Coincidentally, I had just stepped out with Little Fox when Boss Qin came in carrying food.
"You city folks sure know how to have fun—taking baths together, eh? Can't blame me for walking in, the door wasn't locked. Didn't see a thing." Boss Qin chuckled, his leer even more obscene than before. "Enjoy your meal. Should've brought you some leeks and oysters—would've made for a more exciting night."
I: "......"
Before leaving, Boss Qin shot me a wink and a thumbs-up.
"Such tender meat—this boy's blessed," he muttered enviously before disappearing down the hallway.
Tender? Of course she's fucking tender! With Little Fox's fourteen-year-old appearance, she's practically a child! Do I look like some scum who'd defile our nation's flowers?
Wait—she's a demon. Doesn't count as one of our nation's flowers anyway.
The little fox went wild at the sight of food. She grabbed the plate and devoured everything like a starved beast. My single portion couldn't even begin to fill her stomach—she polished it off in seconds, leaving me nothing but a few grains of rice stuck to the plate.
Whatever. Just my luck to cross paths with this gluttonous fox. Might as well sleep it off. Not hungry once you're unconscious—close my eyes and dawn will come.
I settled into bed while the little fox curled up on the floor. She claimed human sleeping arrangements made her uncomfortable—said she felt safer on the ground. Sleeping on a bed made her skin crawl.
Hearing that made me lower the Copper Coin Sword I'd been holding to her neck. The kid's got some sense after all—better not make a scene when your life's at stake.
But then the Living Dead's voice pierced through the night again—that shrill, hen-like cackle grating on my ears. For a ground-floor resident like me, it was pure torture.
I caught fragments of his conversation with Boss Qin before his footsteps retreated toward the entrance.
Something wasn't right. What's he doing out there?
While Living Dead creatures typically sleep by day and roam at night, this one was different. He'd just dragged a woman back to his room—normally that'd be an all-night affair. Yet here he was rushing out like his undead ass was on fire. Must be something big to pull him away from his "warm-up."
A thought struck me—why not tail the bastard and see what he's really up to?
To be honest, I was a little curious about the Living Dead's profession and what they did. If I followed him, I might uncover some of the Ghost Police's secrets.
There's an old saying: Curiosity killed the cat. Beiwang Town wasn't far from Mount Zhongnan, and who knew how many demons and ghosts roamed the night? Boss Qin had even warned me not to go out after dark—or else I'd bear the consequences.
But my curiosity about the Living Dead was unbearable, like a million ants crawling under my skin. Knowing he'd left, I couldn't resist the urge to follow and see what he was up to.
Just as I hesitated, my gaze fell on the little fox curled up on the floor.
"Foxy, are you scared of ghosts?" I asked.
She shook her head. She wasn't afraid of ghosts—only of people, and especially of Erebus, the profiteer. Ghosts and demons? No problem. They were all the same to her.
"Good. Then follow that pale-faced man. Whatever he does, report everything back to me. Got it?" I said.
The little fox pouted, looking reluctant. She slept differently from humans—on her back, her tail draped over her bum like a blanket.
"I don't wanna go. I'm sleepy. And I've got motion sickness today. You know how demons get motion sickness. I'm tired, hungry, and now you're making me work? I'm—"
"Two chickens," I said, holding up two fingers.
"Deal! Done!" Instantly energized, she bolted out like a wild horse. With her speed, she'd easily catch up to the Living Dead. Unlike humans, demons' night vision wasn't hindered much by darkness. Hopefully, she'd bring back useful intel.
Of course, I wasn't just going to wait around in my room. If the Living Dead was gone… what about the woman in his room?
Saving a life is better than building a seven-story pagoda. Earlier, I'd hesitated, but now, with the Living Dead away, he wouldn't even know I'd freed her.
His room was on the third floor—locked, of course. No way Boss Qin would open another guest's door for me. So, I had to call in Stein.
Stein looked half-asleep, rubbing his eyes and yawning.
"Little Boss, what's up? I was dreaming about marrying a wife—why'd you drag me out of bed in the middle of the night?" He yawned again, his head drooping like he might pass out any second.
"Dream about women all you want. But how about a real one?" I asked.
"Woman? Where?!" Instantly, Stein's eyes bulged wider than a bull's, all sleepiness gone, replaced by sheer vigor.
Damn, even worse than the little fox. That one was a glutton—this guy? A total horndog.
"In the room—follow me!" I gestured for him to follow and headed up to the third floor.
Stein, hearing about the woman, immediately stumbled after me. We reached the Living Dead's room, and I pointed at the door.
"Unlock it. The woman's inside," I said.
"What the hell, Little Boss? This is someone else's room! You mean we… someone else's wife…? What kind of shit is this? Coveting another man's petite wife—how are we any better than a mistress? No way! Never!" Stein shook his head frantically.
"Fine. Then I guess that woman with the perfect curves will just have to spend the night alone." I pretended to walk away.
"Wait, Little Boss! Maybe… maybe we can give each other a chance. What if… what if we all see eye to eye?" Stein stammered.
I nearly snorted. Was Stein still half-asleep? Breaking into someone's room, picking their lock—and talking about seeing eye to eye? If the owner didn't beat him to death, it'd be a miracle. This guy had clearly lost his mind over women.
Maybe he imagined a beautiful, lonely woman inside—that his heroic entrance would save her from solitude.
But even if that were true, she wouldn't want him!
"Then get to work," I said, suppressing a laugh.
"Okay, leh." Stein pulled out a wire and focused on the lock while I kept watch.
I had two concerns: first, the Living Dead returning; second, the innkeeper catching us. If anyone saw us picking a lock, we'd be screwed. Luckily, this place didn't have security cameras.
Less than two minutes later, a soft click sounded—the lock gave way. Stein waved me over excitedly, then slipped inside like he was afraid I'd steal his prize.
Damn, Stein was good at picking locks. Took him no time at all. That woman was lucky—counted as saved.
But then I heard a muffled grunt from Stein, followed by a sharp cry. I hadn't gone in yet, so I didn't know what happened. My heart lurched. Crap. There might be a trap in that room. I'd forgotten to warn Stein.