Demonic King of the Metropolis - Chapter 108 - The Giant Python Attack

“Tang Jie, didn’t Uncle Zhao give you any clues about the treasure when he told you about this place?”

Wang Qianya sat down for a moment and recalled what Tang Jie had mentioned earlier. Since Uncle Zhao had been here before, he must know something about the treasure.

“No, Uncle Zhao said that many people came here looking for the treasure in the past, but they ended up fighting each other. There were heavy casualties, and in the end, no one found the treasure.”

“Oh,” Wang Qianya replied with understanding and sat there, seemingly lost in thought.

“Tang Jie, what is that over there?” Wang Qianya suddenly noticed something and stood up, walking toward it.

Tang Jie followed the direction she was pointing. It was a protruding stone pillar, hidden behind a tree. He hadn’t noticed it when they first arrived.

The two of them walked closer and found the stone pillar unusual. It was smooth and polished, as if it had fallen from the heavens. Pure white, it resembled a piece of jade.

Wang Qianya studied the stone pillar for a while, then suddenly pulled something out from Tang Jie’s backpack.

“Huh? What’s that?” Tang Jie noticed the small device in Wang Qianya’s hand-it looked like some kind of instrument.

“It’s a detector. Let’s see if there’s anything hidden inside,” Wang Qianya explained. Tang Jie thought to himself that it was a good decision to bring her along; her attentiveness was proving to be very helpful.

Wang Qianya held the detector and circled around the stone pillar, but it didn’t respond at first. She continued inspecting carefully. Finally, when the detector was near the base of the pillar, it emitted a series of beeping sounds.

“Tang Jie, there’s something under here,” Wang Qianya said excitedly, pointing to the base of the stone pillar as the red light on the detector flashed.

“But how do we move this thing?” Wang Qianya’s initial excitement gave way to frustration as she pondered the challenge.

Tang Jie studied the situation for a while, then told Wang Qianya to step aside. He focused his true qi, preparing to strike the stone pillar with his palm to split it open. Just as the gathering palm wind was about to be released, a strange, guttural growl echoed through the air, like a muffled roll of thunder. Startled, Tang Jie paused and retracted his energy.

Then, they heard a faint rustling sound.

From beneath the stone pillar emerged a giant python. The enormous serpent slithered upward, coiling itself around the stone pillar. It opened its blood-red mouth menacingly, glaring at Tang Jie and Wang Qianya with eyes the size of brass bells, full of vigilance and a chilling gleam.

“What… what is going on?” Wang Qianya whispered, moving quickly to stand beside Tang Jie. It seemed the python didn’t want them to disturb the stone pillar.

“Maybe it doesn’t want us to move the pillar,” Tang Jie replied, realizing the python’s intent. The more protective the python seemed, the more convinced Tang Jie was that the legendary treasure might truly be hidden beneath the stone pillar.

But how could they make the giant python leave? Tang Jie thought for a moment and decided to try using his palm wind again. After all, the python had retreated the last time it saw him preparing to strike.

This time, however, Tang Jie was unsuccessful. He focused his true qi and directed an attack toward the stone pillar and the python, but the serpent showed no intention of leaving.

The stone pillar stood precariously at the edge of the cliff. If Tang Jie struck too forcefully and caused the pillar to break, it, along with the treasure, might fall over the other side of the mountain. Retrieving it would then become significantly more difficult.

“What do we do?” Wang Qianya asked, frustrated at the python’s unwillingness to leave. Unable to think of a solution, she suddenly stepped closer to Tang Jie, a plan beginning to form in her mind.

“I’ll distract it. You move the stone pillar while it’s focused on me,” Wang Qianya said resolutely. Before Tang Jie could stop her, she had already approached the python. Snapping a branch from a nearby tree, she jabbed it toward the python’s tail.

“No! Get back, it’s too dangerous!” Tang Jie shouted in alarm when he saw her approaching the creature. But Wang Qianya had made up her mind and ignored his warning. She continued to prod and tease the python’s tail with the branch.

Sure enough, the python became enraged. Its long body slowly uncoiled from the stone pillar as it slithered down, opening its massive, blood-red mouth as it moved toward Wang Qianya. Seizing the moment, she shouted back at Tang Jie, “Now! Do it now!”

Tang Jie hesitated for a split second-he wanted to help Wang Qianya-but the urgency in her voice snapped him into action. He quickly focused his true qi and strode to the stone pillar. With both hands gripping it tightly, he mustered all his strength. With a resounding crash, the stone pillar toppled over.

At that very moment, the python turned all its fury toward Wang Qianya, relentlessly chasing her until she found herself at the edge of the cliff. Tang Jie, seeing the dire situation, immediately abandoned the pillar and leapt to her side.

Hearing the thunderous crash behind it, the python turned its head to see the fallen pillar. It appeared to be enraged. The massive serpent opened its blood-red mouth wider than ever, filled with the intent to consume them both. Before it could strike, Tang Jie mobilized his qi and, with a powerful blow directed at the python’s tail, unleashed his attack.

The python let out a deafening, thunder-like roar of pain. Its glowing eyes brimmed with a terrifying coldness as it glared at Tang Jie. Twisting its agile body, it turned toward him with lightning speed, charging at him like a bolt of electricity.

Tang Jie swiftly dodged the attack, leaping onto the back of the giant python with remarkable agility. Channeling all his strength, he struck at its vital spot along its spine. The python let out anguished, blood-curdling screams as its weak point was attacked. Tang Jie did not stop; he repeatedly delivered blow after blow with precision.

Before long, the python’s howls of pain began to weaken, and eventually, its massive body grew still. Tang Jie staggered, drenched in sweat, his strength nearly depleted. Exhausted yet relieved, he thought to himself that the creature must have absorbed the heaven and earth spiritual energy over centuries, growing into such a formidable and terrifying monster.

Sliding down from the python’s back, Tang Jie walked over to Wang Qianya, concern written all over his face. “Are you all right?” he asked, noticing the slight pallor in Wang Qianya’s complexion. His heart twinged with worry.

“I’m fine,” Wang Qianya said quickly. “Let’s go check it out now-what exactly is inside there?” Her words reminded Tang Jie of the stone pillar. Nodding, he followed her as they approached the fallen pillar together.

Examining the pillar closely, they noticed that the material inside and outside seemed to be identical-a flawless, jade-like white marble. But no matter how thoroughly they inspected it, they couldn’t find any indication of hidden treasure within. Frustrated, Wang Qianya suggested, “Why don’t you try splitting it open? Maybe there’s something inside.”

Tang Jie agreed with her suggestion, stepping back and motioning for Wang Qianya to stay clear. Mobilizing his inner strength, he channeled his true qi into his palms. With a powerful strike, he brought his hands down on the pillar.

A sharp, cracking sound echoed through the air as the pillar shattered into a pile of broken marble fragments. The two quickly rushed forward, combing through the pieces carefully. But once again, disappointment set in-they found nothing.

“Why is there nothing here?” Wang Qianya muttered, scrutinizing the fragments in disbelief. The inside of the stone pillar truly contained nothing. Could they have been wrong in their assumptions? Was the treasure not hidden within the pillar after all?

Tang Jie remained silent for a moment, lost in thought. He turned his gaze toward the gigantic python lying motionless nearby. Its nearly twenty-meter-long body spoke of its age-likely hundreds of years old. Creatures like this often thrived on the heaven and earth spiritual energy and the essence of the sun and moon. If there was a treasure to guard, the python would surely have known about it. Tang Jie had been convinced that its behavior-coiling around the stone pillar and refusing to let anyone approach-was because something valuable was indeed concealed there. But now, how could it be empty?

Noticing Tang Jie’s gaze lingering on the python, Wang Qianya stood up, her curiosity piqued. She followed his line of sight and suddenly spotted something-within the python’s slightly ajar mouth, there appeared to be an object. Its jaws, not fully closed, seemed to conceal something strange.

“Tang Jie, come here!” Wang Qianya called out to him. Tang Jie, unsure of what she had seen, walked over with a puzzled expression, following her toward the massive serpent.

“What’s that? Look!” Wang Qianya pointed toward the giant python’s slightly open mouth as they approached it. Only then did Tang Jie notice something lodged inside its jaws. Wang Qianya handed him the tree branch he had used earlier, and Tang Jie carefully inserted it into the python’s mouth, slowly prying it open. Lying inside was a bronze-colored, round object resembling an ancient coin.

Tang Jie retrieved the object and examined it closely. It indeed looked similar to a copper coin¹ but had no engravings or markings. The middle featured a small, circular hole typical of old coins. As he held it in his palm, he immediately felt a faint warmth radiating from it.

“Do you think this could be the treasure from the legends?” Wang Qianya asked, studying the object carefully. It was about the size of half a palm, smooth and polished. Its material was hard to determine-part stone, part metal, but resembling neither entirely.

“I’m not sure, but we should take it back and examine it,” Tang Jie replied thoughtfully. He continued inspecting the strange coin-like object, noticing that the warmth intensified slightly, as if responding to his touch. Occasionally, it even gave a faint tingling sensation, almost like an electric current against his palm.

“So, should we keep searching?” Wang Qianya glanced nervously around the area. She was uneasy at the thought of another giant python suddenly appearing. If they encountered another such creature, they might not be so lucky next time.

“I think it’s better we head back for now,” Tang Jie said after some consideration. Their food supplies were long depleted, and lingering here might not yield any more results. With that, he pocketed the ancient coin and tucked it away with the iron piece they had found earlier. Standing up, he gestured to Wang Qianya, ready to descend the mountain.

But suddenly, a flash of light erupted from Tang Jie’s chest. Wang Qianya froze in astonishment, staring wide-eyed at him.

“Tang Jie, your…your chest!” she exclaimed.

“Huh? What do you mean?” Tang Jie asked, startled by her reaction. He quickly glanced down and noticed a faint white light flickering through his clothes before vanishing as suddenly as it had appeared.

He felt a warm sensation in his chest and instinctively reached into his pocket. The ancient coin was heating up. Pulling it out, he saw faint wisps of steam rising from its surface-it was emitting heat! What kind of object was this? Could the light just now have come from it? Tang Jie frowned, holding the coin up for a closer look.

Before he could investigate further, a sudden shift in the atmosphere sent a chill down his spine. He barely had time to react when a shadow flashed in front of him. The next instant, he saw Wang Qianya being pinned in place-there was now a dagger pressed against her neck.

A cold, mocking laugh echoed through the air. “Hahaha! I didn’t expect you to actually find it. Now hand it over!” Tang Jie turned to see the speaker-Chen Nan, who had seemingly appeared out of nowhere. Standing behind him was a masked elder and a young ancient martial arts master, both exuding an intimidating aura.

Tang Jie’s expression darkened instantly, and his eyes blazed with murderous intent. “Release her!” he commanded coldly, directing his piercing gaze at Chen Nan. At the same time, he quietly began channeling his true qi, preparing to strike if needed.

Footnote:

1. Copper Coin(铜钱):Copper coins were commonly used in ancient China as currency. They often had a square or round hole in the center to allow them to be strung together for easy carrying.