Supreme Lord stared wide-eyed upon hearing this: “What do you mean by deception? What regret? Cultivating to become a god is the most noble pursuit in this world!”

“Oh?” Ruyi became interested and asked him: “Then has Puhua been punished in the Nine Heavens?”

Supreme Lord choked, looking somewhat guilty: “We’re just lacking some evidence.”

“Can you find that evidence?” She raised her eyebrows.

The Supreme Lord felt even more guilty: “I don’t know the full details of this matter – how am I supposed to search for it?”

Snorting with laughter, Ruyi shook her head: “Without even basic justice, what nobility is there to speak of? Shen Qiyuan’s heart burns with passion to follow the Heavenly Way, yet he encounters such absurd matters. If I were him, my dao heart would be shaken.”

Speaking of this, the Supreme Lord’s expression immediately became more serious: “Those who cultivate to become gods require a steady heart – how can it be easily shaken?”

“When the Heavenly Way itself is flawed, can you blame others?”

Supreme Lord couldn’t answer, his eyes darting about anxiously.

Shen Qiyuan’s talent and cultivation were rarely seen in ten thousand years – otherwise, he wouldn’t have been sent to the mortal realm to guide him anew. If something went wrong, preventing his return to the Nine Heavens, he would have no way to explain it to the Celestial Emperor.

The arrogant demon walked ahead both quickly and carelessly. He hesitated for a moment, then quickened his pace to catch up, forcing a smile: “Regarding Puhua’s matter, do you have any clues?”

Ruyi yawned, clearly having exhausted her patience: “I’m busy going back to eat.”

Supreme Lord immediately became alert: “You’re going to eat people?”

Ruyi: “…”

Too lazy to say more to him, she strode away from the ruined temple toward God Worship Street.

Supreme Lord followed step by step, his expression tense: “Shen Qiyuan indulges you because you two are old acquaintances, but you can’t rely on his tolerance to keep causing trouble under his nose. If someone exposes you, it will implicate him too.”

“Lin’an has many people with sharp eyes – you think you can avoid being discovered just by hiding from people? But there are no walls in this world that don’t let wind through.”

“Besides, you demons have such large appetites – eating one meal requires several people. How could such commotion be small?”

He chattered endlessly without stop, and even when stepping through the doors of the Immortal Meeting Wine House, he was still muttering: “Bloody, messy things – only you demons can stomach eating them…”

“The manager is back?” Qingyi greeted her, then looked at the person beside her. “Who is this?”

“Don’t know him.” Ruyi pouted, seeing that food had already been placed on the table, her eyes lighting up: “Smells wonderful.”

“These are new dishes Fuman learned – perfect for you to try.” Tinglan arranged the chopsticks, seeing the old man beside them had a kind face, she asked: “Since you’re here, why don’t you sit and have a bite?”

Supreme Lord looked disgusted: “I won’t eat.”

A dish of braised pig’s trotters was placed on the table, its aroma overflowing and making mouths water. Ruyi sat down and tried a bite with her chopsticks, squinting with satisfaction: “Fuman’s cooking skills have improved again.”

“Of course.” Zhao Yanning hummed twice. “All the dishes that didn’t taste good before were fed to me.”

“Let’s start eating!” Qingyi pulled out a stool.

The group sat together around the table – the food was fragrant, lively, and warm.

Supreme Lord usually consumed incense offerings and heavenly essence, only able to smell the aroma of mortal sacrificial foods during major festivals. It wouldn’t matter if he didn’t eat these things, but standing here at this moment, his stomach inexplicably made a “gurgling” sound.

Fuman came out carrying fragrant steamed rice, glanced at him, then pulled out the chair beside him, indicating he should sit.

“Don’t bother with him.” Ruyi snorted with laughter. “Just a stubborn old man who doesn’t know what grains taste like.”

All immortals were mortals who achieved godhood – who doesn’t know what grains taste like? Supreme Lord sat down huffily, took the chopsticks Tinglan handed him, and picked up a bite of food.

The long-missed meat flavor filled his mouth, and he belatedly realized this seemed to be ordinary pork.

Demons don’t eat people, but instead eat mortal food? He looked toward the head of the table somewhat incredulously.

Ruyi looked at him mockingly, as if she knew what he was thinking, putting a bite of food in her mouth and chewing slowly.

All living beings in this world have prejudices against other races, especially immortals toward demons. In their eyes, demons were a crude and barbaric race that couldn’t survive a day without eating people – bloodthirsty and brutal. With Liu Ruyi’s level of cultivation, there should have been at least three human heads on this table as drinking accompaniments.

But there weren’t – she even seemed to enjoy eating vegetables.

After his shock, the Supreme Lord felt a bit embarrassed. Although demons were indeed detestable, she hadn’t done anything bad, so there was no reason for him to lecture her all the way based on preconceptions.

Speaking of which, when did mortal grains become so delicious? After finishing the sweet rice in his bowl, he even wanted another serving.

Licking the corner of his mouth, Supreme Lord glanced at the rice basket nearby, feeling somewhat embarrassed.

Fuman got up to serve rice, seeing his expression, she extended her hand toward him: “Bowl, give it to me.”

His eyes lit up, and he hurriedly handed over his bowl.

By the end of this meal, when everyone else had stopped eating, the Supreme Lord was still shoveling rice. Fuman found it amusing and gave him all the meat from the plates.

“You’re a good person,” he said indistinctly.

Fuman smiled and waved her hand. After he finished eating, she collected all the bowls and dishes and took them to the back kitchen for Zhao Yanning and Qingyi to wash.

Supreme Lord touched his bulging belly while watching her retreating figure, muttering quietly: “What good thing should I give her?”

Ruyi glanced at him sideways and saw him flick his finger, purple light flashing briefly through the main hall.

“I’ll just give her some good luck,” he said cheerfully while continuing to pat his belly.

Quite a generous immortal indeed.

Her expression softening somewhat, Ruyi stood up: “It’s getting late.”

This was her most gentle way of seeing off guests, but this old man didn’t appreciate it: “I want to stay at the inn.”

“Fine.” Ruyi clapped her hands. “One tael of silver per room, settle the account before noon tomorrow.”

Silver? Supreme Lord scratched his head: “I don’t carry such vulgar things.”

“You must have other treasures.” Her eyes were sharp – with a light hook of her finger, a soft hedgehog armor fell from his sleeve.

Supreme Lord quickly picked it up and hugged it to his chest: “This is for my protection.”

“If you could still get injured here, then don’t bother going back.” Ruyi sneered. “Just stay here and farm.”

His old face reddening, Supreme Lord hesitated for a long while before reluctantly placing his treasure in front of her: “How long can I stay with this?”

“About ten days or so.” Ruyi flicked her fingernail.

The Supreme Lord, who didn’t know mortal prices, nodded blankly.

The wine house run by a demon was quite presentable – the rooms were clean inside and out, except for one room on the third floor that seemed to have had a death, with the smell of blood still lingering.

Supreme Lord frowned directly: “Is this a murder inn?”

Ruyi gave him a look: “If I wanted to kill people, would I need to run an inn?”

That made sense, too, but what about the bloody smell in that upstairs room? He wanted to ask more, but suddenly heard a muffled sound behind him.