Chapter 62: Chapter 62

Chapter 62: Mother and Son

Under Mo Lin’s deliberate guidance and coercion, even though the village men all carried the spirit of facing death without fear, they were still forced to retreat step by step.

Very soon, just ten meters behind them was an open space, and on that ground huddled densely were hundreds of elderly, children, and women.

Hong Tianyun turned back to glance at the villagers with whom he had lived day and night for decades, and the corners of his mouth twisted bitterly.

These hundreds of snakes charged forward fearless of death, unafraid of dying.

Even if he and the other villagers held large machetes, they were still at a loss, not knowing whom to strike.

Hong Tianyun even felt that these snakes clearly had the ability to kill more people, yet they did not kill.

Instead, by moving, they herded everyone toward the women and children’s refuge.

Could it really be, just as Hong Jing had said, that they came to take revenge on us?

Just as Hong Tianyun was sinking into disheartened, chaotic thoughts, Hong Wen remained as calm as ever.

He looked toward Hong Tianyun.

Ah, ah, seeing his nephew who hated snakes to the extreme, was he preparing to perish together with those snake swarms?

Hong Tianyun thought so.

He was ready to accept Hong Wen’s suggestion.

After battling the snakes for so long, Hong Tianyun could not see any chance of victory.

Since either way meant death, it would be better to fight fiercely and gloriously once.

Hong Wen’s expression was calm:

“Uncle, let’s arrange for people to retreat.”

“Alright, today we uncles and nephews will fight them to the... eh?”

Hong Tianyun looked at Hong Wen in astonishment, almost as if he was meeting him for the first time.

One must know, ever since his elder brother, Hong Wen’s father, Hong Tianfeng, died two years ago, Hong Wen had hated snakes so much he wanted to kill every last one he saw.

Such a Hong Wen would actually take the initiative to suggest “withdrawing”?

Hong Wen clearly saw through Hong Tianyun’s surprise:

“We cannot win against these snakes. No matter what they are, continuing to fight them is not a good choice. Besides, that Snake Demon hasn’t even joined the battle yet.”

Hong Wen’s plain acknowledgment of their powerlessness was hard to imagine, given that just this afternoon he had still been preparing to climb the mountain again to catch snakes.

Hong Tianyun stiffened, knowing Hong Wen’s words were true.

That Snake Demon had clearly shown itself at the village entrance but had yet to participate in the battle!

If it did, the situation would surely turn one-sided.

“Our best option now is to let as many people retreat as possible, then go to the Bureau of Heaven Monitoring to bring Taoists back to Hongjia Village. Only then can these snakes be dealt with completely.”

Hong Tianyun’s expression straightened:

“You’re right, Hong Wen. Continuing to grapple head-on with the snakes here is pointless. I’ll immediately send people to prepare the elderly, children, and women to leave the village. We will provide them cover.”

Hong Wen heavily nodded, then rejoined the fight against the snakes.

Clearly, these two uncle and nephew who suggested retreat had never considered abandoning the other villagers to escape alone.

Under Hong Tianyun’s organization, all the non-combatants gathered near the altar were informed that they would be leaving Hongjia Village.

Hongjia Village lay nestled in the mountains, with only two roads leading out—one at the village entrance and one at the back.

Now that the front was encircled by snakes, the only escape route was through the back.

Yet leaving the village at night, even as a group, would inevitably be fraught with danger.

Thus they wept quietly, their expressions filled with grief.

“Mm, looks like they are preparing to flee? Judging by the timing, they’ve just about been pushed to their limits.”

Standing behind the snake swarm, Mo Lin clearly sensed the unusual stir within the villagers and immediately guessed their intentions.

But, well, their plan was doomed to fail.

It was just about time for the “wandering Taoist” to appear.

Mo Lin closed his eyes.

At the rear of Hongjia Village, Hong Xiu was carrying his mother on his back, walking along the path out of the village.

Though the Old Woman’s eyes were failing, she still remembered the way out:

“Son, why are you taking me out of the village?”

At this point, Hong Xiu no longer had any thought of hiding it:

“Mother, those snakes are demons. We cannot defeat them. I’m taking you to escape.”

The Old Woman struggled slightly on Hong Xiu’s back:

“Then what about the others in the village?”

Hong Xiu gritted his teeth:

“There’s no other way, Mother. As long as you and I survive, I can’t worry about the rest!”

As mother and son argued, Hong Xiu carried her onto the small road outside Hongjia Village, where he saw a figure standing blankly in the middle of the path.

Hong Xiu gripped his small knife tightly, his brows furrowed.

At this time, there was someone outside the village?

Hong Xiu set his mother down, holding a torch and small knife as he approached that figure.

When the firelight revealed the face, Hong Xiu first froze, then was overjoyed:

Standing before him was none other than the Taoist of the Bureau of Heaven Monitoring—Gong Yang, who had slain the snakes in Hongjia Village two years ago!

Seeing Gong Yang, Hong Xiu instantly relaxed:

“Taoist, are you here like last time, knowing our village is in trouble and coming specially to save us?”

Hong Xiu circled around Gong Yang ceaselessly.

With Taoist Gong Yang here, Hongjia Village would see dawn.

With Taoist Gong Yang here, they would be saved!

It was Hong Xiu’s first time seeing Taoist Gong Yang this close, and suddenly he noticed a detail:

“Eh? Taoist, why is there... a hole in your neck?”

In surprise, Hong Xiu felt a surge of dread.

Could a human throat, once pierced through, still allow a person to stand unharmed?

Why was Taoist Gong Yang, like those snakes cut in half, also moving despite suffering a fatal wound...

Wait—snake? Taoist? Fatal wound? ᴛhis chapter is ᴜpdated by novel✶fire.net

Hong Xiu’s body jolted in horror, just as he was about to retreat quickly.

Gong Yang’s right hand shot out like lightning, seizing Hong Xiu’s head in an iron grip.

He could not break free at all.

“Let... let me go...”

Hong Xiu felt near despair.

Though he did not understand why the Taoist had also died, there was no doubt—the one before him was in league with the snakes!

He too was a demon! A ghost!

Hong Xiu felt his skull being squeezed by a powerful force, nearly deforming.

Choking in terror, he pulled at his mouth to cry for help.

So-called desperation to save her child—when the Old Woman heard her son’s plea, she rushed forward without hesitation.

With a burst of strength beyond her age, she tore off the Taoist’s hand gripping Hong Xiu.

Escaping Gong Yang’s grasp, Hong Xiu did not even have time to catch his breath.

He scrambled up and turned to flee:

“Mother, hold on! I’ll bring someone to save you right away!”

Yet, these words were destined to be laughable.

Could a frail, sickly Old Woman survive at the hands of a Taoist with accomplished cultivation?

The Old Woman gazed at Hong Xiu’s departing back.

In her dim eyes shone deep love and reluctant farewell:

“Xiu’er, you must live on...”

The next instant, a large hand pierced through the Old Woman’s body...