The Clingy Little Snake Beauty—My Qinglin Is Just Too Cute~

When Qinglin saw Meng Chen touch the scar where her snake scales had been torn away, she instinctively pulled her arm back and guarded it tightly.

Then, she suddenly dropped to her knees before Meng Chen, repeatedly kowtowing as she apologized. Her childish voice was filled with panic and fear.

"I'm sorry, I scared you. It's all my fault. Please, don't pull out my scales!"

Looking at the frail girl trembling uncontrollably, Meng Chen's heart quivered slightly. He opened his arms and embraced her again, gently patting her back as he softly comforted Qinglin.

"Don't be afraid, Qinglin. I won't hurt you. And I promise you, as long as I'm here, no one will ever hurt you again. I'll protect you. Don't be afraid."

Hearing Meng Chen's comfort, Qinglin gradually stopped trembling. She curled up in his embrace of her own accord, her little hands tightly clutching his robe, unwilling to let go.

Qinglin was afraid—afraid that all of this was fake, nothing more than a dream. She feared that when she woke up, she would return to that dilapidated little shack and continue enduring endless insults and abuse.

If this was a dream, then please forgive her greed. She hoped this dream could last a little longer, a little longer still—best of all, that she would never wake up...

Time was like sand in the desert. One wanted to grasp it in one's hand, yet it slipped easily through the gaps between one's fingers. In the blink of an eye, three days passed.

Golden sunlight filtered through the gauze window and fell into the room, as though it had spread a layer of golden wheat across the floor, illuminating the chamber.

A few flecks of light fell upon Meng Chen's handsome face. Stimulated by the sunlight, he slowly opened his eyes. A trace of confusion flashed through them before clarity gradually returned.

Once awake, Meng Chen lowered his head and looked at the little snake beauty curled in his arms, tightly hugging him as she slept soundly. He could hardly bear to disturb her.

Yet he had no choice but to wake her. Meng Chen lowered his head to Qinglin's ear, gently breathed on it, and whispered softly, "Qinglin, it's time to get up."

Hearing his call, Qinglin, immersed in a beautiful dream, gradually showed signs of waking. Yet she refused to open her eyes. Her cherry-red lips parted slightly as she let out an indistinct murmur.

"Mmm... Young Master, let Qinglin sleep a little longer. Just a little while."

After saying that, the little snake beauty wrapped her fair, tender arms around Meng Chen again and pressed tightly against his chest, utterly dependent on him.

Meng Chen looked helpless. He raised a hand to gently stroke Qinglin's soft, flowing hair, his eyes carrying a hint of indulgence.

Then let her sleep a little longer.

After three days of his care, the girl who had once been skin and bones and covered in wounds looked much better now.

The bruises and scars on Qinglin's body had all vanished without a trace with the help of the healing medicine and scar-removing ointment Meng Chen had specially bought, restoring her flawless, fair skin.

Even the snake scales that had been pulled out had grown back. She had transformed from a filthy little girl into the fair, delicate, pretty, and adorable little snake beauty she was now.

Her only flaw was that she was too clingy—far too clingy. She did not want to leave Meng Chen's side for even a moment. Even at night, she had to hug him to fall asleep.

More than half an hour later, Qinglin finally woke slowly. She opened those beautiful emerald-green eyes and lifted her head from Meng Chen's embrace.

Looking at Meng Chen's handsome face, Qinglin's pretty little face bloomed with a sweet smile. Her small lips parted as she greeted him in her soft, sweet voice.

"Young Master, good morning~"

Meng Chen smiled and reached out to lightly pinch the little snake beauty's tender cheek. His tone was full of affection. "You little sleepyhead, the sun's already high in the sky and you're only waking up now. I really don't know what to do with you."

Qinglin giggled sweetly. Though she was awake, she remained curled up in Meng Chen's arms, unwilling to get out of bed.

Young Master was cool and chilly. He was so comfortable to hug~

The snakefolk bloodline was cold by nature, loathing heat and favoring cold. Meng Chen, whose Divine King Physique maintained a constant temperature, was practically a human-shaped air conditioner. The little snake beauty loved it to death, so how could she bear to leave his embrace?

"Alright, stop lazing around in bed. Your young master still has something very important to do."

Meng Chen lightly tapped Qinglin's forehead and urged her to get up. He had already delayed in Stone Desert City long enough. It was time to set off and find Hai Bodong.

When Qinglin heard that her young master had something important to do, she stopped lingering in his embrace and obediently got up.

Meng Chen pinched the little snake beauty's cheek and praised her, "Good girl."

At his words, Qinglin's heart filled with delight.

Hehe~ Young Master praised her again.

After getting up, Meng Chen braided Qinglin's soft, flowing hair into two long thin braids, then helped her wash up and dress.

After getting ready, the little snake beauty stood prettily before him. Her features were exquisite, her little face still carrying a touch of childishness. With emerald-green eyes, fair tender skin, and a pretty, adorable appearance, she resembled a beautiful porcelain doll.

She wore a light green little dress that exposed her delicate shoulders, though her arms were covered by green sleeves. Though petite, her snakefolk bloodline had made her develop rather maturely, and her slender waist seemed as though it could be grasped in one hand.

"Mm, my Qinglin really is adorable."

Meng Chen raised a hand and patted Qinglin's little head. The little snake beauty enjoyed her young master's head pat, a satisfied expression appearing on her little face.

He held Qinglin's hand and left the room. After having breakfast at the inn, they boarded a carriage and, under the driver's guidance, left Stone Desert City for Desert City.

Desert City lay more than 850 kilometers from Stone Desert City. Even with the speed of a one-horned horse, they only arrived near dusk.

The city gates were nearly closed, but the guards saw that the carriage was spacious and luxurious and allowed it through.

After entering Desert City, the driver guided the carriage through the dim streets and stopped outside a map shop named "Gutu."

Fortunately, they had not arrived too late. The shop was still open.

Inside the carriage, Meng Chen sensed it come to a stop and slowly opened his eyes. Seeing the little snake beauty curled up in his arms and sleeping soundly, he was somewhat reluctant to disturb her.

Meng Chen gently wrapped Qinglin in Dou Qi and laid her on the soft sofa, instructing the driver to protect her. He then entered the Gutu shop alone.

The interior of the shop was not particularly spacious. The faint glow of two moonlight stones made it quite bright.

Meng Chen looked around, his gaze settling on an old man behind the counter who was bent over, carefully drawing a map.

The old man was clearly quite advanced in age. Though his head was full of white hair, the withered hand holding the black drawing pen remained steady and strong.

The old man had not expected anyone to come buy maps at this hour.

He slowly raised his head, revealing an aged face with a frightening scar across it. Although the old man's gaze was rather calm, that scar still gave him a faintly visible air of ferocity.

Meng Chen stepped forward to the counter and clasped his hands toward Hai Bodong. In a calm voice, he said, "I am Meng Chen. Greetings, Ice Emperor."

"Hm?"

Hai Bodong's gaze sharpened. He had not expected the youth before him to know his identity.

He had lived under an assumed name for so many years. Other than those old fellows, who else would still remember him?

Hai Bodong looked at Meng Chen and asked in an indifferent voice, "Are you from the Mittel Clan?"

Meng Chen shook his head. He did not beat around the bush and spoke bluntly. "No. I merely happened to know your identity. I know something about your situation, and I have a way to resolve it."

Hearing this, Hai Bodong scrutinized Meng Chen and asked in a low voice:

"Oh? You have a way to remove the Serpent Seal within my body?"