His words were as annoying as ever, but at least he didn't answer that he was a servant. Jian Lin was very relieved by this.
"Alright," Jian Lin smiled, "In my eyes, Lord Chong Yuan is the best male friend I have in this world."
The Demon Lord frowned, feeling something was not quite right, but couldn't pinpoint it. In the end, he could only say, "Thank you."
"You're welcome," Jian Lin said with a grin. "Since we've reached a consensus on being friends, the next step is to discuss how to handle our friendship, ensure we don't argue in the future, and get along amicably."
"What's there to discuss?" the Demon Lord asked, not understanding. "As long as you don't argue, we naturally won't argue."
"Mo Chong Yuan!" Jian Lin extended her palm, slowly clenching it into a fist, and said through gritted teeth, "It's not that I want to argue, it's you who makes me angry first, and then we argue. The source is you."
"How did I make you angry?" the Demon Lord asked.
"Many times," Jian Lin lowered her fist, took a deep breath, and said calmly, "Chong Yuan, you need to understand one thing. You should be good to your friends, understand them, tolerate them, and don't mock them with words. That's not right."
"Mocking with words," the Demon Lord said expressionlessly, "do you mean speaking the truth?"
"Yes," Jian Lin straightened her back, lifted her chin, and said, "Even if I'm wrong about something, you should say it gently and patiently, don't point it out directly. That's what friends are for."
"You know you're wrong," the Demon Lord's lips curved into a slight smile. "I thought you didn't know."
"Stop, that's sarcasm," Jian Lin threatened, holding up a finger. "Don't speak to me in that tone. Practice now, change your wording."
The Demon Lord looked troubled, unconsciously shifted his posture, thought for a long time, and then stared at Jian Lin, saying, "Lin Jian, I think we need to be more cautious in the future. Don't speak casually and cause unnecessary trouble. When you and I go out, caution is paramount. It's better to have one less thing than one more."
"That's right, Lord Chong Yuan, you said it so well," Jian Lin raised her hand to clap, saying sincerely, "At that time, I will answer you, 'Okay, I was wrong, and I won't speak casually again.'"
"What if you can't control yourself?" the Demon Lord said coolly. "Do you remember? In the demon realm, I warned you several times not to meddle, and you didn't do it at all."
"Oh, I have my own judgment on this," Jian Lin defended herself. "If the other party is a bad person, I definitely won't save them. For example, regarding Hong Qu, if she hadn't shown an anomaly when she heard your name, I wouldn't have intervened. The reason I saved her is because she knows you. I was afraid you were good friends, and it turned out I wasn't wrong. Do you admit this? Do you want to see Hong Qu die?"
"I only know the fire fox Hong Qu. As a demon, she has her own destiny," the Demon Lord replied. "I never wanted to see her die, but her life and death have nothing to do with me."
"This is the difference in our worldviews," Jian Lin fell into thought and said slowly. "As good friends, we must tolerate each other. I apologize to you for this. I shouldn't have taken it upon myself to interfere in your affairs."
"I accept your apology," the Demon Lord smiled faintly. "Let's drop this matter. Hong Qu is very smart. Having her by my side brings me only benefits, no harm."
"See, see," Jian Lin happily hugged the Demon Lord's arm. "We can talk properly. Don't mock me or lecture me. I believe we can get along well and definitely won't argue."
"Hmph, let's try," the Demon Lord turned his head away proudly. "It depends on whether you cause trouble."
This dog man still doesn't know how to speak properly, but it's fine. There's already been great progress.
After a deep conversation, the two reconciled and continued their journey.
The Demon Lord hired two horses from the post station. The two of them leisurely set off towards the nearest major immortal cultivation city, Daliang City.
For safety reasons, after leaving the demon realm, the Demon Lord no longer used his demonic energy. He planned to reach Daliang City and use the immortal realm ferry to travel to Guanlan Sect, to avoid accidentally triggering any forbidden spells and being discovered by the various immortal sects.
After hearing the Demon Lord's plan, Jian Lin nodded in agreement and then asked, "Lord Chong Yuan, how do you hide your demonic energy? I want to learn too."
"I thought you wouldn't ask," the Demon Lord said halfway, then noticed Jian Lin glaring at him and had to change his tone. "Lin Jian, I've been waiting for you to ask me this question since we left the demon realm. I didn't bring it up myself because I wanted you to realize it and teach you a lesson, to always remember to be thorough in your actions."
"I understand," Jian Lin nodded, admitting her mistake. "I really didn't think that far. I was too excited when I first arrived in the human world, to the point of forgetting these things. It won't happen again."
"You seem to really like the human world. May I ask why?" the Demon Lord maintained a polite and courteous tone. "Mortals all envy immortal cultivators for their eternal life, but how many immortal cultivators are willing to give up their cultivation?"
"Because I, in my past life, was a mortal and liked the mortal way of life. Emotions, desires, eating, drinking, playing, every day was wonderful," Jian Lin replied with a smile. "But since I started cultivating, I haven't experienced much joy. What's the point of eternal life if it's a boring existence?"
"How can cultivation be boring?" the Demon Lord retorted. "Cultivating step by step, climbing higher and higher, becoming the strongest, having the satisfaction of looking down on everyone. That kind of happiness is the most real happiness."
"I haven't experienced that," Jian Lin sighed softly. "I've never felt that way, so I don't know. Now, only delicious food can bring me happiness."
Conversely, she desperately wanted to refine her golden core now and become stronger, not for her own pursuit of happiness, but for Xiao Li.
Pain and guilt were the reasons she wanted to become stronger.
When she finally became the strongest, looking down on everyone, she still wouldn't feel happy, only the relief of suffering.
The Demon Lord lowered his eyes and fell into thought. After a while, he said, "Don't worry, I'll make you understand."
"Okay, then I'll thank you in advance, Lord Chong Yuan," Jian Lin said with a smile. "We've gone off-topic. Teach me how to hide my demonic energy first."
Riding their horses, they arrived at a small town in the evening. They dismounted, handed the reins to a stable hand, and walked into the inn one after another.
Jian Lin followed a step behind and heard the Demon Lord say to the innkeeper, "We'll take the best room."
Oh, it's been a long time since she shared a room with the Demon Lord. She really wasn't used to it, especially since the Demon Lord was now smitten with her. She couldn't help but suspect he might have ulterior motives.
After all, when they lived together before, it was she who wanted to seduce the Demon Lord. Now that she had no such intentions, shouldn't she be careful and suggest getting two rooms?
Thinking this, Jian Lin opened her mouth to refuse, but suddenly heard the Demon Lord say again, "And a table of fine food and wine, delivered to the room."
Jian Lin immediately dismissed the idea of sleeping in separate rooms. The Demon Lord had ordered delicious food for her! For the sake of that meal, she would endure it!
The two followed the stable hand upstairs. After sitting down to rest for a while, the stable hand efficiently brought the food, wine, and hot water. "The food and wine are here. Please enjoy, and call me if you need anything."
As soon as the stable hand closed the door, Jian Lin immediately sat at the round table, admiring the human world's dishes one by one.
Admittedly, the food made in the human world suited her taste the best. It was visually appealing, fragrant, and delicious, with a good balance of meat and vegetables, and the taste was impeccable.
Jian Lin raised her chopsticks, about to start eating, when she suddenly paused and turned to call out to the Demon Lord, "Lord Chong Yuan, aren't you eating?"
"I ordered it for you," the Demon Lord said, sitting cross-legged by the bed with his eyes closed. "I don't like eating. Help yourself."
This was true. Before, Jian Lin would always make jokes, and the Demon Lord would humor her by eating a little, just enough to show politeness.
But without a dining companion, the meal wouldn't be as enjoyable, wouldn't it be a waste of such delicacies?
A flash of inspiration struck Jian Lin, and she summoned Peach Mother. Peach Mother appeared lightly, with the white flower given to her by Lord Huaiyin tucked behind her ear. Seeing the table full of food, she exclaimed in surprise.
"What is all this?"
"Human delicacies," Jian Lin introduced them to Peach Mother one by one, finally summarizing, "No worse than those in the demon realm. Try them quickly."
Peach Mother was very obliging. She first reached out and took a sip of wine from a cup, then frowned and said with dissatisfaction, "This wine is not good."
"That's true," Jian Lin also took a sip. "The wine brewed by demons, especially by you, Peach Mother, is definitely the best in the world."
Peach Mother smiled shyly and said regretfully, "It's a pity I left the demon realm in a hurry and didn't take much good wine with me. Only Mr. Jiu Ying could drink it for me."
"I have some, do you want to drink it?" the Demon Lord suddenly spoke.
The two by the table looked at the Demon Lord in surprise and asked in unison, "You (You) have?"
The Demon Lord opened his eyes, walked to the table, and took out a small jar of wine from his Qiankun bag. The seal still bore a peach blossom imprint. Not only did he have it, but it was also wine personally brewed by Peach Mother.
Peach Mother exclaimed in surprise, "Lord Demon Lord, you've been hiding my good wine! This is truly the greatest compliment to me."
"Good, very good," Jian Lin said meaningfully. "I thought the Demon Lord didn't like anything."
The Demon Lord broke the seal and said calmly, "Drinking wine is certainly a great joy in life. I agree with you on this point."
"As expected of a good friend!" Jian Lin gave a thumbs-up and enthusiastically took the wine jar, pouring wine for the Demon Lord and Peach Mother. "Come on, as the saying goes, 'Enjoy the wine today, get drunk today.' Let's have a hearty drink together today."
With fine wine and delicious food, they drank heartily, ate their fill, and became happily tipsy.
The most sober was the Demon Lord. He reached out and pulled Jian Lin, intending to help her to the bed.
"No need, I'm not sleepy," Jian Lin laughed happily. "I want to meditate, work hard, and improve!"
The Demon Lord endured it again and again, not saying what he shouldn't, and directly pushed her onto the bed. "Alright, you can meditate on the bed too."
"Meditating on the bed feels a bit improper," Jian Lin, drunk and giddy, had some lewd thoughts pop into her mind. She suddenly grabbed the Demon Lord's wrist and pulled him, saying, "Lord Chong Yuan, do you know what's most suitable to do on a bed?"