Hard Level Quest Received: Retrieve the flower and cure Shao Lu! Good luck!
The Blackened Yellow Flower, the only cure for syphilis in the Demon Realm, grew in only one place: at the rims of volcanoes.
Now, seeing as every playthrough and world generation in Spring Blossoms, Autumn Fruits was different, the number of volcanoes would differ in each Demon Realm. From looking at various maps of this Demon Realm over the past month, Qiu Yunru had discovered that there was only one volcano within reasonable travelling distance: The Bloodred Maw.
This enormous volcano, lying a day and a half outside of the city of Leng Mo, was no ordinary volcano. Its lava was known to pulse so hotly that it sometimes glowed blue. The land within a thirty-mile radius of it was scorched to a crisp, even though it hadn't fully erupted in a thousand years--any soil that its eruptions had touched was forever barren. And, most importantly--it was sentient!
Yes, the Bloodred Maw was alive!
It was an infamous ancient entity in the Demon Realm. Older than any noble demon, it was something between a god and a demon--a being no one could fully comprehend. The only thing keeping it from unleashing its wrath and erupting were yearly sacrifices of dozens of lower-ranking demons, who were tossed into its depths without pity to feed the maw.
Even though the land all around the volcano was barren, the rim of the volcano had some sparse flora, including that Blackened Yellow Flower that Qiu Yunru needed.
He would have to go right up to the edge in order to harvest it!
Qiu Yunru hefted his pack further up his back, closing his eyes and pitying himself deeply.
"Are you all right, Qiu-wanbei?" Liao Li's concerned voice shattered him self-pity.
Madame Red had been merciful enough to let him find Liao Li so that he wouldn't have to journey alone. She had made him go and bring Liao Li back to the Red Lotus Pavilion. Liao Li had been relieved to the point of tears upon seeing that Qiu Yunru was all right, and quickly went with him back to the brothel upon seeing his Noble Brand.
Madame Red's eyes had been a little too interested upon seeing Liao Li. "Another human, huh? This one is particularly handsome. Vigorous as well. Hmmmm."
Qiu Yunru had quickly jumped in front of Liao Li, laughing uncomfortably. "Ah--he's not for sale!"
Madame Red had given him a long, cold look, but eventually waved her hand, dismissing him. "Fine. However, if you are unable to cure Xiao-Lu, I will not hesitate to take his soul and body as well."
She had then showed a strange mercy in providing them with good supplies, and sent them off.
By now, they had been travelling for a full day. Qiu Yunru's mind had been frantically thinking out safety plans in case picking the Blackened Yellow Flower went wrong. However, seeing Liao Li's kindly, concerned expression, he felt a deep pang of guilt.
He laughed awkwardly, giving a wobbly smile and fidgeting with the straps of his pack. "I'm all right. I'm...sorry for dragging you into this. When we return, you shouldn't come to the brothel with me. If something goes wrong, it'll be easier for you to escape the city that way."
Liao Li shook his head with a small smile. Qiu Yunru couldn't help but feel a little unbalanced. He had never seen a smile as handsomely charming as Liao Li's before. If they had been travelling the Mortal Realm, ladies would be flocking to him wherever he went, swooning after the glint of his grin!
"Don't worry about me," Liao Li said firmly. "And there's no need to apologize. Weren't you the one who was dragged to the Red Lotus Pavilion? I was the one who failed to stop them."
Qiu Yunru shook his head, feeling a warmth rise to his cheeks. What a chivalrousguy..."How were you supposed to know? I should have been more on guard. I can't believe I didn't notice those two standing in the dark..."
"How can you blame yourself? Were you expecting them to be there? Don't be too hard on yourself, and just let me stay by your side through this."
"Ah...but..."
The two of them bickered kindly back and forth for a while about whose fault it was and who should let the other do what, as if they were a pair of old friends squabbling over a check. At last, a comfortable quiet fell over them.
"...Are you with anyone?" Liao Li said suddenly. His deep voice was quiet. The sulfuric red light that infused the Demon Realm reflected off his clear, tanned skin. "In the real world, I mean. Or, ah...here?"