Su Miao tilted her head toward the Octopus Cultivator. His round, bulging eyes held nothing but heartfelt sincerity.
The Octopus Cultivator continued, his tentacles gesturing an embrace in the air.
"As long as you're alive, sitting here drinking tea and watching dances, eating your fill and staying warm, without being hunted down—that's a good time.
My hometown is in the West Sea. Back when the Demon Clan and Wu Race went to war, the entire sea was stained red. When I escaped, I brought nothing with me. All I had left were these eight legs.
And now?
I have my own little stall, selling seafood during the day and coming to Forget-Worry Pavilion for a drink at night.
This life is ten thousand times better than my old one."
Listening to him, Su Miao lifted her teacup toward the Octopus Cultivator.
"You're right. These are good times too."
The Octopus Cultivator raised his wine cup and clinked it against hers through the air.
Children's laughter drifted in from outside the window.
Leaning against the back of her chair, Su Miao sent her Spiritual Sense through the window lattice and outside.
She saw several Human Race children and Demon Clan cubs chasing and playing in the twilight.
As they ran, one Cat Clan cub turned into a kitten and darted through the crowd.
The children chased after him, their eyes crinkling into crescents with laughter. Just as they were about to catch him, the kitten scampered up a tree in a few quick bounds and crouched on a branch, swishing his tail smugly.
Only after all his playmates admitted defeat did he realize, belatedly, that he could not get down.
His round cat face was filled with terror, his pupils dilated as faint meows escaped his mouth.
"Meow— I can't get