Let's rewind a bit—back to when Wa-zhu first met Emiya Shirou.
It was his first time seeing a being with a human head and serpent body—not a serpent-shaped Dead Apostle, but a true member of such a species.
It wasn't that Emiya had any prejudice. It was just that, having played The Legend of Sword and Fairy in his previous life, the name "Wa-zhu" instantly made him think of the Nuwa Clan—the descendants of the goddess Nuwa from myth, who inherited her divine power and vowed to protect humanity.
Come to think of it, by this point in time, the original game version of The Legend of Sword and Fairy should have already been released...
Wa-zhu noticed him zoning out and teased, "We Zhou folks rarely host outsiders so generously. Most people either faint in terror when they see my tail, or scream like they've stumbled into a demon's den. But you? Calm as ever, like you don't even notice it."
"Ah, sorry, sorry—I was spacing out. I randomly thought of Nuwa…"
He couldn't exactly say: Wow, Wa-zhu, you look just like a character from a famous game franchise! That series will blow up in the future with comics, novels, movies—you name it. And the heroines with serpent-like bodies, like Zixuan and Zhao Ling'er, will become dream girls for half of China...
"Hmm hmm hmm. Do you know of Nuwa?" Wa-zhu recited in a melodic tone, "From Leize was born a daughter of the emperor. Yin energy flourished and brought forth all creation!" Then she quoted a piece of ancient mythology: According to the Classic of Mountains and Seas, in the Thunder Marsh lived a thunder god—human head, dragon body. A goddess named Huaxu entered his domain and, after stepping in his footprints, miraculously conceived the divine twins: Fuxi and Nuwa.
She then explained that the Zhou family's serpent-blooded line descended from that ancient heritage. Their human-headed serpent forms were passed down across generations, making up the Nuwa Clan. Each family head took the title of "Wa-zhu," and only those with serpent traits were eligible to inherit it...
As she spoke, she noticed Emiya's face light up in understanding.
This brat... what are you understanding so easily? How do you know this stuff...?
Her cheeks puffed out slightly with mild indignation.
"I must say, you have quite a lot of strange little secrets..."
Wa-zhu had become interested in Emiya after he talked about his concepts of magical circuits and refining life energy. That's why she sent Zhou Yuxuan to test him—though she hadn't expected the whole Dead Apostle ambush. But then Emiya bypassed the spirit test and drew the Dragon Severing Platform directly—what a series of unexpected twists.
Given that, it seemed his so-called training as a magus was probably real...
Wa-zhu's heart burned with excitement. The ability to gather the world's energy, refine it, and draw it into oneself… If it could be replicated, it might signal the start of a new era.
An era of cultivators.
The old bloodlines and mixed-race traditions would be swept away, history rewritten. The world would enter a new age—and the Zhou family would rise as a leading force of this revolution.
She quickly did some mental calculations and formed a plan.
At that moment, Emiya was about to bring up the aftermath of the Dead Apostle incident: "...Anyway, have there been any updates on that attack? The meeting you arranged with me was supposed to be private. Those people who delivered the Dead Apostles—was it just a coincidence?"
"A coincidence? You could say that... or not." Wa-zhu covered half her face with a folding fan, her words cryptic.
"Few people knew about Zhou Yuxuan meeting you. But another incident had already drawn the attention of several clans."
Emiya suddenly remembered. "The Three Kings Tomb! That site had multiple families involved! Someone must've planned this—they sent Dead Apostles in advance to the ruins. Their goal was—"
"The tomb was developed under my Zhou family's lead," Wa-zhu said coldly. "No matter what happens, blame falls on us."
"Exactly…" Emiya narrowed his eyes toward Wa-zhu's sinuous tail. The attackers had all been serpent-shaped Dead Apostles. In this region of China, that could only be seen as a deliberate frame job against the Zhou family.
Noticing his stare, Wa-zhu smiled and wiggled her serpentine lower half. "It should be about time Zhou Yuxuan wakes up. Come with me to visit him."
"Sure. With Old Tang taking care of him, he should be fine—uh, Wa-zhu, what are you doing?"
She extended her arms toward him.
"Carry me."
"Wait, isn't that a bit...?"
Wa-zhu pointed down. Only then did Emiya realize her lower half had been resting entirely on a raised platform, not touching the floor at all. Her long Tang-style skirt had also been tucked away.
"You see it now? If you don't carry me, I'll have to slither on the ground. That'll dirty my clothes and tail."
Unaware that Wa-zhu usually traveled in a palanquin, Emiya sighed and let her climb onto his back. As he walked, he couldn't help but feel uncomfortable at the way her body coiled around his waist.
After visiting Zhou Yuxuan, Wa-zhu refused to dismount. Still draped over Emiya, she cheerfully waved her delicate hand. "Since you're already carrying me, how about one more ride? I'll take you somewhere special!"
By now, Emiya had somewhat gotten used to the sensation. With a resigned, good-natured tone, he replied, "Alright, alright. So where are you taking me, Wa-zhu-dono?"
She didn't answer. Instead, she looked at him with a sly, knowing smile.
Soon, Emiya noticed the ground sloping downward. He was walking along a stone path, descending. But eventually, the terrain opened up again. Does Xiangyang have a place like this?
Lanterns lit the way through a cluster of underground palaces. Far from resembling the netherworld, these structures rivaled the grandeur of the Tang Dynasty cities above. Dragon and phoenix carvings adorned doorframes and columns. Lotus, vinework, and traditional mountain-and-river paintings appeared every few steps. The roofs gleamed with multicolored glazed tiles.
Emiya clicked his tongue in admiration. So this is how the old-money families show their worth. For a clan as ancient as the Zhous, even a loose brick must be a priceless antique.
Still... what kind of place was this?
Wa-zhu finally explained: "This is where the elders live."
As Emiya entered the main hall with her on his back, he saw rows of aged faces reading newspapers under candlelight.
At the sound of her soft cough, the elders looked up. Dozens of golden, slit-pupiled eyes first glanced at Wa-zhu, then turned to Emiya.
"Who is this?"
The tone was casual, not accusatory. Clearly, they didn't care about the number of outsiders the Zhou family interacted with.
Then Wa-zhu suddenly wrapped her arms around Emiya's neck and declared mischievously:
"My chosen husband."
In that instant, more than a dozen golden pupils gleamed sharply.
Every piercing gaze focused squarely on Emiya.
He looked around, stunned.
Wait... are we seriously starting the son-in-law plot now!?
(End of Chapter)
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