Chapter 166: Call Me Husband
Hearing this voice, the four figures tensed rather than relaxing, their caution heightened. The tone carried a subtle hint of roguishness, making it hard to trust.
What concerned them more was that the voice came from within the ancient city suggesting that someone had already arrived before them. Their only hope was that this voice didn't belong to the owner of the colossal hand holding the Dust Sand Ancient Serpent outside. If it did, they wouldn't even have the chance to escape.
As these thoughts swirled in their minds, three figures appeared at the entrance of the ancient city. To their surprise, the one leading them was a young man.
Despite his youth, none of the four dared to show any disrespect. Even if they ignored the two older men standing behind him whose auras were completely concealed the young man himself exuded a powerful and alarming presence.
He was a peak Dou Huang.
"You must be Medusa, the Snake People Queen," Xiao Yan said with a mischievous smile, his gaze sweeping across her captivating and seductive figure, a beauty capable of stealing the breath of any man.
His eyes briefly flicked to the two younger snake women behind her one charmingly coquettish, the other coldly beautiful. Though they couldn't rival Medusa, they were still striking in their own right.
"Bringing along handmaidens, huh? How considerate," Xiao Yan mused, suppressing a grin.
As for the elderly snake woman in their group, he immediately dismissed her from his thoughts. Even Xiao Yan had limits.
"Yes, I am Medusa," the queen responded, her long, narrow eyes gleaming with caution as they studied the young man before her. She ignored the heat in his gaze; she was long accustomed to such stares.
Every man who saw her reacted the same way.
Behind her, Yue Mei and Hua She'er were similarly unfazed by Xiao Yan's reaction. The only one who looked deeply uneasy was the elder. Her brows furrowed as her sharp instincts told her these three were not like the usual opportunists they encountered. These men had the strength to act on their desires and that made Medusa's beauty a dangerous liability.
"My name is Xiao Yan," the young man introduced himself with a faint smile before turning slightly, his voice calm and composed.
"This ancient city holds a legacy left behind by the ancestor of your Snake People Tribe. Within it lies a power that could bring your tribe to greatness. Come with me."
The four snake women were momentarily stunned, caught off guard by his straightforwardness.
"Brother Xiao Yan, your group came all this way, yet you have no interest in claiming this treasure for yourselves?" Medusa asked, her tone laced with skepticism and vigilance.
She found his words too good to be true. The tumultuous activity of this ruin indicated that it held something extraordinary. How could these three men show no desire for it?
"Don't call me 'Brother.' Call me 'Husband,'" Xiao Yan said, shaking his head lightly, his gaze fixed on her stunning face.
"Husband? What does that mean?" Medusa asked, a hint of confusion crossing her face.
In the Dou Qi Continent, terms like "husband" or "lord" existed for lovers, but "husband" as a casual form of address was entirely foreign.
"It's a term of friendship where I come from," Xiao Yan explained earnestly.
"Calling me 'Husband' shows we're on good terms as friends."
Medusa hesitated briefly before nodding, her tone soft but laced with curiosity.
"Alright then, Xiao Yan… Husband. Why would you give away such an inheritance so freely? It seems overly generous, even for someone as noble as you."
Medusa's guarded expression showed that she wasn't entirely convinced of his intentions. However, she wisely tempered her usual domineering nature when addressing someone as powerful as Xiao Yan and his group.
"She called me 'Husband'! Success!" Xiao Yan laughed inwardly, but outwardly, he maintained his composed demeanor.
"Why would my beautiful queen doubt her husband's intentions?" Xiao Yan teased lightly before clarifying.
"To tell you the truth, your ancestor has already granted me the benefits I sought. This inheritance is yours to claim."
Hearing him mention their ancestor, the four snake women's expressions shifted from suspicion to shock.
"Xiao Yan… Husband… Did you meet our ancestor?" Medusa asked, her normally composed voice tinged with excitement. Even her alabaster cheeks gained a faint pink hue, causing Xiao Yan's heart to flutter.
"Yes, I speak of your ancestor, the first Medusa Queen," Xiao Yan replied calmly. "She has waited here for thousands of years. While she cannot leave this city due to certain restrictions, she has prepared everything for you to receive her legacy."
The four snake women were visibly moved. Medusa even took a step forward, but the elder quickly grabbed her arm.
"Your Majesty, be cautious!"
The elder's wary gaze remained locked on Xiao Yan.
"You're quite the suspicious old woman," Xiao Yan muttered under his breath, suppressing a smirk. Then, he glanced at Wu Lao.
"Release the big snake."
"Yes, Young Master," Wu Lao replied, dispersing the colossal energy hand in the sky.
The Dust Sand Ancient Serpent, now freed, immediately tried to escape. But a soft hum from Xiao Yan froze it in its tracks. Trembling, it turned back and transformed into a large, muscular man clad in yellow robes, who flew over and knelt before Xiao Yan.
"Please spare me!"
"You'll guard this ruin while I'm away," Xiao Yan commanded coldly. "No one is allowed entry. If someone tries to force their way in, kill them. If you run, I'll hunt you down and use your gallbladder to brew wine. Understood?"
"Understood! I won't let anyone through!" the serpent man stammered, terrified.
"Do well, and you might live," Xiao Yan said casually before turning back to the four snake women.
"See? If I meant you harm, would I need to resort to deception? Let's go. I'll take you to meet your ancestor."
Without waiting for a reply, Xiao Yan boldly took Medusa's delicate hand.
Medusa quickly withdrew her hand, her cheeks faintly red as she suppressed her shock. "Then… Thank you, Xiao Yan… Husband."
"No need for thanks. This is what husbands do," Xiao Yan replied with a grin, leading the group into the ancient city.
Medusa soon regained her usual composure, treating Xiao Yan with more courtesy. The elder, however, remained silent and pensive, her old eyes clouded with uncertainty. Meanwhile, Yue Mei and Hua She'er exchanged glances filled with excitement and disbelief.
As they ventured deeper into the city, their bloodlines resonated strongly with the power within. Finally, before them stood a solitary, ancient figure amidst the sea of bones the first Medusa Queen.
(Chapter ends.)
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