Encountering a Snake - Chapter 2

v3c2

Placing the silver on the worn wooden table, Yi Mo picked up the child he had just purchased from the corner and prepared to leave. Behind him, the frail woman let out a weak cry. Staring at her dazed and foolish young son in his arms, she wept, saying, “Please treat him well.”

Yi Mo said nothing, merely nodding. At such a time, such words were pointless. Since they had decided to sell their own child, how he would be treated should no longer concern her.

Carrying little Liu Yan, Yi Mo walked out and quickly disappeared beyond the door.

The Liu couple stood frozen, staring at the open wooden door. The thought of being separated from their flesh and blood overwhelmed them with sorrow, and they wept bitterly. After a while, it was the man who first wiped his tears, soothing his wife in a hoarse voice, “Everyone says this child is born with a cursed fate, which is why our family has fallen into such dire straits. Now that we can no longer care for him, someone willing to take him is his destiny, perhaps even ours. Don’t be sad.”

The woman continued to weep uncontrollably. After a long while, she wiped her tears and said, “So be it.” Even as she spoke, her eyes remained fixed on the now-empty path outside, where the silhouette of the departing figure had disappeared. After all, he was a piece of her flesh. If their circumstances weren’t so dire, they would never have given him away, no matter how foolish he was.

And so, they parted.

Yi Mo carried Liu Yan further and further away from the mud-walled hut. The always-quiet Liu Yan stirred in his arms, turning his thin body around to gaze over Yi Mo’s shoulder at the increasingly distant house. His eyelids didn’t blink, and though born daft, he stared fixedly at the house he had lived in for four years, as if calling out to the two people inside.

Noticing the movement, Yi Mo stopped walking and joined him in looking back at the thatched hut.

“Don’t want to leave?” Yi Mo asked.

Liu Yan, who had never spoken and seemed to understand nothing, naturally did not respond. He simply stared blankly at the retreating house, stubbornly holding his posture.

Seeing this, Yi Mo glanced around, then turned the boy’s face toward him and pointed to a distant mountain ridge. “We’ll live there. If you stand on the mountain, you’ll still be able to see it. They gave you to me, so you won’t be going back.”

But Liu Yan didn’t look where he pointed. Instead, he lowered his gaze and stared dully at Yi Mo’s finger for a long time. Then, he reached out with his thin, claw-like hand, grasped Yi Mo’s finger tightly, and held on.

Yi Mo thought he had understood and felt a flicker of joy. But just as quickly, the joy faded. Liu Yan gripped Yi Mo’s finger and brought it to his mouth.

He was hungry.

Yi Mo sighed. He had no idea where the boy’s soul and spirit had wandered off to. Yet he was grateful—if not for the missing pieces of his soul, he might have had to care for a truly wild creature.

After settling the child more comfortably in his arms, Yi Mo cast a spell and quickly flew toward the mountain.

Liu Yan didn’t struggle. In his arms, he tilted his head to keep watching as the thatched hut grew smaller and smaller until it was no more than a speck in the distance.

The place where, despite the resentment and scolding, he had also felt fleeting warmth.

On the desolate mountain peak, where trees had toppled, a small courtyard appeared. There were three rooms: a kitchen and two bedrooms. The windows and doors were brand new. In the courtyard, bamboo grew lushly, while outside the fence, dense trees and vibrant flowers surrounded the area. The scene through the low walls seemed almost paradisiacal.

Liu Yan crouched on the ground, watching ants move their home and swallows fly low. Occasionally, he stood up and peered through the dense forest toward the distant thatched house, now a mere speck.

During the rainy summer season in the mountains, he would watch for a while until the sky turned dark, and then fat raindrops would fall. Before the rain reached his face, someone would scoop him up and carry him inside.

Inside, a faint fragrance lingered. Outside, the rain fell in a steady patter.

Liu Yan sat across from Yi Mo, his mouth open as he slowly ate. His foolishness extended to his eating, with food spilling from one side of his mouth or the other. When left to eat by himself, more food ended up on the floor than in his stomach.

When they first arrived on the mountain, Yi Mo would let him eat in the courtyard on rainless evenings. Before long, spilled rice attracted a flock of sparrows. After a cautious observation, the birds would rush to his bowl, boldly pecking at his food. Liu Yan never chased them away and ate what little remained after the sparrows had feasted.

In the end, Yi Mo had to feed him personally.

Sitting across from Yi Mo, Liu Yan stared at his face. Occasionally, his gaze would shift to the chopsticks near his mouth. After eating for a while, he would look at the dish of fish on the table, then open his mouth expectantly. Yi Mo would dutifully pick out the tender meat from the fish’s cheek and feed it to him.

Chewing the fish slowly, Liu Yan fiddled with a fluffy blade of grass in his hand, its soft texture resembling an animal’s tail. After swallowing the fish, he raised the grass and tickled Yi Mo’s face as Yi Mo brought another bite to his mouth.

Yi Mo remained unresponsive. Liu Yan kept trying, tickling his neck next. Yi Mo set down the chopsticks and said, “It doesn’t tickle.”

Liu Yan gave no reaction and persisted. Yi Mo stayed seated, allowing the grass to brush against his face, cheeks, forehead, nose, and ears. The soft, fuzzy blade of grass danced across his skin, watched by a pair of wide, vacant, and innocent eyes.

When the food had gone cold, Liu Yan finally put the grass down. Yi Mo reheated the meal and continued feeding him.

Inside, the faint fragrance lingered. Outside, the rain continued to patter as the light shifted.

By the time Liu Yan was eleven, he had grown fair-skinned and clear-featured, shedding his childish look. Though his foolishness remained, and his gaze was as vacant as ever, Yi Mo found himself staring at him more often. It was as if he were trying to rediscover something lost within the boy’s face.

Shen Jue, who had left behind worldly affairs, came to live on the mountain as well, staying in the other room. He spent his days helping with chores and accompanying Yi Mo and Liu Yan.

Though cooler than the lowlands, the mountain remained hot during summer. One afternoon, after lunch, Shen Jue had nothing to do and went to nap in the woods. In his original form as a massive black wolf, he lay among the trees, eyes closed.

Footsteps rustled, and Shen Jue opened his eyes. Through the bushes, he saw Liu Yan staring at him, motionless.

Liu Yan gazed at the enormous black wolf, whose sleek fur gleamed in the dappled sunlight. Majestic and imposing.

Shen Jue froze for a moment and stood up, forgetting to revert to human form. His large shadow loomed over the frail youth.

Liu Yan looked into the wolf’s eyes for a long time. His lips, silent for years, moved. He called out a name: “Yi Mo.”

It was the first time he had ever spoken. Over the years, Yi Mo had taught him to speak and read, but to no avail. Liu Yan had always remained silent, as if not only foolish but mute.

Hearing his name, Yi Mo rushed over and found the boy and wolf locked in a bewildered standoff, both seemingly at a loss. Yi Mo had to intervene. Picking up Liu Yan, he kicked the black wolf and said in exasperation, “Change back!”

Shen Jue, snapping out of it, hurriedly shifted to human form and clumsily tried to explain, “That was me… I’m the wolf… I’m both human and wolf…”

Seeing Shen Jue’s flustered attempts, Liu Yan observed him for a long while. Then, as Shen Jue’s explanations became increasingly incoherent, Liu Yan slowly wriggled out of Yi Mo’s arms. Stretching out his hand, he stood on tiptoe and patted Shen Jue’s head. The gesture, one Yi Mo often used on him, conveyed comfort.

Shen Jue froze, as if enchanted.

Liu Yan watched Shen Jue for a while longer, then turned to face Yi Mo. Meeting his gaze, he struggled for a long moment before finally saying a word, unclear but discernible: “Change.”

He had just learned to speak, and his articulation was clumsy. Yi Mo pondered before understanding. Pointing at himself, then at the stunned Shen Jue, he asked, “You want me to change like him?”

Liu Yan nodded.

Shen Jue snapped out of his daze and shouted, “That would scare him!”

Yi Mo looked at the pair of eyes that had not changed over the years, dull and innocent. After a moment, he transformed back into his original form, a thick black snake with a golden belly, coiled on the ground. He raised his upper body and fixed his serpent eyes on Liu Yan.

Liu Yan tilted his head and stared at it for a long time, but showed no reaction, unsure whether he was frightened or completely unbothered.

A sparrow flitted across the branches, chirped once, and flew to another tree. Only then did Liu Yan slowly extend his hand, pressing against the snake’s head, then gently stroked its body. The cold scales slid past his palm, and Liu Yan spoke, “Yi Mo.”

After saying this, he looked up and pointed to the tall fruit tree ahead, with red fruits hanging from the branches, saying, “Eat.”

As soon as he finished speaking, the snake on the ground flicked its tail and wrapped it around him. A moment later, both the boy and the snake appeared atop the tree.

Yi Mo returned to his human form, extended his arm, plucked two fruits, and placed them in Liu Yan’s hands, asking, “Is this enough?”

Liu Yan didn’t reply, perhaps deeming words unnecessary. He sat on Yi Mo’s lap, munching on the fruit, making loud chewing noises.

Shen Jue stood under the tree, craning his neck and watching for a while. Unable to hold back, he finally asked aloud, “Is he really stupid or not?”

Yi Mo thought for a moment, then looked at Liu Yan, who was eating the fruit messily, wiping the juice off his face. He said, “Perhaps he’s just slow.”

The dazed Liu Yan continued eating the fruit, completely unaware of their conversation.

In the evening, while bathing, Liu Yan sat in the wooden tub, splashing water. By the time Yi Mo walked over, half of the water in the tub had already been splashed out. After refilling the tub, Yi Mo asked, “Are you really foolish?”

Liu Yan splashed the water more vigorously upon seeing him, and eventually, the water splashed all over Yi Mo’s face. Liu Yan, who had never smiled, didn’t show any amusement at seeing Yi Mo drenched, simply continuing to splash water awkwardly. Eventually, Yi Mo was soaked from head to toe.

Once Liu Yan had enough playing, Yi Mo refilled the tub and began to wash Liu Yan’s long hair with soap. Liu Yan slowly said, “Water… Snake,” and then submerged himself into the tub. Suddenly, he sprang up, and a cascade of water rolled off his body, drenching Yi Mo’s head once again.

Yi Mo dragged him back, silently continuing the washing. His face remained indifferent, and after finishing, he dressed the boy in a robe. He then said, “You’re at most a water ghost.” With a wave of his sleeve, the water bucket flew out the open door and spilled the water into the yard.

After finishing, as he was about to extinguish the lights, there was a knock at the door. Shen Jue stood outside, saying, “Father.”

Yi Mo opened the door and asked what was the matter. Shen Jue, carrying a bundle, said he was leaving.

Liu Yan sat up in bed, pulled back the curtain, and watched them speak.

Yi Mo naturally knew what Shen Jue was going to do. After thinking for a moment, he said, “Go ahead.”

Shen Jue said, “My cultivation is shallow, and I’ve wasted many years. I don’t know where to look. Father, do you know where he is?”

Yi Mo lowered his eyes, something flashing in them for a moment, then he said, “I have only seen him once. You should know, emperors are not ordinary people. How could I predict where he is?” He added, “If you can’t find him, then don’t search anymore. If it’s meant to be, you’ll find him.”

Shen Jue, keenly sensing something in his words, waited for a while before saying, “I promised him I’d search for a lifetime. If I said it, I must do it. If I find him, and he doesn’t recognize me, then it’s fine.”

Yi Mo said, “Fine?”

“Yes,” Shen Jue replied, “Originally… he is an emperor, I am a wolf demon. We were always two different kinds of beings… Even though we have been together for decades, it wasn’t particularly good. So, if I find him and he doesn’t recognize me, that’s fine. We agreed on this long ago.”

After a long pause, Yi Mo said, “Then go ahead and search.”

Shen Jue asked, “Where should I look?”

“I truly can’t figure it out,” Yi Mo said.

Shen Jue sighed and said, “Then the child will search slowly. He’ll find him eventually.” Shen Jue thought to himself, after all, he was half-human, half-demon. He could live for many more years, searching while cultivating, so he wasn’t afraid of not finding him.

Shen Jue left.

Yi Mo closed the door and walked to the window, looking at the dazed boy. Suddenly, he felt like speaking, so he did.

Yi Mo said, “You can’t find him in the mortal world.” He told the foolish Liu Yan, that emperor was originally a god, descending to the mortal realm for a time, and after a while, would return. No matter how Shen Jue searched in the mortal world, he wouldn’t be able to find him. Even if he did, so what? That was a god, with no desires, no needs. How could he give up his nobility for a small wolf demon?

As Yi Mo spoke, he raised his hand and stroked Liu Yan’s head, speaking softly, “I’m not worried about him. You taught him well, so he won’t be like me…”

At this point, Yi Mo suddenly stopped. What was it? Unable to see through him, or unable to let go? Yi Mo didn’t know how to continue.

He held the boy’s frail body in his arms, embracing him for a long time, and then sighed, as though murmuring to himself, “Shen Qingxuan, I feel tired.”

In this life, Yi Mo also felt hopeless, unable to describe the feeling, his heart overrun with weeds. Although he was an emotionless and desireless demon, he had feelings and desires now. Once tainted with these, it became hard to find peace. Perhaps he could find another spiritual mountain, sleep for a few hundred years, and meditate again. But… he wasn’t willing.

He still couldn’t let go.

In the midst of this confusion, Liu Yan moved slightly in his arms. He reached out and rubbed Yi Mo’s back. When he saw there was no response, he raised his body and cupped Yi Mo’s face, earnestly kissing him on the face.

Yi Mo froze for a moment, looking at him, but unable to discern any affection in his eyes. The warmth that briefly rose in his chest slowly faded away.

Liu Yan said, “Yi Mo.”

But he could not speak any further. The fool was just a fool. No matter how one excused it, he was still a fool, unable to comfort anyone, only repeating his name in a daze.

Liu Yan called out, “Yi Mo.”

Again, he called, “Yi Mo.”

One after another, “Yi Mo.”

As if those two words were all that mattered.

Yi Mo held him tighter and said after a long time, “Sleep.”

Liu Yan had a regular routine, and that night, he stayed up later than usual. Hearing Yi Mo’s words, he quickly closed his eyes and fell into a deep, carefree sleep.