Snake Hunting in Snake Valley

Baiqi City is bordered to the north by the Woma Mountain Range and to the south by the vast ocean. To the west, it is half-mountainous and half-coastal, while the east is flanked by the continuous Ninefold Ridge.

After traveling for approximately two days, I finally spotted the entrance to a canyon amid the sprawling mountain range. That was the gateway to Ninefold Ridge.

As I stepped into Ninefold Ridge, a light drizzle began to fall. The scent of damp earth and fresh grass filled the valley after the rain. I continued eastward along the valley, but strangely, I didn't see a single snake along the way—not even any traces of other animals.

After half a day's journey, it was nearing noon, and fatigue was setting in. Just then, I spotted smoke rising from a small village in the distance.

This village was even more rundown than my home village near the border. It was so small that one could see the entire settlement at a glance. There were about thirty to forty households, all nestled at the foot of a towering mountain.

In the center of the village was a small square, and in front of one house hung a sign that read "Granny Cui's Inn." A few tables and chairs were set outside, indicating that it was a modest inn.

The innkeeper, Granny Cui, was warm and hospitable. As soon as I sat down, she brought me a bowl of hot tea. I ordered a bowl of noodles, and before long, a steaming bowl was placed before me. Whether it was hunger or the exceptional taste of the noodles, I found them to be incredibly delicious.

"Wow, Granny! These noodles are amazing!" I exclaimed in admiration, then lifted my bowl and drank down the remaining half bowl of soup in one go.

Granny Cui chuckled. "Young man, this snake meat noodle soup is a local specialty. You can only find it here in Snake Valley Village!"

"Huh? This soup is made with snake meat?" I was surprised. Then, recalling that I hadn't seen a single snake on my way here, I asked, "Granny, are there a lot of snakes in this valley? I didn't see a single one on my way here."

"This is quite an odd matter," Granny Cui said as she wiped her hands on her apron and sat down beside me, ready for a chat since there were no other guests around.

Ninefold Ridge lives up to its name. The road leading to the village is an official trade route—though not frequently traveled, it is relatively flat and safe. This road extends northward, leading to Gobi Earth City within the Gobi Desert, where the land is covered in endless yellow sand, and the climate is harsh with extreme heat and cold. The official road was built along a valley, with the first of the Ninefold Ridge mountains standing beside it. These colossal mountain ranges stretch from the village entrance in sequence, forming nine distinct layers—thus earning the name "Ninefold Ridge."

The ridge is rich in flora and fauna, offering abundant natural resources. However, most explorers turn back after reaching the Third Ridge, as the paths beyond become treacherous, and the mountains rise increasingly higher, making them difficult to traverse. As for snakes—of course, there are plenty.

However, about a month ago, villagers suddenly found the roads near the village swarming with snakes—golden Patterned Snakes and blood-red Red Snakes among them. These snakes were not only fearless of humans but also actively aggressive and venomous, causing numerous injuries among the villagers.

In response, the village chief organized a large-scale snake capture effort, led by the village's most skilled snake hunter, Old Wu. Although Old Wu was a notorious gambler and spent most of his time idling, his skill in catching snakes was unparalleled. In no time, he and the villagers cleared the snakes from the road.

As more and more snakes were caught, the villagers started eating them. After all, most people in the village were poor and rarely had the chance to eat meat. They discovered that snake meat was incredibly delicious. Thus, Granny Cui began using snake meat broth to make noodles, which soon became a local delicacy.

"So, all the venomous snakes outside the First Ridge have been captured? If I want to catch some now, I'd have to go deeper into the ridges?" I asked.

"That's right!" Granny Cui replied. "Old Wu caught a lot of snakes and sold them in Baiqi City for a good sum. Later, he returned and gathered a few people to venture deeper for more. According to them, there are still plenty of venomous snakes in the Second Ridge." She paused, then asked, "Young man, are you planning to catch snakes too?"

"Yes, I'd like to give it a try," I answered honestly.

Granny Cui nodded and warned me to be extra careful.

"Granny, since this snake incident only happened recently, why is this village called 'Snake Valley Village'?" I suddenly recalled her mention of the village's name and curiously asked.

"Oh, that's just an old legend," Granny Cui smiled and pointed toward the towering mountains in the distance. "It is said that deep within the Ninefold Ridge, atop the Ninth Ridge, there resides a Thousand-Year White Serpent—a descendant of the divine dragons, possessing mystical powers. That's how the valley got its name."

I followed her gaze and saw the mountains rising one after another, with the most distant peak covered in white snow and shrouded in mist, giving it an air of mystery and remoteness.

After bidding farewell to Granny Cui, I followed the tracks left by the villagers and hunters, quickly making my way past the First Ridge. As I entered the Second Ridge, I moved cautiously but still found no sign of venomous snakes. Assuming the villagers had gone north, I decided to press on toward the Third Ridge.

Just as I stepped into a valley within the Third Ridge, a Patterned Snake suddenly slithered out from the underbrush. It was as long as a carrying pole and as thick as a rice bowl. When it raised itself upright, it was as tall as a young child.

It flicked its tongue, hissing, and stared at me fearlessly.

This snake was not only massive but, just as Granny Cui had said, completely unafraid of humans. It remained upright, locked in a standoff with me.

Growing up in a mountain village, I knew that snakes usually slither away when they encounter humans unless provoked.

Gripping my short sword tightly, I watched the snake with caution. Suddenly, it lunged at me with lightning speed! I swung my sword, but only managed to sever part of its tail. Clearly, my swordsmanship was not yet sharp enough to handle such swift opponents with ease.

I realized that this place might actually be an excellent training ground. Battling these venomous snakes could greatly enhance my sword precision.

After two more exchanges, I finally sliced the Patterned Snake into three pieces and stored them in my Qiankun Bag.

I continued north, hunting along the way. By dusk, I had captured more than thirty Patterned Snakes and Red Snakes. My swordsmanship had improved significantly—I could now decapitate a snake in a single strike the moment it lunged at me.

However, darkness was falling. The valley, already dimly lit, grew even darker. Though it was summer, the damp valley air felt chilly.

As I debated whether to return to the village or camp out, I spotted a cave on a nearby hillside—a perfect shelter for the night, safe from venomous snake attacks.

Just as I approached the cave, a weak voice suddenly called out from behind a nearby rock:

"Hey, don't go in there!"

The dim light made it hard to see clearly, but I vaguely discerned a human figure. However, after those words, there was only silence.

Scratching my head, I dismissed it as the cry of some animal and continued toward the cave.

But just as I came within ten paces of the entrance, a rustling noise echoed from within.

Then, two blood-red eyes locked onto me from the pitch-black cave entrance.