Chapter 108: City of the Naga

Naga City.

On the beautiful planet of Hailan, three races coexist in a delicate balance. Compared to humans, beastmen’s civilization is somewhat less advanced. Even the capital of the Snake Clan pales in prosperity beside human cities—yet it exudes an exotic allure.

Both its architectural style and street layout are fascinating. Their earlier conversation had eased Arola’s worries, and now a smile returned to the young princess’s face as she accompanied Xu Feng on a tour of her hometown.

Inside the city, streets teemed with life—most pedestrians possessed human upper bodies and serpentine tails. Naturally, other beastmen were also present: centaurs, winged folk, and more…

As the carriages passed, beastmen bowed respectfully. The banners displayed the royal emblem.

To the west of Naga City rose a majestic complex—pavilions, towers, and a stone castle nestled amid lush greenery…

The royal palace of the Snake Clan!

“We’re home.”

Arola’s beautiful face lit up with excitement. Since her capture, she hadn’t seen her parents in nearly two months.

The carriages halted. Eagerly, the young princess hopped down and tightly embraced a noblewoman waiting before the palace. The noblewoman wore a resplendent gown; her visible serpent tail shimmered with golden brilliance. Her features bore a striking resemblance to Arola’s—she was almost certainly the Snake Clan’s queen.

They say mother and daughter share an unbreakable bond. Since her daughter’s disappearance, Queen Melina hadn’t slept soundly for two months. Only upon receiving word of Arola’s safe return could she finally breathe easy. Now, gazing upon her beloved daughter, tears of joy streamed down her cheeks.

“Mom, I’m sorry for worrying you.”

Though nicknamed “Little Pepper” for her fiery temper, Arola was a devoted daughter.

The queen shook her head gently and held the young princess at arm’s length. “Come, let me see if you’ve lost weight.”

Her daughter must have suffered greatly these past two months. At the thought, Melina’s heart ached—what mother wouldn’t cherish her child? Yet after a careful look, her expression gradually shifted to astonishment…

As the Snake Clan’s princess, Arola had always lived a life of privilege and comfort. One would expect those two months to have left her visibly worn. Yet now—whether in complexion or bearing—Arola appeared radiant, glowing with dazzling charm. She looked as though she’d just returned from a two-month vacation—not as if she’d endured hardship at all.

Though overjoyed, the queen was genuinely perplexed. Had she known the full story, however, she wouldn’t have been surprised. Shortly after being taken to the Taige Empire, the young princess met Xu Feng. What followed was a classic tale of hero rescuing damsel. Afterwards, she stayed at Xu Feng’s viscount manor. Though not yet officially a couple, she was treated with the utmost respect and courtesy.

Then came Xu Feng’s escort back to the Orc Kingdom—and the journey during which they grew close and pledged themselves to one another. With her boyfriend’s care along the way, she endured scarcely any hardship. And blossoming with love, the young princess naturally grew ever more beautiful.

“Aunt!”

A cheerful voice called out. The queen turned and saw the Behemoth Clan’s young princess. Melina offered a faint smile. “Ni’er, you’ve come too.”

“Mm-hmm.”

Beside Niruis stood a handsome young man. Though this was her first time meeting Xu Feng, the queen had naturally heard of his reputation. Her gaze toward him was complex. As a mother, she felt profound gratitude toward Xu Feng for saving her daughter. Yet as queen of the Snake Clan, she was deeply unsettled that he had captured her daughter’s heart.

For a thousand years, humans and beastmen had clashed incessantly, their relationship perpetually strained. Though relatively peaceful recently, friction still flared frequently. A millennium of resentment had carved a deep chasm between the two races. Intermarriage was not unheard of—but exceedingly rare, occurring almost exclusively among commoners. Her daughter ranked among the most noble of beastmen. Marrying a human would be profoundly shocking and unconventional. Naturally, the queen hesitated…

Xu Feng smiled, unruffled. He had long prepared himself for this moment. His marriage to Xiaoya might face obstacles—but the future, he knew, would shine brightly.

“Aunt!”

He stepped forward and bowed respectfully to the queen. When in Rome, do as the Romans do. Having spent nearly half a year in this wondrous otherworld, he was now thoroughly versed in noble etiquette.

“No need for such formalities.” The queen sighed. Seeing her daughter silently pleading with her eyes, she couldn’t treat Xu Feng too coldly. Holding her beloved daughter in one hand and Niruis in the other, she nodded toward Xu Feng. “A guest from afar—please come in.”

A guest? A faint smile flickered at the corner of Xu Feng’s mouth. He hadn’t come here as a tourist—but to propose marriage. Naturally, Arola wouldn’t let her boyfriend feel alone. She deliberately slowed her pace and took his hand.

Xu Feng leaned close to her ear. “Xiaoya, don’t worry—I’ll make you my bride.”

“Mm-hmm. I believe you, Brother Xu Feng. Let’s work hard together.”

“Mother, where’s Father?”

“He’s waiting for you in the study.”

“The study?” Arola blinked in surprise, dismay flickering across her face… Whenever she’d misbehaved, her father always summoned her to the study for a stern lecture. It seemed her father disapproved of her marriage to Brother Xu Feng as well.

“Xiaoya, don’t worry—I’ll go with you.”

The queen glanced at Xu Feng, about to speak—when the Behemoth young princess interjected first. “Aunt, it’s been so long since my last visit—why don’t you show me around the castle?” Without waiting for a reply, she pulled Melina away, then glanced back secretly, giving her cousin and her fiancé a meaningful look.

The queen was both amused and exasperated. Yet this niece of hers was notoriously mischievous—and once she set her mind to something, there was little anyone could do.

“Xiaoya, let’s go.”

“Mm-hmm.”

The Snake Clan’s royal palace differed markedly from the Behemoth King’s residence. Though less refined and elegant than human mansions, its walls were adorned with exquisite murals—brave guards, graceful palace maids. Indeed, the girls of the Snake Clan were famed for their alluring slender waists and delicate features. Alongside mermaids, the Fox Clan, and the Cat Clan, they were renowned worldwide for producing unparalleled beauties.

“Princess!”

Soon, they arrived at the study. The guards at the door bowed respectfully. As one of the Four Clans of the Beast God, the Snake People commanded awe-inspiring strength—and these two guards clearly radiated the aura of masters.

The door opened, revealing row upon row of bookshelves. Who said beastmen were all crude and illiterate? With so many books, his future father-in-law was clearly a man of wisdom.

The room was spacious. Led by Arola, the two walked past the bookshelves. There, seated in simple robes, his hair meticulously combed, a middle-aged man—appearing to be in his fifties—held a book and read intently.

Was this the patriarch of the Snake Clan?