Chapter 29: The Dark Elf King

The intermittent drizzle soon ceased, leaving the damp ground reflecting pools of water. The dazzling, flickering neon sign atop the “Demon Empire” bar was mirrored in the puddles, trembling with eerie, irregular colors, resembling a fierce, demonic face baring its fangs.

Yixin strode toward the district ahead, her steps shattering the puddles beneath her feet. Her cool, upright figure was illuminated starkly under the neon lights. Two members of the security squad reached out to check if the rain had truly stopped, then wandered off in other directions, resuming their idle chatter about tomorrow’s weather and tales from faraway lands.

Shortly after Yixin passed, Black Feather appeared at the bar’s entrance, accompanied by Ling Xiao Tear and Divine Fruit.

“No training tonight! Your captain is taking you out for some fun at the bar!” Black Feather declared with bravado.

“You’re only back because you were afraid of the rain,” Ling Xiao Tear replied.

Divine Fruit, visiting the Holy City’s night market for the first time, was also making her debut at this bar. Her large, bright eyes blinked excitedly as she glanced left and right, hands clasped behind her back, heels lifting and dropping as she played back and forth in a shallow puddle, just waiting for Black Feather’s command to rush into the bar and explore.

Ling Xiao Tear studied the bar’s sign, analyzing, “I’ve heard of this place. It’s currently the hottest bar in the Holy City, all thanks to its monopoly on a potion concocted years ago by a junior alchemist. Many bars collaborate with local alchemists, mixing these potions into their drinks. Consuming them strengthens the body and refreshes the mind.”

“No wonder the drinks here taste better than anywhere else! And the owner is especially nice. I’ll introduce you both in a moment!” Black Feather said, ushering the girls inside, arms around them.

When night falls, a lively tide sweeps through the bar. Dim lighting, flashing dance lights, seductive music, and a smoky ambiance let patrons relax and succumb to intoxication.

Ever since the demonic invasion, conversations inevitably turned to the “demon clan.” Everyone, a little tipsy, engaged in spirited discussions.

“The demon clan has appeared—surely the Demon King can't be far behind! Isn’t he supposed to be resurrected?”

“This group is likely a vanguard scouting ahead; the main demon army will arrive soon!”

“What, are they here to serve as appetizers for our Red Flame City Lord?”

“Hahaha!” A round of laughter erupted.

“If Commander Lin’s hammer isn’t used soon, it’ll rust!”

Glasses clinked repeatedly as everyone laughed and joked, the atmosphere devoid of tension.

In a shadowy corner sat a man clad in a black mage’s robe, his face hidden beneath the hood attached to his cloak. Among the joyous drinkers, he alone seemed uncomfortable and tense, his rigid hands clutching his glass, listening warily to the drunken chatter around him.

A low, incessant buzzing haunted his mind, heightening his irritation. He frequently glanced toward the bar’s entrance, as if anticipating someone’s arrival.

This man was the very demon who had appeared above the Holy City that day.

Suddenly, the door was kicked open with a bang, letting in a gust of damp, chilly wind and rain. Black Feather swaggered inside, flanked by two petite girls.

“Owner! Bring out your finest drinks tonight—my treat!” Black Feather announced triumphantly.

Ling Xi raised his eyes slightly, offering a faint smile.

The patrons recognized Black Feather and called out approvingly, knocking on tables, “Ha! Someone’s treating—don’t mind if we do!”

The man in black, seeing the black-haired youth and the dragon girl enter, immediately turned away, guilty and anxious, staring only at the drink in his hands.

The trio settled at the bar. Black Feather, as was his habit, drummed on the counter and called out, “Boss Ling, you always mix the drinks yourself—even with business booming, you should hire a bartender.”

Boss Ling seemed to pursue perfection in everything; his meticulous attention to detail in mixing drinks made it evident. Despite the bar’s spacious two-story layout, he managed it all alone, an astonishing feat.

Soon, three special cocktails were placed before Black Feather and the two girls, with a cherry added to the ladies’ drinks.

“Please enjoy.”

“Oh…thank you.” Ling Xiao Tear glanced around, accepted her drink, and softly thanked him, then looked up to meet Ling Xi’s gaze.

Ling Xi stood behind the bar, tall and cold-faced, his posture elegant against the classic liquor cabinet, dark brown hair bathed in gentle light. His skin was pale as paper, his eyes glowing with a chilling, mysterious light.

Ling Xiao Tear’s eyes froze, her legs suddenly weighted as if filled with lead, wanting only to kneel with a thud.

“Your Majesty…”

Before she could speak, Ling Xi’s slender finger pressed gently to his lips.

“Hush.”

He gestured for silence, blinking softly.

Ling Xiao Tear’s face had turned ashen; she struggled to pull herself back onto her chair after her knees buckled and hit the floor.

“Are you alright?” Black Feather took a sip, casting a disdainful glance at Ling Xiao Tear on the ground, “Don’t tell me you get drunk just by smelling the booze? Pathetic.”

Ling Xiao Tear sat nervously, unable to hear anything else.

The voice in her heart nearly screamed—this Demon Empire bar’s owner was none other than the legendary missing “Dark Elf King,” the leader of the entire dark elf clan!

Though she had never seen the Dark Elf King herself, the overwhelming urge to kneel was proof enough. It was said the king of the dark elves was not chosen by his people, but bestowed by the heavens.

Every few millennia, a new Dark Elf King would appear, pale-skinned, possessing immense power and a lifespan far beyond a thousand years. Every dark elf could sense the unique, powerful “royal aura” from their king.

That aura compelled any dark elf to instinctively submit upon meeting him.

Few within the clan had ever seen their king in person, for the dark elves were rare, scattered, and notoriously elusive. Legend had it this Dark Elf King had cultivated for three thousand years.

Ling Xiao Tear dared not even use the Eye of Insight to probe the king’s fathomless aura, fearing she might be lost in it forever. Such a feeling was new to her—even with Dean Yun Lan or City Lord Yisheng, she had never experienced such presence.

She began to wonder just how powerful the Dark Elf King truly was.