Chapter 775: Lin Nuo’s Portrait

Chapter 775: Lin Nuo’s Portrait

Lin Nuo and Ling Meng went to the market to gather some gear for the front lines; at the very least, they needed decent clothes.

There are generally two types of people sent to the front lines.

One type is the oppressed Demon Disciples, those deemed useless or those who made mistakes, simply tossed to the front lines to guard the territory of the Refining Demon Sect at the risk of their lives.

However, unlike the soldiers stationed on the borders, who can achieve honors upon a victorious return, there’s no such hope here. If there were victories, the world would already be ruled by demon paths; the Refining Demon Sect is under constant siege and has no peace throughout the year.

As far as defying fate goes, the Refining Demon Sect is the prime example; they’re all about defying destiny. If the demon path is to prevail, anything about benevolence is nonsense, not to mention the so-called young heroes; reversing fate is futile, and those inspirational stories mean nothing. The Refining Demon Sect aims to defy fate, and that’s the true inspirational story!

The other type consists of non-disciples, like captives or laborers sold in the Black Market, also sent to secure positions, with some serving as experimental subjects for the Refining Demon Sect, undergoing demonization to become Demon Beasts, which dramatically enhances their combat prowess.

But these individuals tend to die quickly; after all, the transformation from ordinary humans to Demon Beasts is immensely traumatic for the body, and they can’t survive it.

Lin Nuo and the others needed to find a way in; the first method was clearly not viable. To become a Demon Disciple of the Refining Demon Sect involves certain procedures, and since Ling Yuan died on the battlefield, any attempt to go there would be akin to digging a grave for him.

So they would use the second approach: being sold in.

It was simple—find the Black Market.

Lin Nuo was an expert at this, with various channels to locate the black merchants, so they just needed to find a seller to get them in.

The black merchants were more than willing since the more people they sold, the greater their profit.

First, they went to a clothing store to pick out some suitable clothes for the poor, needing to appear broke and concoct a story about selling themselves to bury their father.

For Lin Nuo, using the “sell myself to bury my father” excuse was perfect; after all, if it meant burying his old man, that was just fine.

Filial piety can really kill you!

Lin Nuo needed to select cheap, low-quality clothing, and that was good enough to go.

But upon entering the clothing store, Ling Meng’s eyes sparkled with excitement, awakening her shopping instinct. She wanted to try on that dress, those shoes, and even the lingerie.

This wasn’t too outrageous—after all, girls love shopping, and she had a natural urge to buy everything the moment she stepped into a store.

However, the ridiculous part was that she insisted Lin Nuo accompany her to the changing room to see how the styles looked on her.

“Have you lost your mind? How can I go with you to the changing room?”

“Why not? I asked the shopkeeper, and it’s allowed. Anyway, the lingerie is for Master to look at, so you have to choose carefully, it must match your aesthetic!”

“Listen to me, you look good in anything you wear, so there’s no need to try. Just buy what you want.”

“Really? Then I must let Master see! Or should Master wait until tonight?”

Ling Meng was completely unfiltered, saying whatever came to her mind, attracting strange looks from other patrons in the shop.

This couple really had no awareness at all, discussing such topics in public!

“Hurry up! Try it on and leave, don’t dawdle!”

Lin Nuo covered his face, utterly helpless. Bringing this female disciple out was a social death sentence in every way. And she didn’t even feel shy—a girl, talking about these things in public!

She had no concept of embarrassment; as long as I’m not awkward, the awkwardness is for others to deal with.

Reluctantly, Ling Meng stepped into the changing room, pondering that the lingerie she chose was quite pretty, and given her nice figure, she would look absolutely stunning in it.

Of course, one wanted to look, just not in the changing room!

That definitely wouldn’t do. If something startled her in the changing room, causing strange sounds, not to mention the embarrassment, she’d be famous—how would she be able to blend in at the front lines afterward?

A clandestine viewing later on would be better.

After they bought the clothes, they just needed to find a place to stash the gear before heading to the Black Market.

Those being sold couldn’t bring equipment. If you were going to the front lines, you had to comply with the Refining Demon Sect’s orders; the equipment would be distributed by them.

After all, they were going as laborers. If you showed up with your own equipment, they might think you were off to rob something—definitely not allowed.

Lightly equipped, they would await further orders.

Soon, they had their preparations made and went to find the black market dealer, negotiating a bit, appealing to their emotions and reasoning. Lin Nuo explained that his father had died tragically, and he was filial enough to sell himself to bury him.

Ling Meng was set as his “sister”; however, she thought it would be better to pretend to be a couple rather than siblings.

Playing husband and wife was problematic, as they’d need to elaborate on their backgrounds. Being siblings worked perfectly; they shared the same father, so who would suspect they had a father who died in the front lines?

After a bit of discussion, they moved forward. The black merchant was keen on making money, so they only needed to listen, having their reasons to secure acceptance from the Refining Demon Sect.

“Master, actually…”

“From now on, you should call me Brother; that’s the setup.”

“Then, as Brother, you mentioned you despise our uncle. I still want to know why…”

“When you have many half-siblings, and this father shows no care for you, distributing all resources to other children while only wanting to exploit your last bit of value, not caring whether you live or die, how could you feel any affection for him?”

“Hmm… I had no idea you… Brother, had such a sad past. So he must be a Demon Practitioner too, otherwise your Demon Power…”

“Not a Demon Practitioner. Let’s not discuss this matter.”

Lin Nuo cut off the topic. Now, they were following the black merchant to meet with the people from the Refining Demon Sect.

On the way, they could hear people in the streets talking about the Xuanyun Sect.

Rather than talking about the Xuanyun Sect, it was more about Lin Nuo.

He was someone capable, who had achieved many great deeds, now spoken of by many.

Some even exaggerated his exploits; the most outrageous were the storytellers, who fabricated detailed accounts of Lin Nuo’s achievements in public, performing several episodes with great passion.

Upon hearing the news about Lin Nuo, Ling Meng grew furious; she didn’t want to hear his name at all.

She had seen that portrait of Lin Nuo.

But that portrait was arranged by Lin Nuo himself, just a random portrait to confuse Ling Meng.

Coupled with his various exaggerations and efforts to mislead her, Ling Meng would never suspect that her master was Lin Nuo.

However, while in this little street, she accidentally discovered a shop selling paintings, featuring a portrait of Lin Nuo.

That portrait remarkably captured Lin Nuo’s true likeness, not some random depiction.

“Brother, look quickly!”

“What are you looking at?”

“That portrait looks like you! Hmm, just wait a moment.”

Ling Meng suddenly dashed into the painting shop, asking the shopkeeper:

“Boss, whose portrait is this?”

“Little girl, this is a portrait of Lin Nuo, the Knight! Want one? My prices are affordable; honest dealings!” the boss replied with a smile.