Chapter 51: Cai Die
Under the cold moonlight.
On top of a sand dune stood over a dozen serpent-men, their bodies radiating fierce auras that deterred any nearby danger.
The Tagore Desert had never been a safe place—especially at night, when countless vicious magical beasts emerged to hunt.
"Why hasn't the Queen returned yet?!"
A burly serpent-man at the forefront seemed to be growing impatient as he questioned the old man beside him.
He was one of the eight chieftains of the serpent-men tribe, Yan Ci.
His build was tall and muscular, with a fierce expression. A small braid dangled from the back of his head, and his skin was a dark gray color, matching the hue of the tail extending from his waist. The scales on his tail lacked any luster and almost blended into the surrounding earth. His thick arms were covered in solid heavy armor, which extended down to his fingertips, ending in sharp points—clearly his primary weapon.
The one he was questioning was an elderly man, hunched over with an aged face, holding a staff in his hand. A solemn look flickered deep in his eyes. He was Yin Shi, also one of the eight chieftains of the tribe, and a highly respected elder among the serpent-men. He had once served as a royal guard for Queen Medusa.
One could say he had watched Queen Medusa and her sister grow up. He knew exactly what had happened during that time, yet he was powerless to stop it. No one in the tribe could defy the will of the Four Great Elders.
Yin Shi glanced at the sky. He knew what Queen Medusa had gone to do, but he couldn't reveal it to Yan Ci. The latter's temperament was far too explosive—he was better suited as a fighter than a thinker.
He shook his head and said in a weathered voice, "No need to rush. Just follow orders."
"Hmph!"
Yan Ci took a deep breath, clenched his fists, and suppressed the irritation in his heart. He had never been one for patience.
They waited for another half hour or so.
A blood-red streak of light shot across the distant sky and slowly descended under their gaze. Unlike the veiled and cautious demeanor she had shown before, Queen Medusa had now returned to her regal appearance.
She wore a golden crown upon her head. Her long black hair cascaded freely over her fragrant shoulders, draping down to her slender waist. She was dressed in an elegant red robe that hugged her voluptuous figure, adorned with many exquisite golden ornaments that further enhanced her noble aura.
As her waist swayed, her serpent tail followed with a subtle motion, exuding a captivating allure that was impossible to resist.
"Your Majesty!"
All the serpent-men present bowed their heads in reverence the moment they saw her.
Queen Medusa's gaze was cold and proud, even towards her own people. Others might be mesmerized by her seductive beauty, but to her, it was something naturally exuded, not something deliberately flaunted. Her sharp eyes landed on Yin Shi and Yan Ci, and her voice carried an unquestionable authority: "The traitor has been dealt with. Let's return."
Yan Ci was momentarily stunned, then quickly responded with respectful compliance. "Yes, Your Majesty!"
With his simple mind, he didn't bother questioning what had happened. Whatever Queen Medusa said, he would follow.
Unlike him, Yin Shi's expression showed concern. Staring at the icy expression on Queen Medusa's face, he whispered, "Your Majesty, the Elders instructed us—if alive, bring her back; if dead, bring the body…"
"I am the Queen."
Queen Medusa glared coldly at him and responded firmly.
She had already ensured her younger sister's safety. Now, she had no more concerns and no longer cared for the decrees of those old fossils. The serpent-men only needed one leader—and that was her, Queen Medusa. If they disapproved, they could swallow it down!
Yin Shi was taken aback, then understood her meaning and immediately bowed. "Yes, Your Majesty!"
…
…
The next day.
Beside Haibo Dong's waterwheel, fresh spring water trickled down.
A lone figure stood under the stream, letting the water wash away the dirt from his body. Once he was completely clean, he retrieved a garment from his storage ring and got dressed.
Once fully clothed, Yao Yan leisurely walked out from behind the waterwheel.
Hearing the movement, the other two turned to look and were momentarily stunned. Neither of them expected that after cleaning up, Yao Yan could look this handsome. Though he had merely changed into a silver-white brocade robe, his appearance and aura transformed dramatically, exuding a kind of unexplainable charm and nobility that seemed to stem from his very bloodline.
"Feels good to be clean again."
Yao Yan stretched with a contented smile, sighed lightly, then looked at the two people frozen in place. He teased, "What? Stunned by my good looks?"
Haibo Dong nodded and said honestly, "Young Master, you truly are a monster!"
At that moment, the only word he could use to describe Yao Yan's appearance was "monster." No other word came to mind.
"I'm no monster, just a little better looking than average."
Yao Yan pulled a mask from his storage ring and put it on to cover half his face. He spoke modestly while simultaneously reaching into the water to grab Ling'er, who was swimming happily. He looked helpless—he still didn't understand her nature. Clearly a heavenly flame spirit, yet she loved playing in the water.
"Ying ying~"
Gripped by the neck of fate, she wiggled her cute little claws in protest, clearly wanting to go back into the water. That was where she felt at home—not this scorching desert.
Helpless, Yao Yan tossed her back in.
Then he walked up beside Haibo Dong and waved at Queen Medusa's younger sister, who was also staring in a daze. He chuckled, "Snap out of it."
Embarrassed, Queen Medusa's sister flicked her tail and lowered her head, fiddling with a plant that looked like a dandelion in her hand. She murmured, "...Young Master is really handsome."
"'Handsome' isn't how you describe a man. Also, stop calling me Master. Call me Young Master—it sounds better."
Yao Yan lightly tapped her forehead as he corrected her.
Queen Medusa's sister yelped in pain, rubbing her head as her bright peach blossom eyes blinked obediently. "Oh~"
"Why don't you give yourself a name? Just like I'm called Yao Yan and he's Haibo Dong. A name is something meaningful—it stays with you for life."
Yao Yan looked at her stunning face, so similar to Queen Medusa's, and spoke with a more serious tone.
"A name, huh?"
Queen Medusa's sister pondered briefly, then her gaze fell on the dandelion-like plant in her hand. Her eyes gradually lit up, and she spoke in a soft yet firm voice: "Even though I've forgotten my past, I think I still remember its name—Die."
"Whoosh~"
She gently blew on the plant, and it bloomed like a dandelion, scattering with the breeze. To their surprise, it transformed into dozens of pale-blue butterflies that sparkled with golden flecks in the sunlight as they fluttered into the distance.
"It represents freedom... not bound by rules. Even if born in the harshest place, they still become butterflies, seeking freedom…"
Die watched the butterflies drift away, her eyes full of longing and dreams. In that moment, images surfaced in her mind. She seemed to have once lived in a luxurious palace—but it had felt like a cage, suffocating her.
Yao Yan looked at the butterflies flying off into the distance, then at the amnesiac girl beside him. He smiled softly and said, "Die, huh? That's a lovely name. But how about adding one more word—Cai Die."
"Young Master, didn't you say I should pick the name myself?"
Cai Die looked at Yao Yan, weakly protesting.
Yao Yan flicked her forehead again and said with a smile, "At least let me have some say in it, right? After all, I'm the one who picked you up."
Holding her head, Cai Die blinked her long lashes, wanting to refute him but unsure how.
Haibo Dong ignored the bickering pair. He watched the butterflies flutter into the distance, her words echoing in his mind. He murmured, "Freedom, huh…"
It seemed he had never truly escaped his own prison. He had always been bound by duty, living the same kind of life. Even now, with the strength of a Douhuang, nothing had changed. Perhaps from the moment his junior sister died, his heart had frozen over.
Once upon a time, he too had longed for freedom.
(END CHAPTER)
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