Chapter 37

Holy Monk 3 (Snake Immortal)

Wutong County's richest Yu, the wealthy landlord, has recently been so worried his hair is about to fall out.

The Yu family was prosperous; Yu's grandfather and father had been wealthy, and his old wife first gave birth to a boy and a girl (dragon-and-phoenix twins), then her second and third births were twins, giving them five sons and one daughter.

Because the family had many descendants, the Yu family especially enjoyed charitable acts, building bridges and roads without stint.

Good deeds are rewarded; the Yu family's business thrived, their children were especially promising; in this dynasty there was no rule barring merchants from taking the imperial examinations, and that year both the eldest and second sons passed the cultivated talent exam. On that very day, triple blessings arrived: the eldest son's wife gave birth to the eldest grandson.

A plump boy weighing seven jin, whoever saw him was delighted.

But strange things began when the grandson turned one month old, occurring one after another, causing the Yu Yuanwai, who despite being over forty still had a full head of black hair, to almost have his hair turn white from worry in this short month.

First it was his wife, the old lady Yu who came from a peasant background, who fell ill.

The old lady used to be able to finish three big bowls in one meal; when young she could beat three to five bandits with no problem; now although she's old, she likes planting vegetables and raising chickens and ducks in the backyard, and the old lady is even stronger than the eldest and second sons who like reading and don't like to move.

The old lady, who looked like she could live a hundred years, suddenly fell ill, complaining that her waist hurt so much it felt like it would break.

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The doctor hadn't left yet when the eldest son also collapsed, shouting that his head hurt; then the second son collapsed, his head didn't hurt but his chest did; then the little grandson, for no reason, cried all day, wouldn't drink milk, his originally chubby little body grew thin, the baby fat on his face disappeared, making one feel heartbroken.

The wife that Dalang Yu married—Madame Jin—came from a respectable family, having married down from the prefectural city; after giving birth, she also learned to hire a wet nurse like the great clans.

Aristocratic daughters of noble families, concerned about their figures, do not personally breastfeed; they have many particulars.

Seeing the plump son crying all day, only able to calm a bit in his mother's arms, Madame Jin felt her heart breaking; for her child's sake, she didn't care about her figure, she would personally raise her own son, hoping he would be well.

That day, Madame Jin's mother came specially to visit her daughter.

Given all that had happened in the Yu household recently, she didn't feel good leaving, so she simply helped her daughter manage some backyard affairs.

"Nannan, how long have you gone without sleep?" Madame Jin's mother said, heartbroken, looking at the dark circles under her daughter's eyes.

Madame Jin rested poorly, her reactions were slow; she basically didn't hear what her mother said, sitting there dazed; after a while she finally reacted, just about to speak when a clear, pure voice seemed to come from beyond the heavens, ethereal and elusive, striking directly at the soul, refreshing the spirit and dispelling fatigue.

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Madame Jin, her face full of exhaustion, seemed to wake from a dream, exclaiming: "Mother, I hear someone chanting sutras, and the sound is getting louder."

Madame Jin's mother looked around, "There's no sound?"

Seeing her daughter like this, she felt heartbroken to the point of almost tearing up; is her daughter just overworked, having auditory hallucinations?

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Yu Yuanwai, who was handling business in the outer courtyard, also heard the sound; he found it strange that the monk's chanting grew louder and louder, as if it were ringing in his ears, and he thought someone had invited a monk to come chant at home.

When he asked the attendants nearby, they said they hadn't invited a monk, and they hadn't heard any sound either.

Yu Yuanwai felt a stir in his heart and hurried to the backyard to check on his wife, who couldn't sleep well due to waist pain.

When he arrived at his old wife's room, he found she was actually sleeping soundly, her snoring like thunder from the heavens.

The attending maid, tears welling up, joyfully said: "The old lady has finally fallen asleep; these days she's been complaining of waist pain and hasn't slept well."

Yu Yuanwai felt sorry for his old wife; seeing this, he was delighted to the point of almost tearing up.

The old lady these past days has been in pain and unable to sleep; he too has been unable to sleep, lacking that thunderous snore, and he actually ended up insomnia!

Yu Yuanwai was pleased that his old wife could finally sleep soundly, and ordered: "You all keep it down, don't disturb the old lady."

The maids all agreed, walking tip-toe, so as not to make any noise that might wake the hard-won sleeping old lady.

Just as Yu Yuanwai was delighted over his wife's rare peaceful sleep, a servant came to report: "Master, there's a monk at the gate."

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Yu Yuanwai was first startled, then, recalling the chanting he'd just heard, he already had some idea, and hurried out to greet.

From the gate to the inner courtyard, running over took the time it takes to finish a cup of tea.

Yet the sutra's voice remained that clear, as if it were being recited right beside his ear.

Yu Yuanwai is no fool; this monk certainly has abilities; arriving at the gate, he tidied his clothes, rubbed his face, and told the doorman: "Open the gate, I will personally receive the master."

After the gate opened, sure enough there stood at the doorway a monk wearing white monastic robes.

This monk was quite young and handsome, like an immortal descended from heaven; his eyes, when they gazed upon you, were distant and compassionate; a single glance from him made all restlessness in one's heart vanish.

Yu Yuanwai glanced at him and felt that this monk had actually attained the Dao; just his appearance alone made one unable not to believe a little.

Yu Yuanwai respectfully invited the master inside, then eagerly told him about the recent troubles in his household.

These matters aren't secrets; everyone in Wutong County knows them.

"All the doctors in the county have been summoned, yet they can't find a cause," Yu Yuanwai said, face full of worry, "My little grandson is only two months old; when he was born he was so plump, now he's thin to the bone."

Yu Yuanwai spoke while leading the master around the manor.

The Yu manor is large; Jiang He walked for over half an hour and still hadn't finished.

At first Yu Yuanwai led the way, but later it became him walking ahead, with Yu Yuanwai following step for step behind him, like a lackey.

Jiang He stopped before a hill and asked: "Is this mountain also the Yu family's?"

At the northeastern edge of the Yu manor lies the rear mountain; open the gate and you're on the mountain, where lush trees tower everywhere; a stone path in the woods leads to the mountainside, where a pavilion can be vaguely seen.

Yu Yuanwai stroked his beard and said proudly: "This mountain is the ancestral property of the Yu family; a century ago Wutong County was still a forest, our forebears bought this mountain and built houses at its foot, after which the Yu family rose."

Fifty years ago, the Grand Secretary Wen, serving as magistrate of Wutong County, began his ascent from there step by step to high office; as the homeland of half of Grand Secretary Wen's native place, Wutong County not only grew ever more prosperous, the land also became ever more valuable, yet the Yu family never considered selling this mountain forest.

Besides being renowned as the richest family in Wutong County, their residence is also famous; look at any household so lavish, and you'll see it backs onto a mountain.

Jiang He nodded, said nothing else, only: "Let's go up the mountain to have a look."

Although Yu Yuanwai was a bit doubtful, he didn't ask further, leading the group to follow the master up the mountain.

The stone path wound and twisted, disappearing into the dense forest.

Having rained continuously for several days, the mountain became more secluded, and the water clearer.

"There's a water reservoir on the summit; during drought we draw water to irrigate the mountain forest." Yu Yuanwai introduced, "Our great‑great‑grandparents all believed this mountain is sacred, and they cherished the trees on it dearly."

Jiang He glanced at the pavilion in the mountains; it was obvious that the pavilion had been built no more than ten years ago.

He gave Yu Yuanwai a meaning‑laden glance, "You don't really believe."

Yu Yuanwai was a bit embarrassed, "It's not just that summer is too hot; I was thinking of building a pavilion in the mountains, playing chess and drinking tea with a few old friends—how delightful that would be."

Jiang He nodded, "So you built the pavilion and now want to build a house?"

Yu Yuanwai looked up, slapped his thigh, "Ah, my mountain cottage—who's in charge? Why have the walls collapsed?"

Ahead, the foundation for a house had already been laid and walls erected, but the walls were now collapsed.

The accompanying steward also wore a sour expression; the brick‑laying master for the house was the one he had hired.

He said angrily, "Master Cheng is the most renowned brick‑laying master in our county; I think he's a fraud!" The house collapsed before the walls were even finished; his lord would be living in such a dangerous house—what if something happens?

"Lord, I think we should replace him; Master Chen has been in this trade longer and surely won't cause such problems."

Yu Yuanwai turned to the master and explained, "It's too hot in summer; the mountains are cooler. I wanted to build a house up there for easy summer retreat… I didn't expect the brick‑laying master to be so unreliable!"

Jiang He twirled his prayer beads, speaking calmly, "The wall's collapse has nothing to do with the brick‑laying master. Bring a few people over; if I'm right, the Yu family's oddities stem from this."

Yu Yuanwai's mind couldn't wrap around it, "The house collapsed; is our family's luck that bad?"

He turned and saw the master standing there, eyes slightly glazed, amidst the tranquil forest, looking like a hermit ready to ascend at any moment. His heart trembled; he dared not ask further and hurriedly ordered the steward to make arrangements.

The steward hurriedly fetched a few young servants with shovels and similar tools.

Jiang He instructed them to dig along the wall's base to remove the fallen bricks, reminding, "Be careful; if you move too violently, your lord might incur even greater karmic debt."

The steward, hearing this, grew anxious as well, "Don't use shovels; use your hands to lift the bricks."

Saying so, he also crouched down and personally moved the bricks.

The working servants swore they were truly being careful, lifting each brick as if presenting a golden offering.

Until they had cleared all the fallen bricks…

"Ah, what is this?!" the steward shouted.

Not only the steward, but the other servants turned pale with fear, stumbling backward, some even stuffing their fists in their mouths to avoid making a sound.

Yu Yuanwai wondered what they had seen; when he peeked, he was instantly dumbfounded, his face turning ashen as he stepped back a few paces, retreating directly behind the master.

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Jiang He stepped forward, his eyes filled with compassion, lamenting, "Poor little thing, crushed and gravely wounded."

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Beneath the wall's edge lay a massive white serpent, about four meters long, coiled there; its gaping mouth could easily swallow an entire sheep, a terrifying sight.

Yet at this moment, a tear glistened at the corner of its eye as it strained to lift its head toward the monk.

The monk gently whispered, "Your injuries aren't severe; be good, a dose of medicine will fix you."

The system stared at the vanished white serpent for a while, then scanned this plane's world.

The white serpent's injuries were to its head, trachea, and spleen.

Seeing Yu Yuanwai's demeanor, he was on the verge of wailing and swore an oath: as long as the white serpent forgives him, he'll do anything.

At that thought, he shivered and became completely panicked.

Even the pavilion, Yu Yuanwai dared not keep; he wished he could kill his former self, suspecting that while he was chatting with old friends, the great snake deity might have been lurking in the grass, watching them?

Yu Yuanwai kept trembling, tears in his eyes.

Jiang He slipped a pill into the giant serpent's mouth, then produced prepared bandages and golden wound medicine to treat its injuries.

When the white serpent regained consciousness, the monk had already left.

Though not as fluffy as a cat or dog, its scales were quite smooth, and because the white serpent kept clean, touching it felt pleasant.

Yu Yuanwai, puzzled, asked, "This snake… the great snake deity has quite a reputation, doesn't it?"

Jiang He, tangled by his words, had no choice but to have Yu Yuanwai release more animals onto the mountain; the white serpent, now injured, isn't as agile in hunting and needs ample food to recover peacefully.

Yu Yuanwai felt a buzzing in his head.

Yu Yuanwai was both delighted and uneasy, thanking the master a thousand times as he saw him off.

Yu Yuanwai, watching this, couldn't help but ask tremblingly, "Master, this snake… has it always lived on the mountain?"

"You protect the Yu family; Yu Yuanwai's household has amassed much virtue through generosity. You share that light, which is why your cultivation has risen so quickly."

Saying so, Jiang He retrieved the last drop of spirit spring from the void, mixed it into fruit juice, and fed it to the white serpent.

It turned out this world does have spiritual Qi, but it's a low‑level spirit‑Qi plane; even a uniquely gifted being like the white serpent, cultivating a body of spirit Qi, can hardly transform into a human form.

The wild fruits were washed clean, their red hue almost black, looking sweet.

Then give them a choice.

The white serpent's body lay rigid there, its wounds seemingly healed, not a hint of pain; moreover, its cultivation appeared to have risen slightly.

The white serpent hissed continuously, flicking its tail into the monk's hand, and Jiang He stroked along the tail, pulling it down.

Jiang He ate several free vegetarian meals, then collected donations from Yu Yuanwai—a hefty sum of silver as incense oil money—and finally returned fully loaded.

In the original host's memory, after Shi Tou became a eunuch, he clearly held power and influence yet had no common folk to feed; although the world rebuked him for being too ruthless toward his family, Jiang He saw his nature as not bad—in fact, it was distinct, with clear grievances and swift vengeance; the so‑called wicked deeds were merely him acting within his position.

No one dared follow him; those people weren't cultivators. The great snake deity is very gentle toward masters like Jiang He, but not necessarily toward ordinary mortals.

The white serpent hissed, "Ssssss!"

Jiang He placed his hands on his hips, "Even though I could kill a villain with a single staff strike, I'm a holy monk; striking people doesn't fit my persona and makes me look low‑level. I have no disciples, so I need subordinates to intimidate… Ah, persuade with reason!"

Jiang He gave it another pat, "This world's spirit Qi is limited; relying solely on spirit Qi to cultivate is too slow—perhaps you should rely on merit."

He planned to go find the big snake for a chat, wander elsewhere, and then ascend the back mountain of Yu Yuanwai's house again.

The white serpent's forked tongue flicked out, saliva dripping, "Ten thousand chickens, huh? Should I eat them all before leaving?"

Jiang He looked toward a spot in the forest, speaking gently, "Little patron Shi Tou?"

If there were other options, this child wouldn't have taken that path.

"Tsk, no wonder the original host could become a national teacher!"

He begged, "Master, think of a way, is there any way to make the Great Snake Immortal not angry?" The Yu family has enjoyed smooth sailing for decades, all thanks to the Great Snake Immortal's merit; he really was wrong, he shouldn't repay kindness with enmity.

With the things given by the monk, the great white snake vaguely knew that if it continued cultivating, it would surely achieve good results, unlike before, when no matter how it cultivated it seemed utterly hopeless.

Seeing the monk appear, the great white snake flicked its tail, tossing a chicken in front of him as an offering to eat.

When he returned to the mountain foot, he saw a bundle of firewood on the path, and also a handful of wild fruit.

That day, the steward trembled and ordered the servants to demolish all the buildings on the mountain.

After leaving the Yu family's residence, Jiang He did not return to the temple.

The great white snake hissed, and Jiang He listened patiently, nodding and saying, "I know you feel wronged, but that Mr. Yu didn't do it on purpose."

The monk put his palms together in salute, saying, "Amitabha, everything is due to karma and condition; I only wish that the young benefactor will become a good official in the future, benefiting one region, and not go astray."

The great white snake continued: "Hiss hiss hiss!"

Jiang He stroked the big snake while chatting with it.

In Stone's eyes were admiration and deep gratitude; to him, studying was the opportunity to change his life, a great kindness.

Animals can cultivate spiritual energy, and ghosts naturally can emit ghostly energy; no wonder Buddhism thrives in this world—there is indeed a demand for it.

His temple only lacks a mountain-guarding divine beast.

Seeing how the great snake fawns over the master with head shakes and tail wags, they still cannot be sure whether, besides the Snake Immortal, there might also be a Tiger Immortal or Leopard Immortal in this mountain; if they encountered one, they would still need to seek the master's help to survive.

Next he summoned the steward and, speaking grandly, said, "Let's make a golden statue for the Bodhisattva in Master Xuanji's temple..." Then he thought again and felt it improper, for the master is an outsider; perhaps he doesn't care about such things.

In the previous world, when it turned into a cat, the host never stroked it so much; could it be that snake scales are nicer to pet? The system selectively forgot that it never gave the host a stroking.

He now finally understands why the old lady constantly complains of waist pain, while her two sons alternately complain of head or chest pain—this exactly matches the wounds on this white snake's body, doesn't it?

Upon hearing this, Mr. Yu hurriedly ordered preparations, determined to satisfy the Great Snake Immortal.

"Sir, why not refurbish Stone Orchid Temple? I hear it's already ruined beyond repair." The steward advised him, "The master is just one person; I hear Stone Orchid Temple only needs a corner repaired, and anyway Master Cheng couldn't even build a mountain cottage, so let them handle the temple renovation."

"Sir, think about it—gilding the Bodhisattva is also a great meritorious act." The steward hinted, "If the Bodhisattva doesn't bless us, Master Xuanji will still protect us; moreover, the Great Snake Immortal on this mountain may not even remember whether it bears a grudge."

The monk sat down and gently said to the great white snake, "Be good, eat it yourself; eating more will help your wounds heal faster."

Ahhh, he wants to thank Master Xuanji for a lifetime!

System: "……"

The steward is capable; in this short time he already inquired about the master's origins and residence.

Stone nodded firmly, "If I ever achieve something in the future, I will surely become a good official."

"Ah, you want to live with me? No way, the mountain where my temple lies is barren, lacking so many animals; you'd go hungry."

The youngster bowed respectfully, "Thank you, Master; otherwise I wouldn't have had the chance to enter school."

Jiang He: "... What, have you eaten nearly all the animals on the Yu family's mountain? Have you been starving all this time?"

"You don't understand." Jiang He revealed a monk's smile, exceedingly transcendent, "Why could Tang Sanzang make so many people and demons revere him? It's because he had a monkey backing him up!"

What if this Great Snake Immortal stops protecting the Yu family in the future? Perhaps it won't just cease protection—it might even seek revenge.

Jiang He spoke bluntly: "This mountain of the Yu family is the territory of that great snake just now; it has blessed the Yu family with smooth sailing, but your actions have greatly wounded its vitality, and with your large-scale construction on the mountain, whether it will wish to stay here in the future remains to be seen..."

Thinking this over, the whole person feels unwell.

Looking at this great snake, Jiang He could only say, "Rest assured, Mr. Yu says he feels remorseful and has decided to give you ten thousand chickens."

Its body lay limp, and the snake head bobbed vigorously several times, as if kneeling in reverence for the great opportunity the monk gave.

So, the ancestors said this mountain is spiritual—could the spirit actually reside in this great white snake?

The system couldn't help but roll its beady eyes, so the host is still that black-hearted host!

Jiang He looked at him with deep meaning: "Mr. Yu, some things—listening to the ancestors is indeed correct!"

He reached out and pointed at the great snake's head, transmitting the animal cultivation method into its sea of consciousness.

After they descended the mountain, they heard a servant report that the eldest son's head no longer hurt, the second son's chest didn't hurt either, and the little grandson finally stopped fussing, drinking milk obediently and falling asleep.

He was so happy he wanted to jump up; the master said he would become a good official in the future—does that mean he will surely pass the licentiate exam or even become a recommended candidate?

The great white snake hissed embarrassedly.

Jiang He couldn't help but chuckle, then continued, "If you get tired of chicken, you can also ask for ducks and geese, pigs and sheep as well."

After Jiang He helped treat the white snake's wound, the great white snake, quite spiritual, swayed its head toward Jiang He in thanks, then slipped away into the grass.

Kindness? There's none of that! Only a belly full of schemes and tricks.

Upon understanding the master's words, Mr. Yu instantly wanted to beat himself to death for having built houses on the mountain back then.

At that moment he heard the master, who looked like a banished immortal, say lightly, "You should be grateful to heaven for not letting this snake come to harm; otherwise your family might face ruin and destruction."

The steward wasn't stupid either; he also realized it, and a few servants whispered among themselves, all understanding that the Yu household had indeed offended the Great Snake Immortal.

If Mr. Yu had second thoughts, Master Xuanji is capable; he wishes the master would not leave Wutong County, but he dares not forcibly retain the master—such a talented person cannot be kept by others.

Jiang He continued nodding, "You're absolutely right; he's just a big fool!"

As an impoverished monk, he certainly doesn't have ten thousand chickens to feed it.

The system popped up, enviously saying, "Host, you're so kind-hearted?"

The youngster who had been hiding behind the tree stepped out, feeling a bit embarrassed, having thought he hid himself well.

In the mountain cave, the great white snake raised its head and swallowed a mouthful of chicken, while several other chickens nearby trembled in fear.

Jiang He suddenly realized, "Originally the Yu family would have died out; it was you who gave them a bit of spiritual energy, making their population flourish—hmph, he's at fault, repaying kindness with enmity!"

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