The Heiress’ Return: Six Brothers at Her Beck and Call

Chapter 1704 The Dragon That Was Struck
Wynter could understand the black serpent's words.
It wasn't because she had the ability to communicate with animals, but because creatures that had begun their path toward
becoming dragons naturally gained the capacity to communicate with humans as their spiritual awareness grew.
That said, most such creatures wouldn't casually choose to speak.
A snake like this, found in Colifernia, wouldn't be seen as something worthy of worship, nor would it end up as a scientific
curiosity. More likely, locals would simply assume it would make an excellent, highly nutritious snake
stew.
Removing her helmet and hanging it on the superbike, Wynter leaned casually on it before shooting a glance at the black
serpent. "Have you been here before?"
The black serpent dared not hide the truth. It merely slithered slightly farther from Dalton, trembling visibly." Truth be told, I used
to oversee the water over here," it confessed, even bowing its head as it spoke.
Wynter arched an eyebrow. She was well aware that in the current era of depleted spiritual energy, true dragons could only be
found in vast rivers, seas, or hidden mountain depths, such as those near Drakonspire Haven.

But to pass such a responsibility to a mere serpent was still odd.
Traditionally, as recorded in ancient texts, the duty of overseeing rainmaking and water governance had always fallen to
dragons. They were beings born in accordance with the heavenly law, responding to the natural order's needs. Such defiance
would inevitably lead to punishment.
After all, there was a local folklore that most had heard of.
Long ago, a mighty dragon, confident in its divine powers, made a wager with a fortune teller about the weather. To win the bet,
the dragon broke the heavenly laws and manipulated the winds and rains, causing violent storms that terrified the people.
Unbeknownst to the dragon, the fortune teller was the heavenly law himself.
When the dragon learned that the heavenly law had ordered an executioner to take its life, it took on a human form and pleaded
for mercy before the human land's ruler, hoping that the executioner would be restrained.

The ruler had indeed delayed the executioner by engaging him in a game of chess. However, in just a brief moment while he was
taking a yawn during the match, the executioner had managed to strike down the dragon.
That was how this folklore got its name "Executing a Dragon in a Slumber".
Wynter's gaze returned to the black serpent. "You've been cultivating for quite a while, haven't you? Snakes naturally crave
power. Since you already had your own territory, why did you leave it? These factories you should have been able to handle
them."

After all, a snake's innate nature is to hold grudges. If someone infringed on its domain, it would stop at nothing to exact
revenge, following them relentlessly and instilling fear. Conversely, if treated with respect, they could bring wealth and fortune in
return.
The black serpent flicked its tongue nervously. "I-I used to scare the humans working in the factories. At first, they dumped
sewage into the water, but eventually, they stopped."
Wynter chuckled softly. "They didn't stop because of you. It was because of policy enforcement. To protect the natural
ecosystem, strict regulations were implemented. Haven't you heard the saying, 'Clear waters and lush mountains are more
valuable than any gold and silver?""
The black serpent tilted its head, releasing a confused sound, clearly not understanding.
Dalton commented drily, "No wonder you've failed to become a proper dragon. You lack even a basic sense of civic
responsibility."
As for the actual dragon who had neglected its job to manage this territory, Dalton planned to deal with it
personally.
Although the black serpent didn't quite understand why it, a mere snake, needed to concern itself with civic responsibility, it dared
not protest.
Instead, it promptly responded, "You're absolutely right, my lord! I'll study hard from now on learn more, see more, and focus on
doing better in these areas!"

Wynter stepped forward a few paces. Since this black serpent was once in charge of the area, it must know more details. Before
too many people arrived, it was better to get everything sorted now. "So, why did you leave your own territory?" Wynter went
back to the main point.