BTTH: Demon Emperor Xiao Yan

In the city of Mo, within a shop called Gutu Maps, Hai Bodong sat as usual at the counter, quietly drawing a new map. Due to his cold and aloof personality, his shop had never been particularly popular. The situation had worsened further three months ago after Xiao Yan caused a ruckus and damaged the store, forcing it to close temporarily for repairs. Since reopening, the place had grown even quieter. Aside from the occasional customer seeking a map, most of the time, Hai Bodong was the only one present.

But unlike his typically calm demeanor cultivated over decades of secluded life in this remote corner of Mo City, the past few months had been marked by increasing restlessness. Even his cartography, a skill he'd once mastered to perfection, had suffered repeated failures. He had waited so many years, finally encountering an alchemist capable of resolving his sealed condition—only for that person to vanish without a trace. How could he not be anxious?

If not for the half of the ancient map still in his possession, Hai Bodong might have really suspected that Xiao Yan had played him. But now, even he couldn't help but wonder if the boy had died on the road…

With his thoughts in turmoil once more, Hai Bodong's brush slipped, ruining yet another map. With a sigh, he tossed it aside and was just about to close the shop when a timid little girl stepped inside. She had delicate features and looked around nervously.

"Are you here to buy a map?" he asked, raising a brow in surprise. It was the first time he had seen such a young girl come alone to purchase a map.

The girl shook her head and replied softly, "My young master sent me to find you. He said… he wants you to come meet him."

"Your young master?" Hai Bodong frowned. In Mo City, there were a few people of status who knew something of his past and had tried to rope him in. This little girl's master was likely one of them. With his usual cool tone, he replied, "Tell your young master I'm busy."

"Is that so? Ice Emperor, you do look awfully busy."

The sudden, familiar voice startled Hai Bodong. He turned quickly, only to see Xiao Yan already seated atop the counter where he had been working, idly playing with the stack of discarded maps.

"If you're so busy, I suppose I should come back another time," Xiao Yan said with a relaxed smile.

"Hahaha! Young brother, what are you saying!" Hai Bodong's demeanor shifted instantly, his face lighting up with a grin. Rubbing his hands together, he said excitedly, "I've waited a long time for your return. Do you have what I need?"

"Here." Xiao Yan lightly tapped his storage ring, and a pale yellow herb appeared on the counter. "This should be the Mandorla of Sand you wanted. Took me quite a bit of effort to find."

Hai Bodong picked up the herb and examined it carefully. Once he was sure it was genuine and undamaged, he couldn't help but smile broadly. But just as he opened his mouth to express his gratitude, he suddenly sensed a strange aura from Xiao Yan and froze. His joy turned into astonishment.

"You… you've had contact with Queen Medusa?"

Xiao Yan nodded casually. "We crossed paths in Rock Desert City. Ended up fighting."

"Tsk, tsk… truly, heroes emerge young. To think you survived an encounter with that woman—remarkable, truly remarkable." Hai Bodong couldn't hide his amazement. Having once been defeated and sealed by Queen Medusa for decades, he knew all too well how terrifying that enchanting serpent queen could be.

He had heard rumors of a mysterious expert in Rock Desert City wielding purple-black flames who fought Medusa, but hadn't known the full details. He'd simply assumed Xiao Yan had escaped with his life, never imagining that the boy had fought her to a draw.

"Just a stroke of luck," Xiao Yan said modestly, not bothering to elaborate further. His gaze fell to the herb in Hai Bodong's hand. "Anyway, I've brought what you asked for. Now, about the other half of the ancient map—do I get it?"

"Well…" Hai Bodong's expression turned slightly awkward. "Young brother, as we agreed, I'd give you the other half of the map after you refined the unsealing pill. You haven't done that yet…"

"So, since I haven't refined the pill, our agreement doesn't count? Is that what you mean?" Xiao Yan asked with a faint smile.

"Of course not!" Hai Bodong chuckled sheepishly. "You've done me a great favor bringing the Mandorla of Sand. Naturally, I'll keep my word. I'll do one thing for you—so long as it doesn't go against my principles."

"Good. Glad your memory's so sharp." Xiao Yan's smile remained unchanged, but his tone held a trace of warning. He glanced around the room and continued, "Old Hai, as you know, alchemists hate being disturbed while refining. I'll need a quiet room—time to start."

"Yes, yes! Right this way!" Hai Bodong hurried to lead him into a small, silent room in the back of the shop.

After scanning the room with his spiritual perception and confirming there were no issues, Xiao Yan finally sat down and said, "Alright, bring me the formula and materials."

Hai Bodong reluctantly pulled out a scroll and a number of ingredients from his storage ring. His face showed visible pain—these had taken him years to gather. Now, with them in Xiao Yan's hands, they were effectively out of his possession. The pill recipe alone was worth more than most Earth Rank Dou Techniques.

In the Dou Qi Continent, if one sought an alchemist's help to refine a pill, one had to provide both the ingredients and the recipe. And per custom, the alchemist retained the right to keep the recipe afterward. If an alchemist liked the formula and kept it for themselves, the client could not object. To do so would be considered breaking the rules. If such behavior were reported, no other alchemist would ever work with that person again.

As for whether Xiao Yan would keep the recipe… there was no need to even question it. Xiao Yan wouldn't hesitate. Not only would he keep the formula, but if he could, he'd take the person who owned it for a ride too.

(End of Chapter)

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