About to be sold off

Lin Qingyang found several books on cultivation and a copy of the Complete Records of a Hundred Demons in the library. Since he was staying here for the time being, he ought to learn more about the relevant matters. Before returning to Clear Wind Pavilion, Lin Qingyang made another trip to Golden Spirit Court to return the Seven-Star Shield he had borrowed. As for the Demon-Capturing Net, it was long gone, so naturally he would not be getting his deposit back.

Jin Buhuan sat at a table, handling tea utensils of various sizes with graceful, practiced movements, looking rather like a refined young master from a wealthy family.

"Not bad. After fleecing me out of eight hundred spirit stones, you're finally willing to treat me to a cup of tea," Lin Qingyang grumbled.

Jin Buhuan chuckled, clearly in good spirits. "You've even managed to become sect leader, and you still care about that little bit of money?" As he spoke, he set the small cup of tea he had prepared in front of Lin Qingyang.

"Acting sect leader," Lin Qingyang corrected. He picked up the cup and took a sip, then frowned. "Why is it salty?"

"I like adding a little salt to my tea." Jin Buhuan held his cup and savored it in small sips.

Somewhat speechless, Lin Qingyang set down the cup and swept a seemingly casual glance out the window. One or two demon slaves occasionally passed outside. Nearby, a cat demon was cleaning, a slender black tail behind them with a tuft of white fur at its tip.

Lin Qingyang looked for a moment before withdrawing his gaze and asking casually, "How's that brat doing?"

It had already been a week since he brought him back. The Nine Skies Sect was a sizable place, and its courts were not particularly close together, so they hardly ever ran into each other.

Jin Buhuan raised an eyebrow at him and smiled. "I was wondering why you had time to drink tea here. So you weren't here to see me after all."

Lin Qingyang cleared his throat. "I'm just asking. He was injured trying to save me, after all."

Jin Buhuan sighed. "He's doing quite well. It's just that if you're reluctant to part with him and want to change your mind now, I'm afraid it's too late."

Lin Qingyang frowned, not quite understanding what he meant. Just then, a whinny sounded from the sky outside the window. Looking over, Lin Qingyang actually saw a carriage flying through the air. Two flying horses with gleaming silver coats pulled an extravagantly ornate carriage, descending toward Golden Spirit Court.

"The buyer's here." Jin Buhuan smiled, set down his cup, and went outside.

"What buyer?" Lin Qingyang followed him out, somewhat confused.

When they reached the entrance, they saw the carriage stop right outside the gates. Strings of golden bells decorated the brightly colored carriage on all sides, ringing crisply as it landed.

Now that's one flashy entrance, Lin Qingyang thought. Then the carriage curtain lifted, and a woman whose style matched the carriage stepped out. She was strikingly beautiful, dressed in red and green, with extravagant earrings and a necklace. Rings set with gemstones of every color covered nearly all ten of her fingers, and she held a white bone fan carved with an openwork floral design.

Good grief. If she fell over, she could spill an entire jewelry shop, Lin Qingyang grumbled inwardly.

"Elder Jin, long time no see." The woman greeted him warmly as soon as she stepped out.

Jin Buhuan waved his fan and greeted her with a smile. "Proprietor Hua, I didn't expect you to come in person."

"Well, I missed you, so I came to see you." The woman winked teasingly, then her gaze fell on Lin Qingyang beside him. Her expression paused, and she asked with some uncertainty, "Is this Elder Lin?"

Lin Qingyang disliked elaborate robes and usually wore only the simplest plain-colored long gown, without any cloud patterns or accessories marking his status. He did not even wear a hair crown, merely gathering the hair at his temples loosely behind his head with a ribbon, leaving the rest to fall freely over his shoulders. His smiling, alluring eyes held a hint of nonchalance, and his whole bearing was languid and casual. Rather than an elder of the Immortal Sects with profound cultivation, he looked more like a dashing, unrestrained libertine.

The woman studied Lin Qingyang, a glint of interest flashing in her eyes. "The Elegant Sword Immortal certainly lives up to his reputation. What a charming, distinguished man."

Elegant Sword Immortal was indeed the title by which Lin Qingyang was known outside. He smiled politely and looked at Jin Buhuan. "And this is?"

"Hua Jin of the Xuanhuang Sect, Peak Master Hua." Jin Buhuan paused, then added, "She's also the proprietor of Jin Yao Workshop."

Lin Qingyang's brows furrowed slightly. Jin Yao Workshop was where that ungrateful little wolf had originally stayed, the largest demon slave trading center in this world. Someone who could run a place like that was presumably no pushover.

"Proprietor Hua, a pleasure to meet you." Lin Qingyang gave her a courteous smile.

"The pleasure is mine, meeting Immortal Lord Lin." Hua Jin smiled, her tone carrying a hint of flirtation. Her gaze traveled over him once more before she turned to Jin Buhuan. "Where's the wolf demon Elder Jin wishes to sell?"

"He'll be brought over shortly. Please head upstairs for some tea, Proprietor Hua, and wait a moment." With that, Jin Buhuan had a disciple lead Hua Jin inside.

Hua Jin gave Lin Qingyang another look before following the disciple inside.

"You're selling him?" Lin Qingyang asked with a frown.

Jin Buhuan shrugged. "Although the matter with the sect leader had nothing to do with Qi Mo, he's caused plenty of trouble lately. He really isn't suited to staying in the Nine Skies Sect."

"Was this Mo Yan's idea?" Lin Qingyang asked after a moment's thought.

Jin Buhuan neither confirmed nor denied it. "You know his temper. After all this trouble, not beating Qi Mo to death was already a concession to you. Hua Jin happened to be willing to take him back, so we went along with it. Besides, he's offended an elder. He wouldn't have an easy time even if he stayed."

Lin Qingyang frowned without speaking for a moment. This was something he had never considered. If Qi Mo was sent away, would the rest of the plot change completely? Would the annihilation of the Nine Skies Sect and his own gruesome death change along with it?

Seeing that Lin Qingyang said nothing, Jin Buhuan waved his fan. "Still, if you really can't bear to part with him, it's not as though we can't discuss it again."

Lin Qingyang was silent for a while before sighing. "There's no need. Perhaps leaving the Nine Skies Sect would be a good thing for him." He murmured the words, as though saying them to himself, yet his chest felt somewhat heavy.

He took a deep breath, wanting to hurry back, but when he turned, he unexpectedly met Qi Mo's reddened eyes, and his heart jolted.

Qi Mo had already changed back into demon slave clothes. His face looked somewhat haggard, and his reddened eyes regarded Lin Qingyang with a measure of anger. He had clearly heard what Lin Qingyang had just said. A sudden wave of guilt swept over Lin Qingyang, and he deliberately turned his head to avoid his gaze.

"He's here," the disciple beside Qi Mo reported to Jin Buhuan.

Jin Buhuan waved his fan and glanced at Lin Qingyang. When he said nothing, Jin Buhuan told the disciple, "Take him inside. Proprietor Hua has arrived."

Lin Qingyang felt that he ought to say something, at least offer a greeting or say goodbye. After all, they had known each other, and they might not have much chance to meet again. But when he met the anger and despair in Qi Mo's eyes, his throat tightened, and he could not get a single word out. In the end, he could only turn away as though fleeing and quickly leave. Yet the gaze fixed on his back filled him with an inexplicable panic, so he waved a hand, used the Movement Technique, and vanished.