Many years later, when asked if he regretted meeting Shen Bozhou, Tao Mian would always fall silent before letting go of his thoughts.

He would say, what's there to regret? It was just that the wind was clear, the stars were bright, and among the thousands of lanterns and fires by the river, that person happened to appear, that's all.

Of course, that was his reflection years later. Right now, Tao Mian still wanted to strangle the arrogant young man in front of him.

The young man before him was none other than Shen Bozhou, the second son of the master of the Illusionary Truth Pavilion in the Demonic Realm. Second Young Master Shen was notoriously arrogant and rude, even Xue Han found him troublesome.

But taking off the mask was out of the question.

Xue Han was a smiling tiger; the more annoyed he was inside, the wider he smiled.

He said, "Today, I was stood up by a beauty, so I had to bring a servant from the house. Such a small matter, no need to trouble Young Master Shen."

Shen Bozhou sneered.

"Shopkeeper Xue, we both know what's going on, so let's not beat around the bush. Bringing a male servant to the singing tower, we all know what that means."

Tao Mian, included in the "we all": ... What does it mean?

He turned to look at Xue Han, and even through the mask, Shopkeeper Xue could feel his bright eyes filled with confusion.

Now was not the time for explanations.

He pressed his hand down at his side, signaling Tao Mian not to ask for now.

"Just a coincidence," Shopkeeper Xue coughed lightly. Outside, he always pretended to be in poor health to lower others' guard.

Shen Bozhou was not inclined to believe his "coincidence."

"Forget it, since Shopkeeper Xue won't admit it, then taking off the mask should be a reasonable request, right?"

The Thousand Lantern Tower held a special status in the Demonic Realm and had its own set of rules. Although the guests were all distinguished figures, the Thousand Lantern Tower had the right to refuse any transaction it didn't want to make.

Guests didn't want to offend the Thousand Lantern Tower and its backing forces, so they adhered to its rules on the surface. One of the rules was to verify one's identity before entering the tower.

Only when trading certain special items were guests allowed to conceal their identities. In other situations, guests were not permitted to cover their faces.

Manager Meng, the big-headed doll, had been troubled by this, but considering Xue Han was a valued guest who spent a lot of money at the Thousand Lantern Tower, and since the servant was just an appendage to the master, they decided to turn a blind eye.

If it weren't for Shen Bozhou's sudden interference, this wouldn't have been an issue at all today.

Xue Han was also puzzled. He had no dealings with Shen Bozhou, so why was he being difficult? Besides, the Illusionary Truth Pavilion had business dealings with Shopkeeper Xue, even if Shen Bozhou's father came, he would have to show some respect.

Shen Bozhou, just a mere illegitimate child...

Thinking of this, Xue Han was somewhat displeased.

Could it be that Tao Mian had somehow provoked him again?

Shopkeeper Xue turned back and gave Tao Mian a deep look.

Tao Mian: ?

Why are you glaring at me?

He didn't know anything.

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Tao Mian's heart was bright and sunny, without any of those complicated twists and turns.

Since the young man opposite wanted him to take off the mask, then he would.

He placed his hand on the edge of the mask, and Xue Han shook his head slightly in disapproval.

He thought there was no need to give in to a reckless young man.

But immortals have their own ways.

Tao Mian's fingers touched the edge of the mask, and under Shen Bozhou's subtly pressuring gaze, he put his hand back at his side.

"I..." He tilted his head, "I just look like this."

Shen Bozhou: ?

Xue Han: ...

Second Young Master Shen was so infuriated that he laughed. He said, "Listen to yourself, isn't it absurd? Who has a face like a mask?"

Tao Mian looked at Manager Meng, who was bowing and rubbing his hands, appearing hesitant and afraid to speak.

...

The silence at this moment was deafening.

But Shen Bozhou still wouldn't let it go.

"Manager Meng is a Yaksha from Moon Hill, could it be that you are also from the Yaksha clan?"

"I... could be."

Tao Mian hesitated to answer him, and Xue Han struggled to hold back his laughter, having to half-open his folding fan to avoid laughing too much and offending Shen Bozhou.

Shen Bozhou's face turned blue.

Their conversation was not loud, and the passing demons and ghosts only thought they were exchanging pleasantries.

Only the people involved could feel the undercurrent of tension.

Manager Meng was a smooth operator and couldn't let two distinguished guests start a fight at the entrance, ruining the harmony.

He rubbed his small, rough hands and stepped forward.

"Gentlemen, the singing tower is about to start. Why not go in and take a look at today's rare items?"

Xue Han smiled and took the opportunity given by Manager Meng.

"Then I'll trouble Manager Meng to arrange it."

Manager Meng repeatedly said, "Shopkeeper, you're too kind," and cautiously looked at Shen Bozhou's displeased face.

"Second Young Master, what do you think?"

Shen Bozhou snorted coldly, unwilling to continue the argument.

"Lead the way quickly, Manager Meng. Aren't we here to see the goods?"

Manager Meng felt relieved, a cold sweat breaking out on his back. He quickly called over two young servants to lead the distinguished guests into the building.

Xue Han lifted his robe and stepped through the door, leading the way.

Tao Mian followed closely behind.

Suddenly, a gust of wind swept across his face, and one side of the mask lifted uncontrollably, blown open by the force of the wind.

With a soft thud, the white mask fell to the ground, swaying slightly.

Throughout the process, Tao Mian's hand didn't move, as if he hadn't realized the sneak attack and didn't have time to hold it.

Shen Bozhou looked up to see the person's face—

A face wearing the same mask appeared before him.

...

Tao Mian spoke in a flat tone, as if saying, "I told you so."

"Young Master Shen, I said, I was born with this appearance."

As if that wasn't enough, he added.

"Manager Meng and I are probably different; he doesn't have as many faces as I do."

After thoroughly embarrassing the annoying young man, Tao Mian leisurely stepped over the threshold to catch up with Shopkeeper Xue ahead.

Once they could no longer sense Shen Bozhou's presence, Xue Han quietly asked Tao Mian.

"How did you do it?"

Tao Mian's mask was illuminated by the warm light of the glass lamps, casting colorful reflections.

He seemed to let out a short, soft laugh.

"Just a little trick."

Xue Han knew what he meant.

"Illusions? You should have said so earlier. Why wear a mask when you can change your face?"

"Maintaining one face is too much effort, I don't feel like it."

"You're just lazy."

As they spoke softly, the two of them ascended the long, winding staircase. The layout of the Thousand Lantern Tower was unique, with each level connected vertically. In the center of each floor was a round stage for performances, surrounded by private booths. The center was bright, while the surroundings were dim. Tao Mian glanced at the thin stage in the middle, adorned with entwined lotus patterns. It seemed only large enough for three or four people to stand on, and it was suspended in the air without any supporting pillars, like a leaf floating in the air.

There was a considerable empty space between the round stage and the private booths, dark and seemingly empty, yet it felt as if something was hidden there.

The performance hadn't started yet, and a dancer was gracefully moving on the round stage, her flowing sleeves creating a captivating scene.

Tao Mian took a brief look and then withdrew his gaze.

The servant led them to the fifth floor, where Xue Han took a lantern from his hand. The candle inside burned with a ghostly green light, which would be used later to light the glass lamps.

The private booths were individual compartments, appearing open on the side facing the round stage but actually protected by a secret spell. People outside couldn't see inside, but the guests inside could clearly see the outside.

On the carved pillars on either side hung exquisite glass lamps, waiting for the guests to light them.

Once inside the private booth, Xue Han visibly relaxed, indicating that the privacy here was well-maintained. Some things that couldn't be said outside could now be discussed.

Tao Mian didn't talk much, focusing on eating while Xue Han's voice narrated beside him.

Xue Han said the Thousand Lantern Tower had a history of hundreds of years, not as long as your life, but still quite ancient, recognized by the elites of the Demonic Realm, even if it had many rules.

Later, a singing tower official would explain the rules of the tower, and you should listen carefully.

Tonight, there are many guests, perhaps there are valuable items on the seventh floor and above. We should act discreetly.

Also, Shen Bozhou is a pervert, pay him no mind.

Tao Mian raised his eyebrows in surprise.

"A pervert calling a pervert a pervert, how novel."

Xue Han just smiled.

"I'm the type to quit while I'm ahead, but Shen Bozhou isn't. He's done a lot of dirty deeds, relying on his family's background, so don't get involved with him."

Tao Mian said he understood.

"Don't brush it off, that Shen Bozhou..."

Xue Han's words were cut off abruptly. Tao Mian was puzzled, and suddenly, he sensed something unusual too.

The noise outside seemed to be sucked away by a giant bag, the chatter of guests, the sound of musical instruments, and the shouts of the servants all disappeared.

Tao Mian looked towards the central floating stage.

Thud.

The crisp and powerful sound of a drum being struck by fingers brought the wandering minds of the guests back, causing them to turn their heads towards the empty stage in the center.

Thud.

Another crisp sound, and the lights in the tower grew brighter, making the patterns on the base of the round stage even clearer.

Thud—

The final drumbeat resonated, and in the nine-tiered round stage, nine singing tower officials appeared simultaneously, dressed in dark robes. The officials were of equal height, slender, and almost identical in appearance, as if carved from the same mold. Among them were men and women, old and young, all wearing courteous smiles, with even the corners of their mouths raised to the same height. The smiles, though friendly, felt stiff, as if deliberately trained, like mechanical dolls.

The nine of them began the opening simultaneously, speaking the same opening words with identical rhythm. The overlapping male and female voices sounded like the performers of an opera troupe.

The singing tower official on the fifth floor was a young man of about thirty. On the stage, he raised his hand, spun around, and spoke in an orderly manner, his voice rising and falling with precision.

"Above, there is the Jade Terrace Mirror; below, the Thousand Lantern Tower.

There are three prohibitions in the tower, please listen carefully.

First, no lighting of private lamps, violators will be fined ten thousand gold.

Second, no internal strife, violators will be banned forever.

Third, no immortals on the tower, violators will be executed by a thousand cuts, their souls sealed!"