Chapter 41 - Shedding One's Self (2)

"Pork BBQ on a stick can't be beat," Lu Jing said. "I killed a few slaves in the gladiator ring and saw some people die. It really is like how you described."

"Does the capital have an arena too?" Yang asked Guan Hai. Guo Mei did not know what to think. Yang no longer seemed to care about his hatred for birds. Something was wrong. He was too... calm.

"Sweet and sour sauce makes everything better," Yang said, eating some chicken pieces covered in the sauce before turning to Guan Hai after swallowing everything down. "So, what's the plan? We can't exactly fly over the mountain. There might really be avian magical beasts, or even a dragon could show up."

"We can go under the mountain," Sun Yi suggested, Guan Hai narrowing his eyes as he cleared the area in front of him and set down a map.

"Traveling beneath the mountain will take us to the capital four days before the tournament. It would save us two days, but we have to travel through the Mines of Gorgas before reaching the Underground City of Gorgas," Guan Hai said. "I'd rather not travel there, but we can't be late."

"You're an Earth Mortal. What's the problem?" Mei asked.

"There's something down there. Something ancient. Not even the imperial army visits the underground city to collect the many decades of taxes owed. Bandits also make their living there, and there have been reports of people going missing," Guan Hai said.

"What are we waiting for?" Yang said as Red Death swallowed some steaks. "The prince needs his victory."

"Tell the others we are leaving at dawn and to rest," Guan Hai said, Lu Jing nodding as he rushed upstairs. "I will buy the necessary supplies in the morning and will also rest after I send a message to the 3rd Concubine about the situation."

"This is bad. Look at his reaction," Mei said as only she, Sun Yi, and Yang remained.

"I have a plan," Yang said.

"You have a plan?" Mei asked.

"No," Yang said, stunning Mei as he never joked. "Go check on Lin and keep a closer eye on him. As he found out about Qing, he might suspect something about you and me."

"Right," Mei said, and only Yang and Sun Yi were left.

"Sun Yi, thank you. Now, go and rest," Yang said, Sun Yi frowning with confusion before nodding and leaving. As he exited, Yang took out a vial, causing Red Death to pause its lunch and look at the vial. It contained a poisonous vapor that induced sleep for a good ten hours. Of course, Red Death was immune to such a weak, harmless poison and thought nothing of it.

"Things are going according to plan, Supreme One," Red Death said as it turned its attention to him.

"Supreme One? No, other snakes are more powerful than me now. World Serpent will do. And yes, things are going according to plan. That little mess-up in the village brought unexpected rewards. I got the wood necessary to make a spear of middle immortal rank. I just need the metal, and I now have millions of demon spirit coins. I think it's time I went to an auction," Yang said.

"Is that the true reason Sovereign only wanted the demon spirit coins?" Red Death asked.

"Of course. There are always contingencies, and there might be a treasure sold at the auction that could positively or negatively affect my plans in different hands," Yang said, pausing as he stared out the window. "Red Death, what do you see out there?"

"People?" Red Death answered.

"Yes. People. The more I travel this world, the less I see it as I once did. I... had parents but have no love for them. Yet, I seem to care for my sister enough to worry about her problems. She's supposed to be a tool," Yang said as he stared at the clouds. "What am I doing here, Red Death?"

"Isn't master aiming to conquer the world?" Red Death asked.

"To what end? I will ascend. The more I think about it, the more conflicted I become. I have a new form, a serpentine dragon, but I am not who I once was. I cannot level mountains or split oceans. I cannot kill phoenix magical beasts stronger than me, but I no longer have to rely on my poison for everything," Yang said.

"You did not voice these thoughts before," Red Death noted.

"Did you see those people run? They thought of me as evil. I... was always alone. Always alone. I would see others and envy them. Did you know? I seldom destroyed cities. I only destroyed military cities, only killing the guards of a city and wrecking homes. I did not kill humans with families, for I had one and lost it. I had parents in this life, yet I felt nothing for them. I have siblings, but I see them as tools. I ask you, am I evil?" Yang asked.

"Master," Red Death said before Yang continued.