Chapter 114: The Beauty's Head
“Exorcism and warding curse, be gone!” Fang You swiftly cast a talisman toward the Leper Head.
But before the talisman could reach it, something emerged from the Leper Head’s body—a single beautiful female head, beneath which was a serpent-like skeletal body. The monstrous creature sneered slyly before burrowing directly into the earth.
“Trying to run?” Scar Face attempted to give chase.
“Don’t bother; you won’t catch it,” Fang You said calmly. “This beautiful head belongs to a mountain demon—a spirit that inhabits the corpse of a dead person to cultivate itself into a monster. Usually, it’s just a stunning head used to lure travelers. If someone falls under its spell, the head either bites them to death or pushes them off cliffs or drowns them.”
“But these creatures move incredibly fast. As wild mountain spirits transformed into demons, their agility far surpasses any human’s. Recklessly pursuing it would only invite risk. It seems we shouldn’t linger here. Let’s press on.”
Fang You then glanced down at the still, wet body of the Leper Head lying on the ground, already lifeless.
“The beautiful head has killed the Leper Head and intended to plant a corpse poison in the water using his body, hoping we would drink it and be stopped. Luckily, we discovered it just in time. But we must move quickly, or worse troubles await.”
After speaking, Fang You urged the others to continue forward.
At this moment, Gao Changyi, along with the remaining Scar Face, Second Dog Leg, and Little Bean, looked at the soaked, drowned Leper Head with grim expressions.
“Damn it,” Gao Changyi growled. “We haven’t even reached the heart of Dragon God Mountain, yet two people have already died. This time, I’m determined to solve the mystery of our predecessors’ disappearance and retrieve the Earth-Avoidance Pearl from the depths of Dragon God Mountain! Leper Head and Flower Braid didn’t die in vain.”
“There’s no turning back now. We can’t let them die so inexplicably and without purpose.”
Fang You nodded in agreement. “Two are already dead. If we turn back now out of fear, it would be a betrayal of their sacrifice. Let’s proceed cautiously.”
After a brief rest and some small talk, the group set off again as dawn broke.
The shadows of the surrounding trees swayed, sending a subtle chill through the air.
Fang You and Bai Ling led the way, while Gao Changyi, with Scar Face, Second Dog Leg, and Little Bean, remained vigilant behind.
As evening gradually descended, the group began searching for a place to rest.
Just as they found a relatively safe spot, a sudden figure appeared in the distance—a solitary old woman walking through the desolate wilderness, an eerie sight amid the wild mountains.
“Look!” Bai Ling was the first to notice and quickly alerted the others.
Gao Changyi eyed the old woman with suspicion. After all they had just endured, everyone was on high alert.
Fang You approached cautiously, his mind filled with questions. “Elderly lady, the night is falling. Why are you alone here in these mountains?”
The old woman replied calmly, “Because this is where my home is.”
“So, you live here in Dragon God Mountain?” Fang You’s confusion deepened. Beyond the dangers, it seemed impractical for an elderly person to live alone here.
“Are you planning to keep going forward?” the old woman asked.
Fang You’s wariness grew. Suddenly, he noticed her eyes gleamed like serpents’. He realized she was not human—or some kind of barrier meant to stop them.
“If you leave now, I won’t interfere. Nothing will block your path. But if you continue, I can’t say what will happen,” the old woman said with a chilling smile that sent shivers down their spines.
“What are you?” Fang You demanded. “What lies deep within Dragon God Mountain, and why do you seek to stop us?”
Beside him, the earth chief seemed to awaken to the danger as well.
Holding a vial of black dog’s blood, the earth chief stepped forward slowly. “We must enter Dragon God Mountain. If you insist on blocking us, don’t blame us for being rude.”
The woman suddenly laughed. “In that case, there’s no room for negotiation. I shall devour you all to protect the remains of the gods from your disturbance!”
Her body twisted violently, then exploded open, revealing a massive black python bursting forth.
The enormous serpent flicked its tongue and opened its maw wide, swallowing Fang You whole!
“Sir!” Bai Ling cried out anxiously.
“You dared to eat the guest I invited? Then die here as well!” Gao Changyi hurled the vial of black dog’s blood at the black snake.
The vial shattered against the serpent’s scales, sizzling sharply. The snake’s demonic power was affected, and it roared furiously with its mouth agape.
“Die!” Scar Face charged forward, plunging his knife into the python’s vital spot.
But the python’s skin was too thick. After decades or even centuries of cultivation as a spirit, it was no ordinary beast.
Scar Face’s short blade couldn’t pierce the python’s vital point.
“Ah!”
Desperate to save him, Bai Ling drew her black blade and rushed in.
Suddenly, the python swung its tail, knocking everyone flying.
After a roll, Scar Face fell to the ground, caught by Second Dog Leg.
Little Bean picked up a stone and hurled it fiercely at the python. “Give me back my friend!”
The python glared fiercely but soon winced in pain from its belly, then swiftly slithered away.
“Quick, pursue it!” Bai Ling shouted.
But the python moved with such speed that no human could keep up.
They were left breathless, watching the giant serpent carrying Fang You vanish into the distance.
“Our guest has been eaten. What now?” Scar Face asked.
“Damn it. We can’t return like this. We’ve come this far; we must delve into the heart of Dragon God Mountain and uncover the truth,” Gao Changyi said angrily.
“Without our guest’s help, we must be even more cautious,” Bai Ling added regretfully. Losing such a strong ally so early was a heavy blow. But after all the effort, they would not give up halfway.
After discussion, as evening deepened, the group decided to rest for the night and continue their journey at dawn—even without Fang You.