The bard fantasized again.

Chapter 189 I've Come to Pick Up the Zhang Family

Chapter 189 I've Come to Take You Home (6k1w)

In the dark and cramped prison, only a few scattered lights flickered.

A low growl raged in my ears.

Anbi covered her trembling, snow-white ears and curled up in the corner of the cell.

Faintly, she seemed to hear a mournful wolf howl.

It seemed to transform into a call, clinging to her ear, repeating its low, murmuring murmurs:
"Monster, monster, monster..."

"no no--"

She resisted that violence, even though the veins on the back of her hands were covered by dense, snow-white hair.

“Anbi must stay with her sister; Anbi cannot become a monster.”

She feared becoming a beast, feared losing her family, and even more feared hurting them.

But the unease brought about by fear itself became a catalyst for catalyzing animalistic instincts.

She felt her face growing hair and becoming distorted.

She began to crave food and blood.

Saliva was dripping from the corners of her mouth; she was about to lose control.

She wanted to tear something apart.

Until it comes to choosing one's own family—

"No, no!"

"Child, this is just a nightmare, nothing more."

Anbi felt a warmth envelop her.

She remembers that feeling.

That was my sister's embrace.

This startled her awake, and she saw clearly the face that had embraced her—

A werewolf with brown fur.

"Help--"

Ambition was startled and quickly broke free from her embrace, retreating towards the corner of the wall.

But she was already in a corner, and in the end, she could only hug her legs tightly and stare at the wolf's head with terrified eyes.

The werewolf didn't approach her, but instead gently tried to calm her down.

"Relax, relax. You are still you, strong, and nothing has changed."

"Ms. Marian?"

She recognized the werewolf, and looked at her hands in surprise, then touched her cheek—

It still looks like a human; it hasn't completely transformed into a beast yet.

This relieved Ambion, who then looked at Marian:

"How...how could you have become like this..."

"Because it is the night of the double moon, not only me, but many people in this cell have changed uncontrollably—this cannot be changed by will."

As she spoke, she pointed to several other beastmen who were also imprisoned beside her.

They crawled on the ground, some with heads that turned into gray-black rats, and others with curled tusks growing from their mouths, transforming into wild boars.

Those are all manifestations of the curse's corruption.

"And you, Ambiya, I have never seen a child like you who has already developed the symptoms of bestiality, yet still manages to maintain a human appearance—"

This may be because you were born with a curse, and you have been fighting against it with your will for more than a decade.

Of course, this would only last until nightfall.

Will Ambition still turn into a monster...?

The little girl answered timidly.

"Will Ambition be able to turn back this time?"

Marian sighed and tried to get closer to the frightened little girl:

"Have you ever thought that this is part of you? Perhaps only by accepting all of this can you stop fearing this curse."

"But, but they said that those who can't turn back into humans will be hanged."

Anbi fought back her tears, trying her best to remain rational.

"Anbi still wants to see her sister and Brother Tang Qi..."

Ambi still wants to go home.

She wanted to make it through tomorrow.

She must make it through tomorrow.

But Marianne knew that, given her current mental state, she simply couldn't possibly make it through the night.

Her emotions were already unsettled due to the passing of her parents.

Now, trapped in the dungeon, watching those around him turn into wild beasts, he has reached the brink of collapse.

When the twin moons arrive, her bestial nature will surely break free of her control, taking over her entire being until she transforms into a bloodthirsty, insane monster...

By then, it would be considered rational not to even think about tearing apart one's home, let alone going home.

As for that so-called 'home'?
She sighed:
"Silly child, do you know how unattainable that dream is for a wild beast?"

She couldn't continue speaking:

Do you think that it's only your physical body that's cursed with 'beastification'?
Your life is clearly also cursed—

Becoming a beast means you're destined to hurt those you love, things that are completely beyond your control.

Even if you want to integrate into a family, your animalistic nature will eventually shatter this illusory dream, leaving you all alone.

Wild beasts can only befriend wild beasts; only by licking each other's wounds can they find belonging and warmth.

So you can't go back.

No one can take you back...

"Ambi Nova—"

A call broke their silence.
"Someone has come to take you home."

……

Dragon Government Office.

"Thirty minutes are up."

Leon watched as the little dragon in the cage struggled until it was exhausted. The powder floating around it kept seeping into its nostrils, gradually causing it to lose its strength and finally collapse in the cramped iron cage.

He then picked up a scroll from the round table, containing a copy of the [Dissociation Technique]—

Even though it is still immature, the Iwu before us is ultimately a true dragon, and ordinary magical effects can hardly extinguish it.

Only this sixth-circle spell could turn the entire fledgling dragon to ashes.

This special [Mind Shield Ring] has an automatic synchronization function, which takes exactly 30 minutes.

This ring ensures that when its physical body perishes, its soul will be collected within the ring.

Everything was ready, and he had no reason to hesitate.

Tear the scroll in your hand and pull the magic net it's connected to.

A fluorescent green ray flashed by, without pain or groaning, piercing Iu's chest in the blink of an eye.

Death is but a fleeting moment.

Whether it can react or not.

The little dragon, which had been struggling, turned into gray-white ashes along with its cage in an instant, piling up on the stone table, leaving only an intact ring.

With the dust settled, Leon finally felt relieved and swept away the ashes.

Then he placed the ring on his hand, feeling its spirit—

Nothing.

Leon said somewhat blankly:
"No, that's impossible. Once someone dies, their soul should be contained within the ring. Why is the ring empty?"
Could it be an illusion?

No, absolutely not—illusions can't be that realistic; they should collapse the moment they're touched.

Besides, I've already personally confirmed it; it's definitely the real deal!

He incredulously brushed aside the ashes, but the only answer he received was the cool scent of mint that filled the air.

Where had he smelled this scent before?
"Like those...dustry mushrooms?"

The unexpected turn of events left him momentarily stunned.

But he quickly realized that he had been tricked by the bard:

"What method did he use to bypass the constraints of the Fair Contract and deceive my eyes?!"
……

"So we really managed to fool the lion?"

Sitting in the speeding carriage, being jostled and tossed about by the gravel, it's still somewhat unbelievable to me.

"Didn't you sign a 'fair contract'? Isn't not giving him the genuine product a breach of contract?"

“Unless I never signed that contract in the first place,” Tang Qi said.

"How is that possible? I clearly saw you do that—how could you forge notes when you couldn't cast spells?"

"So as long as the spell is cast before it binds, isn't that enough? The [Psychedelic Manuscript] doesn't require any language."

The gravel blinked, looking at the swaying Kulu with confusion:
"But I didn't see it cast a spell?"

"A silent, invisible [Mage's Hand] is enough to do the job."

Tang Qi recalled the moment when Kuru first demonstrated the [Hand of the Mage]—

At that time, I asked it what changes it experienced after swallowing the eggshell.

It just stood there motionless for a long while.

Until an invisible hand suddenly grabbed Chuck's glass...

This made him focus only on Kuru's [Hand of the Mage] ability to become invisible, but he overlooked the fact that it hadn't even recited a spell in the first place!
Looking back now, it's clear that what it obtained from the eggshell wasn't a spell at all.

Rather, it's a specialty in the area of psionic energy—

[Psychic Power: You have learned the 'Mage's Hand' magic trick.]

You can perform it without any language or gestures, and you can make this ghostly hand invisible and push heavier things.

If you have already learned the Mage's Hand Trick, its casting range will increase by 15 meters.

The gravel reacted:

"So you spent a long time thinking about it before you signed it—at that point you weren't actually checking the terms."

"Instead, we are waiting for the casting time of the [Psychedelic Manuscript]."

Tang Qi patted Kuru's head.

"Once the contract is signed, all you need to do is hand over the copy of Iu that you made in advance to him, and we will use the time we have now to take Anbi away as soon as possible."

"Cut off his goatee!"

Shattered Stone laughed loudly and slapped his own legs hard.
"I can fucking imagine the lion's face after it discovers the truth!"
"I'll be much more careful from now on; I'll never do business with you two cunning guys again!"

"What, do you think our scam is too clever for you to spot?"

"Fuck you!"

That being said, Tang Qi didn't think the trick was particularly clever.

It's simply taking advantage of the other party's lack of information about Kuru.

But regardless, now is not the time to be complacent.

He drew back the curtains of the carriage and saw that dawn was breaking and more and more pedestrians were appearing on Dragon Avenue. Suppressing his anxiety, he arrived at the Dragon Prison in Dragon Gold City.

This prison, located at the intersection of the Deep Well District and the Spine District, is situated in a corner of the vast military camp. Unlike the "Black Rooms" that serve as guards in various areas, it holds real criminals.

They were mostly combinations of economic and political criminals and adventurers.

Recently, a new group of guests has also arrived.

A large number of beastmen.

Whether they showed signs of bestiality or already possessed bestial characteristics, there were a total of over a hundred people.

Using the medals in his hand, the carriage drove straight into the military camp.

Tang Qi saw a vast and imposing guard force of nearly a thousand men lined up neatly in the center of the barracks.

A familiar face was giving the final summary.

The early autumn morning breeze gently brushed against the guard captain's nose.

The coolness was like soaking your cheeks in ice water, which was just enough to wake you up.
"Today will be the most important festival in Dragon Gold City. Everyone, keep a close eye on things—we absolutely cannot afford to make the slightest mistake at the Double Moon Feast!" Apart from a few guards and clerical staff, almost all 1,200 guards were mobilized and patrolled in formation—this was the normal manpower force, and he and the public lord kept this number a secret.

In wartime, the number of troops could even increase tenfold.

Now, these 1,200 guards can ensure that within the lower city area, as soon as they hear the slightest disturbance, they can quickly assemble and nip any conflict in the bud.

In case of any unforeseen circumstances, the Wyvern Riders from the Upper City will provide escort to ensure the entire celebration proceeds without incident.

He didn't want to see any trouble today.

As the guards left the barracks, the carriage pulled by two fine horses became extremely conspicuous.

Upon seeing Tang Qi get off the bus, he gave a relieved smile—

In fact, he had been waiting for Tang Qi for a long time.

If the other party is willing to listen to the public lord, it won't be so difficult for me.

It now seems like a win-win situation:
"We meet again, my friend. I hope you've come here so early in the morning not to cause me any trouble."

He was referring, of course, to Ambani.

He was the one who followed the lord's orders and personally brought the little girl to the prison.

"Of course not, we're friends."

Tang Qi knew that everything the other party did was simply a matter of duty, and there was nothing to complain about.

So they simply took out the lion medal:

"Take me to see that child."

"as you wish."

The captain of the guards turned and invited Tang Qi into the cell, but ordered his guards to stop his companions behind him.

"The other three, please wait outside the prison."

Why can't I go in?

Staring intently at the two spears that crossed in front of him, Shattered Stone couldn't help but shout—

He was afraid that something might go wrong, and that Tang Qi would be alone in prison and unable to cope.

He saved my life, and although I haven't fully recovered, I should at least help him out.

"To avoid unnecessary safety hazards," the guard captain replied.

"I can't do anything!"

"Then there's even less reason to care about these things, isn't there?"

The captain of the guard looked at Tang Qi.
"Please understand, my friends—I believe you came with good intentions, but I don't want anything to go wrong at any point today."

"of course."

Tang Qi waved to the rubble.
"Don't cause trouble."

The gravel looked up at the sky.

The morning light has already obscured the night, which means that time is passing by second by second.

The spore replica can only last for one hour.

They couldn't get the exact time, so they were a little uneasy.
"just in case……"

Tang Qi simply shook his head at the broken stones, lest he say something too much and arouse suspicion.

Then he looked at the captain of the guard:
"Let's go?"

"Is there a need to be so anxious?"

The captain of the guard noticed his urgency and, not wanting to make things difficult for him, took the lead and went to the front.

"Her sister is very worried about her. Besides, tonight is the night of the double moon, so we need to make plans early to keep her in a good mood as much as possible."

Tang Qi never needs to draft his lies.

"If that's the case, then I suggest you wait as long as possible."

The captain of the guard walked down the steps and into the underground, letting several sanitation workers, whose badges bore the marks of their union affiliation and who wore brooms, pass by him.

"Tonight, a pastor will be there to counsel those who are still rational, which may help the child."

Tang Qi asked, "If I hadn't arrived at the prison before the celebration, she wouldn't have received this support, right?"

The captain of the guard did not answer.

This in itself confirms the fact—

The little girl, who already exhibits obvious bestial characteristics, will reveal her ferocity under the double moon, transforming into a wild beast, and thus be sent to the gallows.

The two walked down in silence.

Despite the cleaning staff's efforts, a strange, indescribable odor still wafted out from the airtight dungeon—a mixture of food and body odor, resembling the smell of a swill bucket.

As you walk to the bottom, a deep, long corridor comes into view.

The corridor is divided into different cells on both sides, with steel bars separating the criminals into cramped rooms.

There's no need to even inquire about the crimes these people committed.

Judging from appearances alone, at first you could see some well-dressed, meticulously groomed, and rather respectable businessmen.

The deeper you go, the more adventurers you'll encounter, with their bare, muscular arms and menacing eyes.

"You're good-looking, want to play with me?"

Some of them reached into their dirty trousers and whistled at Tang Qi.

Tang Qi glanced at the other person and simply shook his head:
"Never mind, I have a phobia of maggots."

After being verbally abused, the burly man felt dizzy and nearly collapsed to the ground.

But the moment the curse was uttered, the "Alert" alarm suddenly sounded.

Tang Qi hurriedly tried to dodge to the side, but the captain of the guard raised his round shield first, blocking the flames that shot through the air like arrows from both sides of the wall in front of him.

Sparks exploded on the shield, but no one was injured.

At the same time, several other prisoners in the other cells burst into laughter:

"He's not that big!"

There's no need to argue with them; it's a waste of your energy.

The captain of the guards, who was walking in front, reminded him.
"Don't use magic around here either—any movement of the nearby magic network will trigger the cell's traps."

"Is there anything else we need to be aware of?" Tang Qi asked.

"Also... be careful of a woman."

"Who?"

“Marianne. A beastman, she and that child were locked in the same cell. But this woman is no ordinary person; under her care, almost all the orphans have been afflicted with the beastman curse.”

The sergeant instructed,

"But she's very good at bewitching people, and she might use this time to get close to that child and beg you to take her away."

Don't be fooled by her appearance; the reason for her arrest is not simply because she's a beastman.

Tang Qi had heard of this name.

In the mouths of those children in the orphanage.

Looking around, however, there was still no sign of the beastmen.
Were they locked up in the deepest part?

"Yes. Even if someone can't suppress their animalistic instincts, it can prevent them from causing any disturbances."

Tang Qi quickened his pace, forcing the captain of the guard to keep up with him.

Only when he turned a corner and the grinding teeth and growling sounds became clearer did he slow down and take a look at the beastmen in the prison.

Similar to the previous layout, those with milder symptoms were placed on the outermost side, while those with more severe symptoms, who had grown ears and tails, were placed in the deepest part.

Of course, there are exceptions—

"You damned earthworms, let us out! We fucking obeyed your orders to set foot on this land—you cunning humans can't lie to me!"

"Roar--"

Tang Qi believes that there is a reason why some people are criticized as 'simple-minded and physically strong'.

He looked toward the source of the sound, staring directly at the woman whose weapons had been confiscated, who was dressed only in a coarse cloth tunic, and whose only distinctive feature was her shoes and boots—wide, thick, and covered in brown fur, like bear claws.

"So this is where you were locked up."

Upon seeing Tang Qi's face clearly, Shyvana couldn't help but pound on the iron cage and roar:
"Was it you who sabotaged this, you bastard!"

Tang Qi knew that the other party had no ability to think at all.

It's hard to say what the difference is between a savage and an idiot.

He didn't even bother to argue with the other party, he just scoffed:
"Since everyone knows humans are cunning, why do business with them? If they don't rip you off, who else will they rip off?"

The biting sarcasm made Hook roar, slamming his head against the steel fence with a loud crash, and then he spun around in circles, dizzy and disoriented.

It's no wonder people laugh at their intelligence.

Shyvana also felt a burning sensation on her cheeks.

She wished she could dig a hole and bury herself in the ground.

"A land that deserves to be slaughtered—"

She was about to hurl insults when she saw Tang Qi suddenly grin at her:

"I'll give you a chance to leave here, how about it?"

"Really?"

She swallowed back all the insults she had directed at Tang Qi, and with wide, intelligent eyes, she said hopefully,

"Of course."

The captain of the guard never expected that she would actually believe it, and he was speechless.

These barbarians who left the city and wandered into the wilderness are adorably foolish.

No wonder they were completely fooled and sold out without even realizing it.

But then Tang Qi said:
"Then kneel down and beg me."

Shyvana then realized that this human was clearly humiliating her:

"Don't even think about it!"

"But that's what I've been thinking about. What can you do about it?"

"you--"

Tang Qi was too lazy to waste words with her, so he just waved to her and continued on with the captain of the guard, leaving Shivana in the cell pounding on the wall in impotent rage.

Until you reach the very end of the prison—

"Ambi Nova, someone has come to pick you up."

The captain of the guard called out as he knocked on the cell door.

The clanging of metal made the little girl huddled in the corner suddenly raise her head.

The woman beside her, now completely transformed into a beast, and the other ravenously hungry beastmen lying on the ground all turned their gazes toward the outside of the iron bars—

"Roar!"

Unable to suppress its bloodlust, a beastman hastily crashed into the iron fence, attempting to extend its claws and tear Tang Qi's skin apart.

Tang Qi ignored him and, by the dim firelight, gazed at the little girl he hadn't seen in a long time.

She seemed somewhat surprised as well.

She had clearly told her sister not to worry about Tang Qi...

Her pupils trembled slightly, and tears welled up in her eyes.

He coughed lightly twice, pretending that he was fine.

"Brother Tang Qi? What brings you here?"

Tang Qi opened his arms to her:
"I'm here to take you home."

hateful……

It's all Anbi's fault for being such a troublemaker. What right does she have to ask Brother Tang Qi for help?

He must have paid a heavy price to get to this prison...