Volume Four: Awakening of Insects - Chapter One Hundred and Forty-Four: Reincarnation of the Snake King

Yue'er and the little golden snake, Jin'er, had long shared a telepathic connection. At a single glance at Jin'er, he knew it wanted him to follow. However, over there lay a giant python as thick as a water bucket. Jin'er was fond of him, but the python certainly didn't know him. If it swallowed him whole in its blood-red maw, it wouldn't be many days before he was excreted as the python's waste.

The giant python looked remarkably docile, lying motionless on the ground and occasionally raising its head to look in Yue'er's direction. Yue'er failed to see any murderous glint in its eyes, yet his heart still hammered nervously against his ribs.

"Yue'er, don't go over there."

This time, Luo Yinxiang hadn't followed him. But watching him walk toward the cluster of snakes and the giant python, the last remaining trace of color drained completely from her face. She looked on the verge of tears, her voice trembling uncontrollably as she called out to him.

"What's there to be afraid of?" Yue'er plucked up his courage. "With Jin'er here, no snake dares bite me."

As he drew closer and closer to the giant python, the massive creature remained utterly still, merely flicking its tail as if in welcome. Little Jin'er and Lele flashed through the air, landing atop the python's head. Yue'er stood right beside the giant snake, clueless as to what the little snake wanted him to do.

By this time, many of the village elders had arrived. From a safe distance, they burned incense and candles, while others laid out offerings.

Legends of the Snake-Worshipping Mountain God had been passed down among the elders for generations. The appearance of such a massive snake today surely meant the snake god had manifested. Even if it weren't a deity, it was bound to be a serpentine demon.

Paying no mind to these matters, Yue'er watched as Jin'er slithered down from the python, hissed at him, and then sprang back up onto the giant snake's head. What did this mean? Was it telling him to mount the giant python as well?

"Jin'er, you want me to go up?"

Jin'er hissed happily, slithered down again, and then bounced back up. The intention was crystal clear: it wanted him to climb onto the giant python too. Yet his heart fluttered anxiously. If the giant python got displeased, this was no laughing matter.

Gathering his courage, Yue'er reached out and touched the giant python. The python didn't move. Emboldened, he lifted one leg across the python's body and sat right behind its vital neck section. The python's body shifted slightly.

"Uh..."

He let out a joyful cry. The snake's skin felt cool and smooth. Suddenly, the giant python stirred, raising its head and lifting Yue'er's body into the air. Yue'er wrapped both arms tightly around the snake's neck, his body suspended off the ground.

"Yue'er..."

Luo Yinxiang shrieked in terror, while the onlookers in the distance held their breath in suspense.

"Yue'er, you little devil, have you lost your mind?"

Uncle Shengtian roared, his face etched with frantic anxiety.

"I'm not scared!" Yue'er straightened up, let go with both hands, and waved to the crowd. "Damn it, this is so much fun!"

The giant python seemed equally excited, slithering continuously with its head held high. Yue'er gripped the python's body firmly with his legs while Jin'er and Lele bounced onto him, hissing as if they were directing the massive beast. The snakes below also began to stir, gliding in circles around the giant serpent. The white python even crawled up onto the giant python's body, coiling around it.

"Good heavens, is Yue'er the reincarnation of the Snake King?"

Someone blurted out in sheer astonishment.

"Yes, he must be the Snake King reborn!" Tao Youneng shouted at the top of his lungs. "Yue'er, you lucky bastard, you look so majestic!"

Yue'er waved frantically at everyone. The giant python swiveled its massive head, happily opening its cavernous mouth and thrusting a five- or six-foot-long fork into the air.

"That's right, big guy, just like that!" Yue'er excitedly commanded the python. Whether the creature actually understood his words or was simply swept up in its own excitement, it carried him on a crawl toward the edge of the mountain hollow—straight in the direction of Luo Yinxiang.

Terrified out of her wits, Luo Yinxiang turned and ran.

"Yue'er, you big bad bully!"

Yue'er burst into roaring laughter, while the little snakes Jin'er and Lele hissed as if sharing in the amusement.

After playing for roughly an hour, Yue'er decided he had had enough.

"Jin'er, we're done playing. Let's head down."

Little Jin'er hissed twice at the giant python. The massive snake lowered its body, and Yue'er hopped down. He stroked the python's back, and the giant creature remained completely still, placidly allowing him to pet it.

"Such a good python," Yue'er smiled. "Jin'er, tell your brothers to head back. We can play again another time."

Jin'er seemed somewhat uncomprehending. Yue'er stroked its back, walked over to the cave entrance, and pointed inside before gesturing toward the cluster of snakes in the hollow. Jin'er seemed to understand at last. It hissed a few commands at the assembled serpents, and led by the giant python, they began retreating into the cave.

"Oh... that white python is so adorable."

Seeing the snakes retreat into the cavern, the villagers swarmed forward.

"Yue'er, you're damn well amazing!" Tao Youneng was the first to rush up to him. "Are you really the Snake King reincarnated, you son of a gun? Even a snake that huge obeys your commands! Heh, if anyone dares mess with you, just unleash that giant python—it'd scare people half to death, hahaha!"

"Get lost... buzz off, you just love terrifying people."

"Yue'er, everyone's saying that's the snake god. You actually subdued the snake god itself—that's incredible!"

Tao Huan stepped forward.

"Snake god my foot, it's just a giant python," Yue'er laughed cheerfully. "It's not listening to me. If not for Jin'er, it probably would've swallowed me whole in one bite. It listens to Jin'er."

Luo Yinxiang walked up to Yue'er, color finally returning to her cheeks. The younger people were utterly thrilled, while the elders continued to buzz with the conviction that Yue'er was the Snake King reborn and that raising snakes would surely make him a fortune.

"Alright, alright, everyone back to work."

He waved his hands. "It's just a big snake, what's the big deal? They just came out to play."

The news spread like wildfire, becoming more mystical with every retelling, and the rumor that Yue'er was the reincarnation of the Snake King cemented itself everywhere. Upon hearing the news, Feng Shuya came to his home as well. Whenever she had free time, Feng Shuya continued to stay in Taosha Village, only traveling to the township seat when meetings required it. Her primary responsibility was helping the Great Snake King Corporation build up its snake-rearing enterprise and driving forward Taosha Village's poverty-alleviation initiatives.

To her, any matter concerning the breeding farm was of paramount importance at all times.

"Yue'er, if the television station gets wind of this, you're going to become famous," Feng Shuya said with a smile.

"Famous?" Yue'er shook his head. "I don't want that kind of fame; it does me no good. As the saying goes, men fear fame just as pigs fear being fat—fat pigs get slaughtered, and famous people attract trouble."

"Afraid you'll be famous whether you want it or not." Shuya smiled charmingly, twisting her fingers. "Right now, the whole Shuangqiao Township is buzzing about you. Everyone's saying you're the Snake King reborn."

"Damn it, what a headache."

Yue'er furrowed his brow.

"Is fame really that terrifying? Nobody dares mess with you now. With everyone believing you're the Snake King reborn, who would dare?"

"That's true," Luo Yinxiang chimed in. "People are scared out of their wits, so who would dare provoke you? That snake really is terrifying; when it opens its mouth, it could swallow a calf whole."

"When that snake comes out again, call me so I can come take a look too," Feng Shuya said, eager to join in the excitement. "A snake that huge—where else can ordinary people see one? You know, if you set up a snake park here, it'd definitely turn a profit. Bound to attract tons of visitors."

After chatting for a while, Yue'er invited Feng Shuya to stay for dinner, an invitation she readily accepted. Yue'er had already called Li Ying to inform her about the giant snake emerging from Snake-Coiling Mountain.

Scarcely had they finished their meal when Yue'er's phone suddenly rang. It was Boss Hong.

"Yue'er, I heard a giant snake showed up over at your place?" Boss Hong asked, full of robust curiosity.

"Yeah, it came out of a cave. There must be an underground river inside."

"I've never seen a snake that massive," Boss Hong chuckled. "Only the water pythons in Africa and the Americas get that big. Could it be a water python you've got there?"

"I wouldn't know," Yue'er answered honestly. "Boss Hong, how did you hear about this?"

"Your Li Ying called and told me," Boss Hong said. A woman's coquettish voice drifted from somewhere near the boss's end. "She also told me you now have two little golden snakes. I'd like to come take a look."

Boss Hong chatted with him for a bit longer, inquiring about company matters, before finally letting him know that when he came, he would bring along a batch of snake hatchlings as well as the deputy manager of his snake farm.

The troubles were far from over. On the third day, Zhao Xinghua called as well, asking about the incident and announcing his intention to come film a segment. By the fourth day, Yue'er received yet another call from Boss Hong, stating that several other major snake-farming proprietors wanted to come inspect the giant water python, accompanied by a delegation of snake-research experts from Guangzhou.

Good grief, such a trivial little affair had stirred up a hornet's nest of complications. Yue'er began to fret. When he mentioned this to Feng Shuya, she immediately recognized it as a golden opportunity to promote Longshan County.

"Yue'er, you've rendered a great service."

"What service have I rendered?" Yue'er asked, bewildered.

"With all these major bosses and experts coming, it's the perfect chance to publicize our county," Feng Shuya said, looking thoroughly excited. "This will be a huge boon for our county's economic development. I have to report this to my superiors right away."

Yue'er scratched his head. Things were getting more and more convoluted.

Sure enough, upon receiving Feng Shuya's report, Secretary Feng placed a direct phone call to him.

"Yue'er, you've made another contribution to our county," Secretary Feng rarely laughed out loud, but this time he let out a hearty chuckle. "You really are our county's lucky star! I'm going to personally roll out the red carpet for this group of distinguished guests. I've already reported the matter to the municipal level, and the city is going to dispatch a television crew to film a feature. I'll be sending Secretary Luo and comrades from the county government office to assist you in handling the reception."

"Secretary Feng, do we really need such a grand setup?"

"The bigger the setup, the better," Secretary Feng smiled. "This ties into our county's major initiatives for attracting investment and drawing capital. The county government will allocate a budget, so you and Shuya must handle this reception immaculately without a single misstep."

"Yes, sir, I'll make sure it's done right."

With no other choice, Yue'er could only agree. After hanging up, he gloomily walked out to the courtyard. The water tower had been completed, and they were just waiting for the concrete to dry before filling it. He ran a pipe from the water tower straight to the bathroom and kitchen, installing faucets so he would never have to carry water by hand again.

He had already placed a call to have the solar-heater company deliver a solar water heater and a submersible pump. Just as the demands piled up once more, Feng Shuya arrived.

"Yue'er, Director Ma from the county government office is coming down personally tomorrow to take charge. The primary reception will be held in the city," Feng Shuya said efficiently. "It's much more convenient there. Guests can stay in town, and the municipal authorities will provide vehicles to transport them back and forth."

"That's even better, then I won't have to spend a dime."

Yue'er grinned from ear to ear. Knowing how stingy Yue'er could be at times, Feng Shuya couldn't help but laugh as well.