In the grass of the wild Fertile Lands, Black Snake lay patiently in wait for prey to approach.
He flicked his forked tongue and judged that his target had entered striking range.
His enormous body shot forward, his jaws clamping precisely onto the largest wild boar's neck and spine. The boar, weighing over six hundred jin, struggled frantically, its four hooves sending dirt and weeds flying. Once Great Black Snake had wound a coil around it, escape became impossible. His muscles tightened slowly, squeezing until its bones gave muffled cracks. The brutal constriction twisted the boar out of shape.
Only when the boar went limp and stopped moving did he release his prey and begin eating, biting into its flesh and pulling hard backward or shaking his head from side to side.
He tore off great chunks of meat and raised his head high, his throat muscles working rhythmically as he swallowed them into his belly, one after another.
Black Snake had been born without the ability to chew and had no intention of acquiring it. Tearing off pieces and swallowing them whole was quick and convenient.
A flock of crows landed to wait. This crow lineage was an old acquaintance, too.
Suddenly, the crows rose into the air with a chorus of caws and circled overhead.
His mouth covered in blood, Black Snake turned his head and saw the grass part as a striped tiger emerged. More powerfully built than an ordinary tiger, it sniffed the thick scent of blood and stared at Black Snake. It had never seen such a large snake before and stood briefly stunned.
After facing him for a few breaths, the tiger turned and quickly left. It did not want to take the risk.
Black Snake lowered his head and continued tearing and swallowing.