Chapter 134: Infiltrating the Palace Once More

After a whirlwind of disorientation, light returned to Lu Zhe’s vision.

He stumbled out of the wooden pillar, feeling dizzy and lightheaded, his body swaying as if he were performing a drunken boxing routine. Old Ye stepped forward and steadied him, tapping a few points on his body. Instantly, Lu Zhe’s vision cleared, and the dizziness vanished.

Old Ye waved his hand, and the wooden pillar rotated and burrowed back into the ground, leaving a large pit behind. Lu Zhe sat on the ground for a moment to steady his head before rising to survey his surroundings. He and Old Ye were in a secluded, quiet corner; it was dark and damp, and from the outside, it was well-hidden. It seemed Old Ye had chosen a decent spot.

Once he had assessed the area, Lu Zhe turned to Old Ye and asked, "Master, what are we doing here now?"

Old Ye looked around as well and replied, "I don’t know. Let’s look around first and see."

Lu Zhe gave him a helpless look. "We don't even know why we're here? Are we just bored and looking for trouble?"

Old Ye squinted at him, reached out with his left hand, and flicked Lu Zhe on the forehead. "Why are you shouting so loudly? I think you’re the one looking for trouble. Do you want to attract the Snake-People?"

The flick seemed casual, but it carried significant force. Lu Zhe frantically rubbed his head, tears welling in his eyes as a painful, red, swollen bump began to rise on his forehead.

"Master, that was a bit too harsh, wasn't it? I am your disciple, after all," Lu Zhe said pitifully, tears brimming in his eyes.

Old Ye gave a soft hum, showing no sign of remorse.

Watching him, Lu Zhe sighed and stepped forward, intending to scout the area. He hadn't gone far when he heard Old Ye hiss in a whisper, "Careful." Before Lu Zhe could even turn around, Old Ye lunged, pinning him to the ground.

Pinned beneath his master, Lu Zhe started to call out, but Old Ye whispered, "Quiet. Someone is coming."

Lu Zhe froze, not daring to draw a full breath.

Moments after being tackled, Lu Zhe clearly heard footsteps approaching, followed by a man's voice. "Captain, did you hear something just now?"

Another voice replied, "Is that so? What kind of sound? I didn't hear anything."

"That’s strange. Could I have been mistaken?"

Suddenly, a third voice cut in. "You’re always so nervous. Relax! This is our Snake-Person tribe’s city. Our Queen has returned, and her reputation is known to all. Who would dare to harass us? Don't be so tense. Come, let’s go have a drink."

The footsteps faded into the distance.

Lu Zhe exhaled in relief. Old Ye stood up and pulled him to his feet. As Lu Zhe brushed the dirt off his clothes, he heard Old Ye mutter, "The Queen? The Snake-Person Queen is in the city?"

Lu Zhe chuckled, saying matter-of-factly, "Is it strange for the Snake-Person Queen to be in the Snake-Person tribe? It’s her home; isn't it natural for her to be here?"

He had barely finished speaking when he saw a fierce glint in Old Ye’s eyes. Terrified, Lu Zhe promptly shut his mouth.

Old Ye glared at him and whispered, "Do I need you to teach me?" He fell into deep thought, murmuring to himself, "Logically, the Snake-Person Queen should have gone to pay respects to that old monster by now. Why is she still in the city? Things seem suspicious."

Lu Zhe stood by, completely baffled by the talk of queens and old monsters. Finally, his impatience got the better of him. "Master, what are you talking about? What Snake-Person Queen? What old monster?"

Old Ye looked at him and, after a moment of silence, asked, "Zhe’er, do you remember the palace you visited last time?"

Lu Zhe nodded. "Of course. Even a blind man couldn't miss such a magnificent palace." He pointed in a specific direction. "It's that one."

Old Ye followed his gaze to the grand, golden palace. After staring at it for a while, he nudged Lu Zhe. "Interested in going back in with me?"

Lu Zhe scratched his head, stunned. "Go back in? Why? The security there is extremely tight. Even with the Medicine Elder’s caution last time, we were discovered. Their formations are incredibly powerful; we barely escaped with our lives."

"What are you afraid of? You have the miracle medicine protecting you now. Are you still afraid of a few Snake-People?" Old Ye coaxed.

Lu Zhe shook his head firmly. "That’s not it. Getting the medicine was mostly down to luck, and if we hadn't had the maps, the Medicine Elder and I never would have found it. I made enemies of them, and they definitely remember me. If I go back, I don't know if I'll make it out alive."

Old Ye puffed out his chest. "What's there to fear? I'm here."

Lu Zhe looked at him skeptically. "You're here? Just don't go disappearing on me."

Old Ye waved his hand dismissively. "I wouldn't! Am I that kind of person?" He chuckled.

Lu Zhe stared at him, then muttered, "There’s definitely something wrong." He shook his head firmly. "I am absolutely not going."

"Oh?" Old Ye looked frustrated. "Why? I told you I'd look after you. Are you afraid they'll swallow you whole?"

Lu Zhe nodded solemnly. "Yes, exactly. I'm afraid they'll swallow me whole."

"Go, come on, let's go," Old Ye pleaded like a child.

"Absolutely not!" No matter how much Old Ye tried to persuade him, Lu Zhe remained unmoved.

Seeing this, Old Ye’s eyes darted around, a plan forming. He leaned in and whispered, "If you don't go, I'll cause a scene right here. With my strength, no one here can stop me. But what about you? Can you handle it? Once I leave, can you escape this city full of experts on your own? Even with your medicine, your spiritual power is limited. Once it runs out, well... the methods of the Snake-People are truly gruesome."

Lu Zhe felt his hair stand on end. He looked at Old Ye, who stood there calmly waiting for an answer. After a moment of internal struggle, Lu Zhe gritted his teeth. "You’re ruthless."

Old Ye smiled. "A small mind makes not a gentleman; a heart without venom makes not a man. You still have much to learn, kid."

Lu Zhe sighed. "My bad luck to have fallen into your trap." He waved his hand. "Let’s go."

Old Ye nodded in satisfaction. "That’s my disciple." They headed toward the grand, golden palace.

They moved stealthily through the bustling streets. When he had infiltrated with the Medicine Elder before, it was the middle of the night in winter, and the streets were empty. But now, in the summer, the Snake-People—who couldn't stand the sweltering heat of their homes—were out in droves, making the city as lively as the day. This made their infiltration much harder.

Hiding in the corner of a building, Lu Zhe watched the crowd. "The Snake-People’s night market is quite lively, isn't it?"

Old Ye tapped his head. "Enough. Stop with the commentary and lead the way."

Lu Zhe nodded, and they vanished into the shadows. They managed to bypass the crowds and the patrols, reaching the base of the palace.

Lu Zhe looked up at the magnificent structure. "No matter how many times I see it, it’s still a masterpiece of craftsmanship."

"Let's go," Old Ye urged.

Instead of the front gate, they circled to the back. After Old Ye effortlessly neutralized the guards, he took two grappling hooks from his storage ring and tossed them up. He handed one rope to Lu Zhe. "We climb."

Lu Zhe looked up to see the hook snagged on a second-story window. Taking a deep breath, he gripped the rope and climbed silently alongside Old Ye.

After a strenuous climb, they reached the window, hauled themselves up, and tumbled inside.

As soon as his feet hit the floor, Lu Zhe slipped, stumbling before barely catching his balance. He looked around and was shocked. The room was spacious and luxurious, but the layout was strange. It was filled with a fragrant scent, and in the center of the room was a large pool of water. Beside the pool stood a wooden rack draped with pink clothes and silk scarves. There were no beds or tables—it was clearly not a typical sleeping chamber.

Just as they were pondering this, sounds of laughter drifted from outside the door. Lu Zhe and Old Ye exchanged a look. Old Ye pointed to the ceiling, where the beams formed a lattice. They leaped up and hid in the rafters.

Moments later, several female Snake-People entered. After laughing and playing for a while, they began to undress, slipped into the pool, and started splashing one another.

The sight was breathtaking, and both Lu Zhe and Old Ye were treated to quite a view. Lu Zhe’s face turned as red as a ripe tomato; he quickly turned his head away, cursing his luck. How had they ended up in a women’s bathhouse?

Soon after he closed his eyes, a sharp, angry voice echoed from below: "Who are you two?"

Lu Zhe started, looking down to see the women now covered by silk scarves, their eyes glowing with murderous intent as they stared at him and Old Ye.

Lu Zhe sighed internally. *Great. Not only did we break into a bathhouse, but we were caught. If this gets out, I’ll be labeled a shameless peeping tom.*

Old Ye leaped down from the rafters, staring intensely at the bewitching women. The women stared back, neither side saying a word.

The atmosphere was thick with tension.

*It’s over. A fight is inevitable. Why am I so unlucky?* Lu Zhe thought, bracing himself for the inevitable clash.