Chapter 425: Man

"Are demons lurking? Given the current state of the continent, that's not strange at all."

Lilian's tone grew flat again.

With the sound of the naga shifting across the thick wool rug, Luo De could sense a certain scene:

She walked to the spot where Luo De had been sitting, touched the warm teapot of milk tea, then feigned indifference as she examined the cup half-drunk.

After hesitating, she still chose to drink the remaining salty milk tea.

After a long aftertaste, her brow slightly relaxed.

What is she doing?

Luo De couldn't help but wonder.

Tally, ever attentive to her master, peeked half her head out from the shadows, smiling:

"She thought you brought a woman in. After confirming only your scent was on the cup, she felt a little relieved."

"You can tell it's only you from a cup you drank from??? Are naga that powerful?"

"It's not some special skill—I can do it too, Master. I know your clothes, your cup, your toothbrush just by sniffing. She spent the whole night with you; her 【Charming Bodily Fluids】 have already imprinted your scent deep into her mind."

"Wait, why are you sniffing my toothbrush?"

Tally's face flushed slightly as she lifted her eyes shyly:

"When I'm clingy, I like to taste your toothbrush—it feels like I'm tasting you."

"Disgusting."

"Aaaah—disgusting? Tally will cling to you forever, disgustingly~~"

She moved closer again, but Luo De coldly shoved her back into the shadows.

Don't mess around.

I'm eavesdropping.

He focused on his 【Spider Sense】 and continued listening to the mother and daughter's conversation outside the tent.

"It's a little different."

Eve's slightly hoarse voice spoke up: "The flood of Hell Gates has caused a massive surge in demons on land—even low-tier ones, who previously had no access, now have the chance. Lately, there have been bizarre news reports of garbage demons attacking towns alone."

"But the demons rising in Axe Beach clearly differ from these scattered pests—they've even learned to cooperate with land-based organizations. Recently, the former lord of this region, Count Pweir, was killed by these demons in alliance with a wicked group called the Sandalin."

Lilian replied:

"Sandalin? So the ones cooperating with us are them? I remember these bastards operate near the Sea of Moons—how dare they extend their reach to Jianwan?"

Her voice sounded heavy.

As a land-dwelling naga who deals in shady trades, she must have encountered such evil organizations before.

"Aiselon's power is weakening. The Ruins Brotherhood to the west and the Sandalin of the Sea of Moons are both expanding. Even cults worshipping cosmic beings and devils are shifting from secrecy to open activity."

"It's a rare opportunity. Had we not been weakened by rebellion, we might have used this to unify the Mirror Desert—ah—it was my misfortune to trust the wrong person. I never expected something like that to happen… Fortunately, Eve, you recovered some of our precious treasures afterward."

"It was all thanks to Mother's magic guiding the way. Otherwise, I never would've discovered those traitors fled to Dusk Hills."

"You've worked hard, Eve… Perhaps you don't need to fixate on the Sacrificial Magic path. For naga, suppressing desire is especially painful—I endured it once, and I don't want you to suffer it again."

Lilian gently advised.

Her tone was soft, tender—reminding Luo De of last night, when she'd used this same voice to guide him to thrust into her body.

Damn.

It's hardening.

Eve's voice, by contrast, sounded stiff and unnatural:

"I've already discussed this. Before mastering the Sacrificial Magic, I have no intention of touching any man."

"Actually, the difference between a virgin's Sacrificial Magic and a non-virgin's is only about twenty percent—it's still powerful. You don't need to be so strict."

"Twenty percent can shift the tide of battle. I won't give up even one percent."

Her tone was full of guilt.

After all, back in the Open Maze, Eve had already been taken by Luo De for three straight hours—and afterward, they'd tried every variation in the forest.

She'd already experienced the beauty of desire.

Lilian didn't know this. She assumed her daughter was just making excuses, fully devoted to the clan's cause.

She felt even more pity.

At the same time, regret and shame welled up.

She had just taught her daughter's future gift how to mount her on the bed.

Now, her attachment and longing for Luo De began to fade, replaced by feelings for her daughter.

"Eve, yesterday we captured a man who's truly exceptional—his appearance and physique are top-tier. Would you… care to meet him?"

"No!"

Eve refused firmly, her words harsh.

"Let Mother give him to Betty. I don't need any man. My innate four arms prove I'm far better at controlling desire than ordinary naga!"

"Ah, child, that man is truly rare. Even just meeting him would be worth it."

"No need! I've traveled the continent—I know what real beauty looks like. I mean, I don't need him!"

"Then I'll keep him, raise him. No other naga will touch him. He's still young, like a tireless, strong leopard—oh, never mind."

"Let's get back to the matter at hand, Mother!"

Eve firmly refused again.

She shifted the topic to the Sandalin's ties with demons.

Then they discussed the contents of the White Dragon Tomb, the tomb-guarding rituals, the generous rewards, manpower, and so on.

The mother and daughter talked for a long time.

They realized this matter was entangled with evil organizations and demons—its danger was certainly high.

But considering the reward and the tomb's contents, the land naga's innate greed and gambler's spirit led them to accept the mission.

They would contact Bugo Torres tomorrow to set a formal date for breaking the tomb.

Meanwhile, as they chatted,

Luo De didn't stop Tally from letting Wen Na Pweir eavesdrop from the shadows.

He didn't see her expression, but she'd been silent ever since—he guessed her heart wasn't doing well.

Let her listen.

This girl is truly pitiful.

She's spent her whole life clueless, never even understanding why her father died. Now, at least, she'll know who her enemies are.

"Wen Na, now you know how powerful your enemies are. You should also realize how favorable my deal with you truly is."

Luo De whispered to the empty space beside Tally's head.

What is the Sandalin?

Don't know.

But anything ranked alongside the Ruins Brotherhood and allied with demons? Definitely disgusting filth.

Tally glanced beneath the shadows and shook her head.

"She's curled up in the corner crying. So pitiful… I heard there's a method to heal the soul with poison—what if I turned into a sleazy fat uncle and ripped off her clothes? Would that make her feel better?"

"Don't mess around. If you scare her into madness, I'll have to swallow her brain. Let her cry. She has no choice."

"Alright."

(End of Chapter)