Tang Dynasty Bandits

Chapter 239 Snake Formation
A beauty like Qi Luoyu is hard to associate with snakes at first glance.

Women associated with snakes shouldn't be like Kao Yudi, alluring and mysterious, with a smile that hides a knife, and endless wicked schemes hatched with every glance.

Those who know snakes know that they are quite solitary creatures and rarely attack people.

Unlike wild beasts that sometimes hunt humans for food, snakes other than pythons only attack humans in self-defense after being disturbed.

Their colorful and vibrant patterns serve as a reminder to humans that they are not to be trifled with.

When startled, they usually raise their heads and hiss to intimidate their opponent. They will only use their sharp fangs as a last resort.

Qi Luoyu was also a woman with a withdrawn and unconventional personality.

Her bone structure was quite striking, with slightly high cheekbones, a narrow, pointed chin, and a sharp, delicate nose. Her beauty was flamboyant and aggressive, like a vibrant, scorching rose at midday in summer. Her skin, almost translucent white, gave her an exceptionally aloof air, perfectly matching her unapproachable nature.

She inherited her father's wisdom, but had no interest in vying for power or profit, nor was she willing to harm anyone without good reason.

However, Kou Qianzhi treated Qi Luoyu like a second father, and she had ample reason to seek revenge against Zhu Wen.

Qi Luo was well-versed in the habits of snakes, and he played the bamboo flute on the spot, provoking their aggressive desires.

Although these snakes are highly venomous, they are generally timid.

But as Qi Luoyu's flute music faded, they were instantly aroused and pounced on him with reckless abandon, weaving a web of death for Zhu Wen in the darkness.

Zhu Wen held people like Qi Kerang and Kou Qianzhi in high esteem.

She also knew that as Qi Kerang's daughter, Qi Luoyu was by no means a vicious person like You Di or Gao Yan.

In a life-or-death duel, there is no essential difference.

The other side all wanted him dead.

The Great Xia Dragon Sparrow Blade swept across the sky like a crimson ribbon, unleashing seven deadly strikes, each aimed at Qi Luoyu's vitals.

In a confined space, facing a swarm of snakes is extremely disadvantageous; one wrong move and you could be bitten and lose your life.

Zhu Wen could only do his best to see if he could quickly kill or subdue Qi Luoyu and end her control over the snakes.

He could hear clearly that although Qi Luoyu could no longer play the flute while using the sword, his left hand was constantly flicking his fingers on the blade, making a sound, clearly to provoke the snakes that had already been aroused to their ferocity.

These densely packed and chaotic snakes, however, moved with a hidden order, almost like a military formation.

In the legendary story, Zhuge Liang set up the Eight Trigrams Formation. Soldiers who entered the formation would see only gloomy clouds and lose their sense of direction. No matter how powerful a general or how many battle-hardened soldiers they were, they would be trapped and die within it.

This is, of course, an exaggeration, making the soldiers in the formation seem less like flesh-and-blood people and more like wisps of demonic mist.

In actual combat, it is common practice to use coordinated changes in formation to neutralize the charge of a fierce general, and to use a group of weaker soldiers to trap and kill the general and his elite troops who have broken in.

With Zhu Wen's skills, killing a few snakes would be easy, but if they swarmed at him, it would be a bit tricky.

If the snakes continue to move in formation, it will become increasingly difficult to fight them off.

Qi Luo did not directly counter Zhu Wen's moves.

Her figure moved swiftly and rapidly through the ten-zhang-square cave, displaying an indescribable agility and grace.

Women are often more agile than men. In a confined space, Qi Luoyu moved swiftly and unpredictably, often using the force of Zhu Wen's blade to fly away when swords clashed.

Zhu Wen wanted to give chase, but he also had to be wary of the swarming snakes dancing in the cave. These snakes were controlled by Qi Luoyu, so Qi Luoyu had no worries about being harmed.

If Zhu Wen wanted to exit through the entrance, since the place where he came down was a steep slope, his back would inevitably be exposed as he went up the slope. With the help of the snakes, Qi Luoyu could easily find an opening.

Faced with such a predicament, Zhu Wen needed to be extremely cautious, yet also ruthless enough.

The snakes did not attack him blindly; they would retreat when faced with a blade, moving with lightning speed.

In the midst of his charge, Zhu Wen had already severed more than ten long snakes, the stench of snake blood filling the air.

They did not appear afraid, and remained faithful to the commands of the Qiluo language; not a single snake escaped from the hole.

Sometimes, the severed snake heads would leap up and lunge at Zhu Wen to bite.

If Zhu Wen hadn't been quick-witted and managed to swat the snake's head away with a single blow, he might have been bitten.

The intense battle had taken its toll on Zhu Wen's stamina, causing him to pant heavily, sweat streaming down his forehead.

Qi Luoyu was floating to the corner of the cave, dressed in snow-white clothes, looking elegant and composed.

Because of the snakes assisting her in battle, Qi Luoyu's physical exertion was much less than Zhu Wen's.

Zhu Wen was resolute and often won battles by relying on his strong will and endurance.

This time, in the battle against Qi Luoyu, it is he who cannot afford to lose.

Zhu Wen knew that if he showed any signs of exhaustion, the snakes would attack him like a bloodthirsty swarm of sharks.

Qi Luoyu's expression was like the unmelting snow on a high mountain.

There was not a trace of excitement in her eyes at the prospect of getting her revenge.

But she was indeed waiting for death to befall Zhu Wen.

Zhu Wen was annoyed by her composure and wanted to slap her a few times.

He didn't even have a chance to verbally curse her as a "poisonous woman."

The relentless and relentless attacks of the snake formation kept him on his toes.

The thought of "swarms of sharks" suddenly brought clarity to Zhu Wen's mind.

The snakes are not sharks or wolves, and they do not attack people to hunt.

Zhu Wen slowed his pace, then suddenly accelerated, like an arrow released from a bow.

Qi Luoyu dodged, causing Zhu Wen's pounce to miss.

At the same time, several long snakes flew down from the top of the cave, heading straight for Zhu Wen's face.

Zhu Wen swung his sword and slashed, cutting all the snakes in half.

However, as if there was a single oversight, after one of the snake heads fell, it leaped up and bit Zhu Wen's left hand and wrist.

The intense pain and numbness came rushing in instantly.

Zhu Wen's movements became slightly sluggish, and he was bitten a few more times by the snakes.

Qi Luoyu turned her gaze to Zhu Wen, her eyes suddenly narrowing as if she were lost in thought.

Just then, Zhu Wen moved again, like a comet striking the moon.

Qi Luoyu looked surprised. During this process, Zhu Wen was bitten by the snakes several more times, but he didn't seem to care at all.

Even though his expression gradually stiffened and he was panting, his eyes still held an unwavering determination.

Qi Luoyu was still somewhat puzzled. Even if Zhu Wen disregarded the swarm of snakes and attacked her with all his might, the poison would definitely affect Zhu Wen's agility.

How could it be like a normal injury, where a moment of courage can unleash speed and power beyond the limits?

After being injected with many different snake venoms, Zhu Wen also felt his body become numb and his mind began to wander.

He then saw the white tiger, which was transformed from demonic energy, in his mind.

The white tiger raises its head and roars angrily, displaying the majesty of the king of beasts.

In the illusory space, the snakes trembled and retreated.

These snake shadows actually represent the snake venom that entered Zhu Wen's body.

The murderous nature of the demonic blade temporarily suppressed the effects of the snake venom on his physical abilities.

Qi Luoyu drew his sword to meet the attack.

With a whoosh, the sword's edge pierced Zhu Wen's chest.

Zhu Wen charged straight at the sword's momentum, letting the blade pierce through his back.

Qi Luoyu felt the cold blade pressing against the back of her neck.

Then, a strong left hand gripped her neck tightly.

The Dragon Sparrow Blade fell to the ground with a clang. Zhu Wen used his right hand to violently pull the snake head off his swollen left wrist, and then pressed its fangs against Qi Luoyu's fair and slender neck.

"Now, can we talk about the antidote?"

Due to poisoning, Zhu Wen's expression was somewhat stiff, which made him appear even more sinister and terrifying in the dim light of the cave.

"If I don't give it to you, I'd rather die with you," Qi Luoyu said, raising her head and looking into Zhu Wen's eyes.

"Aren't you afraid that before I die from the poison, I'll have my fun with you?"

Qi Luo replied, "Then I will bite my tongue off."

"Didn't you know that corpses can be stripped naked and displayed in public?"

Faced with Zhu Wen's aggressive threats, Qi Luoyu remained calm: "I've come to kill you, of course I'm prepared to die. After death, the soul leaves the body, and the body is just a decaying shell. What are worldly opinions worth?"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Wen suddenly burst into a strange laugh.

"Foolish woman, how could you possibly think of yourself as the kind of chivalrous hero of the Spring and Autumn Period who would disregard his own life and reputation for revenge!"

Zhu Wen gripped Qi Luoyu's neck tightly, staring intently into her pupils, and growled, "You think you're so great because you have no ambition, repay kindness and avenge wrongs?"

"Talking about being prepared to die is utterly ridiculous—in fact, they don't even have the awareness to stop at nothing, let alone truly consider the consequences."

"I bet your father didn't agree; you ran away from home, didn't you?"

"There's a fool just like you, without ambition, who wants to live life his own way, so he won't risk his life because of hatred."

"She accepts it readily, while you're indulging in the self-pity of a little girl."

"Listen carefully." Zhu Wen's tone grew increasingly cold: "This is an order. I'm giving you, this willful and foolish woman who only knows how to impress herself, a chance to plan to kill me without paying with your own life."

"Given your status, how could you do something like this? Have you considered what the world would say about your father if you failed, were first humiliated and then killed, and your body was displayed naked in public? Is it filial piety to disobey your father's orders and put yourself in danger just to avenge his sworn brothers? Did you really consider your family when you were planning this?"

Zhu Wen did not know whether Qi Luoyu had any resistance to snake venom.

Even if she did, I could strangle her to death.

The two were now pressed close together, and if one didn't see Zhu Wen's hand gripping Qi Luoyu's neck and the sword piercing Zhu Wen's right chest, the posture would even appear somewhat ambiguous.

Zhu Wen, with his arrogant demeanor, uttered reprimands that no one wanted to hear.

It's used to bargain in life-or-death situations, and it's very effective at seizing the other party's weaknesses.

Qi Luoyu's expression changed several times, her eyes turning gloomy, and finally, with difficulty, she managed to utter a few words from her throat, which was being choked by Zhu Wen: "I... will give you the antidote..."

An hour later.

Zhu Wen sat down on the grass, his complexion returning to normal.

Qi Luoyu remained silent, her hands bound behind her back by Zhu Wen.

She had no way to ensure that Zhu Wen would keep his promise, but she still cured him of the snake venom.

Otherwise, we'll all perish together.

"Heal Shang Rang, and I'll let you go," Zhu Wen said coldly.

He guessed that Qi Luoyu had this ability.

However, once Shang Rang recovers, he will strengthen the Grass Army. Shang Rang is also a shrewd man; he might even be able to see through her disguise.

Qi Luoyu didn't speak, but simply nodded.

Why do you believe me?

As he spoke, Zhu Wen slapped Qi Luoyu's beautiful face four or five times with both hands, causing her to vomit blood, her alabaster skin covered with bright red bloodstains.

No matter what Qi Luoyu's reasons were, she couldn't be forgiven for wanting to kill him, especially since Zhu Wen had been stabbed through the chest by her.

But slapping her a few times would reassure her that Zhu Wen was being lenient and would only beat her up to end the matter, and wouldn't do anything more to her.

Qi Luoyu was the daughter of Qi Kerang, the renowned righteous general, and also a friend of Tian Jun. Furthermore, Zhu Wen harbored resentment over the killing of Kou Qianzhi and genuinely did not want to kill her as well.

"I don't know," Qi Luoyu said softly, licking the blood from the corner of her mouth.

She certainly didn't have enough resolve to die.

So she lost.

Zhu Wen didn't think that letting such a woman go would cause much trouble for the rebel army.

If she goes back on her word and becomes entangled in conflict after leaving, I'll just kill her myself.

Besides, Qi Luoyu is probably not that kind of person.

(End of this chapter)