I used to think the saying "looking at a mountain and running a horse to death" was just an empty phrase.
But when it happened to me, I realized it wasn't just about running a horse to death from looking at a mountain; ten li was almost enough to kill me.
Unable to defeat the python, I could only run further upstream along the Han River to escape its pursuit. Who would have thought that despite its seemingly half-dead state, it would always stay behind me? If I ran a bit faster, I could widen the distance, but the moment I stopped, it would cling to me like a stubborn patch.
I ran another three or four li upstream along the Han River, but I was completely exhausted. The depletion of the Xuan Yang Qi in my body caused my resistance to the cold to drop another level. If it weren't for the Hu Kui Seal in my bag constantly emitting a faint warmth, I probably would have frozen into an icicle by now.
"The shopkeeper said it was only about ten li away, why haven't I reached it yet?" The further upstream I went along the Han River, the stronger the chilling power became. It felt like standing in a great river being washed by the current. If it weren't for the giant python chasing me relentlessly from behind, I would have already gone ashore to rest.
But I couldn't go ashore to rest. Firstly, I didn't know if there were other Yin beasts ambushing on the shore. Secondly, I feared that if the python followed me ashore, it would recover. My Xuan Yang Qi was almost completely depleted, and if I went ashore, I would become its food. I wouldn't do such a foolish thing.
Turning to look back, during the brief moment I was resting, those eyes emitting a faint green glow were slowly approaching. The speed wasn't very fast, but there was a persistent, unyielding drive.
I actually admired this python. I had blinded its eyes, yet it had recovered them during the chase, as if Yin souls could repair their bodies by absorbing the soul fire of others – it was truly miraculous.
But at this moment, I didn't have the leisure to be curious. Because as the python chased me, its body gradually adapted to the icy cold of the Han River. Initially, I could maintain a distance of a hundred meters, and whenever I neared the shore to rest, it could always catch up in the shortest possible time.
That nauseating stench was the best reminder.
It didn't give me any time to rest now. As soon as I approached the shore, it would speed up its swimming, giving the impression that it wouldn't be satisfied until it had devoured me alive.
Smelling the foul odor from my nose and mouth, I became determined.
"Beast, if you have the ability, keep following me. Don't run off halfway. Otherwise, I'll look down on you."
Its only reply was a hiss.
Based on my judgment, I had likely entered Qingfeng Mountain by now, and it was at most one or two li from the Yin Bamboo Forest. Once I reached the Yin Bamboo Forest and met Fifth Princess, this little snake wouldn't be skinned and boiled into soup by her?
Thinking of it being skinned by Fifth Princess to make snake soup soon, I found even more motivation to press on. Most importantly, it was only five or six meters away from me. If I didn't move, I would truly become its food.
The last li of the journey taught me what human suffering was, what it meant to be in hell. The Yin wind blowing on my body felt like knife cuts. My already tattered clothes were blown away completely, leaving me naked to experience the baptism of a Force 7 or 8 wind.
Even the cowhide bag I carried on my back was blown into rags by the Yin wind. Fortunately, I was quick-handed and took out the Hu Kui Seal from inside.
Upon encountering the Yin wind, the Hu Kui Seal emitted a faint white light. The Yin wind, as it passed me, also became gentler, reducing from Force 7 or 8 to Force 3 or 4.
This finally brought some relief to my numb body. Otherwise, I estimated that before I could even reach the Yin Bamboo Forest, I would have been blown into a dried corpse by this Yin wind.
It was just a little strange, where was the source of this Yin wind? Could it really be the Yin Bamboo Forest?
I could no longer see the python behind me, but I knew it was definitely there. As long as I stopped, it would surely catch up. Su Dan Novel Network
The further I walked, the heavier my body felt. That chilling sensation not only numbed my body but also made my thoughts want to stop, sending a signal to just rest here, to just sleep.
But I knew these were all illusions caused by the cold. If I stopped now, I wouldn't have the strength to stand up again. The only outcome awaiting me was one word: "death."
I fell down again and again, my body getting scraped in countless places. But due to the cold, I couldn't feel the pain, only a slight numbness.
At first, when I fell, I could feel my hands getting scraped and bleeding. But later, a bump wouldn't hurt at all; I would only know that I had hit something, with no other sensation.
I even forgot about the python chasing me from behind, and I forgot why I was going to the Yin Bamboo Forest.
I even forgot my own name, only knowing that I had to move forward.
The Yin wind stopped.
I also tumbled to the ground, but I held the Hu Kui Seal tightly in my hand, as it was my hope for survival.
I don't know if I fell asleep or fainted. There was a tingling sensation on my face, as if a hand was caressing my cheek.
Drowsily, I opened my eyes and found myself lying in the river. I looked around and saw a corner of the back gate of the royal mansion in the dimness.
"So, the end of the Han River is the Yin Bamboo Forest lake."
When I left the Yin Bamboo Forest, I had passed by this small river. Its source was the lake by the pavilion in the Yin Bamboo Forest.
After waking up, I checked my body. Besides some slight swelling and a few scrapes on my hands, I had no major injuries.
However, my clothes were completely unwearable. Even my supposedly most durable jeans had turned into a pair of shorts.
"Damn it, luckily I had this thing, or I would have died a direct death."
I brought the Hu Kui Seal to my lips and kissed it fiercely, "It really is a good treasure." Then I put it back in my pocket.
After my body recovered a bit, I stood up, ready to enter the Yin Bamboo Forest.
Before I had taken a few steps, I saw a snake lying horizontally in front of me. It was different from the python that had been chasing me. It was only a little over three inches long, and its entire body was white, looking as if it had been carved from jade.
I was already angry at the python chasing me, and now, having not seen it, but finding its kind, I naturally wanted to vent my anger.
"Damn it, since I didn't see that python, I'll just catch you little thing to vent my frustration. Remember, the one who harmed you is the python that was chasing me."
I muttered to myself and prepared to tear it limb from limb, to make it dissipate into the world.
But who knew, in the time it took me to speak, the little white snake's tongue suddenly flicked out, and its two originally gray eyes began to emit green light.
Seeing the little white snake awaken, I was instantly shocked, "Damn it, you damned python, you can transform."
Before it could fully wake up, I grabbed its tail and spun my right hand like a whirlwind. I had seen this move in the animal world. Snakes are segmented animals; if you grab their tail and spin them, their segments will come apart, and they will become a "dead" snake, to be played with as one pleases.
After spinning it more than ten times, I figured it was about done, and then I forcefully threw it onto a protruding rock.
*Crack—*
"Huh?"
I was a bit dumbfounded. The little white snake wasn't killed by my throw. Instead, the rock, about the size of a human head, on the ground was shattered by its impact.
"Damn it, what kind of snake is this? How is it so hard?"
After being thrown by me like this, the little white snake appeared a bit listless, but the green light in its eyes remained strong.
"Oh ho, still not convinced? Let's see how long you can keep this up."
I had already decided it was the python transformed, so I grabbed its tail again and threw it onto the rock.
"See if you die, see if you die."
Once, twice... ten times...