Chapter 322 – Explanation

Chapter 322 - Explanation

Wen Ying was very pleased with his move to cut off the enemy's supply at the source. He felt delighted, that is, until he saw the financial report for the month.

The Devil Mirror also had a store in the Demon Realm Cultural Street, specializing in trading cards. It occupied several adjacent shops, making for a vast area. Each magical card had its own display cabinet, a luxurious arrangement.

Initially, Wen Ying expected to earn more money after the Cultural Street opened. To his surprise, the revenue from magic cards had decreased.

Jing Yuan placed a few thick books on Wen Ying's desk.

"What's this?" Wen Ying asked, puzzled, and then his eyelids twitched as he opened them.

They were all demon photo albums, featuring many different races.

"Who did this?" Wen Ying looked up, his gaze sharp.

"The Fairy Demon shop is selling them," Jing Yuan said. "By the way, their fortune-telling service has long queues every day. Many demons have been consigning their photo collections there for sale, and they're selling quite well."

Wen Ying quickly understood the situation. With his chin in his hand and his eyelids drooping, he realized that the Fairy Demon clan, who had secretly struck a deal with him, no longer feared falling behind in the new competition. Thus, they were willing to sell photo albums of other demon races.

"The demons in the photo collection aren't selling them in their own stores," Jing Yuan remarked.

Wen Ying curled his lips. "It's more about saving face. They might say that other demons are responsible; look at the bottom of these pictures—this one's from an event shoot, while those without labels seem to have been taken without the subject's knowledge."

Jing Yuan responded, "Our magic cards have been on sale for quite some time, so people might be tired of them and not as enthusiastic about buying. Should we consider updating them?"

"Updating ordinary images won't make much difference." He needed to support his subordinates, which was costly.

Leaning on his forearm on the desk, Wen Ying lowered his gaze in thought.

After a moment of contemplation, the memory of the Devil King hurriedly transferring the content from the Realm of Devils to Flower Country's platform flashed through his mind. Slowly straightening his body, his eyes gleamed mischievously.

"It's time to deceive my demon classmates again."

"You carry on with your work. I'll wait for him to come to me."

Nodding, Jing Yuan left the room and closed the door behind him. The instant the door shut, Wen Ying revealed a devilish grin, chuckling softly. It had been a while since he'd stirred up trouble, and the familiar sensation was exhilarating.

When Lan Jiaying saw the Devil King registering an account in Flower Country and promptly transferring the Realm of Devils' content, she felt sorry for the Devil King, sacrificing his pride as a king (Wen Ying believed the Devil King didn't possess the arrogance Lan Jiaying imagined).

The Demon King made such a great sacrifice for the Black Dragon Clan; he couldn't possibly remain inactive.

Wen Ying wasn't surprised at all when he received Lan Jiaying's call. Ever since Jing Yuan showed him the demonic photo album, he had been expecting it.

Wen Ying arranged to meet Lan Jiaying at his villa in Flaming Mountain.

It was a familiar place; they had last gathered materials for magic cards here.

In the living room, Wen Ying and Lan Jiaying sat down.

Wen Ying said, "Regarding the favor you want me to do, I have an idea."

Lan Jiaying didn't really want to see Wen Ying. Looking at his seemingly innocent and friendly smile, he instinctively wanted to throw a punch.

"What idea?"

Wen Ying smiled and replied, "Right now, everyone is giving their photo albums to the Demoness Fairies for sale. It's a level playing field. Nobody has an advantage."

Lan Jiaying forced a smile. "Aren't you already able to Photoshop images on the magic cards? You've even set up a factory production line. What else do you need my help with?"

"The images online are just ordinary," Wen Ying spread his hands. "I want to introduce a new series of magic cards that will make people go crazy and empty their wallets."

Lan Jiaying's expression became slightly wary.

With enthusiasm and exaggeration, Wen Ying said, "I thought of creating a card pool specifically for you. Imagine if many people buy your magic cards, it'll definitely attract a huge amount of favorability."

Lan Jiaying leaned slightly back in his chair.

"You want to do another eye-catching theme again?"

Wen Ying looked innocent and clear-eyed. "It's not something explicit or overly provocative."

Lan Jiaying was conflicted.

"It's not an 18+ thing, so what are you worried about?" Wen Ying tilted his head and smiled.

"Alright," Lan Jiaying paused, "but anything I dislike, we can't shoot."

"No problem at all."

Short video platforms had all sorts of male deity content. Wen Ying let Lan Jiaying choose himself. When Lan Jiaying saw the playlist that Wen Ying passed over, his face paled significantly.

The materials in the playlist were specially saved by Wen Ying beforehand.

"You don't have to do them all. Just pick one or two. For the rest, we can create different costumes and moods."

Wen Ying had prepared quite a number of magic card designs, both indoor and outdoor, ranging from sensuous to abstinent, without crossing the line into vulgarity.

Midway through, Lan Jiaying regretted asking for Wen Ying's help. He suspected that Wen Ying was up to something mischievous again, but the desire to assist the devil prevailed, forcing him to continue.

After gathering sufficient material, Wen Ying, with a hint of conscience, suggested to Lan Jiaying, "Why don't you open an account in Flower Country and post your daily photos? No need to say anything. Your status as a prince from the Realm of Devils and your appearance will definitely attract a lot of fans."

Lan Jiaying's expression dimmed, even his golden hair seemed less radiant.

"I hope these will be useful," Lan Jiaying said with a threatening tone, feeling tricked once again.

Otherwise...

Though he couldn't defeat them alone, there was always a chance in a group fight, right?

Unfazed by the threat, Wen Ying smiled warmly and replied, "It will be useful, having an account is definitely beneficial."

The following day, after Feng Luo's practical class, Wen Ying pulled the butterfly merman aside and repeated the plan he had discussed with Lan Jiaying, though he omitted mentioning the account.

—Everyone is using photo albums to increase human favorability, so I'll create a separate magic card pool for you, attracting additional attention and secretly absorbing human affection.

At this early stage of competition, the demons were highly motivated, and Phaëlis didn't hesitate for long before agreeing.

Similar scenarios unfolded with Scarlet, Lilith, and other demons.

As Lai Yehua's magic card had been well-received previously, and fallen angels were already a popular topic in the human world, Wen Ying approached him.

Lai Yehua's gaze was dark and brooding. After a long silence, he summoned his nephew Huiguo to his office, asking him to model for Wen Ying.

Huiguo wore an expression of disbelief.

"Uncle!"

Lai Yehua's purple eyes looked at him calmly, exerting a silent pressure on Huiguo.

Huiguo: "I see."

Wen Ying enjoys this domineering and forceful vibe, and he assumes everyone else does too. Inspired by Huiguo's reluctant expression, he creates a themed card pool centered around a pitiful and vulnerable style.

Wen Ying doesn't dare to approach Muershi, fearing that the latter might expose his scheme beforehand.

The Magic Mirror Devil's magic cards have been updated. Wen Ying doesn't advertise; instead, customers in the store discover it themselves. Upon seeing the new designs, they're instantly delighted like mice falling into a rice bin.

Upon closer inspection, they become even happier. They grab their phones to send messages to their friends.

News spreads rapidly, from one person to ten, then to hundreds. The images circulate widely, and soon, everyone is aware that the Magic Mirror Devil has released updated magic cards of exceptional quality! Many who see the pictures squeal with excitement.

The devils, both informed and uninformed, soon catch wind of the news. Those who had been deceived by Wen Ying can't help but show some degree of contorted expressions.

In his room, Lan Jiaying vents his anger by continuously slamming pillows. He knew it! Wen Ying was playing word games with him, only answering that "opening an account would be useful" without explicitly promising the effectiveness of the magic cards!

Muershi, realizing the situation belatedly, feels left out of Wen Ying's latest scheme and is filled with resentment.

Today, Wen Ying arrived at the Demon Academy, and he didn't even need to enter through the main gate – a horde of demons were already waiting for him right there.

It was quite a spectacle.

Before Wen Ying could get close, over a dozen different demonic auras swept past, flattening the surrounding greenery in their wake.

"Wh-ying!" Scarlet, with his fiery temper, couldn't control himself and charged forward, gritting his teeth.

Muershi stood aside, murmuring, "Wen Ying is participating in such an entertaining event, and he didn't even invite me."

He asked Boros, who was standing next to him, "Aren't you going to help him? They're fighting!"

Boros looked at the disaster zone that was the school entrance with unruffled composure. "It's not a big deal."

Muershi paused, his resentful gaze turning increasingly solemn.

Was Wen Ying's rate of advancement so terrifying?

As Muershi observed the melee, he found no trace of jest in the situation. He watched, unblinking, as Wen Ying was surrounded, yet he seemed completely unfazed, effortlessly handling the assault from Lan Jiaying and the others.

Many of them had already reached adulthood, and yet they were all defeated in a group brawl...

Muershi chuckled softly. "No wonder he dared to play such a high-stakes game." His laughter lacked his usual casual air, and his tone was significantly deeper.

"How could he lose so quickly...?"

"How is he so strong?!"

"Does an angel's power remain unweakened in the Demon Realm?"

"So many high-ranking demons actually lost..."

Lan Jiaying and a dozen other demons found it unbelievable as they were knocked down one by one by Wen Ying. The entrance of the academy was now adorned with petrified demons, leaving the onlooking demons struggling to believe what they had just witnessed.

Levimo was certain that he wasn't the only demon who, fueled by anger, had attempted to gauge Wen Ying's strength in the Demon Realm. However, he was stunned by the outcome of the brawl.

How was this possible?! Their attacks seemed like mere scratches on a boss's health bar in a video game, barely making a dent.

Wen Ying dusted off his hands and straightened his clothes.

Feng Luo happened to appear, saying, "No more fighting in front of the academy gates from now on."

Wen Ying wiped the blood off his face and said, "I'm a good student."

Feng Luo glanced at him but didn't comment.

Wen Ying rushed to the fallen young demons. Another battle seemed imminent, so he quickly declared, "I promise it won't happen again."

Huang Hua cursed, "You're hoping for another chance?!"

"I swear it won't," Wen Ying waved his hand.

"Alright then," Lilith flicked her hair. "I'll trust you for now."

Huang Hua turned his head, astonished that Lilith had given up so easily.

Seemingly casually, Lilith asked, "Speaking of which, you seem to know so much about those videos and images. Does Perseus know?"

Levimo chimed in, "He showed me an album on his phone with many pictures of humans who resemble Perseus, all dressed messily."

Wen Ying's expression froze slightly.

Other demons reacted, chiming in with vivid descriptions of what Wen Ying had said to them when he asked them to be models, as well as the videos and images he had shown them.

Wen Ying felt an unwavering, heavy gaze upon him, causing a chill to run through his limbs.

He slowly turned to look at Cerberus, the three-headed hellhound who was watching him with crossed arms, his gaze hardly friendly.

Wen Ying swallowed hard, forcing himself to speak, "Let me explain..." Damn, how did such an opening that would only further mislead the demons slip out?

So engrossed was he in the idea of selling magic cards to amass wealth and challenge the Demon King in a showdown that he had forgotten about this potential issue.