Unrivaled Miracle Doctor: The God-Defying Demonic Consort novel Chapter 537

Chapter 537: Chapter 181: Stay Away from Him, He’s Dangerous!

Two invitations lay before Mu Qingge. In truth, both came from the same place, yet there was a distinction between them.

After sending Jiang Li off, Mu Qingge lowered her gaze and focused on the two invitations.

One was an invitation from the Wanxiang Building auction.

The other was from Han Caicai.

That this enchanting Han Caicai was also in Tiandu surprised Mu Qingge somewhat. By her calculations, it had been a year or two since they last met.

Mu Qingge pondered and picked up the invitation sent under Han Caicai’s personal name.

"Han Caicai actually wants to meet me tonight? When did he become so polite?" Mu Qingge remarked in surprise, reading the invitation’s contents again.

She remembered that Han Caicai never took others’ opinions into consideration in his actions, coming and going as he pleased.

Even if he were to meet with her, he would never do so in such a proper manner.

"What’s he up to?" Mu Qingge murmured, tossing the invitation aside.

Then, she picked up the other invitation.

This was the invitation to the Wanxiang Building auction, one which she believed many in Tiandu had received. The auction would be held in half a month, coinciding with the Linchuan Conference?

Mu Qingge mentally calculated the timing. The Linchuan Conference was five days away and would last about a month, with a three-day rest after each round of competition.

The auction at Wanxiang Building would precisely occur during the rest period after the first round.

"Looks like the people at Wanxiang Building have planned this meticulously," Mu Qingge said to herself.

She lowered her gaze and opened the invitation.

It only detailed the auction’s time and place, the names of the invitees, and some participation rules. There was no information about the auction items.

Mu Qingge frowned, feeling a bit hesitant.

The overall strength of the third-class countries meant that securing more than the remaining four slots required an all-out effort. This "all-out effort" involved more than just cultivation; it required planning and strategy at every step.

What kind of strategic planning and deployment could ensure the highest chance of final victory!

This time, with three representing countries from the third-class, Mu Qingge naturally hoped that all three would qualify. However, this increased the pressure on the team leaders like her.

Worried daily about the Linchuan Conference, she really couldn’t muster much interest in the Wanxiang Building’s auction.

After a moment’s thought, Mu Qingge murmured to herself, "I’ll meet Han Caicai tonight first, and then see."

With that, she put away the auction invitation and Han Caicai’s post together.

...

As night fell, Tiandu seemed to transform into another world.

By day, Tiandu was grand and elegant, like the cherished daughter of a wealthy family. By night, it became alluring and enchanting, each corner exuding its unique charm.

Mu Qingge left the post house alone, without bringing anyone along to the appointment.

As soon as she stepped out, she sensed prying eyes around her. A faint smile on her lips, Mu Qingge strolled nonchalantly into the night market.

During the day, she had been privately summoned to the Li Palace, likely provoking many to palpable curiosity, eager to uncover her relationship with the Holy King.

Fully aware since leaving the Li Palace, Mu Qingge knew people were keen to discover her ties to His Majesty.

Blending into the crowd of the night market, Mu Qingge made the covert observers’ task more challenging.

Street vendors lined the roads, selling a variety of peculiar items.

Fireworks and river lanterns by the lakeside made it livelier than ever.

Meandering ahead, Mu Qingge’s leisurely pace added to the difficulty for those attempting to discreetly tail her.

"Boss, how much for this mask?" Mu Qingge stopped at a mask stall, arbitrarily pointing at a mask with bold brush strokes and a grotesque expression.

"Five wen... uh..." The vendor looked up to answer but was momentarily entranced by the enchantingly beautiful face before him.

When he regained his senses, the bewitching face was nowhere to be seen, and the grotesque mask was gone, replaced by five forgotten coins on the stall.

"Am I seeing things? Could that handsome young man have been a spirit in disguise?" The vendor rubbed his eyes and murmured.

Upon picking up the five coins, their tangible weight assured him everything was indeed real.

As he struggled to discern dream from reality, two or three men burst into his stall, glancing around nervously.

"Uh, looking for a mask, sirs?" the vendor eagerly asked, spotting potential buyers.

Instead, one of them seized the vendor’s collar, yanking him forward: "Did you see a very handsome youth in red here earlier?"

The menacing tone frightened the vendor.

After stammering a while, he managed to say, "He... he left long ago..."

"He’s gone? Damn it!" The man cursed after hearing this, shoving the vendor aside before he and his group plunged back into the crowd.

Pale and scared, the vendor hurriedly packed up his stall and carted it away.

The group quickly vanished into the crowd but overlooked a figure standing among them, wearing a grotesque mask.

Behind the grim mask, a pair of clear, penetrating eyes glimmered, calm and deep enough to peer into the soul.

Only once the tails vanished did she turn and head in another direction.

Wearing the grotesque mask, she appeared neither terrifying nor menacing; instead, there was an intriguing allure. It seemed no one matched her grace as she moved among the masked revelers in the night market.

...

In Tiandu City, there was a beautifully scenic lake.

The winding, picturesque lake covered an expansive area, a favorite day spot for Tiandu’s residents and at night, a meeting place for countless couples whispering sweet nothings.

Boats floated leisurely on the lake under the moonlight.

From these boats came the faint sound of strings and flutes, silhouettes dancing, singing, and feasting in celebration.

Amidst the broad lake, one boat stood out.

It was odd not for its revelry but for its quiet. There were no lithe dancing girls, no enchanting melodies.

Its quietness made it clash with its surroundings.

But this was, after all, just its surface demeanor.

Mu Qingge sat inside the spacious cabin, the grotesque mask casually set aside.

She surveyed the cabin’s decor: garish pink with gold embellishments, a decadent style perfectly suiting Han Caicai. Mu Qingge could never forget the first time she saw Han Caicai emerge from that ostentatiously decorated carriage.

No one else could match Han Caicai in flamboyance and garish taste.

She arrived as expected on the boat reserved by Han Caicai, yet the host was missing. Such uncouth behavior seemed in line with her impression of Han Caicai.

Suddenly, shadows flickered behind the curtain.

In a blink, four or five maids entered, carrying wine and exquisite dishes, quietly filling the table before Mu Qingge.

After arranging the table, they quietly withdrew.

They neither glanced at Mu Qingge nor spoke a word.

Once they left, Mu Qingge lowered her gaze to the table before her.

The mask she casually discarded was carefully placed aside. The remaining seats were adorned with a golden silk handkerchief, upon which seven or eight dishes and a pot of fine wine were placed.

The bowls and chopsticks for the meal were crafted from top-quality mutton-fat jade, exquisitely refined.

Mu Qingge glanced at the dishes, subtly raising her brows. Almost half of these dishes were specialties from Qin Country, while the others seemed to be famed dishes from the Holy Yuan Empire.

Such a thoughtful feast truly gave Mu Qingge a feeling of being overwhelmed by unexpected favor.

Taking her gaze off the dishes, Mu Qingge did not pick up her chopsticks.

She looked at the empty host’s seat, her eyes narrowing slightly: "Han Caicai, I’ve come as promised, do you intend to continue this charade?"

No sooner had she spoken than countless petals began to fall from the sky.

The fluttering petals blurred her vision. Vaguely, she seemed to see a figure descending slowly like a demon, lazily reclining on the chair at the host’s seat.

When the petal rain stopped, it carpeted the cabin floor. The entire space was infused with a more enticing sense of allure.

Mu Qingge couldn’t help but twitch the corner of her mouth, her eyes cold as she looked at Han Caicai.

This enchanting figure had finally appeared. Still wearing the same garish floral robe, his neckline slightly open, teasing glimpses of his alluring collarbone and chest line.

In the time they hadn’t seen each other, he seemed to have grown even more otherworldly in beauty.

The seductive aura surrounding him seemed even denser.

As for his taste... Mu Qingge still couldn’t bring herself to praise it.

Unable to bear it, she shook her head and said, "Every time you make an entrance, does it have to be so... unique?"

Mu Qingge’s disdainful tone didn’t faze Han Caicai; instead, he seemed quite pleased and said, "Fine food and wine naturally require beautiful scenery and company. See how good I am to you?"

Mu Qingge internally rolled her eyes, retorting, "I admit the food and wine, but this beautiful scenery and company, surely you don’t mean this flamboyant petal rain and yourself?"

Han Caicai’s long eyes narrowed slightly, a glint that seemed dangerous flickering in the slits. His lazy voice dropped a few notches, warning, "Mu Qingge, don’t belittle my efforts."

"Haha, thanks a lot." Mu Qingge clasped her hands perfunctorily.

With a beckoning gesture, Han Caicai had a wine cup lifted from the table into his hand. Holding the cup, he toasted Mu Qingge from afar, "Welcome to Tiandu."

Mu Qingge wasn’t shy, picking up her own wine cup and also toasting from afar, "Thanks." With that, she stylishly drained the cup in one gulp.

Her attitude added an indistinct gleam to Han Caicai’s eyes.

He drank the wine in his cup thoughtfully.

After finishing his drink, Han Caicai said, "To welcome you, I specially invited a famous chef from Qin Country. Try these Qin dishes and see if they’re authentic."

Mu Qingge’s gaze fell once more on the Qin Country specialties, feeling a bit puzzled.

Though she and Han Caicai were not enemies, they certainly weren’t friends either. Why did he keep extending kindness to her?

The last time, he suddenly appeared in Qin Country to help her repel enemies.

Then came a round of probing words, making her feel as though her secrets were known to him.

After that, they each became busy, not crossing paths again.

Seeing him again this time, his ’eagerness’ once again puzzled Mu Qingge.

As she pondered, she nevertheless picked up her chopsticks and tasted a small portion of each dish. Setting the chopsticks down, she nodded, "Hmm, not bad."

Her response seemed to add a hint of amusement to Han Caicai’s eyes.

"What did you call me here for?" After setting the chopsticks down, Mu Qingge directly looked at Han Caicai and asked.

Her question condensed the smile in Han Caicai’s eyes slightly.

His voice also cooled a bit, "Can’t I just call you for a chat and a casual meal?"

Mu Qingge shook her head, "It’s not that it’s impossible, but this isn’t your style, Han Caicai."

"Hmph." Han Caicai snorted haughtily. His long eyes slightly lowered, his lashes shielded his true emotions. "You have many admirers, yet you fancy none. Isn’t there some hidden reason?"

Such an obvious probing question—how could Mu Qingge not catch on?

Moreover, Han Caicai wasn’t even trying to hide his motives.

Mu Qingge inwardly sneered. This man was indeed scheming against her. Whatever his reason for wanting to ascertain her gender, she had no intention of admitting it before him.

With a slight smile, she answered frankly, "Affection cannot be forced. If you had to reciprocate everyone who fancied you, I doubt you’d have time to sit and drink with me now."

"Such a sharp retort, indeed from Mu Qingge." Han Caicai’s lips curved into an enchanting smile.

He leaned forward slightly, his voice lazy and suggestive as he asked, "Is it that you haven’t met the one, or are you just incapable?"

Mu Qingge’s cheeks suddenly reddened, but she quickly returned to normal.

She coldly replied, "Do I need to explain my capabilities to you?" She paused, curious eyes narrowing at Han Caicai, "Why is Han Caicai so interested in my personal affairs?"

"As a friend, it’s normal to care a bit," Han Caicai squinted, smiling.

But Mu Qingge raised her brows, "Friend? Since when did we become friends? As far as I see it, we’re at most partners in certain ventures."

"Isn’t that a bit heartless?" Han Caicai shook his head slowly.

Nothing in his voice betrayed any emotion.

Mu Qingge shrugged with a smile, "There was never any love between us, so how could there be heartlessness?" She spoke the truth; her dealings with Han Caicai had started with mutual manipulation.

Even though cooperation followed, it was merely for mutual benefit.

Indeed, in Qin Country, he had assisted her. But afterward, though she verbally refused, she still sent a modified grenade gun to Wanxiang Building as thanks.

Moreover, she believed Han Caicai wasn’t helping her out of sheer goodwill; he was trying to glean something from her.

Perhaps... her gender.

Since they had never been candid with each other, how could there be any friendship?

"Mu Qingge, has anyone ever told you, you’re quite heartless?" Han Caicai’s tone suddenly became dangerous.

Mu Qingge, however, indifferently replied, "Why, thank you for the compliment."

"If the purpose of calling me here was to inquire about my personal feelings, then I’ll take my leave. Thank you for the hospitality." Mu Qingge glanced at the untouched delicacies, then stood up without any reluctance.

"Wait." Seeing her about to leave, Han Caicai quickly spoke up to stop her.

This time, his tone was more normal, at least, to Mu Qingge’s ears, more like the Han Caicai she knew.

"Are you in such a hurry?" Han Caicai asked with narrowed eyes.

Mu Qingge shook her head, "Not exactly in a hurry, just loath to waste time on trivial matters."

"Are you calling me trivial?" A hint of danger laced Han Caicai’s tone.

Mu Qingge straightforwardly said, "Hmm, perhaps a spar with you might be less trivial."

Since their first encounter, a sense of balance marked her interactions with Han Caicai. She somewhat anticipated a good match with him someday.

Especially after encountering the lunatic Shen Bicheng, she felt that evenly matched contests might hone one’s skills considerably.

But Han Caicai merely snorted disdainfully at her comment.

He seemed uninterested in fulfilling her request.

"I heard the Hua Family approached you, only for you to refuse? Then what kind of relationship do you have with the Empress Jiang from the Ancient Witch Country?" Han Caicai suddenly asked.

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