LOT – Chapter 233 Snakes in the Middle of the Night

This method of praying for safety was truly a first for them; they would have never imagined that the monks inside could fight so fiercely.

Even the emperor couldn’t help but remark, “No wonder this temple has been a fixed stop since the previous emperor’s time—it really is a place of safety.”

The ministers: …It was their first time understanding this truth as well.

The few people who had been knocked out were carried away by the villagers, apparently to report to the authorities. The great monks tidied up their things and went back to chanting scriptures, treating it all as completely routine.

Lin Mo looked at the few Vajra monks and was genuinely excited: “This is really the first time I’ve seen a method of praying for safety like this. Are these monks all really such good fighters?”

Bai Xiao: “Whether they can beat me or not, one punch and you’re done two at a time, no problem.”

Lin Mo: …Why do you have to talk so rudely? Am I really that weak?

That night was turbulent, but no one slept well, mainly because the impression it left was just too profound.

The next morning, as they were preparing to leave, the abbot came out specifically to see them off.

“Amida Buddha, I apologize for last night’s incident. I beg Your Majesty not to hold it against us.”

The abbot had long eyebrows and a long beard, looking even more like a celestial master than Yang Tianshi himself.

Emperor Xuande smiled: “It’s fine. Last night was quite the eye-opener for me. Now I finally understand why incense offerings are so abundant here—it’s well worth it.”

A temple that protects a region would naturally have thriving incense offerings.

No matter how peaceful the world seemed, there would always be some dark corners where officials couldn’t intervene.

Moreover, this place was so remote. Whether in the mountains or the villages below, if danger arose, the authorities would be powerless. Even if someone were sent, it would take a long time.

Having a temple like this here was truly excellent.

The rest of the journey was relatively smooth, and by the time they arrived at the summer resort, it was nearly evening.

“Wow! How is this summer resort even better than the palace?”

The imperial palace, though imposing, was old and poorly maintained due to lack of funds. The summer resort, however, was different: garden-style architecture, green trees everywhere, and beautiful scenery.

Emperor Xuande explained, “This place was built by the previous emperor. He loved luxury and comfort, so the summer resort was well maintained.”

Indeed, as soon as the weather turned hot, the previous emperor would arrive with a large entourage and only return when it grew cold. Spending a third of the year here, it had to be well maintained.

Bai Xiao: “Be careful. Where there are lots of flowers and trees, there are often snakes. There are quite a few snakes in this garden.”

Hearing this, everyone shuddered inwardly—snakes!

Lin Mo: “That can’t be. Surely there are workers here at the summer resort. How could there be so many snakes?”

Bai Xiao: “Even the most careful humans have lapses. Just avoid the areas with dense foliage. There are fruit trees here too—later we’ll pick some fruit!”

After saying this, the two of them happily went off to play, leaving the others feeling uneasy.

The problem was, they mentioned snakes but didn’t say where exactly—they couldn’t relax anywhere now.

Emperor Xuande cleared his throat: “Have the remaining parts of the summer resort thoroughly inspected. Search every corner meticulously—nothing must be missed!”

That night, everyone went to bed early after a long day of travel. The only ones still awake were Lin Mo and Bai Xiao.

The two had found a hole in the ground and were digging at it with their hands.

“Do you really think there’s a rabbit in here? Are you sure you’re not tricking me? I’ve already dug three holes.”

Lin Mo looked at her muddy hands with disgust. Weren’t rabbits supposed to have three burrows? She had dug through three holes and hadn’t found a single rabbit.

Bai Xiao pouted and kept digging: “Don’t you trust my ability? I said there’s one in here, so there must be one!”

But just as he finished speaking, his expression suddenly changed, and his movements froze.

Lin Mo curiously poked him: “What’s wrong? Were you attacked at a pressure point?”

Bai Xiao silently activated his protective mechanism and pulled something out from the hole.

Seeing the long snake in his hands, Lin Mo gasped.

“Whoa! Is this Bai Suzhen?”

It was a very beautiful white snake, as thick as a newborn’s arm and over a meter long.

“Here, take it! This snake doesn’t bite.”

Bai Xiao disdainfully tossed the snake to Lin Mo, who happily caught it.

She wasn’t afraid of snakes; she had raised them before.

As a child, she had caught a snake and played with it for two days, only to be discovered by her father. When he lifted the blanket to wake her, he saw her clutching the snake as she slept.

Her father had spanked her severely that time, and the snake was confiscated. Where it went afterward, no one knew.

“Can I keep it?”

Lin Mo’s eyes sparkled as she looked at Bai Xiao, the hopeful expression on her face hard to refuse.

Bai Xiao always indulged her: “Sure, keep it. This is a mutant golden python, harmless.”

They hadn’t found any rabbits all night but had dug up a snake instead.

In this era, it didn’t matter where the snake came from—just having it to play with was enough.

The next morning, Lin Mo was playing with the snake when some of the young ladies happened to see her.

They gasped inwardly: “Young Mistress Lin is terrifying! She treats a snake as a toy!”

Lin Mo cheerfully waved at them: “Want to play? This is my new pet!”

At this moment, Xiao Jin: …

It was a white snake. Lin Mo had originally wanted to name it Xiao Bai, but Bai Xiao strongly objected.

In the end, the snake was named Xiao Jin, because it was a mutant golden python.

The young ladies politely declined: “No, no, Young Mistress Lin, you play by yourself. We have other things to do—let’s play together another time.”

Hurry and leave, before you get stuck playing with the snake!

Bai Xiao smirked: “They’re afraid of you.”

Lin Mo waved it off: “They’re not afraid of me—they’re afraid of this snake. It listens and doesn’t bite, so what’s there to fear?”

Xiao Jin: …

It’s not that it doesn’t bite—it physically can’t!

That idiot human had pried open its mouth last night to examine its mouth structure. It had almost been torn apart in the process!

Bai Xiao had even secretly given the snake a little extra intelligence with some magical tools, since it was a dangerous animal. A bit of brain helps it know what to do and what not to do.