Highly venomous silver ringed snake
The back door was being pounded repeatedly.
Pushed and shoved repeatedly by the short, thin man, the old man slammed against the door. He raised his arm and pointed at them, his eyes, bloodshot from beneath his eyelids, glaring at them. His already deep voice boomed, "Let go of my wife! If you're so crazy, go get her treated! You insist on barging into someone's house and even arrest her. Is there no law anymore?!"
"Heh." The short, thin man spit out a disdainful chuckle. He casually stretched out his arm, placed his palm against the wall, and blocked the old man's way. With his other hand, he imitated the old man's action of slapping his hand away earlier, pushing the old man's shoulder back again and again.
The tall, thin man pulled the keys from the inside pocket of the old woman's coat, turned around, raised the keys in his hand and swung them around, a cigarette dangling from his lips as he sneered, "The law? Look at us, who's the law here? Right now, in this place, in this position, I'm the law."
He raised his free hand, holding the cigarette between his middle finger and thumb, while his index finger circled from the old man to the old woman before putting the cigarette back in his mouth. His speech was a little slurred: "You two had better behave yourselves, then we can still be from the same village, one family. If you don't behave—"
He tossed his chin, pointed towards the main room, then turned back, giving the old lady and old man meaningful glances that plunged them into a deep silence.
He took the key, unlocked the door, opened the outer door, took two steps inside, and looked around.
There was only a washbasin available for use in the area without windows. The wall was piled with clutter. The tall, thin man walked to the washbasin and glanced inside. The tiled washbasin was dry, and the pop-up drain was horizontal.
He reached in, his fingertips brushing against the bottom, and as he withdrew his hand, he rubbed his fingers for a while, his chin lowered thoughtfully.
The woman in the red suit and the short, thin man went to open the door to the inner room. The only bed inside was placed against the wall, and the quilt on the bed was neatly made. Apart from some miscellaneous items, there was nothing on the cabinet.
The tall, thin man, smoking a cigarette, slowly walked over and looked around the small room. The only window was mounted on a low cabinet at the foot of the bed. The window on the cabinet was a retractable window, and the telescopic rod was currently folded neatly into the window. The empty milk powder can on top of the low cabinet below the window was covered in dust.
He touched it again, feeling its texture with his fingertips.
He raised his eyes, which had been fixed on something in thought, and looked out the window. But the view outside was the same as always: the wind was blowing softly, the wild grass was swaying, and occasionally a fallen leaf would disappear into the weeds.
The woman in the red suit frowned and walked to the old wardrobe blocking the corner. She opened it with a determined look, but there was nothing inside except a jumble of clothes.
The elderly man and woman who followed them in were equally surprised to see the empty room. The woman quickly composed herself before the short, thin man gave her a suspicious look.
She pursed her lips, raised her head, and said loudly, "I told you there were just some odds and ends here, hey! You didn't believe me and insisted on coming in. Now you believe me, right?"
The woman in the red suit slammed the door shut with a cold snort, turned around and glared at her, warning, "You know perfectly well whether there's anything else in there. What you're hiding, you'd better not be a person."
Looking through the window, the red human figure and the corners of several other figures in dark clothes could be clearly seen. Wen Dai, carrying a backpack, wearing a floral blouse and a floral headscarf, was hiding in the weeds.
She brushed the fallen leaves off her head, held up her phone, and pointed the camera at the window. The zoomed-in shot made the image extremely blurry, but it wasn't very clear to the naked eye either.
The photos were sent to Cai Qi and Chen Sizhe as usual, with identical captions accompanying them—
They suddenly came in and searched the room, so I ran out. I feel really scared right now, you absolutely have to get there quickly!
She shrank further into the haystack, sitting down with her bottom touching the ground where crawling insects were, not caring about the dirt or being picky. She almost curled up into a small ball and buried herself in the ground.
Unable to determine when the group would leave, Wen Dai dared not act rashly, but remaining inactive made her uneasy.
He smiled bitterly to himself, thinking, "It really lives up to its name, the Tun hexagram."
Fortunately, she had a backup plan and wiped the water off the counter while washing up—but she really couldn't make the dust herself. Besides, she was being lazy and thought it would be too much trouble to put some dust on the counter every time she washed up. Little did she know that trouble would come knocking at her door so soon.
Even if she managed to get the dust out, the quilt couldn't explain it, so she could only pray that her aunt and uncle could help her cover it up.
"Is anyone staying in this room?" The tall, thin man was completely impolite, treating their house like his own. When he lit his cigarette, he flicked the ashes onto the ground. He didn't look at anyone when he spoke, and his voice was weak.
The old woman and the old man exchanged a glance, and the old woman immediately pointed at the old man and said, "Who else would live here? I'm too embarrassed to say it. I can't exactly say that he actually followed me here last night when I first arrived, can I?"
“We were already arguing, and you all know that we’re getting a divorce. If you knew, you’d definitely think I’m being soft-hearted. What can I do? I can’t just kick him out, can I? It’s such a long way. He’d have to walk all the way back before dawn.”
"If I told you he didn't come this morning but followed me here last night, I'd lose face." Her awkward tone, coupled with the old woman crossing her arms and turning her head to one side, seemed quite believable.
Unfortunately, her words did not elicit a response from any of the three men.
Hoping that the elderly folks' sincere prayers and burning of incense would bring them some luck, Wen Dai was dozing off in the bushes. She hugged her backpack and pressed her face against it, her highly tense nerves battling with the drowsiness, her pounding heart unable to calm down.
It's only been a short time since spring began, and the gust of wind made the back of her neck feel cold. Since foundation isn't suitable for her ears, it got into her headscarf along with her hair, which is barely enough to keep her warm now.
Originally, she wanted to pass the time by sleeping, and she finally entered a light sleep, but Wen Dai was forced to open her eyes by one of the three urgent needs.
It didn't matter if she didn't open her eyes, but once she did, she felt even more anxious.
My head turned to the left involuntarily, and my gaze inadvertently fell upon a snake curled up at the base of the grass—its body was black with silver rings around it, and its scales shimmered.
It has a very high-quality feel. If Wen Dai hadn't been around, she might have appreciated it even more.
This is a highly venomous banded krait.
Although the hexagram indicated that minor divination was auspicious and major divination was inauspicious, a single hexagram shouldn't have such lasting power. How can these things be compared? She hasn't even started anything yet!
I just wanted to hide, but I ended up hiding next to a silver-ringed snake...
A chill ran through her, and Wen Dai unconsciously softened her breathing as she recalled her previous actions: from rushing up and squatting down in a panic, to taking photos, typing, and sending messages, even casually flicking the leaves from her hair.
Looking back now, if that fallen leaf had accidentally landed on the silver-ringed snake, she would most likely be doomed.
However, she is still in a precarious situation.
She dared not even swallow a drop of saliva, and breathlessly communicated with the immortals in her mind: "Where is the Python Immortal? Where is the Python Immortal? The Python Immortal is not here, is the Chang Immortal here? If all else fails, Dragon Immortal, you can come too! Help me—"
The so-called foxes, weasels, snakes, pythons, rats, and other external elements and various celestial beings encompass foxes, weasels, snakes, pythons, rats, and so on. As a celestial being, Wen Dai was not confident that she could summon the dragon immortal down; it would be most appropriate for someone of the same kind to appear.
If tears could fall from the heart, Wen Dai felt her body would definitely swell up. Helplessly, she cried out in her heart, "Python Immortal, Python Teacher, please use your true form to intimidate it and save my life, otherwise I will become a ghost immortal."
She hasn't been able to exonerate her parents, she hasn't been able to bring her enemies to justice, she can't die.
What I once longed for—to leave this world and find my parents—has changed drastically.
The Wen Dai who lived a life of mere existence has long since become a thing of the past without her even realizing it; the Wen Dai of today wants to live, she must live, she not only wants to live herself, but also wants those who have been grabbed by the hands that reach out from the shadows to live.
A faint sigh appeared in his ear, and suddenly a giant black python, soaring straight into the sky, appeared beside him. Below the python was Chang Xian, who had revealed his true form.
Chang Xian not only came himself, but also brought a group of snake spirits. If he had brought a group of live venomous snakes, Wen Dai would still have to light three incense sticks for her own life.
The silver-ringed snake, its head buried in its body, leisurely stretched out its oval-shaped head. When its round eyes saw the colossal python in front of it and a group of venomous snakes staring at it, it curled up again, burying its head in the very center of the coil, leaving only its black and white ringed back exposed.
After a period of awkward silence, the silver-ringed snake, having carefully pulled its head out, realized that the numerous threats in front of it were still there. So it slid away in another direction at an extremely slow speed. Its exact location was uncertain, but Wen Dai watched it leave.
With her life no longer threatened, Wen Dai breathed a sigh of relief, and her tense shoulders relaxed. Recalling how she and the old man had stumbled and fallen here late at night, she couldn't help but wonder if she had used up all her luck back then.
The colossal python that reached the heavens transformed into human form, its dark purple ancient-style dress outlining the woman's beautiful figure. Its fingers twirled its long hair that hung down to its chest, and its deep purple vertical pupils glared at Wen Dai as it sternly admonished her: "I told you long ago not to meddle in other people's business and not to get involved in things that don't concern you."
When facing the immortal master, Wen Dai immediately adopted an honest and dutiful demeanor. She blinked pitifully, pouted, and muttered, "It's not exactly unrelated, teacher. Look, I've already gotten involved. Now this matter is tied to me."
"Stop playing the victim and pouting. Do you want an oil bottle hanging from your mouth? You always have so many excuses. Everyone else wants to avoid trouble as much as possible, but you seem to want to solve everything for those in need..."
Taking advantage of the free time, the Python Fairy gave Wen Dai a good scolding. Her brows were almost standing on end, and her beautiful eyes were full of anger at her lack of ambition.
The bamboo leaf green that was staying next to the python fairy did not transform into its original form. When it spoke, it had a youthful voice: "Don't scold the child like that. It's good to be kind. It can be considered as accumulating good deeds for yourself and us. Besides, she does good and acts from the heart, so she can get unexpected rewards."
Her clear and crisp voice gave people a very calm and composed feeling.
"I don't want her to accumulate merits anymore, okay?" Python Fairy first glared unhappily at Bamboo Leaf Green, then frowned and glared at Wen Dai, who was squatting on the ground, pitifully bowing her head and being scolded. As if a breath was stuck in her chest, she forced a hum before saying:
“I don’t ask you to be outstanding or capable. It’s enough for you to do some divination and help people with their affairs every day. I don’t want you to get involved in such dangerous things. I don’t want you to make contributions to society. I just want you to treat yourself well.”
"Look how much money you have. You don't even renovate the house that was burned down, you just leave it there. You can live in a nice place, but you insist on living in an old, dilapidated place. You can buy the things you like, but you don't, you keep agonizing over it. You're stingy with money when it comes to yourself, but you're generous to others."
It was quite rare to see the usually calm and ruthless Python Immortal revealing such a worldly and didactic side, his delicate features shifting across his narrow face.
"It's good to have a kind heart, but I hope you can be kind to yourself first before doing good deeds. Love yourself before loving others, understand?"
His tone suddenly softened, and as he approached, a light, cool breeze swept over him. When his vertical pupils met hers, Wen Dai was holding a backpack tightly in her arms, her fingers still gripping part of the backpack's fabric tightly.
A principle is never something you can put into practice simply by understanding it.
“I want to explain, but teacher, do you believe me? My brain is clear, I even know what to do, but I just can’t do it. You know me best, I don’t want to lie.” Wen Dai lowered her eyelids, her long eyelashes obscuring half of her pupils.
I felt like crying, but my eyes were dry and I couldn't shed any tears.
Another sigh escaped, whether from disappointment or heartache, it was hard to tell.
The outstretched hand lightly covered Wen Dai's hair, the python spirit's brow furrowed as it gazed intently into her eyes, its palm gently kneading her hair. For ordinary people and common spirits, the only interaction would be through penetration.
She was His disciple, and He was the immortal master who had protected her for countless years.
"I know you, we know you." The python fairy lowered its chin, let out a short, soft laugh, and gently curved its lips with a touch of humanity.
He seemed to have compromised; his eyes were kind.
"That's enough. Just do it. There's so much that you need to go through step by step to understand it."
The "person" in front of them, along with the bamboo viper and the group of venomous snake spirits led by the bamboo viper, vanished in the blink of an eye, not like wisps of smoke, but disappearing into thin air.
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