https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-155-The-Death-God-s-Treasury-the-Arrival-of-Thanatos/12850283/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-157-You-Call-This-a-Winter-Rose-/12850285/
Chapter 156: Aladdin's Uncle Meets Rapunzel
Chapter 156: Aladdin's Uncle Meets Rapunzel
"I hate this world." Qin Muye led the white horse, feeling a bit sore from being jolted around earlier.
Since he wasn't skilled in riding, and this white horse was particularly troublesome, it had started galloping wildly as soon as he got on, and he couldn't control it at all.
If it weren't for the Grim Reaper Thanatos, he would have called for help by now.
But he ultimately held back. With the old flintlock in his possession, he was safe, so there was no need to summon the goblins. Besides, he didn't lack anything at the moment.
After walking for half a day, he finally left the small path.
Just as he was wondering where to go next, he heard someone calling him from behind.
"Revered Prince, I have been waiting for you for a long time." A mysterious figure in a black robe suddenly appeared.
Qin Muye felt a headache coming on. Was he triggering some kind of ghost story again?
"Sir Wizard, what do you need?" Qin Muye sighed. This princely demeanor was truly a curse; he couldn't hide it anywhere.
"I would like to ask for your help," the wizard said.
"Oh, no thanks, I'm busy." Qin Muye firmly declined. If the wizard had called him "Prince," he might have considered it, but he didn't.
Moreover, in fairy tales, wizards were mostly not good people, often the antagonists. If he had been dressed in white, Qin Muye might have understood, but this black robe definitely wasn't a good sign.
"To the south of here, there is a beautiful maiden imprisoned in a high tower by a witch. Prince, if you go to rescue her, you will surely win her heart," the wizard said with a persuasive tone.
Qin Muye fell silent for a moment. A high tower, a witch—could this be Rapunzel?
"What does the witch look like?" Qin Muye asked tentatively.
Rapunzel was of little use to him. He found the witch more suitable. He could bind her and lock her in the basement, interrogating her for all her knowledge.
Then he sized up the wizard. Qin Muye suddenly thought he looked quite handsome. Why not trick him into the basement as well?
With this thought, he was genuinely tempted.
As for Rapunzel? She could go wherever she wanted. The wizard and the witch were far more interesting.
The wizard's face changed when he heard Qin Muye's words. Was this prince into something strange?
But he steeled himself and said, "She is as beautiful as a rose in winter."
Qin Muye felt something was off, but he nodded. "Alright, let's work together to bind the witch. We'll split it 20-80, you get 20, and I get 80."
This shocked the wizard. He had thought this prince was a proper gentleman, but he never imagined he would have such thoughts.
He had dealt with many princes before, and none of them were exactly saints, but Qin Muye was the first to be openly devious, which left him feeling disoriented.
"Alright, alright, I only need an old oil lamp. Everything else, including the witch, belongs to you, Prince," the wizard said vaguely.
"..."
Are all the characters in these fairy tales collectors of old junk? Why did they all want old things? The old flintlock in his hand, and now the wizard wanted an oil lamp.
And wasn't this oil lamp problematic? It couldn't be the same one as Aladdin's magic lamp.
But where was Aladdin? Had he been replaced?
He already had a princess from the flintlock story. If he took the magic lamp, would he get another princess?
Fortunately, he didn't have the protagonist's aura. Whether these princesses would even show up was uncertain, so he could safely collect treasures without worrying about a princess suddenly appearing in his arms. Compared to princesses, he preferred the villains in various stories, like Aladdin's uncle the magician and Rapunzel's witch.
These were the real treasures; princesses were nothing.
If it weren't for the Grim Reaper Thanatos arriving too quickly, his collection would have included the old witch from the flintlock story.
Qin Muye didn't discriminate; as long as they were useful, he didn't mind locking them in the basement and interrogating them for their knowledge.
"No problem, but we'll need your help with the witch. I can help you find the oil lamp you want," Qin Muye said with a smile.
This smile made the wizard feel like the other was planning to take him along as well, causing him to shiver.
"Alright, Prince, but that witch is quite difficult to deal with. I need some preparation. Let's meet at this time tomorrow."
"Absolutely not, it has to be today. What if you run away? I have some strange things I want to do to the witch." Qin Muye interrupted him directly.
Tomorrow? Where would Qin Muye stay tonight?
His plan was to capture the witch today, take over her manor, and then slowly interrogate the witch and the wizard. Delaying until tomorrow would only waste time.
"Alright, today it is. Prince, follow me." The wizard gritted his teeth. He noticed that Qin Muye's gaze was a bit off and feared that if he refused, Qin Muye might take action against him.
The wizard was secretly cursing his luck. If he had known, he wouldn't have impulsively called out to Qin Muye. He could have slowly planned to get the magic lamp himself.
Now, he was in deep trouble.
Originally, he had planned to go into the city and find his nephew to get the lamp, but on the way, he saw this prince and was instantly attracted to him, thinking they should work together.
He deeply regretted this decision.
But it was too late, and he had no choice.
The wizard led the way, guiding Qin Muye to the witch's manor.
As they entered the depths of the forest, they heard a song spreading through the air.
Qin Muye remained expressionless, but the wizard was entranced: "Prince, can you hear that? Such a beautiful song must belong to a beautiful maiden."
"Don't get too carried away. Hurry up—"
Bang!
Before Qin Muye could finish, the wizard collided with a tree. The scene left Qin Muye speechless.
Was this a proper wizard? Why did a mere sound cause such a strange reaction?
'Siren?'
Not only was the wizard affected, but Qin Muye also felt something, though his magic shield blocked the influence. He heard the song but remained unaffected.
'But this is a forest. Where would a siren come from? The habitat doesn't match.'
Qin Muye was puzzled by the enchanting song.
He suspected it was Rapunzel singing. Who else would be singing in the middle of the forest for no reason?
He guessed that was why the witch chose Rapunzel. Her prince husband was also drawn by her song.
'Either Rapunzel's parents are problematic, or the witch's lettuce is problematic.' Qin Muye thought.
The song soon stopped, and the wizard looked wistfully.
"Maybe if you put in some extra effort, I'll give you Rapunzel as well." Qin Muye said calmly.
The wizard's eyes lit up: "That would be wonderful. I will definitely help you capture the witch."
Initially, the wizard wasn't particularly interested, but after hearing Rapunzel's song, he became enchanted. If Qin Muye offered to trade the magic lamp for Rapunzel now, the wizard might agree.
'He has a charm ability. Tsk, look at how the wizard is almost lost in her spell.' Qin Muye noted another characteristic.
From the wizard's psychological change, it wasn't a temporary effect; he was genuinely captivated.
Even if the wizards and witches in fairy tales have a lot of magical flair, they shouldn't be this weak.
"That's great. I hope you can keep your word." Qin Muye thought that with the wizard's current state, capturing the witch would be a challenge.
He feared that as soon as the wizard made a move, he would be enchanted by Rapunzel and might even turn against him.
Qin Muye didn't consider the wizard an ally. He mainly wanted to trick him into coming along, otherwise, he might run away.
As for the main quest? That could wait.
There was no rush to complete it. He needed to find a better story to complete, like the story of Jack and the Beanstalk.
No princess, no unnecessary complications, just a giant and treasures.
Even if it had its pitfalls, could they be bigger than what he was facing now?
A siren-like creature appearing in the forest was ridiculous.
With Rapunzel as motivation, the wizard's pace quickened. They could see the manor and the prominent high tower standing in the depths of the forest from a distance.
(End of Chapter)
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