Chapter 25: White Snake Battles Taoist Priests
Under the indigo night sky, the pale moonlight hung on the branches. The source of the chaotic commotion was right in front of the main gate of the Taoist temple. Two one-meter-long white snakes had suddenly darted out, startling the surrounding crowd into scattering.
When Jiang Si and Shen Hu’s master-disciple duo arrived, they saw the standoff between the white snakes and the humans. The two sides eyed each other cautiously across the Tai Chi Bagua diagram on the ground. Fearing that loud noises would startle the giant snakes, the human clamor boiled for only a moment before falling completely silent.
The three new arrivals observed the situation from the periphery. Someone was already using a net and a stick, trying to approach the large snakes to take them away. Obviously, it wasn’t working wellâthe slightly larger white snake raised its triangular head, hissing and flicking its tongue, scaring the person away.
“Master, if that Willow Immortal suddenly attacks, I’m afraid innocents will be hurt,” the young man said worriedly.
Shen Hu nodded and told him to find the abbot to evacuate the crowd first, clearing the area to negotiate with the Willow Immortals.
As the people attending the ritual left one by one, Jiang Si’s view cleared up significantly, allowing him to see the snakes on the ground clearly.
Thinking of the only snake immortal he had met recently…
Jiang Si wondered: Could they really be here to crash the place?
White Snake vs. Taoist Priests. Jiang Si didn’t mind watching the drama; with so many masters present, surely someone could beat the Snake Immortals.
His look of excitement was misinterpreted by Shen Hu as fear of the white snakes.
Shen Hu comforted him gently, “Little friend, no need to be afraid. There are many fellow Taoists here. That Willow Immortal is sentient; if we reason with it properly, we can resolve the grievance.”
Jiang Si was awestruck. “You can reason with them?”
Shen Hu said calmly, “There is reason in everything. The Willow Immortal trespassing and disturbing the pilgrims is wrong to begin with.”
Makes sense. After all, it’s a modern harmonious society; they couldn’t just fight and kill like in the old days.
Just as Jiang Si felt a twinge of guilt, the white snake suddenly flew into a rage. It instantly expanded three or four times in size, coiling on the ground, towering half a meter above everyone present, its cold beastly eyes scanning the crowd.
Jiang Si felt a sudden gust of wind beside him. Shen Hu, who was speaking calmly just a second ago, had already flown out. The fan in his hand was flung into the air, aiming straight for the white snake’s vital spotâthe “seven-inch.”
No one saw clearly how he moved. The white snake transformed into human form, retreating several steps to avoid the fan’s attack, looking both shocked and angry. “Are you crazy?!”
Shen Hu reached out to catch the fan that automatically flew back to him. He landed slowly, his loose Tang suit fluttering in the air. He flicked the fan open and fanned himself a few times. “You scared the people first.”
The scene was dead silent. Jiang Si was amazedâShen Hu’s folding fan had a large, flamboyantly written character on it: “Reason” (Li).
Persuading people with reason. So thatâs what it meant.
Opposite them, both white snakes transformed into human forms. By the light, Jiang Si realized it was a man and a woman. He recognized the woman; it was Bai Qi-niang (Seven).
Thinking of Bai Qi-niang’s personality, Jiang Si couldn’t help but let his mind wanderâthe other one couldn’t be Xiao Qing (Little Green), could it?
“…I’m here to find someone.” “Xiao Qing” said grumpily, “This broken temple of yours… I wouldn’t step foot in here even if you begged me.”
“That doesn’t give you the right to reveal your true form at the Zhongyuan Ritual Assembly,” someone in the crowd shouted.
“…” “Xiao Qing” knew he was in the wrong and didn’t respond. His long, narrow eyes roamed straight through the crowd.
After a while, Bai Qi-niang tugged at his sleeve, pointing to the young man standing in the furthest corner, looking completely out of place among the group of people in ritual robes.
“It’s him.”
“So it’s him…” “Xiao Qing” cracked an inexplicable smile. Caught off guard, he grabbed Bai Qi-niang by the ear and dragged her over.
Jiang Si was whispering to Hai Di, “I’ll ask the other masters later if there’s any way to send you back.”
After a moment of silence, Hai Di spoke, “Actually, I’m not in a hurry…”
“Ouch. Second Great-Uncle, go easy. Easy!” Bai Qi-niang wailed all the way over, her pretty face twisted in pain.
Under the watchful eyes of everyone, the two snake immortals pushed through the crowd and arrived in front of Jiang Si. Bai Qi-niang was shoved forward violently, stumbling a few steps. Behind her, “Xiao Qing” said coldly, “Apologize!”
“?”
Jiang Si was confused.
The other masters were also confused.
They exchanged glances, inquiring about this young man’s identity.
Who is this guy with such massive influence? A Willow Immortal crashes the Zhongyuan Ritual just for him!
“…I’m sorry.” Under the pressure, Bai Qi-niang lowered her head lifelessly, reciting like she was reading a textbook, completely emotionless. “I shouldn’t have been willful and pranked humans, nor should I have kidnapped people for marriage. I was wrong.”
“You…” Jiang Si was silent for a moment, pointing at himself. “Your marriage partner wasn’t me. You should apologize to the unlucky guy, why apologize to me?”
“…Damn it.” Bai Qi-niang rolled her eyes. “Do you think I want toâ”
Before she could finish, her head was smacked hard. The man behind her warned, “Watch your attitude.”
“…I’m sorry.”
“We’ll talk about the other person later.” “Xiao Qing” stepped forward, looking at Jiang Si meaningfully. “What is Jiang Qingli to you?”
“And you are?” Jiang Si looked at Bai Qi-niang. She introduced him: “My Second Great-Uncle.”
“You’re Jiang Qingli’s grandson, right? You look quite like him.” White Second Master (Bai Erye) scoffed. “I had some friendship with your grandfather. You and Little Seven meeting is like ‘no fight, no friendship.’ It’s fate.”
Seeing the human-snake war turn into a genealogy reunion, Jiang Si felt something was off. He nodded cautiously. “He was my grandfather. Why?”
“I once owed him a favor. I didn’t expect him to die before I could repay it. Returning the favor to you works just the same.” Bai Erye patted Bai Qi-niang, revealing his true intentions. “My Little Seven has a bad temper and isn’t very bright, but she can fight and has some talent. It wouldn’t be bad for her to be a guardian immortal for your family.”
“…” truly a shameless snake.
If Jiang Si didn’t respect elders, he really would have cursed at the snake. Despite his patience, his expression was hard to describe. “My house isn’t a shelter, and I don’t need a guardian immortal.”
“Tsk… you can take in a ghost, what’s wrong with my Little Seven?” Bai Erye was dissatisfied. “Are you looking down on snakes?”
Jiang Si didn’t want to open his eyes every morning to see a giant snake crawling around his house. He refused without hesitation: “I’m not, I don’t, I don’t need it!”
“You don’t have to raise her forever, just let her follow you for a while. Watch her so she doesn’t cause trouble again.” Bai Erye felt he had already made a concession.
“What about you?”
“I have other important matters, naturally.” Bai Erye held his head high, narrowing his phoenix eyes and looking contemptuously at the other masters. “I’m going to do big things, unlike this bunch of good-for-nothing mages.”
Jiang Si sharply noticed several people clenching their fists and wondered to himself: Why do all these snake immortals have such punchable personalities?
Is it really okay to badmouth people on their own turf?
Seeing Jiang Si still noncommittal, Bai Erye continued, “This year, the Global Metaphysics Competition is being held. I am going to fight for the country. Where would I find the time to manage her?”
“I can live on my own.” Bai Qi-niang raised her hand silently. “I already said I won’t force civilian men into marriage anymore.”
Bai Erye knew that a leopard doesn’t change its spots; he didn’t believe a word of it and scoffed. “Tell me then, how will you live?”
“I want to go into the entertainment industry and act.” Bai Qi-niang didn’t hesitate. Watching plays was boring; acting was more challenging. Plus… there were so many beauties in show business!
Bai Erye looked at Jiang Si: Will that work?
Jiang Si was speechless. He wanted to refuse again, but Bai Erye didn’t play by the rules. He shoved Bai Qi-niang forward and fled the scene instantly.
Leaving Jiang Si, the forced guardian, and Bai Qi-niang, the forced ward, staring at each other.
Shen Hu, having heard the whole process, looked at him sympathetically and patted Jiang Si heavily on the shoulder. “Itâs been hard on you.”
The elevator dinged open. Lin Nan, hobbling on crutches, looked up as he exited and saw Bai Qi-niang waving at him.
“Helloâ”
White dress fluttering, hair down to her waist. The old hallway lights flickered obligingly.
Lin Nan was so scared he backed up several steps. The elevator doors had already closed. He leaned against the cold elevator door, one desperate thought in his mind.
It’s over. I’m dead!
“White Seven.” Jiang Si heard the commotion and opened the door. Seeing Lin Nan about to faint from fright, he quickly called out to him.
“Are you okay?”
“Brother Jiang, she… you… you guys…” Lin Nan wanted to cry but couldn’t. “Why is she here again? I already said I wouldn’t be with her.”
Jiang Si: “…”
Bai Qi-niang walked over, looking at Lin Nan with disdain. “How did you end up like this?”
Jiang Si looked back at her. Bai Qi-niang looked innocent.
“Scared by you.” Jiang Si explained concisely and helped Lin Nan into his home.
Once inside, he didn’t forget to warn Bai Qi-niang. “After your illusion last time, his body is weak enough. Don’t wander in front of him if you have nothing to do. Don’t go to him even if you do have something to do.”
“Got it,” Bai Qi-niang answered perfunctorily. Then her eyes lit up as she thought of something. “By the way, aren’t you really good at paper effigies? Burn two for me to play with! Make them pretty!”
Jiang Si: “Dream on. Those things are expensive. Do you have money?”
Because of Bai Qi-niang’s sudden appearance, he had to leave the Taoist temple in a hurry. He still hadn’t clarified the matter regarding Hai Di’s separated soul, so he’d have to find another chance.
Just as Jiang Si was thinking this, Luo Yan finally replied to his message: No photos. Photos of these masters aren’t easily circulated, and for powerful masters, even if you take a photo, their faces won’t be clear.
Jiang Si actually knew this. The more powerful one was, the less important the physical vessel became. Even if captured on camera, the features would be blurry.
“Understood.” Just as he sent that…
Luo Yan asked about another matter: “Boss Jiang, do you have a certificate for being an inheritor of Intangible Cultural Heritage for paper effigies?”
“…No.”
Luo Yan was silent for a moment on the other end, obviously surprised.
“Then prepare your application submission. I’ll report it from my side.”
Jiang Si agreed. Turning his head to look at Bai Qi-niang, and thinking of Xiao Fengxian who was about to return, his head started to ache.
How did he turn a single person’s apartment into a commune?
It used to be one person eats, the whole family is full. Now, he was dragging a family along, raising a bunch of weird things.
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