Druid Fairy

Chapter 60 Lady White Snake

After the defeat of the mantis, even Wang San's Southern Fist was defeated. The bodyguards were amazed and the boys cheered them on.

Fang Lin's eyes showed a series of strange colors.

Laymen watch the spectacle, experts see the details. Li Pingfu was handling things with ease, clearly not using his full strength.

This cautious approach is no different from that of some seasoned veterans.

He exclaimed, "When I was your age, I was still being disciplined by my master by pulling my ear, but you've already completed your apprenticeship. You're truly a young martial arts prodigy."

"Uncle Fang, you flatter me. It is the bodyguards who are too kind. I am young and may have offended you. Please forgive me."

Li Pingfu humbly cupped his hands in greeting and withdrew from the crowd, not continuing to spar with anyone.

He stopped short of a confrontation, revealing two moves so that both sides would be aware of each other's strengths. This would also prevent his brothers from being looked down upon by certain bodyguards and causing unnecessary trouble.

In this world, whoever has the strongest fist has the right to speak.

Next, Li Yuan, Zhang Hua, and others also took to the stage to spar, and the atmosphere remained lively.

Li Yuan had been depressed and went berserk in the fight, venting his frustration. Although he lost, he felt much better.

Zhang Hua was the fourth child in his family. Half of his face was covered with black birthmarks, earning him the nickname "Ghost-Faced Kid" from the neighborhood. He used to make a living by collecting herbs with his master. He was agile and skilled in traditional Chinese medicine.

His martial arts skills were lacking, but he managed to win a small victory by using a magic pill.

As Li Pingcan watched, he nudged his older brother with his shoulder and chuckled, "You looked so cool when you went on stage, winning so decisively. When we get to Longquan Town, you have to treat me to a big meal."

Li Pingfu's lips curled up slightly. Fang Lin's praise couldn't compare to his younger brother's simple "You're really handsome." He looked at his younger brother and said, "Shouldn't you be treating me to a meal?"

"We're like brothers, aren't we? If you, as the older brother, aren't going to treat us, do you expect me, the younger and weaker brother, to do it?"

Young and frail...

He was indeed young, but that doesn't necessarily mean he was physically weak.

Li Pingfu twitched his lips, recalling the exchange a few days ago, the long fingernails oozing greenish-yellow acid that even he couldn't avoid, and couldn't help but click his tongue.

"Let's hear the nicer cry."

"Good brother! Dear brother! The most handsome man in the world!"

"Alright, the lamb spine hot pot in Longquan Town is the most famous. You can eat as much as you want then!"

…………

The escort mission was uneventful, and they arrived in Longquan Town without incident.

Indeed, within Yunshui County's sphere of influence, there aren't that many unpredictable dangers; things are usually peaceful and uneventful. The money that Weiyuan Escort Agency spends on bribing officials isn't wasted; they have connections in both the legitimate and underworld circles.

"During the half-day that the escort agency is handing over the goods, you can stroll around Longquan Town. Right now, it's the most famous 'White Lady' worship month in Longquan, and it's incredibly lively. All sorts of people from the martial arts world gather here."

Fang Lin addressed the group of youths, his words authoritative and stern: "There are too many people, so don't cause trouble. But if you do, don't be afraid. Just mention our escort agency's name and don't act rashly."

Young people are impetuous; cursing their mothers is nothing, but resorting to violence can easily lead to trouble.

"Uncle Fang, don't worry, I'll be careful."

After finishing his speech, Fang Lin no longer kept a stern face, but smiled gently, "Relax, this is the busiest time of the year in Longquan Town, with merchants from all over the country gathering here." Otherwise, there wouldn't be this escort mission.

The two groups dispersed temporarily.

Li Pingfu kept his promise and went to "Ji's Lamb Spine" to treat Li Pingcan to a meal, along with his good brothers.

The milky white mutton soup, the crisp mutton offal, and the steaming hot mutton spine immediately attracted everyone's attention when they were served.

Escorting goods is hard work. In order to keep moving, they eat mostly bread and biscuits. In Li Yuan's words, he ate so much that he couldn't even pick out his own excrement.

"Wait, let me test for poison first." Zhang Hua, the masked boy, calmly picked up a meaty lamb spine, took a bite, gave it a thumbs up, and exclaimed, "This taste is amazing!"

Everyone then realized that this was not a "poison test" at all, but a pretext used by the fourth brother to target the lamb spine!

"You shameless brat!"

"Hey, don't grab it! Fifth brother, I saw this one first!"

"Leave me a scorpion leg!" Li Yuan joined the fray. Li Pingfu swiftly tossed a scorpion into Li Pingcan's bowl, "Eat it."

It's so great to have an older brother protecting you.

Li Pingcan was delighted. He dipped the tender stewed mutton in the sauce, took a bite, and the rich flavors exploded in his mouth, incredibly fresh and fragrant.

I took another sip of mutton soup. The gamey smell was handled very well, the meat was fragrant, hot and spicy, and it warmed me up nicely, making my whole body feel relaxed and comfortable.

And there's also the rich, oily sheep bone marrow...

In short, it received unanimous praise from everyone, and everyone was extremely satisfied with the meal.

Li Yuan, gnawing on a lamb spine, suddenly asked curiously, "I was just about to ask, what is the story behind the White Snake Lady's moon worship?"

Legend has it that in ancient times, when a torrential rain caused the Longquan Lake to rise, it was about to flood thousands of acres of fertile land and cause widespread suffering. A white snake appeared and coiled its body to form a dam, stopping the flood and saving the people. Therefore, the residents of Longquan Town revered her as "Lady White Snake".

Li Pingcan learned about these events two years ago and spoke of them in great detail: "Every four years in February, when the water level of Longquan Lake recedes, the Niangniang Shrine on the island in the center of the lake will be revealed, and the townspeople will row boats to worship there."

He also plans to visit the island in the middle of the lake.

"To be able to stop the lake from overflowing and protect all people, this great power is no different from that of an immortal, is it?"

Li Yuan couldn't help but think of Li Qian, and his mood became slightly low. He ate two more lamb spines before his mood improved.

After lunch, it's time to digest.

Along the Longquan Lake, there are all kinds of vendors on the shore and boatmen soliciting passengers on the water, which is a local specialty.

Taking the opportunity, Li Pingcan said, "Brothers, I want to go see Lady White Snake."

Li Yuan seconded, "I also want to see the serpent lady who is comparable to an immortal."

There's nothing interesting about shopping.

"Then let's go together."

Since they were all unfamiliar with the place and didn't want to be separated, and Li Pingcan was usually clever and well-behaved, and was everyone's "younger brother," they decided to fulfill his wish.

The group paid and boarded the boat.

The boatman looked to be in his forties, with his arms exposed and tanned dark. He was a bit talkative. “You must be from out of town. Let me tell you, the White Lady is incredibly powerful, able to bring good fortune and ward off evil, and she’s also very kind. You can ask her anything you need.”

"How should I ask?" Li Pingcan asked curiously.

"Do you see this crescent moon?" The boatman held up a crescent-shaped seashell, with the "moon tips" at both ends slightly curved, showing a slightly arched shape.

“‘Concave’ means ‘possible’, ‘convex’ means ‘impossible’. Silently think about what you want to ask and throw it high into the air until it hits the ground, and you will get the answer.”

In his previous life, Li Pingcan disdained it, but in this life, he studies it frame by frame, and he finds that there really is a mysterious metaphysical power in this world.

Seeing that the guests were interested, the boatman revealed his large yellow teeth, "Fifty copper coins each, and each person can only use their own 'divination stick'."

"So expensive?"

You should know that if you were to send someone away by boat, each person would only receive ten copper coins. This Bu Yue, no matter how you look at it, is made of polished seashells and is worthless.

Will I get ripped off by the locals?

Li Pingcan thought about it and bought it anyway, just as a ticket to the scenic spot!
Just then, Li Yuan said, "Give me one too."

The things weighing on his heart grew heavier and heavier, and he wanted to ask Lady White Snake for help.

…………

The oars parted the water, creating ripples.

As the small boat moved gently, the island in the middle of the lake drew closer and closer, revealing its grotesque and menacing appearance, like the mouth of a giant beast ready to devour its prey.

The so-called island turned out to be a large cave!
Amidst the rippling lake water, Li Pingcan heard a series of faint sighs.

It seems to exist yet not exist, a feeling of sorrow and bitterness.

(End of this chapter)