Chapter Seventy-Eight: The Struggle Between Two Factions

When the crowd witnessed the giant python devour a man, shock seized them all. In that moment of stunned silence, the python surged forward again, half its body emerging to seize another disciple in its jaws and swallow him whole.

At once, the disciples of both factions scattered in terror.

The python, having consumed two people in quick succession, seemed to have developed a taste for flesh. It darted out once more, pursuing its prey with astonishing speed.

Master Wu and the Third Chief retreated with the others, shouting, “Don’t panic! Stay calm—don’t panic!”

By now, the python had completely emerged from the cave—what a monstrous creature! It stretched nearly thirty yards long.

With a single sweep of its tail, the great serpent sent six or seven disciples from both sects tumbling to the ground. Then, opening its maw, it spewed a cloud of venomous mist. Five or six disciples standing not far ahead were instantly enveloped, their bodies swaying before they collapsed, unconscious.

The remaining survivors cowered at a distance, paralyzed with fear. Yet the python, though massive, moved with startling swiftness. Any target it set its sights on would find the beast upon them in the blink of an eye—its jaws snapping closed, its prey swallowed whole.

Escape was by no means easy.

From their perch in the trees, Xiao Ding and Yue Yurou watched with pounding hearts, silently thankful they had not fled in panic earlier—otherwise, they would surely have met the same fate.

Pythons are not known for keen eyesight, but their senses are acutely attuned to movement, especially vibrations transmitted through the ground.

“Third Chief, what should we do?” Master Wu grew anxious as he watched his disciples fall or flee, their numbers rapidly dwindling.

“Master Wu, don’t you think this giant serpent is a legendary creature?” Third Chief replied.

“Such a behemoth must be centuries old—its entire body is a treasure,” Master Wu said.

“Why don’t we join forces to slay it? Even if we fail to find the divine artifact of Mount Luoxia, obtaining this python would make the trip worthwhile,” Third Chief suggested.

“Agreed, let’s do as you say!” Master Wu instantly consented.

The two exchanged a quick nod, then rallied their remaining disciples to organize an assault on the serpent.

By now, the python had devoured several people and its belly was noticeably swollen, as if sated. It no longer chased its victims so relentlessly, instead lifting its head and flicking its tongue, warily watching the crowd.

“All together now!” Third Chief commanded, leading the charge with his broadsword raised high.

“To battle!” Master Wu called, drawing his longsword and rushing forward with his followers.

Assailed from all sides, the python grew enraged. It unleashed clouds of venom, lashed out with its tail, and snapped with its jaws. Many disciples, unable to dodge, fell victim to its fury.

When the more skilled fighters finally reached the serpent’s side and struck at its body with their blades, they discovered, to their astonishment, that their weapons could not even scratch its hide.

The serpent’s scales were impervious to sword or spear!

As the crowd reeled in disbelief, more disciples were struck down by the python’s massive coils.

In mere moments, the two factions had suffered catastrophic losses.

“Third Chief, the serpent’s skin is impenetrable—what do we do now?” Master Wu cried, seeing that only three or four disciples remained at his side.

Third Chief glanced at his own handful of surviving followers. “Don’t worry, Master Wu. Let me try the Lanbing Sect’s Frost Qi to see if I can freeze its head!”

He sheathed his broadsword, extended both palms, and channeled the Lanbing Frost Qi toward the serpent’s head.

The python’s head slowed slightly, then lunged at Third Chief, jaws wide. At that moment, Third Chief was summoning all his inner strength and could not move away. He called out urgently to his disciples, “Quick, come help me!”

The disciples abandoned their weapons and joined him, channeling Frost Qi at the serpent’s head.

With their combined efforts, the python’s head slowed even further, though it still crept inexorably forward.

Meanwhile, Master Wu and his disciples continued hacking at the serpent’s body to no avail.

“Master Wu, use your Divine Fire Hall’s Thunderbolts!” Third Chief shouted, barely able to sustain his strength.

Though the python’s head was now rimmed with white frost and its tongue appeared stiffened by the cold, it continued to writhe, its jaws widening as it inched closer to the embattled group.

The Thunderbolt was Divine Fire Hall’s famed weapon, essentially a primitive explosive fashioned from gunpowder. In this era, however, the gunpowder was crude and its power limited. Salpeter, a key ingredient, was rare, so Thunderbolts were precious and seldom used.

Seeing Third Chief and his disciples falter, Master Wu realized that if they perished, he would soon follow. Though reluctant, he had no choice but to use the Thunderbolts.

As one of Divine Fire Hall’s deputy leaders, Master Wu had brought five Thunderbolts to Mount Luoxia. He knew that to kill such a massive python, he would need to use all five—anything less would not suffice.

He drew out all five Thunderbolts, lit their fuses, and hurled them into the python’s gaping maw.

A muffled explosion shook the air—flesh and blood flew everywhere.

The blast shredded the python’s throat and tongue, tearing a gaping wound in the scales at its neck.

From his vantage point in the tree, Xiao Ding noted that the serpent’s hide was truly extraordinary—not only impervious to ordinary blades, but even the explosion had merely torn it open, rather than blasting it to pieces as he might have imagined.

Third Chief and his disciples were thrown far by the shockwave, but having prepared themselves, they simply tumbled through the snow and landed unharmed.

The giant python thrashed in the snow for several minutes, then gradually lay still.

“Ha ha ha! Let’s see how arrogant you are now!” Master Wu laughed heartily at the serpent’s demise.

“Indeed, your Divine Fire Hall’s Thunderbolts are truly formidable,” Third Chief replied, climbing out of the snow and approaching the carcass. His inner strength was nearly spent, and he staggered as he walked.

“Looks like Divine Fire Hall deserves a greater share,” Master Wu said slyly, glancing at Third Chief.

“What do you mean by that, Master Wu? Without our Lanbing Frost Qi to freeze the serpent’s head, how could you have gotten your Thunderbolts into its mouth?” Third Chief retorted, his expression instantly frosty.

“Without our Thunderbolts, you’d already be inside the python’s belly,” Master Wu shot back without yielding.

“True, your Thunderbolts played a crucial role, but our Lanbing Sect was hardly idle. If the python is to be divided, it should be shared equally,” Third Chief insisted.

“The skin, venom, fangs, gall bladder, heart, blood, bones, meat—every part is a treasure. How do we split it evenly? Perhaps we cut it in half—Divine Fire Hall claims the head, Lanbing Sect takes the tail,” Master Wu schemed.

“And why should you get the head while we get the tail? Why not the other way around?” Third Chief protested.

...

Watching this sudden turn of events from his perch in the tree, Xiao Ding could not suppress a smile. Moments ago, the two factions had fought side by side against a deadly foe; now, with victory won, they quarreled over the spoils. Would they come to blows next?