The Queen's Sense of Crisis

"Actually, I'm very curious. Do you have some kind of grudge against the Yunlan Sect?"

Medusa Queen lightly propped her chin on her jade-like hand, staring at Yang Chen with a faint smile in her eyes, as though she wanted to glean something from his face.

However, to Medusa Queen's disappointment, Yang Chen maintained his calm expression throughout, without the slightest emotional fluctuation. Instead, he turned his head and asked her in return.

"Why do you ask?"

"Instinct!"

The corners of Medusa Queen's lips curved into a bewitching smile. She gently placed her jade-like hand on Yang Chen's shoulder and slowly moved behind him, her body nearly pressed against his back. Leaning close to his ear, she breathed softly.

"Little one, a woman's intuition is always accurate, especially mine!"

"Your snake venom is useless against me."

Yang Chen neither dodged nor avoided her. He merely turned his head slightly, bringing their faces almost together. He glanced at the woman, whose allure rivaled that of an enchantress, then indifferently withdrew his gaze as though he did not care.

"The Yunlan Sect once sent someone to annul an engagement at my nephew's home."

Yet such an explanation was far too weak for Medusa Queen.

She gently rested her fair, jade-like chin on the back of the hand upon his shoulder. Having been seen through, Medusa Queen was not the least bit embarrassed. Her alluring eyes remained fixed on Yang Chen's starry, profound gaze as she continued with a smile.

"You may have forgotten that I am the Queen of the Snake-People Tribe. There are the scents of two women on you. Though faint, I can smell them. One of them is very familiar to me. You met Yun Yun yesterday, didn't you? I'm not wrong, am I?"

Her slender, pale fingers continuously traced circles over Yang Chen's shoulder. Feeling the powerful strength hidden beneath his robes and solid body, Medusa Queen gazed at him with sultry eyes, a faint glimmer seeming to flicker within them.

"And while you secretly interacted with the current sect leader of the Yunlan Sect, you also had someone frame the Mo Family, who had pledged themselves to the Yunlan Sect, setting your two nephews against them. I suppose it wasn't merely to use the Mo Family to temper those two nephews of yours, was it? Perhaps it was to target the Yunlan Sect?"

"On the day of the annulment, one of the people sent by the Yunlan Sect was from the Mo Family of Salt City."

But Medusa Queen said nothing in response. She merely smiled as she stared at Yang Chen's profile, clearly unconvinced by that excuse.

"Is that so? Yet you have not only begun recruiting so many powerful experts, but you also know the Yunlan Sect's intelligence inside and out. You even know the secret that Yun Shan is not dead and has broken through to the Dou Zong realm. It seems your relationship with the Yunlan Sect is anything but ordinary."

Yang Chen turned to look at Medusa Queen, who wore a languid expression. After staring at her for a long while, he suddenly gave a soft laugh and replied gently.

"For the sake of our cooperation, I'll give you a piece of advice. Probing into my past is a very dangerous thing."

Medusa Queen gently stepped away from Yang Chen and moved her long, jade-like legs as she analyzed softly. When she finally stopped, her beautiful eyes fixed tightly on Yang Chen, and she smiled faintly.

"I remember you humans have a saying: the more beautiful something is, the more dangerous it is. A peerless handsome man like you reminds me of another human saying."

Yang Chen looked at the woman who had suddenly changed her manner, saying nothing as he merely watched her quietly. Medusa Queen was not annoyed. Instead, she moved closer, lightly inhaling the man's rich scent before breathing softly.

"Don't you humans often say that even dying beneath a peony flower is worth it? A delicate and gorgeous peony like you is worth it for me."

Medusa Queen seemed to be teasing Yang Chen, yet her beautiful eyes held a strong hint of curiosity.

Magical beasts were wild and direct. In the world of magical beasts, being defeated by a stronger male was equivalent to being conquered by him. That was the law of survival among magical beasts.

The Snake-People Tribe was actually similar. Now, Yang Chen was displaying more and more dazzling qualities. He was like a blooming poppy—captivating and dangerous, yet stirring an impulse in snakes to rush toward him regardless of the consequences.

Moreover, Yang Chen truly was outstanding and so handsome. Especially after sensing a threat, Medusa Queen became even more proactive. Today, she had even taken the initiative to cling to him and meet his nephew.

"Besides, you once said that there is another force behind the Yunlan Sect, which is why you did not act. Yet on the other hand, you privately taught Yun Yun and her disciple cultivation techniques and secret arts. Don't tell me you took a liking to that foolish woman Yun Yun at first sight?"

When she mentioned Yun Yun, Medusa Queen's tone carried a faintly sour edge, as though she were a little jealous.

It was precisely because of Yun Yun that Medusa Queen had felt provoked. That was why she insisted on clinging to Yang Chen today—to seize the initiative. The man she had set her sights on was simply too passive.

But when those words reached Yang Chen's ears, his expression cooled slightly. He looked at Medusa Queen indifferently. Though he said nothing, the threat in his eyes was already obvious.

"Afraid that I might lay a hand on the people of your True Lord Hall?"

Medusa Queen's lips curled slightly. Then, with a somewhat smug expression, she said with a light laugh.

"They are all your subordinates. Naturally, I would not resort to any tricks. Besides, there is no need for me to use any tricks. I only need to ask casually—would they dare hide anything from me?"

This matter was not much of a secret to begin with. Although Yun Yun had taken Nalan Yanran down the mountain discreetly, the Yunlan Sect could not possibly have been unaware of it. The other major powers in the imperial capital also knew full well. They simply could not understand the deeper meaning behind Yang Chen's actions, so they continued to watch and wait.

With a casual inquiry from Medusa Queen, Lin Sen and Lei Na poured everything out like beans from a bamboo tube before the woman who was highly likely to become the wife of the True Lord in the future.

Yang Chen almost immediately guessed that this woman had been using his name to get what she wanted, but he could say nothing about it. This matter did not even count as a secret. Medusa Queen could have learned it by sending someone from her tribe to investigate; it would merely have taken a few more days.

"As long as you are willing to tell me, no matter what the answer is, I can help you with all my strength. What do you say?"

Yang Chen did not even dare turn his head. He could sense that Medusa Queen's moist, rose-petal-red lips were less than half an inch from his cheek. If he tilted his head even slightly, he would touch them.

"This isn't something you should know yet."

"I always keep my word. From this day onward, the Snake-People Tribe will follow your lead!"

Seeing the flash of astonishment in Yang Chen's eyes, a hint of amusement flickered in Medusa Queen's gaze. Then, she gently leaned forward.