"Well, this matter is a long story. Over a hundred years ago, a Qiu family swordsman, while apprehending a fugitive mountain bandit who had murdered two families, accidentally stumbled into a vast marsh. At the time, the marsh was shrouded in fog, and the Qiu family swordsman, venturing in alone, couldn't discern any direction. It's said he was trapped there for a full three days.
He wouldn't have been able to escape, but according to his later account, on the third night, the fog in the marsh suddenly dissipated. Overjoyed, he used the direction of the Big Dipper to walk out. However, as he walked, he not only failed to distance himself from the marsh but instead came across a deep pool, hundreds of meters in circumference.
Strangely, there was no wind at the time, and for some unknown reason, the fog had dispersed. Furthermore, the surface of the pool began to ripple slightly, with specks of starlight scattering upon the water, creating a peculiar beauty. The fatigue from days of travel had almost vanished. But before he could rejoice, the water surged upward, four to five meters high, like a wall of water!
At that moment, the Qiu family swordsman's nerves were stretched taut like a bowstring, and then, he witnessed the most terrifying sight of his life.
Suddenly, a giant snake appeared within the surging waves. It's said the snake's head was as large as a washbasin, its blood-red eyes were the size of goose eggs, and its gaping maw could swallow a person whole!
Even a man as skilled and brave as the Qiu family swordsman trembled uncontrollably at the sight. Fortunately, being a man who lived by the sword, he quickly regained his senses and hid behind a black rock.
The giant snake meandered in the pool for a moment before slithering ashore and heading south, coiling itself around a massive old locust tree, continuously rubbing its body against the trunk.
In a daze, the Qiu family swordsman saw the snake's greatly distended belly and instantly realized that the bandit he had been pursuing had likely been devoured by the snake. The snake's actions spoke volumes; it was aiding its digestion.
Eventually, the Qiu family swordsman escaped the marsh. Afterward, many townspeople saw the giant snake again, causing widespread fear. Thus, they agreed to hunt the snake on the eleventh day of the seventh lunar month.
That hunt ultimately only managed to drive the snake away, but it was considered a victory for the townsfolk. Later, the snake seemed to take a grudge against the townspeople. About a week or two to three days before that specific day each year, it would come to cause trouble, steal, and kill. Consequently, the hunting大会 (Hunting Tournament) gradually gained prominence. However, the giant snake hadn't appeared for five or six years. Its return this time is likely to be problematic."
Ren Yuanhao listened while tracing the qi-guiding meridian map with his hand. By the time Qiu Guodong finished speaking, he still hadn't memorized any qi-guiding techniques. Instead, he felt uncomfortable and his head was throbbing.
However, Qiu Guodong's words made Ren Yuanhao understand one thing clearly: Liu Furui's residence in places with so many snakes and dampness was not only to evade sect pursuit but also to keep the giant snake in check for the townspeople. Now that her whereabouts were unknown, the giant snake, without any restraint, would naturally become active.
As Ren Yuanhao was lost in thought, he suddenly heard a series of rapid footsteps.
"Patriarch."
The man who arrived was the sweating Butler Sun.
"If you have something to say, just say it directly."
"Isn't our benefactor here?"
"Alas, I've told you, there are no outsiders here. You're sweating profusely, did something happen? Just speak your mind!" Da Feng Novel Net
Butler Sun swallowed and then slowly said, "The great snake has taken Bai Fu and her daughter and is heading towards where Doctor Sha resides!"
"What? That scoundrel wronged Bai Fu. This time, we must save them from the snake's mouth!" Qiu Guodong had made up his mind, his gaze firm.
Butler Sun looked helpless. "Patriarch, our Qiu family doesn't have much fighting strength left."
"Then release Qiu Ruhai!"
"Release him? But!"
"If I don't even have this much courage, how can I, Qiu Guodong, dare to be the head of this family?"
Upon hearing that it was Bai Fu, Ren Yuanhao also became anxious. Qiu Guodong's last sentence deeply moved him.
Damn it, cultivation techniques can be practiced anytime, but if a person is gone, what's the use of being invincible in the world!
With this thought, Ren Yuanhao frantically tapped on the box. Qiu Guodong reached out and released him from the box. The three of them then spent considerable time returning to the main hall.
At this moment, Qiu Ruhai, shackled by his ankle chain, was being shoved by two attendants into the hall.
"How dare you! Are Qiu family swordsmen treated like this by you?"
Qiu Guodong glared at the two house servants and then took a curved saber, handing it to Qiu Ruhai.
"It seems the Patriarch has encountered a very troublesome matter."
Qiu Guodong did not reply. Instead, he fetched a key and personally unlocked the shackles on his ankles.
"Aren't you afraid I'll use this curved saber to cut off your head and use it as a chamber pot?"
Qiu Ruhai suddenly placed the curved saber at Qiu Guodong's neck. The cold glint was like sharp fangs; even before touching the skin, there was a chilling sense of being torn apart.
"I have a habit: I don't use those I doubt, and I don't doubt those I use. If you were to swing this saber at my head, then I can only blame my own blindness and suffer the consequences."
I didn't expect this old fellow to actually have some backbone at a critical moment. If it weren't for Qiu Yang, that prodigal bastard, the Qiu family would likely be even more influential now.
Ren Yuanhao smiled slightly, his mindset shifting a little.
"Hahahaha, it seems that among the Qiu family, only you, the Patriarch, can be called a true man!" Qiu Ruhai stretched his shoulders and then asked, "Tell me, what is it?"
Qiu Guodong simply explained the matter of the great snake taking Bai Fu and her daughter. Qiu Ruhai said nothing and directly shouldered the curved saber and dashed out of the door. Only when he reached the doorway did he murmur,
"This great snake has an inseparable connection with our Qiu family. My grand-uncle fled that marsh like a coward, and now, I stake the last honor of the Qiu family to kill it. Watch carefully."
Qiu Guodong was startled for a moment, looking at his retreating figure, he was once again transported back to thirty years ago, to the young and unrestrained Qiu family swordsman.
And at this moment, another hearty voice was heard.
"Excuse me, Uncle, this great snake has taken my employer. I'm afraid I can't let you have this job all to yourself."
And at that very moment, the system's voice rang out like heavenly music.
"Good heavens, Ren Yuanhao, you can even proactively snatch orders now. Tsk tsk, should I praise you or punish you?"
"Bah, whatever you say. Didn't you say that great snake is excellent nourishment? I'm quite famished right now!"
"That's right. Although I don't know what exactly happened to your body, all your attribute values, except for intelligence and magic power, are stuck at '9'."
"Does that mean I'm very weak now, missy?"
"No, even with these values, you're still stronger than an ordinary person. You have to believe in yourself. It's just a long snake, perhaps after eating its gall, all your values will be restored."
"Missy, you need to understand one thing: I'm not afraid of anything right now. After all, I'm a man who just returned from the gates of hell!"