22 The Sinister Dance of the Crimson Serpent

"Ah... you found my son? You finally bring some use to me, Volando..." Jaguar's tribal chief laughs as she wipes away her tears. But her laughter lacks genuine joy, leaving questions about the sudden change of heart. It is as if those tears are not of relief, but something else entirely. As the one who barked orders at her subjects to find him dead or alive, her reaction is unexpected.

Volando avoids her gaze, maintaining eye contact but looking away slightly. "Your Majesty, he was found with the prince of the alpaca tribe and a female from the sheep tribe," he discloses, sharing everything he knew.

"They're heading in the direction of the Platypus clan, Your Majesty..."

The tribal chief abruptly interrupts him, her voice betraying a mix of anger and vulnerability. "Enough. Let's not speak of this any further. Leave."

***

Meanwhile, back at the forsaken village, Mo Hai, Liu Yifan, and Zou Guanting struggled to survive as the colossal snake unleashed relentless attacks, not allowing any time for evasion.

On the ground, it felt akin to a cruel game of jump rope with that one friend who couldn't care less. It was as if they expected you to effortlessly execute double unders, crisscrosses, side swings, boxers, toads, ski jumps, and in-and-outs, as though this were gymnastics despite starting only seconds ago.

"Pathetic creatures, you are mere specks of dust in my presence!" the snake hissed venomously, its colossal form coiled, waiting to strike with deadly precision.

Mo Hai's veins throbbed with a surge of alarm, as she grasped the fact that mere force would not suffice in prevailing against this monstrous opponent. To emerge victorious, she would need to navigate the depths of her astuteness, exploiting the serpent's weaknesses.

This task mirrored the meticulous art of refining metal—a graceful choreography entailing precise timing and profound skill, where the outcome teetered on a knife's edge. Succumbing to defeat would simply not be tolerated.

The serpent grew weary of playing games and sought a swift resolution. "Hah... hah," he hissed. "You dare to act tough, yet here you cower like a timid mouse!" A sly smile curled on his lips as he ridiculed, "Surely, you're not as foolish as you seem, are you?"

"Enough fooling around," Zou Guanting sneered, "Cease this nonsense for your efforts will only exhaust you in vain!"

Amidst the chaos of battle, their incessant bickering served as an unexpected blessing for Mo Hai. It provided a distraction, redirecting the serpent's attention towards Zou Guanting, who had shed his beast form. Mo Hai couldn't help but feel gratitude towards them in this unexpected stroke of luck. She longed for the presence of her trusted lighter, acknowledging the difference it would make in this critical moment.

Suddenly, her gaze fell upon a towering brick structure. If she could ascend its heights, she would gain a strategic advantage, enabling her to leap upon the serpent and seize control of the situation.

With the serpent's demise, This arduous journey would finally come to an end. Although he possessed formidable strength, his lack of intelligence prevented him from launching an attack when his enemies are out of his reach.