Chapter 400 - 196: Snake-man Wanderers

"What’s happened? Why have you come here?" Meng Ni asked gently, looking at the two Minotaurs before her.

During the day, the Tabu Tribe Minotaurs were either gathering supplies or practicing combat techniques as taught by their Ancestors. For Mumu and Tas Tuling to show up now, something unexpected must have happened.

In Mumu’s eyes, Meng Ni and Mengmeng were already Li Ziyu’s women. While not necessarily the City Lord’s Wife, they were, at the very least, intimate with him and deserved respect. Mumu gave a simple, honest smile and said, "Miss Meng Ni, we have business with the Lord City Lord."

Hearing this, Meng Ni shook her head and said, still in a gentle tone, "The Lord City Lord is in seclusion. He cannot be disturbed unless it’s urgent. If you have something, you can tell me first, and I will pass the message on to him."

Tas Tuling glanced at Mumu and gave a slight shake of his head. He stepped forward and said to Meng Ni, "Sister Meng Ni, please inform the Lord City Lord that we’ve found a group of wanderers outside the fortress. We wanted to ask how to handle them—whether to drive them away or bring them to the fortress."

At these words, Meng Ni’s brow furrowed slightly. Wanderers discovered near the fortress... this was indeed a matter that Li Ziyu needed to know about. The area around the Wraith Mountain Range was still a forbidden land. Even other Tribes kept their distance. This was the territory of the Undead.

’Why would wanderers come to the Wraith Mountain Range? Don’t they know this is a forbidden land? Or... are they plotting something?’

Meng Ni nodded. She told Mumu and Tas Tuling to wait at the entrance, then hurried back to the main tower. She jogged all the way to Li Ziyu’s room and knocked softly on the door.

"Who is it?"

"Lord City Lord, it’s me, Meng Ni."

"Is something wrong?"

As Li Ziyu asked, he opened the door and looked quizzically at Meng Ni standing outside.

’Meng Ni isn’t an impulsive person, completely different from her sister, Mengmeng. That girl is so flighty, bouncing around all day and causing trouble everywhere. But Meng Ni is gentle and steady.’ After spending this time with her, Li Ziyu had entrusted several matters to her care.

Meng Ni had lived up to his expectations, managing things in perfect order. ’She has a real talent for administration and is very good at taking care of people.’

Whenever Li Ziyu was in seclusion, Meng Ni never disturbed him, allowing him to focus on his Mechanical Technology research in peace. He was a bit puzzled as to why she would seek him out now. ’Is there something she can’t handle?’

"Lord City Lord." Seeing Li Ziyu, Meng Ni bowed before continuing, "Mumu and Tas Tuling are here. They said they encountered wanderers outside the fortress and want to ask you how to proceed."

Li Ziyu blinked. He had been so engrossed in unlocking new technologies recently that it took him a moment to process what she said. His mind spun for a second before he understood. He raised an eyebrow. "There are wanderers outside? Where did they come from? How many? What Race?"

Hearing this, Meng Ni just stared at him blankly, speechless for a long moment. She wasn’t a professional steward, after all. She had simply asked Mumu and Tas Tuling what was wrong and, in her haste to find Li Ziyu, had forgotten to ask for details. Now that Li Ziyu was asking, she had no idea how to answer.

Seeing her vacant expression, Li Ziyu guessed what had happened. He waved a hand dismissively. "You didn’t get the details? Never mind, then. Have Mumu and Tas Tuling come see me."

Meng Ni quickly bowed low, her voice a little panicked and fearful. "My apologies, Lord City Lord. I was not thorough enough."

Li Ziyu let out a yawn, saying tiredly, "It’s not a big deal, no need for that. Just remember to ask for the details next time. Now, go get them."

Only then did Meng Ni nod and trot away.

Li Ziyu watched her slender figure go, let out a soft chuckle, and turned back into his room.

A short while later, Meng Ni led Mumu and Tas Tuling to Li Ziyu’s door. Although the door was open, Meng Ni still reached out and knocked to announce their presence.

"Mm, come in."

Li Ziyu’s voice came from inside the room. Meng Ni gestured for Mumu and Tas Tuling to enter. The two Minotaurs gave Meng Ni a smile before stepping inside.

Li Ziyu’s room was very large, divided into a suite with a dedicated reception area. It was Mumu and Tas Tuling’s first time here, and they looked around curiously. This place was much better than where they lived. Upon entering the reception area, they saw Li Ziyu.

The two Minotaurs hadn’t seen Li Ziyu since he had gone into seclusion to unlock new technologies. Seeing him again now was a pleasant surprise for both of them.

"Lord City Lord," Mumu and Tas Tuling called out in unison.

Li Ziyu, looking drowsy, was slumped in his chair. He waved a hand. "Have a seat."

In the reception area, there was a dedicated sofa. Its frame was still made of white bone, but it was covered with several layers of Beast Hide. Though certainly not as soft as a sofa from modern society, it was about as good as it gets in the Otherworld, and still quite comfortable.

Mumu and Tas Tuling sat down carefully on the sofa, occasionally looking down at the Beast Hide beneath them and stroking it gently, their eyes filled with admiration.

’The Lord City Lord really is the Lord City Lord, he sure knows how to live,’ they thought. ’What kind of hovels did we Tabu Minotaurs used to live in? Things are much better now, but it’s nothing compared to this. Forget chairs, even our beds are just covered in dry grass, nowhere near as soft and comfortable as this Beast Hide.’

"So, you like the Beast Hide? I’ll have a few sent with you when you leave." Li Ziyu let out another yawn as he spoke. When he was focused on unlocking technology, the excitement made him temporarily forget his fatigue. But now, the exhaustion was catching up to him. He felt so sleepy, he just wanted to go to bed.