Finally, Mo Fan compromised.
Tangyue had told Mo Fan the reason why he was constantly having fear in his heart, why he kept seeing the Skyscraping Snake’s face when he closed his eyes, seeing it hissing at him…
It was because the Skyscraping Snake had chosen its prey. When the time came, it would appear out of nowhere like before and swallow him alive into its stomach.
“Oh, if you aren’t aware, snakes like to eat their prey alive. You won’t die straight away once you get swallowed. You will be digested slowly instead.” Tangyue further clarified the details, leaving Mo Fan shivering in fear.
“Sis, please say no more. I’ve already promised to go with you!” Mo Fan put on a long face.
——
Mo Fan followed Tangyue to the West Lake. As they arrived, they straight away went up to a boat and rowed it out to the center of the lake.
The water was clear and calm. White clouds could be seen from the reflection surrounding the little boat.
Normally, Mo Fan would start having lewd imaginings, being alone with Tangyue on a little boat. He would imagine what sort of bad things he could do to her, being on an isolated boat. However, he could not do it this time.
His mind was indeed implanted with fear, making him feel uneasy at all times.
To an extent, when Mo Fan was staring into the clear water, he could somehow see a gigantic coiled-up body deep inside the water, right under the boat. The boat was only floating on the lake like a leaf, while the body under it was only the tip of an iceberg.
The water suddenly turned darker, as a snake’s face suddenly approached him from the darkness. He suddenly found himself in a deep abyss, lost in fear.
What was happening to him? Mo Fan had never felt so disconcerted. Could it be that Tangyue was actually speaking the truth? He was a prey that had been marked, which the beast would just come and enjoy whenever it wished?
—
The boat slowly rowed out to a small island at the center of the lake.
The shape of the island resembled a No Entry sign, with a circle on the outside, and a big cross inside the circle. The rest of it was filled with water.
As the boat arrived at the shore, Mo Fan immediately saw a man in a blue outfit keeping an eye out at the area. His eyes flickered when he saw Tangyue, but his excitement was replaced with a frown when he saw Mo Fan.
“Tangyue, we don’t allow outsiders here,” said the man.
“Dasheng, he’s not an outsider.” Tangyue urged Mo Fan to go onshore as she docked the boat.
“Does that mean, you two have already-?” The man called Dasheng was astounded. If he were only rejecting him because he was an outsider, it had now turned into pure hostility!
Tangyue blushed when she came to a realization. She blurted out, “What the hell were you thinking, he’s my student!”
“Oh, oh, a student, well I guess you won’t be considered an outsider then,” Dasheng chuckled. His hostility toward Mo Fan quickly vanished.
“So you guys are in charge of this island. I initially thought it was open to visitors.” Mo Fan was surprised when he found out that the island did not have any visitors.
In the past, the place used to be a famous attraction due to its scenery. The island was not huge. You would find yourself at the same place after barely taking any steps, but it was surrounded by the lake, and decorated with trees and plants.
“Dasheng, you can go back now. Leave it to me,” said Tangyue.
“Oh, sure thing.” Dasheng took the boat and left without hesitation.
Mo Fan was intrigued when he saw Dasheng leaving without any worry.
Isn’t this island empty? Anything could happen when a man and a woman are left alone on it. Does he really believe we are only teacher and student?
The thoughts filled Mo Fan’s mind, but as he expected, it was soon replaced with the snake’s face. Goddamnit!
——
“Well, it’s my turn to be on duty today, but since you’re here too, it won’t be too boring.” Tangyue smiled. She did not seem too vigilant with Mo Fan around.
Mo Fan could not help but admit that his mind was filled with lewd thoughts. An isolated island, a man and a woman left alone. A beautiful scenery, and a taboo relationship between a teacher and a student, even though they no longer were student and teacher… Even the fear from the snake could no longer hold him back!
Tangyue placed her hands behind her. She was like a cheerful teenage girl bringing a friend to somewhere she was familiar with.
Her walking pace was slow and relaxed, and she looked amiable and gentle, unlike her breathtaking and imposing aura as a teacher when he first met her.
Mo Fan followed Tangyue and arrived before a building at the center of the cross made of green tiles and red pillars. It thoroughly displayed the signature building style around the area.
The building was decorated with antiques. As Mo Fan went inside, not only was the table filled with aged objects, even the walls had paintings of ancient legends…
The wall paintings consisted of humans, and an ambiguous demon beast.
They also depicted a village, lakes, and some weird-looking creatures surrounding the village in a circle.
Normally, Mo Fan would not pay too much attention to stuff like this. Even if he did, he would never understand what the paintings were illustrating. However, Mo Fan understood bits of the drawings when he recalled the story that Tangyue had told him!
The ambiguous demon beast was wrapped around the village. Without taking a closer look, they looked like two sets of walls protecting the boundaries of the village… But it was actually a snake!
The snake was coiling around the village like a ring. The demon beasts were scattered around the village in a circle. They were running away, implying that they were scared of the village.
The truth was, they were not scared of the village, but the snake protecting it!
The ancient drawing did not have too much detail. Without hearing the story, one would not see the ring around the village as a snake.
“Were you telling me the truth?” Mo Fan glanced at the aged walls, before looking at Tangyue.
Tangyue nodded sternly, indicating that she was not joking.
“The snake is actually protecting your village?” asked Mo Fan in disbelief.
“Mm, that’s why we call it a god. This island is depicting the same tale, too,” said Tangyue.
Mo Fan was stunned. He recalled the shape of the island… A ring!
It turned out that this specific island on the West Lake that had existed for centuries was already a sign!
Who knew that it would be hiding such an astonishing secret? Unfortunately, his Miss Tangyue was the guardian of the secret!…