The sun climbed higher as they followed the winding path away from the temple.
Rui's initial enthusiasm had faded, replaced by increasingly dramatic sighs and the occasional theatrical stumble.
"How much farther?" she groaned,
Jin glanced back. "Rui, we've barely traveled two miles."
"That's at least one mile too many."
Rui turned to Zou, who was strolling behind them with infuriating grace despite the rough terrain.
"Zou, can you conjure us a chariot. Something with cushions. And perhaps a small fountain of sweet wine?"
Zou's face fell dramatically, one hand pressed to his heart.
"My beloved princess, nothing would bring me greater joy than manifesting your every whim."
Zou's elegant fingers traced an intricate pattern in the air, golden magic shimmering at his fingertips.
"Behold, my princess, your chariot awaits—"
The spell collapsed with a sad, wheezing noise like a deflating balloon. Golden sparks fizzled around Zou's hands before dissipating entirely.
His expression shifted from confident smirk to bewildered horror.
"What in the..." Zou frantically waved his hands again, producing nothing but a few pathetic sparks.
"Hahaha! The great fox prince can't even make a sparkle!"
The tiny demon beast kicked his stubby legs in the air, wheezing with delight.
"Oh, this is too good!"
"Ughh…The mortal realm ruined my magnificent powers. I'm but a shadow of my glorious self here," cried Zou.
"However," Zou brightened, swooping toward Rui with a flourish, "these shoulders were made for carrying divine burdens."
He knelt before her, offering his back. "Your chariot awaits, Princess."
Jin stepped between them, his expression darkening.
"Absolutely not!"
"Oh?" Zou's eyes gleamed with mischief.
"Would you prefer to carry her yourself, monk? Those prayer beads might chafe her delicate skin."
"I think she's perfectly capable of walking alone," Jin said stiffly.
"No…I can't…" Rui looked at Jin with wide, pouty eyes.
Jin couldn't bear to refuse this face.
After a moment's hesitation, he turned and crouched before Rui.
"Climb on, Princess."
"Really?" Rui's eyes widened with delight.
"Before I change my mind."
Rui happily wrapped her arms around Jin's neck, settling against his back with a contented sigh.
"You're so strong, Jin," she cooed near his ear.
Zou pouted dramatically. "This is so unfair, I would have carried you more passionately."
"That's why I'm not letting you," Jin replied, adjusting Rui's weight as he straightened.
"Ah, yes, the sacred ritual of male preening," Kee Kee snickered from Rui's shoulder.
"Next comes the chest-puffing and perhaps marking of territory. Truly fascinating to witness in the wild."
Jin shot the tiny demon a withering look.
"What?" Kee Kee blinked innocently. "I'm merely documenting the mating habits of the rare monk-demon pairing. For scientific purposes."
Rui giggled against Jin's neck, sending an involuntary shiver down his spine.
The path curved around a hillside, revealing a sprawling town in the valley below. Colorful banners strung between buildings, and even from this distance, they could hear the buzz of a busy market.
"Look!" Rui pointed excitedly, nearly causing Jin to lose his balance. "A real mortal town! We should explore it."
Jin frowned. "There's still a long way to go until we reach the Crimson Battlefield. We shouldn't delay."
"But Jin," Rui slid from his back, her eyes sparkling excitedly,
"I've never been to a proper mortal town before. Think of all the fascinating things they must have!"
"Right, Princess," Zou chimed in, fanning himself dramatically.
"One must experience the quaint charms of mortal existence. It's practically educational."
"We're not tourists," Jin said firmly. "We have a mission."
"Missions require sustenance," Zou countered smoothly.
Kee Kee snorted. "I think he just wants to go shopping."
"I prefer the term 'gathering resources, '" Zou corrected with a dignified sniff.
Rui took Jin's hands in hers, her expression suddenly earnest.
"Please? Just for a little while?"
Jin's resolve crumbled under her gaze. He sighed, shoulders slumping in defeat.
"Fine, but only for a few hours."
Rui squealed with delight, bouncing on her toes before kissing Jin's cheek quickly.
"You're the best, Jin!"
"I'm already regretting this," Jin muttered, but couldn't suppress his smile.
Zou sidled up beside him. "You know she always gets her way, right?"
"I'm learning," Jin admitted.
"Good." Zou patted his shoulder. "It makes things so much easier once you accept it."
The Golden Blossom Town welcomed them with an explosion of color and sound.
Red lanterns hung from every eave, flower garlands draped between buildings, and the occasional firecracker punctuated the air with sharp cracks and wisps of smoke.
"It's so vibrant!" Rui gasped, her eyes wide as she took in the scene.
Townspeople bustled through streets lined with stalls selling everything from steamed buns to intricate paper cuttings.
Jin caught her arm as she nearly collided with a cart of persimmons. "Careful."
"Look at those!" Rui pointed to a stall displaying delicate hairpins with dangling crystals that caught the sunlight.
Before Jin could protest, she'd darted away, weaving through the crowd with surprising agility.
"She's like a butterfly in a flower garden," Zou observed, materializing beside Jin.
Jin sighed. "We should at least try to stay together."
Zou dramatically fanned himself. "I'd rather explore on my own; you take care of our princess."
Kee Kee hopped from Rui's shoulder to Zou's.
"I'm going with Fox-face. He attracts better trouble."
"Shall we meet back here before sunset?" Jin called after them.
Zou waved dismissively.
As they disappeared into the crowd, Rui tugged Jin forward.
"Will they be alright on their own?"
"I'm honestly more concerned about the town," Jin replied dryly.
Jin followed Rui's path of delighted exclamations as she walked through the streets.
A large banner stretched overhead, waving in the breeze:
"Blossom Beauty Festival—Talent & Elegance Contest Tonight!"
"A beauty pageant?" Rui's eyes sparkled dangerously.
"No," Jin said immediately.
"I didn't even say anything!" Rui pouted.
"You didn't have to. We're not participating."
Jin noticed Rui's pout deepening as she stared longingly at the festival banner. He gently took her hand before she could scheme her way into the contest.
"How about we find some food instead?" he suggested, steering her away from temptation.
"You must be hungry after our journey."
Rui's expression brightened immediately.
"Yes! I can't wait to try some good mortal food." She pressed closer to him, the beauty contest momentarily forgotten.
Jin's thumb traced small circles on her palm as they walked.
"There's a place near the center square that makes excellent savoury crepes."
"Oooh, lead the way, Jin." She squeezed his hand, her eyes soft with affection.
The market square buzzed with activity as vendors called out their wares. Savory scents wafted through the air—ginger, garlic, and sizzling oils that made Rui's stomach rumble audibly.
Jin guided her to a modest stall where an older woman fried crepes on a flat pan with practiced fingers.
"Two portions of vegetable crepes, please," Jin requested, passing over a few copper coins.
The woman smiled, "Certainly, for you and your pretty wife?"
Jin wanted to correct her, but felt Rui's fingers tighten around his.
"He's very lucky, isn't he?" said Rui, playing the part with natural ease.
"Oh, you two make such a charming couple" said the older woman.
"Thank you," Rui beamed, as they accepted their box of crepes.
"They smell so good!" she exclaimed, reaching for one.
Jin caught her hand. "Careful, they're hot."
He picked up a piece with his chopsticks, blew on it gently, and held it to her lips.
Rui opened her mouth. The moment it touched her tongue, her eyes closed in bliss.
"Mmmm!" she hummed, savoring the layers of flavor.
"It's good?" Jin asked, a small smile playing at his lips.
Rui nodded enthusiastically.
They sat together on a wooden bench as Jin patiently fed Rui while occasionally taking a bite himself.
As evening approached, she gazed around as the lanterns illuminated, casting a warm glow over the festivities.
"So," Rui said, wiping her mouth delicately, "what's our plan for tonight?
"There's a clearing about half a mile beyond the outer gate. We can set up camp there and continue at first light," answered Jin
Rui let out a disappointed expression.
"But Jin," she said softly, "the festival is just beginning. Listen—they're starting the music!"
The distant strains of melodies drifted through the air, accompanied by the laughter of townsfolk gathering in the main square.
"Rui, you have a trial to complete," Jin reminded her, but his resolve weakened under her pleading gaze.
"Please…" Rui pressed, taking his hands in hers.
"Just one night to experience a mortal festival. I don't know if we can experience something like this again."
Jin sighed, knowing he'd already lost this battle.
"Fine. Let's go find an inn."
Rui squealed with delight, nudging her face to his shoulders.
They made their way through increasingly crowded streets to the largest inn in town—The Crystal Crane.
The inn's exterior is adorned with festival decorations and a crowd of hopeful patrons.
Jin approached the harried-looking innkeeper, a round man with a perpetually damp forehead.
"We need a room for the night," Jin said.
The innkeeper barked a laugh.
"During the Blossom Beauty Festival? Every inn in town has been fully booked for weeks!"
Jin's shoulders slumped. "Is there nowhere else?"
"Not unless you can convince someone to give up their room," the innkeeper said, wiping his brow with a cloth. He paused, eyeing them thoughtfully.
"Though there is one way..."
"Yes?" Rui leaned forward eagerly.
The innkeeper gestured to a colorful poster on the wall.
"You can try to win the festival contest tonight. The grand prize includes hot springs access, gourmet meals, and our finest suite!"
Rui's eyes lit up dangerously.
"Then we have no choice. We're going to win that contest."