Misery: There is a pawn shop here

Chapter 138 Love
The world changed color, and the smoke of war billowed across the nine heavens; good and evil clashed, and the sounds of battle shattered the three thousand realms.

Outside the Four Directions Platform, demonic clouds surged like a stampede of ten thousand horses. Yama, the Drought Demon, clad in black armor and wielding a demonic weapon, descended like a demon, heading straight for Beichen Yuanhuang. The two powerful figures clashed, demonic energy clashing against demonic energy, distorting space, each collision seemingly threatening to tear the heavens and earth apart.

In the Realm of Nothingness, the three guardians each sought their opponents. Tianxian Daozang Daoying Hanyue and Tunfo Tongzi wielded swords in a dazzling display of light and shadow, causing the world to lose its color. Fojian Fenshuo, with his fluttering robes and radiant Buddhist light, single-handedly repelled a thousand armies, like the Immovable King guarding the pass, remaining steadfast as a mountain no matter how the demon army attacked. Outside the primeval forest of the Vast Sea, the Xuanzong's wondrous array was activated once more, gathering the power of the Eight Desolations and Six Directions. Runes were arranged like stars, and the array light resembled an inverted Milky Way, suppressing the demonic spirits beneath it. The demonic roars shook the heavens, yet they could not break through this profound array.

Several armies clashed, flames of war stretched for miles, and the entire Bitter Realm trembled in this battle that would determine life and death. Amidst the chaos of war, a copper bell rang softly in a pawnshop. Its clear sound echoed through the quiet shop, as if traveling through time to welcome a special guest.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Queen of the Otherworld, Nine Calamities." Behind the table, the white-robed figure Li Xuanxiao spoke softly, his voice like a clear spring flowing, rippling through the small pawnshop.

Dressed in magnificent demonic attire, Jiu Huo, with her graceful figure and light steps, moved like a blooming demonic flower, slowly approaching and sitting down opposite Li Xuanxiao. Her eyes held a hint of urgency, yet she retained the majesty of a demonic queen. Her lips parted slightly, her voice carrying a trace of anticipation: "I wish to find a method to mend the rift in the demonic realm. I wonder if the pawnshop could provide one?"

Li Xuanxiao raised his eyes, his gaze sharp yet tinged with a hint of languor, and looked at Jiu Huo opposite him, chuckling lightly, "A pawnshop never turns away business. Whatever the Empress desires, the pawnshop can certainly fulfill. However, the price the pawnshop demands, the Empress may not be able to pay."

“If all I need is something that can connect the rift in the Otherworld, I think the conditions the pawnshop requires should also change,” Jiu Huo said calmly. “I think the items your shop accepts for pawning are not limited to just one type.”

Li Xuanxiao nodded, a hint of appreciation flashing in his eyes. "Indeed, while the cost of reconnecting the Demon Realm's rift could be replaced by something else, the price would still be heavy, and the Empress might not truly be able to accept it."

"What is it?" Jiu Huo asked.

"The Empress's mind," Li Xuanxiao said, pointing at Jiu Huo. "Or rather, the Empress's wisdom."

"What?!" Jiu Huo's expression changed upon hearing the conditions offered by Li Xuanxiao. Although Fu Yingshi had mentioned the pawnshop owner's "greed" more than once before they came here, such a price still surprised Jiu Huo greatly.

"If the Empress is unwilling, it is acceptable to use your and Emperor Zhu's next child as collateral."

“Absolutely impossible!” Jiu Huo immediately retorted coldly.

Even if it meant sacrificing himself, Jiu Huo would never accept using his own flesh and blood as a bargaining chip. Li Xuanxiao was not surprised by Jiu Huo's fierce reaction, and simply smiled calmly.

"The Empress has set such a price, yet he cannot accept an equivalent price, which is truly a dilemma for businessmen."

"You!" Jiu Huo frowned slightly. "I am now the mastermind behind the scenes in the Otherworld. If I lose my wisdom, how can I lead? I cannot accept such a condition."

"Suit yourself," Li Xuanxiao said indifferently, without any intention of stopping him. He was still somewhat surprised that Jiu Huo would step into Youjian Pawnshop at this time, but if the other party failed to seize this opportunity, it was destined that the collapse of the Otherworld Demon Realm would be difficult to reverse.

Seeing Li Xuanxiao's attitude, Jiu Huo did not immediately turn and leave. Yanmo Hanba was leading her army, focusing all her efforts on annihilating the forces of the Bitter Realm, essentially deploying all her forces. It was precisely in this situation that Jiu Huo worried about being taken advantage of. Even though the informant's message said everything was going smoothly, for some reason, she felt a strong unease, as if something terrible was about to happen, making her hesitate in the pawnshop.

Even though the spy's reply was that everything was going smoothly, Jiu Huo still felt a strong sense of unease for some reason.

"Since the Queen is unwilling to make the deal, why doesn't she leave?" Li Xuanxiao said again. "Sitting idly in the pawnshop will not change my mind, and you will not be able to wait for the opportunity to turn the situation around."

"What do you mean?"

"The literal meaning." Li Xuanxiao casually brushed the counting rods on the table beside him. "Empress, please."

"Wait!" Jiu Huo said hastily upon seeing this situation. "Wisdom and offspring are both things I cannot agree to. Do you think that I, Jiu Huo, the dignified Queen of the Otherworld, am worth only these two things in your eyes?"

Li Xuanxiao looked at Jiu Huo and shook his head, saying, "That's not entirely true. With the Empress's abilities and status, how could the price she paid be so mere 'this'? However..."

"But what?" Jiu Huo pressed. "Would the Queen be willing to pawn her love?"

"love?"

Upon hearing Li Xuanxiao's new offer, Jiu Huo was taken aback. Her love? A figure involuntarily surfaced in her mind.

"Compared to the previous two, I believe this price is much more lenient, isn't it?" Li Xuanxiao said leisurely. "Or perhaps the Empress's body or soul could be used as collateral to trade for what she needs, but..."

"No need for further explanation." Before Li Xuanxiao could finish speaking, Jiu Huo decisively said, "Then let's use love as the pawned item."

For the sake of the Otherworld, everything is worthwhile. Besides, even if she had to pawn her love, she believed it wouldn't affect her or that person.

Upon hearing Jiu Huo's words, Li Xuanxiao smiled slightly, and a contract descended from the sky in front of Jiu Huo.

"Signing your name signifies your acceptance of the transaction."

"it is good."

Jiu Huo nodded, picked up the pen and signed his name. The moment he signed his name, the contract burst into flames and turned to ashes. A wooden box fell from the sky and slowly landed in front of Jiu Huo.

"This material is made by combining Yin-Yang bone with extraterrestrial stone, and with the aid of magical energy, it is sufficient to break through the fault lines of the Otherworld."

As he spoke, Li Xuanxiao flicked his finger, and a beam of red light entered Jiu Huo's body.

"The Demon Realm's fault lines will be joined, and it will be time for pawnshops to collect their pawned items. Your Majesty, please hurry, you have already wasted too much time."

"Farewell!" Jiu Huo suddenly stood up, picked up the wooden box, turned around and walked out of the pawnshop. Watching Jiu Huo's departing figure, Li Xuanxiao shook his head, and his figure also disappeared in the hall.

……

In the Flame Demon City, Jiu Huo returned with the items from the pawnshop transaction. Seeing that Jiu Huo had returned unharmed, Fu Ying Shi hurriedly stepped forward and asked, "Your Majesty, how is the situation?"

“I have brought back the material that connects the fault lines. Move quickly,” Jiu Huo said.

"Yes." Fu Yingshi nodded, then asked, "Empress, you..."

"Let's connect the fault first and then discuss it. For some reason, I have a bad feeling about this."

"Yes."

As they spoke, the two arrived at the location of the Demon Realm Fault. Since the great battle in the Dao Realm in the past, when the Heavenly Lightning severely damaged the Otherworldly Demon Realm, the fault had been difficult to repair. Only one person had managed to support it and connect the two faults, preventing the other end from falling completely. Now that Jiu Huo had arrived, the lava below the fault was boiling, and a figure was faintly visible.

"Empress, Master Fuying."

"With war raging outside, we must quickly join forces with the fault lines to support the battle," Jiu Huo said directly. "Xi Mie Tian Lai, this time, we're counting on you."

(End of this chapter)