Chapter 174: Unable to Control Myself
Cailin, upon hearing Yaoyan's words, had originally intended to turn and leave, caring little for his life or death. But the instant she saw him spitting blood, that graceful, enchanting purple snake tail of hers suddenly felt as heavy as a thousand pounds, unable to move no matter what. At that moment, her emotions became endlessly tangled—she could not bear to see Yaoyan fall into inner demonic turmoil like this, yet for her to help him… with her pride, it was clearly unacceptable.
For a time, she too was caught in a dilemma.
Yaoyan, while suppressing the demonic fire raging within him, also observed Cailin's movements. If she truly left just like that, he obviously wouldn't be able to force her to stay. Though the demonic fire in his body was troublesome, it wasn't something he couldn't suppress—it was just inconvenient.
As Yao Lao had once said, some things are better released than suppressed. The harder one suppresses, the more violent the next eruption will be.
Heavenly flames were rare wonders birthed by heaven and earth themselves.
No matter what attribute they later evolved into, their essence remained pure yang. For a normal person, refining a single flame was already the limit. To forcibly merge two of them—not to mention whether one could succeed or not—the sheer yang energy generated from two heavenly flames was something few could withstand. Especially at a young age, when one's internal yang was at its peak, a slight provocation could lead to a chain reaction… at least two eruptions in succession.
She hasn't left… When Yaoyan saw that Cailin hadn't immediately turned to go, he let out a small sigh of relief. He didn't want to just find any random woman to resolve this either, especially with Cailin by his side. To say he felt nothing toward her would be nothing but self-deception.
There wasn't a single normal man in this world who could resist the temptation of Queen Medusa, and Yaoyan was no exception.
In the past, it was merely restraint.
"I can't hold it anymore!" Yaoyan opened his eyes once again, his pupils blood-red, his whole body radiating scorching heat. With a low growl, like a wild beast, he pulled Cailin into his arms, pressing her graceful figure tightly against him. He could even feel the warmth of her soft body.
Caught off guard, Cailin's cold, beautiful eyes flickered with a trace of panic. Her red lips parted as she scolded sharply: "Yaoyan, how dare you!"
Her words were icy, yet no strength erupted from her hands. She allowed Yaoyan to hold her delicate body.
If Yaoyan still couldn't understand Cailin's meaning in this moment, then his journey across worlds would have been for nothing. Selectively ignoring her protest, he lowered his head and seized her soft lips, shamelessly ravaging them. The demonic fire within him could no longer be suppressed, surging out in a burst of jade-green flames that instantly engulfed them both.
The terrifying heat incinerated their clothes in an instant.
A flush of red surfaced in Cailin's eyes as she too was affected by the demonic fire. What little reason remained was swiftly erased. Yet her memories didn't vanish completely—her pride urged her to bite fiercely into Yaoyan's shoulder, as if wanting to leave a mark of her own.
But his skin was impossibly tough. No matter how hard she bit, she couldn't leave the faintest trace. Instead, her teeth began to ache.
"…Ah~"
As Yaoyan pressed her down, Cailin seemed to sense what was about to happen. A trace of melancholy and confusion welled up in her heart. Even she no longer knew what she was truly thinking. Could it be… that she had actually fallen for this boy?
How could that be? He was the man her younger sister fancied!
Her thoughts froze in that instant. The next, desire overwhelmed all reason, and the two of them began the most primal of unions.
…
Tagor Desert, Serpent Tribe's settlement.
Inside a quiet palace.
A tall, slender snake woman stood with elegance, draped in a colorful gown that accentuated her breathtaking curves. Seductive to the extreme, her beauty was flawless, her skin pale and smooth without a single blemish. Yet her eyes at the moment appeared somewhat dazed, as though lost in memories. In her arms she cradled a greenwood fox, which lazily swished its tail, seemingly caught in a pleasant dream.
"Ling'er, you're the fortunate one—carefree and without worries. The young master has been gone for so many days, and you don't even know to miss him…"
The woman lowered her gaze at the silly magical pet in her arms, muttering softly with a hint of envy at the fox's carefree life. She too had once lived such days under her elder sister's protection. But now, all of that had slipped away.
Caidie not only had to endure the pain of longing, but also shoulder the internal affairs of the Serpent Tribe.
Yet these matters gradually tempered her, giving her the air of a queen. Whether she was imitating her sister's mannerisms—only she herself knew.
"Your Majesty~"
Suddenly, a woman's voice sounded from outside, breaking Caidie's thoughts. The voice continued: "Envoys from the Jia Ma Empire and Misty Cloud Sect have arrived. Sir Hai Bodong has also come along with them."
"Elder Hai came as well? It seems this time matters can finally be settled."
Caidie's eyes flickered as she murmured softly, then walked toward the palace entrance with Ling'er in her arms.
Since Cailin and Yaoyan had left, the Serpent Tribe had fallen completely under her rule, with Yue Mei and Hua She'er assisting at her side. Today's discussion with the Jia Ma Empire concerned their new settlement. Back when Yaoyan reached a cooperation agreement with the Empire and other factions, the aftermath was left for the Serpent Tribe themselves to handle.
Relocating the entire tribe into the Jia Ma Empire was no easy task, and many factors had to be considered.
At the palace gate stood the enchanting Yue Mei and the heroic Hua She'er, each on one side. Their relationship was far from harmonious—especially after Hua She'er's strength advanced a step further. Yue Mei's hostility toward her grew stronger, suspecting Hua She'er of having secretly won Yaoyan's favor. Otherwise, why would he help her break through?
Yet Hua She'er swore she had done nothing, which only frustrated Yue Mei further. Clearly, she had always contributed the most—so why was she not rewarded?
It wasn't fair.
But with Yaoyan no longer in the tribe, she had nowhere to vent her grievances.
Caidie swayed forward with her lithe figure and seductive tail, her clear eyes sweeping over Hua She'er as she asked softly: "Which envoy came from Misty Cloud Sect?"
"The old sect master has gone into seclusion. Now all affairs of Misty Cloud Sect are handled by his disciple Yun Yun. She is likely the next sect master. This subordinate feels that woman is no ordinary person—Your Majesty should be cautious in dealing with her." Hua She'er nodded, sharing information about Yun Yun while offering her warning.
"It matters little. Our Serpent Tribe has no conflict of interest with Misty Cloud Sect, and when the young master departed, he already reached an agreement with them. Moreover, with Elder Hai present, there should be no problem." Caidie gently stroked Ling'er's soft fur, her voice calm and composed.
"This subordinate believes Your Majesty should act more forcefully. Wherever the land is good, we should claim it!" Yue Mei bit her lip, urging eagerly. She had long coveted certain areas within the Jia Ma Empire. Compared to the desolate Tagor Desert, the Empire's fertile lands were far more desirable.
"This matter is for this queen to decide, not for you to meddle in."
Caidie's cool gaze swept over Yue Mei before she continued forward. She exuded the aura of a sovereign, and wherever she passed, guards bowed low in salute. Hua She'er followed closely, like a personal bodyguard.
Yue Mei frowned, feeling Caidie's methods were too "soft." With the foundation laid by Yaoyan, they should be able to claim whatever land they wanted. How could the Jia Ma Empire dare refuse? Yet Caidie was complicating matters, hoping to achieve mutual acceptance instead of dominance.
To Yue Mei, this was unrealistic.
The enmity between the Serpent Tribe and the Jia Ma Empire ran too deep to be erased so easily. Many serpents had once been enslaved by the Empire. Could such hatred truly be forgotten?
Yue Mei foresaw that if the tribe truly moved into the Empire, countless conflicts would erupt.
Soon, the group arrived at the royal hall.
Inside, several familiar figures were already seated. At the head was Hai Bodong, who now looked younger and more spirited than before, brimming with vitality. Rising to his feet, he respectfully greeted: "I greet Your Majesty, the Queen."
"Elder Hai, there's no need for formality. You are an old acquaintance of this queen. Let us simply sit and talk." Caidie replied warmly, her eyes then shifting to the woman behind him.
That elegant, noble woman stood out at once. Though a black robe concealed her figure, the face revealed was exquisite, her refined gaze like drifting clouds. She too seemed to sense Caidie's attention and met her eyes.
"Master Yun, it has been a long time." Caidie greeted softly. It wasn't their first meeting—last time Yun Yun had even asked her about Yaoyan, leaving an impression.
No one knew better than Caidie how much her young master attracted others. She sensed this woman had no small interest in him.
"I greet Your Majesty."
Yun Yun inclined her head politely, her gentle voice carrying a mature grace.
"Ahem, since everyone is here, let us proceed. This matter has already been discussed several times, but today it must finally be settled… If we delay any longer, I'll be scolded by His Majesty himself." An elder from the Jia Ma royal family spoke with a wry smile—he was the one overseeing this matter.
"It has indeed dragged on for long enough. Of the three locations offered to Her Majesty before, which one have you decided on?" Hai Bodong nodded in agreement, turning to Caidie.
Impatient by nature, he wanted no further delays.
Yun Yun too looked at Caidie. In the end, the decision was hers. If she was dissatisfied, new negotiations would be needed—but balancing the interests of all factions was never easy. Especially in a nation like the Jia Ma Empire, composed of many powers—there was no absolute authority.
Of course, if someone reached the Dou Sect realm, matters would naturally be different.
"I've chosen. This queen favors the third location." Caidie's eyes flickered as she spoke softly, still stroking Ling'er's fur with elegance and calm.
"?!"
Her words stunned those present. None had expected her to pick the worst of the three sites.
That third site lay on the edge of the Tagor Desert. Though it contained an undeveloped jungle, in terms of prosperity it was far inferior to the other two.
"Is Your Majesty certain?" The royal elder's eyes narrowed as he asked gravely.
If the Serpent Tribe chose this land, it would indeed minimize future conflicts.
"…That place is quite suitable for the Serpent Tribe." Hai Bodong pondered a moment before voicing his agreement.
Yun Yun, however, had no particular opinion. None of the sites greatly concerned Misty Cloud Sect. She was mainly there to assist the Serpent Tribe and to intervene should they face difficulties—something her master had instructed her before going into seclusion.
Caidie nodded. Having already decided, there was no need to change her mind. As for whether certain Serpent elders objected… they could speak with her sister upon her return. If not, the young master could deal with them himself.
With such support behind her, Caidie was brimming with confidence.
Lifting her chin slightly, her lips curved into a faint smile as she looked at Yun Yun and Hai Bodong. "If the two of you are free, why not stay with the Serpent Tribe a few more days? This queen wishes to discuss future matters with you both."
After all, relocating the tribe into the Empire required addressing countless issues—food, clothing, housing, and so on—all of which depended on the cooperation of Jia Ma's factions.
"Of course."
Yun Yun replied softly.
Hai Bodong also nodded.
The royal elder, however, noticed that Caidie showed no intention of keeping him, and so he held back his words and left awkwardly.
Once he was gone, Yun Yun smiled faintly, her gaze curious as she asked: "You seem to bear some grudge against him?"
"The Jia Ma royal family has few decent people. My sister once told me that the enslavement of our people was something sanctioned by the royal court. The fact I haven't made trouble for them is already mercy enough—why would I entertain them?" Caidie snorted coldly, her eyes flashing with killing intent.
Hai Bodong remained silent, for the Mittel Clan had also profited from the trade. The profits were enormous—an enchanting snake woman could fetch astronomical prices in the Empire, let alone abroad.
Just as Caidie was about to speak further with the two, her expression suddenly stiffened. A wave of panic surged in her chest, accompanied by an odd sensation within her body… as if she had returned to the days of being teased by Yaoyan…
(END CHAPTER)
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