Chapter 69: A Temporary Farewell
“Yay!” Yan Yan’s mental voice echoed, breaking the intimate silence. “I heard Father propose to Mother!”
The Serpent Queen blushed even deeper, but unlike usual, she didn’t scold her daughter. Yan Zhen also blushed, scratching his cheek. It was his first time saying such words.
“Since you’ve already proposed, Father, you have to make me with Mother quickly~” Yan Yan said excitedly. “After I’m born, you can make Ling’er, and then I’ll have a playmate! Speaking of playmates, where’s Big Sister Long Ying? I miss her~”
“That’s enough.” The Serpent Queen couldn’t bear to listen any longer. “Your father is about to leave! Don’t say such useless things!”
“What?!” Yan Yan’s mental shriek was earsplitting. “Father is leaving? Why? Doesn’t he want me and Mother anymore?”
“Of course not,” he said with a smile. “I have to go back and finish my studies. I have to become stronger so I can protect you and your mother.”
“But I don’t want Father to leave…”
“I’m sorry, Yan Yan. I’ll come back and visit you as soon as possible.”
“Okay…”
The little princess sounded utterly dejected. He could picture her pouting.
The Serpent Queen also felt reluctant, but she knew she couldn’t keep him by her side forever.
“Won’t you stay a few more days? We… we’re not sure… if I’m… pregnant with Yan Yan yet~”
He blushed furiously.
“It should… it should be fine, right?”
After all, he had filled her to overflowing.
However, in the script, he had spent the entire night with her. This time, he had… shared his essence with Yun Xiu and Jiu Youyue. Could it be that she wasn’t pregnant?
He was suddenly worried. This concerned his future daughter, after all.
“Should I… stay for two more days?”
“…M-mmm.”
They were both embarrassed, their faces flushed, unable to meet each other’s gazes.
The reason for staying two more days… was obvious.
After a long silence, he finally spoke.
“Where are… the other two?”
She replied indifferently, “They’re gone.”
“Gone?”
Although he understood their feelings, leaving without saying goodbye still stung. Sigh~
“They left something for you.”
She handed him two packages.
He opened them. One contained Yun Xiu’s inner armor, her Palace Master token, and a letter. The other contained Jiu Youyue’s undergarments and a note.
Yun Xiu’s letter was formal, stating that she was returning to Cloud Heaven Palace to handle some matters, and that he could contact her with the token if he needed anything. She assured him of her support, then advised him to “stay calm and think before you act; avoid being impulsive and reckless.” Her words seemed to carry a hidden meaning.
The temptress’s gift and note, however, were far less formal. The note, filled with lewd comments like “It’s all… original flavor,” ended with, “Remember me, Little Zhenzhen~ We’ll meet again soon~”
He knew she was right. He would encounter her again during his first trial at the Sacred Ground Academy, though their positions would be different.
Noticing the Serpent Queen’s strange expression, he quickly put the packages away, changing the subject.
“How is the Water City’s reconstruction going?”
She rolled her eyes.
“It’s fine.”
Three days later, the Serpent Queen and the eight Serpent Generals saw him off outside the palace.
The Serpent Generals now knew that he had accompanied her to steal the flame, enabling her evolution, and had played a crucial role in the final battle, weakening the Crimson Sand Scorpion King. They treated him with respect, no longer dismissing him as a mere Mystic Scholar.
Reaching the Mystic Scholar realm at sixteen was a remarkable achievement!
He retrieved a small bottle, handing it to her.
“I don’t have a proper gift for you right now, so I asked Master for a pill. It will help you with the… side effects of your bloodline evolution.”
“Side effects” wasn’t quite the right term. They were more like… unnecessary traits.
One trait of the Serpent God Bloodline was a cold and aloof personality. The purer the bloodline, the stronger its influence. The Serpent Queen’s cold exterior and passionate heart were related to this trait.
— And her… exceptional stamina was also a result of the Serpent God Bloodline. If not for his +13… weapon, he might not have been a match for her.
She was pleasantly surprised. Her husband had anticipated her needs.
“Thank you.”
She took the bottle, then retrieved a small box from her storage ring, handing it to him.
“What’s this?”
“Open it and see.”
He opened the box, finding a long glove inside, long enough to reach his forearm.
The glove, purplish-red, seemed to be made of scales, its shimmering surface ornate.
He sensed a powerful aura, using his Spiritual Sense to examine it, discovering it was a Tier 5 Mystic Tool. A blood-red crystal, embedded on the back, was inscribed with a formation that could gather and store Worldly Energy.
It could passively absorb energy, then unleash a devastating attack, powerful enough to severely injure even a Mystic King.
“Could this be…?”
She said shyly, “It’s made from the scales I shed during my evolution. It’s close to Tier 6 in quality, with excellent protection and decent attack power. You can have it.”
He was touched.
“This glove… it must be a precious memento… are you sure?”
“Idiot! It’s precisely because it’s precious that–” She stopped abruptly. “Forget it, if you don’t like it…”
“I like it! It’s just… a bit flashy. It seems more suitable for a woman. Will it look strange on me?”
He put on the glove, examining it.
Compared to his simple attire, the glove was indeed eye-catching.
She also thought it looked strange, but she suppressed her laughter.
“As long as it’s useful. Why do you care about appearances?”
“That’s true.” He chuckled. “Then I’ll accept it.”
They fell silent, the atmosphere turning awkward.
“…”
“…”
She finally broke the silence.
“Be careful… or… should I send someone to escort you?”
“There’s no need to trouble yourself. I’m not that weak anymore.—I’ll be going now. Take care.”
He mounted the waiting Giant Sand Eagle, pulling on the reins. With powerful flaps of its wings, the bird soared into the sky.
She clutched the pill bottle, watching his retreating figure, her gaze lingering.
“Father is gone, Mother! Waaah~”
“It’s okay, Yan Yan. After I’ve taken care of some things, I’ll take you to the Sacred Ground Academy to see him, and your Aunt Zi, and Big Sister Long Ying.”
Leave a Reply