Chapter 4
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 4
Chapter Title: The Immortal's Hut
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Immortal...?
The Snow Python slithered down from my body, cleared its throat with a deep grunt, and spoke.
Little one, as I mentioned before, this is Hubei—the region under the Zhuge Family's influence even within Hubei itself.
"Closer to the clan than to Wudang?"
That's right. It's an old shack built inside the bamboo grove near the clan.
I couldn't see how it was old at all.
It looked just like the grand Chinese mansions described in wuxia novels.
'For a shack... it's way too fancy.'
Sure, it was small enough for one person, but it had everything you could need. Why call it a shack?
It's taken on a somewhat fancy appearance under this seat's influence, but it was undeniably an old shack.
The Snow Python said this with a mix of bashfulness and pride.
I let out a sigh and gave it a look of genuine contempt.
"...Seriously, that deep manly voice coming from you is just... off, Snow Python."
[......]
The Snow Python stared at me with a blank expression.
Even so, this was too much.
It had the round, chubby form of a silken snake—nothing particularly handsome about it.
If it were the Strange Fire Spirit that destroyed Mount Hua, maybe that would be different.
But the Snow Python, which was said to be an imugi, just looked like a cute snake. And here it was, acting bashful in the gravelly voice of a middle-aged man who had to be at least in his forties or fifties.
'It gives me the creeps.'
The disconnect was real.
Actions, appearance, and voice were crucially important.
"Snow Python, you said you'd serve me as your master, right?"
Y-Yes...
It replied in that thick voice again.
I snapped open my fan with a flick, smirked, and made a demand befitting a master.
"It'd be unfair if only I sounded like a gruff old man."
[......]
"Be honest. You can do a girl's voice, can't you?"
G-Gender is basically asexual, but...
Honestly, I didn't even expect this cheeky spirit to use proper honorifics with me.
But I couldn't be the only loli here.
With a sigh, I made my demand.
"Snow Python, from now on, answer in a cute little girl's voice."
...N-No, I don't wanna...
Smarter than I thought—it had already picked up on "loli" and was refusing so vehemently.
I could praise it as a master for being so loyal, but...
My expression soured even further.
"......"
This wicked spirit beast was defying its master's command.
I swiftly snatched up the Snow Python and began counting slowly from one, gradually increasing the pressure in my grip.
"One."
[...!?]
"Two."
-Squeeze
The Snow Python wriggled helplessly in my soft, pudgy, fern-like little hand.
Tears streamed from its eyes—it was utterly adorable.
Kyaaaaah!!!
If only it weren't making that dying-old-man-from-a-sageuk-drama voice.
"I'd rather have a loli groping my body. You're not an old man, right?"
S-Sorry...! I'm sorryyy...
The Snow Python's voice gradually thinned out into something cuter.
Satisfied, I stroked its head and beamed.
"Wise spirit beast indeed."
Sob...
The Snow Python sniffled in its adorable new voice.
L-Little one, fr-from now on, I'll teach you the basics...
A single snake blushed furiously.
I grinned ear to ear as I listened to the explanation.
The snake squirmed as if it couldn't bear the humiliation, grunting all the while.
But what could it do?
This body of mine seemed far stronger than I'd imagined.
Like that of an immortal.
And with an iron fan in hand, even more so.
"Fan..."
You want to start with the iron fan, I see.
With that, the Snow Python slithered up to my left hand, which held the iron fan.
Which is your dominant hand?
"Right-handed."
Then it's best to hold the iron fan in your left.
"...What about sword manuals?"
That's all nonsense. You think you'll become an immortal obsessing over such delusions?
A spirit beast spouting old-man wisdom in a young girl's voice—I smirked, curling my lip.
The Snow Python whimpered and muttered something under its breath.
My ears hurt, so I flicked its forehead and pinched its snout shut between my thumb and forefinger.
...Little one, I'm not speaking with my mouth.
"Shut it or I'll rip it off."
Y-Your words are too harsh...!
The Snow Python whimpered and cowered.
I stroked it soothingly and begged for the basics.
"Teach me the basics."
...For circulation, just think of circulating your internal energy throughout your entire body, like before.
The Snow Python instructed me not to resist the qi rising from my dantian, but to open my meridians and let the energy flow through my whole body.
Wasn't that something only martial arts masters could do? I tilted my head dubiously.
Still, I replied that I understood, crossed my legs into the lotus position, and assumed the qi circulation pose.
I had no internal energy cultivation method I'd learned.
But I'd read plenty, so maybe I could mimic it.
'Internal energy... Qi Circulation Breakfast...!'
No matter that I'd been dragged into a fake martial world.
Those two words made my heart race.
Wasn't it always just a dream?
To tread the air or use lightness skill right before being late to class, taking a deep breath and soaring.
Now I could do it for real. My lower, middle, and upper dantian trembled with excitement.
Ah, no need to bother.
In the midst of it all, a buzzkill line drilled into my head.
"...Huh?"
I scowled and turned around. There was the Snow Python, eyes closed, chest puffed out, chuckling smugly.
Your body is already perfected by this seat into that of a flawless martial master—enough to be mistaken for an old monster who's shed its mortal form anywhere you go!
"......"
So no need for Qi Circulation Breakfast. Just breathe naturally, and it'll blend with the natural energy to become your own internal—
The Snow Python cracked one eye open but, regrettably, didn't finish.
"...Shedding the mortal form?"
[...?]
"No... growth...?"
The charm of wuxia.
The thrill of clashing swords and growing stronger—this mad spirit had stolen it all from me. My rage shook heaven and earth.
The Snow Python trembled.
Indeed, with heaven and earth welcoming me like this, I knew I was no different from an immortal.
"Hey."
...St-Starting from scratch would take too long to change this martial world—
"You've been sassing your master nonstop..."
The Snow Python was once more lovingly gripped in my hand.
I-I was just being considerate... Please forgive my offense...
"Now I'm in a worse mood."
I'm not of the best temperament to begin with.
Especially not after turning from a burly man into a loli, having my dreams crushed, and now being denied any chance to grow.
"Don't worry. I won't kill you."
Eeek!!!
My disposition was at least twice as foul as usual.
"For your sins, Snow Python."
F-Formation!! The formation's breaking!! Stop!! Please stoppp...!!!
What was I supposed to do?
-Squirt squirt
Zhuge Ji-yeon, the youngest of the Zhuge Family, who had just turned eighteen, sweat pouring down as she stared at the formation before her.
'...The formation is breaking.'
From within, the lake formation was crumbling bit by bit.
The Zhuge warriors drew their swords and heightened their vigilance as they watched the once-near-perfect formation disintegrate.
No telling what might burst out from inside.
No clue what monster might rampage forth.
'...Should I call for Wudang Sect reinforcements and set up a beast-slaying trap?'
Anyone overhearing would think she planned to raze the world in fury—but to her, it was only natural.
'Better to divert its attention, even slightly.'
Changing her mind, Ji-yeon sheathed her sword and drew her iron fan.
'...It's perfect, but that doesn't mean I can't overlay something on top.'
Even if it was a formation crafted by the Long-Eared Clan—or something even more adept at illusions.
Zhuge Ji-yeon's brilliance pierced through it all, grasping the essence of the formation.
Blue Eyes, bestowed upon her despite not being of the Long-Eared Clan.
Eyes closed, lest any sound leak into the formation, she sent a transmission to the warriors.
All hands, fall back one step.
The warriors retreated.
Ji-yeon cracked one eye open, fully unfurled her iron fan, infused it with internal energy to whip up a gust, and overlaid her own illusion atop the Snow Python's formation.
The massive lake formation, crackling and shattering in response to her energy, came to a halt.
"Nngh..."
Exhausted from a single fan wave, Ji-yeon propped herself up with her sword and panted.
"It'll take time for the family head to arrive! Whatever's inside is beyond us—ensure no harm to civilians...! Fall back outside the bamboo grove."
An exquisite illusion no one else could replicate.
The Zhuge warriors were awestruck, but Ji-yeon's eyes—glowing blue—pierced the formation's gap, peering within.
And there...
'...An immortal?'
A girl with the bearing of an immortal clutched a spirit beast in one hand, radiating murderous intent like a madwoman.
"Urk..."
Ji-yeon clutched her forehead and bowed her head.
Even brief exposure to the killing intent made her stomach churn.
Yet, as the most talented in the Zhuge Family, she barely clung to her senses.