Chapter 87 Extra: Bamboo Branch Song 1
Bamboo Branch had known for a long time that it was a disgusting monster. Even in the monster-infested southern borderlands, it was a monster among monsters.
Back then, it wasn't called Bamboo Branch Boy; it didn't have a name.
Normally, if you see a half-human, half-snake creature crawling on the ground, no one would be so idle as to think about giving it a name. Even if they had the time, the demons of the Southern Frontier would rather kick it a couple of times, or poke its tail, and study whether this thing has a vital spot or whether it will die if hit.
Its daily routine is very simple: crawl, find water, crawl, find food, crawl, and fight and bite other beast-like demons. Although its appearance is unsightly, it is not at a great disadvantage in a fight. On the contrary, not only are its limbs flexible and agile, but its disgusting appearance often distracts its opponents during battle. As a result, this ugly and troublesome creature is extremely unpopular in the Southern Frontier.
*
Tianlang Jun examined it for a while and said seriously, "So ugly."
The black-armored generals standing indifferently behind him naturally did not answer. Tianlang Jun, seemingly complaining to someone, repeated, "Too ugly."
This sentence was emphasized too much, so it was shortened.
However, it always felt like there was no genuine disgust in this nobleman's criticism. He'd seen the latter's gaze many times before, and it wasn't like this one.
Tianlangjun half-squatted down, staring at it, and asked, "Do you remember your mother?"
It shook its head.
Tianlangjun said, "Hmm. That's fine. If I had such a mother, I would probably prefer not to remember."
It didn't know what to say.
Of course, even if it knew, it couldn't say it; the snake man could only make low, hoarse hissing sounds.
Tianlang Jun smiled and said, "However, there are some things I should tell you. Your mother has died. I am her brother, and I came to see you at her dying wish."
Demons are cold-blooded. They can speak lightly of the death of their own blood relatives, glossing it over with a single, casual remark.
It didn't seem to feel anything and nodded blankly out of habit.
Tianlang Jun seemed to have lost interest and said listlessly, "Alright. I have fulfilled her last wish. These are all your subordinates. From now on, this land belongs to you."
The "subordinates" he referred to were the hundreds of dark-armored warriors who followed him. These creatures, though mindless and incapable of thought, were fearless of pain and death, tireless, and tireless, capable of forming an invincible army. Yet, they were so casually handed over to a half-human, half-snake monster.
He stood up, dusted off the non-existent dust from his hem, and turned to leave.
As if possessed, it dawdled and wriggled as it followed.
Tianlangjun turned around, puzzled: "Why are you following me?"
The snake-man dared not move. Seeing this, Tianlang Jun took another step, and the snake began to wriggle behind him again. Tianlang Jun stopped and asked in surprise, "Can't you understand what I'm saying?"
After repeating this two or three times, Tianlang Jun simply ignored it and walked on by himself with his hands behind his back. The snake man then clumsily "followed" behind him.
*
Tianlangjun possesses a special identity, noble bloodline, and extraordinary status, naturally attracting many enemies. Despite Tianlangjun not needing anyone's help, it always fought desperately to the death, following along.
After several visits, Tianlang-jun could no longer ignore its existence. He glanced at the snake-man covered in wounds and commented, "Still so ugly."
The snake-man shrank back, looking hurt. Tianlang Jun laughed again: "And he's stubborn too. That's not very endearing."
Having followed it all this way, through countless hardships and obstacles, it had never retreated, but this time it almost had the urge to turn around and run away. Who knew, the next moment, Tianlang Jun touched its head with his bare hand and sighed, "So ugly and stubborn, I can't stand it anymore."
A strange, cool current coursed through my limbs and bones.
wrong.
Where did it get its limbs?
Soon, the snake-man discovered that its previously deformed limbs had somehow sprouted complete limbs. Ten fingers, something that had once seemed delicate and unattainable to him, were now growing on his new palms.
This is the body of a young boy. About fifteen or sixteen years old, healthy and whole. Tianlang-jun moved his hand away, and a white figure was reflected in his dark pupils.
He opened his mouth, trying to speak, but it took him a long time to regain his human form; his tongue and mouth just wouldn't obey him. The moment he opened his mouth, uttering a slightly hesitant syllable, warm tears welled up in his eyes.
*
Although Takeshiro firmly believed that his lord was always right, he secretly thought that his lord was not very bright.
After receiving tacit approval from Tianlang-jun, Zhuzhilang didn't have a name for a long time. Tianlang-jun didn't often order others around, nor did he need to call him by name, so several months passed in this daze.
Until one day, when he wanted to find a collection of poems by himself, he searched high and low but couldn't find it. He had no choice but to ask someone for help, and then he suddenly remembered that there was a nephew in the corner of the study who was like air.
But after uttering an "Ah," he couldn't think of anything to say next. Tianlang Jun frowned, thought for a moment, and asked, "Didn't I ask your name?"
He honestly replied, "Your Majesty, I have no name."
Tianlangjun asked, "Then how should I address you?"
He said, "Your Majesty may call me whatever you like."
After saying that, he walked to the bookshelf, took out the poetry collection that had been haphazardly stuffed in after he finished reading it last time, and presented it to Tianlang Jun with both hands.
Tianlang-jun was quite satisfied. He took the poetry collection and said, "It's no big deal if it doesn't have a name. Just pick one." He glanced down and flipped through a couple of pages, picked a word, and casually said, "Let's call him Zhuzhi-jun."
He shook his head.
Tianlang-jun said, "Don't you like it?" He handed over the book, "Then you can pick one yourself."
He was both amused and exasperated, and said, "Your Majesty, only nobles can be addressed in this way."
Tianlangjun said, "Such a young age, yet so many fusses. Fine, then let's call him Bamboo Branch Boy."
He was careless about everything he did. Choosing a name was like child's play, but for the "Bamboo Branch Boy" born at this moment, this person gave him life and gave him a name.
Even if someone is careless or confused, they are still someone for whom he would go through fire and water and die without hesitation.
Little did Tianlang Jun know, he was also wondering if his nephew had been a snake for too many years and was no longer quite right in the head. He refused to call him "uncle," insisting on calling him "Your Majesty." Instead of becoming a carefree lord in the Southern Frontier, he insisted on coming here to do menial tasks and run errands. He wouldn't accept a perfectly good title and rank, insisting on lowering himself by one level.
They really can't think straight.
*
Your Majesty truly loves everything related to people.
He probably thought demons were all cold and boring creatures. He held an almost eerie enthusiasm and an almost exaggeratedly beautiful imagination towards humans, this alien race.
Whenever I travel, I most often visit border areas. Crossing the boundary markers, I might have a drink and listen to a storyteller, or I might spend a year or two sightseeing.
Tianlang-jun probably didn't like being followed. The black-armored warriors would often send them out in hundreds. However, Zhuzhilang neither spoke nor obstructed them, simply following silently behind, practically invisible. Occasionally, he would help pay the bill or run errands, which was quite convenient, so Tianlang-jun didn't find him particularly annoying.
Even when they met that Miss Su, neither of them minded him being by their side. They tacitly treated him as a snake that couldn't understand human language or sweet talk, and acted as if no one else was around.
Only once did Tianlang Jun utter the word "get lost" when he chased Zhuzhilang away. That was one of the rudest things the usually refined and courteous ruler had ever said.
Bailu Mountain.
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