Chapter 22: Killing Two More People

When Mo Lin came back to his senses from the effects of the “Realgar Wine,” Ding Fan had already escaped from his bindings.

Although Ding Fan had narrowly escaped with his life, his expression showed no sign of relaxation, but rather a faint trace of relief.

If not for bringing Hong Wen along this time, he might have truly fallen into Mo Lin’s hands.

Xu Han clashed with Mo Lin again, wielding his wooden sword.

Ding Fan, having learned his lesson, no longer engaged Mo Lin in close combat.

Instead, he pulled out another talisman.

“Bang! Bang! Bang!”

When these talismans struck Mo Lin’s body, their effect differed from the previous ones—they exploded like bombs upon his scales.

Mo Lin hissed in pain, but an idea arose in his mind.

With a swing of his tail, Mo Lin knocked Xu Han back and turned to leave.

“Not good, Junior Brother, this snake demon is trying to escape!”

“We can’t let it run, otherwise it will only be more troublesome next time.”

Seeing Xu Han rush forward to block him, Mo Lin knew this was the chance he had been waiting for.

With a sudden smack of his tail against the ground, under the astonished gazes of the two Taoists, the six-meter-long Mo Lin leapt into the air!

“Boom!”

A muffled thud echoed as Mo Lin’s massive serpent head appeared behind Xu Han.

Ding Fan’s pupils shrank:

“Junior Brother, watch out!”

But it was too late—Mo Lin’s fangs had already pierced Xu Han’s neck.

Although Xu Han dodged swiftly, red mixed with black liquid still trickled down his collarbone.

Xu Han’s face darkened:

“Poison!”

Ding Fan was shocked:

“How is this possible? Such a large python—how could it still wield venom?!”

Just as Mo Lin knew only small snakes typically used venom, the two Taoists also believed that a snake as large as Mo Lin would rely on sheer force to kill, just like when he had nearly crushed Ding Fan earlier.

Who would have thought Mo Lin could also use poison!

After a few more exchanges, Xu Han’s body suddenly weakened.

The venom coursing through his veins was spreading rapidly throughout his body.

Mo Lin had already noticed that Xu Han’s physical body was his weakness—this was precisely why he used this move.

Now that Xu Han was poisoned and drained of strength, even the power of his wooden sword was reduced by half.

Xu Han secretly regretted not cultivating his body more diligently.

Ding Fan struck Xu Han’s body several times in succession, then pushed him toward Hong Wen:

“Brother Hong Wen, take my Junior Brother down the mountain at once, find a safe place to dispel the poison. Leave this place to me!”

“Senior Brother!”

Xu Han wanted to speak, but when he saw the despair and determination in Ding Fan’s eyes, he trembled and fell silent.

Ding Fan: “Xu Han! We can’t both die here! Go!”

Xu Han gritted his teeth:

“Senior Brother, take care! Hong Wen, let’s go!”

Hong Wen glanced at the weakened Xu Han in his arms.

Though he longed to kill Mo Lin, he knew Xu Han’s condition couldn’t wait:

“Take care, Master!”

Dragging Xu Han, Hong Wen retreated down the mountain, leaving Ding Fan alone with a handful of talismans, glaring firmly at Mo Lin to cover their escape.

But Mo Lin had managed to poison one Taoist and nearly strangle the other.

Now facing only Ding Fan, what could he possibly do?

Both Ding Fan, who stayed, and Xu Han and Hong Wen, who fled, already knew the outcome.

After a brief struggle, this nameless mountain claimed the corpse of a Taoist named “Ding Fan.”

Mo Lin raised his head, gazing coldly into the forest where Xu Han and Hong Wen had vanished:

“Did you really think I would let you escape so easily?”

With that, Mo Lin lunged, charging down the mountain through the forest, wood chips and grass scattering but unable to slow his advance.

But Xu Han was poisoned, his steps unsteady, and Hong Wen was only a mortal, forced to stumble along winding mountain paths.

How could they possibly escape Mo Lin’s pursuit?

Before long, Mo Lin blocked them at the exit of the mountain path.

“Snake demon!!”

Hatred filled Hong Wen’s eyes—even now, the serpent refused to let them go?!

Xu Han’s face grew sorrowful.

Mo Lin loomed before them, his scales chipped and damaged.

As for Ding Fan, who had bought them time with his life, his fate was obvious.

Xu Han forced himself upright, pushing Hong Wen away:

“Brother Hong Wen, hurry and go.”

Hong Wen cried out in shock:

“Master Xu Han!”

Xu Han’s face was dark with spreading poison:

“This venom has already reached my whole body, it’s too late for a cure. Senior Brother has already fallen. Ahead lies the village—you must warn them to prepare and ensure the snake demon does not descend and wreak havoc.”

“You carry my Bureau of Heaven Monitoring token at your waist. When you reach Ningjiang County, seek Wei Hanyu, our mentor. Tell him to avenge us.”

Xu Han bellowed at the still-hesitant Hong Wen:

“Go now! Do you want our deaths to be in vain?!”

Hong Wen shuddered, snapping out of his hatred for the serpent:

“Master, I will go for reinforcements at once. Please hold on!”

Turning, he rushed down the mountain.

Xu Han twirled his wooden sword weakly, forcing a bitter smile:

“How am I supposed to hold on? I should have cultivated my body more back then...”

When Hong Wen hurried down, he found Hong Tianyun and dozens of villagers guarding the only mountain path, gripping their farm tools nervously.

Seeing Hong Wen descend, Hong Tianyun breathed a sigh of relief and hurried up:

“Hong Wen, what about the snake demon? Was it subdued? Where are the two Taoist masters?”

Panting, Hong Wen gasped:

“Quick... go help...”

But before he could finish, the villagers cried out in alarm.

Hong Wen turned and saw, in despair, a six-meter black-scaled python standing atop the mountain, gazing coldly down at him and the others.

A chill spread through Hong Wen’s body.

Could it be... even Xu Han had fallen in this short time?

Mo Lin’s gaze lingered on Hong Wen, who was being shielded by the villagers, with a trace of regret.

Although he had slain two Taoists, he had not captured Hong Wen.

He had wanted to devour him, to see if, like his father, he could provide ample nourishment.

But facing dozens of villagers wielding farm tools, and already wounded from the two Taoists, Mo Lin dared not risk it.

So be it.

Slaying two Taoists was already a heaven-sent fortune.

He would not be greedy.

After consuming them and seeking the earth veins, he could return for Hong Wen later.

After one last look at Hong Wen, Mo Lin turned back up the mountain.

Protected by the villagers, Hong Wen shouted furiously:

“Snake demon, you’ve added two more blood debts!”

“I, Hong Wen, swear that I will kill you in this life and use your head to comfort the spirits of my father, Uncle Sanjiang, and the two Taoist masters!”

Yet no one knew—had there been even a fleeting moment in Hong Wen’s heart when he feared Mo Lin’s power?

Mo Lin ignored Hong Wen’s clamor below—just the barking of a beaten dog.

He was no longer the small grass snake that had once fled in humiliation from Hong Wen’s fork.

“Run lucky once... but when I catch you a second time, you’ll know exactly how Xu Han and your father died...”

Mo Lin returned up the mountain.

Though regretful about letting Hong Wen go, Mo Lin was satisfied.

He had tested the Taoists’ methods and now knew that, as a snake demon, he could face them head-on.

Having devoured the two Taoists, Mo Lin felt his cultivation surge:

【Mo Lin】

【Strength: 979】

【Speed: 964】

【Agility: 1010】

【Defense: 996】

【Demonic Power: 824】

【Abilities: Devour, Shedding, Poison Resistance, Snake Venom, Demon Transformation】

Although it had not plunged him into hibernation like Hong Tianfeng, the energy provided by the two Taoists surpassed even him—especially in terms of Demonic Power.

Far beyond what Hong Sanjiang, a mere corpse collector, or a Secretary Bird demon could offer.

For the first time, his agility exceeded 1000.

Aside from their “meat,” Mo Lin also gained Ding Fan and Xu Han’s satchels.

They contained their personal belongings and demon-hunting tools.

Ding Fan had already exhausted his talismans and broken his wooden sword trying to stop him.

Yet Mo Lin still found some treasures.

A compass, a bottle of elixirs, and three ancient books.

Mo Lin did not immediately examine the compass or pills.

Instead, he curiously flipped through the books with his tail.

“The Classic of the Green Satchel,”

“The Classic of Stirring the Dragon,”

“Survival Feng Shui Studies.”

Mo Lin was overjoyed—it was like finding a pillow when drowsy.

These Taoists actually carried feng shui texts!

After skimming them, Mo Lin guessed that if he fully digested these three books, he might indeed deduce the location of earth veins!

This was precisely what he needed most at this stage!

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