Yue Mei supported Queen Medusa as they entered the gates of the Snake-People Empire.
The Snake-People warriors guarding the entrance all froze when they saw Queen Medusa's face.
Her face was deathly pale, and a trace of blood still stained the corner of her mouth.
"Her Majesty is wounded?"
"How is that possible? Her Majesty is a Peak Nine-Star Dou Emperor. No one in the entire Jia Ma Empire is her match."
"Who wounded Her Majesty?"
The Snake-People warriors exchanged glances, shock written all over their faces.
If they hadn't witnessed it with their own eyes, they never would have believed the scene before them was real.
The news quickly spread throughout the Snake-People Tribe.
Several elders sat on either side of the hall, all looking grim.
The Second Elder looked at Queen Medusa's pale face and asked, "Your Majesty, you're wounded?"
Queen Medusa sat on the throne without speaking.
"Who wounded you?" the Third Elder asked as well.
"A human."
The elders exchanged glances, shock in their eyes.
A human had wounded Queen Medusa.
"It was the human who killed the Great Elder," Yue Mei said from the side.
The elders' expressions grew even grimmer.
That human had killed the Great Elder, wounded Yue Mei, and now wounded Queen Medusa.
"Why didn't Your Majesty kill that brat?" the Second Elder asked.
Queen Medusa glanced at him. "Could you defeat him? Even I lost to him. How could I possibly kill him?"
The Second Elder froze, mouth opening and closing without a word.
He couldn't even beat Yue Mei. How could he possibly be a match for that human?
"What exactly is that brat's strength?" the Third Elder asked.
Queen Medusa fell silent for a moment. "At least a Peak Dou Emperor. Perhaps even stronger."
The hall fell silent at once.
The elders exchanged glances, their eyes filled with fear.
A Peak Dou Emperor—the strongest level in the entire Jia Ma Empire—and a boy of just fifteen or sixteen had reached that realm.
"Could he be a Dou Zong?" The Second Elder's voice trembled.
No one answered. No one knew. But how could a teenager be a Dou Zong powerhouse?
Queen Medusa sat on the throne, Xiao Chen's kiss flashing through her mind once more.
Her face flushed, and a hint of disgust flickered in her eyes.
That human had dared to humiliate her like that. In all her years, no one had ever treated her that way.
Queen Medusa clenched her fists, wishing she could go find Xiao Chen and settle the score right now.
But she knew she wasn't his match. Going after him again would only bring her more humiliation.
"Everyone, leave."
The elders rose, bowed, and turned to leave the hall.
Yue Mei glanced at Queen Medusa, then left as well.
Queen Medusa was alone in the hall. She leaned back on the throne and closed her eyes.
The boy's face refused to leave her mind.
Throughout the Snake-People Tribe, people were talking about Queen Medusa's injury.
"Have you heard? Her Majesty was wounded by a human."
"That can't be right. Her Majesty is a Peak Nine-Star Dou Emperor."
"It's absolutely true. Lots of people saw it."
"Who is that human?"
"I don't know. I heard he's a boy of fifteen or sixteen."
"A fifteen- or sixteen-year-old boy could defeat Her Majesty? Who are you trying to fool?"
"Believe it or don't."
The Snake People gathered in groups, chattering about what had just happened.
No one believed a boy of fifteen or sixteen could defeat Queen Medusa.
But the facts were right before their eyes. They had no choice but to believe them.
"Who exactly is that boy?" one Snake-Person asked.
"I heard he lives in Shimo City and belongs to the Desert Iron Mercenary Group. "Desert Iron Mercenary Group? Never heard of it."
"Just some small mercenary group. They're not famous."
"That boy actually wounded our Queen. He clearly has no regard for our Snake-People Tribe. He's far too arrogant. Are we really going to let this go?"
"Who knows? Anyway, those of us who know what's good for us should stay away from Shimo City. No one will be left to bury us if we run into him."
After talking for a while, the Snake People went their separate ways.
Mobas, one of the commanders, had also heard about it.
He sat in his tent, his face frighteningly grim.
Mobas was one of the Snake-People commanders and a secret admirer of Queen Medusa.
He had secretly loved Queen Medusa for many years but had never dared to confess.
Now that he had heard Queen Medusa was injured, it felt as if a knife were twisting in his heart.
"How dare a human wound Her Majesty?" Mobas gritted his teeth.
He rose, walked out of his tent, and headed toward the hall.
Mobas stopped outside the hall.
The Snake-Person at the entrance stopped him.
"Commander Mobas, Her Majesty is resting and will not see anyone."
"I have something I need to discuss with Her Majesty."
"Her Majesty said she won't see anyone."
Mobas's expression darkened. He was about to force his way in when Yue Mei came out of the hall.
"Lady Yue Mei."
Yue Mei looked at him. "Mobas? What are you doing here?"
"I want to see Her Majesty."
"Her Majesty is injured and needs to rest. Wait until she's recovered before bringing it up."
"I only want to ask one thing."
Yue Mei watched him in silence for a moment. "Go ahead."
"Who wounded Her Majesty?"
Yue Mei glanced at him. "A human."
"What kind of human?"
"A boy of fifteen or sixteen. He lives in Shimo City and belongs to the Desert Iron Mercenary Group."
Mobas committed those words to memory and nodded.
"I understand."
He turned and left the hall.
Yue Mei watched his back and shook her head.
Another person who didn't know his own limits. Although Yue Mei hated Xiao Chen, she had to admit that his strength was indeed formidable. Mobas was nowhere near his match. After all, even Her Majesty had lost to him—and lost utterly. What chance did an insignificant Dou Wang like him have?
Mobas left the hall and stood at the entrance for a while, a trace of murderous intent flashing in his eyes.
That human brat had dared to wound Queen Medusa, killed the Great Elder, and injured Yue Mei. He couldn't let this go.
"Brat, you dared to wound Her Majesty. I'll make sure you die without a burial place," Mobas muttered.
He turned and headed back to his tent.
A plan had already taken shape in his mind as he walked.
He would take some men to Shimo City, find that brat, and kill him—avenging Her Majesty and restoring the Snake-People Tribe's honor.
Mobas entered his tent, sat down, and began to plan.
That brat had been able to defeat Queen Medusa, so he had to be incredibly strong. Mobas couldn't beat him head-on.
But if the direct approach wouldn't work, he could use underhanded methods: poison, a sneak attack. There had to be some way to kill him.
A ruthless glint flashed in his eyes.
Just you wait, brat. I won't let you get away.
Mobas muttered to himself, clenching his fists. This was a golden opportunity to prove himself. He couldn't let it slip away.
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