CHAPTER 111: CHAPTER 103 HEART-CONNECTED SCALE_1

Si Yan lay at the foot of the bed, observing the two cubs huddled together.

The milk-cute dumpling felt very warm and naturally burrowed into his embrace. He relaxed, allowing her to seek coolness against his body.

Si Yan muttered, What a pity.

The Great Demon King She Wang seemed cold-blooded and cruel, but deep down, in a corner of his very being, he concealed a final sliver of gentleness and goodwill. If the world hadn’t been so indifferent, if he hadn’t suffered so many injustices, he might not have become the villain he was now.

Gecko perked up. "Grandson, want to try conquering the great villain?"

Si Yan chuckled softly. "Good thing you said conquer the villain, not whitewash him."

Gecko asked, "You? Whitewash him? Looking at you, you could be a villain yourself. And you want to whitewash another villain?"

Si Yan raised an eyebrow. "Huh?"

Grinning, Gecko changed the subject. "Grandson, let Grandpa tell you something."

Si Yan’s lips twitched.

"This sky," Gecko said, pointing upwards, "is obscured by something evil. Help Grandpa, will you? Tear apart whatever is covering the sky."

Si Yan said, "...You must be seriously ill."

"Alas, you don’t believe Grandpa," Gecko sighed. "But Grandpa isn’t in a hurry. Grandpa will prove himself soon enough."

Gecko didn’t press further and joined Si Yan in watching.

After her high fever broke, little Yan Yan seemed even more dazed than before.

The snake beastman cub honored their agreement and stopped snatching her food.

He roamed Myriad Beasts City, struggling to find food and survive.

One day, the snake beastman cub saw someone on the road he dreaded seeing most.

Although he had only seen her once at birth, he recognized her in an instant!

His expression turned fierce and icy.

Si Yan followed his gaze and frowned. "The Great Demon King’s malevolent mother," she said coolly. Truly malevolent. The kind of malevolence that wouldn’t even spare her own son!

Gecko nudged Si Yan. "She’s become the big long worm’s inner demon."

The snake beastman cub’s face turned ashen. He forcefully suppressed his spiraling emotions.

He ran back to their humble mound. Seeing the dazed milk-cute dumpling, he rushed forward and hugged her tightly.

"Yan Yan." A sense of helplessness washed over him.

Even at birth, he hadn’t understood how pitiful it was to be persecuted by his own mother.

Now, after all these years, how could the little cub not know—

He was despised by his mother.

He was shunned by the world.

No one liked him.

No one loved him.

He was pitiable.

The cold-blooded snake beastman cub trembled slightly, his voice pleading, "Hug Brother, please? Just once."

Whether she truly understood or not, the milk-cute dumpling stretched out her chubby little hands.

She awkwardly returned the snake cub’s embrace.

The snake beastman cub gradually calmed.

After a long, long time, he regained his composure.

That female thought he was dead; she wouldn’t recognize him now. As long as I hide in this humble mound, I can avoid her.

The subsequent scenes flashed by. Little Wang hid in Little Yan Yan’s small earthen burrow.

The Day of Blazing Flames arrived, and Myriad Beasts City activated its protective barrier.

Inside the protective barrier, the temperature was ten degrees cooler than outside.

But it was still uncomfortably hot.

Gecko flipped over, his four little paws paddling the air. "This world’s sun draws closer every ten years. Naturally, it becomes unbearably hot as it approaches."

Si Yan watched the beastmen in the city, who lacked food and water, her brow furrowed.

The scenes continued to rush by.

Over a month later, the Day of Blazing Flames had passed.

The snake beastman cub successfully survived the Day of Blazing Flames, thanks to the earthen burrow.

People from the Four Main Cities arrived.

Representatives from White Eagle City, White Tiger City, and key figures serving the City Lords of the other two main cities arrived.

Among the key figures of these four cities, Bai Feng was the most remarkable.

Clad in long, snow-white feathers, he walked at the forefront. The entirety of Myriad Beasts City bowed slightly, expressing their admiration.

He was aloof and supremely noble.

He coldly asked an attendant, "Where is Little Si Yan?"

This noble, cold demeanor was utterly different from the gentle Bai Feng Si Yan knew.

The beastman beside him was extremely deferential. "High Priest, the Second Young Miss is doing very well."

"It’s Xiao Fengfeng," Gecko said, stretching his claws.

Si Yan asked curiously, "Gecko-jun, you know him?"

Gecko glanced from Bai Feng to Si Yan, his large eyes blinking. "Grandson, ever considered taking another male? Grandpa thinks Xiao Fengfeng is quite good."

"..."

Like a seasoned salesman, Gecko continued, "Xiao Fengfeng has such a good temper, so gentle! Grandpa thinks he’s much better than that big long worm who gave you a high fever!"

Si Yan chuckled softly.

Snakes and eagles were natural enemies. Upon seeing Bai Feng, the little snake cub knew it was time to leave.

The Day of Blazing Flames was over; he had no reason to remain in Myriad Beasts City.

The little snake cub paid a final visit to the milk-cute dumpling.

The milk-cute dumpling still looked dazed.

The little snake cub unconsciously adopted a somewhat adult-like expression.

"Little fool, I’m leaving now."

He plucked a scale from over his heart and handed it to her.

"This scale is the most special on my body. It’s linked to my heart, and even if removed, the connection won’t break. It will grow as I do. Consider this a token of gratitude for your shelter and kindness."

Gecko exclaimed, "Grandson, he gave you his Heart-Connected Scale!"

Si Yan was bewildered. "The Heart-Connected Scale? What’s that?"

Gecko explained, "For the Snake Tribe and Dragon Clan, the Heart-Connected Scale is the counterpart to the reverse scale. A reverse scale is a snake beastman’s weakness, but the Heart-Connected Scale is his strongest."

Gecko stammered for a moment. "That Heart-Connected Scale you just received—it’s sharper than any blade, tougher than any shield!"

Heart-Connected Scale... So that’s what it is.

Si Yan looked at the two little ones, about to part.

It was unclear if the milk-cute dumpling understood he was leaving.

Waving the Heart-Connected Scale joyfully, she began to babble.

"B... Big Brother..."

Her words were still indistinct, her voice soft and sweet.

The little snake cub froze.

"Big... Brother... Yan... Yan..."

The little snake beastman’s eyes gradually cooled. He turned, hugged her tightly one last time, then departed without a backward glance.

"Alright, time to wake up." With that, Gecko nipped Si Yan’s neck.

When she woke up, the sunlight was blinding. Si Yan had to raise her hand to shield her eyes.

Upon opening her eyes, the two little snake cubs, Dongchi and Nan Mo, were lying beside her. Propped up on their arms, they gazed at her intently with clear, beautiful eyes.

"Mother, you’re awake," Dongchi said happily.

Little Dongchi bore an uncanny resemblance to Little Wang.

The moment she saw Dongchi, Si Yan felt as if she were facing the young She Wang directly.

She blinked away her daze. Her heart ached as she recalled the snake beastman cub from her dream.

She opened her arms and hugged both Dongchi and Nan Mo.

Is this how it’s done? Do little beastmen crave hugs so much? Have I given my children too little?

As Si Yan embraced him, Nan Mo’s face turned red. He was a little flustered, his head slightly bowed, unsure where to look.

So warm... Mother’s embrace is truly this warm.

Si Yan whispered, "Nan Mo... Has Mother... not given you enough attention? Have I neglected you?"

The small, dark head snapped up. His eyes, black and white like Si Yan’s own, fixed on her.

In that instant, Nan Mo’s eyes reddened slightly.

Warmth spread through his heart, a novel yet comforting sensation.

Si Yan gently stroked his back, her voice tender. "Nan Mo, did you know? In Mother’s eyes, you’re just as important as Dongchi, Xi Qing, and Bei Ji. Mother... loves you all the same."

PLIP.

Nan Mo’s eyes instantly welled with tears.

He couldn’t stop himself from throwing his arms around Si Yan and hugging her tightly.

Suddenly, a sound like wind chimes, crisp, tender, and sweet, echoed in Si Yan’s mind.

Nan Mo: Mother...

Nan Mo: Mother.