Chapter 60: Over-the-Shoulder Throw
On the massive square, more than a dozen large flying bird beasts were resting.
These birds were called Thick-Winged Birds. They weren't magical beasts, but rather pure giant avians with an extremely docile temperament—very easy for humans to tame. However, due to their rarity, only the empire itself had the resources to maintain a flying transport fleet.
When Yao Yan arrived with Cai Die, there were already quite a few people gathered. They were lining up next to the bird beasts, checking their tickets one by one to board.
The scene was surprisingly similar to an airport waiting lounge from Yao Yan's previous life.
Naturally, their arrival drew a lot of attention. Anyone capable of walking around in public with a serpent-woman was never ordinary. Even though Cai Die wore a conical hat that hid her refined features, her curvy figure and alluring serpent tail were still exposed.
For true perverts, even a snake tail could be enticing…
Sensing the indecent stares around them, Cai Die's eyes grew cold. Although gentle and kind by nature, she wasn't someone who tolerated being bullied. She was well aware of what kind of people these mercenaries were. The serpent tribes had long suffered at their hands—hunted like prey.
This constant abuse was why relations between the serpent race and the Jia Ma Empire had grown so hostile—encounters often ended in bloodshed.
As for deeper reasons like survival or racial conflict, Cai Die had never really considered them. But if one thought carefully, it became clear that true peace was impossible—especially when both sides were nearly equal in strength.
Yao Yan also noticed the death-seeking stares. He gently squeezed Cai Die's hand to reassure her, then released Dou Qi equivalent to a peak Da Dou Shi. A wave of force swept through the area, silencing most of those bold glances.
In the Jia Ma Empire, a Da Dou Shi still carried some weight.
Ignoring the mercenaries, he led Cai Die to the ticket counter and presented the token Hai Bodong had given him.
The clerk immediately stood up upon seeing it and bowed respectfully. "Honored sir, as per imperial regulation, there's no need for you to purchase a ticket. You're entitled to a complimentary private mount. This way, please!"
With that, the man personally guided them toward another section of the plaza.
This scene naturally caused many onlookers to avert their gazes. No one dared to keep staring. After all, anyone qualified for an exclusive ride was either extremely powerful or of noble status—either way, not someone they could afford to provoke.
Soon, Yao Yan and Cai Die arrived at the other end of the square, where only three massive bird beasts were stationed. Unlike the Thick-Winged Birds, these were Rank 1 magical beasts—larger and fiercer in appearance. The structures on their backs were more refined, clearly custom-designed.
The clerk maintained his respectful tone. "May I ask where you wish to travel?"
"Magic Beast Mountain Range."
Yao Yan withdrew his gaze and answered calmly.
The man pointed at one of the massive birds and explained, "That one is headed for Black Rock City near the Magic Beast Mountain Range. The trip should take seven to eight days."
"When does it depart?"
"In half an hour!"
With that confirmed, Yao Yan boarded the flying beast with Cai Die and found an empty room.
About half an hour later—
A sharp cry pierced the sky. Under the beastmaster's command, the flying magical beast launched into the air. Wind-element energy wrapped around its body, propelling it forward with great speed. Yan City shrank rapidly beneath them as the beast soared northward toward the empire's border.
Cai Die leaned out the window, her hat now removed. Her bright eyes stared wistfully at the slowly vanishing Tagore Desert. She had never imagined she would leave serpent territory like this and enter the Jia Ma Empire. It all felt like a dream.
She should have been executed. But her unwillingness to accept her fate led her to flee the serpent palace using a secret art. After losing her memory, she was captured by mercenaries—and then she met Yao Yan…
In less than a month, her life had become more thrilling than everything she had lived before.
Unnoticed, Yao Yan had come to her side. His mask was gone, revealing that devastatingly handsome face, lightly smiling as he asked, "What? Feeling nostalgic?"
"You arrived here unexpectedly. Don't you miss your home, Young Master?"
Cai Die blinked her bright peach blossom eyes, his reflection shimmering within. Her soft voice was gentle as ever.
"My home… Of course I miss it. But it's really, really far away from here…"
Yao Yan paused, then looked to the distant sky. His gaze seemed to pierce the void, reaching toward his past. His tone, unusually solemn for his age, held a trace of sorrow. Some things… you only know how to treasure once they're gone.
Time may blur memories—but never the pain of longing that lingers in a single instant of remembrance.
"No matter how far it is, I'll always stay by your side… until you find your way back home."
Sensing the sadness in his eyes, Cai Die gently took his hand. Her soft blue eyes were sincere, filled with warmth and understanding.
I'll never find it again… Yao Yan laughed bitterly inside. Even if one day he reached heaven-defying strength and found his old home, he wouldn't be the same. What could returning even mean? Life only moves forward. You can only look ahead.
"You don't know anything, but you talk like it's all real."
Yao Yan flicked her forehead lightly and chuckled.
Cai Die winced and bit her lip. "Young Master, can you stop hitting me on the head?"
"Then your butt instead?"
Yao Yan grinned mischievously, his eyes drifting to her gorgeous, sinuous tail.
This time, Cai Die didn't shy away. She gathered her courage and met his gaze. "So it was on purpose last time!"
Now that her memory had returned, she was no longer the naïve, easily bullied girl. She was a Seven-Star Dou Huang!
"Which time?"
Yao Yan feigned ignorance with a clueless expression.
Cai Die fumed, her little fists clenched as she glared at him. "If you play dumb again, I swear I'll—! Do I really look that easy to fool?!"
"If you were really smart, you wouldn't ask. Last time really was an accident. I had no idea that was… you know."
Yao Yan sighed helplessly, his tone apologetic.
"You're a liar!"
Cai Die rolled her eyes. "Totally a liar."
Right, right… I'm just a scoundrel who tricks girls' hearts… Yao Yan muttered inwardly. He didn't feel guilty at all. Instead, he tightened his grip and pulled this Dou Huang powerhouse into his embrace, wrapping his arms around her soft waist. With a devilish smile, he whispered, "So… would you let me lie to you?"
Cai Die hadn't expected him to pull something like that. Before she could react, she was already in his arms, inches from his face. Her beautiful face turned crimson, like blushed rouge. She shut her eyes in a panic, her long lashes trembling, and she completely missed what Yao Yan said next. Reflexively, she grabbed his arm, twisted her waist, and—
Boom!
With an explosive over-the-shoulder throw, the scoundrel Yao Yan was slammed hard to the floor. Ling'er, who had been nestled in his arms, was flung out and stared in shock at the scene before her.
"I'm not talking to you anymore!"
Cai Die clenched her fists, glared at Yao Yan, and angrily slithered away toward the inner room.
(END CHAPTER)
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