After some more time had passed, and the baby snakes had adapted to their surroundings and became more energetic than theyâd been when theyâd just been born, Mo Laoda and Yin Xiaoxiao decided to take the babies for a trip.
This suggestion was made by Yin Xiaoxiao. Ever since heâd learned he was pregnant, heâd had to stay inside the cave for six months. Then incubated the eggs for another three months; even though Yin Xiaoxiao didnât incubate the eggs, since Mo Laoda couldnât leave, Yin Xiaoxiao couldnât go out and play. Thus, in total, itâd been no less than nine months since Mo Laoda and Yin Xiaoxiao had gone out.
Now that the baby snakes had all been born and were very healthy, Yin Xiaoxiao decided that he wanted to go out. The baby snakes naturally couldnât stay home and wanted to go, too. Their first stop was the old tomb, one because it was nearby and two because of Yin Xiaoxiaoâs great relationship with Ji Kang, even though, ever since Ji Zhao had arrived, both sides had slowly lost contact with each other. Three because itâd been nine months since heâd gone below the cliff and, since presumably Mingshe had finished digesting the treasures, he wanted to take the opportunity to bring some more treasure back for Mingshe.
Yin Xiaoxiao wouldnât admit that there was some element of showing off in bringing the baby snakes with him. Mo Laoda naturally knew some of Yin Xiaoxiaoâs reasoning, but he tacitly agreed. Mo Laoda looked back at the nine young snakes, thinking that it would also be good for them to get used to life on the mountain. He and the Little Idiot couldnât look after them forever. In the not so distant future, theyâd have to learn to take care of themselves.
It was naturally unrealistic for Mo Laoda to feel very fond of the young snakes. Something like Hua Xiaohua and Yin Dabaiâs doting of Yin Xiaoxiao was, unfortunately, uncommon among vipers. This was due in large part to Yin Xiaoxiaoâs lack of inherited memories, but it was also because Yin Xiaoxiao was special, a special existence that made snakes unconsciously want to get close. Vipers had a naturally cold and distant disposition, viewing only a partner as the closest relationship and as intrinsic as a body part. As for Yin Xiaoxiao, who had a childâs temperament, he could play together with these young snakes but, when it came to care and concern, this wasnât likely. Most of Yin Xiaoxiaoâs concern was allocated to Mo Laoda.
As a result, the future of these nine baby snakes was clear to see â they would be leaving their Dad and Pop soon. Fortunately, this was always the vipersâ habit and custom and was only a little earlier for the nine baby snakes.
Mo Laoda slithered in front, Yin Xiaoxiao following him. Behind Mo Laoda and Yin Xiaoxiao were the nine baby snakes. This time, Yin Xiaoxiao wasnât lying on Mo Laodaâs back because the old tomb was very close by! Mo Laoda nevertheless could see that Yin Xiaoxiao was to embarrassed to be carried draped across his back in front of the children so, even though he was displeased, he persevered and didnât make Yin Xiaoxiao lie on himself.
âJi Kang! Ji Kang!â Quickly arriving at the old tomb, Yin Xiaoxiao tossed care of the young snakes to Mo Laoda and slithered past. His voice was exceptionally excited.
At the same time as Yin Xiaoxiao spoke, Ji Kang appeared in front of Yin Xiaoxiao. Behind Ji Kang, Ji Zhao followed.
Ji Kang didnât wait for Yin Xiaoxiao to speak, his gaze had already moved towards the young snakes, who had slithered to Yin Xiaoxiaoâs side. With eyes that were suddenly bright, he crouched to face the nine young snakes. âWow! Such cute, young snakes! Xiaoxiao, are they your children?â
Yin Xiaoxiao gnashed his teeth a little in anger. Hmph! Ji Kang was really too much! He <sup>1</sup> actually didnât ask if he <sup>2</sup> was okay and why he <sup>3</sup> hadnât been visiting, instead first asking about the young snakes! In his heart, Yin Xiaoxiao was extremely angry and didnât answer Ji Kangâs question.
Mo Laoda answered for Yin Xiaoxiao, âThey are mine and Yin Xiaoxiaoâs children.â Then he introduced the young snakes to Ji Kang. After listening to the names of all the young snakes, Ji Kang appeared pleased. Behind Ji Kang, Ji Zhao only watched on indifferently, facial expression unchanged. But when he heard Nineâs name, âBai Jiaheiâ, Ji Zhaoâs expression became strange. If he wasnât misremembering, wasnât Bai jiahei a cold medicine?
However, Ji Zhao didnât say anything and, after a short time, his facial expression became placid once again. Having spent the entire time teasing the young snakes, Ji Kang hadnât noticed.
The young snakes had the inherited memories and, by comparing their surroundings with the inherited memories, they immediately knew where they were. But they also didnât seem to hesitate getting close to Ji Kang, which made Ji Kang even more fond of these little guys.
Next to them, Yin Xiaoxiao âhmphâed heavily and repeatedly until Ji Kang couldnât even pretend not to hear. Ji Kang helplessly turned his head to look at Yin Xiaoxiao, brows raised. âXiaoxiao, are you jealous of your children?â
Yin Xiaoxiao âhmphâed heavily again.
Ji Kang laughed and pat Yin Xiaoxiaoâs head. In the manner of one talking to a child, he said to Yin Xiaoxiao, âWell, Iâm actually most fond of Xiaoxiao.â
The young snakes silently turned their heads, really not wanting to recognize that this was their Pop.
Mo Laoda stared at Ji Kangâs hand on top of Yin Xiaoxiaoâs head, fire spewing from his eyes.
And when Ji Kang said that he was âmost fond of Xiaoxiaoâ, Ji Zhaoâs expression couldnât get more ugly.
Mo Laoda and Ji Zhao looked at each other and seemed to reach some kind of mutual understanding.
Mo Laoda opened his mouth, âXiaoxiao, we should leave. Didnât you say that you wanted to go to the bottom of the cliff?â
Ji Zhao quickly followed, saying, âThen you <sup>4</sup> bring the children and be careful. Oh, thatâs right.â Ji Zhao said to Ji Kang, âJi Kang, I suddenly remembered that I want to tell you something.â His tone of voice was so soft that even Ji Kang, as a ghost, unconsciously trembled.
Finished speaking, Ji Zhao tossed some pieces of gold and silver, which Mo Laoda quickly gathered. Mo Laoda and Ji Zhao continued so that Yin Xiaoxiao and Ji Kang had no chance to oppose: Ji Zhao pulled Ji Kang into the old tomb, and Mo Laoda dragged Yin Xiaoxiao to slither away. The nine baby snakes looked at each other before finally following behind Mo Laoda and Yin Xiaoxiao.
Only once the old tomb was far in the distance did Mo Laoda release Yin Xiaoxiao. His expression was somewhat ugly and, in a serious voice, he said to Yin Xiaoxiao, âCome up.â
Yin Xiaoxiao was at a bit of a loss. Theyâd been together for over twenty years, and Yin Xiaoxiao could see that Mo Laoda was angry. OnlyâŚwhy was Heitan angry? This time, Yin Xiaoxiao couldnât dare to disobey Mo Laoda. He glanced back at the young snakes, then obediently climbed onto Mo Laodaâs back.
The young snakes: ââŚ..â
Mo Laoda used his tail to throw the gold and silver to the young snakes, glanced back and said, âFollow closely.â Then, no longer paying attention to the young snakes, he continued, setting off at his normal speed towards the bottom of the cliff.
Among the young snakes, the Mo snakes didnât have to work as hard to keep up, but the Yin snakes found it very difficult to manage. They were, after all, Yin snakes and, as they were several ranks below Mo snakes, their speed was naturally slower. It was only fortunate that there was quite a fraternal bond between the young snakes. Seeing that the Yin snakes couldnât keep up, the Mo snakes all went to help the Yin snakes.
And among these nine young snakes, Nine was the most peculiar. The Yin snakes toiled to keep up, the Mo snakes were also using all their strength, but Nine seemed as though he were going for a walk, making the young snakes envious, jealous and angry. And the overwhelming majority of the gold and silver was also being carried by Nine via coil and mouth.
Slithering ahead, Mo Laoda wasnât unaware of what was happening behind. Seeing Nine slithering so effortlessly, a wisp of contemplation flashed through Mo Laodaâs eyes, although he didnât say anything.
They certainly werenât going to rush to get to the bottom of the cliff today. Mo Laoda and Yin Xiaoxiao werenât going to force it and so, when the sky began to darken, they immediately looked for a place to stop.
For the young snakes, this was the first time that theyâd traveled so far. Not only were they tired, they were also hungry. As for Yin Xiaoxiao, naturally even if he wasnât hungry, he still wanted to snack. Furthermore, even though the amount of food Yin Xiaoxiao ate now wasnât as much as heâd eaten when he was pregnant, it was still a lot more than before. And so, after stopping, Mo Laoda went to find food.
As the night progressed, the vast majority of animals had already ceased being active. Some had returned to their dens, and there were many who had gathered to spend the night together in groups. Outside, Mo Laoda first fed himself, eating until full. Only then did he look for dinner on behalf of Yin Xiaoxiao and the children. Now, with so many more mouths to feed, it was impossible for Mo Laoda to catch one or two dozen rats and head back, so he could only look for a large animal.
Mo Laoda wasnât very familiar with this area. He looked for quite a long time before he found a leopard in a tree. After he caught the leopard, Mo Laoda hurried to return, assuming that a leopard would be enough food.
After eating, the young snakes began to sleep. But after the young snakes had fallen asleep, he stealthily dragged out Yin Xiaoxiao, who had fallen into a deep sleep.
Of course, Yin Xiaoxiao was only sleeping, not dead. Mo Laoda hadnât dragged him very far when Yin Xiaoxiao awoke. Opening sleep-hazy eyes, he stared blankly at Mo Laoda who was dragging him, eyes asking âwhatâs going on?â
Mo Laoda didnât speak, pursuing his lips and continuing to drag Yin Xiaoxiao.
Finally having dragged him outside, Mo Laoda indicated that Yin Xiaoxiao should climb onto his back. Even though Yin Xiaoxiao was confused, he didnât ask anything. Anyway, it wasnât as though Mo Laoda would harm him.
Mo Laoda slithered quickly to the cave he found when he was hunting. After arriving, he allowed Yin Xiaoxiao to get down from his body.
âWhatâs going on?â Yin Xiaoxiao asked while fighting back a yawn, resisting the urge to fall back asleep with great difficulty.
Mo Laoda silently stared at Yin Xiaoxiao for a while, then suddenly opened his mouth and said, âItâs been a while since weâve done it.â His voice was deep and hoarse.
At first, Yin Xiaoxiao didnât react, but he quickly understood what Mo Laoda meant and his face suddenly reddened. âHuh? But-but, this is still outside. Also, the children, the children are here. Wait, wait until we return.â
Mo Laoda didnât speak, but his next action conveyed his disagreement with Yin Xiaoxiaoâs words. Mo Laoda wrapped his body around Yin Xiaoxiao and firmly kissed Yin Xiaoxiao on the mouth, tongue accurately catching Yin Xiaoxiaoâs tongue.
Yin Xiaoxiaoâs entire body began to tremble, and then his body began to weaken. If Mo Laoda hadnât been wrapped around Yin Xiaoxiao, Yin Xiaoxiaoâs body wouldâve already been limp.
Mo Laodaâs tail, from time to time, brushed across Yin Xiaoxiaoâs body, ice-cold scales sticking to Yin Xiaoxiaoâs warm body, bringing Yin Xiaoxiao great pleasure. Gradually, Yin Xiaoxiao began to also sink into lust.
It really had been a long time since theyâd done that. Usually Mo Laoda didnât do anything, but when he did, Yin Xiaoxiao couldnât resist, thinking that tomorrow, he would be lying on Mo Laodaâs back anyway, Yin Xiaoxiao very simply indulged in pleasureâŚ
Early the next morning, the young snakes awoke, one after the other, but couldnât find their Dad or Pop. Just as they were puzzling over this, they saw their Dad and Pop enter, their Pop fast asleep on their Dadâs back. Mo Laoda saw that all the young snakes were awake and serenely said, âLetâs go.â
This time, Mo Laoda didnât move very quickly, and the young snakes were all able to easily keep up. The reason, of course, wasnât because Mo Laoda felt sorry for the young snakes, but because Mo Laoda was slithering while tlooking after Yin Xiaoxiao, not wanting to drop the sleeping Yin Xiaoxiao.