Chapter Six: Opening the Mountain Gate (Part Two)

The mountain behind Zhao Family Village had no name. In the memories passed down by generations of the villagers, the mountain had always been there since the founding of the village. Spanning over a hundred square miles, it was densely forested, its paths treacherous, and beasts of prey roamed within. Besides the people of Zhao Village, residents from several other villages nearby would also venture into the mountain to hunt.

Among the group from Zhao Village, Zhao Changfeng stood out as a master at the peak of the Eighth Level of Body Tempering. Apart from him, there were two at the Seventh Level, three at the Sixth, one at the Fifth, and three at the Fourth Level. With such a formation, passing through the mountain should not have posed much difficulty. Yet, for reasons beyond his understanding, Zhao Changfeng had felt a vague unease in his heart ever since they entered the woods.

“Changjin, Changhai, Changshu, I’ll take the lead. The three of you follow behind. Keep the children in the middle, and everyone stay alert,” Zhao Changfeng said, suppressing his unease as he regarded the flickering light and shadow of the forest before him, giving instructions to those behind.

“Understood!” The three men said nothing more, immediately fanning out to form a protective screen at the rear of the children.

“Uncle Changfeng, this isn’t our first time entering the mountain. You don’t need to worry so much,” Zhao Qin suddenly spoke up.

“I know. But it never hurts to be careful. Among the children, your skills are the best—look after your cousin,” Zhao Changfeng replied without turning his head. Zhao Qin’s eyes flickered, but he said nothing more, silently following behind. Ji Mo, having never trained in martial arts, could not keep up. Zhao Changfeng simply carried her on his back.

Jiang Ping had been discovered to possess a spiritual root several years ago and was only waiting to enter a sect to become a cultivator. She, too, had not undergone body tempering training, but though her steps were labored along the way, she managed to keep pace with the group. Ji Mo, perched on Zhao Changfeng’s back, watched her with amazement.

They had traveled more than twenty miles when the waning moon in the sky finally dipped below the horizon, plunging their surroundings into darkness. Fortunately, except for Ji Mo and Jiang Ping, the others had all trained in body tempering to some extent, and even in the night, they could discern objects within two or three meters around them, though anything further away was shrouded in blur.

With vision obstructed, their pace slowed. After another half hour, faint hissing suddenly sounded from ahead, accompanied by a stench that drifted into their nostrils. Zhao Changfeng’s heart tightened. He lowered his voice, instructing the others, “Careful—about thirty meters ahead there’s a fully grown Green-Scaled Python. Everyone, take the antidote to counter its toxic mist, then move as quietly as possible and see if we can skirt around it.”

As he spoke, he set Ji Mo down from his back. Zhao Hu, following closely behind, instinctively took Ji Mo’s hand. The rest, now alert, held their breath and stepped with utmost caution, hoping to avoid this formidable creature. An adult Green-Scaled Python stretched several meters long, thick as a barrel, capable of spraying poisonous mist—a formidable beast to face. In daylight, the group’s combined strength could have dealt with it, but now, in the darkness, their abilities were hampered while the serpent’s senses remained keen. None wished for a fight at this hour, but reality seldom matched hope. No matter how careful they were, the distance between them and the python was too short. After patrolling briefly, the serpent caught their scent. Its flat head lifted, and it slithered directly toward Zhao Changfeng’s party.

Despite its size, the creature moved with alarming speed. The quiet of the forest was broken by the slithering of its massive body along the ground, and in a flash, it was upon them. Zhao Changfeng took a deep breath and shouted in a low voice, “No way around it—prepare for battle!” With that, he gripped his accustomed spear tightly.

When the python was only four or five meters away, it reared up, its huge body twisting in a sudden spiral. Its massive tail rose into the air, forming a whip-like shadow several meters long that lashed toward them. With a fierce cry, Zhao Changfeng sprang forward like a leopard, spear whistling through the air as he struck at the serpent’s vital spot. Alas, hampered by poor visibility and the snake’s agility, the spear only struck the creature’s back.

With a dull thud, Zhao Changfeng staggered back several steps from the impact, but his full-strength thrust, carrying thousands of pounds of force, made the python shudder, its tail crashing heavily back to the ground.

Stunned but not seriously hurt, the snake wobbled and hissed before lunging again. Zhao Changfeng shouted, thrusting his spear once more, while Zhao Changjin and Zhao Changhai—both Seventh Level experts—joined in with iron staff and broadsword, attacking from either side.

The clash of three men against the serpent echoed again and again; the python’s giant tail lashed out repeatedly, only to be knocked aside each time. Yet its tough, scaly hide protected it from harm unless struck at a vital spot. Instead, Zhao Changfeng, Zhao Changjin, and Zhao Changhai began to suffer internal injuries from the repeated collisions, but none dared retreat, desperately hoping to hold out until dawn and then, with everyone’s combined strength, bring the beast down.

Driven back again and again, the python grew ever more enraged. After another rebuff, it lifted its flat head and released a thick cloud of mist toward the group.

“Not good—hold your breath and fall back! This is a mutated species; its poison is far stronger than that of ordinary Green-Scaled Pythons. The antidote we took earlier may not be enough!” Zhao Changfeng, alarmed by the color of the mist, cried out. But as he spoke, he inadvertently inhaled a breath. The venomous fog invaded his lungs; darkness swept before his eyes, his legs buckled, and he nearly collapsed.

“Father!” Seeing his father’s predicament, Zhao Hu refused to retreat. He lunged forward and caught his father just as the python, spewing venom, bore down on Zhao Changfeng—who had done it the most harm and thus became its primary target, as snakes are vengeful by nature.

Realizing the danger, Zhao Changfeng wasted no time. He threw down his spear, grabbed Zhao Hu with one hand and Ji Mo with the other, and tried to leap aside. But suddenly, a sharp pain stabbed his mind, his strength ebbed away, and the three of them fell to the ground.

The python surged forward, jaws gaping wide, drawing a powerful breath as if to swallow all three at once. From several meters away, Zhao Changjin and Zhao Changhai caught a glimpse of this scene, both shocked and desperate. As they started forward, Zhao Qin blocked their path. Zhao Changjin roared in anger, “Zhao Qin, what are you doing?”