Help! The Villainess Trapped in the Beast World's Drama!-Chapter 379 - 371: The Past Like Smoke

Shen Tang thought: Of course, last time we met it was still an egg. Now, meeting again, my son’s already married!

The Sky King looked at Lu Xiao before her, and her gaze gradually drifted as if lost in memories, "To be honest, I haven’t remembered your father’s old face for ages. But seeing you, those old memories suddenly come alive."

She walked to the table, poured herself a glass of wine, and shook her head with a smile, "I remember the first time I met your father, he was being chased and fell off a cliff, covered in blood. I discovered him while leading a patrol and thought he was some unlucky, destitute civilian."

"I didn’t expect that after taking him back and washing him up, he’d turn out to be a handsome, naive young lad, blushing after just a few jokes. He was quite amusing."

She took a sip of wine, showing a nostalgic expression, "At that time, I was still young, and hadn’t seen his kind before, inexplicably drawn to him, and later... led to having you."

The Sky King suddenly slapped the table in anger, "I originally wanted to keep him by my side, but that stubborn fool insisted on going back to fulfill his loyalties! A check revealed that the Lu Family only had him as the sole heir, and the family had an arrangement for him. In my fury, I directly chased him away."

But soon, her expression softened, with a hint of helplessness, "But the day he left, he cried his eyes out clinging to my leg..." The Sky King spread her arms helplessly, "Seeing him cry so miserably softened my heart, and I ended up letting you go with him."

She scrutinized Lu Xiao carefully, nodding approvingly, "Your temperament resembles his somewhat, but your looks take after me more. Look at these eyes, this nose, clearly my child!"

The Sky King patted his shoulder, nodding with satisfaction, "You’ve grown handsome, physically impressive, and at such a young age, you’ve broken through to Ninth Rank, your father raised you well. Though your mother has three other children besides you, I believe you’re more exceptional than them!"

Lu Xiao humbled himself, "Thank you, Mother, for the praise. My brothers grew up by your side serving you, something I can’t compare to."

"Tsk, why is this child so rigid at such a young age!"

The Sky King laughed lightly and shook her head, liking his earnest and serious demeanor, making teasing all the more amusing, "No matter what, you carry the blood of my Golden Feathered Roc lineage. I wanted to bring you by my side a long time ago, but your father stubbornly refused, fearing I’d take you away."

"That old guy dared come over to see me a few months ago, I couldn’t be bothered to meet him, just had him chased out!"

Lu Xiao coughed lightly, hurriedly interrupting her chatter, "Mother, we’re here for proper business this time."

"I figured, you arrived with such a formidable entourage, you weren’t just coming to see me alone." The Sky King wasn’t surprised, and openly said, "Tell me then, what’s the matter this time that you need my help, Mother King?"

Lu Xiao glanced at Shen Tang, then turned to look at the Sky King, speaking softly, "Regarding this matter, I should let my Female Master, the Monarch of the Night Glow Empire, personally discuss it with you, Mother."

The Sky King’s gaze finally settled on Shen Tang, her smile slightly faded, her expression casual, "Oh, then please, this foreign Monarch, elaborate."

Shen Tang’s heart sank slightly, it was obvious the Sky King wasn’t taking her seriously.

After all, though she was the Monarch of the Night Glow Empire, the relationship between the Night Glow Empire and the Yunding Empire was akin to a cat and mouse.

Moreover, with the Night Glow Empire currently plagued by turmoil it could hardly protect itself, rendering it insignificant to the Yunding Empire.

She’s able to stand in the palace today likely only as a favor considering Lu Xiao.

Otherwise, she wouldn’t even make it past the palace gates and might even be captured as a hostage.

The Sky King’s attitude was clear, she shouldn’t hope to exploit familial ties to curry favor.

Shen Tang paid her respects respectfully, "I’ve long admired the Sky King’s renown, lucky to visit today. To be honest, the Night Glow Empire is currently beset by internal and external troubles, we wish to borrow an army to help us get through the crisis, and will surely provide ample gratitude afterward."

The Sky King snorted, "Sending troops to assist isn’t difficult, don’t worry about compensation."

She suddenly turned to Lu Xiao, her tone affectionate yet authoritative, "As long as you stay, I’ll dispatch troops immediately!"

"That’s absolutely impossible!" Shen Tang blurted out.

"Presumptuous!" The Sky King’s demeanor changed abruptly, the pressure of a Tenth Rank Beastman erupted instantaneously, "This is my territory, it’s not your place to point fingers!"

Lu Xiao immediately shielded Shen Tang behind him, his handsome face turned stern, speaking coldly, "Mother, she is my Female Master, I ask you not to trouble her!"

The Sky King hadn’t expected her son to oppose her for an outsider, her face grew even harsher. She scoffed and withdrew her pressure, "If you’re seeking help, you should have the attitude of a supplicant. Unable to protect yourselves, what substantial bargaining chip can you offer? I merely want my son to spend more time with his mother, is that too much to ask?"

Lu Xiao, "If I say, I won’t stay, Mother still insists on treating me like this?"

"You!" The Sky King glared in frustration, "After all this effort to meet, do you have to infuriate me like your father did back then?"

Shen Tang came back from the shock, held Lu Xiao’s hand, stepped forward, "I understand your wish to reunite with your child, but Lu Xiao is also my partner, forcibly keeping him would only separate us. If you truly love him, you should respect his choice."

"Hah, quite a slippery tongue." The Sky King finally took a proper look at Shen Tang, "Fine, let’s not talk personal matters, strictly discuss national affairs."

She lounged onto the chair imposing, "If you want us to send troops, what bargaining chips can you offer? I hear your inhibitors and food are good, but I fear you can’t provide much now either?"

Shen Tang remained composed, "Currently, we really can’t immediately provide sufficient resources, but we will definitely fulfill our commitments afterward. With the Yunding Empire’s strength, surely it can afford this waiting time. In the future, if your empire requires anything, we’ll surely assist with all our might."

"Sounds good." The Sky King sneered, "What advantage does forming an alliance with you offer us? The little promises you can make don’t compare to what we must expend, intelligent people won’t make losing deals, don’t need me to elaborate on this principle, right?"

Her sharp gaze fixated on Shen Tang, "I like to associate with capable individuals. Since national affairs can’t settle, prove to me you’re worthy of making me make an exception to help."

Seeing Shen Tang’s puzzled expression, the Sky King continued, "Outside the city there’s a Thundercloud Jellyfish, which has repelled two of my armies already, if you can single-handedly defeat it, I’ll agree to send troops, how about this proposal?"

Shen Tang was slightly stunned, recalling the Thundercloud Jellyfish they encountered upon entering the territory, exceptionally powerful, by the pollution species ranking of her experience, only the terrifying experimental subject she encountered at the polluted site was comparable.

This pollution species likely has reached a terrifying Tenth Rank!

The Sky King’s "kind proposal" was a blatant intimidating challenge!