Chapter 357 - Meeting Jiu Shen Again
"Your Highness, I think it would be better if you change into your true form. If I wasn't around, those demons might have already pounced on you..." Hanzo whispered to Amon as he glared at the demons who were looking at them with intense gazes.
"Hmph! Even without you around, I can destroy those idiots!" Amon muttered with irritation, but he still changed into his true form. His original body was a tall and lean demon with well-chiseled muscles. His body was purple in color and his eyes were black as obsidian.
"Purple skin and obsidian eyes! That's the symbol of the imperial family! Who is that guy?!"
"A member of the imperial family is actually here! What on earth is happening? Is he also here to visit that famous lotus building?"
During the last two weeks, Jiu Shen's lotus building had become increasingly popular as more and more demons came to visit. Aside from the precious wines sold in the store, there was also another reason for the recent spike in its popularity. And that is the presence of the herb garden outside the store!
Dozens of precious herbs were planted in the herb garden, making the air around the lotus building the most refreshing within the entirety of Morlon City. And because of the rarity of these spiritual herbs, it attracted the avaricious hearts of many. However, the overseer of Morlon City suddenly issued a direct order to everyone living in the city.
The old demon said at that time: "No one is allowed to steal herbs from this store. Whoever is seen stealing, they would be publicly executed on the spot!"
Demon Ancestor Jun's order was like a bucket of cold water to these greedy individuals. However, they could only curse the old demon in their hearts since no one was brave enough to go against him.
Hearing the fearful and respectful voices of the demons, Amon snorted contemptuously at them.
"Do you know who the owner of this store is?" Amon asked Hanzo who was trailing behind him.
Hanzo thought for a moment before he answered. "I haven't seen the man personally, but I heard my subordinates call him Wine Master Jiu Shen..."
When Hanzo uttered the name, Amon stopped in his tracks and turned his gaze at the former.
"What did you say his name is?" Amon asked with a much louder volume.
"Jiu Shen. They call him Wine Master Jiu Shen. Your Highness, do you perhaps know this guy?" Hanzo inquired curiously. He knew that the prince brought with him his subordinates to the Profound Dragon Continent to wreak havoc in order to prove himself as the rightful successor of Demon Emperor Balmond. However, the prince came back with disastrous losses. Many of his subordinates died and even he was almost captured by the besieging enemy forces.
"Jiu Shen... So it's really him! How could I forget that name?! That man himself was the main reason for my failure! If he wasn't in the Silver Wing Empire, I could have conquered it with my army!" Amon gnashed his teeth in anger. How could he forget the bastard who had unintentionally spoiled all his plans?
Hanzo's face fell when he saw Amon's expression. It seems like this Jiu Shen was someone from the Profound Dragon Continent.
'The two of them must've met at that place and this Jiu Shen guy somehow foiled His Highness' plans. Oh no! If His Highness goes to the lotus building... No! I should not bring him there. His Majesty the emperor told me not to create conflict with that man for the time being, but how should I do this without hurting His Highness' pride?' Hanzo felt a strong headache as he thought of solutions.
"Y-Your Highness, I remember that His Majesty told me that we must not create conflict with that Jiu Shen for the time being. His Majesty is still occupied with the conflict against the Rebel Army's forces." Hanzo hurriedly said as he pulled Amon.
Amon frowned when he heard that. "The Rebel Army? Those ants? Don't worry. I promise I won't cause trouble in the lotus building. I just want to see if that person is really the Jiu Shen that I know."
Seeing that Amon was agreeable, Hanzo heaved a sigh of relief. "Alright, but you must do as you promised, Your Highness. You know what will happen if you disobey His Majesty's command. Even I could not help you when that happens..."
Amon nodded his head solemnly. "I know. Let's go."
***
Inside the lotus building, a few dozen of demons can be seen drinking wine with their friends. The expressions of these demons were filled with contentment and bliss as they drank the wine in their cups. Even the most ferocious-looking demons were now displaying tamed looks as they sat in a well-behaved manner.
At the corner of the store, Jiu Shen who was leaning on his chair with an absent-minded look suddenly stared carelessly at the entrance of the lotus building. From his spiritual vision, he saw a small group of demons just outside the gates of the building. They seemed to be looking at the spiritual herbs with surprise. However, Jiu Shen was looking at a certain individual with an amused look.
"That guy is actually here? How did he come here so fast?" He muttered to himself.
The chattering inside the store suddenly stopped as a new group of demons came inside. Leading them were two demons wearing eye-catching clothing. One of them was wearing a noble's robe and the other one was wearing heavy armor.
"That guy... Isn't he Executioner Hanzo?!"
"Why is Executioner Hanzo here? And the guy beside him seems to be from the imperial family..."
"Are you dumb? Of course, they're here to drink wine... What sort of idiotic question is that?"
Amon ignored the whispers of the demon and search through the crowd with a piercing gaze. When he saw a familiar figure sitting lazily at the far corner, his eyes flashed with a complicated look as he muttered.
"Jiu Shen...."