Gregor was meeting with the members of the Seventh Patrol Squad, while at the same time, Draven was in the leaders' hall receiving Green Serpent.

  Ghost-faced Owl had just delivered a message and was dispatched south to continue surveillance. Draven entered the hall accompanied by Green Serpent, who wore a fawning expression and bowed repeatedly.

  Green Serpent's humble attitude didn't annoy Draven; in fact, it pleased him. After all, who doesn't like flattery?

  Though uneasy inside, Green Serpent knew that being summoned by the leader meant something important was at stake.

  Draven pointed to a chair beside the long table and said coolly,"Sit."

  Green Serpent immediately waved his hand anxiously,"No need, master. Please give your orders."

  He deliberately lowered himself, like a fully submissive snake, since he harbored no ambitions. Ever since surrendering, Green Serpent only wished for a peaceful life and some comfort. But he dared not say this to Draven for fear of being scolded as unambitious.

  He still remembered being thoroughly reprimanded by the Red Snake leader in this very hall. Draven had intended to use this chance to test Green Serpent's motivation, but seeing his timid demeanor, he decided it wasn't necessary. Rules had to be followed first—let him report on the recent situation in Village No. 3.

  Green Serpent stammered a few words, but Draven nitpicked several details. Then, shifting the topic, he mentioned Gregor's reassignment:"Gregor has other arrangements. For now, you'll be covering his duties."

  "In a few days, I'll assign you new personnel," Draven added.

  Green Serpent nodded obediently, but felt little excitement. Wasn't this just counting the harvest and distributing supplies?

  Having someone else cover those tasks was simple enough. As for new people? He hoped they'd arrive soon to relieve him of the burden.

  Seeing Green Serpent's lack of resistance, Draven felt somewhat dissatisfied."You work for me—what kind of attitude is this? Just going through the motions?"

  Leaders' minds were really a headache. Be too eager, and they accuse you of fakeness; be unmotivated, and they get unhappy.

  Draven gradually took on the demeanor of a boss. Looking at Green Serpent's indifferent expression, he was quietly furious. When angry, one must vent. The werewolf leader's lips curled slightly as he suddenly asked,"How's your training lately? Made any progress?"

  Green Serpent was taken aback and initially planned to reply casually, but seeing the dangerous gleam in Draven's eyes, he swallowed hard and stayed silent.

  Not speaking was fine—just cooperating with actions would do. Smiling, Draven led Green Serpent toward the training ground, shooing away the little demi-humans who were playing"war on horseback" there.

  Ever since Liliana stopped playing with them, these little ones had no new tricks. But their war games remained the same—warrior genes in demi-humans never changed.

  Watching the kids leave, Draven thought maybe he should train them more seriously instead of letting them run wild. But once they were gone, he discarded that thought. Now, the only thing on his mind was to give Green Serpent a good lesson!

  This was their third sparring session. Green Serpent was terrified, looking like he'd cry, as he retrieved his emerald spear from the village guards at the entrance.

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  Draven glanced at him, eyes brightening, unable to help but praise his tact. Green Serpent was stunned and wished he could slap himself twice.

  No time to explain—when the master spoke sharply, he got so scared his backside practically lifted, quickly assuming a defensive stance.

  The blood-red spear inflicted severe damage—either death or serious injury—while the snake-head curved dagger was simply unwieldy. Draven knew full well he had no intention of truly harming Green Serpent.

  He just wanted to teach the guy a lesson. Bare-handed scuffles, some rough-and-tumble, enough to make Green Serpent feel the pressure.

  Unfortunately, Green Serpent only knew how to defend desperately and never seized any chance to counterattack, leaving his defenses full of holes. After all, Green Serpent was a mid-level leader artificially spawned by the Serpent Ancestor's secret arts; he was no match for a natural awakener like Draven.

  Before his master, Green Serpent was completely powerless, taking blow after blow until he was moaning on the ground, begging for mercy.

  Seeing Green Serpent's pathetic cowardice, Draven lost all interest in continuing to beat him and stopped immediately. He waved dismissively and said with displeasure,"This performance won't do—far from it. How can I trust you to manage Village No. 3?"

  Green Serpent groaned as he struggled to rise, his face twisting into a flattering smile tinged with obvious nervousness and helplessness. He couldn't even hold the emerald spear steadily—his fingers trembled around the weapon's shaft.

  Draven's gaze swept over Green Serpent, then he suddenly pulled out the strange blood-red spear from the terror in Green Serpent's eyes.

  "The Spear of Slaughter," Draven murmured, his eyes gleaming with a strange light.

  Green Serpent immediately screamed and backed away repeatedly. The master could beat him senseless with bare hands—if he really used this Spear of Slaughter, he'd be finished in seconds."So this is the Spear of Slaughter, huh? Quite a loud name."

  Draven smiled,"Come here, don't be afraid. I'm not going to use it on you."

  His eyes brightened, as if trying to dig some secret from Green Serpent's mouth.

  Trembling, Green Serpent cautiously approached, still wearing a flattering smile, but cold sweat on his forehead betrayed his anxiety.

  "Is it really necessary to be this nervous?" Draven rolled his eyes and tapped the spear in his hand, then started asking about the weapon's origins.

  Green Serpent stammered, telling the story of the Spear of Slaughter. It had once belonged to the Red Snake and was a reward bestowed by the Serpent Ancestor.

  A gleam flashed in Draven's eyes. No wonder this Spear of Slaughter hid secrets.

  He silently cursed the old Serpent Ancestor—if he had known the spear was in his hands, the old man wouldn't have kept quiet without a single warning.

  Draven had already decided he'd teach that old guy a lesson sooner or later.

  Green Serpent went on, mentioning that as Red Snake's power grew stronger, the spear began to show some abnormalities. This only fueled Draven's anger more.

  If the Serpent Ancestor weren't still in Selene City, Draven definitely wouldn't spare him.

  "How did he remove the abnormalities from his body?" Draven suppressed his emotions, softening his voice as he asked.

  Still, the killing intent barely hidden in his eyes made Green Serpent tremble all over.

  Green Serpent stuttered,"He relied on White Snake, the former second elder. I don't know the exact method. But since White Snake's rank was surpassed by Black Snake, White Snake must have been seriously injured…"

  Green Serpent frowned, trying hard to recall and organize his words.

  He was the lowest-ranked of the three elder snakes and didn't know many details.

  Draven nodded, believing Green Serpent's words were truthful.

  Red Snake probably vented its violent negative emotions on White Snake, but unlike Draven, who understood how to regulate using Blood Elf secret techniques and barely kept control, Red Snake lacked that ability. It was no wonder White Snake got hurt. Thinking this, a wave of hatred surged inside Draven.

  If not for a fortunate coincidence and the secret magic removing side effects, the consequences would have been unimaginable. Draven glanced again at the emerald spear in Green Serpent's hands and his expression changed.

  Taking advantage of Green Serpent's terrified expression, he swapped his own emerald spear back in exchange for the snake-head curved dagger.

  Both weapons were bloodline legacies of the Serpent tribe—safe and reliable. Although the Spear of Slaughter had the powerful blessing of Blood Elf secret magic, Draven was reluctant to discard it.

  But he also needed a practical weapon for daily use. After all, you can't always tie a woman to your waistband.

  The snake-head curved dagger was of much higher quality than the emerald spear, leaving Green Serpent both afraid and grateful.

  Draven patted his shoulder, ready to give him a reward.

  "Green Serpent, your current strength is still far from enough. Luckily, I have a Necromancy spell here. I'll get you a good helper!"