Chapter 353: The Void Emperor’s Wife

The scorching sun blazed overhead, making Eternal Slumber City feel like a giant furnace.

At times like this, a bowl of iced dessert was especially tempting.

Using local ingredients, Gu Ning’an crushed some sea buckthorn berries, mixed them with water and a bit of preserved fruit, and made a drink that closely resembled ice jelly.

At the moment, the vast Taste of Freshness inn was occupied by Gu Ning’an alone. Innkeeper Hua had already retired to her room to rest, while he sat near the main entrance, watching the hurried footsteps of passersby, savoring a moment of tranquility.

Interestingly, while Gu Ning’an viewed the pedestrians outside as a scene to admire, those passing by the inn would always glance inside upon noticing its open doors.

When they saw that there was actually a guest inside, their faces all showed identical expressions of surprise, as if cast from the same mold.

Still, despite their curiosity, they only paused briefly at the entrance before quickly moving on.

After all, in their eyes, the Taste of Freshness inn was nothing but a muddy whirlpool at the moment. Anyone who got involved wouldn’t have a good outcome.

Gurgle~ Gurgle gurgle~

The sound of slurping echoed in his ears. Gu Ning’an looked at the little creature in front of him, eagerly devouring its meal with its face nearly buried in the bowl.

The little Doubao, who had now mastered cultivation arts, had grown to about half the size of a regular cat. However, its eyes remained as tiny as soybeans, making it look like a “so-ugly-it’s-cute” plush toy.

Originally, Gu Ning’an hadn’t planned to let it keep following him. After all, it had become the king of the Blaze Bug clan—continuing to perch on his shoulder as a navigator or a living lantern just didn’t seem appropriate.

But Doubao was stubborn. After just a single night apart, it had hurried back, insisting that it must do something to repay him.

Gu Ning’an hadn’t said much about it. Having such a little companion around to chat with wasn’t so bad.

Seeing that Doubao was about to fall headfirst into the bowl, Gu Ning’an couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Slow down. There’s a whole pot in the kitchen—if you want more, just go get some.”

Hearing this, Doubao lifted its head excitedly.

“Sir! We Blaze Bugs never used to eat food—we’ve really been missing out… This sea buckthorn is amazing!”

“But I’ve had some before… Why didn’t it taste this good?”

“It must be because your cooking is special!”

Gu Ning’an smiled. “Practicing cultivation arts changed your body. You enjoy eating now, not necessarily because of my cooking, but because you can eat now.”

“No, no, no!” Doubao wiggled its little body. “It’s definitely because of your cooking!”

“You little—” Gu Ning’an shook his head with a laugh. Just as he was about to get up and scoop another bowl of iced sea buckthorn jelly for Doubao, heavy footsteps suddenly sounded outside the inn.

The scene from that day in the Judgment Office’s interrogation repeated itself.

A flood of armored demon soldiers in black surged into the inn, surrounding Gu Ning’an in the blink of an eye.

At the same time, Innkeeper Hua, who had been resting upstairs, sensed the murderous aura downstairs.

She quickly pushed open the door and stepped out. Seeing Gu Ning’an encircled by demon soldiers, she frowned.

“What’s this? The Judgement Office’s people have too much free time, do they? Running to my inn every other day looking for trouble?”

Outside the door, a man in a black and purple official robe, Magistrate Wei, stepped forward from among the demon soldiers. Beside him stood a richly dressed woman.

Magistrate Wei shot Hua Erniang a cold glance. “Innkeeper Hua, you’d better watch your words.”

“We’re not here for you today—we’re here for Mr. Gu.”

Hua Erniang’s gaze sharpened. Recognizing the noblewoman’s identity, she hurriedly sent a voice transmission to Gu Ning’an.

“Mr. Gu, that woman is the Void Emperor’s wife. He dotes on her immensely. The Judgement Office is able to run rampant in Eternal Slumber City, becoming an untouchable official force, all because of one reason—”

“Magistrate Wei is the Void Emperor’s brother-in-law.”

Gu Ning’an simply nodded before replying, “Innkeeper Hua, go back and rest. I can handle this.”

Then, he turned his attention to the approaching pair of siblings.

On the second floor, Hua Erniang hesitated for a moment before retreating into her room.

In the past, she wouldn’t have dared—or been able—to confront Magistrate Wei and his demon soldiers. Let alone now, when she was still injured.

She had stepped forward purely out of gratitude toward Mr. Gu.

But since the unfathomably powerful Mr. Gu had told her to go back, she wasn’t going to insist on staying.

After all, she was just a door away. If a fight broke out… she could always step in later.

“Mr. Gu, upon seeing the Void Emperor’s wife, shouldn’t you show respect?”

Magistrate Wei glared, and the surrounding demon soldiers let out a collective low roar—”Hoo!”

Their powerful auras surged into the sky, sending shivers down the spines of the nearby demon cultivators on the street.

However, Gu Ning’an remained seated, his expression unchanged.

He simply waved his hand, dispersing the dust that had fallen from the beams and shielding his unfinished iced dessert. Then, in an indifferent tone, he said, “What business do the two of you have with me?”

“You—”

Before Magistrate Wei could finish his sentence, the elegant woman beside him raised a hand to stop him. With a gentle “Do not be rude,” she stepped forward, took a seat at Gu Ning’an’s table, and smiled.

“My younger brother is quick-tempered. I hope Mr. Gu doesn’t take offense.”

“We came unannounced today because I’d like to discuss a business proposition with you.”

“A business proposition?”

Gu Ning’an paused before saying, “I doubt I have anything that would interest either of you.”

At this moment, Magistrate Wei strode forward and sat down, adding, “It’s not really about you. It’s about the Fifth Prince you represent.”

“Since you’re his envoy in Eternal Slumber City, you’re the best person to discuss this matter with.”

Gu Ning’an asked, “And what exactly is this matter?”

Madam Xu¹ took over the conversation and said, “I wish to ask the Fifth Prince to send ten thousand mortal women to Eternal Slumber City.”

“These women should be around twenty years old, in good health, and free of illness.”

Hearing this, Gu Ning’an furrowed his brows and asked, “May I ask, Madam Xu, what purpose do these mortal women serve?”

Bang!

Magistrate Wei slammed the table and snapped, “That’s none of your concern! It’s not something you have the right to know. We’re asking for the women—just hand them over!”

“Do not be rude!”

Madam Wei reprimanded her brother, then turned to Gu Ning’an with a pleasant smile and continued, “Mr. Gu, my apologies… Allow me to explain the details of this partnership.”