Chapter 182: Mythology
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
Liao Ning developed a fondness for the cultured old woman and expressed her concern, saying, “I’ve noticed that you’ve been coming to the hotel every day recently, staying until after dinner. Have you encountered any difficulties? If you’re willing to share, I’d be more than happy to help.”
“It’s nothing major, really. As the editor-in-chief of Story Temperature magazine, I’ve been receiving lackluster submissions from authors lately. So, I thought of going out to seek inspiration, hoping to come across interesting stories or uncover touching narratives recorded in ancient books,” Liu Mu explained.
Curious, Ning Ling inquired, “Have you found any?”
Liu Mu shook her head. “Finding such stories requires a stroke of luck.
Nevertheless, I thoroughly enjoy the delicacies and ambiance of this hotel.” She then suggested, “If you have any stories, feel free to share them with me.
Perhaps you’ve heard something new.”
Ning Ling shrugged and replied, “Unfortunately, most of the stories I know are well-known among the people of the Alliance.”
Liao Ning interjected, “I do have a story, but it’s also one recorded in ancient books.” She gazed at Liu Mu and continued, “It’s considered a mythical tale featuring an ordinary human male and a female demon.”
The old woman’s interest was immediately piqued. “That sounds remarkably similar to my own story. I am truly intrigued!”
“In that case, let me recount it to you.”
With Liao Ning’s captivating voice, a poignant love story from 10,000 years ago began to unfold before them.
“This legend originates from the ancient Eastern Earth. It is said that in the ancient times of the Eastern Ancient Country, there existed a snake demon who assumed human form. In her previous life, she had been saved by a human male named Xu Xian. After a thousand years of cultivation, she finally transformed into a beautiful woman and sought out Xu Xian’s reincarnation to marry him as his wife, expressing her gratitude for saving her life.”
“After their marriage, they lived happily together. With the support of the snake demon wife, Xu Xian successfully opened a pharmacy.”
“A monk named Fahai, possessing great spiritual power, happened to meet Xu Xian and discovered that Xu Xian and the snake demon were husband and wife. According to the ancient legend, humans and demons were forbidden to be together. Thus, Monk Fahai urged Xu Xian to leave his wife,” Liao Ning narrated.
“However, Xu Xian, having just met the monk, was skeptical and reluctant to believe his words. To convince Xu Xian, the monk devised a plan,” she continued.
“The monk told Xu Xian that if he could find a way to make his wife drink wine infused with realgar on the Dragon Boat Festival, her true form as a snake demon would be revealed.”
Just as Ning Ling anticipated the thrilling turn of events, Liao Ning abruptly paused. Confused, Ning Ling inquired, “Did Xu Xian actually add realgar to his wife’s wine?”
Liao Ning nodded solemnly. “Yes, he did. His wife indeed unveiled her true form—a gigantic white snake.”
“What? I thought Xu Xian would believe and trust his wife. I didn’t expect him to go to such lengths as making her consume realgar wine just to validate the monk’s claims,” Ning Ling expressed her indignation on behalf of the snake demon.
Taking into account the young girl’s emotions, Liu Mu, being older and wiser, offered comfort. “Child, there’s no need to be angry. Curiosity can sway even the strongest bonds. Xu Xian was influenced by the monk’s words. It doesn’t mean that he stopped loving his wife.”
Liu Mu’s words managed to assuage Ning Ling’s anger.
Observing that the girl had calmed down, Liao Ning proceeded with the remainder of the story. “After witnessing the snake demon’s true form, Xu Xian was overcome with fear and shock, resulting in his untimely demise. The snake demon, desperate to save Xu Xian, stole a lingzhi mushroom from the heavens, which possessed life-saving properties. With the help of the lingzhi, Xu Xian was revived.”
“Despite learning that his wife was indeed a demon and that her true form had once frightened him to death, Xu Xian’s love for her remained unwavering,” Liao Ning emphasized.
“However, Fa Hai, being a rigid and orthodox individual, could not tolerate the union between a human and a demon. Consequently, he devised a scheme to lure Xu Xian into a Buddhist temple and confined his wife there,” she continued.
“In a desperate bid to rescue her beloved, the snake demon engaged in a fierce battle outside the Golden Mountain Temple alongside her sister—a fellow snake demon who had also attained a human form. Employing the power of seawater, they submerged the Golden Mountain Temple, causing harm to other creatures in the vicinity and violating the rule that demons should not harm humans or animals indiscriminately.”
“Fa Hai, bolstered by celestial support, witnessed a surge in his magical prowess. He effortlessly overcame the snake demon and imprisoned her, now known as Xu Xian’s wife, beneath the Lightning Peak Tower within the Golden Mountain Temple..”
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