Chapter 155: Aladdin’s Uncle Meets the Rapunzel

"I hate this world." Qin Muye rode his white horse and felt a bit sore in the saddle from the horse's jolting.

Since I lacked equestrian skills, plus this white horse was a total rip-off, galloping madly the moment I got on, utterly uncontrollable.

If not for the presence of the Death God Thanatos, I would be tempted to call for backup now.

However, I managed to hold back in the end. Currently, I had an old flint, which ensured my safety, so there was no need to beckon the Spirit Monsters. I wasn't lacking anything.

After half a day's journey, I finally left that small road behind.

Just as I was pondering where to go next, I heard someone calling me from behind.

"Respected Prince, I have been waiting here for a long time." A mysterious person in a black robe suddenly appeared.

Qin Muye felt a sudden headache. Had he just triggered some bizarre story again?

"This… Mr. Wizard, do you need something?" Qin Muye sighed. This prince's charm was simply too potent to conceal wherever he went.

"I would like to ask a favor of you…" the wizard spoke.

"Oh, no help, I'm busy." Upon this, Qin Muye flatly refused. If the other party had called him 'Boss Wang,' he might have agreed, but alas, he didn't say it.

Besides, most wizards in fairy tales aren't exactly the good guys; they are pretty much synonymous with villains. If he were wearing all white, Qin Muye might understand, but all black? Definitely dubious.

"To the south of here, there is a beautiful maiden imprisoned by a witch atop a high tower. If you were to rescue her, Prince, you would surely capture her heart," said the wizard with a beguiling tone.

Qin Muye fell silent for a moment, a tall tower, a Witch… could it be the Rapunzel

"What does that witch look like?" Qin Muye asked tentatively.

The Rapunzel was worthless to him; he thought the Witch was more suitable. Eventually, he'd bind and lock her in the cellar, slowly extracting her knowledge through interrogation.

Then, Qin Muye looked the wizard over and suddenly felt he was quite handsome. Why not deceive him into the basement together?

Upon reflection, I was genuinely tempted.

And what about the Rapunzel? She could fall in love with whomever, wherever she wanted—she didn't hold a candle to the excitement of wizards and witches.

The change in Qin Muye's expression made the wizard worry that he might have some strange quirks.

But in the end, he still said with a stiff smile, "As beautiful as a flower, as if a rose in the midst of winter."

Listening to his words, Qin Muye felt there was something not quite right but nodded anyway, "Alright, we'll team up to kidnap the Witch. Then we'll split the loot, you two, me eight."

At these words, the wizard was shocked. He had thought the other party was a proper prince with a noble appearance, but he hadn't expected him to have such thoughts.

Having dealt with many Princes who were privately disparaged, it was still the first time he had met someone like Qin Muye who was openly scornful, leaving him with a sense of disorientation.

"Good, good, I just want an old lamp, all else goes to you, Prince, including the witch," the wizard mumbled.

"…"

Are all characters in fairy tales scavengers? Why were they all after old stuff? There was the old flint I carried and the oil lamp the other party wanted.

And doesn't this lamp have a problem? It couldn't be the lamp next door, Aladdin's Lamp?

And what about Aladdin? He hasn't been replaced, has he?

I already had a princess from the flint incident, so if I were to get the Divine Lamp, wouldn't that mean another princess on my back?

Luckily, I lacked the Main Character Aura. Whether or not I'd meet those princesses was a whole other story, so I could collect Treasures without worry. I wouldn't need to fret about a princess falling into my arms one day. Compared to princesses, I preferred the villains in every story, like the Magician uncle from Aladdin's lamp tale, or the Witch from the Lettuce Lady's story.

This kind of person was a real treasure, far better than any princess.

If it hadn't been for the Death God Thanatos arriving so swiftly back then, I would have gotten that old Witch from the flint story for my collection.

Qin Muye wasn't picky; he wouldn't mind locking anyone in the cellar and interrogating them thoroughly for their Knowledge.

"No problem, but as for the witch, we will need Mr. Wizard's help to deal with her. I can help you find the lamp you want," Qin Muye said with a smile.

The smile on the caller's face gave me the creepy illusion that they might sweep me away as well, sending a shiver down my spine.

"No problem, Prince, but that witch is tough to deal with, I need some time to prepare. Tomorrow at this time we…"

"No, it has to be today, what if you ran away? I'm still looking forward to doing something strange with that witch." Qin Muye immediately interrupted him.

Tomorrow? But where will Qin Muye stay tonight?

My plan was to nab the Witch today, take over her manor, and then interrogate her and the wizard at leisure. If not, it would only mean more delays tomorrow.

"This… alright, today then, Prince, come with me." The wizard grit his teeth—he noticed Qin Muye's look was off. If he refused, the other party might take action against him.

In hindsight, the wizard lamented inwardly. If he had known, he wouldn't have called out in that impulsive moment. He could have planned for the Divine Lamp at leisure.

As it turned out, it was a huge misfortune.

He had originally planned to enter the city and find his nephew, to have him retrieve it. However, on the way, he was captivated by this prince and subconsciously thought he should cooperate with him.

For this, he was full of regret.

But by this point, there was no other choice but to proceed.

He led the way, guiding Qin Muye towards the Witch's manor.

The two entered deep into the forest and heard a song spreading incessantly.

Qin Muye was expressionless, but the wizard was utterly enchanted, "Prince, did you hear that? Such melodious singing must belong to a beautiful girl."

"You damn cat, stop getting lost in it, hurry up…"

Bang~

Before Qin Muye could warn him, the wizard smacked right into a tree, leaving him at a loss for words.

Is this what a real wizard looks like? Why did every sound seem to instigate such a bizarre transformation in them?

'A Sea Monster?

It wasn't just the wizard who was affected; Qin Muye had felt it too. However, he was protected by a Magic Shield, so he only heard the voice and was unaffected.

'But this is a forest, where does a Sea Monster come from? The habitat is all wrong.'

As for this song that could bewitch people, Qin Muye had his doubts too.

I suspected the song was sung by Rapunzel. Who else would sing in the deep woods for no reason?

Presumably, that's exactly why Rapunzel caught the witch's eye. Originally, her prince husband was attracted by her singing too.

'Either Rapunzel's parents have issues, or the witch planted something wrong with Rapunzel.' Qin Muye thought about this.

The song soon stopped, and the wizard's face held a look of lingering affection.

"How about you put in a bit more effort, and I'll also give you Rapunzel," said Qin Muye in an even tone.

Upon hearing these words, a gleam flashed in the wizard's eyes, "This… is truly wonderful, I will definitely help you catch that Witch."

The wizard actually didn't want her very much, but after hearing the Rapunzel's singing, he seemed enchanted. Now, if Qin Muye offered to exchange the Lettuce Lady for the Divine Lamp, the wizard might agree.

'And it has the power to bewitch, tsk, look at the wizard, so enchanted he can barely find north.' Qin Muye noted another trait.

From the changing psychology of the other, this wasn't a momentary thing; he had genuinely fallen for the other party.

Even though the magic side of wizards and witches in fairy tales is often considered flimsy, surely they couldn't be this incompetent.

"That's great, I hope you can live up to your word." Qin Muye doubted he was in any position to capture a witch.

I feared that acting rashly might end up charmed and confused by the Lettuce Lady, potentially even betraying me later.

Qin Muye didn't consider this fellow an ally at all, his main goal was to deceive him into going along; otherwise, what would I do if he ran off halfway through?

As for the main storyline? That could wait for another day.

Anyway, there's no rush to complete it; he needs to find a good story to end it with, like the story of Jack and the Magic Beans.

There's no princess, nor any kind of messy stuff, yet there are giants and treasures.

Although I suspected it might be a trap, could any pitfall be worse than what I was currently facing?

An entity resembling a Sea Monster appeared in the forest—what a load of nonsense.

Now, with the Lettuce Lady serving as motivation, the wizard's pace quickened significantly, and the two of us soon spotted the manor situated deep in the forest and the exceedingly conspicuous tall tower.