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Join the ServerThe torchlight drew nearer, and Gern, concealed within the shadows, gradually discerned the approaching figures.
Leading them was a towering black Serpentman, whose remarkably muscular physique clearly indicated he was not to be trifled with.
The aura he exuded undoubtedly marked him as a peak Second-tier cultivator, on the verge of ascending to the ranks of Third-tier Knights.
Behind this Serpentman stood another, whose appearance was remarkably human-like. His attire starkly contrasted with that of the surrounding Serpentman soldiers.
When Gern caught sight of the man’s clothing, his expression stiffened slightly.
The style of the man’s garments was unmistakably Theoviga Academy’s student uniform, specifically, that of a second-year student.
The aura he emitted indicated he had reached Fourth-tier strength, a level of power that made him a standout within the academy.
A student from Theoviga Academy, not attending classes, but here in this beastman tribe? What were they doing?
Gern narrowed his eyes, sensing something amiss. He decided to remain still, quietly observing their next move.
The group dispersed, calling out to each tent. If no response came from within, they would forcefully enter.
Inside the tent of the family Gern had just visited, the middle-aged Serpentwoman looked anxious, urging repeatedly.
“Quickly, they’re here! Hurry!”
In the center of the tent floor, a crude wooden trapdoor lay open. A group of young Serpentmen, one after another, descended into the dark opening.
Just as the last Serpentman was about to escape into the hidden room, the tent was abruptly thrown open by a group of people, who witnessed the scene unfold.
“Guards! They’re hiding males here!”
In an instant, dozens of soldiers surrounded the tent. The Serpentman leader glanced at the student beside him.
The academy student, as if understanding implicitly, stepped forward and spoke.
“Madam, you truly have a lot of nerve.”
The man smiled outwardly, yet his cold, vertical pupils betrayed the murderous intent in his heart.
“I recall the kingdom’s law states that harboring Serpentmen is punishable by decapitation.”
The Serpentwoman trembled, her voice quavering.
“But… we no longer have any males over forty in our family.”
“Didn’t you visit a few days ago? My husband and eldest son were both taken.”
“Only I and my children are left at home. I beg you… please spare my children and me.”
Who would have thought the Serpentwoman’s pleas would not only fail to stir the man’s compassion, but instead intensify his cruelty.
He seized the Serpentwoman by the collar, his gaze burning.
“You dare to speak of it! Your husband and eldest son deserted the army. Now, your family must provide two more to compensate.”
In that moment, something shattered within the Serpentwoman’s heart. The fate of army deserters was already self-evident.
The man’s words were like cold blades, tearing open the Serpentwoman’s heart once more.
“Oh, right, I forgot to tell you. Any male aged ten or above is now required to enlist in the army. I believe you have several in your household, don’t you?”
“Men, search the place!”
These words were the final straw. The Serpentwoman’s eyes completely lost their luster, leaving her an empty shell.
The Serpentmen who had just entered the hidden passage were all brought out. The children’s faces were streaked with tears, weeping sorrowfully.
The leader scrutinized the Serpentmen, then nodded in satisfaction.
“Take them all!”
“Mother!”
“Mother!”
These young Serpentmen were dragged away by the soldiers, their faces already soaked with tears.
“My children! My children! They’re not even ten years old!”
Tears streamed down the Serpentwoman’s cheeks. She tried to reach for her children, but the soldiers blocked her path.
Just then, the student in Theoviga Academy uniform stepped forward and spat on the Serpentwoman’s face.
“I call the shots here! Take them all away!”
“I… I’ll fight you all!”
The Serpentwoman, her eyes red-rimmed, roared at the adults, but she was struck down by several burly Serpentmen with a single blow.
The Serpentwoman convulsed, unable to rise, her tears pooling on the ground.
All of this unfolded before Gern’s eyes. His fists clenched tightly, for his own parents had once been soldiers, and he felt a profound resonance with the situation.
Yet, he could not intervene. This was, after all, their territory, and no matter how strong he was, he was still just one person.
In that moment, Gern once again felt his powerlessness. He simply watched from the side, his heart already consumed by raging fury.
****
After everyone had departed, Gern slowly revealed himself, approaching the Serpentwoman.
The Serpentwoman struggled to lift her head, her serpentine eyes filled with a bloodthirsty glint.
“Why are you still here?!”
The Serpentwoman’s aura erupted, but the poor woman hadn’t even reached the threshold of a First-tier Knight, possessing only the primal instincts of her Serpentman race.
Gern sighed helplessly. He now understood why the locals held such disdain for the academy’s people.
If he were in their shoes, he would undoubtedly resent the academy’s faction as well.
“Sister-in-law, please calm down. Let me examine your injuries first.”
“No! Don’t come closer!”
The Serpentwoman’s heartbroken cries did not deter Gern. He quickly examined her with his battle aura and gasped sharply.
Those Serpentmen had truly struck with brutal force. Her internal organs were damaged; if they had been any harsher, she would have died here.
Witnessing this, Gern’s fury intensified. He now genuinely harbored thoughts of devouring them whole.
Without a moment’s hesitation, he immediately produced a healing scroll and pressed it against the Serpentwoman’s wounds.
The Serpentwoman stared, momentarily stunned. A healing scroll! In their lands, such an item was incredibly precious.
Instantly, all hostility the Serpentwoman felt towards Gern vanished. They were merely strangers who had met by chance, yet he was willing to use such a precious item on her.
‘How could such a person be evil?’ she thought.
She wept even harder, murmuring.
“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry, sister-in-law misunderstood you.”
Gern waved his hand dismissively. After seeing her wounds gradually heal, he finally spoke.
“Sister-in-law, rest assured. I will bring your children back for you. Consider it payment for the bowl of water you offered me.”
Gern did not wait for the Serpentwoman’s reply. He vanished instantly into the darkness, leaving the Serpentwoman alone, disoriented in the wind.
Tears slowly trickled from the corners of her eyes. Towards the direction Gern had disappeared, she bowed deeply, touching her forehead to the ground.
A trickle of blood even emerged from her forehead, only to swiftly heal back to normal under the lingering effects of the healing scroll.
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Read : I Want To Bite You
