Chapter 123: Unexpected Turns

"This is absolutely out of the question. It breaks the rules..."

The lead Toad Elder, clearly having heard rumors of the events in the tavern, scoffed at White Lotus and flatly refused.

However, his insolence toward the manager immediately drew the ire of the other monsters in the tavern. One by one, they shifted into their true monstrous forms, flaunting their powers before the group of demons at the door.

Li Changluo looked back and was dumbfounded. The tavern's patrons were baring their fangs and claws in a state of agitated fury. There was a Toilet Monster with a commode on its head, flipping open the lid and ready to unleash a foul payload upon the elder demons. Another was a tiny old man brandishing a giant lollipop, glaring at the visitors with a roar.

Li Changluo hurriedly scurried to the side, terrified. How in the hell did these creatures die? Were they jammed to death inside a toilet? How could they be so absurd? And you, old man, why are you eating a lollipop?

"You little monsters, are you trying to start a rebellion?" The Toad Elder spat a cloud of green smoke as he glared at the crowd.

The previously aggressive monsters, intimidated by the elder's imposing, effortless authority, suddenly found themselves awkward and unsure of what to do with their hands and feet. Even the Toilet Monster tried to act nonchalant while continuing to spray filth at the surrounding demons.

The situation turned awkward.

"Elder, please calm your anger. The tavern has just gone through a major incident, and everyone's emotions are a bit unstable. I hope you can forgive them..." White Lotus intervened quickly, her words perfectly balanced. She offended neither side, leaving the Toad Elder with nothing more to say.

"Manager, I believe that allowing this little brother here to participate in the recruitment was already an exception. To hire him directly as a tavern server now would be even more against the rules..." A frail, white-haired old man stepped out from behind the Toad Elder. Dressed in simple cyan robes, he looked like a scholar with his goat-like beard and an unreadable expression. He had wanted to call Li Changluo a "mongrel demon," but feared public outrage, so he held his tongue.

"Kong Jia, he..." White Lotus bowed respectfully to the old man, then trailed off, her face filled with sorrow as she looked at the elderly scholar. Everyone here knew this old man was Kong Jia's grandfather. "As for Kong Jia... it is all because I failed to handle things properly."

White Lotus stammered, finally choking back a sob before pointing toward the tavern's kitchen.

"What has happened to my grandson, Kong Jia?" Seeing the manager’s hesitation, the old man’s stoic face finally showed a flicker of anxiety. He hurried toward the kitchen with trembling steps.

Immediately after, a gut-wrenching, mournful wail echoed from the kitchen. Li Changluo couldn't help but wonder if the old man had collapsed from grief. This seemingly pure and lovely manager was truly a silent killer; with one simple maneuver, she had neutralized a stubborn old fool.

"Regardless, the trial has begun. Only the final victor can become the tavern's server. Has this little monster passed the trial? Did he defeat the representatives of our other demon clans?" the Toad Elder asked, wearing a forced smile.

Clearly, Li Changluo had not completed the trial. He had been ejected prematurely before even finishing the Five Elements Trial. In this regard, the Toad Elder's logic was impossible to refute.

"This..." White Lotus hesitated for a long time before speaking softly. "It is my lack of foresight. The Gate of Trials has been sealed by Kong Jia. You know his clan specializes in sealing arts; the seals he weaves are like complex locks that only he can open... and now, Kong Jia has lost all his demonic power." She added with a look of regret, "I fear the Gate of Trials may never open again." She deliberately emphasized the words "never open."

"What?" The Toad Elder and the group of high-level demons behind him were shocked. Kong Jia's clan was renowned for their unique, lock-like seals that could only be undone by the caster. Furthermore, Kong Jia was a master of these techniques.

"I am so sorry, everyone..." White Lotus bowed deeply to the Toad Elder and his retinue.

Li Changluo truly felt that this seemingly fragile manager was remarkably thorough, leaving no loose ends. Most importantly, there was a hidden ruthlessness beneath her demeanor—a cold, calculated edge. This was hardly surprising; in a world overrun by demons, one could not be a simpleton to run such a tavern.

Though the Toad Elder suspected the manager was behind the chaos, he could find no flaw in her defense. After all, it was Kong Jia who had caused the trouble; it was all Kong Jia's doing. The manager was ostensibly completely uninvolved.

"The trial is not over yet..."

Just as the monsters were calculating their own interests, a cold, deep voice echoed from the second floor, addressing the demons in the hall. All eyes turned upward. A white silhouette stood imposingly on the wooden railing.

"Young Master Dragon Seven..."

"Oh! My husband, Young Master Dragon Seven!"

"Young Master Dragon Seven, I love you!"

When the tavern patrons realized who it was, the fangirls in the crowd erupted. The person before them was their idol, Young Master Dragon Seven.

Everyone in the room was stunned, including the manager, White Lotus. She had planned everything perfectly. Everyone who entered the trial, except for Li Changluo, was supposed to remain sealed inside. How did he escape?

Only then did the monsters notice that several figures lay at the feet of Young Master Dragon Seven: the Boar Monster, the Fierce Chick, and the Mantis Demoness who liked to throw money around. However, apart from Dragon Seven, the others were all unconscious.

Did all the monsters from the trial come out?

"Manager, what is the meaning of this?" the Toad Elder demanded.

"It is a relief that they are out! I was worried they were truly trapped within the Gate of Trials." Though White Lotus felt a surge of doubt, she forced a look of relief, pressing her palms together and looking at Young Master Dragon Seven on the balcony with feigned joy. However, she shot a glance of pure reproach at Lin Dandan beside her. *How did you handle things?*

"Manager, the trial has not ended. Only he and I remain..." Young Master Dragon Seven looked down at White Lotus, then pointed at Li Changluo.

His intent was clear. There were only two of them left now. It was time for a duel—a one-on-one fight to the finish.