Night fell.
Throughout the Snake-People Tribe, lights blazed and voices filled the air.
Tables were already laden with delicious dishes, all kinds of spirit vegetables, and a wide assortment of fine wines.
Snake-women swayed their bodies as they danced.
Everyone sat around the tables, drinking and eating with lively enthusiasm, painting a scene of joyous celebration.
Medusa stood atop the palace, watching the laughter and merriment below, a faint smile touching her lips.
With a crown upon her head and a red robe draped over her body, she looked just like the cold, merciless Queen Medusa of the desert in days gone by.
"Have you really made up your mind?"
Long Xiao's voice came from behind her. He walked to Medusa's side, also smiling as he watched the festivities below.
"Yes. The Snake-People Tribe is flourishing now, and they will surely go much further in the future. I can finally rest easy." Medusa nodded gently.
Back when she was still a Dou Emperor, all she had wanted was to lead the Snake-People Tribe out of the desert, doing everything she could to bring them to new heights, rather than spending every day looking out at nothing but yellow sand for company.
That was her responsibility-the responsibility of a ruler.
From the moment her younger sister died, there had been no turning back.
Yet now, because of the man before her, everything had changed.
Long Xiao could hardly say much about Medusa's decision. He merely nodded gently.
"Long Xiao, thank you."
Medusa turned and spoke earnestly to Long Xiao.
"Thank me?"
Long Xiao froze.
Medusa nodded. "Yes. Without you, I don't know how long I would have had to wait. I don't even know whether I could have accomplished all this in my lifetime."
Long Xiao shook his head. Looking at