My Core is the Boss

The young maiden's heart skipped a beat. As she gazed at Qi Yuan, fear rose in her chest.

Several scholars, who had been quietly planning a speech, swallowed every word they had rehearsed back down their throats. If the Qi Yuan were some supreme hero of the realm, they would dare to reason with him. However, since the butcher appeared to genuinely relish slaughter, it was best not to provoke him.

Qi Yuan felt a bit peckish after killing someone, so he placed an order. "Waiter, bring me a chicken."

The waiter, who had been standing there with a gaping mouth, snapped to attention. "Right away, sir!"

Qi Yuan found an empty seat at random and settled in beside Huo Mushi. He murmured to himself, "The wind flows right through this spot. It is a good position. Anyone who talks behind my back will have their words carried straight to my ears."

The customers exchanged awkward smiles. The merchant's body was still warm. Who in their right mind would say anything bad about Qi Yuan now? No one dared approach the legendary Red Staff Demon Butcher. They were all waiting for someone braver to make the first move.

That was when hurried footsteps sounded on the staircase. A young girl came rushing down from the upper floor, dressed in a charming green imperial robe.

She stopped before Qi Yuan's table and offered a graceful bow. "Greetings, Red Staff Demon Butcher! I am Princess Green Pearl!"

The customers stirred. She’s an actual princess?

Green Pearl was the daughter of the Little Zhou Empress, the most beautiful woman in all of Fengyuan. Those who had been gossiping about the Little Zhou Empress and the Red Staff Demon Butcher felt chills.

Giving the girl a passing glance, Qi Yuan asked casually, "Do you need something?"

The young girl's bow carried the composed air of someone much older. "Your Excellency traveled three thousand li across the northern lands, massacred eleven demon caves, and saved tens of millions of lives from suffering. On behalf of all the people under heaven, I offer you my gratitude for your righteousness!"

Qi Yuan pinched a peanut between his chopsticks and popped it into his mouth. "Is that all?"

Green Pearl held his gaze, a quiet resolve flickering in her bright eyes. "I wish to offer ten thousand gold taels to humbly ask that you accept me as your disciple."

"Can ten thousand gold taels buy this world?"

He was still saving money to buy Arch Star.

Every face in the room changed. What does he mean? Is he planning to overthrow the dynasty?

Green Pearl seemed to catch the meaning in his words and bit her lip. "Of course not!"

This meeting had not been her idea alone. She had come bearing a mission from the imperial family. Her father, the emperor, hadn't the courage to face the Red Staff Demon Butcher.

Qi Yuan declined, "In that case, I don't want the gold."

His storage space was too small and could not fit too many coins. Moreover, he'd be leaving this world behind, along with all his gold notes and silver notes. He didn't have much to think about.

Green Pearl went pale, but she lowered her head and pressed on. "Then I am willing to serve as your maidservant so long as you will teach me martial arts and help protect Fengyuan."

She had come prepared to sacrifice herself. Among all the princesses and countesses of the royal family, she had the finest looks and the most distinguished status.

Qi Yuan’s expression changed slightly. "I've heard something similar before. You're just like my junior sister when she first joined the sect. Though, it didn’t take long before she transformed into a rich lady. She helped me enormously, but she never served as anyone's maidservant."

Green Pearl's mind was spinning as she tried to process what Qi Yuan said.

He added, "I'll be leaving this place in half a day. I won't be taking on any disciples. That said, I'm about to go flatten the Xi River demons. Watch closely. How much you can learn is entirely up to your own insight."

Being reminded of Jiang Lingsu put him in a generous mood.

Green Pearl felt a jolt of confusion, followed quickly by a flutter of joy. She was confused about where he would go, yet joyful at the thought that this would count as him accepting her.

Just then, a burst of rich, resonant music erupted outside. With it came a woman’s melodic voice. "I am the Fish Girl of the Xi River. I am willing to offer twenty thousand water clan members as a betrothal gift. I humbly invite you to take residence in the Xi River Water Palace, Your Majesty the Red Staff Demon Butcher!

"The Xi River armies shall serve as your sword. Should you desire to conquer the realm, the forces of the Xi River stand ready to sweep through the southern lands!"

Green Pearl's heart lurched. "That's the Xi River Fish Girl!"

"The mistress of the Xi River!"

"The most powerful demon in the land is willing to bow before the Red Staff Demon Butcher?!"

"If the entire demon army falls under the Red Staff Demon Butcher's command, wouldn't taking Fengyuan be as easy as turning over his hand?"

Shock rippled through the customers, though there was concern as well. Had they been the Red Staff Demon Butcher, none would have been able to resist the Xi River mistress.

Green Pearl wore an expression of deep worry, but she stayed uncharacteristically silent.

Meanwhile, Qi Yuan's eyes curved with amusement. "This is the first time I've ever had a White Moonlight come to me on her own."

The White Moonlights he'd encountered so far had all greeted him with curses. Even Jasmine merely tried to deploy a honey trap to ensnare him. She had no good intentions whatsoever.

Furthermore, the entire time the Fish Girl spoke, Qi Yuan's nose did not grow even a fraction. She was telling the truth.

Her voice was like a birdsong, laced with a seductive undertone. "Should Your Majesty agree, I can serve as your great general by day and as your concubine by night."

In the next moment, the inn's front doors swung open. A woman clad in bridal red appeared outside, her scarlet robes a striking contrast against the falling white snow.

Her petite feet were pale and bare, adorned with an aquamarine anklet of crystal-clear beads. She treaded without a care across the snow-covered ground. Looking further up, Qi Yuan could see her smooth legs half-hidden beneath the split hem of the red bridal gown.

The Fish Girl had a slender waist and dramatic hips, topped with a full, rounded chest. Her figure alone was breathtakingly tempting. Draped over her head was a red bridal veil.