A short while later, Song Jie followed Tang Yue to the top floor of the Magic Association building.
At the entrance of the conference room stood several guards in uniform, their expressions sharp and vigilant.
When the man in charge noticed Song Jie, Tang Yue quickly explained, "He's my student, Song Jie."
The man nodded and stepped aside, allowing them to enter.
Inside the conference room, several people were gathered around a circular table, engaged in a serious discussion. Tang Yue had Song Jie stand quietly to the side and began introducing the attendees.
The man standing near them was Tang Yue's senior disciple—Hei Yu, currently serving as the Vice Chief Judge.
The one speaking at the moment, a man with a thick beard, was Zhu Meng, a Judgment Association Councilman.
As Tang Yue looked at Zhu Meng, a trace of hostility flashed in her eyes. This man was determined to kill the Totem Black Snake, the very creature she and her allies were trying so hard to protect!
While the debate continued, Tang Yue continued her introductions.
Another person seated nearby was Councilman Luo Mian, also of the Judgment Association.
Song Jie gave him a brief glance, then looked away. So it's this man...
He already knew from the story's events that Luo Mian was the mastermind behind this entire incident. But for now, he had no proof. All he could do was wait for the truth to reveal itself.
After several heated exchanges, Councilman Zhu Meng abruptly stood up and stormed out of the room, taking several court mages with him.
Chief Judge Tang Zhong sighed. "I didn't expect them to find out this quickly."
"Chief Judge, what should we do next?" Hei Yu asked anxiously. There was no way they could allow Zhu Meng to harm the Totem Black Snake.
"There must be a traitor among us," Tang Yue said angrily. "Otherwise, how could Zhu Meng know the big guy was at its weakest point?"
Before this, Zhu Meng wouldn't have dared to openly defy the Totem Black Snake!
"Tang Yue, take it away now," Tang Zhong said at last, his tone heavy. "Everything else can wait until after it finishes shedding its skin."
The Totem Black Snake was currently in the middle of its shedding period—its most vulnerable time.
Tang Yue nodded firmly. She wouldn't let those people succeed.
Tang Zhong's gaze shifted to Song Jie. "This must be Song Jie?"
"Yes, sir," Song Jie replied respectfully.
"If you hadn't advanced to the Advanced Level, you might have been able to help more directly," Tang Zhong said with a regretful shake of his head.
The Totem Black Snake was sensitive to the presence of Advanced or Commander-level mages—it would never easily allow them near.
"I've already taken Song Jie to the lake once," Tang Yue said quickly. "The big guy didn't reject him."
Tang Zhong's eyes widened slightly. "Oh? That's surprising." He didn't press further, simply instructing them to set out immediately.
After leaving the Magic Association, Tang Yue and Song Jie drove straight back toward the village.
Tang Yue's expression remained tense, her heart heavy with anxiety.
Song Jie gently patted her shoulder. "Don't worry. I won't let anything happen to the big guy."
Tang Yue nodded softly. She knew he was trying to comfort her and focused her attention back on driving.
Later, Song Jie pulled out his phone and contacted Lingling. The little girl should have arrived in Lin'an by now.
[Lingling: Get to the point, spit it out!]
Song Jie chuckled at her impatient message. She was probably annoyed that he hadn't joined her for bounty missions lately.
[Song Jie: I have a tricky situation here and need your help.]
[Lingling: Is it about the plague?]
So she was in Lin'an!
[Song Jie: That's right. Sister Yue mentioned that Bai Town seems suspicious. I want you and Mo Fan to investigate it.]
Of course, Tang Yue hadn't actually said that—Song Jie was just using her name as a cover.
He knew that Wang Xiaoyun was in Bai Town. They needed to find him quickly to resolve this crisis.
Though Song Jie already knew the solution, it wouldn't make sense for him to reveal it outright. That's why he needed Lingling and Mo Fan to meet Wang Xiaoyun themselves.
That way, they could not only save more people but also expose the true mastermind behind everything.
[Lingling: My sister already told me about this. I'm investigating it now.]
[Song Jie: Good. Ask around in Bai Town when you get there—someone might know something useful.]
[Lingling: Got it.]
[Lingling: Then why aren't you coming with us?]
[Song Jie: I'm tied up with other matters right now. If anything happens, contact me immediately.]
[Lingling: Fine. I'll reach out to Mo Fan so we can start right away.]
Reading her message, Song Jie finally felt at ease. With Lingling and Mo Fan handling the investigation, the plague in Lin'an would be contained soon enough.
After a while, Song Jie and Tang Yue returned to the lake and sealed the Totem Black Snake inside the Totem Pearl.
"Sister Yue, where are we going next?" Song Jie asked.
"Bai Mountain Thousand Caves!" Tang Yue replied firmly and started the car.
The next day, word spread quickly that Tang Yue and Song Jie had taken the Totem Black Snake.
The Judgment Association immediately issued an arrest order for both of them.
Realizing the danger, they went into hiding at a small hotel.
"It's too risky to move during the day," Tang Yue said, glancing out the window. "We'll leave when it's almost dark."
"I'm fine with that," Song Jie said casually, lying back on the bed and enjoying its softness.
Tang Yue, however, remained restless and anxious, unable to relax.
"Come rest for a bit. I'll keep watch," Song Jie offered, sitting up.
Tang Yue shook her head. How could she possibly sleep now? All she wanted was to get the Totem Black Snake to safety.
Song Jie walked to her side, studying her tired face.
"I'm with you, all the way," he said gently. "But you need to rest. You've barely slept in days. Your body won't hold out much longer."
Tang Yue turned to look at him, her eyes filled with exhaustion and worry. Then, suddenly, she stepped forward and embraced him tightly.
"Song Jie... the big guy won't hurt anyone. It never has…" she said, her voice trembling.
They had no evidence to prove the Totem Black Snake's innocence, though both of them believed it wholeheartedly.
But the world didn't.
Now, the creature they were trying to protect had become the target of widespread condemnation. The only thing they could do was take it away.
"I believe you," Song Jie said softly, his hand resting on her back. "And I believe in the big guy too."
Tang Yue clung to him even tighter, as if finding a small sense of safety in his embrace.
"I've already asked Lingling and Mo Fan to investigate," Song Jie continued. "With Lingling's intellect, they'll find a way to clear the big guy's name."
He ran his hand through her long, smooth hair. "We still need to get the big guy to Bai Mountain Thousand Caves for its shedding. You can't do that if you collapse."
Tang Yue's emotions finally began to calm. His words—especially when he mentioned the Totem Black Snake—brought her back to focus.
"I'll rest for a while, then," she said softly.
"Good," Song Jie said with a reassuring smile. "I'll wake you when it's almost dark."
...
Author's Note:
The first half (completed version more that 320 chapters) of Versatile Mage: My Magic Has Gone Beyond Limits! is now available on Patreon!
🔥 I also have additional **18+ fanfics** available for readers who enjoy exclusive mature stories. 😉
1. Dragon Ball: Oolong's Sex Adventure
2. Elements of Lust – ATLA & Korra Mixed Smut
3. Doraemon: Filtering with Nobi Tamako
4. The Naive Me Who Became Someone's Everyday Secret
5. High School DxD: Rias Gremory, the Phenex Bride
6. Versatile Mage: Awakening the Succubus System
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