The Crown Prince's Mansion's Black Invitation

Xue Qinghe's invitation arrived at Shrek just as dusk fell.

The invitation was politely worded, asking Bai Jin and Tang San to visit the Crown Prince's Mansion for a talk. Flender studied it for a long while before asking just one question: "Will there be food?"

Bai Jin plucked the invitation from his hand. "How do you always find the most important point?"

Flender pushed up his glasses. "Life experience."

Tang San changed his clothes and left with Bai Jin. Xiao Wu had wanted to come too, but Grandmaster stopped her. The Crown Prince's Mansion was tangled in too many affairs; the less she exposed her identity right now, the better.

Xiao Wu stood in the doorway, worry in her eyes.

"I'll be back soon," Tang San said softly.

Bai Jin added from beside him, "Don't worry. With me there, it'll be hard for him to get hurt."

Xiao Wu looked at him.

"Except during training, of course," Bai Jin said with a grin.

Xiao Wu wanted to kick him.

Warm lights glowed throughout the Crown Prince's Mansion. Rain had washed the osmanthus trees in the courtyard, leaving only a faint fragrance. Xue Qinghe stood beneath the veranda in everyday clothes and greeted them with a smile.

"Mr. Bai, Tang San."

Bai Jin glanced around. "Where's the food?"

Xue Qinghe's smile stiffened, then quickly recovered. "It's ready."

Tang San held back a laugh.

Once they were seated, Xue Qinghe got straight to the point and took out the black invitation from Slaughter City. The dark red patterns along its edges had deepened since before, as though they had drunk blood.

"The Ghost Mask Soul Saint talked."

Bai Jin kept picking up food with his chopsticks. "Go on."

"The black invitation came from a transfer point called the Blood Market. It