"This batch of blood was actually mixed with the blood of Lingzhua Plague Rats. Don't let me find out who did this…"
Zhu Meng's furious voice echoed through the conference hall. His sharp gaze swept across every mage present before locking on Luo Mian.
The truth hit him like a hammer—if the epidemic wasn't caused by the Black Snake, then Luo Mian had made a fool of him all along!
Luo Mian kept his head low, his entire body trembling. Cold sweat rolled down his temples.
He had placed his most trusted men in charge of this operation, yet everything had been exposed.
If Zhu Meng found out that he was the one behind the scheme, his career—and life—would be over.
Zhu Meng's expression darkened further as he turned to Mu Nianbing. "You were the one who found this blood potion. Do you know anything else about it?"
His tone was harsh, laced with anger and distrust. After all, Mu Nianbing had secretly taken Tang Yue and the Black Snake out of the city the previous night.
Mu Nianbing stepped forward calmly, producing a folder from his space ring. "Councillor Zhu Meng, please take a look at this."
The moment Luo Mian saw the document, his nerves snapped tight.
Panic flashed across his face. He instinctively wanted to flee, but the room was filled with high-level mages—many stronger than him. There was no escape.
Zhu Meng took the file and began flipping through it.
Barely half a minute later—
"Bang!!!"
The entire conference table shook as Zhu Meng slammed his palm down, his eyes blazing with fury.
He stormed toward Luo Mian, grabbed him by the collar, and snarled, "You used tainted blood potions to make money?! Scum like you deserves to be torn to pieces!"
Luo Mian's voice trembled. "Please… spare me! I won't dare to do it again!"
Zhu Meng's grip tightened around his throat, his killing intent palpable.
The realization that he'd been used as a pawn made his blood boil. Still, after a long moment, he forced himself to let go.
"Take him away!" he barked to the guards. "Interrogate him and record everything!"
Two armored mages immediately restrained Luo Mian and dragged him out of the hall.
Once the uproar died down, Zhu Meng turned back to Mu Nianbing. His tone had shifted—no longer hostile, but filled with a rare respect.
"If you hadn't investigated this so quickly, I would've made a grave mistake," he admitted.
The young mage's calm composure, sharp mind, and strength were all deeply impressive. Zhu Meng even began to consider recruiting him into the Magic Court.
"Thank you, Councillor Zhu Meng," Mu Nianbing replied politely. "It was my duty."
"When the epidemic is fully resolved, I'll see to it you're properly rewarded," Zhu Meng said, then added, "But first, we need an antidote."
Leng Qing, who had been quietly reviewing the report, stepped forward.
"We've found one. The herb Eagle Red Grass grows in the Xiling region. It can counter the plague's poison."
"Good." Zhu Meng nodded decisively. "I'll personally lead the army to gather it."
But Mu Nianbing raised a hand to stop him. "Councilor, Xiling is the territory of the White Magic Eagles. If we move a large army, it will provoke them.
It's safer to send a small elite unit equipped with hybrid Sky Eagles—they can move faster and won't be detected easily."
Zhu Meng pondered this, then nodded. "You're right. Make the arrangements."
Since the real culprit had been found, the Black Snake was officially cleared of suspicion.
Mu Nianbing immediately sent a message to Tang Yue, asking her to escort the Black Snake back to the city.
He also requested the remaining tainted blood potions from Zhu Meng, who—still angry about the scandal—handed them over without hesitation.
When Tang Yue returned with the Black Snake, Mu Nianbing fed the blood potions to it one by one.
Though poisonous to others, the toxins were pure nourishment for the serpent—the ancestor of all poisons.
Soon, the Black Snake entered its molting phase. When it emerged, its aura surged, returning to Supreme Monarch level.
Just then, Mu Nianbing received an urgent message from Leng Qing: "The Western Fortress is under attack by the White Magic Eagle Legion!"
Mu Nianbing's expression hardened.
Though Zhu Meng's men had gathered the Eagle Red Grass, it would take time to create an antidote.
And now, the enemy was striking at their weakest moment.
"Perfect timing," Mu Nianbing murmured. "Let's show them the true guardian of Hangzhou."
The Black Snake lifted its massive head, hissing softly as if in agreement.
Their bond had grown stronger than ever since the molting—almost on par with the trust he shared with Tang Yue.
Without hesitation, Mu Nianbing leapt onto the serpent's head. The two soared toward the Western Fortress.
The skies above the fortress were a storm of feathers and screams.
Thousands of White Magic Eagles blotted out the sun, their formation stretching like a colossal, living cloud.
Among them circled several Four-Clawed Eagles, commander-level beasts, led by the terrifying Lord of the Silver Dome.
Zhu Meng and a team of super-level mages were already locked in fierce combat with the Silver Dome Lord.
But the tide was turning against them—many had sustained serious injuries.
Suddenly, a deafening hiss split the air.
A colossal black figure burst through the clouds, spewing a massive wave of poisonous mist.
The venom spread rapidly, corroding the very air. Within seconds, several Four-Clawed Eagles screamed and plummeted from the sky—instantly killed.
"The Black Snake… it's helping us?!" Zhu Meng stared in disbelief.
He had never trusted the serpent, even after the truth was revealed. Yet now, the so-called "menace of Hangzhou" had arrived to save them.
Could it really be, as Tang Zhong and others said… that the Black Snake was the city's true guardian?
Before Zhu Meng could dwell on it, a dazzling chill filled the air.
A crystal-blue dragon formed from pure ice energy roared across the battlefield, striking the Silver Dome Lord head-on.
Everyone turned toward its source—Mu Nianbing stood proudly atop the Black Snake's head, frost and wind swirling around him.
"This kid's strength…" Zhu Meng muttered, eyes wide with astonishment. "He's actually hurting the Silver Dome Lord?!"
Moments later, the Black Snake unleashed another devastating strike, and the Silver Dome Lord—gravely wounded—screeched before fleeing with the remnants of its legion.
The skies over the Western Fortress finally cleared.
And from that day forward, the legend spread—
The Black Snake was not a curse upon Hangzhou, but its true guardian.
...
Author's Note:
Versatile Mage: Heir of the Frozen Throne — Part 1 is now fully completed and available on my Patreon!
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1.Dragon Ball: Oolong's Sex Adventure
2. Elements of Lust – ATLA & Korra Mixed Smut
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5. High School DxD: Rias Gremory, the Phenex Bride
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