Chapter 21: The Great Serpent

Uncle Hu had already lost his family trying to save my life. I absolutely could not run away alone at this moment.

“Uncle Hu, step back first. I’ll handle them.”

I gestured for Uncle Hu to take cover behind me while I faced the man controlling the swarm of snakes.

After using the tobacco oil to drive back the attacking snakes, I took out the Soul-Calming Bell hanging at my waist. Then, I began to shake the bell and softly chanted:

“Across the four seas and under the vast heavens, throughout the six directions and eight wildernesses, where demons hide, let the divine eye reveal them.”

After reciting the incantation, I shook the bell vigorously. A faint glow then appeared over my eyes.

As I reopened them, a strange, ominous aura flickered before me. My gaze fixed on this shadowy presence, following it all the way to the main gate.

The snakes that had once gathered at the entrance, influenced by the tobacco oil, had now scattered in all directions. The large gate was empty once again.

Without hesitation, I chased after the shadowy aura out the gate.

At this point, I no longer paid attention to the snakes lurking in the surrounding grass. I had to find the mastermind behind this, the one who had driven the snakes to surround the Hu family’s courtyard.

Not long after leaving the gate, I spotted a massive serpent by a small riverbank. It was as thick as a bowl rim and about seven or eight meters long, its entire body resembling a small dragon.

Sensing that my divine sight had discovered it, the serpent raised its head, glanced at me, then slithered away along the riverbank.

As it retreated, the snakes encircling the courtyard scattered, and the snake formation dissolved instantly.

“Snake demon, return my son’s life to me!” Uncle Hu Tieshou shouted, following closely behind. Seeing the giant snake trying to escape, he immediately swung his blade in pursuit.

This serpent demon had killed his son; he wanted to use its blood to honor Xiao Jun’s spirit in heaven.

I wanted to urge Uncle Hu not to add more bloodshed, but then I thought—if this creature escaped, wouldn’t that be aiding evil?

“Uncle Hu, to slay a snake, strike its vital spot. It’s cultivated; you must be cautious.”

Hearing my words, Uncle Hu nodded.

This seven or eight-meter-long giant snake was unlike any demon he had encountered in years of hunting. If it hadn’t killed his son, he wouldn’t have wanted to fight it.

But now, with his son brutally slain by this serpent, all fear had vanished from Uncle Hu’s heart.

He employed his cultivation techniques, swiftly closing the distance, his large blade gleaming coldly in the moonlight.

“This day is your death day, snake demon. You never should have provoked me, Hu Tieshou.”

After saying this, a strange aura surged from Uncle Hu’s body, and his hands gripping the blade trembled intensely.

At this moment, only one thought filled his mind: to kill this serpent demon and avenge his beloved son!

However, both Uncle Hu and I had clearly underestimated this serpent demon’s cultivation.

Sensing the murderous intent in Uncle Hu’s eyes, the serpent suddenly reversed course and charged fiercely at him.

Its gaping maw, glistening ominously under the moonlight, lunged forward.

“Wretched fiend, good—makes it easier for me not to chase you!” Uncle Hu was unfazed by the serpent’s counterattack.

He held his blade horizontally before himself, blocking the serpent’s snapping jaws.

Bang!

A loud crash echoed as both serpent and Uncle Hu were thrown back several meters.

“Not bad, quite the skill,” Uncle Hu muttered, rising from the ground and raising his blade for another strike.

This serpent had killed his son; he would never let it escape.

Even if he died himself, he would ensure the creature stayed here.

“July, I learned a demon-slaying blade technique from your grandfather all these years. Today, since you’re here, show me what you’ve got,” Uncle Hu said.

As he spoke, his blade began to emit a faint glow, astonishing to behold.

Without hesitation, Uncle Hu dashed nimbly toward the giant serpent and swung his blade down.

This time, the serpent failed to dodge, and Uncle Hu’s blade slashed open a massive wound on its underbelly.

Flesh tore apart, blood splattered everywhere.

“Wretched fiend, now you should know my strength,” Uncle Hu said, covered in blood, his blade trembling once more.

I was somewhat surprised by this.

I had never seen a swordsman resonate so deeply with his blade.

But Uncle Hu was an exception.

He swung his blade relentlessly around the serpent, each strike causing more wounds.

Yet killing it still seemed difficult.

“Uncle Hu, your blade is powerful but not enough to kill this serpent demon. To finish it, you must pierce its vital spot!” I shouted urgently.

Just moments ago, I had divined Uncle Hu’s fortune.

Though the omen wasn’t entirely auspicious, it showed no threat to his life.

Because of this, I dared to encourage Uncle Hu to press the attack.

“July, we’re practically fellow disciples. If I die, you must avenge me. Don’t let our Qingma Divination be disrespected,” Uncle Hu said solemnly.

He sidestepped beneath the serpent and, before it could react, thrust his blade fiercely into the serpent’s vital spot.

With a spray of dark blood, the giant snake died beneath Uncle Hu’s blade.

Only when the serpent was completely lifeless did Uncle Hu crawl out from beneath its body.

He was soaked in blood and filth, looking like a bloodied specter.

“Xiao Jun, your father has avenged you! The serpent that took your life is slain. You can rest in peace in heaven!” Uncle Hu knelt, throwing his head back as he wept bitterly.

Though he had avenged his son, Xiao Jun would never return to him.

As Uncle Hu’s cries echoed, I noticed that the once refined and vigorous man had grown a head full of white hair and appeared much older.

This sight saddened me deeply.

But I also understood this was the fate of those who cultivate the Way.

The cosmic law of five burdens and three lacks seemed etched upon those of us who peer into heaven’s secrets.

As long as we don’t break these rules, any of us might die.

But if we all perish, who will protect ordinary people?

I cannot understand, nor dare to confront this.

Perhaps, to become ordinary again, we must hope to break these rules.