The eight tribe chiefs were momentarily stunned, exchanging looks with each other.
Outside the palace, the devastation from that day—the scorched earth, the deep trenches—still hadn't been repaired.
With so many eyewitnesses, it didn't take long to find out that the human was responsible.
And that massive explosion above the royal palace...
Just recalling it made the eight tribe leaders shiver involuntarily.
Only the three Grand Elders continued to protest, insisting:
"This breaks tradition and protocol."
Queen Medusa had coldly replied:
"This queen's word is the law."
"Your Majesty treats me so well—aren't you tired? Want me to give you a shoulder massage?"
Chen Mo grinned as he spoke, clearly not taking the earlier commotion seriously.
Queen Medusa's gaze was icy as she gave him a side-eye:
"Then how about I act as your punching bag?"
"Do you have nothing better to do?" Queen Medusa interrupted coldly. "If you're that idle, go patrol the palace now."
Seeing that his usual tricks no longer worked, Chen Mo realized he'd have to come up with a new strategy.
Since he couldn't "milk" Queen Medusa for any affection right now, and lazing around the palace all day wasn't doing him any good, he decided to go out on patrol.
As he walked through the palace grounds, Chen Mo began thinking:
Based on when I met Xiao Yu, that means...
Right now, Xiao Yan is still in his "genius" phase—at the peak of his fame.
"Should I visit Wu Tan City and try to lure Yao Lao away?"
The thought flickered through his mind, but he quickly dismissed it.
He wasn't strong enough yet. Even having Yao Lao would be pointless for now.
Besides, I have no grudge with Xiao Yan.
However, Xiao Yu and those long legs... that was another matter for later.
Not to mention Yun Yun, Little Doctor Fairy, and Qing Lin...
According to the original story, Qing Lin should still be with the Mo Tie Mercenary Group in Mo City.
Chen Mo stroked his chin.
Maybe I should trick her into becoming my personal maid?
But the moment that idea surfaced in his mind, Queen Medusa's seductive face popped up.
He remembered how, just by glancing at Ruolin before, her favorability dropped by one point. The jealousy was intense.
If he were to actually bring Qing Lin into the palace...
He might never reach full favorability.
Better play it safe. Max out her favorability and establish the Dao Companion bond first.
A nearby serpent guard, patrolling with Chen Mo, noticed the human sighing and muttering to himself, looking rather troubled.
What's with this guy?
As they continued walking through the palace interior, Chen Mo politely greeted every passing snake-person he encountered.
But when they looked at him, their friendly expressions quickly turned cold and distant.
Even though they knew this human had helped their tribe immensely...
Their gazes still carried undeniable disgust.
Chen Mo could only sigh inwardly.
This was the deep-rooted hostility between humans and snake-people—something born of centuries of conflict.
As a transmigrator, Chen Mo didn't share those feelings.
After leaving a long corridor and rounding a corner, he stepped outside the palace.
The harsh sunlight shone down on his face.
And just then—a woman appeared.
She was a snake-woman dressed in a short purple skirt and a lavender bustier, striding confidently toward him.
Her figure was explosively curvy. As she walked, her long violet hair swayed across her snow-white shoulders.
On her exposed shoulder was a lavender serpent-head tattoo.
Even from a distance, Chen Mo could tell—when she moved her slender waist, her flexibility was something beyond mortal comprehension.
Hard to imagine what that waist could do... on a bed.
The first thought that popped into Chen Mo's mind:
"Why does she look like she's wearing Pinru's wardrobe?"
Yue Mei casually flicked her long hair as she approached. Her eyes lit up, and with a playful smile she said:
"So you're that human? Quite the looker—though your hair's a bit short."
"And you are...?" Chen Mo narrowed his eyes, feeling an instant sense of danger from her overly flirtatious tone.
"Big sis here is Yue Mei, one of the eight tribe chiefs."
Her red lips curved into a smile as she stepped closer, totally ignoring personal space.
She raised her jade-like hand and drew her fingertip lightly across Chen Mo's chest. Her watery gaze locked with his:
"You're called Chen Mo, right? Want to visit my tribe sometime? I promise... you'll love it so much, you'll forget you're even human."
Her fingers slid up from his chest, traced along his neck, and caressed his cheek.
She leaned in close, her warm breath fanning against his face:
Faced with such a seductive beauty this close, Chen Mo's throat bobbed slightly.
He was a healthy young man—it was impossible to feel nothing.
And Yue Mei was extremely skilled at flirting. Too powerful, too dangerous.
But Chen Mo was no coward. If she dared to flirt, he dared to respond.
He suddenly wrapped his arms around Yue Mei's supple waist, and without hesitation, let his hand roam boldly.
Leaning toward her ear, his voice low and magnetic, he whispered:
[Ding! Favorability –1.]
Chen Mo instantly pushed her away, smoothed out his clothes, and said with righteous indignation:
"Chief Yue Mei, please mind yourself."
Then turned and resumed his patrol with the squad.
Above them, from a bedroom window, Queen Medusa's silhouette flashed and vanished.
Yue Mei stumbled back slightly from the sudden shove, barely regaining her balance. She was stunned.
Her back still held the warmth of Chen Mo's touch.
And her stunning face flushed crimson.
Not only had he taken advantage of her...
He turned the tables and played her.
Yue Mei's face grew cold, and she turned, preparing to teach that human a lesson—
"Chief Yue Mei, Her Majesty wishes to see you."
Yue Nu walked up respectfully from the distance.
The coldness on Yue Mei's face immediately vanished.
She had come here to request an audience with Queen Medusa anyway.
As for the flirting—that was just for fun.
Meanwhile, in a place Queen Medusa couldn't see, Chen Mo clutched his chest and gasped for air.
He hadn't expected Queen Medusa to be spying on him.
If the system notification had been even one second late...
He would've lost control.
"But honestly... even compared to Her Majesty's figure, Yue Mei's isn't lacking."
Yue Mei walked out of Queen Medusa's chambers—completely dazed.
She felt like every word Queen Medusa had said was directed at her.
And one particular line left her completely confused:
"Try dressing less provocatively."
...What does that even mean?
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