[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-dragon-of-a-thousand-faces":3,"chapter-the-dragon-of-a-thousand-faces-the-dragon-of-a-thousand-faces-chapter-83":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Dragon of a Thousand Faces",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2269729,4431,"Chapter 83: A Little Secret","the-dragon-of-a-thousand-faces-chapter-83",83,"\u003Cp>The spacious reception room was brightly lit but filled with a chilling atmosphere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li En and Sallyman sat facing each other in silence, like a couple in a quarrel—if not for the small woman sitting right next to Li En.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Auntie, weren’t you in a hurry to leave? Why did you come back?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sallyman set down her coffee cup, eyes straight ahead, her words laced with barbs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, I was eager to meet Lord Li En, but now that I’ve seen him, there’s no rush.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As she spoke, Violet Rose leaned in closer, pressing her ample chest against him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The excessive warmth, the softness and scent unique to a woman, left inexperienced Li En flustered—his flushed face betrayed something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh? Li En, you’ve never been in love? Want to have a passionate teenage romance with Little Rose?!” Instantly, the girl’s eyes sparkled like a predator spotting prey.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As she spoke, the girl rubbed against him even more, making Li En’s face redder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He felt his blood boiling too much today—had he been poisoned?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, visibly, Sallyman’s temple veins bulged, on the verge of bursting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Auntie! Mind your age and status!” This was nearly an outright accusation—targeting the very thing a woman cares about most.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm, but Auntie looks younger than you, doesn’t she?” Violet Rose pressed a finger to her lips, her expression innocent as she uttered something utterly shocking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it was also the truth—gorgeous Sallyman appeared far more mature than her actual age.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, Violet Rose, having removed her illusion, looked no older than fifteen—almost like a middle schooler.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And when little Sallyman grows old and can’t walk anymore, Little Rose will still look just like this—even younger!” The adorable magical girl pinched her cheeks with two fingers, revealing a bright, youthful smile with dimples.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A magical girl, if she wishes, remains a girl forever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Crack!” The shattered coffee cup signaled Sallyman’s renewed resolve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li En merely pretended not to exist—wise men pretend not to exist when women fight. He felt that if he opened his mouth, he’d become the primary target.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But would the source of all evil truly be spared?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sallyman took a deep breath, instinctively glancing at Li En, her hand reaching for the crystal pendant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So, Li En, what do you think of my little auntie?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly, she was beyond furious—she’d even used a power she normally kept tightly controlled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this time, something stranger happened—she didn’t hear Li En’s echo. Instead,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, sweet little Sallyman, didn’t your mother teach you that barging into someone’s mind is both impolite and dangerous?” A sudden voice echoed behind her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sallyman’s vision plunged into darkness. When she opened her eyes again, she was dragged into a night filled with stars.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before her loomed a colossal pale purple serpent, its mountain-sized head looming over her, staring directly into her eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was an absurdly beautiful beast, coiled in the void—its eyeballs alone larger than her entire body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Locked in gaze, the gaze of a superior being paralyzed and petrified her flesh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She felt as if she were losing everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The serpent’s dull yellow eyes silently watched Sallyman, but its slowly opening mouth drew nearer, exhaling the fragrance of deadly poison.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“.Indeed, you have potential. But it’s too soon. Too soon. Go back.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sallyman!” She jolted awake from the illusion, leaping to her feet in terror.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sweating profusely, she looked around and realized the two across from her hadn’t moved at all—only staring at her in bewilderment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In her hand, the coffee cup, which should have been crushed, still emitted a bitter aroma and faint warmth—some coffee had already dripped onto the floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I… hallucinated? When exactly…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sallyman was utterly bewildered. As a mind mage, she was immune to illusions—and as a prophetic branch, the natural enemy of illusion magic, how could she have been so easily fooled?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had her own ability been countered? Or had she been targeted the moment she entered the room? No, it wasn’t an illusion—but then what was it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sallyman, what’s wrong?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li En had also risen, his expression one of genuine concern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m fine, I’m fine,” Sallyman took a deep breath, forcing calm, and sat back down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She glanced at her little auntie, who had just made a mischievous face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t get angry, don’t get angry—it’s not worth getting mad at a brat.” She vaguely sensed something was off about this auntie.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She’d long known she had such an aunt (her mother’s younger sister), a magical girl living far away—this was their first meeting, and it was far too “surprising.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the first time in her life, her soul-reading ability had encountered this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She’d failed before—not because her opponent was too strong (resistance too high), or because they carried some secret treasure—but never had someone detected her ability.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, not only had she been detected, she’d been lectured to face-to-face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the surface calm, Sallyman’s mind was in chaos—this soul-reading ability was her final and most vital trump card, and now it had failed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She felt like a child again—the cold, helpless feeling, the utter lack of safety, the despair and unease as if naked in snow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“By the way, Li En, weren’t you here to see little Sallyman?” At that moment, Violet Rose acted as if she’d noticed nothing, smoothly shifting the topic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“.Yes, this letter, please deliver it to Princess Dainya as soon as possible.” Reminded, Li En quickly pulled out the sealed letter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t that he distrusted Sallyman—it was that the “Dragon Descendant” matter was something Sallyman might not even know about; fewer people knowing was better for both sides.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Using a letter also avoided misunderstandings from verbal transmission.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But presenting a secret document before a serpent who mastered language was not a wise move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Violet Rose glanced at the envelope once—her smiling face unchanged, yet her pupils flickered with surprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She pondered for a moment, then nodded thoughtfully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then the girl leaned closer to the man again, her serpent’s tongue lightly licking—then, having confirmed something, she silently stared at the man so close, her gaze unhidden and direct.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Uh… is there something wrong?” Those eyes, like pools of honey about to overflow, and that unwavering, predatory stare, made Li En deeply uncomfortable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Violet Rose didn’t answer immediately. She tilted her head, thought for a moment, then said hesitantly, in an adorably timid tone:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The first boy will be Kai, the first girl will be Lina—okay? Let’s aim for twelve in the first ten years; I’ve almost picked all the names already! I love big families—starting with the thirteenth, you name them!” Her pure eyes were utterly serious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wait, what are you thinking? You’re already picking names for children?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Twelve? Are you planning to form a soccer team?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Big family, thirteen… you really plan to have a double-digit number of kids?! You’re not a real snake—you give birth one at a time, right? Are you planning to give birth for over a decade?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li En had too many points to object to—he didn’t know where to begin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Little Auntie!!” The girl across, who appeared to be a woman, finally flew into a rage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Riding his face once wasn’t enough? Again?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Heh, just joking.” In the next instant, the serpent-like magical girl slid away from Li En with a shoulder shrug.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She kept a safe distance, sat properly like a lady, sipping coffee and eating cookies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was now an adorable noble lady—the little demon from moments ago seemed like an illusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Sallyman’s hair stood on end like a hundred serpents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if bloodline told her victory was impossible, it wasn’t a reason to endure repeated face-riding attacks! Her auntie clearly knew Li En was hers—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m truly joking, little Sallyman—you didn’t know, right? Active magical girls can’t marry.” Violet Rose’s voice was suddenly sincere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“.Little Auntie.” Sallyman took a deep breath—she knew she’d been played. Her image before Li En was surely ruined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Calm down, calm down—it’s pointless to argue with this crazy auntie.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Composure, composure—the grace of a noble lady—all these years of aristocratic etiquette…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But affairs are allowed.” The little demon returned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Little Auntie!!” The noble lady’s facade shattered instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Crack.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the next moment, Violet Rose gently set down her coffee cup, her expression serious as she began speaking seriously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I came here because I have a favor to ask. Princess Dainya is preparing to launch a war against the underground ruins.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman who casually revealed a great secret instantly switched to work mode, swiftly stating her goal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I accepted her commission—to gather intelligence and map the underground ruins. So I plan to form an exploration team to enter the underground… I need trustworthy companions. Are you interested? With me, the danger is low, but the rewards are certainly high.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instantly, she presented an offer hard to refuse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sallyman, Li En—you both need bloodline evolution materials, especially Lord Li En… your bloodline has awakened and evolved again, but you seem to lack many resources.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li En was stunned. Perhaps his initial judgment was wrong—this woman seemed remarkably powerful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll post the commission on the Explorer’s Association, specifically requesting you two to take it. Perfect chance to build your explorer reputation and credentials. The reward will be…” Her beautiful eyes swept over Li En again, making him feel strangely uneasy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li En hesitated—he had too many secrets; this strange woman wasn’t suitable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“.130 gold coins.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why was this amount so convenient? Exactly the 130 he needed…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then 140.” Li En’s mouth dropped open—do you really read minds?! What do you already know?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without giving Li En a chance to ask, Violet Rose stood up immediately, ready to depart cheerfully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She really had another appointment—she was just late.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s make it one week from now. I’ll contact you then.” In seconds, she was gone—only the floral scent remained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This storm-like woman had come and gone, leaving only the two of them, their statuses ambiguous, staring at each other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Anyway, thank you. I’ll be going,” Li En sighed. This scene, twisted by the magical girl, was too embarrassing—he’d better leave first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Have a meal before you go. Don’t let others think the Sudars lack manners,” Sallyman sighed. After being tormented by this little auntie, she didn’t even know who to be angry at.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wouldn’t do to have Li En travel all this way, say a few words, and leave immediately—given their relationship, it would be too impolite.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then I’ll trouble you,” Li En didn’t refuse—he could use the chance to gather some information.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sallyman didn’t chase him away—someone who received news would immediately fly into a rage and order them out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Li En’s letter? Take it out and throw it away! Right now!” In the top-floor suite, a girl was raging.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is he still in this house? Kick him out!” Li En would never have imagined that Dainya, who found this mansion comfortable (and safe), was right here in this very room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Uh, Your Highness, what happened between you and him?” Saliman frowned, wasn’t your relationship good just earlier?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Didn’t you personally award him medals just two days ago? Didn’t you even receive him privately? How could you have fallen out so quickly?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dainya certainly wouldn’t bring up something trivial, like how she’d been publicly rebuked by the newly knighted man and humiliated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She merely scowled, picked up the letter, and prepared to throw it away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saliman pondered for a moment, then decided to turn and go downstairs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She intended to tell Li En to return for now, to avoid provoking the Princess and worsening their conflict.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But before Saliman stepped out, Dainya was still thinking: a true “politician” must not act out of anger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, she gritted her teeth and decided to see what Li En had written.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She made up her mind: if it was some trivial matter or further accusation, she’d ignore all rules and send Li En straight to the northern frontier to guard the walls and watch penguins.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a few swift motions, the furious woman tore open the letter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How is this possible?!” Yet, at just one glance, she was utterly stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wait, Saliman.” She called back Saliman, who had already left the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saliman stood at the door, bewildered, watching the Princess pace back and forth inside, lost in thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, reason overcame emotion. Dainya gritted her teeth and spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Give him 130 gold coins—but we won’t meet now. Wait two days before saying anything. Don’t let him think he’s got leverage over me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saliman turned to carry out the order, but as she reached the door—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wait.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saliman stopped, casting a mournful glance at her. You little girls—do you deliberately torment my aging back? Climbing stairs is no easy thing for a serpent woman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Dainya wasn’t so delicate—her entire attention was locked onto the letter’s contents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Give him 1,300 gold coins! Hmph! Only 130? Do you think I’m cheap? Do you think I, as a Princess, don’t have money?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The girl’s inexplicable, petty internal struggle left everyone unsure how to judge it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2168,"2026-06-19T21:45:41.002Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","39f6c61dae993ee4d60aeceaa6272f64c2b9ae58d96f4ef9eee3284dee94b12a","the-dragon-of-a-thousand-faces-chapter-84","the-dragon-of-a-thousand-faces-chapter-82",362,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-dragon-of-a-thousand-faces-cover.jpg"]