The Snake-People Tribe.
Ever since the battle at the Misty Cloud Sect, peace had returned to the Jia Ma Empire.
But the balance of power within the empire had changed. The Snake-People Tribe had become its strongest faction.
They remembered Long Xiao's words. Before his death, he had said that they owed him this.
The Snake-People Tribe had already relocated to the Magical Beast Mountain Range, where the environment was better suited to their survival.
Medusa was no longer as bloodthirsty as before, either. She ordered her people to obey the tribe's rules and never attack humans without cause.
Inside Medusa's bedchamber.
Medusa sat before her dressing table, her exquisitely beautiful face reflected in the mirror.
She set aside the crown atop her head, then lowered her gaze to her belly and reached out to caress it.
"I never imagined I would have a child with you. I wonder what expression you'll wear when you hear the news. When will you finally come back?" Medusa murmured softly. Then she looked out the window again, a faint smile touching her lips.
Not long ago, while performing the Blessing Dance in the Spirit Pool, she had unexpectedly sensed a faint breath of life within her belly. Only she knew about it.
At first, she had been utterly flustered, like a little girl. After all, she was only in the tender bloom of three hundred, yet she was about to become a mother.
It had shaken her even more than going to war!
But later, when she thought of this child as the fruit of her love with Long Xiao, happiness welled up in her heart.
"Tsk, tsk. A born enchantress, with a glance that could topple a city. No wonder you caught Long Xiao's eye."
Suddenly, a woman's voice sounded behind Medusa.