Half a month later, Fragrance City.
This was a metropolis whose prosperity was second to none in the outside world, and it also housed the palace of the Seductive Queen.
The Wicked Lands of Cangyun were vast, divided into six major territories, each guarded by one of the Evil Monarchs.
Centered on Fragrance City, the lands spanning a thousand li radius belonged to Shan Qingluo.
Over the past half month, Shan Qingluo had led Yang Kai, Qiu Yimeng, and Luo Xiaoman through the territories controlled by two other Evil Monarchs, making their way back here with extreme caution.
Upon stepping into Fragrance City, everyone, without exception, breathed a sigh of relief.
These half months of shared journey had not only changed Yang Kai's perception of the Wicked Lands of Cangyun, but also completely overturned Qiu Yimeng and Luo Xiaoman's preconceived notions.
According to rumors, the Wicked Lands were teeming with evil martial artists and demonic beings everywhere. One might encounter an irredeemable villain at every turn.
But as Shan Qingluo explained, the Wicked Lands weren't nearly as terrible as the outside world claimed! At least, that was the case in the territory she controlled.
It was undeniable that there were plenty of wicked individuals in the Wicked Lands, but the majority were people with genuine characters.
It was common to find martial artists who had committed offenses within their own sects and were forced into the Wicked Lands, others who had offended powerful factions and entered to escape disaster, and still more who were simply labeled as demons and hunted like rats simply because the techniques they cultivated were considered dark or sinister.
It could be said that many martial artists of the Wicked Lands carried bitter pasts; they weren't necessarily irredeemable sinners.
"The world only accepts the light and denies the darkness within their own hearts. That is why we are called evil... Heh, what utter nonsense!" Shan Qingluo said with a look of resignation.
Although she was one of the six Evil Monarchs and ruled over a thousand li of territory, she still couldn't change the deeply ingrained thoughts and perceptions of the world.
Yang Kai recalled something the Earth Demon had once said.
What is human? What is demon? Humans and demons are of the same origin!
Every heart harbors a demon.
Once inside the city, its bustling liveliness caught Yang Kai's eye, making him exclaim in wonder.
If he hadn't known for certain he was within the Wicked Lands of Cangyun, Yang Kai might have believed this was just another ordinary city like those outside.
Everything here was no different from the outside world. Many common vendors and laborers lived here, and martial artists bustling about were as numerous as fish in a river. Most of these people didn't bully the common folk during their interactions. A few martial artists with unusual appearances, brimming with wicked aura, still strictly adhered to Fragrance City's rules, not daring to cause the slightest trouble.
Periodically, martial artists dressed in black combat attire patrolled the streets. They were the enforcement teams maintaining order in Fragrance City.
Anyone who committed wrongdoing within Fragrance City would be ruthlessly attacked by these enforcers.
Therefore, among all the territories of the Wicked Lands of Cangyun, Fragrance City was the safest. Shan Qingluo's effective management made the city increasingly prosperous, with few daring to commit crimes.
The Queen, her face concealed behind a black veil, did not reveal her true appearance. She led the way at a leisurely pace.
Qiu Yimeng and Luo Xiaoman followed behind her, secretly observing the city's sights while filled with admiration.
Being able to keep an entire city so peaceful spoke volumes about Shan Qingluo's methods.
As they walked, Yang Kai's steps suddenly halted.
Noticing this, Shan Qingluo turned to look at him. "What's wrong?"
Yang Kai grinned. "Beauty, as the saying goes, 'All good things must come to an end.' Let's part ways here."
While receiving the attention of a beautiful woman was pleasant, Yang Kai truly feared the day Shan Qingluo might lose control and take him for herself.
Moreover, it had been some time since he separated from Su Yan and the others, and he was eager to find out about Su Yan's situation.
Hearing this, Shan Qingluo's beautiful eyes flickered, seeing through his thoughts. She walked back with a smile, grabbing Yang Kai's arm, her breath like orchids. "Do you really think you can leave?"
"Is all this enthusiasm necessary?" Yang Kai's expression turned bitter. His worst fear had come true.
He was afraid Shan Qingluo wouldn't let him go, and on the way back, he had tried to escape several times, but she saw through every attempt before he could even act.
With Shan Qingluo being so powerful, if she truly wanted to keep him, he had no recourse.
"It's chaotic and dangerous outside. You might not be safer if you leave. Stay here with me for a while."
"For how long?"
"Depends on my mood, hehe..."
Yang Kai's face darkened further. Damn it, if he stayed, wouldn't he become this enchantress's kept man?
Qiu Yimeng and Luo Xiaoman watched him with schadenfreude, feeling a secret burst of pleasure.
Held captive by Shan Qingluo, unable to move his true essence, yet the enchantress still put on an extremely docile act, one hand holding Yang Kai's arm, gently leaning against him, full of tender affection.
It was fortunate she wore a veil; otherwise, if someone saw this, who knew what kind of chaos would erupt in Fragrance City.