Heikou (Black Dragon Mouth)
Heicheng (Black Dragon City)
Censorate (Supervisory Court)
Yuling City (Jade City)
Jingui Town (Golden Turtle Town)
Xuanwu City (Black tortoise City)
...
The caravan leader with the most authority spoke up: "Since we're already here, everyone better put on a smile. Do you expect to find anything worthwhile in Black Dragon City?!"
Their annual visits to Black Dragon City were merely a formality—a way to curry favor with the Demon King of the Black Dragon tribe by "gifting" low-quality grain and subpar pelts at bargain prices. This was an unspoken rule among mid-sized and large caravans.
No one could predict when danger might strike. Owing a favor to the most powerful Demon King was like purchasing an insurance policy for themselves.
This was why caravans still visited Black Dragon City every year despite its poverty. Many treated it as a pit stop to reorganize supplies and rest.
Though poor and backward, at least it was the coolest place in the demon realm during summer.
As the city gates slowly creaked open, the merchants remained oblivious to the changes.
But when the gates fully parted, the chattering foreign traders' eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets.
Melon Cap: "This... this must be an illusion!"
Floral Shirt rubbed his eyes in disbelief: "No illusion—did we take a wrong turn?!"
The wide, straight streets and neatly aligned houses were more impressive than even the Black Tortoise City! Was this the same shabby, dilapidated Black Dragon City they remembered?!
Melon Cap cautiously extended a foot to tap the ground. "It's not water—the ground is solid."
The road was impossibly smooth. They couldn't even identify the material, initially mistaking it for a water surface.
The streets were nearly empty. Today was the movie premiere—a film rumored to feature the two Guardian Lords—so almost every household had flocked to the square.
Floral Shirt dropped to his knees, licking the asphalt before gnawing on it. "Bitter... numbs the tongue. And indestructible."
The group exchanged bewildered glances.
Leader: "Let's head in first. Find lodging—same as last time, west district."
Their previous visit had been to the west district. The main entrance was south, while the mines were north, accessible via the northern gate.
The palace faced the southern city wall, but its sprawling grounds placed the living quarters far from the main hall, so the central gate was rarely used.
Yin Ji Xue usually entered and exited through the palace's side gate—the shortest route. This side gate faced the northern city wall, near the school.
Melon Cap rubbed his arms. "Why are there so few demons out? It's creeping me out."
Floral Shirt: "They probably share one pelt per family to stay warm. You expect crowds?"
Yet everyone was curious—how had Black Dragon City transformed so drastically since last year?
This convinced them that the glass had to originate here.
The leader remarked coolly, "Their buildings are oddly sturdy—more solid than our Black Tortoise stone houses."
Scarface: "No way. Our structures are the toughest in the demon realm—they withstand beast tides!"
Floral Shirt moved to bite a nearby house, but the leader slapped the wall instead. The building didn't budge.
"Hey! What are you lot skulking around my home for?!" A local demon, already upset after the movie (his idol Teng She's image had shattered like a fan's broken heart), glared at them.
"We're the Black Tortoise Four Directions caravan. First visit this year."
The demon scrutinized their flamboyant pelts before recognizing them. "Just arrived? We've got two inns now—Chrysanthemum and Wanderer's. Turn ahead for signs."
Before Melon Cap could ask more, three drumbeats echoed from the city walls.
The demon paled. "Crap—late for class!" He dashed inside, locked up, and sprinted off clutching something.
The whole sequence happened too fast for the merchants to see what he'd been holding.
Scarface hesitated. "Should we follow?"
No objections meant yes.
Floral Shirt suddenly gasped. "When did that giant building go up?!"
The group turned to see an imposing new structure radiating authority.
Leader: "Rumor says the Black Dragon King married a human princess. Probably her residence."
Melon Cap blurted, "Why not live in the palace? She's the Queen, right?"
Floral Shirt smacked his head. "We're demons. You think she'll live a hundred years?"
Melon Cap pouted. "Still, why waste such a big place on her?"
Leader: "Let's check it out."
As they neared the building, they encountered more locals.
But unlike before, these demons barely glanced at them before hurrying away.
Melon Cap was baffled. "They... they're not excited to see us?!"
They were food suppliers! Previously, locals would line the streets, begging them to stay longer. Now? Indifference.
The leader squinted ahead. With his sharp vision, he could read the massive stone plaque 500 meters away: Supervision Bureau. The entire building had glass windows.
He sighed. "The glass is here. But they look half-dead—probably starving or facing some crisis."
Melon Cap huffed. "Still no excuse to ignore us!"
Floral Shirt's eyes gleamed. "Which means we can trade grain for all their glass. They're desperate—they'll beg us to take it."
Scarface nodded. "And paper too. Both appeared together—we're taking everything."
The leader assigned tasks: "Find lodging first. Second, Third, and Fourth Brothers—gather intel with me. Fifth and Sixth—scout the city."
They couldn't drag 200 people into negotiations.
By the time Yin Ji Xue got the report, the caravan had split between Chrysanthemum Inn and Wanderer's Inn—just barely accommodating their 100+ members.
Melon Cap was ecstatic. "Big Bro, it's glass!" He plastered himself against a window, kissing and rubbing the pane like he wanted to dismantle it.
Scarface marveled. "This inn looks plain but hides luxuries."
Floral Shirt eyed the proprietress. "We underestimated that demoness with the kid. Should we ask if she'll sell these?"
The leader raised a hand. "No. If she installed glass, pelts won't tempt her. Better have her introduce us to the glass merchants—we'll compensate her."
Yin Ji Xue's informant was Chrysanthemum (the innkeeper), who pretended to cooperate while sending her son to the palace secretly.
She dispatched Ruo Shui to escort the child home disguised as a neighbor: "Let her make the introduction. The glass factory has my instructions."
Then she patted Little Bao's head. A one-year-old demon kid can already sprint from home to the palace? Their genetics are insane.