Encountering a Snake - Chapter 2

**One Hundred Fifty-Three Years Later**

 

The Dingxiang Pavilion is bustling tonight, with the waitstaff sweating profusely. The cloth draped over their shoulders is stained, unsure if it’s being used to wipe tables or to mop brows. After finally sending off a group of guests, another flock enters—a brightly dressed crowd whose silk garments shimmer under the candlelight, indicating they are not ordinary merchants or commoners. The staff quickly approaches, noticing the official boots of the leader peeking from beneath a deep indigo robe, and greets him with a smile, saying, “Esteemed official, please go to the second floor.”

 

The group of seven ascends the stairs in silence and enters a private room, where they sit down one after another. Someone takes out some silver coins as a tip for the waiter, but no further conversation ensues—this gesture merely praises the waitstaff’s keen eyes.

 

The waiter happily accepts the tip and retreats, continuing to busy himself in the hall while casting glances at the entrance. It’s not long before a single figure strolls in—young, with clear features and a faint smile. He steps over the threshold, not needing anyone to greet him, and makes his way upstairs.

 

The waiter cranes his neck to look and feels that the young man looks familiar, as if he’s seen that demeanor and charm somewhere before, but he can’t recall where.

 

Inside the private room, the seven waiting men stand as they hear footsteps approaching the door. Moments later, the door swings open, and Ji Jiu glances at the group before smiling, “Why do you all look like you’re heading to the battlefield after inviting me for drinks?”

 

The person who had tipped the waiter earlier also laughs and, while gesturing for everyone to sit, says, “Surely it’s not because you’re afraid the young general will spend their yearly salary, right?”

 

Ji Jiu sneers, “It’s nothing. If the salary isn’t enough, there are plenty of military expenses to cover. It all depends on how bold you are and how much you can take. If you’re brave enough, not only this table of wine but even a thousand more wouldn’t matter at all.”

 

As soon as the words leave his mouth, the room falls silent.

 

Only then does Ji Jiu take a seat, reaching for the wine jug on the table to pour himself a drink. As he does, the sleeves of his robe pull back slightly, revealing a patch of skin on his wrist, slightly fairer than that of an ordinary military general, though still firm in texture. On one side of his wrist, there are two dark marks resembling deep puncture wounds, which is quite intriguing. This is Ji Jiu’s birthmark, something he has had since birth. It has grown with him over the years; some say it’s just a mole, while others say it looks like the mark left by a snake bite. Ji Jiu often stares at it and thinks it resembles a snake bite scar, yet he has never actually been bitten, so how could he claim it as a scar? It’s merely a birthmark that has never faded.

 

Ji Jiu leisurely fills his cup and takes a slow sip, looking content and relaxed, as if the drink is some heavenly nectar.

 

The others remain silent, watching him drink, each of them wearing a look of speechlessness.

 

In truth, what is there to say? Ji Jiu feels indifferent inside; since they dared to cut military funds, how could they not have considered that there would come a day of reckoning? Having anticipated the consequences and still choosing to take the risk only proves they are willing to risk their lives for wealth.

 

After draining a jug of wine, Ji Jiu shakes the empty jug and stands, slowly saying, “The wine is excellent. If any of you make it to this time next year, I’ll host a banquet here.” He disregards their attempts to retain him, turning away amidst various complex expressions, as staying would be pointless.

 

As he walks through the marketplace, Ji Jiu looks at the stalls selling goods, lanterns hanging above illuminating the wares below. Most of the items are handmade, some rough, others delicate. The red silk-covered lanterns create a lively atmosphere throughout the street. Suddenly, someone calls out from behind, “Young general! Young general, wait up!”

 

Ji Jiu pauses for a moment, scanning the surroundings, hoping to find a way to slip away unnoticed, but he sees no gaps to escape through and must stand still, allowing himself to be caught.

 

Ji Jiu says, “What do you want now? Isn’t today’s trap enough for you?”

 

The newcomer is the same man from the table earlier—Chang Yin. He sighs and says, “I knew I shouldn’t have invited you today. That military official, knowing I’m acquainted with you, came to plead on his behalf. I told him you wouldn’t be lenient, but he didn’t believe me… cough. Today, we both got caught in an embarrassing situation because of that. You just walked away like that. What am I supposed to do?”

 

“What, do you want me to let him off the hook?” Ji Jiu raises an eyebrow. “Is that what you mean?”

 

Chang Yin hesitates and stammers, “The amount isn’t too significant. He knows he was wrong. How about you just spare him this once?”

 

Ji Jiu, who had initially held a trace of a smile, suddenly grows serious, his dark eyes locking onto Chang Yin with a chilling gaze.

 

Chang Yin senses something is wrong and lowers his head, falling silent.

 

“Chang Yin,” after a long pause, Ji Jiu speaks again, his tone calm but distant, “from now on, we no longer share the bond of classmates. It’s best if we don’t see each other again.”

 

“What?” Chang Yin exclaims hurriedly. “Is it really that serious?”

 

“Not serious?” Ji Jiu laughs coldly. “I thought you were an honorable man, and it brought me glory to associate with you. Who knew you would turn out to be an ignorant fool! After just a year apart, you’ve made such progress in meddling with affairs, benefiting from the situation! How much did you gain from that?”

 

“Ji Jiu!” Chang Yin, now enraged, flushes and shouts, “Don’t spout nonsense! How have I benefited? I just felt sorry for him and agreed to help…”

 

“He came to plead with you, and you just agreed? Should you cover up for his greed of a hundred thousand taels?!”

 

Chang Yin is taken aback, mouth agape, “A hundred thousand taels?”

 

“It’s not even about the money.” Ji Jiu frowns, exasperated. “I can’t explain it to you, never mind. Just stick to your own business and don’t meddle in others’ affairs.”

 

“No way,” Chang Yin insists, keeping pace with him, raising his voice, “You have to clarify today’s matter! How have I been foolish? How have I become a petty person? You want to cut ties with me?”

 

Ji Jiu ignores him and walks straight ahead. Chang Yin refuses to give up, closely following him and stepping into his shadow.

 

Ji Jiu picks up his pace, becoming increasingly annoyed as he can’t shake Chang Yin off. He turns around and says, “We are soldiers!”

 

“What?!”

 

Ji Jiu looks at him and says, “I and that General Zhang, we are soldiers. We are supported by the court and the people, contributing to the country. But those who contribute to the country aren’t just generals and military officials; there are thousands and even tens of thousands of soldiers! They are the ones fighting at the front, their blood staining the rivers and nourishing the land, ensuring the peace of their families and the common folk! What kind of beast would dare to cut soldiers’ military funds?! You still have the face to plead for him?! You go back…” Ji Jiu points behind him and speaks in a deep voice, “You ask him, when the day comes that he faces a brutal battle, who will protect him when he’s surrounded by a strong army? You ask him if he has the face to tell those soldiers who fell to protect their general, ‘I cut your military funds!’ If he has the face to say that, then I too will throw away my pride today and let him go!”

 

Chang Yin stands there, dazed and speechless.

 

The night air is slightly cool, with a refreshing breeze blowing past. Chang Yin feels a chill down his back. When he raises his head again, Ji Jiu has already vanished without a trace.

 

The shame on his face is obvious. He raises his hand and slaps it against his own face. The loud sound echoes in the night, and after this, he steels himself and heads back along the same path.

 

Ji Jiu doesn’t take such matters to heart; he merely feels disappointed in Chang Yin for not being clear-headed. A person can do whatever they want according to their own will, becoming whoever they wish to be, but there’s one thing they must be clear about: do not delude themselves into thinking they are being kind when, in fact, they are harming others without realizing it. Whether one is a good person or a bad person is a judgment made by others, but one must know what they are truly doing and who they are.

 

Ji Jiu is very clear about this; he knows who he is. He is Ji Jiu, the only son of General Ji, twenty-seven years old, has served in the military for eight years, a young general with an unlimited future, but conversely, he walks on thin ice.

 

He lets out a silent sigh and returns home.

 

The residence was quiet and peaceful, with the servants neatly dressed and speaking softly. Upon returning home, Ji Jiu felt a bit more relaxed. He had just sat down in the study for a moment when his wife came in with tea, serving it to him personally. Ji Jiu smiled and said, “There’s no need for you to serve tea yourself; the child is asleep, right?”

 

“Yes, she is. The maid said you’ve come back, so I came to take a look,” the woman replied with a slight smile. “Pouring a cup of tea won’t break my hands.”

 

“If it were to break, I certainly wouldn’t want that,” Ji Jiu said.

 

“Where did you learn that?” The woman’s face flushed slightly. “After being away for three years, I’ve come back having learned these things.”

 

“I specifically wanted to learn,” Ji Jiu said with a mischievous smile. “I’ve stored it all in my heart to share with you when I returned.”

 

The woman, feeling shy, playfully scoffed at him before walking away. Ji Jiu chuckled, walked over, and pulled her into his arms, inhaling the fragrant scent of her hair. He whispered, “Did you miss me?”

 

Knowing she wouldn’t answer, Ji Jiu still asked, “Did you think of me?”

 

Her face turned as red as the evening clouds, and she quietly said, “I’m not going to indulge your teasing; you should get some rest early.”

 

“Ah, I rested quite early last night,” Ji Jiu said, gently blowing near the jade earrings hanging by her neck. He whispered, “Go prepare the bed; I’ll be there shortly. I’ve been going to bed early this month.”

 

The woman sprang up, breaking free from his embrace, covering her face as she tried to escape. Ji Jiu chuckled behind her, his voice laced with pride. The woman, feeling both shy and angry, couldn’t help but turn around and scold, “You’re not the same person I married into the Ji family anymore.”

 

Ji Jiu continued to smile. “When you married me, you were a young girl, and now you’re a mother.”

 

The woman shot him a glare, her eyes sparkling with both shyness and charm. Ji Jiu looked at her and felt a warm comfort in his heart. It was only in this moment at home that such rare warmth was present.

 

He had married her at seventeen, and as a young couple, they had become harmonious. Yet, after marrying her, he had spent years away from home, leaving her to guard the empty house alone. Ji Jiu felt that having a few more children would help alleviate her loneliness.

 

That night, after extinguishing the flame on the candlestick, Ji Jiu held up a small candle as he walked toward the bed. The curtains had already been drawn, and the pink drapes were embroidered with blue lotus and swimming fish. As he pulled back the curtains, Ji Jiu purposely asked, “Are you asleep?”

 

No one answered him.

 

After waiting a moment, Ji Jiu said, “If you’re asleep, I won’t disturb you; I’ll go sleep in the study.” Just as he turned to leave, he felt a tug on his robe, preventing him from walking away.

 

Looking down at the hand tightly grasping his robe, Ji Jiu couldn’t help but laugh. The hand clenched into a fist and lightly hit him, but it didn’t stop until she had laughed enough. She then set down the candlestick and sat beside him, gazing at the shy woman curled up under the quilt. After a moment of contemplation, he said, “That day in the garden, you were hiding behind the peach blossoms watching me, and you looked just like this.” Ji Jiu closed his eyes and thought for a moment before saying, “At that time, I wanted to take a look. If you were pretty, I’d bring you home. If you were ugly…”

 

“What if I were ugly?”

 

“I’d still bring you home to keep the house in order,” Ji Jiu replied. After saying this, he felt her take his hand and make a show of wanting to bite the birthmark resembling a snake on his skin. Ji Jiu caught her hand and held it in his palm, then said, “Later, I thought, I’d better not look. It’s better to marry you and wait to see you properly later…”

 

As he spoke, his tone became softer, tinged with tender intimacy.

 

The curtains fell again, and the man who had been sitting at the edge of the bed, laughing and talking, was now concealed inside. The only candle that had been lit also extinguished.

 

Just as Ji Jiu had just unfastened his clothing, the curtains suddenly billowed as if stirred by a wind. Startled, Ji Jiu flipped over and jumped out of bed, drawing his sword. The bright blade gleamed sharply in the dark, silver and menacing, pointing into the empty air.

 

“Who is it?” Ji Jiu narrowed his eyes. The light was too dim; after the candle was extinguished, he could only rely on the moonlight filtering through the window bars to discern the figure sitting vaguely at the table. The person’s broad shoulders resembled that of a man.

 

Ji Jiu thought it shouldn’t be. When he had stood here earlier, the table had been empty. The air felt stagnant; the person seemed to have been sitting there all along, only now was he just noticing. But when he had just gotten out of bed, he hadn’t seen anyone there.

 

As he hesitated in suspicion, the candle suddenly flared brightly. The multiple oil lamps on the lotus candlestick lit up all at once, illuminating the room as brightly as day.

 

Ji Jiu told himself not to guess at anything strange, but he couldn’t help but feel worried about his wife in bed. He hesitated and asked, “Are you here for revenge?”

 

The person sat with their back to him, their black robe and hair obscuring their face as if they couldn’t see him, shaking their head.

 

“Money?” Ji Jiu asked again, keeping his sword pointed straight, not daring to let his guard down. Seeing the person shake their head again, he had no choice but to continue, “For what matter?”

 

The person remained silent for a long time.

 

“Brother,” Ji Jiu’s speech slowed down, adding a hint of a smile, “Did you mistakenly enter the wrong room?”

 

“No,” the person replied.

 

“You’re looking for me?” Ji Jiu said, “Turn around.”

 

The person stood up and turned. As they did, Ji Jiu found himself staring down the cold blade of his sword, which came without warning, thrusting directly towards him.

 

Just as the sword tip was about to pierce his chest, Ji Jiu realized he could no longer push forward. The person hadn’t moved at all, yet it felt as if there was an invisible wall blocking his attack. No matter how much strength he exerted, it was all in vain.

 

Ji Jiu finally raised his face to meet the gaze of the other’s eyes. The person stood still, their eyes dark and unfathomable. Ji Jiu felt as if he were sinking into a deep pool.

 

The person’s sharply defined face showed no emotion; they only glanced at him before looking down at the sword point close to their chest.

 

For some inexplicable reason, Ji Jiu felt a hint of sadness. In that moment, he even considered putting away his sword and sitting down for a serious talk.

 

However, before that thought could fully form, Ji Jiu felt his body lighten, as if he had been tossed like a fruit, thrown onto the bed behind him.

 

As he fell, he thought of his wife on the bed. Whether by agility or instinct, he turned to the side just in time, narrowly missing the bedpost and landing near his wife’s feet.

 

Everything went black for a moment. Ji Jiu regained his senses and shouted, “Are you a human or a ghost?”

 

“A demon.”

 

The person replied, slowly approaching, closing in on the bed. Ji Jiu saw that his wife was fine, merely asleep, so he rolled the quilt around and pushed it toward the inner side. Then, without hiding, he faced the person’s gaze and said in a deep voice, “I’ve never believed in the existence of demons or monsters; it seems I have no choice but to believe today. Do we have a connection?”

 

Yi Mo stood firmly in front of him and answered, “We do.”

 

“We do?” Ji Jiu was taken aback. “What do you mean?”

 

Yi Mo looked at him but did not give any further response. Instead, they leaned down, pressing Ji Jiu beneath them.

 

They moved closer, their bodies completely pressing against him, their breaths mingling against each other’s cheeks. Ji Jiu vaguely sensed something, but he didn’t believe it. Even though he had heard rumors of male intimacy while in the army, he had only heard about it and had never witnessed it or tried it himself. However, at that moment, as their clothes gradually slipped away, leaving nothing, Ji Jiu finally panicked and asked, “What do you want to do?”

 

“F*ck you,” the man said, leaning down and kissing fiercely.

 

Ji Jiu felt his scalp tingle, overwhelmed with anger and fear. He struggled to suppress his rage, silently urging himself to remain calm, not to let the current situation throw him off balance. He needed to find a way to escape, but his body was restrained, and the man had used some method to render him immobile. All he could do was watch as the man’s dark gaze fixed on him, while his lips and tongue invaded Ji Jiu’s mouth. He felt utterly powerless in this situation.

 

Realizing he could not escape this calamity tonight, Ji Jiu turned his gaze away. His eyes caught a glimpse of his wife, cocooned in the blankets on the inside of the bed. She was peacefully asleep, her eyes closed. Even though she was unaware of what was happening, her presence was an undeniable fact. This was their bed; the curtains were embroidered by his wife’s own hands, the quilt was sewn by her, and the room was arranged with her careful touch… He was about to do this in front of his wife. The thought sent shivers down Ji Jiu’s spine, causing him to break into a sweat. Finally, he found a moment to whisper, “Let’s go somewhere else.”

 

But the man suddenly gripped his hand tightly. Ji Jiu, who had practiced martial arts since he was a boy—bowing and shooting arrows, possessing exceptional strength—felt utterly weak, as if he couldn’t move at all. The pain coursing through his joints was sharp, but it paled in comparison to the pain in his heart. Ji Jiu insisted, “Let’s go somewhere else.”

 

“No,” the man replied, the single word spoken with such finality that it left no room for discussion. Hearing that word felt like being struck in the head with a hammer, and everything around him began to darken.

 

Cold things were roaming over his body; Ji Jiu realized they were the man’s hands, lips, and teeth. It felt as if the man was both furiously squeezing and gnawing at him in hatred, and thirstily sucking at him in desperation.

 

Finally, that icy hand slid down to his tailbone, and Ji Jiu felt pain, even dizziness, as if he had spun a hundred times and suddenly stopped, making him feel nauseous.

 

Ji Jiu said, “No.”

 

In the next moment, he was flipped over, and the tearing pain jolted him awake from his stupor.

 

Ji Jiu opened his eyes, staring at the swaying bed curtains, having lost all will to resist. He could only watch, bewildered, at the movement before him, feeling the repeated penetration from behind.

 

It was so humiliating.

 

So painful.

 

The overwhelming sense of destruction made him open his mouth, silently biting down on his own wrist, and from the snake-like birthmark flowed a winding trail of blood.

 

TL – baby mo ik you’ve been waiting for him for so long but we dont do this in this house