Journey to the End of the Night Chapter 1549 - 957: 99

Baili An made his way into the city, initially intending to rendezvous with Qingxin and attend to certain official duties. Unexpectedly, however, Afu Tu, who had been in a deep slumber for years, chose this precise moment to awaken.

Observing Afu Tu’s eyes, brimming with fascination for the nocturnal cityscape, Baili An couldn’t help but smile. "Little Tu, is this your first time experiencing Shifang City? Would you like to explore the streets?"

Baili An had discovered Afu Tu within the desolate confines of the Chaotic Netherworld Valley, where it faced scorn and ostracization as an Ancient True Demon. It seemed Afu Tu had been imprisoned in that tumultuous abyss since its very inception, denied any sight of the sun or the world beyond.

This realization evoked a pang of sympathy and remorse within Baili An. He considered how Afu Tu had accompanied him out of the Chaotic Netherworld, enduring perils and sharing moments of life and death, placing its unwavering trust in him time and again. Yet, he had failed to provide it with even a semblance of a joyful, ordinary existence.

Mulling over these thoughts, and with the evening air carrying such a delightful ambiance, Baili An found himself unable to abandon the gentle, compliant, and understanding Afu Tu. He decided to postpone his own obligations for the moment.

Afu Tu settled serenely on Baili An’s shoulder, its delicate paws meticulously smoothing the locks of hair that Shu Ci had disheveled. Its gaze, however, remained captivated by the array of sweet treats displayed by street vendors, particularly the candied carrots and an assortment of fresh fruits.

Carried on the evening breeze from the mortal realm, tantalizing aromas wafted through the air, exquisitely fragrant and utterly delightful.

Baili An let out a soft chuckle and stepped forward, procuring a bag of candied fruits and vegetables. He placed it into Afu Tu’s grasp, encouraging it to eat at its leisure.

Afu Tu, with newfound purpose, hung the small satchel of candied delights around its neck. It gripped a carrot with each paw, its tiny three-lobed mouth busily devouring the treat.

Upon finishing the carrot, both of Afu Tu’s paws were coated in sticky syrup, causing its fur to clump together in unsightly patches.

It gazed down at its matted paws with a hint of distress, when suddenly, a gentle laugh reached its ears.

Baili An tilted his head slightly, bringing one of Afu Tu’s small paws to his lips and tenderly licking away the clinging syrup.

A strange, soft, moist sensation spread across the pad of its paw, causing Afu Tu to instinctively avert its head. A subtle, almost imperceptible blush tinged its crimson eyes.

The spot previously occupied by Shu Ci had already been claimed, a fact that did not sit well with Baili An. Despite available space on his right shoulder, he harbored no intention of offering it to her. Her claws, having been meticulously trimmed short, offered no purchase, rendering her unable to cling to Baili An’s attire.

She was forced to scramble and hold on with all four limbs to Baili An’s thigh, the only way to avoid being abandoned at the inn. Her appearance was utterly pathetic, a picture of misery.

Already simmering with irritation, witnessing the outpouring of affection between Baili An and that infuriating rabbit only served to fuel the flames within Shu Ci.

From the length of the bustling street, calls of vendors echoed. Shu Ci’s attention was drawn towards the source of the commotion.

Beneath an open stall, she spotted an elderly woman skillfully crafting intricate shapes from warm, flowing syrup onto a smooth plate, affixing them to wooden sticks. Despite her advanced age, the woman’s hands moved with remarkable dexterity, fashioning the syrup into lifelike figures of small cats, dogs, and foxes, captivating a crowd of eager children.

Shu Ci’s gaze immediately locked onto a child who had just acquired a candy fox figure. She stealthily extended a hand, aiming to pilfer the sweet treat.

Though young and possessing an innocent demeanor, the boy was acutely aware of his surroundings. He sensed the imminent 'danger' and met Shu Ci’s sly, mischievous eyes with his own wide, childlike ones.

His small body tensed, and he swiftly clutched the candy fox tightly to his chest.

Shu Ci, with her inherently domineering nature, had not yet ascended to the leadership of Mohe but was already infamous for her capricious behavior. Now, in her fallen state, could a mere mortal child possibly dare to deny her a simple request?

Shu Ci bared her sharp, pointed canine teeth, a predatory glint in her fox-like eyes, clearly displaying her malicious intent.

"Waaaa!!!!!"

The sheer ferocity of Shu Ci’s glare sent the young boy into a paroxysm of fear. He dropped the candy figure, tumbling into his mother’s arms and letting out a heart-wrenching wail.

Shu Ci stood momentarily dumbfounded. She wondered if this human child was attempting to falsely accuse her. She hadn’t even laid a hand on him, so why the sudden outburst?

Humans, she mused, were universally irritating, regardless of their age.

That minuscule candy figure, discarded in a fit of tears, dared to defy the request of her kin – truly despicable and utterly malicious.

The child’s frightened cries pierced the air, and his mother, understandably distressed, shielded her son and fixed Baili An with a disapproving glare.

"Excuse me, Young Master, can you not rein in your pet more effectively? I truly cannot fathom how such a diminutive creature, easily crushed underfoot, could exhibit such fierce and aggressive behavior. Look how it has terrified my child!"

Pet? Something that could be crushed underfoot?

Shu Ci felt an overwhelming sense of dignity being grievously insulted.*The fox’s features contorted in an instant, its eyes blazing with a savage light.* *Its stare seemed as if it yearned to rip the woman’s very bones asunder.* *“Oh my! Look at this feisty little creature? That glare looks like it could devour a person whole.”* *Baili An’s brow furrowed deeply as he gently lifted the small fox from his leg. He then tapped its bared canine tooth with his finger.* *The force of his tap was considerable, causing Shu Ci's vision to momentarily blur.* *“Had I known you were this disobedient, I would never have brought you out,” he berated.* *Shu Ci had simply desired a small candy figurine, only to find herself inexplicably chastised yet again.*