn tense, the madam quickly closed the door and left.
For a moment, silence fell over the room.
But while the atmosphere in the private room was quiet, it didn’t mean the singing and dancing downstairs had ended. The clamor of raucous shouts continued below.
Seeing this, the black-robed man stepped forward and closed the window himself. He looked at Zhao Zhao and spoke earnestly, “Those vulgar things downstairs are truly an eyesore. Little friend, it’s best not to look or listen.”
Then, his gaze swept over the untouched wine on the glazed table. “Drinking harms the body and leads to trouble. A young person like you should drink less.”
Next, he looked around the entire private room. With his gilded floral mask, his emotions were unreadable, but his voice remained amused. “You shouldn’t be in a place like this either.”
Zhao Zhao: …
Shi Qinian: ?
Jun Si, Ye Liangqing: !
The group exchanged glances, confused by his lecturing.
Zhao Zhao stared directly at him, suspicion flashing in her eyes. “Just who are you?”
The black-robed man smiled. “Who I am isn’t important. In any case, I won’t harm you.”
Then, his tone shifted. “In fact, I might even help you save Nanyue.”
At these words, Shi Qinian and the others immediately sharpened their gazes, subtly adjusting their stances to encircle him.
The black-robed man’s tone remained unhurried. “Get this straight—I’m on your side, Shi Shenzi.”
Shi Qinian looked at him warily, as if trying to see through the mask to his face. “How can I trust you, a member of the Demon Clan?!”
“Tsk~ I already said I’m on your side. Can’t you understand human speech?”
The black-robed man grew impatient, dark demonic energy swirling around him.
Zhao Zhao stepped in front of Shi Qinian. Seeing it was Zhao Zhao, the black-robed man immediately suppressed the dark energy around him, his voice noticeably softening. “Zhao Zhao, I won’t harm you.”
Zhao Zhao likely understood his identity by now. Her expression was unreadable, her tone still calm. “Don’t act recklessly. Keep the bigger picture in mind.”
The black-robed man smiled. “I’ll listen to you.”
Zhao Zhao nodded and gestured for the other three to come closer.
Jun Si was utterly confused and asked, “Divine Son Zhao Zhao, what does this mean?”
Shi Qinian also worriedly said, “He’s a member of the Demon Clan. Be careful not to be deceived by him.”
Ye Liangqing looked warily at the black-robed man and added, “Yes, he doesn’t seem like a good person.”
Hearing this, Zhaozhao rarely curved his lips slightly. He said to the man in black robes, “It seems you cannot earn our trust.”
The man in black robes still smiled, pretending to be troubled as he asked, “Then what should I do?”
“Leave. We don’t need you.”
Zhaozhao waved his hand, using magic to open the door.
The man in black robes did not move. He said, “I can help you rescue Nanyue, loyal and reliable~”
“Not needed.”
The man in black robes found it strange. “Why refuse a free helper?”
Zhaozhao showed impatience and replied dismissively, “Because you’re annoying.”
The man in black robes: …
He chuckled softly. “Then I’ll come back later.”
After saying this, he actually left without any hesitation.
Shi Qinian looked at the retreating figure of the man in black robes, then turned to Zhaozhao and asked, “Does the Divine Son know this member of the Demon Clan?”
Zhaozhao nodded.
Seeing their concerned expressions, Zhaozhao explained, “He is Su.”