A demon who was still holding his hand...

Zhenxing pulled away, taking a step back to glare at the goblin. The creature still had its face smashed to the floor, trembling and sniveling. The demon rolled his eyes before he nudged the goblin with his foot.

"Get up."

Ol' Mo immediately sprang to his feet. Now, Zhenxing could hear what the imp was mumbling. "So good to see Your Highness...Humble shop...How can I help..."

Zhenxing cast a curious glance over the newcomer.

His appearance was upright and comely, his phoenix eyes bright beneath strong, straight brows. He had a finely shaped nose and a full mouth with a natural curve that made him look always on the verge of a smile.

His figure was gallant, with broad shoulders and a trim waist, standing half-a-head taller than Zhenxing. His hair was a mixture of loose locks and beaded braids, all pulled back into a high ponytail that hung down to his mid-back. The robes he wore were white brocade with fanciful golden patterns embroidered over the folds. In an elegant, pale hand, he held a black fan .

None of which masked the strong, evil aura that swam around him like miasma.

Mouth dry, Zhenxing took a step back. Ghosts, he had been prepared for. Even lower level monsters and demons he could handle.

He wasn't strong enough to face one of this magnitude. 

But the demon only smiled at him before turning to Ol' Mo. The edge of the fan glittered when he brandished it. "Repair the robes here." He cast an appraising eye over Zhenxing. "You can use his hair, but don't you dare keep a single strand for yourself."

"Of course, Your Highness. Ol' Mo wouldn't dream of it, Your Eminence." The goblin held his hands out to Zhenxing.

"I...perhaps..." Zhenxing trailed off, unsure of the sudden turn of events. He cast a sideways glance at the newcomer.

"Do you need help removing your robes?" the demon said mildly.

Zhenxing blinked and shook his head. But he still didn't move.

The demon snapped his fan closed, a frown pulling at his lips. Then, his eyes brightened. "You have my word, Daozhang. No one here will take advantage of you. Ol' Mo will only use your hair to repair your robes and nothing else."

After so many months spent traveling alone, Zhenxing was cautious of any who seemingly offered help for free.

And yet...there was something compelling about this demon. For some strange reason, Zhenxing felt he was telling the truth. The demon shooed the cackling ghost ladies from the shop, then perched on a nearby bench, waving his fan lazily.

Nervous, Zhenxing put Yueguang down in close reach, then began to untie his belt. Careful not to make the rips worse, he removed the precious outer robe, grimacing down at the golden inner robe.

There was a sharp snap! as the demon flicked his fan closed, his phoenix eyes widening. The inner robe was just as damaged, the bloodstains showing much more clearly on the light color than they had on the black outer robe. 

"Wash and repair those as well. Gold thread will do. I'll pay for it." The demon suddenly stood and was at Zhenxing's side. His elegant hands gently peeled the bloodied robe away from where it had stuck to several wounds Zhenxing had not been able to care for properly. "You, Daozhang, will come with me."

Before Zhenxing could stage a protest, the demon grabbed his arm and dragged him through a portal that hadn't been there a moment ago.

Head spinning and nausea surging, Zhenxing nearly fell over when an opulent hall appeared around them. The demon's hand on his arm was the only thing that kept him upright. He guided Zhenxing to the end of the hall, setting him on a massive divan made of red jade. Orders might have been handed out, but it was difficult to concentrate when Zhenxing was so busy trying not to vomit. 

He was vaguely aware of someone tending the festering wounds on his back. Of bandages being wrapped around him. It wasn't until a cup of warmed wine was brought to his lips that he truly became aware of his surroundings.

And that he was leaning rather heavily against someone. 

Zhenxing took a sip of the wine, the sweet taste serving to ground him more in his body. Glancing to the side, he found the demon propping him up, an arm around Zhenxing's shoulders and a patient look on his face. 

Careful of his still-woozy head, Zhenxing pulled away, a blush rising easily to his thin face. "I...I'm sorry. I--"

"No need to apologize, Daozhang," the demon said cheerfully. His expression turned curious. "You were quite badly wounded."

Maybe if he had been totally human. Startled, Zhenxing wondered if this demon thought he was just a regular cultivator. Could he really not see through the barrier Zhenxing had cast before entering Ghost City?

"Mn." Zhenxing decided not to comment on that. Seeing as how portal travel had nearly knocked him unconscious, perhaps there was some truth to the demon's words. Instead, he took the opportunity to look around.

The hall was richly appointed, with floors covered in the skins of exotic monsters and gossamer panels of red and white silks draped between graceful columns that supported a high ceiling. Music drifted through the air, subtle and sweet. Farther down the hall, beautiful women clad in creamy purple silk danced, their movements lovely and graceful. 

"May I ask Daozhang's name?"

Startled once more, he answered without thinking. "Zhen--" He caught himself. As he was in hiding, perhaps it wasn't wise to use his real name. 

He cleared his throat uncomfortably and said the first thing that popped in his head. "Hu Zhen." He remembered humans used surnames and pulled one from deep within his memory. "Chu Hu Zhen."

The demon's mouth twitched, like he was laughing at a sudden joke.

Zhenxing frowned. "And...Your Highness's name?"

The demon blinked those phoenix eyes. "Bold. Not many ask for a demon prince's name." He grinned. "Chu-gongzi may call me...Lixin."

Just as he was sure Lixin was not the demon's true name, Zhenxing got the feeling that Lixin knew he had given a false name as well. But as he was polite enough not to pry, Zhenxing decided to follow his lead and extend the same courtesy. 

Then, Lixin's words caught up in his brain.

"Prince?!" Zhenxing stood abruptly, nearly falling over again. He caught his balance, hand tightening. On thin air.

Where was Yueguang?!

"Here," Lixin said, extending the sword.

Zhenxing snatched up the spiritual weapon, then stopped in shock. Yueguang was...warm? Like the light of a full, fat moon on a summer's night rather than cold and distant like a winter crescent. 

What the hell?

He blinked down at the sword. On impulse, he drew it and extended the tip toward Lixin. The demon prince sat still, eyebrows raising, but otherwise unconcerned as a spiritual weapon came in close proximity with his throat.

Yueguang turned in Zhenxing's hand of its own accord, all but purring as it pressed flat against the demon's neck. Lixin chuckled, softly stroking his fingers over the metal. Yueguang grew warmer and Zhenxing sheathed the sword, a mysterious blush rising in his own cheeks.

"I..." Zhenxing realized how bizarre his actions were and wanted to die of embarrassment. 

"Will Daozhang stay for dinner?" the prince pivoted gracefully, standing up. 

Thrown by this complete stranger's random kindness, Zhenxing felt he had no option but to nod his head. "Thank you, Your Highness."

He snapped his fan open and descended the few steps leading to the divan. "No need to thank me. Daozhang will owe me at least some entertainment while we eat."

Horror bubbled in the pit of his stomach as to what that could possibly mean. But...Zhenxing looked down at himself, naked from the waist up aside from some bandages, and sighed. He had no choice but to accept the demon's questionable hospitality.

At least until he got his clothes back. 

Word Count: 1307

Total: 13,428

Lmao, at this point we'll see if I keep this within the word count. Tada! Finally we meet our promised demon prince. Thoughts? I've been super excited to finally introduce Lixin and hope you guys like him as much as you've liked Zhenxing.