Once upon a time there was a greedy snake.

Chapter 83 I am irreconcilably opposed to gambling and drugs
The first contact between the Ignivas and the Hennus has finally come to an end.

The talks were fruitful; both sides had a frank conversation, exchanged views fully, and enhanced mutual understanding.

Simply put, nothing was agreed upon.

As night fell, the Thirty-Sixth Generation Akakage was still awake, recalling the meeting during the day. At this moment, he once again had murderous intent—even if he really ended up like those barbarians of the Ice Plains, it didn't matter, because this meeting was a huge mistake from the very beginning.

As the leader, he met with the minotaurs, giving them a chance to speak. He could sense that after those minotaurs uttered those words, the Ignivas and the resolute mages present had begun to waver.

Simply because the words of those minotaurs struck a chord with them.

Just as the minotaurs said, the Ignivas were indeed very good at fighting. They were the best warriors and the best hunters. They had conquered everything in sight, and they had even begun to fight against the heavens and the earth.

As it turns out, they actually did conquer nature itself. Through generations of frugality, they truly succeeded in carving a tunnel through the great snow-capped mountains known as the Wall of Sighs.

"But this kind of thing... has nothing to do with happiness."

Taking a deep breath, the Thirty-Sixth Generation Akakage had to admit that what those minotaurs said was indeed true.

To open that tunnel, all the people of Ignivas were doing their utmost. Those who were qualified to enter the tunnel had already gone into the mountains, while those who were not qualified were doing their best to provide logistical support. Everyone was fighting, fighting against the snow-capped mountains, fighting against the limited resources available for survival, and fighting against everything in sight.

He hadn't seen a smile on the faces of his people for a long time.

It's no wonder that the tribesmen were swayed by the minotaur's words. After all, even Crimson Shadow himself was momentarily bewildered when he heard those words.

But it was this moment of confusion that gave the minotaurs the opportunity to finish their sentence.

"They should have been killed outright."

The 36th Akakage clenched his fist.

But it was too late to kill those minotaurs now, because they had already said everything. The minotaurs brought out more gold and jewels, and these dazzling jewels brought smiles to the faces of every Ignivas present.

According to those minotaurs, liking beautiful things is human nature and one of the sources of happiness.

As messengers of Dehennu, the god of the sacred bull, they will bring more joy and civilization to this land.

Is it really just about joy and civilization?

The Thirty-Sixth Generation Akakage's intuition reminded him that what those minotaurs wanted to do was definitely not that simple.

However, the minotaurs didn't seem to do anything else. They were just scattering gold and jewels everywhere. They sent out a group of minotaurs, saying they were going back to get more jewels and gold, while the rest of the minotaurs stayed in Ignis City, continuing to lead the Ignis people in singing and dancing.

Yes, singing and dancing—these minotaurs seem to really enjoy singing and dancing.

Although the Thirty-Sixth Generation Akakage didn't quite understand the meaning of those rhythmic tones and the various postures of twisting the body, he had to admit that what was called songs was indeed relatively pleasant to the ear, and what was called dance was indeed able to attract people's attention.

"Like the wooden snake in a harvest festival celebration."

The Thirty-Sixth Akakage saw both as the same thing. "If it's only this much... it seems alright?"

Although he remained vigilant, the Thirty-Sixth Akakage couldn't discern anything else amiss.

The minotaurs stopped preaching about the sacred bull god and even participated in the serpent god's sacrifices. Although they still spoke Ignisian with a slight accent, their behavior showed that they had completely integrated into the lives of the Ignisians.

However, despite their integration, these minotaurs' lifestyle was completely different from that of the Ignivas.

The two groups are already clearly distinct in their clothing styles. The Ignivas are accustomed to wearing tough animal hides, which not only cover their bodies but also provide some protection against scratches or abrasions. However, the minotaurs prefer to go shirtless, wearing only a few simple garments for clothing, and then adorning themselves with various gold and gemstone ornaments, making them dazzling and eye-catching as they walk down the street.

As for food, the two groups don't even share the same taste. The Ignivas people have extremely high requirements for the purity of their food, which is also the secret to their longevity and youthfulness.

As for those minotaurs...

Minotaur seem to eat everything.

The Thirty-Sixth Generation Akakage originally thought that since these minotaurs had bull heads, they would probably only eat grass like bison. Who would have thought that these minotaurs would also accept meat without hesitation—the only thing they would refuse was probably the food essence extracted by the Ignivas.

The minotaurs found the pills too bland and not filling enough.

The biggest difference was at night. The Ignivas were used to sleeping soundly at night, after all, the day's toil had exhausted their energy—but the minotaurs were different. The later it got, the more energetic they became.

Many Ignivas have come to the Thirty-Sixth Red Shadow to report that the noise coming from the place where these minotaurs live is too disturbing. The incessant pile-driving noise all night long is unbearable for the surrounding Ignivas.

But when the Thirty-Sixth Generation Akakage found these minotaurs, they were all righteous and stern.

"The propagation of life is also the source of happiness. It is a gift from the God of the Cow to all living beings, and it is also an instinct that all living beings are born with."

At this point, the minotaurs looked at the 36th Akakage.

"But you, judging from your complexion... you haven't been feeling well lately? How about trying the supreme methods of the Holy Bull God Dehennu to help you recover?"

On that day, after hesitating for a moment, the 36th Akakage finally chose to accept the so-called treatment from these minotaurs.

That day, the 36th Akakage didn't leave the minotaur's tent until his legs were weak.

Is this what happiness is?

The Thirty-Sixth Generation Akakage couldn't help but savor the feeling from just now.

Therefore, in order to find out the true strength of these minotaurs...

The next day, the Thirty-Sixth Generation Akakage went for treatment again.

(End of this chapter)