So That Was It

The great forest beneath the sunlight was like a painting meticulously crafted by an artist. Little fish swam freely and happily along the riverbed; a doe watched her child with gentle eyes, constantly licking the fawn's fur; atop a tree trunk, an unknown bird sang to its heart's content.

Everything in the forest looked so peaceful and tranquil. Yet with the arrival of a fleet of boats, that serenity was shattered.

"Master, the Imperial Preceptor's boats have already broken through the third line of defense and are heading straight for our Myriad Snake Cave. In no more than the time it takes to burn an incense stick, the Imperial Preceptor's army will reach our Myriad Snake Cave."

Inside Myriad Snake Cave, a long yellow-spotted snake reported every detail with a terrified expression toward a high platform within the cavern.

"How could they be so fast? Our Myriad Snake Cave only has three lines of defense in total. Now that every line has been breached, what are we supposed to do?"

"It's all Little White's fault, all Little White's fault! If she hadn't tipped them off, how could the Imperial Preceptor's army have found our snake cave's location so precisely when Myriad Snake Cave is so well hidden within the Hundred Thousand Mountains?"

"That's right, Master. The Imperial Preceptor slaughtered our kind and naturally deserves death. But Little White colluded with humans and revealed the location of Myriad Snake Cave, so she should be subjected to the harshest punishment. This disciple boldly volunteers to capture Little White and bring her back!"

Faced with the Imperial Preceptor's steadily advancing army, the Snake Demons in Myriad Snake Cave all turned pale and began slandering Little White. Some clever cowards even proposed capturing Little White, hoping to escape this disaster.

"Why should you go?