Chapter Eight: The Eyes Behind

In a bar, Prince Xuan was drinking at the counter. Quite a few handsome men came over to strike up a conversation, and even some girls tried their luck. What nonsense was this? Prince Xuan impatiently shooed them all away.

Just then, another magnetic voice drifted to Prince Xuan’s ears: “Hey there, pretty lady, mind if I join you for a drink?”

Prince Xuan waved his hand irritably. “Can’t you see I’m in a foul mood? Go away, stop bothering me. Honestly.”

The person who’d spoken turned and sat down beside Prince Xuan, then lazily drawled, “Waiting for that charming young man, are you? Not even a moment to spare for a drink with me?”

Prince Xuan suddenly looked up, exasperation written across her face. “Listen, Boss Lady, could you stop flirting with me all the time? Do you have some peculiar hobby or something? If so, I’d better keep my distance.”

She pushed her chair back a little, feigning fear.

The Underworld King replied, “Xuan, that’s not fair. I’m just trying to help you, what’s with this attitude?”

As she spoke, she reached out and touched Prince Xuan’s face, making Xuan shiver with disgust. Was it the wrong side of the bed today? Everything felt off. Before she could make sense of it, the Underworld King withdrew her hand, drained her glass, and stood up.

She turned her back to Prince Xuan and said, “Follow me.”

Prince Xuan was even more baffled, but she knew the Underworld King wouldn’t harm her. So she rose and followed. They wound their way through the bar to a quiet corner, then stepped into a swirl of black mist and vanished.

After they disappeared, a ripple disturbed the air a short distance behind them, and a figure appeared, a sinister smile on his face. Without lingering, he faded into the air once more.

It all happened silently, as if nothing had ever occurred.

In an office somewhere in the Underworld, the Underworld King lounged in a luxurious chair, her legs casually propped on the desk.

Prince Xuan asked, “Boss Lady, were you hinting for me not to take that chip? Why?”

The Underworld King replied, “I know you want to help Lin Xiaowan and her brother get revenge. There are rules in the Underworld: we can’t casually harm mortal lives. That’s why you want to use that chip. But do you realize how many people covet it in secret? How many are watching you? Everyone knows we’re close. If they catch you making a mistake, it’ll implicate me. It won’t affect me much—a few deaths, even if I act directly, so what? But have you considered the impact on the Underworld?”

Prince Xuan said, “So you’re saying punishing someone who’s done wrong is a mistake? I admit, she was my contractee. I have personal motives. Forget it, since I didn’t get the chip, I’ll think of another way. If there’s nothing else, I’ll be going.”

The Underworld King tossed something to Prince Xuan, who caught it. Opening her hand, she saw it was the chip. She glanced at the Underworld King, said nothing, and strode out.

Behind her, the Underworld King called, “Be more careful next time. And lately, Zhong Kui’s been acting strange. Keep an eye on him.”

After Prince Xuan left, the Underworld King muttered, “Could Zhong Kui have something going on with the Heavenly Court? Looks like it’s time to take action. This batch of subordinates is truly hard to manage.”