A vibrant landscape unfolded before Raphael and Lu Jade as they slithered deeper into Lu Ignis's vibrant domain. Golden pathways weaved through fields of enormous, fragrant blossoms that released intoxicating scents. Towering structures crafted from wood and mud, designs adorned with carvings depicting ancient serpent lore, reached for the sky. Lush vegetation carpeted the rolling hills and valleys, while clear streams meandered through this serpentine paradise.

Towering, sentient trees gracefully shifted and swayed while their leafy branches offered transportation for those noble snakes who preferred an elevated vantage point. These majestic beings carried themselves with a casual arrogance, hissing greetings to those below while basking in those fragrant breezes.

Everywhere he looked, Raphael saw a dazzling array of snakes—emerald green vipers coiled around ancient roots, ruby red pythons playing sports, golden cobras basking on warm rocks, even a few massive serpents whose defied categorization. This realm was populated with potent life force.

“So this place is snake heaven?” Raphael hissed. He was awestruck by this serpentine wonderland. He was a bull through and through, a creature of fire and brute force. He'd never imagined there was beauty in this cold-blooded species, yet, it was before his eyes. It was impossible to deny.

"Indeed! This pocket realm is 'Hebikuni', created by my father.” Lu Jade spoke with a hint of pride. “Those who call this place home are descendants of a powerful serpent lineage. They are fierce warriors, skilled artisans, cunning strategists, and more importantly… pleasure seekers."

“Hmm?” For a moment, Raphael thought he'd detected a longing tone in his companion’s words. As if yearning for a world he’d never truly belong to again.

But then Lu Jade flicked his tongue, and a mischievous grin spread across his scaled face. “Look over there, Big Brother."

He pointed with his tail toward a serene pond fed by a cascading waterfall. Its crystal-clear water reflected the emerald light of those leaves, creating a scene that rivaled even those wondrous imageries within Qi Hawk’s palace.

A dozen snakes of varying colors and sizes were intertwined within the pond's embrace. Some, coupled up in intimate positions, enjoyed the soothing waters as those whispers from their scaly bodies became more urgent and less about those techniques.

They were engrossed in those pleasures of the flesh. They were moving rhythmically in a serpentine ballet of passion and raw, unrestrained desire. Others simply frolicked, occasionally playfully splashing each other with bursts of water that created dazzling rainbows.

It was an intimate display, a world of carnal delights that made Raphael blushed.

Raphael found himself recoiling awkwardly and averted his gaze with a hiss. "Are those… snakes mating? So openly?” He couldn't help himself.

Lu Jade simply nodded. He’d lived thousands of years and bore witness to all forms of reptilian lovemaking, those kinks and weird movements that could make even those who have walked for millennia uncomfortable.

However, as his guide and friend, he couldn’t simply allow this bull Calamity to judge those enjoying life’s pleasure and ruin those good vibes in those tranquil gardens, for he understood their nature.

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"There's no shame in sssuch pleasures, Big Brother. It’s how our kind continue those lineages, bond, even amplify their strengths through the art of 'coupled cultivation’”

“Oh.” Raphael digested the information.

“I almost forgot! We’re still being hunted. We must avoid those territories near the Swanson quarters. Let’s take this route instead.” Lu Jade led Raphael in a safer direction where Bronze Serpents or more specifically, the Venom Tail Vipers rarely frequent.

While slithering, something ahead caught both his and Raphael’s attention.

It was a large pool of vibrant turquoise waters dotted with massive pink lotus pads. Upon those beds of delicate blossoms rested hundreds of colorful serpents; enjoying themselves as their elongated bodies stretched, and those heads swayed to some unheard melody.

"It’sss a ssspa for noble femalesss of our lineage." He then pointed to something that shocked Raphael.

Moving amongst those serpents were tiny figures; humans in thin, see-through garments. They carried buckets filled with clear water, brushes made from various feathers, oils, and aromatic unguents.

These humans went about their duties efficiently, scrubbing hard to reach places beneath those scales. Some even had their tongues flickering gently as they delicately massaged tense muscles and coated those scales in soothing, sweet-smelling oils.

The sight of these enslaved creatures, stripped almost bare and so obedient had Raphael flinching backwards. He couldn’t believe his eyes. In Yama Yaguai, they'd been taught to fear monsters and beast. Not human.

"Lu Jade. What… are those? Tell me, I'm not hallucinating! They can’t be..."

"Hmm…? Those? They’re humans, Big Brother. We call them ‘Washersss’." He then slithered closer to a few that were washing a particularly large golden snake before turning to explain as if there was nothing wrong.

“They are trained since childhood. Obedient. Some even enjoy serving, you ssssee. The punishment for disobedience or causing even a scratch iss usually a severed tongue. But if they please their master, they are often restored.”

He looked at Raphael, confused by his brother's shock, then finally noticed a subtle tremor radiating from the bull, now disguised as snake. It was an undeniable aura that those of a lower essence level recognized instantly as dread.

This realization confused him, why the reaction? There was nothing to fear, even if he hadn't been changed by Qi Hawk’s ability, those "Washers" were docile and terrified of them.

"What’ss wrong, Big Brother Raphael?”

"Those…" He trailed off because now those images from his earlier life came flashing before his eyes, those times when even speaking the wrong word could cause those whip to slam against his back… those nobles, their casual disregard for his feelings as their demands stretched his endurance.

But these humans were different. Their expression, empty and devoid of life had him shivering even more.

His voice came out as a whisper.

"You would punish those… humans for not doing your bidding?” The question came with a judgement those of a lesser species couldn’t deny.

Lu Jade, realizing the futility of denying such hypocrisy in this moment simply nodded and was about to slither ahead with a hissed complaint of how much time they’d wasted, how much those treasure could have been his now… if they weren't stopping for these silly questions.

"Ah, forget it. Now is not the time to be dwelling on this." Raphael then gently patted his little buddy’s head with his snout, hoping that those cold scales and anxieties within would vanish. “We have a more pressing matters. A job we have agreed to do. This must be resolved first."

"Big Brother is right," Lu Jade sighed. "Our priority is retrieving the Void Eye. We can't let Qi Hawk down. Especially after everything he's offered us." The thought of those Special Invitation Pass to the Great Divine Tribulation and all those riches they promised was far more important than humans suffering. After all, survival trumped everything.

“We’ve wasted too much time. Come, thissss way, Big Brother Raphael! It'ss right ahead!”

While Lu Jade led his ally onwards towards that Bronze Emperor’s hidden treasury. Raphael took one final glance at those toiling humans who didn’t dare look up from those scales.

‘I'm sorry I can't help you right now,’ He then shook those intrusive thoughts and slithered faster. ‘Maybe another day. Maybe another time.’