How to Raise a Crazy Beautiful Snake Demon - Chapter 10

The sun hung high in the sky as several people stood in the courtyard, exchanging uneasy glances. Only Ji Qingwu, who stood at the center, remained composed.

She had anticipated this ever since yesterday’s assembly. Yu Yan’s sudden visit today was well within her expectations.

In the world of cultivation, oaths were witnessed by the Heavenly Dao—she hadn’t sworn recklessly.

Everyone knew that Senior Sister Ji Qingwu valued her status above all else and would never joke about it. By swearing on her identity, her credibility was unquestionable.

But she wasn’t the original owner of this body. What did the original owner’s pride have to do with the modern transmigrator, Ji Qingwu?

Besides, she had only sworn she had never shared it with a human. Hadn’t the snake demon repeatedly emphasized it wasn’t human? At best, it was a spiritual pet.

Her two junior sisters visibly relaxed, instantly believing her. Even Yu Yan’s previously tense expression softened slightly, waiting for her further explanation.

Ji Qingwu exhaled steadily, her gaze shifting toward the stove before turning back to Yu Yan. Her tone was humble and respectful:

“Esteemed Elder, have you heard of a secret manual titled The Supreme Glutton’s True Teachings, written by a great culinary cultivator of the Mahayana stage? Everything I’ve done is related to this manual.”

It was clear none of them had heard of it.

Unfamiliar? Good! That book had been crumpled in a forgotten corner of the library. The original owner, who spent years buried in books, had once stumbled upon it, straightened it out, and returned it—never to be seen again.

Now, Ji Qingwu dug up this faint memory, wielding it like an imperial decree to lend legitimacy to her actions.

A faint smile curled her lips as she continued with a grave tone—no, explaining:

“This disciple is untalented, possessing dual spiritual roots of water and fire. During cultivation, my internal energies often clash, and in recent days, they became irreconcilable, tearing me apart in agony. The night before last, as I teetered on the brink of qi deviation, I recalled this manual’s teachings. I rushed to the outer sect’s kitchen for ingredients, built this stove, and channeled all my conflicting energies into cooking. After consuming the dishes, my symptoms vanished, and my qi stabilized. It was this manual—these mundane foods—that saved my life!”

“The situation was urgent. Fearing repercussions for those managing the outer sect’s kitchen, I did not inform you, Elder… I beg for your punishment. Whatever discipline aligns with the sect’s rules, I shall accept willingly!”

By the end of her impassioned speech, Ji Qingwu bowed deeply, her posture utterly deferential.

Yu Yan’s stern expression remained, but it had loosened.

Her junior sisters gazed at her with admiration, awed by their senior sister’s vast knowledge and unorthodox methods to overcome inner demons.

After a moment of contemplation, Yu Yan spoke:

“If it was for cultivation, then it’s understandable… The items you took from the outer sect’s kitchen will be deducted from your monthly stipend based on their value. For your other offenses, you are confined to this mountain for half a month. Do you accept?”

Ji Qingwu saluted:

“This disciple accepts wholeheartedly. Elder Yu’s mercy today will forever be remembered!”

Yu Yan coughed awkwardly, turning his face away to maintain his elder’s dignity.

“You should discuss your cultivation issues thoroughly with your master once she emerges from seclusion. Having dual water and fire spiritual roots is an exceptional talent—don’t waste it on cooking, understand?”

Ji Qingwu:

“I will remember the elder’s teachings.”

Yu Yan scanned the surroundings before leading his two disciples out.

At the courtyard gate, Yu Yan suddenly turned back, his gaze sharp as a blade, and fixed it on Ji Qingwu:

“Are you truly keeping nothing else from me?”

Ji Qingwu met his eyes calmly, her expression unwavering:

“Nothing at all.”

Yu Yan studied her for a long moment before stepping onto his black flying sword and departing.

Ji Qingwu stood in place, watching their figures disappear into the distance. After waiting for the time it takes half an incense stick to burn, she reactivated her barrier, complying with Elder Yu’s order of house arrest.

Two weeks of confinement… How wonderful!

She returned to her room, sat on the meditation cushion, and rubbed her stiff face.

She had been maintaining the dignified demeanor of the senior disciple, tense and tight-lipped while spinning lies—her cheeks were practically frozen.

Releasing her spiritual sense, she probed the direction she had investigated earlier, but the trail had gone cold.

Now, her days would return to their dull monotony. She hadn’t realized it before, but in the day and night without the white snake, the mountain peak had felt unnervingly quiet, with nothing remotely entertaining to do.

By midnight, the moon hung high in the sky—lately, the moonlight had been particularly radiant. Ji Qingwu sat cross-legged in the courtyard, regulating her breath.

Truthfully, she was growing increasingly accustomed to this body and the principles of cultivation. There were no bottlenecks; instead, she could feel her progress, now teetering on the edge of late-stage Nascent Soul.

Yet even so, she still couldn’t gauge the white snake’s true cultivation level. This suggested the snake was at least at the Soul Transformation stage—higher than Nascent Soul—or perhaps even beyond. With such power, it could dominate the entire cultivation world.

Who, then, could have wounded it so severely? What enemies did it have? Would it be hunted down by other foes if it left the Jade Pure Sect?

“Little slave…”

A low, husky voice suddenly brushed against her ear—seductive, magnetic, and utterly enchanting.

Ji Qingwu shook her head, thinking she must have imagined it from dwelling too much on the snake.

“Little slave.”

Wait… Was that really her imagination?

Before she could turn toward the sound, a silvery stream slithered gracefully toward her, coiling up along the hem of her robes.

This time, Ji Qingwu managed not to fling the snake away. She stared in stunned silence.

The slender white serpent climbed over the azure fabric, its scales shimmering under the moonlight, its tail flicking lightly.

It looked like a spirit beast born from the essence of heaven and earth—exquisite and elegant. Even those crimson eyes no longer held the same icy malice as before.

The snake lifted its gaze, meeting Ji Qingwu’s eyes, and spoke in a human voice:

“Little slave, you’re quite the liar, aren’t you?”

Still reeling, Ji Qingwu blurted out,

“Didn’t you leave? Why are you—”

The snake flicked its tail, raising its triangular head slightly, its tone haughty:

“I haven’t had my fill of playing with you yet. Why would I leave?”

Ji Qingwu:

“……”

Perfect. This was definitely the same troublesome little white snake she knew.

Clearing her throat, she said,

“Well… it’s good that you’re back. I… I want to apologize. I shouldn’t have called you… that word.”

A wise person knows when to yield—apologizing first could smooth things over.

Her words clearly startled the white snake, freezing it in place with its tail no longer swaying.

Ji Qingwu cast a questioning glance its way:

“Hmm?”

The white snake paused for a long moment before speaking in an unusually soft voice, its head drooping low as it muttered:

“How can you be like this.”

Ji Qingwu:

“Like what?”

Can’t you even apologize properly?

The white snake hung its head, the dark red scars still visible on its neck, looking somewhat fragile.

Its voice became less clear, a deep tone carrying complex emotions as it spoke slowly:

“How can you… apologize so quickly? I can’t even get angry now… how annoying.”

Ji Qingwu listened quietly, lowering her own lashes as she looked at the injured white snake resting on her knees, a smile playing at her lips.

So that’s how it was—a little snake who didn’t know how to handle apologies. Clearly moved by it, yet pretending to be annoyed, showing a bit of that tsundere attitude.

Kind of cute.

Boldly, Ji Qingwu extended a finger and lightly poked the back of the white snake’s head.

With a smile in her voice, she asked:

“So does that mean… you forgive me?”

The white snake nodded slightly without denying it.

As it nodded, the back of its head brushed against Ji Qingwu’s finger, its cool scales raising slightly like countless tiny mouths opening, making her finger tremble from the slightly painful scraping sensation.

Her finger unconsciously stroked the snake’s head as she chuckled and asked:

“You said I lie… did you see me talking with the elder?”

The white snake raised its head, staring unblinkingly at Ji Qingwu as its forked tongue flickered:

“Yes. And I warn you—you can lie to the sect elders, but never to me! If I catch you lying to me, I’ll bite you to death, drink all your bl00d, eat your flesh, crush your bones…”

The white snake grew more excited as it spoke, its vertical pupils gleaming. Ji Qingwu felt unnerved and raised a finger to stop it:

“Enough! Why do you think so poorly of me? I only lied to protect you!”

The snake seemed caught off guard, falling silent as its tongue flickered repeatedly against Ji Qingwu’s fingertip.

Ji Qingwu rubbed the snake’s head with her finger:

“And you never went far, did you? You’ve been secretly watching me from the back mountain all along, haven’t you? Seems… you don’t actually dislike me as much as you claim, do you, little white snake?”

She couldn’t help feeling a bit smug—not only had she been concerned about the snake’s safety, but the snake had also been observing her. They were even now.

The white snake clearly grew flustered and angry, its tail rising to smack Ji Qingwu’s hand sharply:

“Nonsense! Don’t call me little… use my name!”

Ji Qingwu paused:

“…I don’t know your name.”

Since meeting the white snake, they hadn’t even exchanged names. She knew the original female lead’s name from the book, but this living white snake before her… had never told her its name.

After a pause, the white snake slowly raised its upper body, locking eyes with Ji Qingwu:

“Let me introduce myself properly. My name is Zhu Jiuyin.”

Ji Qingwu also felt an inexplicable solemnity. Meeting the snake’s vertical pupils, she responded earnestly:

“Nice to meet you, Zhu Jiuyin. I’m Ji Qingwu.”

Zhu Jiuyin murmured softly:

“It sounds lovely. Green Jade Phoenix Tree, withering and flourishing through the seasons…”

Ji Qingwu also pondered over the name Zhu Jiuyin, recognizing its origin from the ancient serpent deity Zhu Jiuyin. She wondered why the character ‘Zhu’ had been changed to ‘Zhu’—was there some special meaning behind it?

Moonlight spilled over the windowsill, casting its glow into the room, illuminating the woman and the serpent as they each contemplated the other’s name.

While Ji Qingwu was still deep in thought, she suddenly noticed the snake’s eyes glinting mischievously as its head drew near her ear, bringing with it a cool, whispering breeze.

Zhu Jiuyin’s voice was husky, teasing and playful as she said:

“Truly worthy of being the servant I’ve chosen. Your name is as pleasing as you are… and just as useful.”