After Crossdressing and Provoking Long AoTian

The black-robed old man had already tucked the golden beetle that had guided them here into his sleeve. Canglang ignored everything he said and merely urged, “Open the door.”

“No need to rush. You arrived far too early.” The black-robed old man remained seated before the hollow tree, not moving an inch. His gaze swept over the people behind Canglang, and he suddenly smiled with malicious intent. “How about this, little bird? Give me one of them to eat, and I’ll tell you what treasures they’ve brought out to anchor today’s auction. That way, you won’t spend all your spirit stones on the earlier lots.”

Canglang narrowed his eyes. “Hmph.”

“You think you’re worthy of bargaining with me?”

“Heh.” The black-robed old man acted as though he had not heard the refusal. His gaze traveled over the figures before him, and one black fingertip pointed toward Yu Qingtang. “I’ll take that one. He looks the most tender and delicate...”

Yu Qingtang’s heart gave a thump.

Before the old man had even finished speaking, the two people flanking Yu Qingtang—Chi Yantian on his left and Ye Chenyan on his right—shot forward. Each threw a punch, hammering the old man straight into the hollow tree.

“Ai.” Unable to bear watching, Yu Qingtang turned his head aside.

“Excellent eye.” Scholar Xiao smiled as he waved his fan. “Terrible luck.”

“You people!” Canglang frowned and sighed. “You truly have no patience.”

“Forget it.” He folded his arms. “Since you’ve already attacked him, you might as well finish the job cleanly. Just—”

“Wait!” The black-robed old man paled in alarm. “I was only testing your strength! Youngsters these days—”

Another fist struck him. He immediately changed his tune. “I was wrong! Young masters, I was wrong!”

Yu Qingtang hesitated, but ultimately could not resist quietly asking Canglang, “When you demonfolk talk about ‘the strong preying on the weak,’ is that just a flattering way of saying you’re all very good at begging for mercy?”

Canglang fell silent.

“Survival in Great Wilderness Mountain is difficult.” His expression remained taut and solemn, his manner filled with righteous dignity. “If begging and currying favor are enough to save one’s life, then for most demonfolk, it is no different from severing one’s tail to survive.”

Scholar Xiao translated for him. “That means yes.”

“Why are we even listening to him?” Chi Yantian had yet to satisfy his urge to beat the old man. “Just look at that face. He’s obviously a man-eating demon!”

“I’ve been falsely accused!” the black-robed old man cried. “I only wanted to look intimidating! I’ve never eaten a human in my life!”

“Only great demons get the chance to eat humans in Great Wilderness Mountain! I’m nothing but a gatekeeper. I’m hardly qualified!”

Ye Chenyan grabbed him by the hair, hood and all, and hauled him upright. He remained unmoved by the old man’s cries of “Gently, gently!” as he asked, “Who is behind this auction?”

“Shh!” The black-robed old man hurriedly gestured for him to lower his voice. “Boy, you may be young and hot-blooded, but don’t imagine your paltry cultivation is enough to let you run rampant through Great Wilderness Mountain!”

His tone turned threatening. “Anyone capable of holding an auction on this scale in a lawless region like this must have a Demon King behind them. Do you truly dare meddle in the affairs of someone so powerful?”

Ye Chenyan leveled the tip of his spear at him. “There isn’t much I don’t dare do.”

“Hiss—” The black-robed old man leaned back from the spearpoint. “I’ve seen plenty of suicidal fools. They never survive long in Great Wilderness Mountain!”

“It isn’t that I refuse to tell you. I already said I’m only the gatekeeper. How could I possibly know which great figure is behind all this?”

“At most, I can tell you what’s being auctioned today so you can prepare in advance...”

Chi Yantian’s interest was immediately piqued. “So it’s a real auction? Do they have any precious ores?”

“They do!” Seeing that they wanted something from him, the black-robed old man finally breathed a sigh of relief. “Of course they have precious ores! There’s Heaven-Tempered Yellow Crystal, a rarity even here in Great Wilderness Mountain, as well as Dragonbone Jade, supposedly left behind by that old dragon before he died centuries ago!”

He sighed with feeling, sounding like a talkative relative passing judgment on another family’s affairs. “The dragon lineage was so powerful back then, but now even they’ve fallen into decline. The auction may keep the seller’s identity secret, but everyone knows that only direct descendants of the lineage could possibly obtain Dragonbone Jade. In my opinion, that little dragon is preparing to squander the last of his family fortune...”

“You talk too much.” Displeasure showed on Canglang’s face. “Aside from precious ores, is there anything unusual?”

The black-robed old man looked puzzled. “What do you mean by unusual?”

An unreadable emotion flickered through Canglang’s eyes. “Cultivators. Mortals.”

“So many mortals have entered Great Wilderness Mountain lately. Don’t tell me you haven’t captured a few.”

“Well...” The black-robed old man’s eyes darted around before he chuckled. “As I said, if anyone really is eating them, they’ve most likely ended up in the bellies of great demons. There wouldn’t be any left for me—or for you.”

“However, if you truly want to eat humans, I could point you in the right direction. I heard that several centuries ago, the Goshawk clan still had the Heaven-Rending Eagle King. Why not invoke your ancestor’s name and attend the Mountain-Shaking Ape King’s funeral feast? Perhaps they’ll roast a couple of humans to entertain an honored guest.”

“Enough nonsense.” Killing intent rose in Canglang’s eyes. “The Mountain-Shaking Ape King was famously friendly toward humans. If you intend to divert suspicion elsewhere, you should at least choose a plausible target!”

“Attack!”

They had not known one another for long, but their coordination was remarkably smooth. Together, they knocked the black-robed old man unconscious.

Only after striking him did Chi Yantian remember something. “Wasn’t he supposed to open the door for us? What do we do now that he’s unconscious?”

“I’ll do it.” Ye Chenyan walked up to the hollow tree. A totem of a nine-headed tiger flashed behind him. He formed a seal with his hands, and ripples spread through the hollow as an illusory doorway slowly opened.

Canglang’s expression shook. “A demon-race totem! That form... the Kaiming Beast!”

Yu Qingtang asked curiously, “You can recognize demon-race totems?”

“Hmph.” Canglang withdrew his gaze and resumed his usual aloof demeanor. “The demon race’s totems were derived from ancient demonic beasts in the first place. What is so strange about me recognizing one?”

“Oh—” Yu Qingtang turned curiously toward Ye Chenyan. “Is there a Goshawk totem?”

Ye Chenyan raised an eyebrow. “No.”

Canglang lifted his chin. “As though I care.”

“Oh, stop arguing!” Chi Yantian waved a hand. “The door is open. Hurry inside!”

“Wait.” Scholar Xiao smiled and pointed at the unconscious black-robed old man. “Leaving him lying at the entrance would hardly be appropriate. Why don’t we hide him? That way—”

His smile grew even more amiable.

“Anyone arriving later will assume they have the wrong location. With a little luck, we may have the entire auction to ourselves. Brother Chi might even secure the Dragonbone Jade and Heaven-Tempered Yellow Crystal without difficulty.”

“Great idea!” Chi Yantian immediately hoisted the old man onto his shoulder and asked enthusiastically, “Where should we hide him?”

Yu Qingtang looked expectantly at Canglang. “Do you know how to build a bird’s nest?”

To their surprise, Canglang’s face reddened slightly. “Of course I do!”

His eyes shifted uneasily. “If I didn’t know how to build a nest, would I expect my future wife to do all the work?”

“Then build one now and show us what you can do.” Chi Yantian eagerly pulled a fur-collared coat from his storage ring. “Need any feathers?”

Canglang: “...”

He remained rooted to the spot.

“Maybe we should forget it.” Yu Qingtang spoke considerately. “He said he plans to build a nest once he takes a wife. Making the first nest he ever builds for an old man like this does seem a little cruel...”

“Who cares about that?” Canglang’s eyes widened. “I merely think building a temporary nest would be too—too inefficient!”

Yu Qingtang patted him on the shoulder. “Why don’t you see whether there are any large birds’ nests nearby and leave him in someone else’s home?”

Canglang: “...You humans truly are full of devious schemes.”

“You flatter me.” Yu Qingtang lowered his head modestly.

“Wait here.” Canglang did not waste any more time. He retrieved the golden beetle from the black-robed old man’s sleeve, extended his eagle talons, and seized the man before taking to the air. He soon returned empty-clawed.

“I saw people approaching from behind.” He descended rapidly. “They may be other guests.”

“Get inside!”

With Ye Chenyan leading the way, the group quickly entered the auction house.

“Welcome, honored guests.” A sweet, charming female voice greeted them. Beside the door stood a beautiful rabbit demon with a pair of rabbit ears. She obediently held out one hand. “Please give me the plaque bearing your private-room number.”

Everyone froze—they knew nothing about any private-room number.

“We don’t know anything about a private-room number,” Canglang suddenly said. With a stern expression, he gave a cold snort. “There wasn’t even anyone at the entrance to receive us. We had to find our own way inside!”

“Oh!” The rabbit demon took a step back. Her round eyes opened wide, making her look innocent and pitiful. “How could that have happened...”

She quickly glanced behind her. “Please wait here, honored guests. I’ll send someone to look into it!”

She sped away, moving with astonishing swiftness.

A short while later, she returned with a platter of fruit and an apologetic expression. “I am terribly sorry. The attendant stationed at the entrance has disappeared. It was our failure to neglect our honored guests.”

“May I see your guide?”

Canglang tossed her the golden beetle. The rabbit demon breathed a sigh of relief, and her smile grew even sweeter. “You are indeed honored guests. Please follow me to a Heaven-class private room.”

“Hmph.” Canglang looked disdainful. “All of this was copied from the human race.”

The rabbit demon gave a soft laugh. “You are quite right, honored guest. Humans delight in dividing people into ranks and classes, yet every one of them dreams of standing above the rest.”

“Everyone who comes here is an honored guest. In my eyes, at least, each of you is a magnificent, handsome demon among demons...”

Her gaze flowed alluringly, her eyes seductive. Canglang’s heart actually fluttered for a moment.

Yu Qingtang: “...Ahem.”

Only then did Canglang turn his head away with a solemn expression.

After leading them into the private room, the rabbit demon set down the fruit platter. She even deliberately brushed her hand against Canglang’s before bowing and slowly retreating from the room.

Canglang maintained a calm and dignified air, as though he had not been affected in the slightest.

Pinching his throat, Yu Qingtang imitated her voice. “Honored guest~”

Chi Yantian burst out laughing and joined in. His naturally deep, rough voice made the attempt sound even more affected. “Magnificent and handsome~”

“You!” Canglang snapped angrily. “You’re jealous because she only showed favor to one of the demonfolk!”

“Not in the slightest.” Chi Yantian scoffed. “You’re the one putting on an act. You couldn’t withstand even the slightest temptation...”

Scholar Xiao shook his head in amusement and crooked a finger at them. In a deeply instructive tone, he said, “Today, I shall show you all what it means to have one face in public and another in private.”

He raised his hand, revealing a round pearl. “When we entered, I left another Heavenly Eye Pearl near the entrance. It happens to give us a clear view of what they are doing.”

Everyone gathered around curiously.

The image spun wildly. It appeared that the Heavenly Eye Pearl outside was searching for a suitable angle. At last, it concealed itself beneath a cabinet and captured the rabbit demon from moments ago within its view.

The rabbit demon, who had seemed delicate and seductive only moments earlier, now wore an entirely different expression. Every trace of softness had vanished, replaced by vicious severity. “Where is that idiot Second Stone? Have you found him yet?”

“That hairless, scaly crawler was useless after all. Find him, skin him, and make his hide into scale armor for me!”

“Yes!” The guard before him did not dare raise his head. He merely said in a low voice, “Brother Xue, those people just now seemed to be humans... Did they open the door and enter by themselves?”

The rabbit demon narrowed his eyes. “Their origins are unclear. Don’t provoke them yet.”

After a pause, he changed his mind. “No. Bring me two jugs of wine. I’ll personally deliver them in a moment.”

He gave a low laugh, once again appearing flirtatious and alluring. “Add something to the wine. A little coaxing, and they’ll tell me everything.”

Yu Qingtang’s mouth fell open in shock. “...That voice?”

Chi Yantian was equally stunned. “...Brother Xue?”

Ye Chenyan’s gaze slowly shifted toward Yu Qingtang’s face. “This seems familiar.”

Yu Qingtang immediately defended himself. “I wasn’t like that!”

Ye Chenyan muttered, “It wouldn’t be so bad...”

Yu Qingtang eyed him warily. “Hm?”

Only then did Canglang fully comprehend what had happened. His eyes widened slightly. “A male rabbit?”

Yu Qingtang patted his shoulder consolingly. “Well, you know what they say: when two rabbits run side by side, who can tell the doe from the buck?”

“Everyone was fooled. It wasn’t your fault.”

Scholar Xiao had already taken out his book again and was writing furiously. His smile came entirely from the heart. “Nanzhou truly is my land of good fortune.”

A knock sounded at the door. The rabbit demon’s voice came from outside, soft and alluring. “Honored guests, pardon the interruption.”

Scholar Xiao’s expression sharpened. In a low voice, he said, “Turn his scheme against him.”

Everyone immediately scattered and took their seats, pretending they knew nothing.

Yu Qingtang curiously stole a glance at the rabbit demon’s chest—the breasts looked far more convincing than his own had back then.

The rabbit demon noticed his gaze and suddenly turned toward him. With a dazzling smile, he bent down to set a wine cup beside Yu Qingtang, deliberately brushing his full breasts against Yu Qingtang’s hand. Leaning intimately beside his ear, he murmured, “Do you like them, honored guest?”

Thinking quickly, Yu Qingtang let out a loud “Achoo!” and covered his nose. “Sorry. I’m allergic to fur.”

He immediately pointed at Canglang, diverting the danger elsewhere. “Pour for him! Fill his cup to the brim!”

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