Melancholy Strains of a Flute

A few days later, in a side hall of the Snake-Person Tribe's holy city.

In a relatively spacious courtyard, dozens of half-snake people dressed in neon-feathered garments were dancing gracefully to the beat. Their clothes fluttered in the wind as they sometimes covered their faces, sometimes glanced back, and sometimes spun in circles. With their long sleeves drifting elegantly, they looked charming yet dignified, truly resembling heavenly goddesses descending to the mortal realm. It was a breathtaking sight.

Even the snake-person warriors guarding the door were mesmerized, their eyes closely following the dancers' figures.

Because Xiao Qingli was the shortest, she stood at the very front.

Her small face was tense, and every movement was extremely earnest. Although she was still a bit unfamiliar with the routine, she no longer had to watch the other sisters' movements to dance well like she did before.

And all of this was thanks to someone's favor.

Despicable guy... Xiao Qingli muttered as she danced, glaring fiercely at the man not far away who was holding a bamboo stick and leisurely eating watermelon. She gritted her teeth in anger.

Why did they have to dance?

This guy did nothing but flap his lips and eat fruit, yet he earned all the money by himself?

It was unfair, completely unfair.

And Sister Qingyuan!

That was unfair too!

She rolled her eyes and looked at the large bluestone to the side. Qingyuan sat cross-legged, dressed in plain neon garments, holding a bamboo flute with both hands. Her red lips parted slightly, and the sound of the flute drifted melodiously.

The flute notes were clear and graceful, complementing the dance perfectly.

Although the snake-people outside the courtyard could not see the scene inside, they all pricked up their ears, listening in a trance.

Xiao Qingli did not know any of this.

She only knew that she had to dance and that she was very tired.

They were all half-snake people, so why did Sister Yuan only have to play the flute while she had to dance?

And she would get scolded if she didn't dance well?

It was too unfair!

The more Xiao Qingli thought about it, the angrier she got, her small face puffing up like a bun.

Just as she secretly resolved to add a few marks to her kill list tonight and take her revenge when the big brother arrived.

Smack.

A long bamboo stick struck firmly on top of her head, hurting Xiao Qingli so much that she bared her teeth, tears almost falling again.

What are you thinking about? If you are going to dance, dance properly!

Ye Shu had walked up to her at some point, staring down at her with a cold gaze.

Who are you showing that bitter face to? Smile for me.

If you delay for one minute, everyone here has to delay for one minute with you. Twenty-three people means twenty-three minutes. How much of everyone's time have you wasted by yourself? Calculate it yourself. Can you bear that responsibility?

Xiao Qingli was left dumbfounded by his words.

Her mind was a bit muddled for a moment.

If she wasted one minute, shouldn't everyone else also just waste one minute? Why would it be twenty-three minutes?

But when her gaze touched that bamboo stick, she quickly nodded and forced a stiff smile. Qing, Qingli understands.

Then dance obediently.

Ye Shu tapped her head three times with the bamboo stick, walked back, sat down again, and took a bite of his large watermelon.

Do you really consider yourself the boss now? Bingxuanzi, who was beside him, secretly leaned in and sent a quiet voice transmission.

It had been a full three days, three days!

This guy just sat in this side hall, going nowhere, messing around with this wretched song and dance all day. Those who knew understood he was disguised here, waiting for the right moment to steal the Heavenly Flame.

Those who didn't know would think he came here to start a dance class!

What is the rush? Ye Shu looked as calm as could be. It is not that I won't steal it, but the time has not yet come.

Now is not the time?

Bingxuanzi said in frustration, Then let me ask you, if now is not the time, when is? We finally managed to sneak into the holy city of the Snake-Person Tribe. If we don't investigate the location of the Heavenly Flame now and steal it when they are unprepared, are we supposed to wait until they discover our identities before trying to steal it?

Seeing Bingxuanzi jumping with anxiety, Ye Shu helplessly spread his hands and sighed.

See, you are rushing again.

Didn't I say before, we will make our move during the Heavenly Flame Ceremony in two months. The current situation is unclear, and we do not even know how many people are hiding beneath the surface like us. Acting rashly carries the risk of being the cicada.

You must know that the mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind.

They all say the early bird gets the worm, but little do they know, the early worm gets eaten by the bird.

Steal it during the Heavenly Flame Ceremony? Bingxuanzi was taken aback, then gritted his teeth. But the problem is that every extra minute we stay here increases our risk of being discovered by a fraction.

And we have to stay for a full two months!

Hearing this, Ye Shu looked completely indifferent. He pointed distantly at the girls practicing their dance.

Is the dance pretty?

It is.

Is the song pleasant?

It is.

Then have we left this side hall to do anything outside our identities, or done anything out of line?

N... No...

Bingxuanzi thought about it carefully and had to admit that this kid actually made some damn sense.

What was there to be afraid of if he was just behaving himself?

But he still could not help feeling a bit worried and could not resist asking, Aren't you afraid that during the Heavenly Flame Ceremony, we will still end up being the mantis in someone else's eyes?

We won't. Ye Shu smiled faintly.

We won't? Bingxuanzi was stunned by his confident attitude. Where on earth did this kid get his confidence?

I said we won't, so we won't.

Ye Shu did not explain much further; he just held the bamboo pole, casually tapping out the beat.

Seeing him acting mysterious, Bingxuanzi did not say much more either.

Anyway, he wasn't the one who needed to steal the Heavenly Flame, and he wouldn't be the one unable to save his wife if they couldn't get it.

Thinking like this, he suddenly felt much more comfortable.

Bingxuanzi also copied Ye Shu's posture, lying back in the bamboo chair and comfortably watching these young girls dance.

You really have to admit it.

The dancing was indeed beautiful, and the flute playing was indeed pleasant.

This brat might be unreliable, but the dance he choreographed was truly stunning. Unfortunately, having little education in his belly, all Bingxuanzi could say was, It's so damn pretty.

The two of them enjoyed this in silence.

Little did they know, a prominent figure was quietly approaching.

Is it pretty?

When Bai Ling arrived at the side hall and passed the door, she glanced at the snake-person warriors who were watching in a trance and asked softly.

It is.

The two snake-person guards were watching with great interest and subconsciously nodded in agreement. However, they suddenly realized something was wrong. Turning their heads, they saw Lord Bai Ling staring at them with a cold expression. Their souls were nearly frightened away. They quickly withdrew their gazes, stood at attention, and stammered an explanation.

L-Lord Bai Ling, we were... we were...

Even after a long while, they could not come up with a proper explanation.

Just as they lowered their heads, ready to bear Bai Ling's fury, they saw Bai Ling wave her hand and say, It is fine, just pay attention next time. Then she walked through the door.

Leaving the two guards looking at each other in dismay.

Didn't they say Lord Bai Ling was the strictest among the King's guards? Why did she seem... very amiable today.

It seemed rumors could not be fully trusted.

The two guards watched Bai Ling walk into the courtyard, then turned their heads back, straightened their backs, and continued to stand guard with determined eyes.

They could not fail Lord Bai Ling's expectations!