Black Snake dealt with another dozen or so bandits from elsewhere. Over the years, fools who failed to recognize danger kept charging up the mountain. As usual, Black Snake carried them down to feed the crows.
There was no choice. They had to be killed.
In the past, Black Snake had avoided killing people as much as possible, fearing it would draw the old Daoist out to subdue a demon.
But Black Snake had to honor the agreement to guard the mountain for a hundred years. With the world in turmoil, bandits of every stripe repeatedly coveted the Azure Cloud Monastery. Black Snake vaguely sensed that failing to protect it would have grave consequences, so killing was necessary.
It was a helpless situation. The immediate trouble had to be dealt with first.
Black Snake slithered down the mountain and bit to death the bandits left behind to watch the livestock. The horses and mules tethered at the crossroads kicked and leaped in alarm. Black Snake picked a few sturdy ones, bit through their necks, and tore off their flesh to eat.
Then Black Snake coiled beside the road, basking in the sun while digesting the meal.
The remaining horses and mules broke their ropes and fled. Black Snake could not be bothered to chase them. Having enough to eat was all that mattered.
A wolf pack caught the scent and cautiously gathered nearby. At the sight of the enormous coiled figure, they flattened their ears and silently retreated into the grass, vanishing without a trace. Black Snake digested food quickly, then tore off and swallowed more before returning to bask in the sun.
Within half a day, all that remained were the heads and four hooves with little meat on them, along with dried bloodstains.
Black Snake had intended to