Orca continued to walk when he noticed that the three people had stopped moving. He turned his head and saw them staring at the person on the parade float, their faces showing varying degrees of confusion.
This was a good opportunity to slip away.
But no sooner had he sneaked a few steps to the side than he was forcefully pushed back by a sudden surge of golden light in the air.
Shen Zhaomu had a hint of malice in his eyes, clearly in a bad mood.
Seeing his expression, Orca hastily explained, “I just wanted to go ahead and see if there were others there. I wasn’t trying to run away.”
“If I believed you, I’d be a fool,” Song Qianqian rolled her eyes at him. “What should we do, Brother Shen? Why is Sister-in-Law on the float? Has he been… threatened?”
“…I don’t know.” Shen Zhaomu massaged his temples. “You two head to the Flower Exhibition Tower first. I’ll see what’s going on.”
“Do you need us to come with you?” asked Fang Qing.
“No.” Shen Zhaomu walked in the opposite direction, checking the time as he went.
It had been 72 hours since they arrived in Kassand, and Long Shiyu had transformed from a church’s esteemed guest to… a renowned figure of Flower Street?
The parade float slowly came to a halt at the end of Flower Street.
Having just finished his apple, Long Shiyu felt quite satisfied.
The old man had been incessantly chattering nonsense to him, speaking of “making a fortune” and “promising potential”. He had even pulled Long Shiyu onto the float. Had there not been food, he wouldn’t have come.
Now, that old man stood beneath the float, hunched over with presbyopia glasses.
Jumping down, Long Shiyu declared, “I’m leaving.”
Startled, the old man urged, “Wait, hold up! Why don’t you come to my shop? It’s the biggest around here.”
“I’ll consider it,” Long Shiyu replied, continuing, “I need to find someone.”
The old man quickly grabbed him. “Who are you looking for? I’ll help.” He lowered his voice, “I’m quite powerful, you know.”
“I’m aware. You’re not human, right?” Long Shiyu remarked.
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
The old man was taken aback. Although he was an exotic creature, he had lived here for many years and believed his cover was impeccable.
“Lbk vlv…” tf yfujc, yea Obcu Vtlse mea tlw boo.
“P rwfiifv la.” Qlat j mjreji kjnf, tf kjixfv abkjgvr j cfjgys jiifs. “P’ii mbwf yjmx obg obbv ijafg. Xbbvysf.”
“Qjla, kjla!” Ktf biv wjc tegglfv ab xffq qjmf. “P’w Qjcu Kb Cv, xcbkc tfgf jr Gfjvyfja Qjcu. P’w lc mtjguf bo atf Mibkfg Sztlylalbc Kbkfg atfgf! Vff? Ktf ajiifra yelivlcu ja atf mbgcfg, yerailcu klat jmalnlas.”
“You’re a toad?”
Deadbeat Wang was astonished. “How did you know? You’re too clever!”
Long Shiyu was left speechless.
Deadbeat Wang boasted, “That’s right! I was originally a venomous toad from the swamp, so poisonous that my saliva can burn through the ground. Stick with me, and I’ll take care of you.”
“Oh.”
Following a familiar scent, Long Shiyu navigated through the intricate alleys beside Flower Street’s main road.
Deadbeat Wang babbled alongside, “Hey, you’re not human either. We’re kindred spirits. Where are you from? Where are you going? Why not stay in Flower Street? With your capabilities, you could make a fortune here. Hey, where are you headed?”
Reaching a dim alley with dark puddles at his feet, Long Shiyu momentarily halted, the bustling noise of Flower Street now distant. He paused, then remarked with a hint of annoyance, “You following me has made her notice.”
“What? What are you talking about?” Deadbeat Wang looked around, puzzled. Yet, he faintly heard… the sound of a flute?
“It’s nothing.” Long Shiyu replied.
In the next moment, he grabbed Deadbeat Wang and vaulted off a nearby wall.
Deadbeat Wang felt as if he was soaring through the air.
The ground receded rapidly. Long Shiyu’s movement seemed light and graceful, but his strength was immense. With one hand, he lifted Deadbeat Wang into the air, leaping four to five meters high, narrowly avoiding black snakes that lunged from the dark puddles. Their mouths agape, venomous fangs extended, they stretched out bizarrely, trailing Long Shiyu’s ascent. The flute’s tune changed, becoming twisted and cold, as if summoning a tidal wave of malice.
The snakes danced to the flute’s tune, their scales reflecting ripples of water. Any seasoned hunter would recognize these as the supposedly extinct creatures—Dark Snakes.
They lurked in shadows, writhing in clusters, consuming their own kind when hungry. When prey appeared, they would swarm.
They were almost impossible to kill. Even if thrown into a sea of fire, they’d simply shrink and revive in the shadows minutes later. Unless they were faced with the most intense, pure flames.
Under the moonlight, a hardened golden glint appeared in Long Shiyu’s eyes. He unleashed a wave of intense heat.
The world erupted in scorching flames. The dark snakes, caught off-guard, were instantly ensnared by the fire. Their scales melted instantly, and they were incinerated to ash in the inferno.
Long Shiyu made sure his actions remained unnoticed.
He landed gracefully, setting Deadbeat Wang down. “Let’s keep moving.”
Stunned, Deadbeat Wang hesitated before blurting, “Wh-What are you? In all my centuries, I’ve never seen anyone annihilate Dark Snakes like that.”
Long Shiyu tilted his head, missing the point. “How did you live that long?” Typically, creatures like Deadbeat Wang didn’t have such long lifespans.
Adjusting his glasses, Deadbeat Wang quipped, “Isn’t it normal for a toad to live a long time?”
Long Shiyu gave him a blank look.
Following the scent, Long Shiyu arrived at a tall building with the sign “Flower Exhibition Tower” projected into the sky, accompanied by blossoming flower patterns. At the top of the building, several ladies in kimonos stood with alluring looks, holding elegant fans, casting affectionate glances at the pedestrians below.
Deadbeat Wang muttered, “In the end, you still entered my territory. I must say, this retro style has become very popular in recent years, and my business has been booming… Hey, what are you doing in there?”
“I told you, I’m looking for someone,” Long Shiyu replied as he entered.
The interiors had the same retro aesthetic. Technology was subtly integrated. The men and women in oriental attire recognized Deadbeat Wang but didn’t seem too fond of Long Shiyu—his presence had overshadowed them for the evening. Many were now inquiring about his whereabouts.
Hidden in a corner, the Flower Exhibition Tower’s elevator held a vase with a blossoming red flower.
Inside, Long Shiyu pressed every floor button, poking his head out at each floor to sniff.
Deadbeat Wang looked puzzled, “What on earth are you searching for?”
Long Shiyu remained silent.
Finally, at the top floor, Long Shiyu exited.
This floor had just one room, at the end of a spacious corridor. A door was slightly ajar, framed by curtains adorned with wave patterns.
Deadbeat Wang realized, “Oh, this is Miss Jiang’s room. She rarely shows herself. Do you two know each oth—”
Too late, he sensed the tense atmosphere.
Long Shiyu pushed the curtains aside.
Inside, the room was filled with a heavy, sweet scent, strangely cold despite the crackling fireplace.
The walls were dark brown with a wooden texture. At the far end, deep red curtains concealed someone. Strings of golden beads hung outside, shimmering and swaying in the dim firelight.
In front of the curtains was a cushion, upon which Long Shiyu sat.
A woman’s amused voice came from behind the curtains, “Well, if it isn’t a rare guest. I’m surprised you’re still alive.”
Long Shiyu yawned, “I just took a nap.”
A pale hand slowly parted the red curtains. Rich bracelets chimed, and a finger casually played with the golden beads. When the curtain fully opened, a woman with an alluring appearance stood there, a playful smile on her lips and a bright red teardrop mole near her eye. Yet her gaze was cold as a serpent’s.
Jiang Meng, once the star attraction of the Flower Exhibition Tower, had stunned Kassand for years with her appearances on the parade float. Few knew that she was, in fact, an exotic creature.
She was also known as the “Snake Charmer.”
She had once competed for the throne, a seat of unparalleled power and glory that every creature coveted. From the Snake Charmer to the Church’s High Priestess Lilith, many were obsessed with the throne.
To this day, humans remained uncertain about its true nature. Where was it? Was it tangible or a mere concept? Did it even exist?
The first chairman of the Hunter’s Association firmly believed in its existence. The chaotic battles of these creatures posed an eternal threat to humanity, fueling his lifelong quest to hunt them down.
Just as he believed, creatures fought each other for the throne—only by eliminating all competitors would one ensure their seat. The final battle decided if one would be crowned the new king or die as a traitor.
The old Dragon King had been powerful, sitting in that throne of power for over a century.
Everyone believed his reign would last for years longer.
Until Long Shiyu appeared.
Jiang Meng sighed softly, “I’ve always envied you. Time favors you so. Unlike me, who’s grown old and now relies on illusions to maintain my appearance.” She smirked, “I’ve always wondered, why is the world so unfair? If not for you, that throne would’ve been mine.”
“It’s not just me,” Long Shiyu replied, “There are many others too.”
Jiang Meng’s smile faded, “You’ve always been like this. So, tell me, why did you come to see me today? To mock me? Or perhaps… settle some old scores?” Her eyes shimmered suggestively, “Do you plan to kill me? Or perhaps… indulge in more pleasurable pursuits?”
Long Shiyu’s only knowledge of ”pleasurable pursuits” is his constant pursuit of good food.
Thanks for the chapter!
And his princess 😂
Thank you for the translation!
I spy with my little eyes a poisonous snake trying to corrupt our dearest Shiyu! You dare covet another’s wife? Shame on you!
That can only mean she knows how to cook, right?