Chapter 39: A mere loach, and you dare to act so presumptuously?

Chapter 39: A Mere Loach, Daring to Be So Presumptuous?

The people kneeling on the ground were so terrified that their souls seemed to have left their bodies. The lobby manager, in particular, looked as if his eyes were about to pop out of their sockets. He never imagined that Xue An would actually dare to kill someone in public.

Xue Lan was trembling uncontrollably. Everyone knew that Xie Hu was like a local tyrant in Qingmang Town, someone no one dared to provoke. Yet, he had been killed with a simple snap of the neck by Brother An. This sent a chilling shiver deep into Xue Lan’s heart.

However, the noble-tempered woman remained calm, offering a faint smile as she remarked, "Decisive and ruthless indeed."

Xue An glanced at her and turned to leave. Just then, another group of people entered. Leading them was a man dressed in flashy clothes with a haughty expression. As soon as he walked in, he smiled at the woman. "Sister Rushii, I knew I’d find you here."

Chen Rushi frowned the moment she saw him. "Huo Heming, you really are like a ghost that won't go away. Everywhere I go, you follow!"

Huo Heming chuckled. "Rushi, since you traveled thousands of miles for the sake of the old man, of course, I have to accompany you. And look, I’ve even specifically invited a master."

As he spoke, an elderly man with white hair stepped out from behind him. Upon seeing this elder, Chen Rushi’s expression turned respectful. "So it is the famous Feng Shui master from Zhongdu, Master Song Yi! My greetings to you, sir."

Song Yi smiled faintly. "No need for such formalities, Miss Rushi. I have heard of your filial piety. Invited by Young Master Huo, I am naturally here to help you find the treasure."

Xue An paid no mind to their conversation until they mentioned treasure hunting, at which point he smiled thoughtfully.

Song Yi continued, "This Qingmang Mountain has a majestic aura, interspersed with dragon energy. There must be a blessed site hidden within!"

Chen Rushi was delighted. "What kind of blessed site? Do we have to search the mountain inch by inch?"

Song Yi shook his head. "That is the most foolish method. It is better to ask the locals if there is anything peculiar in the mountains."

At that moment, Xue Lan suddenly spoke up. "There seems to be an bottomless pool deep in the mountains."

Her words drew the attention of Song Yi, Huo Heming, and the others. Under their gaze, Xue Lan lowered her head nervously.

Song Yi asked, "Young lady, where is this pool you speak of?"

"It’s deep in the mountains, but it’s a place rarely visited, and most people don’t know about it."

"Then... could you please lead the way?" Song Yi requested.

Xue Lan looked at Xue An, feeling conflicted. Xue An’s expression remained indifferent, neither agreeing nor refusing.

Huo Heming impatiently pulled out a stack of cash and threw it on the table. "This is for your trouble. If we actually find it, you’ll get double."

Xue Lan was stunned; there was at least twenty thousand yuan in that stack. Her parents couldn't earn that much in a year of backbreaking labor, yet this man tossed it aside as if dismissing a beggar. The disparity made her feel uneasy.

Xue An gave a faint smile. "Alright! I was planning to go into the mountains for a trip anyway. Lan'er, go ahead and take it."

Hearing Xue An speak, Huo Heming looked at him. After a careful assessment, he noticed Xue An’s plain attire and couldn't help but look at him with disdain. "Why are we bringing just anyone along?"

However, Chen Rushi nodded. "That’s fine. Having a guide means we won't have to worry about getting lost."

This made Huo Heming’s expression darken. Chen Rushi was a wealthy young lady he had been pursuing for a long time. Her family’s influence was significant even in Zhongdu. Despite his long pursuit, she had never shown him any warmth, yet she was acting so close to a stranger, which left Huo Heming feeling deeply irritated. He didn't show it, however, thinking to himself, *Damn it, I’ll deal with you once we get into the mountains.*

With preparations complete, the group entered Qingmang Mountain. At first, there were many tourists, but as Xue Lan led them further into the desolate wilderness, tourists became a rare sight. Eventually, the proper path disappeared entirely, and they were deep in the mountains.

Xue An carried his two daughters while moving with effortless speed. Huo Heming, on the other hand, was panting after only a few steps. Song Yi checked his compass from time to time, growing more excited as they progressed.

When they finally arrived at what seemed to be a dead end, Xue Lan turned a corner, and a pool of water suddenly appeared before them. The water was incredibly deep and dark, radiating a bone-chilling cold even from a distance. Beside the pool grew several stalks of Dragon Gall Grass. More importantly, in the center of the pool stood a graceful lotus, pure white and flawless, looking utterly out of place in the deep mountains of winter.

Seeing this lotus, Song Yi became agitated. "This is it! This is the holy medicine that can bring the dead back to life!"

Upon hearing this, Chen Rushi was equally excited. She had several bodyguards with her, so she commanded, "Go and pick that lotus!"

The bodyguards moved out, well-equipped with full diving gear. They entered the pool, and initially, everything went smoothly; they reached the lotus quickly. But just as they reached out to touch it, the calm surface of the water suddenly erupted in massive ripples.

A snake head as thick as a water vat emerged. It had a triangular shape, and its pair of vertical pupils emitted a cold, eerie glow. Everyone was stunned. The bodyguards were terrified out of their wits. Just as they turned to swim back, the giant python opened its mouth, and a cloud of black mist engulfed them. Before they could even scream, they dissolved into puddles of pus.

Song Yi cried out in horror, "It’s a Jiao dragon! It has already transformed into a Jiao dragon!"

Indeed, everyone could see two subtle horns growing on the snake’s head. If those horns were to fully form, this Jiao dragon would become a divine dragon of the nine heavens.

As Song Yi shouted, the serpent’s head turned to stare coldly at the people on the shore.

"Quick! Kill it!" Huo Heming shouted in a panic, pulling out a handgun and firing. His men followed suit, unloading their weapons at the snake’s head.

However, these bullets not only failed to harm the Jiao dragon but completely enraged it. It opened its mouth again, spewing another cloud of black mist toward the shore. Huo Heming and Song Yi scrambled to dodge, while Chen Rushi was frozen in terror. This Jiao dragon had completely shattered her worldview.

In that moment of shock, Xue An grabbed her arm and pulled her aside.

Song Yi yelled in despair, "It’s over!"

Seeing that its attack had missed, the Jiao dragon seemed annoyed and surged entirely out of the water. Its body, as thick as a car and dozens of meters long, coiled along the bank before lunging toward the crowd.

*Boom!*

A single strike shattered the hard ground into pieces. Before anyone could react, the snake’s tail whipped toward them. If that tail connected, they would all be dead.

Song Yi screamed in despair, "God! This Jiao dragon already possesses intelligence!"

Huo Heming and Chen Rushi were paralyzed with fear. Just when everyone thought they were doomed, Xue An stepped forward slowly and caught the lashing snake tail with his bare hand.

As everyone stood there in a daze, Xue An sneered coldly:

"A mere loach, daring to be so presumptuous?"