Chapter 60: Green-Eyed Small Snake

Translator: Tim Editor: Tehrn

"Elder Brother Ye, the tent is a bit shabby, but it's ready. Xiang Fang and I will take the night watch. Why don't you go in and rest?" Guo Qi said.

Ye Mo smiled. "No need. You can leave the night watch to me; I prefer being outside at night. By the way, Brother Guo, you're older than me, so please call me Ye Mo." Ye Mo liked Guo Qi's team spirit and wanted to befriend him. He disliked those who lacked it.

"Okay, then I won't be too formal. But please don't call me Brother Guo either. Everyone in the army calls me Da Qi. It's an honor to call you a friend—no, brother! What do you think, Brother Ye?" Guo Qi replied frankly.

Ye Mo nodded. "Great."

Assuming Ye Mo was leisurely roasting rabbits in the woods, Guo Qi didn't press the issue. Tired after the past few days, he went to rest with Fang Wei.

Inside the tent, Lu Lin looked at the pensive Chi Wanqing. "Wanqing, what do you think of Ye Mo?"

Chi Wanqing, lost in thought, was startled. After a pause, she said, "I think Brother Ye is a good person. He's very capable, and he has a… a…"

She struggled to find the words. "a kind of feeling I long for."

Lu Lin sighed. "Wanqing, you've been in the military for three years. I know why you came—to avoid your father's arranged marriage, perhaps due to your mother's influence. But three years have passed. Are you prepared to remain alone forever? Sometimes, you shouldn't reject opportunity."

She continued, "I graduated high school at nineteen, at the peak of my youth. I worked at the state literacy department, where I met him. He was handsome, and popular with the other girls, but he was especially kind to me. He asked me out repeatedly, and proposed six months later. I was only nineteen, unsure what to do when a twenty-seven-year-old man proposed. I liked him very much, but I told him I was too young, and asked him to wait. Six months later, on my twentieth birthday, he proposed again. I still wanted to wait; I felt too young to marry.

"But I never saw him again. He left. I waited a year, but heard nothing. I thought if he reappeared, I'd marry him instantly. But he never did, and I left my job, coming to the military.

"Wanqing, sometimes there's only one chance. Trust me. I've seen many people in the army. Ye Mo doesn't seem deceitful. His eyes aren't shifty; he's just poor.

"With your family's wealth, would you really care about his finances? Besides, there's the saying, 'Don't underestimate a poor young man.' If you preferred wealth, you wouldn't have rejected your family and joined the military," Lu Lin sighed, lost in memories.

"Sister Lin, my feelings for Brother Ye aren't what you think. They're… sigh, I don't know how to explain it… I'll go check on Brother Ye," Chi Wanqing said, starting to leave the tent.

"Wanqing, you can walk now?" Lu Lin exclaimed, pointing at Chi Wanqing's leg.

"Yes. After Brother Ye treated me, I could walk soon, although it still hurts sometimes…" Chi Wanqing trailed off, suddenly blushing and rushing outside.

Watching her go, Lu Lin pondered. Wanqing resembled her younger self, but Ye Mo was nothing like the man she'd met.

Meanwhile, Ye Mo sat on a nearby rock, studying a map using his spiritual sense. He'd considered the map's lines repeatedly. Combined with Chi Wanqing's interpretation, it was clearly the Taklamakan Desert.

He knew the general geography of China, but not the location of Ku Lake or the "Holy Door." He knew about the Purple Heart Vine—a spirit wood crucial for Chi Gathering State pills. While it wasn't picky, it wouldn't grow in a desert, needing ample water.

The Taklamakan Desert had less than 100mm of annual rainfall, sometimes far less. Though deep in thought, he sensed Chi Wanqing's approach. He smiled; the cold girl was growing on him.

Before Chi Wanqing could speak, Ye Mo turned, smiling at her. Relieved, she approached. But her face changed. A gray snake with glowing green eyes lunged at Ye Mo from behind.

"No!" Chi Wanqing knew triangular-headed snakes were venomous, but this one was exceptionally sharp. Without hesitation, she jumped in front of Ye Mo.

Ye Mo felt the snake's attack. He could have avoided it, but not with Chi Wanqing. The snake and Chi Wanqing arrived simultaneously—a testament to the snake's speed. The snake bit Chi Wanqing's back. Ye Mo, though surprised, wasn't overly concerned; he could treat a venomous bite.

He scooped Chi Wanqing into his arms. The green-eyed snake, poised to strike again, now targeted Ye Mo. Anger flared, and he flung three metal nails.

Two slid off the snake's scales, one inflicting a bloody scratch. The snake, recognizing a worthy opponent, slithered away.

"No good! This wasn't an ordinary snake," Ye Mo realized as Chi Wanqing's face turned gray.

"Such potent poison…" Ye Mo knew the situation was critical.

Lu Lin and Guo Qi arrived, realizing the venomous snake had bitten Chi Wanqing.