Jiang Liu'er was stunned. With just a single breath of "Tiangang Transformation," Elder Erbai had turned him into a snake demon!
He found his entire body now a vivid green, resembling the bamboo pit viper.
Like the other two snake demons, he had two hands and two feet.
Even the large bamboo basket on his back was identical.
What an amazing magical technique!
"Hey, I'm talking to you! Stop pretending you can't hear me! If I catch you slacking off again, I'll report you to the Great King!"
A snake demon across from him shouted loudly, clearly displeased.
Jiang Liu'er suppressed the turbulent thoughts in his heart.
"Coming!"
He realized his voice had changed.
To avoid drawing suspicion, Jiang Liu'er mimicked the other two snake demons, climbing a fruit tree with all four limbs to pick fruits.
The two real snake demons and one fake one labored for hours.
Finally, they filled all three bamboo baskets to the brim.
"Good work!" One snake demon patted Jiang Liu'er and said, "Since you helped out, we won't report you to the Great King."
"But..." He eyed Jiang Liu'er suspiciously, "You look unfamiliar. Which captain do you serve under?"
Jiang Liu'er forced a straight face and replied, "Naturally, the most powerful captain. I just joined the mountain recently, so you not recognizing me is understandable."
"Ah, you're from Bear Captain's faction!" The snake demon gasped in surprise.
He hurriedly apologized, "Heh, I was a bit harsh earlier. Don't take it personally, brother!"
"It's fine." Jiang Liu'er's tone remained stiff.
This was his first lie in his life.
He had already broken the "precept against false speech" today.
Within a single day, he'd violated three of the Buddhist Eight Precepts.
Jiang Liu'er even began doubting if he was suited to be a monk.
The snake demon visibly relaxed, attempting to build rapport. He grinned, "My name is Snake Three. My companion is Snake Four. We serve Snake Captain. May I ask your name, brother?"
"Jiang Liu'er." Since demons wouldn't recognize a monk's name anyway, Jiang Liu'er decided not to commit another "false speech" offense.
Snake Three held up a thumb, "Jiang Liu'er, a fine name!"
"Let us handle the baskets." Snake Three took the bamboo basket from Jiang Liu'er's side, effortlessly lifting the two hundred catties of fruit with one hand.
Impressive strength, fitting a demon indeed!
He knew he stood no chance against them.
"Jiang Liu'er, it's getting dark. We must hurry back. The Great King's wedding tonight awaits these hundreds of catties of fruit. Later, we might even snag some wine!"
Jiang Liu'er didn't want to go. The Great King's wedding would be filled with demons. As a living human, he might end up in their stew pot.
But fleeing would raise suspicions.
After much deliberation, he decided to trust Elder Erbai's transformation technique.
Following the two snake demons, he arrived at a perilous terrain.
In the distance stood a gloomy, desolate mountain.
He saw numerous demons.
This place was no more than a hundred li from the Golden Light Temple. Yet so many demons thrived here, even with a Great King!
Jiang Liu'er was both amazed and uneasy.
"Great King's wedding preparations are grand. Look at all the red decorations imitating human weddings," Snake Three pointed at the red cloths hung on trees and rocks. "They're as red as blood, quite festive!"
Jiang Liu'er remained silent, growing increasingly nervous.
There were over a hundred demons here!
Thankfully, trailing behind the two snake demons kept him unnoticed.
They approached a cave entrance. Above it were three awkwardly carved characters: Wolf Gorge Cave.
Wolf... so the Great King was a wolf demon?
"Where have you been with the fruit?" A demon strode forward, radiating oppressive aura. "Guests are almost here. Delaying them means the Great King will boil you into snake soup!"
This was a snake demon, unlike the bare-skinned Snake Three and Four. He wore leather armor with a gleaming breastplate.
"Ah, we timed it perfectly!" Snake Three laughed. "Neither early nor late, just right!"
"Who are you?" The snake captain suddenly focused on Jiang Liu'er.
"Captain, this is Jiang Liu'er. He's new, from Bear Captain's faction. He helped pick fruits. Without him, we wouldn't have gathered so much!"
Snake Three explained.
"Snort." The captain's slitted eyes scrutinized Jiang Liu'er.
"Jiang Liu'er, greetings to Snake Captain." Jiang Liu'er bowed.
"Hmph, thought you were mute." The captain sneered before turning away.
He tossed a gourd to Snake Three, "This wine is your reward."
Calling other demons, he had the fruits carried inside.
"Thank you, Captain!" As Snake Three celebrated, the captain had already retreated into the cave.
Snake Three uncorked the gourd, half full with liquor.
"Smells wonderful!"
"Let's share it. Jiang Liu'er, you first," Snake Three offered, eager to please.
The gourd felt like a hot potato. Jiang Liu'er couldn't drink alcohol, and doing so would violate the "no alcohol" precept.
But the two demons watched expectantly. Refusing might expose him.
Gritting his teeth, he drank.
The fiery burn scorched his throat.
After a few sips, he passed it back, faking bravado with forced laughter: "Great wine, hahaha!"
He'd now broken four precepts!
Would the Buddha forgive him?
Suddenly, his vision blurred with double vision.
Drunk already!
A loud shout echoed: "Wolf King arrives!!!"
