Chapter Thirty: The Mysterious Visitor

“Oh, let me make the introductions,” said Blackfeather, eager to ease the awkwardness. “This is Ling Xi, the proprietor of the Demon Edge Empire Tavern—we all just call him Boss Ling.” He clapped Ling Xiaolei on the shoulder. “And this gloomy one here is Ling Xiaolei, a friend of mine. If you ever need to run a tab at the tavern, just put it on my account! The drinks here are the finest in the Holy City—they’ll give your magic a real boost!”

Ling Xiaolei nodded, so nervous she didn’t even rebut being called “the gloomy one.” Hesitantly, she lifted her gaze, sneaking a look at the Dark Elf King before her. She thought, How could this be an old monster with three thousand years of cultivation? He’s clearly a young, handsome man!

Ling Xi, hands sheathed in white gloves, was deftly polishing a superb wine glass. His eyes landed on Ling Xiaolei’s forehead. Suddenly, he reached out, swept aside the fringe that veiled her brow, and revealed a teardrop-shaped birthmark hidden beneath.

The abrupt gesture startled Ling Xiaolei. Yet what shocked her even more was the way Ling Xi’s eyes seemed to pierce all veils—before him, no secret could hide. Ling Xiaolei had kept her bangs thick for the sole purpose of hiding this mark; even those closest to her had never noticed it.

“Chosen Daughter,” Ling Xi remarked with careful indifference, withdrawing his hand and deftly changing the subject. “I didn’t expect to encounter a Dark Elf here—Holy City truly is extraordinary.” His eyes curved into crescents as he spoke, yet his expression remained icy.

Ling Xiaolei pressed her hand to her brow in a daze. She had no idea what “Chosen Daughter” meant.

“In the future, don’t stand on ceremony here—just call me Boss Ling, like everyone else,” he said. Ling Xiaolei realized he was intent on concealing his identity as the Dark Elf King. Unlike most dark elves with pallid skin, his appearance further masked who he was, so no one had uncovered him despite his long sojourn in the Holy City.

Blackfeather, still enthusiastic, went on, “And this is Huolongguo—since you’re not in the best health, you should drink more to build your strength!”

Divine Fruit obediently picked up a large mug and gulped it down in great swallows.

“She’s still so young—she shouldn’t be drinking!” Ling Xiaolei suddenly reacted. “Her name is Divine Fruit!”

“Hic.” Divine Fruit set the cup down and let out a hearty burp, a small tongue of flame escaping from her lips.

“See? Not bad!” Blackfeather thumped Divine Fruit’s shoulder in approval.

Ling Xiaolei’s eyes widened. “If that old dragon from the Divine Dragon Clan finds out you brought the princess here to drink, he’ll skin you alive!”

“What’s there to fear? He left ages ago—he’ll never know! Oh, and Boss Ling here is the great information broker, known as ‘All-Knowing’! You love gossip, right? If there’s anything you want to know, just ask him,” Blackfeather said.

Ling Xiaolei took a sip to steady herself. She’d just experienced firsthand what it meant to be “all-knowing.” This wasn’t the result of trading in information—this was the Dark Elves’ “Eye of Insight” magic worked to its utmost.

The moment Ling Xi’s eyes fixed on her forehead, she’d felt it. In other words, someone need only sit across from Ling Xi—without saying a word, their secrets would be laid bare before him. In this place, there was no such thing as a fair exchange of information.

But she kept her thoughts to herself and quietly drank. No doubt, others simply assumed the tavern was an ideal place for gathering intelligence—after all, it attracted local luminaries and idle drunkards alike, and Boss Ling, mingling with all sorts, kept his ear to the ground.

While Blackfeather and the others chatted and drank, another figure slipped soundlessly into the tavern—a tall man in a black mage’s robe, his features shaded by a deep hood. Unnoticed, he moved like a shadow along the wall and slipped into the far corner, joining the demon seated there.

Yet, this new arrival caught Boss Ling’s attention. His eyes swept swiftly over Blackfeather and the others—a glint of recognition in their depths.

Then, with practiced grace, he mixed two cocktails of five shifting colors, set them on a tray, and, leaving the bar, personally delivered them to the pair in the corner.

“Huh?” Blackfeather turned, puzzled. “What kind of guest would prompt Boss Ling to serve drinks himself?”

Boss Ling usually remained behind his counter, unshakable as a rock; customers helped themselves from the great casks, and even the rowdiest troublemakers left him unperturbed. The corner was too far, the light too dim, and a pillar blocked the way—Blackfeather couldn’t see a thing.

The two at the corner table seemed acquainted. The latecomer asked, “Shadow Demon, how do you find the Mortal Realm?”

“Not impressed!” The demon stamped his foot. “Let’s just go back! My skin can’t handle the air here.”

“Oh? Weren’t you here to find the Demon King? Heading back so soon?” His voice was cold and mocking, laced with careless scorn.

“The Mortal Realm is vast—too hard to search, and… far too dangerous!” Shadow Demon muttered.

Ling Xi arrived and set the drinks on the table with expert poise. “Tonight’s special—‘Five-Colored Gemstones.’ Please, enjoy.”

Within the glasses, blue, green, red, yellow, and violet liquors layered distinctly, like five continents, refracting light into a dazzling play of colors.

The guest accepted a glass, speaking unhurriedly, “Boss Ling, have your grapes ripened yet?”

Ling Xi smiled. “They have.”

As Ling Xi returned to the bar, Blackfeather thumped the table as usual. “Boss Ling, you ought to hire a server! You’re the owner—do you have to serve the drinks yourself?”

Ling Xi offered no retort. He leaned against the bar, his gaze distant and meaningful.

“Yes, it’s about time,” he murmured.

Since the formation of the three-person party bound for Twilight Forest, their efficiency in hunting magical beasts had soared, and their camaraderie grew with each passing day.

That evening, after a practical magic class, the students of Class A followed Teacher Shi back to the academy from the verdant outskirts of the city.

Though their training grew more intense daily—warm-up runs had climbed from twenty laps to fifty—everyone was adapting, and their bodies felt sturdier with each session.

“Hey, Yixin!” Blackfeather called from the rear of the group. “Guess what—our class’s Divine Fruit has already advanced to the mid-level magician rank!”

But Yixin, walking ahead, merely replied coolly, “Oh, mid-level? I’ve just advanced, too.”