Chapter 37: Mother Will Handle It Alone

"Now then..." Ming Xi mused, leaning back against the tiger-skin chair and shifting her gaze toward the bandit leader.

The bandit leader’s nerves tightened once more, his legs trembling incessantly.

"Why are you so terrified? I’m not going to eat you!" Ming Xi said, rubbing her forehead as she stared directly at him. "Right now—do you want the antidote, or do you want to castrate yourself?"

"Huh?" The bandit leader jerked his head up, not grasping her meaning.

"I asked you: do you want the antidote or castration?" Ming Xi repeated impatiently.

"O-of course I want the antidote..."

"Then I’ll give you a chance to redeem yourself! Little Tong, give him the antidote first."

Ming Xi issued the command from her position of authority. Little Tong turned his head, looking perplexed. "Mother, why give him the antidote?"

"Mother has her reasons. Give it to him; I have arrangements for later."

The bandit leader finally understood her intent—she still had a use for him, which was why she was offering him this chance at redemption!

"Boss... just give the order, and I will do my absolute best to carry it out!" The moment he received the antidote, it was as if he had been granted salvation, and he hurriedly pledged his submission.

Ming Xi offered a faint smile, as if calculating something, then issued her orders to the bandit leader, who promptly departed.

***

Once the bandit leader had left, Little Tong turned his head, still puzzled. "Mother, what exactly are you planning to do?"

"Didn't I tell you? Mother has it all arranged."

"But why give him the antidote!" Little Tong was unconvinced, pouting as he spoke up for his mother. "He bullied you so much before, and he even wanted to dig out my eyes! Are you just going to let him go like that?"

"Let him go? You silly boy, did Mother say I was letting him go?" Ming Xi chuckled wickedly. After taking a slow sip of wine, she said with a helpless sigh, "I usually only enjoy playing tricks and messing with people; I have no interest in killing. However... he is an exception! Tsk, tsk, tsk. Sending a defenseless human into the presence of a cruel, vicious snake demon—I shudder to imagine the bloody scenes that will unfold. If you have the heart, remember to burn some paper money for him this time next year."

As she said this, a wave of helplessness welled up in her heart. She wondered what the original Ming Xi, a defenseless girl, must have felt when she was captured and defiled by the cruel, vicious beast-kin army, with no one to save her.

Was that helplessness and despair as bone-chilling as the moment she held Feng’s severed head in the rain-swept night?

Perhaps... the rule of this strange continent is simply that the strong rule the weak.

"Mother, what’s wrong? Why are you suddenly looking so sentimental?"

"Huh? Am I? Children shouldn't misuse idioms!" Seeing Little Tong nod, Ming Xi stood up and said, "Also, my sweet, silly boy, just stay here obediently. This mission carries a certain degree of danger, so don't follow me. Mother can handle it on her own!"

"But Mother..."

"What is it with the 'buts' again?"

"But when you were stealing the Crimson Call, you also said you could handle it on your own, and you ended up with your waist nearly broken! Is that what you call handling it on your own?"

The little brat—he was actually digging up her dark history!

"That was an accident! Who knew a magical beast would pop up halfway? This time, Mother can finish it alone! You stay here and behave, you hear me?"

"Oh! Then... be careful, Mother. Little Tong will be here waiting for your good news."

Ming Xi nodded and stepped out of the room. In truth, saying she could handle it easily was a complete lie. But... my silly boy, no matter how dangerous it is, Mother cannot let you get dragged into this.

...

In the deepest part of the mountain lay the Snake Den.

The so-called Snake Den was tucked away in a remote and hidden spot. The interior was shrouded in a deep purplish-black, and from time to time, viscous, unidentifiable fluids dripped from the entrance, enough to turn one’s stomach.

Deep within the cavern, a young girl in purple robes sat cross-legged, meditating. A powerful surge of profound energy swirled around her, and judging by its intensity, she had already reached the first stage of the Heaven Profound Realm.

She was formidable indeed.

Yet, just as she was cultivating, a strange scent drifted in from outside the cave, causing her eyes to snap wide open!

...Who is it?