Chapter 28

"Hiss... hiss... hiss..."

—She's my last surviving child. It was my fault for coming to steal your things. If you hate me, I'll die right now. I only hope you'll be kind enough to let her go.

Tao Qiu had already released the little snake's head. The little snake had been barely alive, but after hearing Green Python's words, she somehow found the strength to struggle wildly again.

"Hiss! Hiss!"

—Mom! Mom!

The little snake's cries were heartrending. Green Python's heart felt as though it were being cut with a knife, and moisture welled in her golden eyes.

Tao Qiu still hadn't answered, but sometimes silence was an answer in itself.

Green Python understood. Without hesitating, she jerked her head up and lunged at the pointed rock!

"Chirp!"

—Stop if you don't want her to die!

Green Python had kept an eye on Tao Qiu even as she moved, but by the time he spoke, she was already halfway through killing herself.

There was no time to think about what else Tao Qiu's words might mean. Green Python knew only that if she died, her child would die too. So, difficult as it was, she forcibly twisted her body before she could slam into the pointed rock.

The rock scraped off her scales and pierced her flesh with an alarming sound.

Green Python knew the scales on the rest of her body were tough. If she wanted to die in a single blow, she could only target her vulnerable throat.

She had lunged at the rock with all her strength, so avoiding a fatal wound now was not so easy.

In the end, the rock didn't pierce her throat, but it still tore a large gash in her. Scales flew everywhere from the impact, and blood ran down her body and pooled on the ground.

"Hiss! Hiss!"

—Mom, sob! Mom!

The little snake's cries hadn't stopped. Green Python lay weakly on the ground and strained to turn her body so she could see what was happening above her.

Tao Qiu was still holding the little snake. His expression was indifferent, but when he lowered his eyes to look at Green Python, emotions she couldn't understand colored his pale green gaze.

Moonlight fell on his snow-white hair and enormous wings, giving him an icy air. He was like a god passing judgment on the sins of the world, compassion taken to its utmost becoming indifference, all living things in the mortal world equally beneath his notice.

Green Python had no concept of a "god," but when she saw Tao Qiu land in the moonlight, gently return the little snake to her side, and quietly tell her to "wait a moment," a thought suddenly occurred to her.

From then on, Snow Bird was, in her eyes, an existence entirely unlike the other mutated monsters.

"Hiss..."

—Mom...

As soon as Tao Qiu let go, the little snake eagerly slithered over to Green Python. Paying no attention to the dirt and gruesome wound on her body, she rubbed against her, then realized she might hurt her. Frightened and at a loss, she could only circle in front of her.

"Hiss... hiss..."

—Don't die... Mom, don't die...

Green Python had no strength to move, but she knew her own body. The wounds looked serious, but they weren't enough to kill her, and they would heal before long.

"Hiss."

—Be good, don't cry.

Green Python gently comforted the little snake.

"Hiss..."

—Mom, sob...

The little snake curled into a ball and pressed tightly against Green Python, trying to draw a little sense of security from her.

Green Python looked at the frail little snake, her eyes full of heartache.

She hadn't known the little snake had followed her, much less that she would launch a sneak attack on Snow Bird.

Green Python couldn't bear to imagine what would have happened if the little snake had fallen a few steps behind on the way there and been caught by another mutated monster, or if Snow Bird had chosen to kill her to take revenge...

That would have hurt her more than being cut to pieces.

She had already lost too many children. This was the only one she had left, and no matter what, she would do everything she could to keep her alive.

Having recovered a little strength, Green Python dragged her tail around the little snake to protect her, unwilling to let even a breath of cold wind touch her.

After an unknown length of time, footsteps approached, and a shadow fell over Green Python and the little snake.

Green Python looked up. Snow Bird had returned.

Tao Qiu set a basket of tomatoes beside Green Python and calmly chirped to her.

—These fruits are for you for now. Bring me prey to pay for them. If you need more, we can discuss the details of an exchange later. As for what happened tonight, I expect you're willing to keep it to yourself.

Green Python was astonished. She had thought Snow Bird was already merciful enough to spare her and the little snake. She hadn't expected him to give her such important fruits, let alone so many at once.

She looked at the red fruits in the basket, then at Tao Qiu, and finally gave a sincere hiss.

—Thank you, Snow Bird.

Tao Qiu accepted her thanks without hesitation. After all, Green Python was the one who had lost the fight. Even if he refused to trade with her, she wouldn't have a word of objection.

Having said what he needed to, Tao Qiu didn't intend to stay. Pretending not to see the little snake's fierce glare, he turned and headed into the valley.

He had only just taken the cubs back to the cave, and they were still waiting for him to return.

Tao Qiu had only taken two steps when he heard Green Python hiss again behind him.

—Your three bird cubs are very healthy, and very cute too.

Although Green Python had sent snakes to scout and steal tomatoes before, Tao Qiu had kept the bird cubs well hidden, so she hadn't known he had cubs.

Not until she heard that young bird's cry, not until she saw the little bird cub appear on the mountain.

Green Python suddenly understood. That was probably why Snow Bird had spared her and was willing to give her the fruits.

Hearing this, Tao Qiu turned to look at Green Python and replied with a smile.

—Thank you for the compliment. They really are very cute.

Chapter 28: Ten-thousand-word chapter

Tao Qiu knew Green Python would leave once she recovered her strength, so he paid her no more attention.

His three bird cubs were his greatest concern now.

"Chirp! Chirp!"

The cubs were standing at the cave entrance. When they saw Tao Qiu return, they forgot all about the steep slope in front of them and rushed toward him together, calling for their father.

Even the usually calm Eldest Cub had become a little crybaby, sniffling like a pitiful little thing nobody wanted.

Tao Qiu swept the cubs into his arms as they rushed over, lowered his head, and kissed each of them again and again. "Don't be scared, babies. Daddy's back."

"Chirp, chirp... chirp, chirp..."

—Daddy... sob, Daddy...

Finally able to let their emotions out, the cubs cried even harder.

They had seen for themselves how terrifying Green Python's frenzied attack was. Dust, sand, and stones had flown everywhere, and even the rocks had cracked from the impacts.

They couldn't bear to imagine how badly their father would have been hurt if the snake's tail had struck him.

When they saw their father come under a sneak attack, their minds had gone blank, and their pounding hearts had felt ready to leap out of their throats.

Their scream warning him had been pure instinct. Only some time later had they realized what they had done.

The fights in stories made them excited and eager to try, but after seeing a real battle where lives were on the line, they felt only fear and lingering dread.

Stories were only stories, but in reality, pain was real, blood was real, and a life lost was truly gone.

Their father had won this time, but what about next time? Would he win every time?

Even if he won, he could still get hurt, and it would hurt so very much.

Tears streamed down the bird cubs' faces as worry, fear, and sorrow washed over them. Huddled in Tao Qiu's arms, they cried until they trembled.

Tao Qiu knew the cubs needed to let it out, so he didn't force any more comforting words on them. Instead, he carried them back into the cave, lay down with them in their familiar nest, and waited for them to calm down.

All the while, Tao Qiu gently stroked the three bird cubs, doing his utmost to create a warm, secure environment for them.

The cubs had truly been badly frightened. Tao Qiu estimated that they cried for nearly an hour, then spent another half hour calming down in his arms before their little minds began to recover a little clarity.

"Chirp..."

—Daddy.

Second Cub's voice was hoarse. She climbed up, buried her head in the crook of Tao Qiu's shoulder, and nuzzled him affectionately.

Tao Qiu patted her and gave a soft hum in reply.

Nothing more he said would help now. He only needed to make sure the cubs knew he was here.

Eldest Cub and Third Cub each nuzzled Tao Qiu's palms too, wanting to pick up their father's scent and leave theirs on him.

Tao Qiu was like a large rag doll, quietly letting the cubs hug and nuzzle him, afraid that a single movement might startle them while they were so vulnerable.

Once they had rubbed their father's scent all over themselves, the cubs finally relaxed completely, spreading themselves across Tao Qiu's legs like fluffy little pancakes.

Tao Qiu massaged their little bellies with his fingertips, paying special attention to Second Cub's because she had taken a tumble not long ago.

He had checked her over. Her thick feathers had kept her from being injured underneath, but some of her down had been scraped off, so it must still have hurt.

Seemingly guessing what Tao Qiu was thinking, Second Cub raised a wing to touch his finger and chirped softly.

—Daddy, it doesn't hurt anymore.

Tao Qiu smoothed her slightly ruffled down. A smile touched his lips, but his eyes had turned red.

"Yes, Daddy knows. My Xuexue is strong and brave."

"And Momo and Yuanyuan too." Tao Qiu looked at the other two bird cubs, who were gazing eagerly at him, and praised them generously. "Thank you for warning Daddy to be careful. Even when things were so dangerous, you still dared to run toward me. You're all little bird babies who love me very, very much and are very brave."

Third Cub stared at him with big, watery eyes and asked anxiously, "Chirp, chirp, chirp?"

—We didn't listen to you, Daddy. We ran out without permission. Aren't you angry?