Chapter 006 | Eating The Most Poisonous Fruit

Mo Yan sighed in relief when he saw the Red Crown Python turning its head in the other direction. But this sense of relief only lasted a moment because when he looked at where the Red Crown Python was staring, he was stumped to see Fang Chen running on the branch.

'What the hell is he doing!?'

Seeing the Crown Fruit at the end of the branch confused him even more.

'Is he trying to get the fruit!? Did he just have to choose the worst timing to do this?'

Mo Yan's gaze turned towards the Red Crown Python and noticed it slowly coiling itself up.

'It's gonna atta-!'

Before he could even finish his thought, the Red Crown Python attacked - it leapt from its nest and lurched at Fang Chen with its mouth open wide.

On the other hand, Mo Yan reflexively moved in reaction and, without any thought, jumped towards the Red Crown Python.

…

As soon as the wide mouth of the Python appeared in front of him, Fang Chen was shocked.

Not that he hadn't taken Python into account, but the Python's being so quick pace surely surprised him.

But the Python attacking him was a crucial part of his plan, and he could no longer back down on it.

Maybe it was the adrenaline rush or something else, but he wasn't scared of this Python or the situation.

Fang Chen was still in the air when the Python came toward him, so he couldn't jump anywhere. The only way to survive was by using the sword.

So Fang Chen first got into a crouching stance midair—ready to slash the Python's tongue.

The Python's tongue is the weakest part of its body. After slashing the tongue, Fang Chen would stab the sword vertically in its mouth. This was also one of the two reasons why he had asked for a sword instead of a knife.

But things took another turn. The Python, which was just about to swallow Fang Chen alive, suddenly stumbled and was pushed to the right!

This much was enough for Fang Chen to move out of its path, and as soon as he landed, he noticed Mo Yan kicking the Python in its eye.

"The Python is gonna be pissed!" Fang Chen shouted, "Get away! Let me handle it!"

Of course, the gap between the strength of Mo Yan and Fang Chen is huge right now. Mo Yan was literally a superhuman in the eyes of Fang Chen, but their chances of survival against a furious Red Crown Python were the same: Zero.

To defeat this Red Crown Python, they needed Crown fruit, luck and timing instead of power. Fang Chen already had the fruit. And luck seems to be favouring him right at this moment!

Upon hearing the shout, Mo Yan was a bit taken aback, but he still followed the former's command.

And just as he had moved, the Python attacked the spot he was standing on, shocking Mo Yan.

If he had been even a moment late, he would be this Python's meal today!

The Python, having taken a bite out of the branch instead of the human flesh it was expecting, slowly recoiled itself up and raised its head.

Hissss!!!

Its angry eyes stared at the two humans who had disturbed its sleep. Opening its mouth, the Python instinctively hissed once more as if it was roaring to show its anger.

Standing on one of the branches in front of it, Fang Chen found the right moment he was waiting for!

Without hesitation, he threw the fruit in his hands into the mouth of the Python.

The Python reflexively closed its mouth and stared right at Fang Chen in disbelief.

One second passed. Two seconds passed. Five seconds pass. Ten seconds pass.

Thud!

The humongous Red Crown Python suddenly fell head first, as if it was boneless!

"What the fµck!" Mo Yan immediately jumped from his spot to avoid getting crushed under the falling Red Crown Python.

As soon as the Python fell on the branch, the branch broke down, and the force shook the tree, stumbling both of the young men.

Mo Yan, who had just landed beside Fang Chen, lost his balance. But luckily, Fang Chen grabbed him by his shoulder and saved him from falling to the ground—saving him from serious injuries, if not instant death.

After taking a moment to balance himself, Mo Yan nodded at Fang Chen and couldn't help ask while staring at the still Red Crown Python, "What did you do…? Is it dead?"

Fang Chen shook his head, "It should be. At least, it definitely won't attack us for the next few hours."

"Really?" Mo Yan frowned, "The thing that you threw in its mouth... was that the Crown Fruit?"

Fang Chen nodded, "Yes."

"..." Mo Yan then looked back and forth between Fang Chen and the Python and asked with a sigh, "Was it really worth it? This time we survived because of luck, but what if we didn't? You risked both of our lives. You realise that, right?"

Fang Chen nodded, "Yes, but it was worth it."

"How?"

Fang smiled, "I will show you. Bring that Crown Fruit to me first."

"The one you just threw in that Python's mouth? No thanks."

"No, I want the one which is still hanging on that branch."

"Huh?" Mo Yan turned around and saw a half-cut Crown Fruit hanging from it.

"What will you do with it?" He asked.

Fang Chen turned around and walked towards the Python, "You will see soon. Go, get it first."

Mo Yan frowned at Fang Chen for a moment before walking towards the Crown Fruit.

On the other hand, Fang Chen moved toward the Python.

After closing in, Fang Chen took the sword and tried to find a spot where he could make a cut.

The scales of the Python were too hard for him. The only way to make a cut on it was through the skin on its mouth.

But unfortunately, the mouth was shut.

Fang Chen tried to open its mouth to no avail.

As for if for making sure whether the Python was alive or not, there was no need. He was sure that as soon as the Python tasted that fruit, it got paralysed for a few seconds before dying.

While he was looking for a way to create a cut on the Python for its blood, Mo Yan had returned.

The latter still wasn't convinced if the Python was dead. That's why he came back as soon as he got his hands on the fruit to defend Fang Chen in case the Python made a surprise attack.

"What are you looking for?" Mo Yan asked, looking at the frowning expression of Fang Chen.

"Can you open his mouth? You were able to kick it away, so I am sure you can move its mouth a bit."

"What for…? Do you need its poison? Well, that's futile. Red Crown Pythons are not poisonous. They don't need poison for survival, to begin with, since their strength is enough for them to strangle its prey."

Fang Chen nodded, "Yes, but I don't need the poison. I need its blood."

"Blood?" Mo Yan thought for a moment and added, "Well, we don't need to open its mouth for that."

"What?" Fang Chen glanced at Mo Yan, "The scales are too hard. How do you plan to-"

"Like this," Mo Yan took out his knife and,

-pichik~!

He stabbed it right into the Python's eyes with full force!

"Woah!!" Fang Chen stepped back, and waving his two hands, he added, "Hey, we don't do that here."

"Why not?" Perplexed by Fang Chen's reaction, Mo Yan asked, "Young Master, what happened?"

Fang Chen shook his head, "Nothing."

Mo Yan sighed, "Anyway. The blood is seeping out. Don't you have to collect it? Is the vial of that antidote still with you? We can store this blood in that vial."

"No need for that, and it's useless to store the blood, anyway." Fang Chen shook his head, "What we need right now is that fruit. Did you get it?"

Mo Yan nodded and passed the fruit to him.

Fang Chen held it such that the sliced side of the fruit was upwards.

"Knife."

Mo Yan gave him the knife, which Fang Chen then used to scoop out the fruit flesh and throw it away. Now the fruit was more like a hollow bowl.

Then, he took the fruit and put it close to the Python's bleeding eyes.

And placed it as such that the blood began to get collected in the bowl.

"What will this do?" Mo Yan asked with a curious spilling out of his voice.

Fang Chen smiled, "This will increase our chances of survival."

"Oh.." Mo Yan nodded, "Let's hope what you did is worth it."

Fang Chen didn't say anything and just waited for the blood to fill the hollowed fruit.

It didn't take long.

Then Fang Chen moved the fruit and glanced at Mo Yan before saying, "Now, let's go to the top."

Mo Yan shook his head, "No, we can't."

"Why…?"

"The Python. It's dead."

"So…?"

"The Python was the deterring factor against those assassins. They wouldn't come close to the Python, and the Python can't come after us either because the above branches are too weak to hold its weight."

Fang Chen nodded, "That was a good plan to stay safe tonight."

"I know," Mo Yan nodded, "But now it's useless. We no longer have much time left. I am sure the assassins will track us very soon."

Fang Chen smiled, "I doubt that. But then again, we are still at an advantage here."

"...How?"

"The Python's dead, right?"

"Yes."

"WE know that the Python is dead."

"...Yes."

"Do they know the Python is dead?"

"...No."

"That means they won't come up. And even if they did, they would see the Python because it's lying right here, and since its eyes are still open, no one will dare to move and risk getting attacked by the most dangerous beast species of this forest."

Mo Yan thought about these words and nodded.

Indeed, even the dead Python was a big enough deterrent against the assassins.

"Alright, we don't have any other place with any lower chances of dying than this one."

"Yes," Fang Chen nodded, "This Python is not only deterring our enemies but also the other dangerous beasts that dwell in the night."

Mo Yan agreed, "Yes, that was a big factor as to why we came to this tree. Let's go up; the sun is almost down."

Without any more words, both of them began their journey to the top of the tree.

Fang Chen had returned the sword to Mo Yan. Thus now, he had one hand free, while in the other, he held the Crown Fruit.

The blood collected in the fruit was slowly seeping into it, and Fang Chen was hoping that it would be fully absorbed by the time they settled down on the tree.

Getting to the top of the tree was not a hard task. And with the Python now dead, it only took them a few more minutes. Though, they didn't lower their guard.

Although it's a well-known fact that the Red Crown Pythons are very territorial, that doesn't mean any other beast couldn't be lying on the top branches where the Python couldn't reach.

But luck was on their side once again as they didn't face any difficulty in getting to the top.

After about ten minutes of climbing, they had finally found a comfortable spot to spend the coming night.

The tree trunk was fat enough for them to sit comfortably, and its area gave them enough space to spread their legs and relax a bit.

After settling down, Mo Yan put the weapons to the side while Fang Chen unbuckled the storage belt he had on him.

"So… what's with the fruit?" Mo Yan asked while staring at the fruit, whose flesh had now gotten a shade of Red after absorbing all the blood.

"Do you know what the fruit is well known for?" Fang Chen asked.

"Of course." Mo Yan nodded, "It's one of the most poisonous fruits."

"Yes," Fang Chen nodded and took a bite.

"NO! What the fµck!" Mo Yan tried to grab Fang Chen's hand, but it was too late.

Fang Chen had already eaten a big bite out of the fruit.

"The fµck is wrong with you!?" Mo Yan almost wanted to shout out loud but kept his voice lowered in fear of alerting any nearby enemy, "Are you crazy? Why did you eat it? If you're so keen to die, let me help you. I have a sword and knife. Trust me, I won't miss."

Fang Chen chuckled, "Don't worry. You should have a bite too."

"...No." Mo Yan frowned, "Wait… you added the Python's blood in it. Did the blood do something to it?"

Fang Chen nodded, "Yes."

"What?"

"It inversed its properties."

"What do you mean?"

"With the blood, the most poisonous fruit became the strongest antidote."

"..." Mo Yan raised an eyebrow, "Really?"

"Well, am I not the living proof of it? The huge Python died seconds after this fruit entered its mouth. And yet, here I am, all well and alive."

"Oh…" Mo Yan nodded as he took the fruit in his hands, "Young Master, I have trusted you for most of my life. This time, I won't hesitate either."

Then, without any other thought, Mo Yan took a small bite.

"Eat it fully," Fang Chen insisted, "The effect will die down if we don't use it right now."

"...Oh," Mo Yan nodded and ate the remaining fruit.

While chewing, he asked, "Young Master?"

"Hm?"

"How do you know all this? Didn't you say you don't remember anything?"

"Well…"

...

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