The Yao Python

Soon, Jiang Yun's fingers traced across Xu Xiaogang's back, and at last he finished drawing the Golden Light Divine Incantation.

At that very moment, the small door swung open.

An old man of about seventy slowly walked in.

He wore a brocade robe, with a jade belt cinched around his waist. But his skin was an eerie white, and his pupils weren't human—they were slitted like a snake's.

A cold glint flashed in his eyes.

He even flicked his tongue between his lips.

Seeing his ghastly appearance, Qian Bochou hurriedly ducked behind Xu Xiaogang.

"Why didn't you deal with him yourself? Why draw a talisman for me instead?" Xu Xiaogang turned to look at Jiang Yun, who was hiding behind him alongside Qian Bochou, and wondered what was going on.

Could all these experts have some strange quirk?

Or maybe...

He wanted Xu Xiaogang to fight the Evil Spirit first, then step in to save him when he was outmatched and exhausted?

Damn it!

This was obviously supposed to be my scene!

Jiang Yun saw Xu Xiaogang's expression shifting between light and dark, as if he were lost in thought. He called out, "Xu Xiaogang, repeat the incantation after me!"

"The profound source of heaven and earth, the root of all qi. Through countless kalpas of cultivation, I attain divine power. Within and without the Three Realms, the Dao alone is supreme. My body bears golden light, covering and reflecting my form."

Xu Xiaogang followed along, but his mind was full of thoughts about showing off. Though he recited the incantation aloud, his heart wasn't still, so it had no effect at all.

Meanwhile, the skin on Master Tang's face began to split, just like a snake shedding its skin. The outer layer—the skin of Master Huang—peeled away.

A pitch-black Yao Python, a full three zhang long, slithered out.

The Yao Python emerged, and its powerful Demonic Qi could no longer be concealed. It poured out in every direction.

This Yao Python was no weakling!

Even Xu Xiaogang, an expert among the Imperial Guards, would have trouble handling it unarmed.

"Hold it off. I'll think of something!" Jiang Yun gritted out.

"Shouldn't I be the one saying that?"

Just then, the Yao Python surged toward them, lunging with its jaws wide open.

They scattered in all directions.

If they stayed together, the Yao Python might swallow them all in one gulp.

To their surprise, the Yao Python ignored the other two and charged straight at Jiang Yun.

Its blood-red maw came roaring toward him.

Jiang Yun's expression changed. I'm done for. If it bites me, I'll be off to meet the Three Pure Ancestors.

At the critical moment, a figure suddenly rushed in. Xu Xiaogang slammed his body into the giant python's head.

With a bang, he knocked it aside.

Bare-chested, Xu Xiaogang clenched his fists. "Your opponent is me! Even a monster has to learn to respect people!"

With that, he charged forward, leapt into the air, and kicked the Yao Python hard.

But the python's scales were as hard as iron. If only he had a sword, he might have stood a chance.

The Yao Python moved with lightning speed. Its tail swept across and lashed Xu Xiaogang hard, sending him flying.

An ordinary person would likely have died from that blow.

But Xu Xiaogang had trained in the Martial Path, and his body was naturally stronger than an ordinary person's. He quickly got back up and charged at the Yao Python again.

Jiang Yun looked over and could see that the Yao Python was powerful. Xu Xiaogang wouldn't be able to hold on much longer.

Damn it, they must have taken the bundle I'd brought with me.

Then his gaze landed on Qian Bochou, who was hiding in the distance.

He hurriedly shouted, "Constable Qian, do you still have that handful of black powder you took earlier today?"

At that, Qian Bochou jogged over to him. "Sure do."

He pulled the handful of black powder from his pocket.

"We need to get Lord Xu over here," Jiang Yun said gravely.

"What do you mean, get him over here?"

"He has Magic Power. I can only cast the technique once he's here."

"But someone needs to hold off that Yao Python for a moment."

Qian Bochou chuckled and pointed at himself. "You don't mean you want me to hold off that giant python, do you, Brother Jiang?"

Jiang Yun shot back, "You know the answer, don't you, Brother? You don't want to die in this godforsaken place either."

Qian Bochou looked at the mighty Yao Python, darting about and snapping at everything in sight. His legs began to tremble.

Jiang Yun couldn't spare a thought for what Qian Bochou wanted. He shouted urgently, "Xu Xiaogang, find a way to get over here! Constable Qian will hold it off!"

Xu Xiaogang was covered in bruises and badly hurt. Several times, he'd nearly been bitten by the giant python.

He was at a loss too. Without a weapon, there was no way to pierce the Yao Python's scales.

Hearing Jiang Yun's voice, he kicked the python hard in the head and retreated.

"I'm the constable of Nanzhou Prefecture!"

"Monster, prepare to die!"

Qian Bochou roared, mustering his courage, and charged forward.

But halfway there, his feet tangled. With a thump, he fell flat on his face and knocked himself out.

Jiang Yun's expression shifted. The Yao Python had already turned and was charging toward him and Xu Xiaogang.

"Keep this in your mouth." Jiang Yun took the handful of black powder and tried to stuff it into Xu Xiaogang's mouth.

Xu Xiaogang's face changed, and he hurriedly shook his head. "Keep it in my mouth? I heard you say on the roof of the carriage that this was made from pig shit..."

Jiang Yun's eyelid twitched. This guy had actually heard him. He took a deep breath and said, "I was lying to Constable Qian. It's ginseng, mixed with all kinds of rare treasures. It's extremely good for your body!"

Xu Xiaogang scowled. "You think I'm going to believe that?"

"Then I'm sorry."

The Yao Python was getting closer and closer. There was no time.

Jiang Yun pinched his thigh.

Xu Xiaogang yelped in pain and reflexively opened his mouth. "Ah!"

Jiang Yun stuffed the black powder into Xu Xiaogang's mouth.

"Keep it in your mouth. Don't spit it out." Jiang Yun covered his mouth. "I'll recite the incantation in a moment. Repeat it silently in your heart."

Then Jiang Yun recited gravely, "Fire Virtue Refining Technique, three breaths enter the elixir's light. True Fire burns the body, relics enter the urn."

Xu Xiaogang took a deep breath and finally calmed himself. In his heart, he silently repeated the incantation after Jiang Yun.

Suddenly, he felt a wave of scorching heat welling in his mouth.

At the same time, the Yao Python had reached them.

It opened its mouth and spewed a torrent of flames.

The flames engulfed the Yao Python from head to tail. Its massive body rolled over and over on the ground, trying to extinguish the blaze.

But no matter how it struggled, the flames didn't diminish in the slightest.

Gradually, the Yao Python stopped struggling.

The roaring blaze lit up the entire courtyard as bright as day.

The air filled with the savory smell of roasted meat.

"What kind of fire is this?"

Staring at the scene before him, Xu Xiaogang's eyes widened in shock. "That monster was burned alive just like that?"

"The Daoist School's Samadhi True Fire. Did you think I was joking?" Jiang Yun said.

"Ptooey, ptooey, ptooey." Xu Xiaogang came to his senses, spat out the black powder, wiped his mouth, and said, "You bastard, how dare you make me eat that stuff?"

Jiang Yun pointed at Qian Bochou, who was lying on the ground. "There's another bastard over there."

"Hey, Constable Qian, quit pretending. Get up."

Qian Bochou remained motionless on the ground.

"Run! The Yao Python's alive again!"

Qian Bochou instantly jumped to his feet and ran off with nimble, agile steps...

Xu Xiaogang scowled. "Coming out with you two is a real curse!"

Just then, the small door slowly opened.

A resentful, icy voice rang out. "Father, what have you done to my father?!"

Please vote and follow for updates!