Versatile Mage c1-2021, page 166
"But, why are you so confident that the Skyscraping Snake is being framed?" Mo Fan was confused.
As a matter of fact, Mo Fan did agree that it was too dangerous to let such a gigantic beast reside in the city. If Tangyue had not told him about the inheritance of their tribe, he would actually lean toward Zhu Meng's proposal.
"The big guy is poisonous, but he doesn't spread it randomly, nor would he use it against humans. If he were releasing his poison, you won't find a single thing alive in the vicinity of West Lake. A week ago, we sent someone to investigate. The place where he appeared was a construction area where a skyscr.a.p.er is being built. No one was there when it appeared. Its gigantic size didn't even crush anyone there, let alone poisoning anyone!" Tangyue blurted out angrily.
Tangyue was more familiar with the Skyscraping Snake than anyone else. He would never kill without a reason, especially humans that worshiped him.
The Skyscraping Snake was definitely not responsible for the corpses that were found a week later!
"Most importantly, the Skyscraping Snake excretes a fluid that helps with his ecdysis during this period, thus it wouldn't be poisonous throughout this period. Therefore, someone must have framed up the big guy with the two corpses that had appeared out of nowhere." Tangyue was extremely confident.
"I see," Mo Fan nodded.
The Skyscraping Snake was not poisonous during the ecdysis, but two people had been killed by poison. Mo Fan did not think that Tangyue would come up with a lie that could be validated very easily.
It turned out that someone was indeed purposely framing up the Skyscraping Snake.
Meanwhile, the incident that had lost the public's attention was revived once again due to the casualties. Many people demanded the government to explain themselves. Some even accused the government of hiding the truth.
"So, you think he's behind it?" Mo Fan glanced at the senator called Zhu Meng and whispered.
"It must be him!" said Tangyue confidently.
The Skyscraping Snake was considered a huge thorn in Zhu Meng's eyes, as its existence alone was a great slap to his face. He had earned his reputation solely from championing his threat-elimination strategy!
Chapter 360 - Threat-Elimination Strategy
"Relax, Senator Zhu Meng, I believe that you're well aware of the Skyscraping Snake's capabilities. The situation would be a lot worse if you were to trouble him with such a strong murderous intent. We have to take it slowly," said an aged elder of the Magic Court with a smile.
"Enough with the nonsense, you won't be able to make excuses for him this time!" Zhu Meng demanded.
"Make excuses, why would we need to do that? The Black Totem Snake has been living in this city for God knows how many years. It's his habitat. I seriously don't understand what right we have to drive him away?" An elder who was obviously on the side of protecting the Totem Beast said in a righteous tone.
"It's your Totem. It has nothing to do with us. All I care about is whether this beast will pose a threat to us!" said Zhu Meng.
"I think you're not worried about the Black Totem Snake disrupting peace. You're just concerned that as long as he's still here, your threat-elimination strategy would never be in full swing, thus it won't be able to get you more supporters, which means you will never become the President of the Magic Palace!"
Zhu Meng glanced at the old man with a goatee and burst out laughing.
The elder with the goatee harrumphed coldly in return. No one in the meeting dared to offend this senator from the Enforcement Union, but he, Luo Mian, was never afraid of him.
Luo Mian was also a senator himself, but he would never allow the Black Totem Snake to be sacrificed as a stepping stone for someone pursuing power!
"I'll make this clear, Senator Luo Mian. The demon god that they worshipped is harming humans. If you think I'm purposely picking on him, go ahead and try calming the public after the terror that arose recently. Comfort the people living in this city. I bet you can publicly admit that you're worshipping a gigantic snake, and see what they would think!" said Zhu Meng.
The guardian of the Totem Beast, Tangyue finally ran out of patience and blurted out, "The Black Totem Snake would never harm anyone. How do you prove that the two corpses were his doing?"
"Where did this brat come from? Do you have the right to speak here!" a Palace Guard standing beside Senator Zhu Meng snapped.
Zhu Meng cast a glance at Tangyue and immediately recognized her. He waved his hand, signaling the Royal Guard to stand down.
"Everything has to come with the evidence. Don't you think it's hilarious accusing the Black Totem Snake for the deaths of two random corpses you found?" snapped Tangyue.
"Tangyue, enough with that, back off." The Head of the Magic Court, Tang Zhong rose to his feet and glanced at Zhu Meng, "My niece is right. The accusation needs to be backed up with evidence. If our Totem Beast truly wants to kill, I don't think he would leave the corpses behind, either. Why would there be two rotten corpses that were only discovered a week after the incident... Or maybe you think you can treat us like retards and just falsely accuse our Totem Beast of being responsible for the deaths of the two corpses!"
"That's right, we have to investigate the matter further," said a mediator.
"Investigations aren't my specialty. My job is to eliminate any possible threats. The fact that he had shown himself in the busy city is enough to list him as our highest priority target. You have two days to hand over the Black Totem Snake, or I'll deal with him myself!" Zhu Meng pointed with two fingers in a fairly strong attitude.
"You're unbelievable. Stop using your bullshit threat-elimination strategy to condemn our Totem Beast!" the old man with the goatee roared furiously.
"I'm a senator. I have the highest authority granted by the Oriental Pearl Tower and the Magic Palace. Now, if I say he's a threat, he is a threat!" Zhu Meng had no intention to waste his time further with the stubborn people defending their Totem Beast.
The Black Totem Snake had posed a threat to the city with its sudden appearance. There were casualties being discovered. The people would demand an explanation from the government. Be it a decree or the will of the people, the Black Totem Snake would be eliminated!
---
Zhu Meng brought his Royal Guards and left, leaving the room of people speechless.
Those who were neutral and leaning toward the Oriental Pearl Tower and Magic Palace took their leave.
The outcome was basically decided. Zhu Meng had come with a strong statement and evidence. The Black Totem Snake would not be able to escape this time.
Most of the people attending the meeting had left, with only the Head of the Magic Court, Tang Zhong; the old man with the goatee, Luo Mian; the man with the long black hair, Heiyu; Tangyue, and Mo Fan left.
"I didn't expect it to turn out like this, when we've been extremely cautious protecting it," Tang Zhong sighed. He looked rather tired.
"What should we do now? Zhu Meng is resolved to deal with the Totem Beast. He has the upper hand this time. Even if we were to submit a written statement to a higher authority, we won't be able to calm the crowd," said Heiyu.
"I think that Zhu Meng is just trying to act tough. If he wants to take on the Totem Beast, just let him do it. If he could outmatch the Black Totem Snake, he would have already done so ages ago, why would he wait until today… he's just scared of the Totem Beast's strength," said Senator Luo Mian, while stroking his goatee.
"Senator Luo, you might not know this… the Totem Beast undergoes ecdysis every ten years. He only showed himself in the city because he is rather hot-tempered during this period. His strength would be significantly weaker during ecdysis," said Tang Zhong.
"Are you implying that he will be having his ecdysis soon?" Luo Mian was stunned.
"Absolutely."
"That's troublesome. This Zhu Meng knew how to pick the right time..."
"We think there's a traitor among us," said Heiyu in a soft voice.
It was too much of a coincidence. Zhu Meng had been demanding because he was well prepared.
It was most likely that the traitor had told Zhu Meng about the ecdysis.
"Tangyue, I want you to bring the Totem Beast away in advance, and find a safe place for him to finish his ecdysis," said Tang Zhong.
"Mm, got it," Tangyue nodded.
"I'll be responsible for their safety, then," said Heiyu.
Tang Zhong shook his head and said, "The Totem Beast is very s.e.n.s.i.t.i.v.e during this period. He will be hostile toward any Commander-level demon beast or Advanced Magicians within twenty li of him. Tang Zhong is the only person he will allow within this distance..."
Tang Zhong specifically glanced at Mo Fan and immediately saw his cultivation without asking. "This young Magician isn't Advanced Level yet, so it shouldn't be a problem for him."
"Him? How could we let an outsider be in charge of something so important? Besides, would an Intermediate Magician be any use to us? The Royal Guards that Zhu Meng brought are all experts." Heiyu immediately opposed the suggestion.
"Heiyu, you're wrong about that. This young Magician might actually be a great use to us," stated Tang Zhong.
Mo Fan, naturally, was utterly confused as he listened to the conversation.
Chapter 361 - Running Away with the Snake Boss
After leaving the meeting room, Mo Fan and Tangyue headed straight to the Three Pools Mirroring the Moon.
This time, Tangyue brought an extra black orb with her. Tang Zhong called it the Totem Orb, a special container to keep a Totem Beast in it.
The Totem Orb was extremely spacious inside. It was more than enough to provide the Skyscraping Snake with a temporary habitat.
The Totem Orb was, in fact, a type of Space Container, but most of them were not able to contain a living creature inside. The Totem Orb was modified with plenty of life energy, which was sufficient for the Skyscraping Snake to stay inside it.
If the life energy was depleted, the Totem Beast would be forced to come out from the orb. Otherwise, it would suffocate inside it.
Zhu Meng did not know a thing like the Totem Orb existed in this world. They were organizing people to annihilate the beast, and had most of their surveillance on Tang Zhong and the experts under him. Little did he know, Tang Zhong had already come up with a plan. Tangyue and Mo Fan would use the Totem Orb to move the Skyscraping Snake secretly!
If Zhu Meng was only planning to drive the Black Totem Snake away, things would not be so complicated, but the truth was, he was trying to eliminate the snake once and for all...
There was no way he would allow a beast that had a close bond with the city to live. Maybe it would return with a beast horde someday!
The weeds would have to be uprooted to fully kill them. Tang Zhong knew that Zhu Meng was trying to take advantage of the Totem Beast's ecdysis to kill it!
Therefore, he had to let Tangyue bring the Totem Beast away.
Once the ecdysis finished, Zhu Meng would not dare to touch the Totem Beast even if he were given ten sets of guts.
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"Big guy, that Zhu Meng is trying to harm you again. I'll bring you away now, somewhere safe where you can rest up… big guy, can you hear me?" Tangyue jumped to a spot on the Three Pools Mirroring the Moon and called out softly.
Mo Fan was waiting at the island. As a matter of fact, he was still a little bit scared of the Black Totem Snake.
The water began to bubble. The sight of it was enough to tell how enormous the surfacing thing was.
A shocking black shadow slowly surfaced from the silver lake under the illumination of the moonlight. Mo Fan could not believe that the small section of the lake was able to hold such a massive creature.
Could it be that the Three Pools Mirroring the Moon actually had a different space inside it?
The shadow became clearer and slowly rose from the water.
The giant snake head finally appeared. His scaly body was glowing slightly under the moonlight...
Tangyue wore a smile when she saw the Black Totem Snake. She did not show a single hint of fear. She even reached out her hand and fondled the Black Totem Snake's head.
The Black Totem Snake's head was the size of a big house. His flat nostrils were the size of a small cave, while his mouth was even bigger. His long tongue was terrifying enough to make someone wet their pants.
Tangyue was absolutely daring. She even jumped onto the Black Totem Snake's head and started talking to him.
The m.a.t.u.r.e, s.e.xy Miss Tangyue had turned into a cheerful little girl full of energy when the Black Totem Snake appeared.
"He's my student, a disobedient and bad student. His name is Mo Fan." Tangyue stood on the Black Totem Snake's head and pointed in Mo Fan's direction.
The Black Totem Snake turned slightly. His lantern-sized eyes stared right at Mo Fan as his tongue poked out in Mo Fan' direction. Its length was fairly stunning.
"Mo Fan, he seems to remember you!" Tangyue giggled when he saw Mo Fan retreating.
"Sis... nope, Madam, can we please get on with our business," Mo Fan answered with a long face.
"Relax, I have to communicate with him slowly. He's very s.e.n.s.i.t.i.v.e during this time. Even I have to spend some time communicating with him," said Tangyue.
"Ok, fine, go on," said Mo Fan.
------
The moonlight was bright as usual. The blue-silver glow shone upon the sacred lake, resulting in a spectacular scene that night.
Under the moonlight, a glamorous woman was sitting on a giant creature's head, her curly hair slightly disheveled. Her stunning physique was even more attractive under the moonlight. She was speaking softly, like a youth telling their elder about the things that had happened in their daily lives, while the later listened quietly.
The Skyscraping Snake was different from the one that had brought great fear to the people. He was only revealing half of his giant head in front of Tangyue. When Tangyue paused, his lantern eyes would roll upward slightly, as if he were waiting for her to continue the tale...
Mo Fan was astounded by the sight in front of him and could somehow imagine the picture of Tangyue chatting happily with the Skyscraping Snake when she was still little!
Growing up accompanied by such an extraordinary elder would surely drive away the loneliness and fear of a little girl who had lost her father.
"Alright, he agreed," Tangyue yelled at Mo Fan with a peaceful gesture.
"Sister Fahai, please capture the creature at once," prayed Mo Fan.
Tangyue could not hear Mo Fan's mumbling properly. She proceeded to direct the Black Totem Snake into the Totem Orb.
The Totem Orb was already filled with the presence of a Totem Beast, so the Skyscraping Snake did not reject it. However, Mo Fan was fairly interested to see how such a gigantic creature was going to enter the tiny orb...
Speaking of which, the Skyscraping Snake was not as huge as he used to be when they first met. Why was that?
"It shrinks during the ecdysis," explained Tangyue to Mo Fan.
"Oh, so will it turn into a little snake?" he asked, mainly because he was still unable to accept the Skyscraping Snake's unbelievable size. Even the Xuanwu Giant Lizard would be extremely tiny standing in front of the Black Totem Snake, let alone the Centipede!
"Possibly!"
"I can't even imagine it. Forget it, hurry up and capture him, so we can get the hell out of here," urged Mo Fan.
Huh, so I'm running away with a girl again?
But, seems like it's way more exciting this time, not because he was bringing a woman instead of a little girl, but rather because he was escorting a skyscraping Snake Boss!
Should he change the background music to The Beautiful Scenery of West Lake , or A Day in March ?
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{TL Note: These are soundtracks from the TV Series "New Legend of Madame White Snake"
The Beautiful Scenery of West Lake: https://www.bilibili.com/video/av20624408/
A Day in March: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGtWjf9mRp0 }
Chapter 362 - Outstanding Sense
"Hello, Xinxia, your brother I will be going away for some time. Please take care of yourself..." Mo Fan gave Xinxia a call after Tangyue had finished convincing the Snake Boss.
"Alright, you should take care, too." Xinxia's tone had with a hint of worry.
"Don't worry… are you at your apartment? Why is it so noisy in the background?" Mo Fan asked when he heard some girls' panicked voice from the other end.
"I'm at the student lodge. Some students had contracted a strange disease. I'm healing them. However, the Healing Magic seems to be ineffective against the disease. There have been quite a number of students falling sick to the disease recently. Furthermore, the school is quarantining the patients, too," said Xinxia.
Xinxia was a student of the School of Healing, thus she would occasionally help the school out when required.
"Do be careful, a strange disease like that is always contagious," advised Mo Fan.
"Mm!"
After hanging up the call, Mo Fan realized that Tangyue had already stored the Skyscraping Snake inside the Totem Orb. The Totem Orb initially had a blue-yellow glow, but it now had turned blue-black in color. He could faintly see something wriggling inside the orb.
"It actually fits?" Mo Fan glanced at the Totem Orb curiously and rolled it between his fingers.
"Now isn't the time to play, we have to get out of here. Zhu Meng's people will seal this place off soon," said Tangyue.
Mo Fan nodded. They left the island with the boat, and headed straight to the west of Hangzhou City.
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Tangyue had already come up with an escape path. She was planning to bring the Skyscraping Snake to a place called the White Town, close to the boundary of the safe zone.
The White Town was far to the west of Hangzhou. It was a fair distance away from the city. The White Mountain close to White City had a concealed cave. Only the head of the tribe of the Totem Guardians protecting the Totem Beast knew about the cave, as it was used as the last resort to protect the Totem Beast.
