Chapter 21
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You didn’t come.
So I had no choice but to seek you out.
The words fell into the Daoist’s ears like thunder out of a clear sky, causing his face to gradually lose all its color and his body to tremble slightly. He realized the tone of equality hidden in those words. Not to mention him, a descendant relying on the lingering influence of his elders—even the patriarch from 300 years ago had never managed to establish such a good relationship with the Mountain God!
Damn it… Why is someone like him here…
Without him, I would have succeeded today!
The Daoist was secretly filled with hatred.
Meanwhile, Li Puyu stood frozen, wanting to glance at Qi Wuhuo beside him but afraid it might offend the Mountain God.
I want to look!
But I dare not!
His body froze.
Everyone in the hall felt as though their minds had gone blank, like they were drifting in a dream, with a heavy weight pressing down on the entire room.
Then, the young man’s calm voice broke the silence: “Thank you.”
“I was late… and made you come looking for me.”
Of course, there had been no prior arrangement to drink together. The Mountain God had simply offered it as a casual excuse.
But Qi Wuhuo responded as though it were the truth.
The great tiger roared with laughter.
An invisible wind rose within the room, gently lifting everyone up. Li Yuelin quickly regained his composure and, bowing deeply, said with utmost respect:
“Today, an evildoer sought to harm us, and we are fortunate to have received Mountain God’s protection. Your divine power was truly displayed. I vow that I, a humble follower, will build a temple for your golden statue at the foot of the mountain in your honor, where offerings will be made year after year, without fail.”
The Mountain God said: “No need.”
“I am not one of those so-called deities who rely on your incense offerings.”
“I am as the mountain itself.”
“You do not worship the mountain when you enter it, and that’s how you should treat me.”
With those words, he grabbed Qi Wuhuo by the arm and began to walk out. As he did, his gaze lowered slightly, falling upon the Daoist who was curled up, trying desperately to suppress his breath, feigning death to avoid being noticed. But such efforts were, of course, futile. The Mountain God asked: “What should be done with him?”
Qi Wuhuo noticed the wooden token tied to the Daoist’s belt.
A vague memory from the past stirred within him. After a pause, he said:
“I have some questions I want to ask him.”
The Mountain God nodded and said calmly:
“Then we won’t kill him.”
Five simple words, yet filled with overwhelming murderous intent!
The Daoist’s face turned ashen in an instant.
He wanted to beg for mercy, but before he could utter a word, he heard the roar of a tiger that shook heaven and earth. His very soul seemed to freeze. Though his lineage practiced methods to strengthen the Primordial Spirit, allowing them to resist most spells and influences, it was utterly useless at this moment. His Primordial Spirit was shattered, and his cultivation destroyed.
“He is an evil cultivator who extends his life by stealing the lifespan of the living.”
“He cannot be allowed to remain in this world.”
The Mountain God whispered softly, and the Tiger Dharma Image simply opened its mouth. A fierce wind swept up the Daoist, and as he grew smaller and smaller, he was swallowed whole. The man, transformed from the Mountain God, swept his sleeve, and the Tiger Dharma Image behind him dispersed like the wind. He turned to the crowd and said:
“Now, I will take my guest with me. Apologies for disturbing your gathering.”
Li Yuelin responded with the utmost respect: “It is only right, it is only right.”
Qi Wuhuo cupped his hands and respectfully saluted everyone present.
After walking no more than three or five steps, clouds rose, the wind howled, and they were lifted by a great mass of clouds. In a blink, the view of the world below began to shrink, growing smaller and smaller. Qi Wuhuo glanced back and saw the Li family’s estate diminishing into the distance, until even the town with its ten thousand homes appeared like a painting. On the wide road below, people came and went, hurriedly passing by. This sight reminded Qi Wuhuo of his childhood.
He recalled crouching beneath the large willow tree outside his house, watching ants toil endlessly in the daylight, scurrying back and forth.
Now, thinking back, wasn’t everyone like those ants? Wasn’t he like them as well?
For a brief moment, he felt lost in thought.
They soared through the air, riding the wind. In no time, they arrived at the mountain. The clouds dispersed, and the wind calmed.
Qi Wuhuo recognized the place—this was where the tiger had discussed the Dao before.
But today, the spirit beasts who had once shown their intelligence were gone, replaced by several elderly figures.
At the forefront stood an elder dressed in loose, wealthy attire, his head full of silver hair. He leaned on a staff taller than himself, with kind eyes and a warm smile.
Qi Wuhuo, puzzled, asked: “This is…?”
The Mountain God responded: “Today, I was originally having a casual chat with a few old friends, but then I sensed a surge of evil energy at the Li family estate, so I decided to take a look.”
The Land God of Xunhe Town raised his head in confusion, wondering silently.
Strange, didn’t the mountain god just hear about the place where the evil aura was and immediately rode the wind to rush over there?
How could that possibly be ‘checking it out casually’?
Why not just openly say that he went personally to save someone?
If he had just admitted he was there to rescue and resolve the crisis, wouldn’t it be seen as a great favor?
Why ignore an opportunity to earn such goodwill?
Truly strange and curious.
The Mountain God then addressed the Land Deities, saying: “Today, I wish to introduce a good friend to all of you.”
The tiger pointed to the elder dressed in the most distinguished attire, wearing a wealthy official’s robe, and said: “This is the God of Fortune and Virtue of Xunhe Town, by the name of Tao Chen. He is the Land Deity of the area and was once a cultivator himself. He walks the orthodox path of the Daoist sects and commands the wind and thunder, rivaling the abilities of Daoist True Persons.”
The elderly man stroked his beard and smiled, saying: “I’m just a minor Land Deity, how can I be comparable to the real masters?”
“You flatter me.”
Though his words were humble, as he opened his eyes a glimmer of spiritual light shone within, as he scanned the surroundings.
However, he didn’t see anything that could make this highly cultivated Mountain God value the person being introduced so much, and his curiosity grew.
The Mountain God then pointed to another elder with a broad forehead, dressed in simple brown robes, and said: “This is Shen Hongxue, the Land Deity overseeing the expansive region from Xinda Village to this part of Canglin Mountain. His domain is vast, and within it, whether beasts, demons, or human cultivators, all must offer three sticks of incense in respect. Should any disputes arise, he is the one they seek for arbitration. He is highly respected and deeply virtuous.”
Finally, he gestured toward the only tall elder, with white hair and beard, who resembled a Daoist priest, and said:
“This is Luo Yizhen, the God of Fortune and Virtue of the area near the foot of Canglin Mountain. He was once a cultivator, but when his lifespan was near its end, he chose not to follow the path of ghost immortals or yin spirits. Instead, he chose to merge with the Earth Veins. His methods of managing the Earth Veins are highly advanced and I’ve learned much from him.”
The white-haired elder shook his head and said: “Your skills far surpass mine; there’s no need to humble yourself on my account.”
Finally, the Mountain God turned to the youth in blue robes, Qi Wuhuo, and said:
“And this is the good friend I wanted to introduce to you all.”
The three Gods of Fortune and Virtue Land Deities were all momentarily stunned, exchanging glances with one another.
With their experience and insight, they immediately saw that the youth before them hadn’t even managed to condense Innate Qi, and couldn’t yet claim the title of Daoist Master. At best, he was just a student of the Dao. Upon closer inspection, they realized his natural lifespan didn’t even reach a hundred years—at most, he had a lifespan of about seventy years.
The Mountain God spoke slowly: “This friend’s name is Qi Wuhuo. In matters of the Dao, he possesses deep insight.”
“His cultivation in the methods of the Primordial Spirit is truly exceptional!”
“We all cultivate within these mountains and rivers, and now that we’ve met, it’s good for us to keep in touch.”
The tiger spoke with a solemn tone, showing great care toward the young man. Elder Tao was the first to react, standing up with a smile and cupping his hands in greeting, saying:
“So that’s how it is. This humble old man greets the Daoist Master.”
The other two Land Deities also rose, offering their greetings and addressing him as Daoist Master.
Qi Wuhuo, realizing that the Tiger Mountain God was intentionally introducing him to the local Earth Spirits and Mountain Gods of the area, returned the gesture with a respectful bow.
He addressed them as Gods of Fortune and Virtue in response.
The Tiger Mountain God laughed heartily: “Indeed, indeed! We’re all friends here. From now on, we should visit each other often!”
“Come, come, sit, sit!”
He knew that Qi Wuhuo had met the old man before, but he also understood that such figures, though wise and powerful, rarely stayed in one place for long. At most, they would impart some opportunities but wouldn’t give anything extraordinary. Seeing that Qi Wuhuo lacked strong connections, the Mountain God took it upon himself to introduce Qi Wuhuo to the Land Deities and Mountain Gods of the region, ensuring he was well-acquainted with them. He invited everyone to sit around a round table, taking out a wine jug and pouring drinks. Tao Taigong smiled and said:
[TL_Note: Taigong = Great-Grandfather, a way to respectfully refer to an elder]
“But, what caused such a great surge of malevolent energy in this town?”
The tiger responded: “An evil cultivator who practices the refining Yin lifespan.”
With a sweep of his sleeve, the Daoist was flung onto the ground like a tumbling gourd.
The Daoist, upon landing, tried once more to escape, but as soon as he lifted his head, he froze in place.
Before him were the Earth Spirits and the Mountain Gods of this place, all assembled.
By the stone table, a plum blossom tree was in bloom, and the group of immortals were drinking wine, with the young man prominently among them.
Lowering his gaze, the Daoist looked at the names on his sect’s jade token, lighting up one by one.
A bitter taste filled his mouth. He lifted his foot to flee, but his legs wouldn’t move.
Bitter, how bitter.
What kind of immovable rock have I kicked today…
Staggering slightly, the Daoist cupped his hands and dropped to his knees in a full bow.
A full kowtow.
The tiger casually poured more wine and glanced toward Qi Wuhuo. “Wuhuo, if you have questions, ask away.”
Qi Wuhuo gazed at the Daoist, whose face was now plastered with a fawning smile.
Images from his past flashed through his mind—memories of that tragic time, the suffering of the world, and the banners fluttering above the “vegetable market”. He remembered the man who said that the young should live, walking voluntarily into the market, trading one life for another. Amidst these scenes, only the talismanic symbols resembling writhing lightning serpents remained.
After a long silence, he finally spoke:
“That token on your belt.”
“Where did it come from?”