Demon Realm’s Black Market
A beautifully dressed demoness with a long robe gazed at the cage where a small, tightly shut-eyed child was curled up. She furrowed her brows, studying him for a while before sneering, “You say this is a dragon? To me, it just looks like an ordinary human child, and it seems like he’s about to die.”
There was no trace of spiritual energy, only a hint of demonic aura, likely from the mists of the demon realm.
Mian Mian huddled in the far corner of the cage, clutching himself tightly and trembling slightly. It wasn’t the fear of being harmed that made him shiver but the long-suppressed demonic and spiritual energy inside him, yearning for release. It felt so uncomfortable, like something inside him was hot and burning.
Hearing her, the demon who had brought Mian Mian here, with a fawning smile, said, “No way, Sister Qin, this little dragon cub is full of life. He’s just shivering from fright. See, he even has horns.”
With that, the demon walked over to Mian Mian, glaring fiercely and saying, “Speak up! Don’t think pretending to be dead will work. Show me your horns, or I’ll tie you up and whip you!”
Mian Mian looked up, seeing the fierce expression and harsh words. The little cub remembered the stories he had read in his father’s books.
This demon must be a bad guy, he thought. The books said many demons are bad. If that’s true, maybe he doesn’t have to hold back and can just absorb all this demonic energy?
Would Father and Daddy be angry? Would his big brother and second brother dislike him?
Thinking of this, the little cub slowly stood up and moved closer from the dark corner of the cage. Just as he was about to approach further, the demon suddenly stepped back and said to Sister Qin with a grin, “Look, Sister Qin, he really does have dragon horns. I told you this catch was genuine. With the new Demon Lord’s coronation today, if we can present this dragon cub to him, the Lord will surely be very pleased and reward us generously!”
Upon hearing this, Sister Qin stared at the little cub in the cage, her eyes focusing on Mian Mian’s dragon horns. Her eyes grew brighter with excitement. “It really is a dragon cub! This is a great idea. I heard that the Demon Lord once had a run-in with Xie Chi, who is from the dragon race. The Demon Lord must hate dragons especially. If we present this little cub to him, he’ll surely be thrilled.”
“Yes, yes!” They agreed eagerly. Without hesitation, they bundled the cub and the cage into a sandalwood treasure chest and set off towards the Demon Realm’s Zhiuhua City.
As the chest bounced along in the cart, Mian Mian peered out through the small gaps, watching the dark, misty world outside. The sky here was gloomy, completely different from Hidden Dragon Valley. The demonic mist swirled around, and strange-shaped demons filled the streets and alleys.
Should he start thinking about how to escape?
But there was so much demonic energy here, and it looked so tempting that he wasn’t sure he wanted to leave.
Mian Mian turned his attention away, covering his still-warm belly, and felt a bit bored and sleepy. He wished he had one of his father’s books here; his father’s books were always more interesting than daddy’s.
Despite reading so many books, the little cub hadn’t realized that the warmth in his belly meant he was about to breakthrough.
Meanwhile, back in Hidden Dragon Valley, Goldfish and Taro Ball, who had returned with Qing Yun, were happily entering their home, intending to bring some flower nectar for their little brother to enjoy.
But no matter how thoroughly they searched the entire house there was no sign of Mian Mian. They had only been gone for one morning—how could Mian Mian just disappear?
The two little ones were puzzled, staring at the half-read book left on the table.
It was clear that Mian Mian must have been secretly reading again; he loved books so much.
While their parents were unaware, Goldfish and Taro Ball, who spent every day playing with their little brother, knew him best. Looking at the unfinished book, Goldfish felt a surge of unease. He grabbed Taro Ball’s sleeve and whispered, “Taro Ball, where do you think our little brother might have gone?”
Taro Ball frowned, staring at the book for a long time before responding quietly, “Mian Mian might just be feeling stuffy and went out to play. Let’s go look for him outside.”
They quickly set aside their buckets and began searching for Mian Mian’s trace in the Dragon Hidden Valley.
“Sandan!”
“Mian Mian!”
“Shen Mian—”
Their voices echoed through the Dragon Hidden Valley. They searched every possible place Mian Mian might have gone but couldn’t find him.
How could Mian Mian suddenly disappear like this?
Goldfish tightened his grip on Taro Ball’s sleeve and said anxiously, “We need to hurry back and tell Daddy and Father. Mian Mian might be missing.”
As the words left his mouth, Taro Ball suddenly reached out, catching a pink flower petal from the air. After a moment, he widened his eyes in disbelief and said, “This is a petal from the peach blossoms by the Cloud Lake shore!”
How could peach blossoms possibly cross the Cloud Lake and end up in the Dragon Hidden Valley? The only explanation is that someone accidentally entered the formation, bringing this petal from the peach blossoms to the Dragon Hidden Valley!
He immediately used magic to infuse his spiritual energy into the petal and said seriously, “Mian Mian was probably taken by someone. I’ve cast a tracking spell, so this petal will lead us to the direction Mian Mian was taken. Let’s go back and tell Daddy and Father first, then go rescue Mian Mian together.”
Upon hearing this, Goldfish nodded firmly, and the two little ones quickly decided to return and inform Shen Tanqi and Yu Ce. But just as they were about to leave, the petal suddenly flew up and sped off in Mian Mian’s direction.
Taro Ball and Goldfish were taken aback!
“Quick, follow that petal! Without it, we won’t be able to find Mian Mian. Once we locate him, we’ll use the communication silver mirror to inform Daddy and Father!” The two little ones immediately transformed into dragons and pursued the petal.
Moments later, in the Demon Realm’s Zhiuhua City, the two little ones, wearing large hoods, anxiously and quickly ran through the bustling streets.
“Second Brother, why did the petal lead us to this place?” Goldfish asked, wrinkling his nose at the stinky demonic fog. He didn’t like it at all.
Taro Ball tightened his grip on his brother’s hand and pulled him aside, whispering, “There are a lot of people here, so don’t stray too far from me.”
The streets were adorned with festive silk banners, suggesting that some important celebration was taking place.
Although there are bad demons, most demons are born as demons and have lived in the Demon Realm their whole lives. As long as they’re not provoked or they don’t go out to cause trouble in the human world, they usually don’t pose a threat. Cultivators aren’t allowed to randomly kill demons, after all…
They also have family and friends.
Goldfish nodded heavily, then paused, as if suddenly remembering something. He whispered, “Oh, Little Brother, did you bring the small mirror?”
The small mirror was the communication silver mirror they used.
As soon as Goldfish spoke, Taro Ball’s steps faltered. He looked at his brother incredulously and replied, “You didn’t bring it?”
He had assumed Goldfish would definitely have it, since Goldfish was always so chatty and couldn’t go a moment without talking to Daddy or Father—like he had ants crawling all over him.
Goldfish, panicked, covered his face and said, “I left the mirror on the table after using it this morning. I thought…”
He thought that Taro Ball, being so smart and cautious, would have definitely brought the mirror along just in case!
Hearing this, Taro Ball let out a frustrated sigh and rubbed his forehead, which was throbbing with anxiety. “We can’t go back now; Mian Mian might be in danger. We need to focus on rescuing him first. Even if we don’t have Daddy and Father, we’re enough on our own.”
With brother’s luck and his own level of cultivation, he was confident they could rescue Mian Mian successfully.
Encouraged by Taro Ball’s words, Goldfish quickly calmed down, nodded, and clenched his fist. “Alright, I believe in you.”
With Erdan by his side, he isn’t afraid of any bad guys!
The two little ones followed the petal, step by step, searching for any trace of Mian Mian.
Finally, the petal landed.
Taro Ball and Goldfish shifted their gaze from the petal and slowly looked ahead—
Before them stood a magnificent palace, gleaming with gold and grandeur.
Mian Mian was right here.
“What? Is it really a dragon cub? Alive? Breathing?”
“It’s indeed a dragon cub, Elder, see for yourself—he has horns. We don’t deal in fakes here in the Black Market.”
As the chest was opened with a soft clinking sound, Mian Mian stirred awake. His eyes swept over his surroundings, realizing he was in a place that looked like a palace. Dragon Hidden Valley had palaces too, but they were nothing like this one, especially since they were submerged beneath Cloud Lake. The palace in front of him was much more splendid.
The hall was draped in red festive silk, and music filled the air.
Mian Mian opened his eyes wider, looking at the demon staring intently at him.
After a long pause, he stretched lazily and yawned. He hadn’t slept well, felt sticky from sweating a lot, and his stomach was still uncomfortably hot. Mian Mian was starting to get annoyed.
The elder demon was delighted and clapped his hands. “Perfect timing! The coronation ceremony is about to begin. Hurry, someone, take this little dragon cub to the Demon Lord!”
Several demon attendants immediately came forward, carrying the small box containing Mian Mian, and hurried off toward the main hall.
Feeling unwell, sleep-deprived, and jostled around in a small chest, Mian Mian’s irritation was reaching its peak. He was like a powder keg, ready to explode with just a tiny spark.
Upon reaching the main hall, the demon attendants unceremoniously dropped Mian Mian’s box onto the floor with a loud thud, causing Mian Mian to stumble and crouch. He winced, eyes blazing with anger as he slowly got up.
The attendants, oblivious to Mian Mian’s discomfort, continued to flatter the distant figure seated on the high throne. “Greetings, new Demon Lord! Congratulations on your ascension! May you rule for eternity, and may the unification of the Three Realms be at hand!”
“This little dragon cub was specially captured from the Dragon Hidden Valley by the Zhiuhua Black Market. It’s said that the blood of this dragon cub can cure all ailments, and the dragon ball inside can extend one’s life by decades. It’s truly a treasure inside and out!”
As the words were spoken, a powerful wave of demonic energy surged from the high throne.
Mian Mian furrowed his brows tightly, looking extremely displeased as he raised his head.
“You… look very much like two people I know,” the other sneered coldly. He grabbed the iron cage in the treasure chest with a large hand and leaned menacingly close to Mian Mian. “If I’m not mistaken, I think I know both your fathers.”
That year, at the Bloodthirst Cliff, he had heard Little Black mention that a delicate human had fallen from the cliff. Excited, he rushed over, eager for a feast, but…
Wielding a long sword, he couldn’t break through that damned Nascent Soul Stage Absolute Golden Barrier!
Back then, that white dragon had pierced his chest with a single sword, nearly killing him at the Bloodthirst Cliff. Later, Shen Tanqi had repeatedly provoked him, causing him great humiliation. He had long suspected that Shen Tanqi and that white dragon were connected, and now, seeing the little dragon cub’s features, he knew it for sure.
And now, fate had brought their child into his hands—Mei Wuning’s hands!
Thirty years on the east bank of the river, thirty years on the west bank, never underestimate the Demon Clan!
“The enmity your fathers incurred will now be repaid by you!” Mei Wuning grinned wickedly, extending his green, sinewy hand. He broke open the iron cage and reached into it, fiercely grabbing for the fragrant, slightly resentful Mian Mian.
Mian Mian’s eyes darkened, filled with anger. Not only had his peace been disturbed, but he had also been thrown to the ground along with the chest, causing a dull ache in his back. Furious, he wanted to devour every bit of demonic energy from this demon.
But before his fingertips could even touch Mian Mian, Mei Wuning was instantly engulfed by a fierce and terrifying demonic mist. Like fire consuming thin paper, he vanished in the blink of an eye, leaving not even a trace of ash.
Mian Mian’s brows relaxed slightly, and the thought of devouring the demonic energy abruptly ceased.
Mian Mian looked up and saw a young demon materialize out of thin air, his palm shrouded in chilling demonic mist. The young man’s face was as pale as snow, and his eyes were cold and unfeeling.
The mist spread like rolling waves, filling every corner of the grand hall. Behind the young demon, several imposing figures emerged from the mist, exuding a commanding presence like a newly trained army.
The young man gazed down at Mian Mian in the iron cage with a critical eye. When he saw the cub’s pretty little face, he let out a dismissive sneer.
“This is quite an unexpected find.”
He had returned to the Demon Realm intending only to deal with the fool who claimed to have killed Xie Chi, aiming to seize the Demon Lord’s position—such a ridiculous clown had become quite tiresome.
As the young demon leaned closer, a cold, chilling aura surrounded Mian Mian, making him instantly aware that this new presence was far more intimidating than the so-called screaming ‘new Demon Lord’ from before.
This must be the genuine, formidable demon.
Mian Mian fixed his gaze on the young demon, who then said in a detached tone, “So, you’re the one from the egg?”
With such similar features, there could be no other possibility.
Mian Mian didn’t understand what he meant, but his eyes conveyed that this person was very dangerous, even though his instincts told him not to worry too much.
Under the young demon’s intense stare, they locked eyes until Mian Mian’s eyelids drooped slightly—
Unable to resist any longer, he yawned.
The little cub found a comfortable corner of the box and lazily fell asleep.
Forget it, he was too tired to care about anything right now. With no one bothering him, he decided to catch up on some much-needed rest.
Seeing him so casually and disinterestedly fall asleep, the young demon was momentarily surprised, then a familiar smile crossed his face as he thought of Shen Tanqi. It was clear where the cub’s traits came from.
“Like father, like son,” he mused with a soft chuckle.
He reached out and gently lifted the little cub, placing him on a cushioned seat in the grand hall.
“Lord, what should we do with this dragon cub?”
The young demon’s gaze shifted from Mian Mian’s sleeping face, and he said calmly, “This is my master’s child. What do you suggest we do with him?”
The hall fell silent.
After a moment, the young demon gave his orders.
“…Understood. Bring some blankets for the young dragon prince, and get some fruit and snacks. Also, send a few attendants to fan him and keep the mosquitoes away!”
Hello, everyone ヾ(＾∇＾). I hope you enjoyed the story! If you’re feeling generous, please buy me a coffee, share/comment on my translated works! Check out the link below for early chapters. (๑>ᴗ<๑)
