At this point, Taotie paused briefly.
He didn't continue but instead poured kerosene into the metal gauntlet, took the matches Tom had handed him, struck a match, and threw it into the gauntlet. A single spark can start a prairie fire, and the feeble flame of the match, upon touching the kerosene, burst into intense fire instantly.
In the gauntlet, a fierce blaze ignited.
Soon, black smoke began billowing from the flames.
There was also a stench of burning protein.
"Taotie, didn't you say it was poisonous?"
"Come over here quickly!"
Xiaocao retreated while shouting at Taotie.
"This is nothing to worry about!"
Taotie said, laughing.
As he spoke, Taotie unscrewed a bottle of alcohol.
He poured the alcohol onto his arm and struck another match. Amid Xiaocao's shriek, he threw the match onto his alcohol-soaked arm.
In an instant, Taotie's arm was engulfed in flames.
"Taotie, what are you doing?"
Xiaocao cried out.
"Don't worry, Princess Your Highness, it's nothing,"
