Zhang Yang frowned, said nothing, merely nodding once. When they had left the town previously, they had repeatedly urged secrecy regarding the matter, for which Zhang Yang had donated three million towards road construction—purely as a payoff for silence.

Yet, only a year later, the corpse of the Golden Crown Python had been discovered and excavated. “Mayor Wang has been apologizing to me constantly about this; the security team member who leaked the information was also punished, but too many reporters swarmed in after the leak, and they were helpless!” Long Cheng added, offering an explanation on Mayor Wang’s behalf.

He had known Mayor Wang for a considerable time and understood the man’s character. Mayor Wang would certainly fulfill any promise he made, but the issue was that while he could control himself, he couldn't control everyone else.

He bore responsibility for this incident, but it wasn't entirely his fault. Moreover, when Mayor Wang called him yesterday, the mayor had actually wept, apologizing for failing to complete the task assigned to them, even offering to repay the three million to Zhang Yang.

When Zhang Yang originally donated the three million, he had stipulated one condition: secrecy, otherwise the donation could be revoked under the guise of a loan. Of course, Zhang Yang had no intention of actually recalling the money; it was just that the simple-hearted Mayor Wang felt ashamed of his failure and unable to face Zhang Yang.

“Newspapers from April? This happened so long ago?” Zhang Yang noted the date on the paper, then suddenly asked.

Long Cheng nodded, and Chang Feng, standing nearby, produced another newspaper, quietly stating, “It was twenty-three days ago, precisely. That reporter first secretly scouted the location, confirmed the existence of such a massive python skeleton, and then spent a fortune hiring people to dig it out.

He originally intended to sneak the remains away, but was discovered by Mayor Wang’s men, thwarting his plan. Mayor Wang personally brought many security personnel to guard the Wild Man Mountain before he finally took photos and published the story!” “Once the news broke, countless reporters flocked there madly.

I heard many television stations visited, even CCTV was alerted!” This time, Li Ya spoke. All of them had been on the hunt previously and had witnessed the terrifying serpent.

Initially, when Zhang Yang insisted on keeping the news hidden, they hadn't felt anything amiss, but now with the widespread exposure, they felt deeply uneasy, as if their own secret had been divulged to strangers. “Zhang Yang.

Look at this one!” Long Cheng handed over yet another newspaper, his expression now tinged with gravity. “Wild Man Mountain Giant Python Remains Vanish Without a Trace?” Seeing the headline, Zhang Yang couldn't help but pause, glancing back at Long Cheng before immediately turning back to examine the article closely.

This was news from three days ago. Because of Mayor Wang’s efforts, no one had managed to take the python skeleton.

Mayor Wang had kept men guarding it continuously. Mayor Wang knew more than others; while he couldn't be certain Zhang Yang had killed the python, he was sure Zhang Yang was connected to its death.

He had failed in his initial promise—he hadn't truly kept the secret. Therefore, whatever happened next, he absolutely could not allow these people to take the remains.

In his view, this was Zhang Yang’s kill, belonging to Zhang Yang, and he needed to protect it diligently. This was the extent of what he could manage; he couldn't stop the barrage of reporters and television crews, and lately, the pressure on him had mounted significantly.

This pressure stemmed, in part, from the neighboring villages and towns. They too were intensely interested in the remains of the enormous python, believing it to be a shared treasure that should not be monopolized by Mayor Wang’s township.

They felt entitled to a share. Their rationale was simple: Wild Man Mountain did not belong exclusively to Mayor Wang’s people; since the bounty was found in the mountains, it naturally belonged to everyone.

Besides them, there was pressure from above. The County government took the matter very seriously; the County Magistrate even made a special trip, demanding the python remains be transported to the county seat.

A python of such magnitude held symbolic significance and could serve as excellent publicity for the county. Mayor Wang had rejected all these demands.

Their township possessed a fierce spirit, and even the County Magistrate dared not resort to force, ultimately leaving only after issuing thinly veiled threats. Zhang Yang only learned of all this because Long Cheng related it.

Though Long Cheng presented the facts simply, Zhang Yang understood that Mayor Wang was indeed facing considerable strain. To withstand so much pressure while still fiercely protecting the remains was genuinely difficult.

“Twenty security team members watching, plus forty or fifty people from other villages, and a number of reporters camped out—a total of over a hundred people—and the python remains just vanished into thin air?” After finishing the article, Zhang Yang looked up, asking with genuine surprise. That massive python, even dead, held significant value.

Mayor Wang and his people had protected it, but the people from the neighboring townships refused to be left out, leading to several skirmishes and fights over it. Fortunately, the outsiders were only looking out for their own interests, and in the end, no single faction managed to win and seize the Golden Crown Python’s carcass.

Their motivations were unified: the giant python’s body represented wealth, and they insisted on having a stake in it. This shared purpose was why they sent people to guard it continuously; without their collective assistance, Mayor Wang alone could not have withstood the pressure from the County.

Their hopes were not unfounded. After the python’s corpse was exposed, rumors circulated in the mountains that a wealthy merchant had offered a staggering price—one million yuan—to purchase the remains of the largest python.

One million yuan was enough to make these villagers willing to fight to the death. “Zhang Yang, did you notice that when the python remains disappeared, nobody knew anything?

Everyone was asleep!” Long Cheng didn't answer Zhang Yang’s question, instead pointing to the newspaper and stating this to him. Zhang Yang lowered his head, quickly spotting what the news report stated.

The remains were lost three nights ago, from the outer slopes of Wild Man Mountain. While Mayor Wang guarded the python diligently, he dared not keep watch deep within the mountain itself.

It was too remote, provisions were difficult to deliver, and it was perilous. He had his men move the remains to the outer slopes, closer to the town and in a more defensible position for their guard detail.

Villagers from the other townships were also present, and they maintained fixed shifts for night watchmen. However, on that specific night, every single person on duty had fallen asleep, without exception, only discovering the python remains gone when morning arrived.

“This wasn't done by ordinary people?” Zhang Yang immediately looked up, voicing his astonishment. Long Cheng nodded heavily.

He had only learned of the event yesterday. Mayor Wang felt deeply responsible, believing the remains were lost while under his direct care; he wouldn't have made the call to Long Cheng if he hadn't felt such remorse.

The giant python incident had spread widely around Wild Man Mountain and made it into several papers, but none were of major national circulation; the impact in Changjing was limited. As for television, broadcasts had been minimal so far, limited to a few regional stations.

Major networks pre-recorded their programming according to established schedules; a few had filmed segments, but they hadn't aired yet. This explained why it took them so many days to learn the news, considering it wasn't yet the era of instant digital communication.

Long Cheng only nodded, saying nothing further, but Zhang Yang understood his implication. To spirit away something so massive from under the noses of over a hundred people, completely undetected, could only be the work of an Neijin practitioner—and one of no small skill, at that.

However, Zhang Yang couldn't fathom why another Neijin practitioner would want the Golden Crown Python’s corpse. All the truly valuable parts—the flesh, organs, etc.—had already been removed.

What remained was essentially a bare skeleton. To people in the mundane world, it was a gigantic curiosity, rare to behold, but to Neijin cultivators, it held no practical significance.

A fragmented giant serpent carcass was functionally useless to them. “Brother Cheng, what are your thoughts?” Zhang Yang looked up and asked quietly.

They were the first to discover the giant python’s corpse; everyone present that day, save for Wang Chen and that unfamiliar girl, had been involved. Since it was a matter concerning them all, Zhang Yang asked the question.

Long Cheng looked at Zhang Yang and slowly said, “Li Ya, Huang Hai, and the others think we should go back there, find out exactly what happened. Since we discovered the giant python remains first, even if we don’t want them, we can’t just let strangers make a mockery of the situation!” “Exactly!

Now they’re not just making a mockery of it, they’ve lost it! We don't even know who stole it!” Li Ya immediately agreed, nodding emphatically.

He wasn’t interested in the Golden Crown Python's body itself—it was too terrifying, a memory he retained vividly. He was interested in the event, enjoying the thrill of participation in anything interesting.

“Why don’t we go back one more time? It concerns us one way or another; it would be good to know the outcome!” Su Zhantao chimed in as well.

He was another soul who loved excitement and naturally didn't want to miss such a lively affair. However, he wouldn't dare go alone; even going with Li Ya and the others wasn't enough for him.

He knew Zhang Yang's prowess, and only with Zhang Yang present would he feel secure. “A trip might be worthwhile.

If we go, we should go soon.” After a moment, Zhang Yang slowly nodded. Seeing him agree, Li Ya, Wang Chen, and even Wu Zhiguo and Chang Feng broke into smiles.

The truth was, they all wanted to go, but Long Cheng had insisted that if Zhang Yang disagreed, they shouldn't go. Long Cheng understood the intricacies of the matter best; since the Golden Crown Python was killed by Zhang Yang, there was no point in them stirring up trouble if Zhang Yang wasn't involved.

“Alright then. We’ll each go back tonight to prepare, and we’ll set out tomorrow!” Long Cheng finally nodded.

This time, it wasn't a pleasure trip; there wasn't time for extensive preparation. Furthermore, since they weren't hunting, they didn't need to pack much; the sooner they left, the sooner they could return.

Zhang Yang also nodded. Tomorrow was a bit rushed, but he found the whole situation strange and wanted to investigate in person.

He was genuinely puzzled about who would steal the Golden Crown Python's remains and for what possible use. The group discussed matters briefly and then dispersed.

Zhang Yang had intended to treat them to a meal, but abandoned the idea. None of them were in the mood to eat; their minds were already set on the journey back to Wild Man Mountain, especially Wang Chen, who had missed the last excursion and was determined to join this one.

Finally, Zhang Yang learned the identity of the girl: she was Ying Ning, Wu Zhiguo’s girlfriend. She came from a respected family, and Wu Zhiguo, having matured significantly after the previous incident, had settled down, curtailed his playful habits, and accepted a girlfriend introduced by his family.

Second chapter update, more to follow! RS