Chapter 92: The Desert Snake Clan


    "Wait, look over there!" Han Ming pointed to the other side of the structures. Chuck and the fire-element warrior followed his gaze.


    They saw a group of snake-headed humanoids herding a line of people toward the buildings. The captives were all alive, mostly women, their hands bound with ropes, linked together in a long chain. There were about a hundred of them.


    "Those are humans. I wonder what these monsters are planning to do with them. Could they be using them to breed their worms?" Han Ming wondered aloud.


    Unbeknownst to the trio, several small mounds had risen in the sand behind them. A few pairs of eyes peeked out, silently observing Han Ming and the others before disappearing back into the sand without a sound.


    "What should we do? Should we go check it out?" Chuck asked, unsure of their next move.


    Han Ming thought for a moment, then whispered, "Let''s retreat. It''s better to avoid trouble. Now that we''re out of the desert maze, we should leave this place as soon as possible."


    Chuck and the fire-element warrior nodded in agreement. They were here to hunt magical beast cores, not to meddle in other people''s affairs.


    Clap, clap, clap...!


    A sudden round of applause broke out behind them.


    Startled, the trio turned to see dozens of snake-headed humanoids standing behind them.


    "Well said, ''better to avoid trouble.'' I quite agree. However, if you don''t mind, why not stay and rest for a while?" said a tall, imposing figure who stepped forward.


    This creature was different from the others. Its head was entirely human-like, and if not for the long tail trailing behind it, Han Ming might have mistaken it for a normal human. Clearly, this was their leader.


    "When did they get behind us? How did we not notice?" Chuck exclaimed in shock.


    The leader let out a sharp laugh. "In the desert, no one can predict our movements. So, what will it be? Will you come with me willingly, or shall I have to insist?"


    Han Ming remained silent, his eyes darting around as he searched for an escape route and the right moment to act. These creatures clearly had malicious intentions.


    "Oh? Must I insist?" The leader''s eyes turned cold as he barked, "Formation!"


    At his command, the snake-headed humanoids began to hiss and slither around, their bodies gradually becoming translucent until they vanished entirely, leaving only swirling sand in their wake.


    Han Ming knew they hadn''t left—they had simply blended into the sand. This put the trio at a severe disadvantage.


    "Alright, alright, we''ll come with you," Han Ming said, shrugging.


    "Smart! I like smart people, haha!" The leader laughed, pleased with Han Ming''s compliance. He ordered his followers to reappear.


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    "Follow me," the leader said, leading the way. Han Ming and the others followed reluctantly.


    "Why didn''t we fight back just now?" Chuck muttered, displeased with Han Ming''s decision. He was used to being the one in charge, and Han Ming''s assertiveness irked him.


    Han Ming replied calmly, "Didn''t you see them disappear? If we can''t even see them, how are we supposed to fight? Engaging them would only draw more of their kind. It''s better to play along and see what they''re up to."


    Chuck knew Han Ming had a point and didn''t argue further.


    The group passed several buildings before arriving at a massive domed stone structure. The leader knocked on the stone door, which creaked open.


    They entered to find a large staircase leading underground. As they descended, Han Ming noticed numerous alcoves along the walls, each containing a massive, coiled serpent. The serpents'' bellies were swollen, and their bodies were wrapped in white silk, binding dozens of living humans. The serpents'' heads bore insect-like features, with long, sharp proboscises piercing the humans'' bodies, draining their fluids. Occasionally, the serpents would lay enormous eggs, each half the size of a person.


    In another alcove, a giant flying insect with a long stinger was similarly embedded in a human''s abdomen. After a moment, the human''s stomach burst open, releasing a flood of yellow fluid filled with tiny black specks.


    "Seen enough? Let''s keep moving," the leader said coldly.


    Han Ming nodded and continued downward.


    The two types of creatures were clearly different. The ones producing the small black eggs were likely the flying worms they had encountered earlier, while the larger eggs probably hatched into the snake-headed humanoids.


    After about ten minutes of descent, they reached a vast hall. Rows of stone pillars lined the sides, each with a beautiful human woman bound to it. The hall was filled with snake-headed humanoids, all resembling the leader but with long tails.


    At the far end of the hall sat a figure on a stone throne, veiled and seemingly female. Han Ming noticed she had no tail.


    In the center of the hall, two creatures were engaged in hand-to-hand combat. The trio stood at the edge, watching.


    Soon, the fight ended, and the victor let out a triumphant screech. With the veiled woman''s approval, he untied one of the human women from a pillar and carried her away gleefully.


    The veiled woman then turned her gaze to Han Ming and the others. "Welcome, honored guests. The Desert Snake Clan is delighted to have you. Please, take a seat."


    Three snake-headed servants brought stone stools for the trio. Han Ming sat silently, waiting to see what would happen next.


    "Next match!" A snake-headed announcer struck a gong, and two more combatants entered the arena.


    Once the trio was seated, the snake-headed humanoids ignored them, focusing entirely on the ongoing matches as if Han Ming and the others were truly esteemed guests.


    After another match, the victor untied another woman and began to assault her right there in the hall. The woman screamed in agony as the creature tore at her flesh with its forked tongue, stripping away layers of skin and muscle.


    The gruesome spectacle lasted only a few minutes before the woman died, her body reduced to a bloody, skeletal mess. The creature then devoured her head, crunching through bone and flesh as the audience cheered.


    Han Ming''s eye twitched, but he maintained a calm expression. Though he was seething with anger, he knew now was not the time to act.


    Just as he was about to intervene, the fire-element warrior stood up, his face twisted with rage. "You damn monsters! How dare you torture our people like this! I''ll kill every last one of you!"


    The hall erupted in anger as the snake-headed humanoids turned their attention to the trio, ready to attack.


    Han Ming quickly stood and addressed the veiled woman with a smile. "Esteemed leader of the Snake Clan, might we humans participate in your matches?" He subtly pulled the fire-element warrior back, signaling him to calm down.


    The veiled woman tilted her head, resting her chin on her hand. "If our guests wish to join our contests, I see no reason to refuse."


    Han Ming smiled. "Thank you, noble leader. But what are the rules of the match?"


    The woman''s eyes gleamed with amusement. "No weapons. One-on-one combat. If you defeat one of ours, we will send another. The match ends when you have defeated every member of the Snake Clan in this hall."