Chapter 99: Suppression

Chapter 99: Suppression

Lan Jiaying was the first to react. With his identity as the Second Prince of the Demon Realm, he might suffer more than the others if they were to stay. In Aruda's domain, the more precious the bloodline and status of a demon, the more "important" they would be treated.

"No need," Lan Jiaying politely declined, "I have a date with Lai Yehua tonight..."

"In that case, you should definitely stay for dinner," Wen Ying interrupted him.

If looks could kill, Lan Jiaying would have devoured Wen Ying with his gaze. His black eyes exuded a terrifying chill, yet the temperature around them rose, as if an invisible, scorching heat was closing in on Wen Ying.

Undaunted by Lan Jiaying's furious stare, Wen Ying said calmly, "Lai Yehua will be here tonight as well."

Of course, Lan Jiaying knew this – Lai Yehua had told him personally. He mentioned it only as an excuse to leave... How did Wen Ying know that Lai Yehua would be coming tonight? Did Aruda tell him? Curiosity piqued, Lan Jiaying wondered what business Lai Yehua had with Aruda.

With his excuse foiled, Lan Jiaying couldn't reasonably request to leave. A faint cloud of distress shadowed his usually proud and arrogant face as he glared at Wen Ying, contemplating how to retaliate.

Wu Shaluo spoke up, "Lord Aruda, my family has prepared a medicinal feast with premium magical beast meat..."

Aruda chuckled, "I've also prepared a medicinal feast, using premium magical plants and meats. Today, the Blood Luo Flower fruit I cultivated has ripened. You're very lucky."

Wu Shaluo: "…"

Aluda's fearsome reputation was known to virtually every demon in the Demon Realm – he was the cure for children's nightmares. The other three demons, Yan Kuo from the Giant Demon Clan, Weiyun the Dragon-Snake, and Bingge the Snow Demon, all wore strained expressions. Behind their polite facades, they secretly yearned to flee.

With even blood-restoring medicinal dishes prepared, how could they not understand that today was a trap? Wen Ying had deceived them. The trio of demons turned to glare at him with resentment and fury.

Wen Ying said, "I didn't lie to you. This morning, on my way to the academy, I did sense an extremist demon stalking me."

None of them believed him.

Perseus had visited more often than they had, so he was familiar with the routine. He walked in calmly, heading towards the castle that loomed like a giant beast's maw, backlit by the setting sun.

Wen Ying followed him. Aluda glanced at the five young demons still standing outside the iron gates of the castle. They were reluctantly forced to follow.

Fixing his gaze on the damned Mirror Demon before him, Wu Shaluo never would have imagined that Wen Ying had lured them here as materials.

Perseus stepped through the castle doors and into the living room. Taking advantage of the time it would take for the other demons to arrive, he asked Wen Ying, "What are you up to this time?"

It was unusual for Aluda to summon demons to his home for ingredients. The sudden disruption to the peace was likely due to Wen Ying.

Wen Ying leaned against the door with a smile, asking, "Why are you so sure that it's what I want to do, and not what my great-grandmother wants?"

Aluda was right outside. Facing Belos, Wen Ying didn't have to be on guard, ready to run or throw a poison potion at any moment. His entire being exuded ease.

"Alright, now I'm certain," Belos said, a stark contrast to his aggressive demeanor from yesterday. He seemed calm, having just recalled something. When he came to the castle to find Wen Ying previously, the latter had been boiled in a pot by Aluda. What did Aluda and Wen Ying plan to do with their ingredients this time?

As they spoke, the demons outside had already entered. The closer they got to the castle, the clearer their past experiences here became, making their expressions even stiffer and more unnatural.

Wen Ying approached Wu Shaluo and kindly offered him a tissue to wipe his forehead, asking with concern as he wiped, "It's not hot today. Why are you sweating?"

Wu Shaluo: "..." He fiercely swatted away Wen Ying's hand.

Seeing his hand slapped away, Wen Ying didn't mind. Instead, the curve of his lips widened. He tossed the tissue into the trash can nearby and observed Wu Shaluo, who didn't dare to speak as usual. This young Scarlet Crow demon couldn't put up his usual arrogance. The hidden fear made him seem somewhat pitiable. The devilish, nonchalant heir was now very obedient and quiet.

To be honest, Wen Ying didn't quite understand why they were so terrified of Aluda. Even if Aluda's cooking process was horrifying, his ingredients were startling, and his methods for helping demons grow were painful, it wasn't enough to make an arrogant Scarlet Crow as docile as a chicken.

Taking materials from their bodies wouldn't endanger their lives. The most commonly used ingredient in magic potions was blood. Wen Ying hadn't been spared from blood donations at hospitals in the human world, and he wasn't afraid. Why would a demon be scared of having blood drawn?

Had he not seen the truly terrifying side of Aluda? Wen Ying wondered privately. He raised his hand and touched Wu Shaluo's head. The latter merely shot fire from his eyes but dared not say a harsh word.

When Muershi had visited last time, Aruda seemed to have done something that frightened him. Wen Ying had been sent away then, so he wondered if he should secretly observe tonight?

Aruda told them, "Sit here for a while. I'll go prepare dinner." With that, she slowly walked towards the kitchen and closed the door.

Only after Aruda left did the air in the room seem to come alive and stir.

Wu Shaluo made sure the kitchen door was shut before turning to stretch his limbs, looking at Wen Ying with a sinister glint in his eye. "You dared to touch my head."

Lan Jiaying also took a few steps towards Wen Ying. Yan Kuo, Bing Ge, and Weiyun, standing nearby, tacitly approached Wen Ying as well, forming an implicit circle around him. The tension was palpable.

Perseus felt a sense of déjà vu. Standing outside the circle, he pondered for a moment before reluctantly saying, "I advise you not to lay a hand on him."

Lan Jiaying looked at Perseus, who spoke with a refined yet sarcastic tone. "As a top-tier Devil from the Realm of Devils, a Cerberus no less, do you really have feelings for a Demon Mirror?"

Perseus pulled the corners of his mouth, casting a glance at Wen Ying. The latter smiled slightly, looking delicate and weak compared to these devils. His smile was somewhat endearing. He sat down on the armrest of a sofa beside him and called out towards the kitchen, "Grandma, what's for dinner tonight?"

The expressions of Lan Jiaying and the other four demons subtly changed.

From inside the kitchen, Aruda's gentle voice responded, listing the dishes for the evening meal to Wen Ying.

Boros glanced at Lan Jiaying with a mocking tone, "Go ahead and do it."

Wu Shaluo looked peculiar, "Your Highness, he might have made a move on Wen Ying before here."

Lan Jiaying snorted coldly, suppressing the urge to lay a hand on Wen Ying for the time being.

Wen Ying pointed upwards, "Do you want to explore the second floor?"

Yan Kuo immediately responded, "How could we possibly go up there?"

Wen Ying shrugged and led Beros up the stairs.

Watching their departing figures, Wu Shaluo whispered to Lan Jiaying, "Your Highness, do you think Wen Ying will trick Beros?"

Perhaps going to the second floor was a better option? But what he had once witnessed on that floor still made him hesitant to set foot there.

As Wen Ying pulled Beros to the second floor, Beros maintained an air of nonchalance throughout. His demeanor made Wen Ying feel as if he hadn't taken him on a two-day tour of the Human Realm over the weekend.

Entering his room, Wen Ying closed the door behind them. In that instant, Beros instinctively stepped back to the window, vigilantly watching Wen Ying as he turned around.

Wen Ying was taken aback. It was rare to see Beros so extremely cautious towards him in the demon world in his human form. This feeling... It was like an ultimate thrill that made every pore on his body tingle with excitement.