ADLH Chapter 12: The Invisible Flirt—Most Lethal of All
Have you ever watched those xianxia dramas as a kid—or even now—and seen this kind of scene:
Some immortal or great demon says a fierce line, and then—whoosh!—vanishes in a flash of white light or a puff of smoke. Moments later, they reappear somewhere else, grinning with a sinister "heh-heh-heh."
Ever wondered how they managed to get from one place to another right after turning into that light or smoke?
Time travel? Instant teleportation? Some kind of portal between locations that activates when they yell, “Take me to xx!”—and bam, they’re there?
Actually… nope.
So how do they do it?
Answer: They run.
...Yeah, you heard that right. They run.
When Qian Ji took Ruan Xingzhou to the Demon Society, he wrapped him up and turned into a faint shimmer of golden light in the air—his figure dissolving from view. Human eyes couldn’t perceive them at all.
But to someone hidden along with them, there was really no change.
The only impressive thing was that Qian Ji, with his solid arms, scooped up Ruan Xingzhou like a water delivery guy carrying a water jug under his armpit, and leapt through the wall, diving straight from the 30-somethingth floor.
In an instant, the two of them glided like a falling leaf—light but incredibly fast—landing on another rooftop. They darted between towering buildings like ninjas—rushing.
"…" Ruan Xingzhou dangled limply, arms and legs drooping, face blank, staring at the abyss below with dead fish eyes, flashing back to the many insurance plans he'd bought…
When he turned his head, Qian Ji’s red hair was flying. Having used divine power, his vibrant dragon horns peeked out. His handsome, light-bronzed face looked fierce and fearless, and his tall body seemed like it was made of iron and muscle.
His golden vertical pupils focused straight ahead, and wide, dark red runic lines crept up from his feet to his cheeks.
They say a man checking the rearview mirror while driving looks the most handsome.
Ruan Xingzhou struggled to reach up and tugged a few strands of red hair hanging from Qian Ji’s horn to the side.
Qian Ji frowned and glanced back. When those golden eyes moved to him, Ruan Xingzhou's chest warmed, his heart pounding, and a current seemed to shoot through his entire body.
He didn’t know what that feeling was, but it felt nice—happy, even. He wanted Qian Ji to keep looking at him with that… hmm… cool and steady gaze.
Seeing that Ruan Xingzhou was only tidying his hair, Qian Ji didn’t think much of it and kept moving.
Until that white paw reached for his forehead again. When he turned back, he was met with a pair of sparkling—dead fish eyes.
Qian Ji scolded with a frown: “Don’t move around!”
Ruan Xingzhou stayed quiet. As soon as Qian Ji looked away, he started tugging at his hair again.
Qian Ji was annoyed. He stopped on a rooftop and shot him a sharp, oppressive look.
He was mad.
Really mad.
Even Ruan Xingzhou could tell Qian Ji wanted an explanation. He said, “I want you to look at me.”
“Can you turn around and look at me more often? When you look at me, I feel comfortable—like my chest tingles and itches.”
“…”
The young man’s face was handsome and serious.
Qian Ji's expression darkened. Without a word, he picked Ruan Xingzhou up again and resumed leaping through the city. But under his flowing red hair, the tips of his elf-like ears turned just slightly red.
Damn it, this human is way too clingy!
The scenery below shifted from towering skyscrapers to lower residential buildings, then to small apartment complexes, and finally to the suburbs.
From this high vantage point, the view had its own special charm.
Thinking about how Qian Ji made this long commute every day, Ruan Xingzhou shouted while getting buffeted by wind, “Qian Ji, let me buy you a car!”
The dragon lord, who could soar thousands of miles in his true form, almost dropped the brat in his arms.
They wobbled mid-air.
Ruan Xingzhou didn’t care. He muttered a list of the most expensive car brands, then started considering custom modifications, when suddenly, they passed through… something.
To be exact, it was like there was an invisible membrane in the air, and they slipped through it—into another world.
Even the sunlight dimmed, as if a twilight filter had been applied to everything around them.
This surreal change made Ruan Xingzhou glance down blankly. What had previously been undeveloped suburbia with a few old buildings and bus stops had transformed into a short Republican-era street.
The street wasn’t long—maybe enough space for a dozen shops. In the center stood a six-story building tiled with old-fashioned ceramics.
Under the dusky sunlight, the building glowed warmly from within. Downstairs, the shops were filled with monsters wearing clothes from all eras, each bearing a distinct animal trait.
On the roof, an iron frame supported a huge banner.
The words weren’t printed—they looked hand-written.
In bold, flowing calligraphy it read: Yokai Settlement Agency.
Ruan Xingzhou’s face was blank: Wow.
So unscientific. So old-fashioned.
Is this where my dragon goes to work?
No way. I’m investing. The sign can stay, but everything else—top-tier upgrades. Especially my dragon’s office. If that chair isn’t ergonomic, it’s not staying.
CEO Ruan, now fully in Dragon Protection Mode, fumed: My dragon deserves the best!
Qian Ji, not noticing Ruan Xingzhou spacing out, suddenly asked, “Didn’t you tell that woman to believe in science? What about now?”
Qian Ji had always been curious—how could this human believe in dragons and still believe in science? He had asked before, and Ruan Xingzhou said, “Dragons are ancient creatures. They’re in historical records. Maybe you’re a close relative of the T. rex.”
Qian Ji: “…”
T. rex, my ass!
Who the hell is related to a T. rex?!
That comment had nearly driven Qian Ji to destroy him on the spot. Today, bringing the human to the Ghost Society was partly his way of proving the existence of demons!
“I believe in science,” Ruan Xingzhou said confidently.
Just as Qian Ji raised an eyebrow, he added, “But if you’re beyond the scope of science, then I believe in you.”
“…”
There it was again…
That casual, unconscious, invisible flirtation—it was lethal…
The young dragon lord touched down, his handsome, stern face turned away from the human, but the corners of his lips curled up slightly.
He was happy now.
Just as he was about to walk in, Qian Ji remembered something.
He said, “Also, don’t you have that—emotional detachment thing? Then why did I see you comforting that female employee of yours?”
Ruan Xingzhou corrected him: “Emotional detachment disorder. Low sense of social responsibility, justice, and mission. Difficulty sensing familial or emotional bonds.”
“Mm.” Qian Ji nodded.
Ruan Xingzhou continued, “I comforted her because she’s my employee. I need her to be in good working condition, and I need to uphold a positive company image. Just because I can’t feel joy or happiness doesn’t mean I’m stupid. My IQ is fine. And that’s basic workplace interpersonal knowledge any manager should learn during onboarding.”
His black eyes reflected Qian Ji’s figure as he touched his own chest and added, “Lots of people put on smiles and say nice things. My therapist told me many people have mild emotional detachment. They act cheerful in public but feel inexplicably sad and lonely when alone, sometimes even hopeless.”
“I was like that too—before I met you. After I met you, I started feeling all these new emotions. I still don’t know what they all are, but I like them.”
Ruan Xingzhou reached out and took Qian Ji’s large hand. His expressionless face somehow conveyed sincerity.
In a soft voice, he said,
“Meeting you was the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”
“…”
Meeting you was the best thing that’s ever happened to me—
The hand in his palm was soft and warm, the skin tender and smooth, like it had been soaked in milk. Qian Ji could probably crush it like an overripe tomato, bone and blood bursting—
But once he held it, he didn’t dare.
He held it gently, thumb rubbing the plump fingertip. No calluses. Like it was raised in luxury.
“No one ever…” Qian Ji hesitated. In a low voice, he said, “No one’s ever said anything like that to me.”
Qian Ji was born in an age when dragonkind was still around. He hatched on a barren mountain—red and raw like a strip of bacon.
No parents, no clan, no protection. Demons wanted to eat him for strength. Humans coveted his divine dragon energy.
He was hunted by both. After five hundred years, he scraped together enough power to protect himself. By two thousand, humans had risen—capable of trapping dragons underground to prolong a nation’s fate.
His kind fell into catastrophe. The chaos left both sides ruined.
The great human sorcerers declined. Dragon bloodlines nearly vanished. Other demons took the chance to run amok.
Heaven sent down punishment.
Those who didn’t want to die had to be sealed in the Scroll Realm and do heavenly labor in exchange for freedom.
Thinking of this, Qian Ji paused and looked at the Ghost Society ahead. Feeling a little awkward, he held Ruan Xingzhou’s hand and led him in.
As they walked, he turned his head away, trying to appear stern as he said, “Once we’re inside, stop clinging to me. Don’t act like you can’t live without me. You humans are so clingy and troublesome. Don’t embarrass me!”
His words were full of disdain.
But Ruan Xingzhou stared at their joined hands—his hand gently held in that warm, light-brown dragon palm—and struggled to keep up.
Holding hands…
He and Qian Ji—held hands!!!
Ruan Xingzhou’s eyes lit up like stars.
Behind his expressionless face, it felt like little kids with wings were dancing around, holding hands.
What day is today?
Oh! August 5th!
CEO Ruan declared silently: I’m circling this on my calendar. From now on, August 5th is our first hand-holding anniversary!
Author’s Note:
No water, no crossing: Am I sweet enough? Hehe~
Mini Theater
Qianji: You just flirted with me.
Ruan Xingzhou: I did not.
Qianji: You totally did!
Ruan Xingzhou: …It’s hard being me. Really hard.
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