Apparently, Shen Zilong was in fact, not a snake, but a dragon that had been reduced into a state of being a lowly reptilian species, according to the short tale he reiterated.
As to the reason why he wanted Ru Yijing to follow him into the woods, the reason was evident from the very first scent of it! Anyone who was accustomed to horror stories would realize that luring someone to the woods was a means of isolation, that would lower the instinctive defences of the chosen prey. It was a simplistic and transparent reason— in the woods, there was limited communication to the outside world, making it more difficult for the recipient to seek aid.
Ru Yijing had enough common sense amassed throughout his dull years of living to know that Shen Zilong held no goodwill. Naturally, this sketchy offer was instantaneously turned down the moment it was aired.
"I'm afraid I can't do that, Snake Demon." Ru Yijing selected his words, unwilling to provoke Shen Zilong's wrath, and accent his refusal. "How could I forsake the teachings that I have followed so devotedly? And with a demon regardless! You must've mistaken my silence for compliance, but I don't wish to be hated by my sect any more than this by colluding with a foreigner."
'Snake Demon' Shen Zilong was very displeased with Ru Yijing's pig-headed rejection, and he made it clear through baring his fangs in a threatening manner. With a singular hiss, Ru Yijing was backed into a corner, paralyzed due to his long predating apprehension of any slippery, scaly creatures. The corners of the snake's eyes narrowed down into slits, two pairs of blazing yellow eyes glinting hostilely. At first, he gave an illusion of nonjudgmental cooperation, but once things didn't traverse the way Shen Zilong disliked, he would resort to what a demon's heart and soul knew best; the act of bestowing violence.
"I thought you were different, boy. I thought we could set aside our differences, as unanimous parties with no lingering attachments to our set lives. Maybe I was the fool for thinking you could see the prejudice against my race. Maybe I am the fool for having hoped so." The snake prattled on. With each lashing syllable, its forked tongue would flick in and out of its tiny mouth, which caused goosebumps to emerge all over Ru Yijing's body.
"Anyone with one side of their brain can tell you're up to no good." Ru Yijing scoffed. "Inviting me to the woods? Are you sure you won't eat me alive?"
"What if I can offer you immense power?" Having no other ability to convince Ru Yijing, Shen Zilong returned to using a promising method of assuring adherence. "Gratification is instant. No long, excruciating slow ascent to the path of immortality. It's just too tedious and long, don't you think? Even your master—that abominable, heartless master—it took him a thousand years to ascend. If such a talent like him had to wait that long, what about people like you? I mean.. from what I can tell... you're mediocre."
It continued its speech in a rather upbeat and invigorating tone, like a salesman trying too desperately to sell you an item they knew was prone to faults, but wanted the quick money.
"Just imagine the thousands of beauties that will beg to lay at your feet.. the hundreds of cultivators that wish to suck up to you. Even that selfish master of yours has no choice but to submit to you. And with my help, I can make all that come true, only at a simple price of listening to me. Young cultivator, if you had even half of a brain, you'd know my offer is substantial!"
It was incredibly tempting. The snake was extremely adept at painting vivid pictures that normal people would've paid in blood to see. Each and every word was of attractive connotation, that incurred a purposeful urge within you to see it transpire with your own eyes. Beauties, power, and subordinates— to anybody with an eighth grade syndrome, this was all enticing to listen to. But, for Ru Yijing, there was one thing he most wanted... a person he wanted to obtain, but there was no way this person could exist within this nonsensical realm. So all these promises were just rotten fruits to Ru Yijing.
"You don't know what I truly want." Ru Yijing said cryptically. "Nothing you say will shake me, so please leave, before I have to commit an honourless act."
"So, even killing me serves no honour, huh?" Shen Zilong laughed with a low chortle.
That was not the direction Ru Yijing wanted to roll in, but if that could cull Shen Zilong's desires of murking him, he might as well just dedicate himself to this role!
Embodying the epitome of racism against demons, Ru Yijing nodded his head fervently, even spewing harmful words to help his case.
"Hm." A sound of agreement.
One word and it dealt such a powerful blow to Shen Zilong's psyche! The spirit was so enraged its eyes delved into glaring shades of flaring red.
"If you don't listen to me, I might as well just kill you instead of wasting my time! But, don't worry, cultivator, I still have a degree of liking towards you.. so I should give you one last gift before killing you."
Sparing these ominous last words, the Snake Demon vapourized into thin crimson mist that immediately encircled around Ru Yijing's enfeebled form. Once inhaling the red mist, Ru Yijing suddenly collapsed onto the ground, motionless for a few seconds. Enough time had passed, then the possessor opened his eyes; the air around the person now was very different.
The original Ru Yijing was like lukewarm water, still and statuesque, but the 'Ru Yijing' now had a completely variable charm to him. The eyes of this version of Ru Yijing first glowered a golden hue, then slowly faded off into a lively brown. The corners of the person's lips upturned; a smile that couldn't otherwise be called an actual smile, if not resembling a mocking jeer, as if a cruel immortal being was looking down upon a hapless mortal.
Once again, Ru Yijing's body had been robbed against his will! He would've tried to put up a fight, but sitting seiza style in front of a monastery required much determination, none of which he was equipped with at the moment, all the more making him susceptible to the ensnaring snake's trickery.
'Ru Yijing' clenched his fists, cracking his knuckles subsequently. He exhaled a large breath of warm air, then barked out raucous laughter.
"This is it!" He exclaimed in bravado. "The feeling of a body. It's been so long I almost forgot.." Trailing off, Shen Zilong, now in Ru Yijing's body, copped a feel of all parts of the body, especially the lower part. And he grabbed so in an unabashed manner. To outsiders' eyes, he may have come off as a lecherous, voyeuristic pervert.
More and more, Ru Yijing could feel his 'reliable' and 'trustworthy' farce as the elder brother of the sect crumble furthermore.
Ru Yijing: These darn quacks.
Every day, he was either labeled as a minor-aficionado, and now, a publicly indecent freak. None of these titles were things Ru Yijing wanted attached to his name.
"Hm..." Shen Zilong groped the lower part of the body thoughtfully, releasing it after a brief period of introspection. Like the scholar that he was, he felt it personally required to air it out. "Quite big. It's impressive. Though it's a shame such a thing can never be put to use." He sighed woefully.
Ru Yijing's ego was a little bruised. He was a virgin in his past life, now he must pretend to be celibate as part of the original body's occupation. Though the notion of getting action was the least of his concern as of the instance.
'..You can't just touch other people's private parts unwarranted!' Ru Yijing yelled inside of his mind, hoping his wrath could be translated through.
And it was. As Shen Zilong heard the squeak inside of his own consciousness, the voice of another, belonging to the identity of the spare entity inside the singular body, the man bursted into a mild laugh.
"Cultivator, I'm a good-natured person, but even good people have their bottom lines. I offered you a deal that should be irresistible to people like you, but since you kept denying me, I was bound to become a little.. impatient. So, forgive me if I want to play a little trick on you."
Concluding his grandiose speech, Shen Zilong turned on his feet, kicking aside rubble and dust. Shamelessly, without any qualms, the Snake Demon ruthlessly unfurled the pair of double doors that guarded the school with a reinforced kick. A hearty tune on the tip of his tongue, he, donning Ru Yijing's skin, basically strolled into the perimeters that he should be excluded from. Yet, he just opted to walk in like a customer touring a trinket shop instead, even going as far as to dedicate him to the role by glancing and peering over spots and corners.
The other students that happened to be in the vicinity caught a ludicrous sight of their elder brother that was expelled by the Great Sage, just frolicking about without an ounce of awareness. Their mouths agape in shock, they could not even close them.
If Ru Yijing felt any shame, he felt it tenfold on part of Shen Zilong's lack thereof.
"Not bad." Shen Zilong commented out loud, especially for Ru Yijing to hear. "The righteous faction's facilities do not disappoint, though they pale in comparison to the grandeur of the demons. You immortal cultivators aren't exactly tasteful."
He said with a quaint smile.
'Get out of my body right now! You're not helping yourself in trying to change my mind. Even if I get officially banished, there's no way in hell I'd go to you as an alternative.' Ru Yijing angrily stated.
"Oh.. I know. And that's why, I'm not intent to changing your mind. I'm giving you a last gift from me. Do appreciate it for my sake."
A wandering junior meekly attempted to slide under the radar by trying to take a sneaky detour around Shen Zilong, but the snake demon was faster than the student's tryout at evasion. Shen Zilong's arm shot out from his side, landing atop the student's shoulder. The young man responded with a shudder, but was tactful enough to stop dead in his tracks.
Shen Zilong was very pleased with this show of obedience; he was a great appreciator of those with wits smart enough to know one's limits and abilities. As such, the starting tips of his brows curved upwards, reflecting his innermost pleasure.
"Hey, boy. Where's that smelly chicken An Shirong?"
The student: ...
The Great Sage master, revered by all students, praised to the ends of the world, allocated in a position that far surpassed all cultivators. He, who was the quintessential example of the righteous faith, the core and the crux, was now reduced to a 'smelly chicken' in the other's words. It was to be certain that if An Shirong had ever heard this particular student badmouth him, a crater would be formed where this 'Ru Yijing' stood.
To ensure his ears hadn't fooled him, the young student repeated. "You mean, the Great Sage Master?"
Shen Zilong wrung his eyebrows mockingly. "Is there another dog called An Shirong?"
Chicken wasn't enough, now the Great Sage Teacher had been turned into a dog!? Not even two-tailed, nine-tailed, but a local stray dog.
The student couldn't even breathe, for fear that if the Great Sage was nearby and happened to overhear this exchange, he might consider him to be a part of this slanderous gossip!
The pressure was too much for the young, naive boy to handle. And.... he simply fainted. Went weakened in the knees and dropped to the floor.
Shen Zilong was put in an awkward position. But, the man did not express an intention of remorse, only carelessly picking at his ear. This ongoing spectacle— the 'elder brother' had gone rogue! —the others would whisper. Once hearsay would begin, it stretched miles and flew faster than pollen, each planting a seed in mouths one by one.
By the time a few minutes had passed, the news of the homosexual elder brother became widespread, even managing to reach the ears of a certain meditating figure.
However, returning back to the tangent predicament, Shen Zilong was now harassing any student he could put his grubby hands on. One by one, each student was interrogated on the whereabouts of the Great Sage. If showing signs of cluelessness, Shen Zilong would mercilessly fling them over his shoulders, resulting in a pile of young cultivators being thrown about. With their students being thrashed, how could the peak master be able to bear this?
The Peak Master, though not holding a pivotal role like the Great Sage, was still a respected individual nevertheless. He was like a mentor and a fatherly figure to the students. When he saw his students being tossed about in directions of north and south, east and west, his old heart was startled. He had barely savoured the taste of brewed tea when a student bursted into his accommodation, breathlessly translating the disastrous event that was transpiring at the center of the academy.
Shen Zilong had grabbed ahold of his umpteenth victim, holding them up by their shoulders. He questioned in a deep and profound voice that hinted at expectation, but more so, seeking thrill.
"Tell me where your master is, and I'll spare him from a little beating."
"I.. I don't know!" The boy sputtered out through tears.
"Ah, you don't." Shen Zilong's eyes narrowed. His lips rounded. "Terrible answer. Maybe I'll just beat you up. Then, the Great Sage has no choice but to intervene."
"S.. Spare me.. please!"
Before Shen Zilong could concoct of anything, a thunderous voice blared throughout the crowded perimeter. Directing his head towards the source of this boisterous acclaim, Shen Zilong was met with a version of a silver-haired man wearing regal teal-coloured robes. A beard attached to his chin spanned down until his abdomen. Looking at him in hindsight, he gave off a feeling of nobility and piety, that anybody looking at him should feel a deep sense of reverence, but towards the gray-haired elder, Shen Zilong did not feel a shrewd of sentiment.
The Peak Master arrived belatedly to the scene. As of his tardiness, the damage already committed could not be reverted. Everywhere, strewn around the surrounding area were the battered bodies of students. The root of this all— the dark-haired individual standing at the center of the arena —was unscathed. He was untouched, with all wrinkles in the linen clothing smoothed out, and not even a strand of hair out of the impeccable stream of thick and long black hair.
The body sported a look of light-heartedness, as was usually characterized by those basking in the sunlight, taking a stroll alongside the bay of a glittering lake. When the Peak Master saw 'Ru Yijing' completely at ease, he was enraged.
"You.. how much more outrageous can you be!? You already tore the clothes off the students.. I, myself, have been victim at your destructive hands! The Great Sage Master has already expelled you accordingly, so how dare you walk back in here with a peaceful face? Vermin like you should be extinguished. Good, I'll do the job of ridding of you—"
A flash of white flitted past everyone's sight. The Peak Master's inflicting hand collided against the flat blade of a sword, creating a powerful blast that billowed the clothes of spectators. As the wind settled, the dust rested on the ground, finally revealing the opponent that had quelled the Peak Master's blow.
It was none other than— Xun Yongdi!
'Xun Yongdi! How glad am I to see you!' Ru Yijing almost shed tears of joy upon the appearance of his saviour.
"Oh." Shen Zilong's eyes narrowed meaningfully.
The Peak Master was taken aback. Xun Yongdi was a diligent and courteous student that never once raised concerns nor a hand against authority. He was a gentle-hearted and soft-spoken boy who ceased to rebel, and was the type to be overtly accommodating towards his seniors. The Peak Master could not believe that such a well-behaved person like Xun Yongdi was now actively defying him.
"Xun Yongdi!" The master uttered his name in surprise. "Why are you defending the heathen?"
"My sincerest apologies, Peak Master. I do not wish to defy you." Xun Yongdi spoke in a grieving manner, drawing his sword back into his sheathe, but with his hand still clasped around the handle of the sword, it was an indicator he was willing to resort to violence if it meant protecting the one behind him, like a dog guarding its bone from thieving predators.
"I am still indebted to my senior brother. I have learnt from you, my master, that every debt needs to be repaid. Following your teachings, I cannot abandon the senior brother who has helped me before in the past."
His speech, his tone, the inflections of his routine voice, even the way Xun Yongdi stood in a straight posture was reminiscent of heroism. The Peak Master who saw his disciple could not help but falter.
"But, why go to such lengths to protect this person? I acknowledge your heroic spirit, but there are limits to acts of kindness. You should not waste benevolence on those that are deaf and blind to your intentions."
But, Xun Yongdi was still astute. He did not weaken under the pressure of numerous eyes, and rather, stood straighter and taller, like a crane flying above the clouds. The corners of his eyes downturned, and the latter lowered his head, a reflection of his reverence towards his teacher, but seeing a spirited youth like him hang their head so lowly, it provoked a feeling of sorriness in whoever witnessed it.
"No. Peak Master's teachings are something I won't ever abandon, so I will not forsake my senior brother. Please. Forgive my senior brother."
Saying this, Xun Yongdi got on both of his knees, kowtowing towards everyone who stood by. He sank his head even lower until his forehead made contact with the stone ground. The voice that came from him was muffled, but his message was clear.
"It is not my senior brother's fault that his heart was shaken and possessed by evil ghosts. I.. was the one who had pushed him to this edge."
Everyone, including Ru Yijing himself, was confused by this sudden admission.
Ru Yijing especially so, as he did not remember Xun Yongdi being the catalyst to the takeover of his mortal body. He even turned to the system as a means of explanation.
[ System, did Xun Yongdi speed up the possession? ]
[ No. It was a canon occurrence that was bound to happen. Because your death had been prevented, events in the story will change. Perhaps, Xun Yongdi feels a semblance of guilt as he is the one who drew the sword first with the intent to kill. ]
It was no mystery that the protagonist occupied a valiant and compassionate character, but to be this morally upright to the point he'd even take responsibility for a side character like Ru Yijing, Ru Yijing thought it was almost hateful how greatly Xun Yongdi cared for people. In this self-sufficient world, kindness was like water offered to the thirsty. There were those that had enough of this water, but would continue to indulge so until they had drunken themselves to a stupour. You could not offer water to every parched person in the world. Sooner or later, the well would dry up, and you'd be the only one that hadn't a sip of the water that you spared.
In that time, no one will offer you any.
Still, Ru Yijing was moved that Xun Yongdi would insist on defending him, and envisioned a harmonious brotherly relationship between the two of them in the future.
"I beg of everyone. Senior brother is innocent!" Xun Yongdi solemnly declared.
If Xun Yongdi made an excessive display of bowing, no one could mention a word against him. This was the model student after all, and towards such an obedient disciple, who would be heartless enough to decline?
Even the Peak Master that was previously adamant on chasing Ru Yijing out fell into a bout of silence.
That was, until a new figure set foot in the arena, bringing along an aroma of chilled chrysanthemums. The breeze of the winds indicated lower temperature, sinking deep into the bones of surrounding bystanders.
Shen Zilong's eyes glimmered viciously.
'An Shirong!'
The true player of the show made his appearance! Thus, rendering everyone into background props. His cold, pale eyes were initially drawn to Xun Yongdi's kneeling figure, then slowly trailed upwards, finally landing on the person who stood behind the immortal cultivator.
The Great Sage donned a familiar set of pristine-white robes that never differed. His luscious, jet-black locks were tamed into a bun, restrained by a jaden hairpiece carved out of crystal, while the rest of the hair flowed freely down his back until it pooled on the ground.
"Snake Demon, how dare you show yourself here?" His voice was extremely cold.
Snake Demon?
Everyone looked amongst themselves quizzically.
Even Xun Yongdi raised his head from the ground, peering at An Shirong in confusion.
"Ah," Shen Zilong sucked in a sharp breath, then bursted out laughing. "Seems like the disguise was a failure."