My wife is an immortal black snake.

Page 127

...

Perhaps it was because Sonia's mother was just too gentle that, although Yang Hao did have a tiny bit of desire for her... to be honest, that tiny bit of desire couldn't compare to the motherly feeling that Sonia gave off.

Yang Hao quickly became speechless. In Sonia's gentle embrace, to the melody of her lullaby sung in an unknown language, he drifted off to sleep, and before long, he actually fell into a deep sleep in her arms.

And it was after Yang Hao fell into a deep sleep that Sonia slowly opened her eyes. She lovingly patted Yang Hao's hair, and after confirming that the man was truly asleep, she stopped singing.

"May you have a dry and sweet dream," she murmured softly, then rubbed her cheek against Yang Hao's forehead and his hair before closing her eyes.

...... ......

At 8:7 AM on December 9th.

It's probably because of lack of sleep.

Embraced by a warm fire, listening to someone's heartbeat, Yang Hao still felt very tired when he woke up.

But the thought of his work this morning forced him to get up and prepare to drag his tired body to begin this final preparatory task—once this was finished, he would have time to rest properly in the afternoon. Therefore, if possible, it would be best to finalize the detailed work plan before this afternoon.

But then again...

"Forehead..."

"Good morning, Mr. Yang Hao. It's exactly 8:00 AM... Would you like to get up now?"

He had barely shown any signs of movement when that gentle voice appeared beside his ear, startling him so much that he opened his eyes wide. Then, when he saw Sonia's profile so close to his face, he was stunned for a while before he remembered that he had been held by Sonia to fall asleep the night before.

This was a bit of a shock to him... but he quickly and honestly answered Sonia's mother's question: "Ah, right... I have to get up. I need to ask about her progress when I have breakfast with His Majesty the Emperor later..."

"Yes. But you look very tired."

Sonia reached out and gently stroked Yang Hao's hair. Then she sighed helplessly, as if looking at her own child who insisted on finishing his advanced math homework before going to sleep despite his exhaustion—although she felt it was wrong, she ultimately chose to let him be.

She released her hands, which had been embracing Yang Hao all night, allowing him to finally climb out of her ample bosom. Looking at the damp stains on her clothes from the drool he'd slept in... Yang Hao felt his cheeks burning.

"What's wrong?" Sonia sat up in bed, stretched lazily, and noticed Yang Hao's embarrassment. Watching him hurriedly change his clothes and put on his boots with his back to her, Sonia blinked, then slowly climbed to Yang Hao's side and affectionately wrapped her arms around his neck: "Did something happen?"

"No, it's nothing..."

"Then why do you look so embarrassed?"

"that is because..."

I can't exactly say it's because I felt embarrassed that I drooled on your chest, can I? Um, Sonia's mom? Do you really want to know everything about your child like a mother...?

Yang Hao didn't want to explain, because it would embarrass him... But noticing Yang Hao's embarrassment and his thoughts, Sonia paused for a moment, then smiled and let go of his hand, leaving some room for Yang Hao's fragile self-esteem, which had been almost completely exploited by his wife and head maid.

but--

“If you really feel uncomfortable, Mr. Yang Hao, you must tell me clearly, okay?” Sonia said seriously to Yang Hao’s back. “After all, if you keep bad things to yourself, it will bring trouble to yourself sooner or later. I don’t want you to be like that... This is something that my people are used to, but they can’t do anything about.”

"Don't worry, I'll explain everything to you... Um... Shall we head out now that we're ready?"

Hearing this, she nodded, quickly changed into her freshly washed clothes from the bathroom dryer, slung her weapon over her shoulder, and followed Yang Hao out of their room, intending to go find His Majesty the Emperor for final preparations.

Chapter 25

7 month 9 day.

9: am.

In Her Majesty Catherine's private dining room.

Her Majesty Catherine looked at the man who would become her... with a puzzled expression. He seemed energetic, yet he ate his breakfast with a weary look on his face. Had his recent work worn him out? Although Her Majesty Catherine wanted to apologize, she was also exhausted. If Yang Hao intended to help her govern the entire Ursus Empire in the future... then this fatigue was nothing.

But she also knew the importance of taking things one step at a time, so looking at the dejected Yang Hao, and then at Lady Sonia who seemed quite ordinary for some reason... Her Majesty Catherine solemnly put down her knife and fork, and said to Yang Hao, who was silently eating his breakfast:

"Mr. Yang Hao, for your health's sake, it would be best if you reduced your workload a little recently."

"Huh? Uh—no, it's okay. Anyway, today is the final preparation, so I'll have plenty of time to rest this afternoon..."

"Really? That's for the best."

"And speaking of which, Your Majesty... are your men already in place?"

"You mean them... Ha, the vast majority are already in place, now they're just waiting for your big move tomorrow."

When it came to serious matters, Her Majesty Catherine immediately got to the point. She explained to Yang Hao that the troops she used to accept territories and suppress rebellions in some territories were already stationed there—except for the area actually controlled by the Masquerade nightclub, the territories of the other councilors were basically under her control.

The next step is to wait for Yang Hao's big move.

"In that case, it would be better if I came over tonight... to confirm with you?"

"Okay, make sure there are no oversights. Then you can get some rest—I'll handle everything after everything is done tomorrow."

"Ugh."

I hope His Majesty the Emperor won't leave me with a huge mess tomorrow.

Yang Hao sighed softly. After finishing breakfast, he took his leave with Sonia. Then, following the instructions of the inner guards, he found Her Majesty Catherine's private engineering team. There, he chatted for a long time with the team leader, an old man from Ursus, before finally joining them in the underground warehouse where incendiary materials, pure Originium, and strong liquor were stored.

Yang Hao brought all his guards with him before he arrived. Now he and the construction team leader are confirming the locations on the blueprints and figuring out where the things should be buried.

"That is to say..."

"Yes, that's what I mean—the Imperial Diet has no underground structure! To ensure it wouldn't be used as a breach point by thieves, the engineers at the time didn't design any underground structures on the blueprints for the Imperial Diet building! So you can rest assured that as long as the surface part is destroyed, no one inside will escape... I mean, except for you and His Majesty the Emperor's people."

The old engineer pushed up his reading glasses and then stroked his beard, which had grown to his waist. He frowned as he carefully examined the Imperial Council's blueprints with Yang Hao. In the end, he rejected Yang Hao's plan because he had found a better one.

“Mr. Yang Hao, I do not recommend that you seal off all the ventilation ducts—what I mean is, we can try to allow the ventilation system to circulate internally. In this way, the thick smoke rising after the burning material is wet will circulate continuously inside the building. Before we open the passage to the outside, the inside will be like an oven, heated from all sides, and the scalding air will keep circulating inside.”

"What terrible consequences would this bring?" Yang Hao knew perfectly well how many people would die when the Imperial Council turned into an oven. But he still needed to confirm the actual effects.

When Yang Hao asked the question, the old engineer simply blinked and smiled:

"Have you ever seen those overcooked fatty meats roasted in wood-fired ovens in the countryside? Coke, and nothing but coke and thick smoke—and that awful smell can linger for days! Even a full cleaning crew spraying perfume on it non-stop won't help. In that case, the ruins of the Imperial Diet will have to be demolished and rebuilt."

"That's ruthless? And we'll even need to use Pure Originium here."

"It is precisely because you are going to use those dangerous things that we have to demolish and rebuild! The powder from the molten pure Originium will stain the interior of the Imperial Council with a highly polluting coating. To ensure safety, the entire Imperial Council will have to be demolished and all the building materials will be thrown into some unknown place in the wilderness."

"I see... So, can you handle the workload?"

“If we start now, we can finish tonight—if you’re not so picky about strong liquor and the pure Originium hanging on the ceiling, we could actually finish the renovation this afternoon.”

It must be said that this is truly His Majesty the Emperor's private engineering team. Even the workers in the Duchy of Kosiché would have taken them a long time to finish this!

While inwardly marveling at his own wealth, Yang Hao also felt immense envy for His Majesty the Emperor's power and his subordinates... He sighed heavily, then nodded and shook hands with the old engineer. His work for the day was actually finished—he could go home and rest, and then come back for the inspection that evening.

However... Yang Hao suddenly remembered that he still needed to communicate with the fire department and the police station, so after letting the engineers get busy, he led the guards to carry out the last task of the morning.

He first went to the fire station and told the fire chief, "Tomorrow is the day you will all get sick." The fire chief understood and instructed his assistant to put laxatives in all the water dispensers.

Afterwards, Yang Hao arrived at the police station. After receiving a warm welcome from the police chief, he first asked the chief if anyone had discovered what he had done yesterday. Then he informed them that the operation would officially begin tomorrow.

"What happened yesterday? Ah, we just caught a few spies yesterday to hand in—so what did you do? No, I know nothing. Sigh, I don't know why those Colombians would do that, don't you think?"

"That's right. So please take care of me tomorrow."

"Don't worry."

Money can make the devil turn the millstone, and with the emperor's recommendation, even the living can turn the millstone—completing such a shady deal openly and aboveboard, Yang Hao sighed to himself as he led his men back towards the palace.

Meanwhile, in the Duchy of Kosiché, Kosiché was also frowning as he dealt with some matters concerning Kelsey's request for an audience.

Chapter 26

Kelsey's request for a meeting was not unexpected for Koschei. After all, his beloved had already dealt with the information he had asked Monica to deliver, so her coming to him was within Koschei's expectations.

But... how do you hope to handle this, darling?

Because she had to make the decision alone in this situation, Koschke was troubled about how to handle the situation in a way that would please her husband—at the very least, she needed to make sure her actions wouldn't upset him. She was now carefully maintaining their once-happy and harmonious marriage, and Koschke didn't want her husband to think that she was incapable of anything without him.

So, is today's situation a test of my understanding of my husband? To be honest, when facing this big problem, Koschke still felt his palms sweating and was a little nervous.

After all, who dares to say they completely understand their partner? Koschke certainly wouldn't make such a boast, so...

"Let her in."

Kosic can only do his best.

She took a deep breath, regaining her composure and calm, and then, while swirling the half-filled wine glass in her hand, she watched with interest as Ms. Kelsey entered through the doors of the audience hall, seemingly carrying some documents.

Lady Kelsey was aware that Lord Koschich was watching her, so she adopted a rather humble posture. After moving to the appropriate place and bowing to the haughty Koschich, she cut to the chase:

"Lord Koschche, I've received word that Mr. Yang Hao is willing to provide me with resources to research medicines for treating Oripathy—although I don't know why that message popped into my head so suddenly, it must be Mr. Yang Hao's Originium Arts, right?"

“You guessed right. That was indeed my husband’s special Originium Arts… So, do you have any other questions?” Kosichrie looked at Ms. Kal’tsit with some regret, because Ms. Kal’tsit didn’t seem like the kind of person who would become her [successor]—she was about to replace Ms. Karina’s body, so she needed to find a new replacement quickly.

"Is such that..."

Ms. Kal'tsit began to explain her request—she hoped to establish an experimental clinic and research institute in the infected community, and then begin to test the effects of experimental drugs while researching new, more valuable treatments by giving the infected people regular check-ups.

Seemingly in order to gain the approval of the esteemed Duke Koschich, Lady Kal'tsit also brought her proposal and some documents that were currently available. The head maid, Monica, appeared before Kal'tsit the instant she submitted the documents. After smiling and apologizing, she first checked the documents and materials to make sure there was nothing wrong with them before taking the items and walking over to Koschich.

"Lord Cosiche."

"Hmm. Please get Ms. Kal'tsit a drink."

"Yes."

Head Maid Monica disappeared from the audience hall, leaving Kal'tsit with barely suppressed curiosity. Koschitch, however, simply smiled at Kal'tsit's curiosity and began flipping through the documents in his hands.

how to say?

Lady Kal'tsit's plan, along with the information and insights she provided, were indeed very useful to the infected in the Duchy of Koschche.

The only problem is that she's asking for a lot of money... Although the duchy can afford it now, considering the upcoming civil war... is it really necessary...?

......

Kosichrie recalled some of Yang Hao's thoughts. She remembered that Yang Hao did not treat the infected in the duchy as a single category, but rather regarded them as his own people with a love similar to his own—and he did not intend to merely claim it, nor did he intend to sacrifice the lowest-ranking infected.

Even though he had explained to himself that he was indeed "using" the infected, he still tried his best to bring a better life and positive changes to all his subjects, including the infected of the Duke of Koschei. The infected of the Duke of Koschei were also subjects of the Duke of Koschei, and they had the right to enjoy almost everything that was no different from that of normal people.

That's why the infected can now work and live happily in the Duchy of Kosiché, and even when they are about to die, they will call the police with a smile, so that the police officers in that area, who are also infected, can handle their funeral arrangements.

...She smiled charmingly; she knew what to do.

“I understand,” Kosichrie said, looking up at Kal'tsit. At the same time, Head Maid Monica handed Kal'tsit a chilled drink. “I will provide you with funds and manpower, but in return, Ms. Kal'tsit—you must provide me with regular updates. Besides that…”

“It’s my duty.” Lady Kal’tsit visibly relaxed. She thanked Head Maid Monica for the drink, downed it in one gulp, and placed the glass back on the tray Monica was holding. “So, what else do I need to do?”

"...The infected in the Duchy of Koschei are subjects of the Duchy of Koschei—my husband and I. Apart from their diseases, they are no different from ordinary people. I will not interfere with your research, but I hope you can understand this. Of course, if you intend to capture infected people outside the Duchy of Koschei for research, I will not say anything more."

"...Don't worry."

"That would be best."

Koschei didn't know about Ms. Kal'tsit's life, and naturally, she didn't know her views on the Infected—but that didn't matter, Koschei had done her best.

He'll be happy about this when he gets back, won't he? Watching Lady Kal'tsit's departing figure, Kosichrie licked his lips, finding himself surprisingly excited.

...... ......

[Event: Lady Kal'tsit's Request]

Duke Kosichä handled Lady Kal'tsit's request even though he was unable to contact you.

Her understanding of you has steered this situation in the direction you hoped for. If possible, why not reward your wife when you get back? And of course, don't forget your maid too.

Effect: Duke Kosichä has granted Lady Kal'tsit's request, and the Duchy of Kosichä gains the benefit of (better infected communities and Oripathy medicine), which increases the attractiveness of infected immigrants and the commercial value of infected medicine.

PS: Please see the puppet show for details.

"Ugh?"

"What's wrong, Mr. Yang Hao?"

"No, no, it's nothing... Koschche just helped me with something, it's nothing serious."

Yang Hao was overjoyed by the unexpected good news, not for any other reason than that his wife had actually managed to handle such an important matter for him! And it seemed that she had indeed handled it in the direction he had hoped for.

This is fantastic! To be honest, Yang Hao wanted nothing more than to go home right now and give Koschche a big kiss—but he knew that was impossible, right? So he just excitedly started looking at the detailed events that popped up on his [Puppet Stage], wanting to see how Koschche would handle it.

Um...

He looked at everything and discovered that the stability and happiness levels in the infected settlement of the Duke of Koschche had greatly improved, and that a special clinic and research lab were under construction. He was overjoyed and then collapsed onto the bed, not wanting to move.

This surprise was just too big! It was so big that it broke through his previously tense nerves, filling him with optimism for the future, to the point that he immediately relaxed... If he didn't have a trusted guard by his side, he probably would have felt terrible, right? After all, this drowsy feeling, if left untreated, could really lead to trouble.

Fortunately, although Kosichek and Monica were not by his side, he had Sonia with him now!

"Sonia, please... I need to take a nap..." he mumbled, his eyes half-closed, "Ah... could you wake me up at dinner time?"