The sky darkened, and I quickened my pace.

The lights were on in the house, and shouts continued. Dad was drinking with his friends from the village.

"You guys don't know. That woman is very obedient. When I told her to go, she didn't say a word and just went."

I heard Mom's name.

Someone laughed and echoed, "The Snake Emperor probably hasn't appeared in thirty years. It's all thanks to your abilities. Don't forget us when you succeed."

Dad proudly responded, "Naturally. I followed that method completely. I will definitely succeed in cultivation."

A deep voice flattered and insinuated, "Hey, tell us, how exactly is this method? How did you know about it after it was lost for so long?"

I listened silently, my eyes flickering.

Dad was obviously a bit drunk. "I heard it from the previous generation. As long as the woman in our own family is carrying a male fetus, you can cut open her belly on the night before giving birth, drink a bowl of the fetal blood yourself, and reverse the fortune. If the woman willingly spends the night with the strongest snake raised during the season of its highest sexual arousal, she can give birth to the Snake Emperor."

The men gasped, amazed. "So that's how it is. The rumors didn't mention drinking blood."

"No wonder all the previous attempts failed."

So they had tried so many times before. How much suffering had Mom endured?

I pressed my nails into my skin, but I couldn't feel any pain.

I trembled, while those men continued their lively discussion.

A man poked Dad's shoulder, teasing in his words, "Snakes have two things, don't they? Your woman actually lasted through it all. You've indeed trained her well. I bet she's impressive normally too."

"That woman is promiscuous in everyday life."

I couldn't listen any longer and rushed into the room.

Tears blurred my vision, and all I saw were my mother's gentle eyes.

Since I can remember, that man would always beat people senselessly when drunk.

Every time, Mom would tightly protect me in her arms, but she always had scars on her body.

Because I was a girl and not valued, he wouldn't feed me, and Mom would give me her own portion.

So many nights we embraced each other and wept, sharing the injustice of our fates.

She always told me to study hard, that education was my only way out, but I never took it seriously and found her nagging.

But she sacrificed her life for it.

She was the only sense of family I had.

But now, everything has been shattered.

I thought the reality wouldn't be too good, but I didn't expect it to be so tragic.

That man, he doesn't deserve to be called a human, a father, or a husband.

I've endured and pretended for so many years. Since it's come to this, don't blame me.