10 She and the white dog?

"Can you grant me a child, Lord Mountain God?"
"Can you grant me a child?"
"A child?"
Damn it!

Hua Mi never imagined in her entire life that she would end up as a goddess of fertility. Is it absurd? It is truly absurd. Her beautiful face twisted instantly, like an oil painting splashed with water, a chaotic mess of colors. She was a dignified, pure maiden snake; how could she grant a child? Even if she had the heart, she lacked the equipment. Oh, wait—she didn't even have the heart for it. Being human is hard, but being a snake is even harder.

Looking up, through a layer of misty vapor, she met the expectant eyes of the woman across from her. They were so sincere that Hua Mi felt even more depressed. The woman was just like someone praying to a deity, seeking a child without a shred of malice. But was she supposed to explain sperm, eggs, and zygotes to a married woman from ancient times?

*Hiss*—Hua Mi gasped. She didn't think she could do it; it was too much of a challenge for a snake's composure. She flicked her tail in restless agitation.

Silence fell. The rising steam swirled, blurring the faces of the women. The hot spring was warm, but it couldn't warm Hua Mi’s chilled heart.

"...That is outside my capabilities." Not knowing what else to do, Hua Mi choked on her words and spoke with difficulty.

The expectant human woman visibly withered, and Cai, who had asked the question, burst into tears.

Hua Mi: ???
Don't cry! Bestowing blessings is fine, but granting a child is way too difficult for a snake!

However, Hua Mi knew very well that in this era, children were vital "wealth." In a time filled with war, population resources were equivalent to the hope of survival—a truth that applied to both demons and humans. Seeking blessings from gods for love, children, or wealth was a common custom; even in the enlightened modern society, many couples who couldn't conceive would go and pray.

Thinking of this, Hua Mi suddenly realized something. Wait—could her refusal make Cai think she would never have a child? Being revered as a Mountain God meant being trusted by the believers, and for the first time, Hua Mi felt the weight of her status. The more she thought about it, the more plausible it seemed, and she widened her eyes in shock.

Hua Mi made a split-second decision: "Um, it’s not that I won't grant you a child, it’s just that I... er..." Thinking from the perspective of an ancient person, she wracked her brains. "Well, because I don't have children either, I can't grant that blessing, but you will definitely have one." In short, it didn't mean you wouldn't have children in the future!

She looked at the other woman with sincerity, though she was screaming internally. Hua Mi never thought anyone would ask her for a child, and honestly, she wasn't very good at comforting people.

Cai’s sobbing did indeed quiet down, and she asked timidly, "Then will I have a child?"

How would Hua Mi know? But she certainly couldn't tell the truth, so she nodded firmly: "You will!"

After saying that, seeing the woman’s happy expression, she felt restless. She felt she should leave; if she didn't, she feared she wouldn't be able to hold it together. Before she could sneak away, she heard a cheerful voice nearby: "Lord Hua Mi—"

Hua jumped into the hot spring. Fortunately, the spring was large enough that the water didn't splash everywhere. Seeing a demon she knew, Hua Mi relaxed a little. Hua happily crowded over to Hua Mi, greeted the others one by one, and finally, seeing the tears on Cai’s face, asked in confusion, "Sister Cai, what's wrong?"

Hua Mi looked at her nose, her mouth, and her heart, flicking her little tail and pretending she didn't exist. Clearly, half-demons inherited the straightforward nature of demons. Seeing the tears on Cai's face, Hua realized, "Is it because you don't have a baby yet?"

"Wuwuwu—" Cai, just comforted, was poked in her sore spot and cried even harder.

Hearing her cry so sadly, Hua Mi felt restless. It was like an instinct carved into her blood—a sense of unease and soft-heartedness that welled up from her heart, making her feel sour and stifled too. This feeling made her very uncomfortable.

After weighing her options, Hua Mi felt she could try a little. She spoke with difficulty, "Actually, there are many reasons for not having a child..."

Cai stopped sobbing instantly and looked over with full expectation. Hua Mi racked her brains. Come to think of it, there shouldn't be reproductive isolation between demons and humans, otherwise, how did these half-demons appear?

"How long have you and Wolf been married?" Hua Mi asked.

Hearing that the Mountain God was willing to help, Cai grew expectant again. She wanted a child so much. "It's, it's been half a year."

Hua Mi swallowed hard, telling herself that as long as she wasn't embarrassed, then... well, it wouldn't be Cai who was embarrassed either. The villagers were tough, no less so than demons.

Maintaining a blank, fake composure, Hua Mi asked elegantly, "How many times a week do you consummate your marriage?"

"Consummate?" Cai looked confused.

"Um... that thing necessary for making a child." Hua Mi hinted, her snake tail twisting into a knot from embarrassment. Cai didn't understand, but the other two village women caught on instantly.

"It means, does your man have [intercourse] with you?" The words were too crude; Hua Mi’s heart skipped a beat, and her ears automatically blocked them out. The word "intercourse"—sometimes it was really subtle! Great vulgarity is the ultimate elegance.

Cai froze, her expression blank, hesitant to speak: "It... it can't go in..." She lowered her head until it almost touched the water, moving her lips: "It just... it hurts a lot."

"So... that's why..."

Good grief, they hadn't even consummated the marriage!

Having reached enlightenment, Hua Mi silently looked down at Hua. The little one wasn't interested in the village women's talk; she was cradling the snake tail, holding green soap locust, her eyes bright: "Lord Hua Mi, shall I wash your tail for you?"

"...Alright."

Obediently hugging her big tail, Hua Mi didn't want to listen, but the hot spring was only so big, and the others didn't hold back their voices. Talk of "the old ox grinding," "the woman on top"...

So wild. Truly, this was an ancient era with open customs. Some knowledge drifted into the snake's brain in such a lewd way. Hua Mi felt a bit overwhelmed. She felt that as a veteran netizen with over a decade of experience, she couldn't compete with these ancients who had no other hobbies at night and focused entirely on baby-making.

Specialization really matters. So that's how it's done—

Focusing on learning new knowledge, Hua Mi had a sudden realization. Half-demons were different from humans, and she couldn't help but lean in a little closer. Once people start talking about "spicy" topics, one is inevitably drawn in.

Seeing Hua Mi lean over, the women weren't shy and continued to tutor Cai intently.

"But it's too big—" Cai was shy, covering her face, stammering: "We, we tried."

"Just eat more of it," the elder sister said, living up to her status, dropping a bombshell.

If the situation hadn't been so delicate, Hua Mi would have nearly slapped the water with her tail. As her tail moved, the group discussing the techniques looked over. Hua Mi feigned calm, flicked her tail twice, and acted indifferent: "My tail cramped, don't mind me."

Everyone looked at the cold, composed Lord Hua Mi, then at the snake tail stirring under the water, believed it easily, and turned back to teach Cai new knowledge points.

"Half-demons have more stamina than humans. You can wear him out a few times first," the elder sister named Chao said, focusing on her instruction. Her husband was a half-demon too—a bull demon. She spoke with focus on how to set up the preliminary work, how to move, and how to breathe.

Is this the "boldness" of adults!?

Hua Mi realized instantly. It was over; her brain was no longer clean.

"How, how—" Cai’s face was red as blood, shy yet urgently curious: "How to... eat it?"

The elder sister flicked her handkerchief, "Use your..."

Hua Mi made a split-second decision and covered Hua’s ears. It was enough for an adult snake like her to hear such dirty words; spare the child.

Everyone seemed to be engaged in a serious technical exchange, from which position was more pleasurable to which movement lasted longer. Hua Mi felt numb all over, her tail turning limp. If her tail could change color, she would definitely have turned it into a cute pink shade by now.

Learned it, learned it. Truly, one is never too old to learn.

With her ears covered, Hua couldn't proceed with the grand project of washing the tail. She looked up gloomily at Lord Hua Mi, hesitating to speak. Seeing the shock on Hua Mi's face, yet also a hint of secret expectation, she whispered: "Lord Hua Mi."

Hua Mi, who was listening to various "tactics," looked at her during a break.

"Actually, I'm already old enough to have children," Hua said seriously.

Hua Mi looked down at her with a blank face, continuing to cover her ears: "...You are still a child." So was she.

Hearing Lord Hua Mi say this, Hua was actually quite happy. She diligently washed the snake tail and whispered, "Lord Hua Mi must be missing Lord Sesshomaru and hoping he wakes up soon."

Hua Mi: What does this have to do with Sesshomaru?

Everyone in the village knew the Mountain God had a man who remained in a coma. Cai immediately comforted her: "Lord Hua Mi will surely have her own little baby too."

Hua Mi: Her? No, no, no. She was still a child, and besides, what kind of demon could she and Sesshomaru produce?

In short, the thrilling hot spring activity that had shaken the snake to her core came to a "successful" conclusion.