After transmigrating into the body of the protagonist's childhood friend, he was targeted by a

Zhang the hunter injured his leg and could no longer do heavy work or go hunting in the mountains as often, but his life was actually better than before.

In retrospect, it was all thanks to Yu Linzhou.

The man who took him home that day bowed to the wooden basin before leaving, and later found that his luck had indeed improved considerably.

He didn't make a fortune, but everything went more smoothly for him. When things went well, he was in a better mood, and he even argued with his wife less.

Once the news spread, the villagers couldn't sit still. They went to Zhang the hunter's house in twos and threes, and would only leave after bowing to the wooden basin.

They didn't come for nothing; some brought vegetables they had grown themselves, while others left a few coins as a token of their appreciation.

And you know what? People who went back after the prayers said things went much smoother.

Lin Zhixu, watching from the side, thought it was probably just psychological.

But that didn't stop the villagers from believing.

Over time, everyone discovered that this black snake only looked scary; in reality, it had a temperament like a child, ignoring them most of the time, and sometimes even rolling its eyes when annoyed by their noise.

Now the villagers were even more curious about it.

Looking at the lively scene, Zhang the hunter didn't know what to say.

He spent half his life hunting, but in the end, he never expected to make a living off a snake.

……

Spring goes and autumn comes, and winter is just around the corner.

The villagers began to hibernate, and Zhang the hunter's leg had almost recovered, though he still limped a little when walking fast.

It was snowing outside that day, but the brazier inside was burning brightly.

Hunter Zhang, warming himself by the fire, looked at the drowsy black snake in the basin and suddenly became interested: "Snake Master, we've been together for almost a year now, and I still don't know your name. Do you have a name? How about I give you one?"

The black snake lazily raised its head and drew a few lines on the ground with the tip of its tail.

Zhang the hunter looked down for a long time, only recognizing the first character. The last two characters had too many strokes and looked like scribbles to him.

He scratched his head: "So your surname is Yu. I don't know many characters, and I really don't recognize the last two. How about I give you a name that's easy to pronounce?"

Black Snake remained silent: "..." That's She, you illiterate.

The two did not speak the same language, making communication difficult.

Zhang the hunter was completely unaware that he had misread the character and was still racking his brains when he suddenly slapped his thigh and exclaimed, "I've got it! Since your surname is Yu, why not call me Yu Linzhou?"

"Have you ever had fish scale porridge? It's made by washing fish scales clean, frying them in oil, adding hot water to boil, then removing the scales and cooking them with white rice. It's incredibly delicious."

He couldn't help but swallow as he spoke: "It's a pity it's cold, the river is frozen solid, and we can't eat any fish. Otherwise, a bowl of hot fish scale porridge in winter would be wonderful."

The black snake slowly retracted its head back into its coiled body.

What a terrible name, it sounds awful.

Lin Zhixu leaned to the side and slightly raised his eyes.

So that's how Yu Linzhou got his name.

He couldn't help but want to laugh.

Fish scale porridge, fish scale porridge.

So this fish scale porridge is not the same as that Yu Linzhou porridge.

……

Life went on at a leisurely pace, and Lin Zhixu, as an observer, accompanied them through twenty years.

Twenty years is but a fleeting moment in Yu Linzhou's long life, not even a fraction of his age.

Yet, in this world, the mundane necessities of life, the cycle of birth, aging, sickness, and death, inexplicably made him feel that life was both long and fulfilling.

Zhang the hunter's temples were already streaked with gray; an old leg injury from his youth prevented him from hunting across mountains and valleys anymore.

Fortunately, while recovering from his injury, he learned some skills from the old carpenter in the village. Now, he makes a living by making and repairing tables, chairs, and benches.

The black snake he saved back then has long since become an indispensable part of Zhangjia Village.

The villagers have long been accustomed to its presence, and they come to worship it during festivals, regarding it as the village's mascot.

Strangely enough, ever since Yu Linzhou settled in Zhangjia Village, the weather has been favorable year after year, and every household has been free from disasters and hardships. Even people from neighboring villages have heard about his deeds and come here to visit.

I thought life would just go on like this, watching Zhang the hunter grow old and pass away.

But what was bound to happen eventually did happen.

On a seemingly ordinary afternoon, those who coveted his inner core finally found their way here.

The once clear sky suddenly turned gloomy, with dark clouds hanging low and a suffocating sense of oppression filling the air.

Yu Linzhou caught a whiff of that familiar yet repulsive scent in the wind, abruptly raising his head and his vertical pupils shrinking sharply.

He didn't have time to think, and in a flash, he dashed out of the courtyard gate.

Lin Zhixu knew that his days in the human world were probably coming to an end, so he followed Yu Linzhou out.

The village entrance was in complete chaos.

Several figures in black robes hovered in mid-air, the leader holding a weapon glowing with a dark red light, aimed at the panicked villagers below.

The fire was already burning, and thick black smoke was billowing from the roofs of the houses. The bellowing of livestock and the cries of people were mixed together.

A man in black robes casually grabbed a child who had fallen to the ground, glanced at him, and tossed him aside like trash.

The child fell to the ground, and the crying stopped abruptly. It was unclear whether the child had fainted or died.

Hunter Zhang chased after the fire from the house, leaning on his cane. When he saw the firelight at the village entrance, his face turned pale, and he almost dropped his cane.

He called out to Yu Linzhou in a hoarse voice, trying to chase after him, but his neighbor held him back tightly.

Yu Linzhou did not turn around; he dared not turn around. He silently walked toward those people, step by step, his figure growing larger and larger with each step until he transformed into a giant snake large enough to blot out the sky.

His massive frame shielded the village behind him, his vertical pupils coldly locking onto the people before him, his voice low and hoarse: "You're looking for me. Release these mortals."

"She Fengheng, how have you been?" The leader smirked. "You've managed to hide in this wretched village for twenty years. You've really got some nerve."

"It seems these ants have already given you something to worry about; that's a real shame."

He raised his hand and grabbed a child who had fallen to the ground, holding him in his hand from a distance: "I'm not an unreasonable person. As long as you hand over your inner core, I'll let them go."

"Otherwise, I will kill these people one by one right in front of you."

Yu Linzhou stood frozen in place.

The inner core is the culmination of his thousand years of cultivation; without it, he will soon decay and die.

But these villagers are innocent people; they shouldn't have died in his place.

Seeing his hesitation, the man's smile deepened, and he gently tightened his grip. A crisp sound rang out.

The child didn't even have time to struggle before he died and was carelessly thrown to the ground.

"You dare—!" Yu Linzhou's pupils shrank sharply, and his roar shook the ground.

His enormous snake tail swept across the ground, sending stones flying.

The man chuckled, enjoying Yu Linzhou's expression, and said casually, "Looks like you haven't made up your mind yet. That's alright, there are plenty of people here, I can wait for you to think it over."

His gaze swept over the villagers huddled at the village entrance, as if selecting goods. "Next, who should I choose?"

The villagers gathered together in fear.

The child's parents rushed over and picked up the small body, collapsing to the ground and wailing inhuman voices.

The man raised his head, his face covered in tears and dust, his eyes staring straight at Yu Linzhou, filled with resentment.

"It's all your fault! You're the one who brought them here! You're the one who ruined the village!"

"You're not a lucky charm at all! You're a jinx!"

"Get out! Get out of here!"