Caidie Takes Human Form (1)

"Fine, fine, fine! We'll pay! We'll pay!" The two Snake-People Elders hastily agreed, fumbling through their belongings and even searching the inner linings of their robes.

In the blink of an eye, pill bottles, combat technique scrolls, and all kinds of rare treasures glowing with strange light had clattered into a small mountain before him.

The Second Elder of the Snake-People Tribe wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and forced a smile uglier than tears. Bowing, he said, "Senior, th-this is truly everything we have on us. Even Fourth Brother's share is here. We have concealed absolutely nothing!"

Su Baichen casually swept his gaze over the pile of "treasures," the corner of his mouth curling in undisguised mockery. This pile of junk, added together, probably was not even worth a single mid-tier sixth-grade pill.

He did not even have the slightest interest in reaching out to touch them, merely letting out a cold snort through his nose.

"Not enough."

Those two light words struck like thunderclaps, making the two elders' knees go weak as they nearly collapsed to the ground.

The Third Elder's face turned ashen. His lips trembled as he tried to argue further, but the Second Elder secretly seized his sleeve tightly.

Just as the two of them were consumed by despair and believed they were doomed today, Su Baichen's indifferent voice rang out again, like a ray of light cast into the darkness.

"One stays. The other goes back for the ransom. Discuss it yourselves—which one stays, and which one goes."

The words were like a pardon, and the two elders' eyes instantly erupted with the wild joy of surviving a calamity. At nearly the same moment, the Second Elder sharply drew a breath, his face immediately filling with grief and resolve. He tightly grasped the Third Elder's hand, his voice choked with emotion and sincerity.

"Third Brother! Fourth Brother's fate is unknown, and among us four brothers, only you and I have each other left! As the second brother, I am like a father in place of our eldest brother. How could I let you remain in such danger? This chance to go back and deliver the news, Second Brother... I yield it to you!"

He vigorously patted the Third Elder's hand, speaking so quickly that he barely allowed any interruption, his spit nearly spraying the other's face. "Do not refuse! This is not mere politeness. It is the responsibility and duty I bear as your elder brother! You are still young, and the tribe's future needs you to support it. How could I let you take such a risk? Let Second Brother... stay here. Whether I live or die, let fate decide!"

That impassioned speech was stirring and deeply moving. The Third Elder was left dazed by this sudden display of "brotherly affection." Seeing his second brother's reddened eyes and the hands tightly clasping his own, a wave of warmth surged into his heart, moving him beyond words.

His throat tightened, and he blurted out almost instinctively, "No! Second Brother! How can that be? You go back. I'll stay!"

"Good! Good! Good!" The Second Elder gave him no chance to regret it, saying "good" three times in a row as he forcefully clasped his hands. Grief and relief mixed on his face, as though he had made an earth-shattering decision. "Third Brother! Second Brother understands your intentions! Since that is the case... Second Brother will do as you say! Don't worry, I will not fail your trust. I will return to the tribe at once, gather the ransom, and come back to save you!"

Before his words had even faded, the Second Elder had already shot away like a wisp of green smoke. Wind seemed to gather beneath his feet as he pushed the Snake-People Tribe's strongest escape technique to its limit, fleeing desperately toward the tribe without once looking back. His speed was unprecedented, as though he feared that if he slowed for even a second, his "deeply affectionate" third brother might change his mind.

Su Baichen watched this display of brotherly love with great interest. Only when the Second Elder's figure was about to vanish from sight did he raise an amused brow and turn his gaze toward the Third Elder, who had yet to fully recover his senses. His eyes were filled with undisguised pity.

Tsk. After living to such an age, he's truly lived like a dog. A few insincere words, and he got sold out completely—yet he's still foolishly helping count the money. Su Baichen shook his head inwardly.

At that moment, the Third Elder of the Snake-People Tribe stared blankly at his second brother's nearly vanished back. A cool breeze swept past, and he shuddered violently as his muddled mind abruptly cleared.

I... I was played by Second Brother?!

He sold me out!

Sold me out!

Ah! Fuck! Are you kidding me?!

I fucking... how could I be so stupid, so naive?!

Overwhelming regret and despair instantly drowned him. Rage made every scale on his body tremble faintly, but with things having come to this, he could only cling to his last sliver of hope and scream hoarsely with all his strength in the direction where the Second Elder had disappeared. "Second Brother—! You must come back—! I'll wait for you—!"

His voice echoed across the open land, shrill and helpless. As for whether that "devoted and righteous" second brother could hear him—or was willing to hear him—only heaven knew.

Seeing that this farce had finally come to an end, Su Baichen found it boring and turned to stroll back toward Caidie.

He said nothing, merely folded his arms and tilted his head slightly. His deep eyes fixed openly upon Caidie's incomparably beautiful face, his gaze bold and focused as though he were admiring a priceless treasure.

Seeing this, Cao Ying immediately puffed out her lips enough to hang an oil bottle from them. She gave a heavy snort and muttered softly, "Hmph! Master's such a pervert! Such a lecher! His eyes are practically glued to her!"

Su Baichen's burning gaze made Caidie feel uncomfortable all over. Two rosy clouds quickly bloomed across her fair cheeks, spreading all the way to her ears.

She naturally knew that she was beautiful, but this was the first time in her life that someone had stared at her so directly, even domineeringly.

Her heartbeat involuntarily quickened. She secretly raised her eyes and swiftly glanced at Su Baichen's incomparably handsome profile. Thinking of how gallantly he had saved her from danger just now, her heart began to race even more wildly.

After struggling for a moment, she could no longer bear that gaze. She lowered her head, her voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz, and said with both shyness and panic, "Y-young Master... I... I'm not... not ready yet..."

Su Baichen froze for a moment upon hearing this. Then his entire handsome face darkened at a visible speed. Without another word, he raised his hand and flicked Caidie's smooth forehead, then turned to the sulking Cao Ying beside her and mercilessly gave each of them a crisp knock on the head.

Thunk! Thunk!

The two dull knocks sounded almost simultaneously, accompanied by two delicate cries.

Su Baichen nodded in satisfaction and commented solemnly, "Mm, crisp and clear. Not bad. Both are good heads."

Then he changed the subject, his eyes full of teasing as he dragged out his words. "But Master is very curious—what filthy thoughts are stuffed inside these two rather decent-looking heads all day long?"

"Master merely thought Caidie's current appearance looked a little strange. What were you two thinking?"