"You… feel different today."
Morax, currently in human form so as not to disturb his people, entered the street quietly.
The moment he walked close to Guizhong, a faint shift reached his senses — a fragrance.
Guizhong blinked.
Morax hesitated, then clarified stiffly:
"There is… a scent on you. One that was not there before."
After Stone's life-changing event was settled, Snow Kui had not forgotten to deliver the perfumed ointment he made from Nivarna Orchids.
To his surprise, Guizhong loved it — far more than he expected.
She had even smashed the original jar he used, calling it "unworthy of preserving such a treasure."
Apparently, even gods instinctively gravitate toward beautiful things.
(Meanwhile, somewhere in the distance—
Four Yaksha: "That's you. Definitely you. Don't drag our whole species down with you.")
Guizhong lifted her hand, showing off a refined wooden box.
"Oh~ this? This is the scented balm Snow Kui made from Nirvana Orchids. No medicinal properties, but the fragrance is charming. Human women adore things like this, you know? I simply call it fragrant balm."
Her voice practically dripped with showing off.
Morax exhaled through his nose.
"Meaningless work."
A pause.
"…Though it is an… intriguing concept. May I see it?"
Of course he wanted to.
He could feel the scent — rich, lingering, quietly forceful — the kind of presence that demanded attention without a single word.
Something about it pulled at him.
Guizhong immediately snapped the lid shut and tucked the box behind her back.
"No."
"You said it was meaningless and useless — clearly looking down on it. And it was a gift from Snow Kui. If you want one, go ask him to make it."
Her chin lifted in challenge.
Morax stood there expressionless, but internally:
If I ask that brat…
…he'll laugh at me until the earth erodes.
And then realization struck him—
Why am I even interested in this?
Morax pinched the bridge of his nose, unconsciously mimicking mortals.
At that moment—
"Both of you. Perhaps… remember why we are here?"
Ruo Tuo stepped forward to defuse the situation.
Seeing one god sulking and the other hiding scented balm like a treasure, he sincerely wondered:
How is it that I, who have been in the mortal world the shortest time…
am somehow the most mature one here?
Fabric arrived soon.
Guizhong inspected the bolt of white-and-blue fabric and nodded with satisfaction.
Perfect colors for that child.
Just then, a group of laughing children ran past.
Snow Kui was among them.
He made eye contact with Morax.
And his expression instantly changed —
from surprise
to suspicion
to full-blown disdain.
Morax felt his eyebrow twitch.
This brat–
Ruo Tuo reached over casually, picked Snow Kui up by the armpits, and set him down in front of them.
"All right. No more running around. We're done here."
Only then did they notice Pavana hiding behind Snow Kui.
She stiffened when facing Morax and whispered a greeting.
"…Emperor."
Morax nodded, studying her.
He had known Pavana preferred avoiding mortals.
But now—
She was standing in a busy street, scented with pastry grease and human warmth.
And the cause?
Snow Kui.
Just what kind of strange gravity does that child have?
Seeing Pavana getting overwhelmed, Morax glanced toward the street corner where Fushou was subtly waving — offering her a graceful exit.
"Pavana. Fushou seems to require your presence."
"Oh—! Then… I'll be going."
She swept past Snow Kui, eyes curving with a smile.
"Next time, I'll treat you to something."
And she ran off.
Morax stared at Snow Kui again.
Snow Kui stared back.
Their spiritual clash filled the air.
Guizhong: …Are they five?
Ruo Tuo: The child has an excuse. What is yours, Emperor?
"Out shopping?" Guizhong asked, ruffling Snow Kui's hair.
"How do you like this place?"
Snow Kui inhaled, ready to say "It's nice here."
Then he saw Morax behind her.
He crossed his arms.
"Hmph. Ordinary."
Lightning flashed between the two sets of eyes.
Ruo Tuo, watching from the side, sighed.
"My friend, no need to argue with a child."
He clapped Morax's shoulder solemnly.
"At your age, perhaps let go of pride."
Morax: "…"
Ruo Tuo continued, philosophical voice full of pity:
"Compared to human children, your temperament is… lacking."
At that moment, Morax — the Geo Archon — realized something:
He was being compared unfavorably
to a child
by a dragon he dug out of the dirt.
Morax felt targeted.
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