After comforting Tang Yue, Mo Fan didn't stay any longer. Instead, he took Lingling and left. For now, the Totem Xuan Serpent wouldn't die, as the western fortress had already begun to sound the alarm. The number of White Magic Eagles kept increasing, and even Four-Clawed Magic Eagles and the Monarch-class Silver Sky Lord had appeared!
The appearance of the Silver Sky Lord immediately neutralized the aerial defense forces of the western fortress. The Sky Lord, as a member of the eagle species, naturally had authority over the domesticated Skyhawk. When faced with the powerful Eagle bloodline, even the trained Skyhawks would submit without hesitation.
Mo Fan and Lingling, after analyzing the situation using the samples of infected blood and the connection to the Sharp claw Epidemic Rats, figured out the origin of the plague and then approached Leng Qing.
When Leng Qing saw them and the evidence they brought, she immediately took them to Zhu Meng.
At first, Zhu Meng harbored some resentment towards Mo Fan, since he had left with Tang Yue to protect the Totem Xuan Serpent. But after learning about the true cause of the plague and seeing the tainted medicine, Zhu Meng was furious, nearly blowing his beard off in rage.
Unfortunately, before they could trace everything back to Luo Mian, one of his subordinates committed suicide out of guilt.
Though Zhu Meng suspected foul play, there wasn't much he could do at that moment. Still, after confirming that the Totem Xuan Serpent was not responsible for the plague, he had no choice but to order its release. They needed the Tang family's power to defend Hangzhou.
Mo Fan then requested Leng Qing to bring all the tainted medicine to the Totem Xuan Serpent. Leng Qing easily agreed, understanding Mo Fan's intentions.
Seeing the Totem Xuan Serpent finally released, Tang Yue was immensely grateful to Mo Fan. She looked at him with deep affection, practically starry-eyed.
However, Mo Fan hadn't forgotten the look Luo Mian gave him earlier. There was no way he'd let that vile man escape!
But to deal with Luo Mian, Mo Fan needed the help of the Totem Xuan Serpent.
Later that night, after the Totem Xuan Serpent consumed all the corrupted medicine, its injuries began to vanish. Its long, muscular body gleamed with a deep blue-black hue. It had shed its old, scarred skin, leaving the discarded remains soaking in the lake. While the snake was now noticeably smaller, this shedding seemed to have fully restored its strength.
"Hissss!"
The Totem Xuan Serpent flicked its tongue, seemingly expressing gratitude to Mo Fan.
At the same time, its eyes turned toward the west. It sensed the White Magic Eagles invading, but previously, weakened by its recovery phase, it had been powerless to intervene.
Now, however, it was ready to protect the city it had sworn to guard.
"Roarrrr!"
The Totem Xuan Serpent's furious roar echoed through all of Hangzhou. It was genuinely enraged!
For so many years, never once had these lowly eagles dared challenge its authority.
"Big guy, not so fast. We need to deal with a certain disgusting tumor first." Mo Fan said, referring to Luo Mian.
"Hissss."
The Totem Xuan Serpent seemed to understand Mo Fan's words and nodded.
"Lingling, take the antidote I brought and save those who were affected. At the same time, tell Zhu Meng everything and inform him to pass a message to Luo Mian that I've gone to gather the medicinal herbs." Mo Fan said to Lingling.
"You're planning to…"
"Yes, exactly. I want to lure that tumor out and get rid of it once and for all!"
Lingling paused for a moment, then responded, "But with the Totem Xuan Serpent by your side, won't Luo Mian be too scared to come after you?"
"I have this." Mo Fan said, holding up the totem vessel.
"Alright, I'll head over now." Lingling agreed without hesitation. She knew that getting rid of someone as corrupt as Luo Mian was for the greater good.
In the forest west of the fortress, just as Mo Fan predicted, Luo Mian appeared the moment he heard the news.
"So, you're Mo Fan, right? I'm Councilor Luo Mian. You've done a great job. Now hand over the medicinal herbs, and I'll take them to the quarantine zone to save the infected." Luo Mian said with a fake, friendly smile.
In truth, Luo Mian could barely contain his rage. Because of Mo Fan, his perfectly crafted plan had started to unravel, and he'd been forced to sacrifice one of his loyal subordinates.
But he wasn't worried. First, he needed to confirm what kind of herbs Mo Fan had gathered and where they were located.
"Heh, I know exactly who you are, and I've been waiting for you." Mo Fan said calmly.
Hearing this, Luo Mian's smile slowly turned cold, a sneer of contempt appearing on his face. "You know who I am, yet you're still not handing over the space ring? You must be even more foolish than I thought."
This kid dared to challenge him with that gaze earlier. Now, he had the audacity to continue disregarding his authority?
Did Mo Fan really think Luo Mian was weak?
"You idiot, do you even know why I lured you here?" Mo Fan suddenly asked, his tone mocking.
Luo Mian sneered, thinking Mo Fan was merely bluffing. Without warning, he made his move.
But before Luo Mian could act, a thick fog burst forth!
"Roar!"
Before Luo Mian realized what was happening, a massive mouth lunged toward him!
The source of that mouth? None other than the Totem Xuan Serpent!
Luo Mian reacted quickly, dodging just in time to avoid the snake's deadly strike.
Now fully aware of his opponent, Luo Mian stared at the Totem Xuan Serpent in disbelief. Its enormous, serpentine body coiled and twisted through the fog, like countless mountain-sized serpents swirling around him.
Drawing in a deep breath, Luo Mian glared at both the snake and Mo Fan atop its head. "Do you think you're still the invincible totem beast from before? You haven't even fully completed your shedding! I can kill you on my own!"
The Totem Xuan Serpent opened its jaws wide, unleashing a blast of black energy that crashed into the ground, sending out a massive shockwave. The wave pulverized the ground and made the very air tremble, leaving Luo Mian stunned!
His expression turned grim as he realized the snake's power. He screamed in fury, "You're still in the shedding phase! Using this kind of destructive power is going to kill you. Do you want to die along with me?!"
"Finish him." Mo Fan coldly commanded the Totem Xuan Serpent.
In an instant, the snake's colossal tail slammed down on Luo Mian, pinning him to the ground. Despite his best attempts to defend himself with magical artifacts, he couldn't escape. The snake's massive jaws closed around him.
Even as he was swallowed whole, Luo Mian used his shield magic device, begging, "No, you can't! Don't do this! Let me live, and I'll offer you riches and power!"
But Mo Fan paid him no mind, and the Totem Xuan Serpent devoured him, artifacts and all.
"Let's go. We need to help the others." Mo Fan said, turning to face the western fortress.
"Roarrrr!"
The Totem Xuan Serpent sensed the chaos in the city, where numerous White Magic Eagles had breached its defenses. Furious, it was ready to defend the city it had long swore to protect.
(End of Chapter)