The victory feast was still going strong.
Tang Qi had cut off almost the Giant Dragon's entire tail. It weighed a full three tons, yet even that was nowhere near enough for everyone to sample its unique flavor.
But for the commoners celebrating around them, a mouthful of dragon meat soup was satisfaction enough. The nobles huddled in their luxurious villas, rich from the spice trade, couldn't get any even if they wanted it.
No one knew when the Beastfolk would return, but fortunately, it wasn't now.
The rare peace brought a sense of tranquility. Even the girls of Yellow Snake Lane were willing to drape themselves in sheer silk and sway their slender, serpentine waists beside the central bonfire.
Music rang in his ears—the bells around their slender ankles. Amid their soft jingling, the drunken Tang Qi could just make out the girls' song: "Yellow sands drift, city walls rise, a Black Dragon roars through the skies.
"Acid mist spills, sandstorms sweep, it means to knock our walls in a heap.
"Brother Tang Qi sings his tune, rides the wind past clouds of gloom.
"Cuts its tail, breaks its horn, the wicked dragon flees forlorn.
"Green skins boast no more today, how they panicked and ran away.
"Guard our streets, defend our home, sing Wind Sand Islet's glory!"
"Did you write that?"
Just as Tang Qi was enjoying the girls' flattery, a hoarse question sounded beside him. He turned to find Kandelian still shrouded in his black robe.
The fire blazed brightly, but its light failed to penetrate the darkness and reach his face. He had probably used some Illusion School cantrip to keep his tumor-ridden, horribly ulcerated face from frightening anyone.
Tang Qi nodded without the slightest embarrassment. "Is there a problem?"
"You seem to care a great