Chapter 103: Snake Gallbladder Robbery, Dragon, Tiger, and Phoenix
In the warm spring of the fields, the pale moon flowed across the sky.
A Pusi snake, as thick as a newborn infant’s wrist, shot towards Zhou Yan like an arrow.
With a “snap,” the Qinggang sword struck the poisonous snake’s Seven Inches. The large snake fell into the grass, twisting and turning. The Sword Sheath then struck the snake’s head again. The snake, which seemed to possess some intelligence, lost its life.
As the moonlight fell, Zhou Yan had already traveled nearly six li into Snake Valley. The facts verified his initial guess: consuming the Big Treasure Snake blood from Liang Zi Weng indeed gave him a restraining effect on snakes. Along the way, poisonous snakes as thick as a thumb could not avoid him, and only the stout Pusi snakes fared slightly better.
Interestingly, these large snakes feared him but also attacked proactively, which saved him trouble. His current cultivation was vastly different from when he traveled Northward from Jingzhou to Snake Valley. An attack from one or two large poisonous snakes was not much of a danger; with a flick of his sword, he obtained them effortlessly.
Regarding the proactive attacks from the large poisonous snakes, Zhou Yan assumed it was because the aura he exuded after consuming the Big Treasure Snake made the Pusi snakes feel threatened to their species.
Just like the Divine Condor and large snakes, once encountered, it was a fight to the death.
In reality, Zhou Yan would not go so far as to exterminate them, like draining a pond to catch fish.
The deeper he ventured into Snake Valley, the more stout Pusi snakes he encountered. As Dusk gathered, Zhou Yan had already obtained over ten snakes of various sizes; there was no need to continue hunting them.
…
The pale moon shared its radiance, the bright river mirrored its reflection, both Exterior and Interior were clear and pure.
He was familiar with the terrain. Along the way, he shot two Mountain Chickens and arrived at the lake where the streams converged. He took out the Daggers and extracted the Snake Gallbladders one by one, then cleaned the snakes and chickens before returning to the Mountain Forest where Huang Rong, Mei Chaofeng, and the others were camped.
Liang Xiaowu had already returned with water and had meticulously set up the Camp.
Two Carved Carriages and one Horse Carriage formed a wall, dividing the forest into two areas. Huang Rong and Mei Chaofeng had pitched tents. The three Runners had chopped some branches while Zhou Yan was Hunting and used Rope, branches, bamboo strips, and broad fern leaves to build four Sheds that were well-ventilated but could shelter from the rain.
The ground was covered with blankets, and the gentle breeze and bright moon embraced them, making it a quite comfortable place to stay.
Liang Xiaowu was overjoyed to see the snakes and chickens Zhou Yan brought back, as they could now satisfy their appetites.
“Head Escort, how should we prepare these snakes? Roast them over a fire or make Snake Soup?”
“Of course, Snake Soup,” Huang Rong’s voice rang out in the Moonlight.
As Zhou Yan turned, Mei Chaofeng, supporting Huang Rong, walked over.
Huang Rong looked at the more than ten Pusi snakes of various sizes laid out on the oil paper and spoke eloquently: “To make Snake Soup, first, boil them until cooked, then tear the Snake Meat into fine shreds. If you have shredded chicken or civet meat as auxiliary ingredients, it would be best for enhancing the flavor. Ah, I see the Mountain Chickens. For Snake Soup, you also need to add mushrooms and Chrysanthemums to maximize the release of the Snake Meat’s freshness. A bowl of Snake Soup becomes a fusion where various ingredients are complementary, with countless threads in every spoonful, continuously flowing, and a hundred twists and turns in every bite. Adding Chrysanthemums to Snake Soup is very particular. I saw wild spring chrysanthemums in the Mountains and Fields on the way, white with a faint purple hue; they are rare delicacies among edible chrysanthemums and can be picked.”
Liang Xiaowu was dumbfounded, and even Mei Chaofeng was a little stunned.
Huang Rong looked at Zhou Yan and smiled, “Since we are camping, there’s no rush to travel, and we should not be picky about food.”
“Xiaowu, go pick some Chrysanthemums.”
“Got it.”
Huang Rong seemed to be talking to herself, “It seems there are also wild oranges growing here. Oranges are the finishing touch to Snake Soup, and the bitterness of the leaves helps to remove the fishy smell.”
Liang Xiaowu looked at Zhou Yan.
“Pick plenty, as we’ll be eating Snake Soup for the next few days.”
“Okay.” Xiaowu was about to take a Runner with him when the Medicine Boy volunteered, “Lord Zhou, how about I go?”
“You just spoke to me.”
The Medicine Boy chuckled, “I know I was wrong.”
“Go quickly.”
“Alright!”
Near vermilion, one is dyed red; near ink, one is dyed black.
The Medicine Boy was originally full of malevolence, but after traveling and getting familiar with Zhou Yan and the others, his malevolence gradually faded, revealing more of the natural disposition of a ten-year-old Boy.
Zhou Yan said to Huang Rong, “Rest for now, and I will Heal your injuries later.”
“Thank you.” Huang Rong turned and slowly walked to the other side of the Horse Carriage.
Zhou Yan went to the Thatched Hut, sat on the ground, and circulated the Quanzhen Cultivation Method to absorb the Gentle Qi of Jade Guanyin. After the time it took to drink a Teacup, he brought the Earthen Jar containing the large snake’s Purple Snake Gallbladder to Huang Rong.
Huang Rong was not in the tent but sat on a soft blanket, leaning against a tree to rest. Mei Chaofeng was not nearby but was cultivating at a distance.
Zhou Yan opened the Earthen Jar and took out the Purple Snake Gallbladder.
“You need to bite and consume this Snake Gallbladder.”
Only then did Huang Rong realize that Zhou Yan had brought her to this mountainous area to hunt snakes and obtain Snake Gallbladders to Heal her injuries.
She sniffed the extremely fishy-smelling Purple Snake Gallbladder and quickly said, “Snake Gallbladders only have the effects of dispelling wind and calming fright, resolving phlegm and relieving cough, and cooling the liver and brightening the eyes. Are you sure you want to give it to me?”
“That’s right.”
“And I have to bite it?”
“If you can swallow it, that’s fine too.”
Zhou Yan handed the Snake Gallbladder to Huang Rong and turned away.
“Are you really going to take it?”
“Yes.”
Huang Rong’s Face immediately became distressed. Zhou Yan said nothing more and waited with his back turned.
Under the Moonlight, Huang Rong, dressed in a white Young Master’s robe, wrestled with her emotions. She even turned around and, with trembling hands, put the Snake Gallbladder into her mouth.
With a slight bite, the outer skin of the sphere broke, and her mouth was immediately filled with bitter juice. The juice was extremely fishy and bitter, incredibly unpalatable. Huang Rong just wanted to spit it out.
She quickly took a silk handkerchief from her bosom to cover her mouth.
The rejection from her stomach and the resistance in her heart made Huang Rong feel as if her whole body was spasming.
“Water, water.”
Zhou Yan remained unmoved.
Mei Chaofeng quickly stopped her cultivation and grabbed a water skin.
Zhou Yan’s voice rang out, “No!”
Mei Chaofeng paused for a moment and finally put the water skin back.
What Zhou Yan and Mei Chaofeng couldn’t see were the tears welling up in Huang Rong’s bright Eyes. She kept sticking out her tongue and fanning herself with both hands. After a long time, the fishy smell in her mouth dissipated slightly, and Huang Rong felt her whole body begin to smell.
“Alright. I will Heal your injuries now.”
“Will I have to eat this Snake Gallbladder from now on?”
“Yes!”
“Why am I so unlucky?” Huang Rong lamented.
The two sat down, and Zhou Yan placed his right palm on the “Fengmen” acupoint on her Spine, channeling the Gentle Qi of Jade Guanyin stored in his Acupoints into her body.
After a moment, Huang Rong clearly felt the difference. Compared to Zhou Yan’s previous treatments, she felt her breathing was smooth, her spirit was invigorated, and the hidden pain in her Muscles and Bones had significantly reduced.
Huang Rong was greatly surprised. Despite her vast knowledge, she had never heard of any snake gallbladder having such efficacy.
Thinking this, she felt deeply grateful to Zhou Yan.
The Head Escort could have simply escorted her to Guiyun Manor by Taihu Lake, but he had given her such an opportunity.
After finishing, Zhou Yan asked, “How do you feel?”
“Much better than before.”
Zhou Yan was greatly relieved. It was effective. He handed the Earthen Jar to Huang Rong, “There are several more inside, but their effects are weaker. Take them at intervals, and if you feel you can circulate Qi, try to use Qi to Heal your injuries.”
This was crucial for Huang Rong’s recovery: mobilizing Qi and Blood, stimulating Internal Force, and Relaxing Muscles and Activating Collaterals.
“Thank you!”
“You’re welcome.”
“My surname is Huang, and my given name is Rong.”
Zhou Yan nodded, “Young Master Huang.”
Huang Rong felt that with Zhou Yan’s intelligence, he must have already known she was a woman, but he chose not to expose it, so they continued to address each other this way.
The Moon was high and deep, and the aroma of Snake Soup spread.
As Huang Rong had said, a bowl of Snake Soup had countless threads, continuously flowing with each spoonful, and a hundred twists and turns in every bite. Zhou Yan ate three bowls in a row.
Mei Chaofeng’s appetite was also greatly stimulated.
Liang Xiaowu and the others had never eaten such a delicious Snake Soup with such exquisite color, aroma, and taste. Amidst everyone’s praise, Huang Rong, in a very good mood, said, “The snake is the ‘Dragon,’ the civet is the ‘Tiger,’ and the chicken is the ‘Phoenix.’ With all three present and arranged on a plate, their shapes resemble a coiled dragon, a leaping tiger, and a dancing phoenix. This is ‘Dragon, Tiger, Phoenix,’ and its taste is even superior.”
The next day, Zhou Yan hunted a civet cat.
Huang Rong pinched her nose and swallowed the Snake Gallbladder.
