CHAPTER 33: CHAPTER 33: SNAKE CATCHER

Cyan Willow Town is located at the foot of the mountain, with the continuous mountain range not far away.

However, the street is still quite bustling, with various small traders and vendors lining the street hawking their goods.

The aroma of buns, meat pies, and wontons wafts through the streets. Although Gu Yuan had already eaten breakfast, seeing those delectable foods, he still had the urge to buy some to taste.

There were also some hunters, carrying wild pheasants, hares, foxes, wild boars, and other prey on their shoulders, eagerly waiting for buyers.

As Gu Yuan was sizing up some hunters not far away, he was about to approach when suddenly he reached out and grabbed a hand that was reaching into his pocket.

Looking down, it was a boy who barely reached his chin, dark and skinny like a monkey, wearing thin and shabby clothes that emitted an unpleasant odor.

Gu Yuan showed a meaningful smile: "Three hands?"

"Bah! I am not. Why are you grabbing me? Do you think you can slander me just because I’m young?"

This pickpocket, about thirteen or fourteen years old, was caught on the spot but showed no fear; instead, he stiffened his neck and threatened:

"If you don’t let go, I’ll shout for help!"

As the thief struggled, Gu Yuan’s grip was like an iron clamp, holding the boy’s wrist tight with no chance of escaping.

However, Gu Yuan noticed two men not far away approaching with unfriendly expressions, one reaching for his waist as if to pull out a weapon—clearly this boy’s accomplice.

The passersby noticed the scene, deliberately avoiding it, and some even stopped to watch with a hint of surprise at Gu Yuan, while others simply gathered as onlookers.

Bang!

Gu Yuan kicked the boy’s leg, making him kneel on the ground, grimacing in pain, and causing a sharp iron piece he held in his other hand to fall to the ground with a clatter.

"Since you’re a pickpocket, you must be somewhat of a local bully, huh?" Gu Yuan asked.

Gu Yuan knew this thief was from the underworld, part of the lower echelon of society, with territorial divisions and certain rules to follow.

Being a fresh face, and so young, it was no wonder he attracted attention on the streets.

The thief glared and did not answer, and Gu Yuan ignored him, and his two associates approaching, taking out a coin from his pocket and throwing it on the ground:

"Find me a local Snake Catcher, preferably an experienced one. Do it well, and there’s more reward for you."

After a pause, he continued, "If you can’t, I’ll get my money back, and you can forget about the fingers that just touched me. Can you do it? If not, I’ll find someone else!"

"I can! Absolutely, I can!"

The thief, ignoring the pain in his leg, lunged for the silver like a starving dog, and after biting it with his teeth, he changed his demeanor, grinning and nodding:

"Sir, rest assured, I’m well-acquainted with the matters on this street. Leave this task to me, and I guarantee it’ll be done right!"

The two men exchanged glances, released the knives at their waists, and returned to their previous positions, ignoring Gu Yuan.

"Enough talk, lead the way!"

Gu Yuan snorted, knowing he mustn’t be soft with such people; otherwise, it would lead to more trouble.

"Sure thing, follow me..."

The thief, unconcerned about Gu Yuan’s harsh attitude, confidently led him around half the town to the northwest corner.

This area was somewhat remote, mostly consisting of old houses.

The thief brought Gu Yuan to an old courtyard, then opened the door on his own and shouted as he entered, "Hey, Old One-Eye, are you there? Someone’s here to see you! Hurry up!"

Though his words were rude, he dared not enter the room himself.

Gu Yuan, with keen observation, noticed jars in some corners of the courtyard, some covered with tiles.

Even in the chilly winter, some jars had snake heads poking out, staring intently at the two of them.

"Hmph, an old bachelor like me, with no family or friends—who would bother seeking me out?"

A voice came from the dark room, followed by an old hunchbacked man with a sullen face and only one eye emerging, wrapped in a tattered black jacket.

The old man’s eye socket was hollow, seemingly devoid of an eyeball, yet his remaining eye was sharp and cold, ignoring the thief, and instead fixated on Gu Yuan:

"Young man, why are you looking for me?"

Gu Yuan did not answer his question, instead pulling out some copper coins and handing them to the thief, hinting for him to leave: "Alright, you can go now."

"Sure thing! Sir, if you have more tasks like this, you can always count on me,"

The thief, unbothered, happily pocketed the coins and left.

With only Gu Yuan and Old One-Eye remaining in the courtyard, Gu Yuan clasped his hands respectfully: "Elder, I wish to inquire about something."

"What is it? Something to do with snakes?"

Old One-Eye looked at Gu Yuan, standing at the doorway without inviting him inside.

"Exactly."

Gu Yuan nodded, asking, "I want to know just how many types of snakes there are near Cyan Willow Town and their habits and peculiarities."

"Why are you asking?"

Old One-Eye’s tone remained cold: "And what do you have in the bundle behind you?!"

Momentarily stunned, Gu Yuan soon laughed: "Elder, your perception is remarkable; you’ve noticed even that."

Squeak, squeak, squeak!

While speaking, a large shiny black rat emerged from his bundle, climbing onto Gu Yuan’s shoulder.

Seated on Gu Yuan’s shoulder, clutching a lock of his hair, it squeaked at the old man with a hint of wariness, clearly wary of this unassuming elder.

This large black rat was unusually big, about the size of a cat, with sharp, shiny claws and teeth that sent shivers down one’s spine!

This rat was, of course, Gu Yuan’s Spirit Pet, Iron-toothed Rat Ah Huang!

"Iron-toothed Rat?"

Seeing Ah Huang, Old One-Eye’s face remained stern, but his tone revealed a hint of surprise: "You actually raised such a creature?"

"Elder, you’re indeed knowledgeable."

Gu Yuan said, caressing Ah Huang’s sleek fur with a smile:

"To be honest, I’ve always enjoyed spending time with animals since childhood. I heard there are many venomous creatures and fierce beasts in the mountains near Cyan Willow Town. I’ve come to seek your advice, hoping to raise a snake. But while raising a snake is easy, training one to my liking is a bit challenging."

"I can see you’re a snake enthusiast, Elder, despite being a Snake Catcher, otherwise, you wouldn’t be raising so many snakes here."

Gu Yuan surveyed the courtyard, then earnestly continued:

"So, I’m hoping for your guidance."