Chapter Eighty-Two: The Serpent Gu

Fang You, Yue'er, Da Zhuang, and Er Gou walked along the path leading to the back mountain. Dense forests flanked them, shadows dancing among the trees, and the occasional chirping of insects broke the silence, making the surroundings eerily quiet.

"Up ahead is the back mountain. The Gu King dwells in a cave there, guarded by dedicated keepers. Outsiders rarely get close," Er Gou said, gazing forward.

After some distance, the four grew weary and, after discussion, decided to stop at a water source. Da Zhuang went to fetch fresh water, Er Gou remained vigilant, standing guard. Fang You and Yue'er sat down on the ground.

"So many are guarding the Gu King this time. I don't believe Elder He Bi'an, no matter how skilled, could possibly steal the Gu King insect," Yue'er said, taking out a few flat cakes, eating a couple bites, and handing one to Fang You.

"Let’s hope so," Fang You replied, accepting the cake and eating without hesitation.

Meanwhile, Da Zhuang, by the river, was filling his flask when suddenly, from behind, a massive python appeared, its fangs bared, eyes as large as lanterns, and saliva dripping from its jaws.

"Ah...!"

A scream shattered the stillness of the forest.

"It's Da Zhuang!" Er Gou, hearing the cry, rushed desperately toward the source. Fang You and Yue'er exchanged glances and quickly followed.

At the riverbank, a huge python had seized Da Zhuang, blood streaming from Da Zhuang’s hand, clearly wounded.

"Da Zhuang!" Er Gou, despite his fear of the enormous snake, grabbed a nearby wooden stick and threatened the beast.

"Fire incantation—release!" Fang You cast a fire talisman, transforming it instantly into a tongue of flame that shot forward.

Wild creatures like the python instinctively fear fire. With Da Zhuang still in its jaws, it retreated swiftly, escaping into the forest.

"Da Zhuang!" Er Gou called, hurrying after them.

"All things are void—ride the sword!" Fang You drew his copper coin sword, reciting an incantation. The sword rose into the air, chasing after the snake.

Fortunately, Fang You had studied sword-riding from the ancient texts of the Qimen Dunjia, learning a bit from previous masters. In fact, his fourth junior sister, Lin Xiaoyue, was the most gifted in sword arts. She was accepted as a disciple thanks to her extraordinary talent, though her playful nature meant she never fully devoted herself. Had she worked harder, she could have become a master of magical implements.

Returning to the present, Fang You’s copper coin sword sped toward the python. The snake, seeing the flying blade, tried to dodge, but the sword managed to pierce its skin.

With a pained hiss, the python released Da Zhuang and climbed up into the treetops, leaping from tree to tree to escape.

Fang You ignored the fleeing snake and hurried to Da Zhuang’s side.

"Da Zhuang!" Er Gou rushed over to check his injuries.

"It's Gu poison!" Yue’er quickly examined Da Zhuang.

"Help my brother Da Zhuang!" Er Gou pleaded.

Da Zhuang lay on the ground, semi-conscious, the bite wound gradually turning black.

Yue'er concentrated, then, astonishingly, spat out a white silkworm from her mouth.

She placed the silkworm into Da Zhuang’s body, where it swiftly moved around. In moments, it devoured all the Gu poison inside him.

Yue’er placed her finger near Da Zhuang’s mouth, and the silkworm crawled out, returning to her.

"My life-bound Gu silkworm can consume all Gu poisons, ward off hunger, and repel insects," Yue’er said proudly.

"You know so much about Gu arts. Do you know anything about He Bi'an’s life-bound Gu?" Fang You asked, wanting to be prepared, since He Bi'an might be a powerful Gu master and knowing more could be crucial.

"I certainly know," Yue’er replied. "Within the Gu sect, there are many powerful life-bound Gu—Golden Toad Gu, Flying Bird Gu, Poison Scorpion Gu, Poison Insect Gu, and Living Snake Gu. All are formidable."

"The stronger the life-bound Gu, the harder it is to cultivate, and the more likely it is to backfire on its master. That rebel elder, He Bi'an, possesses the most formidable Golden Silkworm Gu."

"To create a Gu, you gather several poisonous insects and lock them together, forcing them to fight to the death. The strongest survivor becomes the Gu. The more insects, the longer the struggle, the more powerful the resulting Gu."

"Ordinary life-bound Gu are made by locking five insects—snake, centipede, scorpion, poisonous ant, mantis—together for seven days without food. They battle, and the victor becomes the Gu."

"Stronger versions use twelve insects, locked up for forty-six days, yielding fiercer breeds."

"He Bi'an, as an elder, gathered forty-nine types of poisonous insects, placed them in a jar, and buried it underground for a year."

"A year later, when the jar was opened, only a single pale silkworm remained. After a year of battle, its body was saturated with toxins and heavy resentment."

"He Bi'an cultivated this silkworm into his life-bound Gu. Gu masters must serve their Gu with utmost devotion. Every year, on the 24th day of the sixth lunar month, a grand ritual is held for three days—24th, 25th, and 26th. Each day, the master prepares a fresh pig, chicken, and sheep. When the stars align at night, the family brings the animals into the secret chamber, bows in prayer, then chops the animals and throws them into the vat."

"Once matured, the Gu becomes invisible to the naked eye, connected to its master’s mind and spirit, obeying only their commands. The Golden Silkworm Gu cultivated by He Bi'an can only be matched by the clan leader’s life-bound Gu."

"It’s hard enough to create a life-bound Gu, and luck is needed to produce a Golden Silkworm Gu, since only the lone survivor can be cultivated. He Bi'an’s Golden Silkworm Gu is nearly unrivaled."

Yue’er explained in detail. Fang You realized that He Bi'an was not a simple adversary.

With Da Zhuang injured, Fang You felt it inappropriate to ask Er Gou and Da Zhuang to continue leading him. He asked Er Gou to show him the way, then had Er Gou take Da Zhuang back to the Miao village.

Fang You and Yue’er continued their journey toward the tranquil lands of Miaojiang.