Heart of the White-haired Demon

As they navigated the bustling streets of Bailao, Lian's eyes darted back and forth, taking in the vibrant market stalls and hawkers calling out their wares. Bai Ye walked beside him, his calm demeanor a stark contrast to Lian's excitement.

Lian's gaze landed on a small stall tucked away between two larger vendors. An elderly woman sat behind the stall, surrounded by an assortment of trinkets and accessories. Lian's eyes widened as he spotted a delicate clothing accessory adorned with a tiny white tiger head statue.

He hurried over to the stall, his fingers reaching out to touch the accessory. "How much for this one, please?" he asked the old woman.

The woman smiled, her eyes crinkling at the corners. "Ah, young master, this one is a rare find. I'll let it go for... five qian?"

Lian's face fell as he realized he didn't have any money on him. He was about to apologize and put the accessory back when Bai Ye appeared beside him, a small silver bar glinting in his hand. He tossed the bar to the old woman, who caught it deftly.

"Here, take this," Bai Ye said, his voice low. "Give the young master the accessory."

Lian's eyes widened as he took the accessory from the old woman. He looked up at Bai Ye, his brow furrowed. "Isn't that money too much for just one accessory?"

Bai Ye's expression turned enigmatic. "You should just leave it, okay?"

Lian shook his head, disagreeing with Bai Ye's suggestion to leave the matter of the silver bar alone. Instead, his eyes scanned the stall, searching for something that caught his eye. His gaze landed on a matching accessory, this one adorned with an azure dragon head carved from a gleaming blue stone.

The old woman smiled, her eyes sparkling with approval. "Ah, young master, you have an excellent eye! That azure dragon accessory is a perfect match for the white tiger one."

Lian grinned, feeling a sense of satisfaction. He picked up the azure dragon accessory and turned to Bai Ye, holding it out to him. "Here, old monster, I think this one suits you."

Bai Ye's smirk deepened as he took the accessory from Lian. He examined it briefly before tucking it into his robes, his eyes glinting with amusement.

Lian decided not to press the issue further, instead choosing to continue their journey through the bustling streets of Bailao.

As they walked, the sounds and smells of the city enveloped them – the hawkers calling out their wares, the scent of roasting meats and steaming vegetables, the chatter of pedestrians hurrying to and fro.

Bai Ye navigated the crowded streets with ease, his long strides eating up the distance. Lian struggled to keep up, his shorter legs moving quickly as he dodged and weaved through the throngs of people.

Despite the chaos surrounding them, Lian felt a sense of excitement and wonder. He had never been to Bailao before, and everything about the city seemed new and fascinating. From the intricate carvings on the buildings to the colorful silks and fabrics on display, every detail seemed to captivate his attention.

As they turned a corner, the sound of rushing water grew louder. Lian's eyes widened as he caught sight of a massive stone bridge spanning a wide, fast-flowing river. The bridge was adorned with intricate carvings and statues, its surface gleaming in the sunlight.

"Wow," Lian breathed, his eyes fixed on the bridge. "This is incredible!"

As they walked through the bustling streets of Bailao, Lian's eyes darted from one fascinating sight to another. Bai Ye strolled beside him, his gaze watchful and protective, like an older brother keeping a close eye on his rambunctious younger sibling.

Suddenly, Lian's steps faltered as he caught the heavenly aroma wafting from a nearby restaurant. His stomach growled in protest, reminding him that he hadn't eaten anything that morning. The restaurant's sign creaked in the gentle breeze, bearing the elegant characters which Lian assumed meant "Scenes of the Golden Gate."

Lian's eyes sparkled as he inhaled the mouthwatering scent of roasted chicken and fine liquor. He turned to Bai Ye, a sheepish grin spreading across his face, and pointed at the restaurant.

Bai Ye's expression remained stoic, but a hint of amusement flickered in his eyes. He nodded curtly and led Lian into the restaurant.

As they sat down at a wooden table, Lian enthusiastically summoned the waiter and began ordering almost every dish on the menu. "We'll have your best roasted chicken, the one with the crispy skin and tender meat. And your finest liquor, the one brewed with the rare Bailao herbs. Oh, and don't forget the steamed dumplings and the stir-fried vegetables!"

The waiter, a friendly man with a bushy mustache, chuckled and nodded along with Lian's orders. "Ah, young master, you certainly know how to appreciate the finer things in life! Our Bailao liquor is indeed famous for its unique flavor and medicinal properties."

Lian grinned mischievously. "I've heard that the cultivators of Bailao are quite fond of it. Which family is the most renowned for their cultivation skills, by the way?"

The waiter leaned in, a conspiratorial glint in his eye. "Ah, that would be the Ling family, of course! Their patriarch, Ling Tianqi, is a respected figure in the cultivation world. His family's techniques are unmatched, and their disciples are always in high demand."

Bai Ye sat silently throughout the conversation, his eyes fixed on some point beyond the restaurant. Lian, however, was in his element, chatting and laughing with the waiter as if they were old friends.

Once the orders were placed, Lian turned to Bai Ye and asked, "Old Ye, is there anything you'd like to add to the order?"

Bai Ye raised an eyebrow and waved his hand dismissively. Lian, however, was not deterred. "Nonsense, we're in Bailao, and we should have the best Bailao liquor! Brother, bring us another jar of your finest!"

The waiter bowed and departed, leaving Lian and Bai Ye to await their order.

Bai Ye sat down, his movements stiff and formal. For a moment, he seemed lost in thought, his gaze drifting into the distance. Then, his hand absently wandered to the azure dragon head accessory Lian had given him earlier. His fingers began to tap a slow rhythm on the intricate carving, and a faint, enigmatic smile played on his lips.

Lian's eyes locked onto Bai Ye's face, his gaze burning with curiosity. A mischievous glint sparkled in his eyes as he leaned forward, resting his chin on his hands. "Old monster," he said, his voice low and teasing.

Bai Ye's smile vanished in an instant. He snapped back to attention, his eyes narrowing into a glare. "What is it that you want, Lian?" he growled.

Lian's grin widened, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "Old monster, is there a rule where you come from that says you can't smile?"

The question seemed to strike a nerve, and for a moment, Bai Ye's stoic mask slipped. A flicker of pain danced in his eyes, and his jaw clenched in a tight, controlled line. But the moment passed, and his expression smoothed into its usual impassive calm.

"It's not that I can't smile, Lian," Bai Ye said, his voice measured and detached. "It's just that I don't want to. Be grateful that I'm not killing you right now."

Lian's grin faltered, and he sat back, his eyes cautious. He mimed zipping his lips shut, a gesture of mock obedience. "Okay, okay, I get it."

The tension between them was palpable, but Lian seemed determined to diffuse it. He glanced around the restaurant, taking in the bustling atmosphere, and then turned back to Bai Ye with a mischievous glint in his eye. "So, old monster, what's the plan for today?"