Chapter 246: A Winged Serpent's Woes
Orochicanda and his subordinates stood in an area within the sect before a number of individuals who wore a mixture of expressions. If he were honest with himself he did not feel much for most of those people or their thoughts. Regardless, he would do his best to keep his subordinates under control before they became too unruly. But there were a few things that startled him so badly that he almost regretted returning to the sect with so many demonic beasts instead of coming alone.
"Oh I remember you. Aren't you my future son-in-law Elton's con—"
"Friend! Yes, me and Sect Master Solman are indeed great friends who have gone through life and death together, hence why I've come with these thoughts in mind!"
Orochicanda was in a great panic as he spoke to the man before him, none other than Jonovan Hucklebare, father of Christy. Standing beside him was his wife Christina, who greatly resembled Christy and placed an intense mental strain on Orochicanda. Although he had regained his strength and perhaps surpassed his past self, he still felt as though he could not defeat this man for some reason.
The other eight demonic beasts looked on with various attitudes that were far from proper behavior, but there was little he could do about that.
"Ah, fellow Daoist Jonovan. And my other fellow Daoists. What's going on here, if you don't mind me asking?"
"Oh, fellow Daoist Bolland! Son-in-law's friend wanted to establish an alliance with an army of demonic beasts he rules over."
"Friend? Him?"
Orochicanda felt an even bigger headache upon seeing this man. Although Bolland was not as imposing as Jonovan, Orochicanda's instincts screamed that he possessed many powerful methods. He even had the faint illusion of being burned by corrosive flaming ki when he met the man's gaze.
He took a small breath and nodded. "Yes, Sect Master Solman has been my friend since we arrived on the Desert Red Star continent from the Whispering Expanse together."
Everyone nodded, acknowledging this as fact, when a family of four suddenly appeared.
"Aiyaaah! Ororochi, you've come back? And with a group of demonic beast friends?" a beautiful, excited voice called. It was Shayleaf.
"Oooh! I remember him! Orocandichi? Orochocan? Something like that? Good to see ya again!" Jewleaf declared with equal excitement.
"Oi! Watch how you speak to our leader, you da—"
A large, stone-bodied demonic beast bellowed before Orochicanda shot over and clamped a glowing hand over the beast's mouth.
"Will you please behave yourself?" Orochicanda muttered through gritted teeth before returning to his spot. "Ah, it's Orochicanda. It's good to see you again as well. You were helpful to me in the past so—"
Before he could finish, he felt a sharp gaze burning into him.
"Hmm, milord… do you know that woman right there? What is your relationship to her?" Raptalia asked with a smile that did not reach her eyes.
"Huh?" Orochicanda froze at the absurdity of the question. At that moment Shayleaf's three familiars, Prawna, Corvin, and Cromlin, stepped in front of her.
"Ooi! Are you people planning to attack our mistress?" Cromlin asked with a disgusted look.
"To dare even look at our mistress the wrong way is a sin, ya hear?!" Corvin snapped.
"Huhuhu looks like we've got a couple of idiots who want to meet their makers," the bat-like demonic beast said as his body began to shift toward his true form.
"W-Wait, what are you—" Orochicanda started before being cut off once more.
"Milord, who is she to you?" Raptalia asked again, her killing intent quietly rising.
Prawna stepped forward with a sincere gesture. "Hmm, there's nothing to worry about with him and the Mistress. I never expected Sir Orochicanda to suddenly be so popular."
Despite her calm tone, her very full and ample curves immediately stole the attention of most men and even some women present, causing gasps and gulps all around.
"..."
"Oh great King Orochi… who is that woman? It's strange but she is definitely a demonic beast, yet she feels different. King Orochi, who is that woman? Who is that woman?" the butterfly-winged woman repeated with a cheerful voice and cold, murderous eyes.
"As expected, it seems we should assert dominance early. Don't you think so, milord?" Raptalia said with a chilling smile.
Naturally the other demonic beasts got riled up, their killing intent pouring out.
"You idiots! what are you doing?!" Orochicanda yelled in horror as his face paled.
The people of the sect present also grew serious as their own intent surged. Jonovan drew his sword with a daring grin. Bolland's hands burned with faint liquid-like white flames. Jewleaf, Shirleaf, and Shearleaf all made preparations of their own.
"Ehhh? What's happening? Ororochi, why are your friends so mad?" Shayleaf asked with an innocent tilt of her head.
"Oh I will show you exactly what there is to be mad about," Raptalia muttered as energy swirled around her claws.
At that moment three tremendous auras crashed down on the area, filled with vast killing intent. The demonic beasts were the primary targets. All the Golden Lord demonic beasts nearly collapsed under the pressure. The two Mortal Lord demonic beasts, Raptalia and another silent one whose humanoid form resembled a horned demon despite clearly being a beast, both trembled in pain beneath the immense pressure.
Orochicanda fared the best among them, yet he still paled and found himself completely lost on what to do.
"Alright guys, that's enough okaaay? Everyone has cooled down already, I hope. Mmm since Sister Eri and Sister Chrissy aren't available, and Brother Elly and Brother Zoro aren't available either, I guess I'll decide. Since Ororochi has asked, then I will accept the alliance on everyone's behalf. Welcome, new friends of Ororochiiii!" Shayleaf said excitedly as she spread her arms.
While Orochicanda felt a massive weight lift from his shoulders, he also came to a horrifying conclusion or rather, confirmed what he had already suspected. That cheerful female fanged elf was no less terrifying than the others. And now that he finally sensed her cultivation level clearly…
"Apex Mortal Lord?" Raptalia whispered with a tremor in her voice.
Orochicanda quickly held his composure to save face for his people as he spoke loudly and proudly. "Hahaha! Such great power from our new allies! My subordinates simply became too eager and overprotective, but they mean no harm. I am certain Sect Master Solman would understand my plight, and I'm sure you do as well, Arch Guardian Shayleaf, even if we did start off on the wrong foot. The past is the past! I thank you for showing my subordinates that we truly are aligning ourselves with capable people!"
The expressions around him ranged from disbelief to amusement to relief.
"Wow, King Orochi is so magnificent!" the butterfly-winged woman cheered with sparkling eyes.
The other demonic beasts quickly joined in, cheering proudly.
"...Is this really alright?" Shirleaf quietly muttered.
"Just let it be, big sis. I'm certain Sister Chrissy would plan something even further if she were here," Shayleaf said with a bright smile and a sharp glint in her eye.
Shirleaf stiffened slightly, unsure if she imagined it. Jewleaf and Shearleaf remained blissfully unaware, taking the moment in stride.