Chapter 174: The Purple Scrap of Cloth

In a desolate stretch of the Tagore Desert, two figures stood suspended in midair, exuding an aura of terrifying power.

“Be careful!” The Queen Medusa called out softly, thrusting her palms forward. Instantly, an enormous serpent, earth-yellow and dozens of meters long, surged forth, carrying with it a fierce and ancient aura. Its blood-red maw gaped open as it lunged at Xiao Xie.

Facing the charging giant serpent, Xiao Xie raised his right hand. A crimson flash, several meters in diameter, erupted forth, colliding with the monstrous snake. In an instant, both forces exploded, unleashing a tremendous shockwave that sent the desert sands below into a frenzied sandstorm.

“Mischievous!” A faint smirk played at Xiao Xie’s lips. With a light step, he vanished from his spot in a single instant.

The next moment, the place where Xiao Xie had just stood erupted with dozens of giant serpents, shooting in from all sides and violently colliding at the center. Had he remained, he would have been crushed between them.

Xiao Xie’s figure materialized directly before Queen Medusa. He swept his right hand out and, with a powerful step, shot backward to put distance between them.

“Hm?” Queen Medusa watched, perplexed, as Xiao Xie retreated. She had thought he would attack her, but instead, he simply waved his hand and withdrew.

“What is that?” Her beautiful eyes fell upon a small piece of purple cloth that had appeared in Xiao Xie’s right hand. She froze for a moment. Why did it look so familiar? Something was off.

She reached to her chest and realized her intimate garment was missing. Glancing at the purple scrap in Xiao Xie’s hand, she recognized it instantly.

“Xiao Xie, you pervert!”

Hearing Queen Medusa’s shriek, Xiao Xie’s face flushed with embarrassment. He wasn’t even sure why he’d instinctively used his skillful hands just then—it must have been the influence of the Flowery Sage’s inheritance! He promptly shifted the blame onto that long-dead Sage.

The thought that her undergarment was now in the hands of this despicable man ignited a nameless fury within Queen Medusa. Her voice thundered, “I’ll kill you!”

With a flick of her jade-like foot, she flew at Xiao Xie, palm striking fiercely at his chest.

“Ugh!” The force of Queen Medusa’s enraged blow sent Xiao Xie spitting blood, fragments of his internal organs mixed within the crimson spray.

“Why didn’t you dodge?” Queen Medusa asked in shock, ignoring the blood that had splashed onto her face.

“Are you satisfied now?” Xiao Xie managed a pained smile, coughing into his hand as blood and bits of viscera dribbled from his lips.

In truth, though Xiao Xie appeared gravely wounded, he possessed an immortal body and accelerated regeneration. As long as his body wasn’t completely destroyed, channeling his spiritual energy would quickly heal his injuries. He was merely feigning weakness to help Queen Medusa vent her anger. If he didn’t let her get it out, life would become far more troublesome.

“Hold on, I’ll take you to heal!” Seeing Xiao Xie sway unsteadily, unable even to keep flying, Queen Medusa hurriedly caught him in her arms.

“I’m fine. I just need to rest a bit.” Xiao Xie nestled his head into the most comfortable spot in Queen Medusa’s embrace, his face pale as he spoke.

Queen Medusa felt the pressure against her ample chest and frowned, about to fly into a rage. But seeing Xiao Xie’s pitiful appearance, her heart softened. “No, you’re badly hurt. If you die, Qinglin will never forgive me.”

Xiao Xie rolled his eyes at her words. So his life didn’t matter, but as long as Qinglin wasn’t angry, everything was fine? He closed his eyes and let his head slump aside, feigning unconsciousness. His nose was filled with a subtle fragrance, his face pressed into a soft, elastic fullness—he swore it wasn’t intentional this time.

A soft, suppressed sound escaped Queen Medusa’s lips. A blush colored her cheeks, but looking at the fainted Xiao Xie, her anger had nowhere to go. She pinched the soft flesh at Xiao Xie’s waist, almost making him cry out in pain despite his act. Her gaze landed on the purple cloth in his right hand. A flash of embarrassment and annoyance crossed her eyes as she snatched it away and tucked it into her ring with a quiet huff. “Wretch!”

Helpless, Queen Medusa cradled the unconscious Xiao Xie and flew back to her palace. As soon as she entered, Qinglin hurried over, anxious. “My lord, what happened to him?”

“It’s nothing serious. Don’t worry. Take him to my private chambers; I’ll fetch some medicine for his injuries.” Handing Xiao Xie over to Qinglin, Queen Medusa turned to prepare a remedy.

“My lord, are you alright?” In the private quarters, Qinglin gazed at the unconscious Xiao Xie, blood still at the corner of his lips, nearly in tears. She’d never imagined someone as powerful as Xiao Xie could be so gravely injured.

“Don’t cry, I’m fine.” Xiao Xie opened his eyes, ruffling Qinglin’s hair to comfort her.

“You’re alright? That’s wonderful. You scared me half to death.” Overjoyed, Qinglin threw herself into his arms, sobbing with relief.

“But, my lord, why did you pretend to faint?” Qinglin wiped her tears, puffing her cheeks in indignation. “You’re too much, scaring people like that!”

Xiao Xie chuckled awkwardly. “It was nothing. Just trying to avoid unnecessary trouble. When Queen Medusa returns, don’t give me away.”

“Okay.” Qinglin nodded obediently. She didn’t know why he was pretending, but she trusted he had his reasons.

Xiao Xie smiled at her and closed his eyes again.

No sooner had he done so than Queen Medusa returned, bringing a bowl of medicinal soup. Seeing Qinglin’s red-rimmed eyes, she gently patted the girl’s head. “Don’t worry, Qinglin. Just help him finish this medicine and he’ll be fine.”

“Mm.” Qinglin kept her face expressionless, afraid to betray any clues, so she simply maintained a blank look.

Queen Medusa, unaware of Qinglin’s true thoughts, assumed the girl was angry with her. She sighed and quietly left the chamber.

The next morning, seeing Xiao Xie by Qinglin’s side, Queen Medusa finally relaxed. She’d been terrified he might die at her hands, making Qinglin hate her. Perhaps she herself hadn’t realized that her relief wasn’t just about Qinglin’s feelings.

“Queen Medusa, we’re here to say goodbye. We’re heading to the imperial capital,” Xiao Xie said, taking Qinglin’s hand.

“See you next time, Queen Medusa!” Qinglin waved.

“Alright, I understand.” Queen Medusa forced herself to appear calm. For some reason, seeing Xiao Xie now made her nervous. Stranger still, she hadn’t thrown away the undergarment he’d taken last time; on the contrary, she wore it again. It gave her a strange feeling, like a child secretly savoring stolen candy—thrilled and delighted.

Neither Xiao Xie nor Qinglin noticed Queen Medusa’s odd demeanor. They mounted the Amethyst Winged Lion King and left the palace, flying toward the imperial capital.

Jama Sacred City—the capital of the Jama Empire—was the most prosperous city in the entire realm, bustling with life.

Riding the Amethyst Winged Lion King, Xiao Xie and Qinglin landed directly in the city square. Xiao Xie sent the beast away, then led Qinglin to the estate of the Miter Family.

“Stop right there! This is the Miter Family’s territory. Leave at once!” The guards at the gate barred their way.

Ignoring them, Xiao Xie called out, “Old Hai, you have guests!”

In the grand council hall at the heart of the estate, Hai Bodong sat in the chief seat, eyes closed in meditation. Beside him sat a beautiful woman, alluring and elegant—Yafei. Though the family meeting should not have been presided over by her, with Hai Bodong’s support, none dared object.