Chapter 6: Black Stone City (4)
==============================
The tavern’s lighting was not particularly bright, with the main sources being the torches jutting out from the walls and oil lamps scattered here and there.
But this created a hazy, dreamlike atmosphere; sipping a couple of mugs of barley beer from the Demon Realm, especially with some ice, was indeed the most delightful thing one could do under such conditions.
Xi had his arm wrapped around a Monster Race girl’s waist and ordered her a cocktail adorned with flower petals.
The girl, already a bit dazed from the alcohol, was further enchanted by Xi’s good looks; a few whispery words from him had her melting into his embrace.
The girl giggled, “Won’t your companion mind?”
“Of course not! Once you’re in a tavern, it’s all about skills! If I get to meet someone as beautiful as Adeline, that’s just pure luck on my part!”
Adeline chuckled, wrapping her arms around his neck.
They were close, like a pair of lovey-dovey couples reunited after a long absence, ready to ignite some serious sparks.
Meanwhile, Lin Nan, who was sitting calmly listening to a harp performance, was being harassed by a Monster Race man.
“Esteemed Monster Race lady, my name is Morris. May I know your name?”
“Lin Nan.”
Perhaps accustomed to being distant, it took Lin Nan a moment to realize that she should portray a more open and cheerful image, otherwise how could she possibly be flirting around with Xi?
“The drinks here in the Demon tavern are incredible, especially this instrument! Oh my, I never would have imagined just a few simple strings could create such beautiful music!”
Morris, dressed in an elegant black robe, smiled.
“Lady Lin, what you don’t know is that this is a unique instrument of our Demon Race, called a harp. Only noble women are qualified to learn how to play it, and the performer you see on stage is the renowned harpist from our race, Trissa.”
“I see.”
As Lin Nan nodded slightly, she glanced at the stage where a blonde woman in a flowing white gown was playing. Her outfit, reminiscent of ancient Greece with one shoulder exposed, made Lin Nan do a double-take, momentarily thinking a goddess from Greek mythology had wandered into the tavern.
Of course, that was impossible.
After all, they weren’t in the same world; it was just a matter of having a somewhat similar aura.
Morris handed Lin Nan a ceramic cup filled with a brown liquid. “Give our barley beer a try; you might enjoy the tavern life among the Demon Race even more.”
Lin Nan took the cup, which might as well have been half a beer bottle, and brought it close to her nose. The rich scent of barley wafted up.
“I’m delighted to meet such a charming lady as yourself. Cheers!”
Morris downed it in one go.
His cheeks instantly flushed, but the color quickly faded, as if by some magical Demon skill; the alcohol simply passed through him and vanished without a trace.
Lin Nan thought for a moment; to gain his trust, it looked like she had to down this drink.
She raised her head too, downing the barley beer with a “glug glug.”
It tasted similar to beer but was more bitter, with a bit of a spicy kick for a first-timer.
Morris clapped his hands. “Not bad! It’s my first time seeing an outsider drink such a big mug so quickly. No wonder that brother brought you to the Demon tavern; he must have appreciated your spirited nature!”
Lin Nan smiled slightly.
In her past life, she could down five bottles of beer without even batting an eye; what was a little strong barley beer now? She didn’t feel a thing.
Morris continued to ramble, “Speaking of which, I’ve visited both the Human and Monster territories. Especially the Humans, whether cultivators or commoners, they’re mostly ignorant and refuse to accept our advanced living concepts, clinging to outdated ideas passed down by their ancestors, completely clueless about change and how to adapt to new things.
As for the Monster Race, somehow they’ve developed an interest in the backward Humans, while keeping their distance from our great Demon Race. Tsk tsk tsk, even though there was a Monster King four hundred years ago, they’ve fallen to such a state because they refuse to learn from us and prefer to embrace ignorance.
But it’s not too late for a change.
Do you know why we’re here in Black Stone City?
The lord of Black Stone City has finally come to his senses; instead of seeking protection from Humans, he might as well directly ask for our help.
This continent will eventually belong to the Demon Race.
Of course, for a beautiful lady like you, your charm and looks have already transcended race.
Even among the Demons, we wouldn’t overlook your elegance. If possible, after the tavern closes, would you consider visiting my humble abode?
Though it may fall short compared to my castle in the Demon realm, it is the most luxurious room available in Black Stone City.”
Morris shrugged, sporting a somewhat arrogant smile.
As if he was absolutely certain Lin Nan would never decline his invitation.
But Lin Nan, after tuning out the monotony of his high-handed remarks, couldn’t be bothered to keep engaging in chit-chat with him.
His tone made it sound like he was the leader around here.
Why not just grab him and give him a good questioning? Who knows what useful info they might squeeze out of him.
On the other side, Xi was swaying with Adeline in the tavern’s center, dancing gracefully along with the harp music.
However, his gaze would occasionally sweep over Lin Nan, having already noticed Morris’s presence.
“Oh great, that j*rk is trying to hit on my master,” Xi whispered to Adeline, gesturing towards Morris’s back.
Adeline just glanced once before turning her attention back, snuggling against his broad chest, and whispered, “Why do you care? He has nothing to do with you.”
“Of course! I just don’t want my naive partner to be easily deceived by some guy.”
“Naive?” Adeline burst into soft laughter,
“Well, can I interpret that as a sign of jealousy on your part?”
“But I recommend you stay away from him; he happens to be our leader, Count Morris.”
“A count?”
Xi exclaimed, surprised. He certainly didn’t expect to encounter a Demon Count so far from the Demon Territory; it was indeed a shock.
Adeline, however, mistook Xi’s surprise about Morris’s noble status as him feeling pressure.
He must either have a low rank or hail from a family with noble titles but are now in decline. Regardless, in front of the illustrious Morris, this mysterious fellow from their own race clearly couldn’t compare.
“Xi, you don’t need to worry; that guy is more likely to be a lecher than anything else.
Besides, you have me, right?”
