Chapter 105

The partnership ceremony was just one of those things. Yin Xiaoxiao experienced it once himself and didn’t think it was anything great. Even though this was the first time he’d experienced another snake’s partnership ceremony, Yin Xiaoxiao still didn’t feel differently. After the ceremony ended, it was finally time for everyone to eat. Unexpectedly, Yin Xiaoxiao wanted to leave, and Mo Laoda, also unexpectedly, wanted Yin Xiaoxiao to leave. Ever since Mo Laoda had known Yin Xiaoxiao, and ever since he’d gotten together with Yin Xiaoxiao, the number of times Yin Xiaoxiao had eaten prey caught by other snakes could be counted on one hand. From this, Mo Laoda’s thoughts could be seen – Yin Xiaoxiao liked to eat, but only Mo Laoda was allowed to catch his food!

As the two having the ceremony, Mo Damo and Mo Laoer naturally lead everyone to the food. Towards her older brother, who came to participate in her ceremony, Mo Laoer couldn’t name what she was feeling. So, even though she saw Mo Laoda and Yin Xiaoxiao, she didn’t approach them to greet them, and when the ceremony concluded, she slithered away in a large group. Mo Damo solemnly stared at Mo Laoda for a while, then allowed Mo Laoer to drag him away.

As for Mo Laoda and Yin Xiaoxiao, the two snakes pondered before deciding to leave. Anyway, the relationship between Mo Laoda and Mo Laoer wasn’t very good and, while Mo Damo called them friends, Mo Laoda wouldn’t ever recognize this. This time, he’d only come because Yin Xiaoxiao had wanted to come. Since it was like this, the two snakes simply didn’t have to stay.

However, both sides still had yet to turn around when they were stopped by Father Mo and Mother Mo coming up to meet them. Behind Father Mo and Mother Mo, was a reluctant-looking Mo Laosan.

Father Mo, somewhat awkwardly, looked at Mo Laoda for a long time, unsure of what to say, until he finally stated, “Laoda, you came to your younger sister’s partnership ceremony. Your Mother and I are both very happy.”

Mo Laoda only uttered a “yes” to indicate that he understood.

Father Mo continued to speak. “That, after another three months, your younger brother will become partners with Mo Daer. I’d like it, if it’s alright with you, if could you also come and participate then?”

Mo Laoda didn’t speak. He had only come to Mo Laoer’s partnership ceremony because Yin Xiaoxiao had insisted. As for Mo Laosan’s partnership ceremony….

Mo Laoda unconsciously looked at Yin Xiaoxiao next to him.

As soon as Father Mo, Mother Mo and Mo Laosan appeared, Yin Xiaoxiao had lowered his head and retreated into his mind. When he and Mo Laoda had their partnership ceremony, and Father Mo and Mother Mo came, he was quite glad. But upon meeting them privately, Yin Xiaoxiao still felt a little uncomfortable. As such, Yin Xiaoxiao, who wasn’t mentally present, completely failed to notice Mo Laoda looking at him.

Mother Mo, however, clearly saw this, and she thought to herself, ‘My eldest son really does adore this Yin snake.’ Her mouth moved, and hurriedly she said, “That…Xiaoxiao too. Iif you and Laoda have time, you might as well come and participate.”

“Ah?” Yin Xiaoxiao came back to himself at the sound of Mother Mo’s voice, but he completely failed to understand what Mother Mo had said. Although Mother Mo was a little embarrassed, Mo Laoda repeated everything to Yin Xiaoxiao. Mo Laoda expressed that it wasn’t a problem if Yin Xiaoxiao wanted to come, and if Yin Xiaoxiao didn’t want to come….then that also wasn’t a problem.

Yin Xiaoxiao listened to Mo Laoda’s words and hesitated a little. In his heart, Yin Xiaoxiao didn’t want to go. Was he that familiar with Mo Laosan or Mo Daer? However, since Yin Xiaoxiao and Mo Laoda had come to participate in Mo Laoer and Mo Damo’s partnership ceremony, not going to Mo Laosan’s partnership would indeed be a little not good. At this thought, Yin Xiaoxiao felt some regret that he’d insisted on attending Mo Laoer and Mo Damo’s partnership ceremony.

As a result, Yin Xiaoxiao could only smile and say, “Ah, if it’s like that then Heitan and I don’t have anything else. We will certainly go.”

Although Father Mo and Mother Mo didn’t obtain precisely the reply they’d wanted, they were still satisfied with Yin Xiaoxiao’s answer. After so many years, Father Mo and Mother Mo weren’t so forceful towards Mo Laoda and Yin Xiaoxiao about matters. Perhaps this was because of the reverence held for Mo Laoda’s position as Clan Head, but it could also have been because, after their eldest son had become partners with that snake called Yin Xiaoxiao, Father Mo and Mother Mo came to gradually accept Yin Xiaoxiao’s existence. Then again, Yin Xiaoxiao also didn’t need Father Mo and Mother Mo’s acceptance.

The unwilling Mo Laosan was forced by Father Mo and Mother Mo to say a few words to Mo Laoda, then Father Mo, Mother Mo and Mo Laosan left.

Yin Xiaoxiao curled his lips, then muttered, “Ah, I really don’t know if anything will come in three months that would prevent us going!”

Mo Laoda pursed his lips and silently laughed. Yin Xiaoxiao’s behavior might not be right, but Mo Laoda never thought that what Yin Xiaoxiao did was wrong.

Mo Laoda and Yin Xiaoxiao began their journey home.

On their return, Yin Xiaoxiao, as was his habit, once again stopped at the old tomb to see if Ji Kang would come out.

This time, Yin Xiaoxiao was pleasantly surprised. Like countless times before, he arrived expecting that Ji Kang wouldn’t appear.

“Heitan told me that it’d be a few more years before you came out. I didn’t believe it and often came here to check, but I still didn’t expect that I’d actually see you!” Yin Xiaoxiao raised his head, appearing somewhat pleased with himself.

The corners of Ji Kang’s mouth twitched slightly. If Ji Kang still had a physical body, he would have been blushing. “That’s a little exaggerated. But you’re here, where is your Heitan?”

Yin Xiaoxiao answered without much thought, “Oh, Heitan left to look for bird eggs for me.” Saying this, Yin Xiaoxiao couldn’t keep himself from complaining, “Ah man, just drop it. Now I want to eat honey but it’s really too much trouble. Really! Now I can only eat bird eggs.”

"

"

Ji Kang, vaguely aware that eating honey had resulted in Yin Xiaoxiao getting cavities, listened to Yin Xiaoxiao’s complaints and laughed.

Ji Zhao, having been standing beside Ji Kang the entire time, quietly listened to Ji Kang ¹ and Yin Xiaoxiao speak. He didn’t speak and his eyes remained fixed on Yin Xiaoxiao’s body. Yin Xiaoxiao wondered whether he was planning anything.

Ji Zhao suddenly opened his mouth, “You’re a human. Now isn’t that a little intriguing.”

Yin Xiaoxiao stiffened, suddenly remembering that his soul was still human, and also that Ji Zhao’s spirit was like Ji Kang’s. Since Ji Kang could see his soul, it was unlikely that Ji Zhao would be an exception.

“I didn’t expect that a human would become a snake, and not only not feel frightened, blaming the gods and accusing others ² , but even live a good life and have their own….spouse.” Ji Zhao paused for a moment, but the word “spouse” which he’d choked down still came out. Actually, Ji Zhao admired Yin Xiaoxiao. Based on his last life, one needed a lot of nerve to be able to live among a bunch of vipers and even fall in love with a viper!

Talking about this, Ji Zhao was serene. Unfortunately, Yin Xiaoxiao was a little uncomfortable listening to this. Having always been doted upon in Mo Laoda’s embrace, Yin Xiaoxiao, naturally, was dissatisfied by the master’s behavior. Hearing Ji Zhao speak, he immediately was no longer satisfied.

Ultimately, Ji Kang interrupted and smoothed things over, then pinched Ji Zhao a few times where Yin Xiaoxiao couldn’t see. Now, Ji Zhao was well-behaved and didn’t speak, only thinking about what he could ask Ji Kang to do when they got back.

Ji Kang and Yin Xiaoxiao spoke some more. When Mo Laoda finally arrived dragging a bird’s nest, Yin Xiaoxiao said his goodbyes to Ji Kang and left to eat bird eggs. Mo Laoda also asked Ji Kang for a few pieces of gold and silver to bring to that place. Perhaps it was because Mingshe had recently become stronger, but more gold and silver was being used up. Originally, Mo Laoda had wanted to ask for jade, which would take longer for Mingshe to digest, but he was unable to bring himself to ask with Yin Xiaoxiao by his side. Yin Xiaoxiao seized the opportunity to once more ask for a piece of jade, and, elated, dragged the jade home. As a result, that night, Mo Laoda was once again aggrieved. Yin Xiaoxiao slept extraordinarily well, cuddling the piece of jade.

Getting up the next day, the two snakes planned to go to the bottom of the cliff. Mo Laoda brought the gold and silver. The sooner it was delivered, the sooner they’d be relieved of worry. Yin Xiaoxiao didn’t complain. It wasn’t a problem and it was even something he was happy to do! Doing that kind of thing was wonderful but, after all, you couldn’t spend months in a cave doing it. Yin Xiaoxiao didn’t want his snake ³ to shrivel up and die!

Doing what they said they’d do, the two snakes set off right away. This was one of the good things about being a snake, being able to leave when you want to leave and go where you want to go. As a human, how could things be this easy?

They arrived at the bottom of the cliff and, after delivering the gold and silver to Mingshe and with nothing else to do, Yin Xiaoxiao and Mo Laoda stayed a few days.

Arriving at the bottom of the cliff and, with gold and silver delivered to Mingshe, with nothing else to do, Yin Xiaoxiao and Mo Laoda stayed a few days below the cliff. Xionghui usually spent time scaring lions in a miniaturized state, and Yin Xiaoxiao was inclined to indulge in these amusements, forgetting home and duty ⁴ . Mo Laoda wasn’t as invested in having fun as Yin Xiaoxiao. Considering that absolutely nothing could be kept a secret while at the bottom of the cliff, and Mo Laoda didn’t want to do anything with Yin Xiaoxiao under the awareness of the strange snakes. But consider Mo Laoda, who had finally, after great difficulty, had a taste of meat ⁵ . Mo Laoda wasn’t willing to go without for such a long time again. Ultimately, with an ugly expression, Mo Laoda grabbed Yin Xiaoxiao and ran.

"

"

On the way back, Yin Xiaoxiao, as before, reclined lazily on Mo Laoda’s back. The more he slithered, the more Mo Laoda felt that there was something wrong. Finally, he couldn’t help but gently and cautiously ask, “Little Idiot, how much weight have you gained?”

At first, Yin Xiaoxiao was stunned by this question. Then it suddenly occurred to him that Mo Laoda meant that he despised his weight. He immediately became angry and bit Mo Laoda – without breaking his scales – while bellowing, “You’re fat! Your whole family is fat!”

Mo Laoda was frightened by Yin Xiaoxiao. He’d just said that he was fat, why did the Little Idiot react like this?! Helpless, Mo Laoda immediately coaxed Yin Xiaoxiao, “Okay, okay. I was wrong. It’s because I haven’t been exercising that slithering is difficult. Ah, Xiaoxiao, you’re biting me. I already said I was wrong!”

Yin Xiaoxiao still wasn’t satisfied. Mo Laoda tolerantly lowered his defenses and was firmly bitten on the back a few more times until Yin Xiaoxiao deemed it enough.

Cough, cough. This was merely one small thing that happened on the way back. But Yin Xiaoxiao really did discover that he was fat. Not only fat, but bafflingly fat! That said, he wasn’t eating more than he had before, and he wasn’t even eating a lot of fattening honey! Huh? It was because he wasn’t exercising? But Yin Xiaoxiao had always lounged on Mo Laoda’s back! And besides, this time he’d played with the strange snakes below the cliff! He’d exercised, alright!

However, Yin Xiaoxiao received Mo Laoda’s reassurance that, “Even if you are fat, I will still carry you.” Yin Xiaoxiao was relieved. ‘Hmph, hmph, even if I’m fat, there won’t be any effect. If that’s the case, then why bother?!’

T/N:

Footnotes

<ol>the raw had a typo and had Ji Zhao instead of Ji Kang 怨天尤人: idiom describing someone railing against what’s happened to them, who is suspicious and paranoid of others, and decrying that nothing is their fault https://baike.baidu.com/item/%E6%80%A8%E5%A4%A9%E5%B0%A4%E4%BA%BA/1649332 yes, snake as in trouser snake, if snakes wore trousers 乐不思蜀: meaning to enjoy the new environment to the point where one forgets about the old. Has a negative connotation, and is based on the happy behavior of Liu Chan, son of the legendary Liu Bei, after his kingdom of Shu was conquered by the Kingdom of Wei https://baike.baidu.com/item/%E4%B9%90%E4%B8%8D%E6%80%9D%E8%9C%80/17351 a euphemism for having had sex</ol>