Chapter 39
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Qi Wuhuo stepped out of the wooden door, his footsteps light and swift, heading toward the back mountain. As he passed along the main road of the town, he heard the distant noise—sounds of moving timber and people bustling about. These sounds had been ongoing for quite some time, at least over a month.
Qi Wuhuo held no particular interest in these matters and didn’t take the initiative to inquire.
And it seemed that those working there also deliberately avoided him as they went about their tasks.
Withdrawing his gaze, Qi Wuhuo couldn’t help but wonder why, in the depths of winter, so close to the New Year, they were rushing to finish their work, but he paid it no further mind. His steps were brisk, and being familiar with the path, he soon arrived at the foot of the mountain. In the past month, several more snowfalls had blanketed the area, and with most people now occupied with preparations for the New Year, few ventured up the mountain, making it particularly quiet.
He made his way to the platform in the mountains, the very place where the Tiger Mountain God once preached the Dao. Now, it was packed to the brim.
There were spirit birds and beasts, with cranes alighting, tigers lying at rest, and a green serpent coiled up.
Tao Taigong sat comfortably on a rock, turning his head to chat leisurely with a graceful woman. Luo Yizhen smiled, his gaze lowered as he watched a scholar playing the qin. Shen Hongxue, small in stature, was the most carefree, sitting cross-legged in the snow with his robe open, chest bare, drinking with his head tilted back. Beneath the pines, a young maiden was playing the qin, while a scholar in blue robes played a transverse flute. At a glance, Qi Wuhuo saw more than twenty figures among the gathered beasts, each one bearing an otherworldly elegance, clearly beyond the realm of the mundane.
This place felt less like a mountain and more like a realm of immortals.
Tao Taigong was laughing as he spoke, but sensing a change in the atmosphere, he paused, turned, and saw the young man. Stroking his beard, he smiled and said:
“Hahaha, the main speaker has arrived.”
The one playing the flute set down his instrument, a refined smile on his face; the young maiden’s hands slowed over her qin, her almond eyes gleaming with a gentle light.
The wind rustled through the pines.
In an instant, everyone grew silent. It was as if a gathering of esteemed sages, each brimming with extraordinary grace, turned their smiling gazes to see the young man in blue robes strolling toward them.
Some of the familiar spirit beasts recognized him and started to approach, but they were held back by two Divine Guardian Generals, who stood solemnly. Only then did they realize that this was not an ordinary gathering.
The two Divine Generals stood upright, clad in armor. Even these visitors, who exuded a refined and transcendent aura, rose to their feet, offering a slight cupped-hand salute. Some smiled faintly, others wore expressions of solemnity, some lifted wine jars with carefree abandon, while others smiled gracefully, each bearing a unique elegance. Yet, they all bowed to the young man in blue robes before them, greeting him with a smile:
“Greetings, Helian Mountain God.”
Even the slightest of sounds, gathered from so many, could stir the heart.
And at this moment, none present were ordinary beings.
An outsider witnessing this might very well find their spirit shaken.
Qi Wuhuo surmised that these must be the mountain gods from the surrounding mountains and rivers, here to see who the new Helian Mountain God was.
He returned the greeting with a slight bow, then, with the manner of a host, extended his right hand in a welcoming gesture, his voice clear and gentle: “Please, everyone.”
Some of the mountain gods looked slightly surprised; they hadn’t expected someone so young to show no signs of hesitation when facing them, which won him a bit of their admiration. It seemed that the successor chosen by that old tiger was not without skill. Their smiles grew warmer, though some mountain gods still had a thoughtful glint in their eyes.
Tao Taigong stroked his beard with a hearty laugh, saying: “Come, come, young friend Wuhuo, join us.”
“These are the mountain gods and earth spirits from within a thousand miles, good friends. Now that you’ve become a mountain god, it’s only natural to be acquainted.”
“I’ll make introductions. This here is the mountain god of Chengdu Mountain, known as Si Niang. She is both beautiful and the most carefree among us. You…”
The elegant woman with a full figure laughed: “What nonsense is this old man saying?”
“Ah, the previous mountain god never liked to take human form, but now we have a fine young man. It’s much more pleasing to the eye.”
“So, you’re called Wuhuo, yes? Come, come, let big sister give you a kiss…”
The two Divine Guardian Generals, their faces stern and beards bristling, stepped forward, saying: “Please, dear guest, do not be disrespectful!”
Though they looked upon Qi Wuhuo with some concern, disappointed that he appeared so young.
They thought he might not be capable of bearing the mantle of a mountain god.
But since he was already the mountain god of this land, it was still their duty to protect him. Being pushed down like this in front of everyone, with someone calling him “little brother”, might seem trivial to ordinary folk, but for a mountain god’s first meeting, this was a show of force—a veiled jab. As the foremost among sixteen mountain gods, how could he be treated as a child in jest?
With that thought, they raised their ceremonial weapons in a crossed stance—not to attack but simply to block her path. However, the graceful beauty simply brushed forward, effortlessly passing the two Divine Generals as if they weren’t even there, reappearing behind them without a moment’s pause.
It was a masterful application of the Earth Deity lineage’s earth-escaping technique.
Her sleeves billowed, fragrant with a faint perfume, as she smiled, reaching out to embrace the young man in blue robes, intending to pull him into her arms.
Soft and fragrant, undeniably beautiful.
But it was all in vain.
The woman froze, momentarily stunned.
The other mountain gods reacted with slight shifts in expression, even pausing mid-drink. They had seen clearly—just as the woman had stepped forward, Qi Wuhuo had taken a single step, and, as casually as she had bypassed the Divine Guardian Generals, he had similarly appeared behind her without a sound, his blue robes fluttering as he moved.
He helped the two Divine Generals to their feet.
Si Niang, taken aback, then laughed heartily: “I didn’t expect that!”
“That big tiger must care deeply for you, Wuhuo, to have taught you such skills.”
Qi Wuhuo shook his head, replying: “We are merely friends who discuss the Dao.”
Si Niang chuckled: “Little brother, you’re lying.”
“This is a technique belonging to mountain gods and earth spirits; without a teacher, no one can use it.”
Qi Wuhuo replied: “If you say it was taught, then yes, someone indeed taught me.”
Si Niang’s eyes gleamed as she glanced over at Tao Taigong: “So, it was Old Master Tao?”
The old master shook his head in confusion.
Si Niang laughed and asked: “If not you, then who?”
Qi Wuhuo shook his head, his voice calm as he said:
“Haven’t you already taught me just now?”
Si Niang was taken aback, then broke into a dazzling smile: “You really know how to make connections, little brother. When did big sister ever…”
Her smile suddenly faded, and a faint stillness spread among the mountain gods, their breaths catching slightly.
Just now?!!
For a moment, the woman who was as beautiful as a flower seemed at a loss for words. In her moment of distraction, her vibrant allure softened. She gazed at the young man who had yet to tie up his hair, taking a slight breath, as though she couldn’t believe it: “You just saw it once…”
Qi Wuhuo replied: “Once is enough.”
He thought for a moment, then continued openly: “The way of the Earth Deities is Dao; the power of ground evasion, technique.”
“Dao is difficult; technique is simple.”
“Once the Dao is understood, then techniques should be like fruit on the branches, ready to be plucked at a mere reach.”
This was what the elder had told him on his first day.
Tao Taigong sighed deeply.
The Taishang lineage values character above all, followed by understanding.
But this was simply too humbling.
Qi Wuhuo had once experienced the dream of a yellow millet; he could see clearly now.
Many of the mountain gods still held reservations and a spirit of challenge toward him.
He recalled how, when he met his good friend with Tantai Xuan, he had mentioned that he was the chief mountain god among the sixteen peaks in the vicinity. Given this, their initial defiance seemed natural. Yet…
[Don’t lose your reputation]
He looked at the graceful, beautiful woman, lowering his gaze as he raised his hand in a courteous gesture:
“Mountain God of Chengdu, please take your seat.”
The woman sighed, seeing the clear, calm gaze of the young man before her. She returned his salute, setting aside her earlier playful and teasing demeanor, and spoke solemnly:
“Helian Mountain God, I was rude under the influence of wine just now. Please don’t hold it against me.”
“No harm done.”
The young man in blue walked forward, his hair swaying slightly.
He used the same refined technique the woman had displayed.
With each step, there was initially a hint of roughness, his movements not yet entirely smooth, but by the final step, he moved as lightly as the wind, as naturally as the clouds.
This was, after all, his mountain, where he had achieved a state of innate unity with the Primordial Qi.
In just three steps, he had reached the place where the Tiger Mountain God once lay.
And during those three steps, the expressions of the other mountain gods shifted, moving from mere polite attentiveness to growing respect. By the time he reached his place, even the one who had been reclining with his wine had sat up, adjusted his robes, and seated himself with a composed demeanor.
Qi Wuhuo stood still.
Was he truly going to expound the Dao before all these Mountain Gods and Earth Deities?
The young man in blue took a steadying breath.
He calmed his expression, adopting the same serene and composed look he had seen on the elder back at home.
He removed the sword case from his back, setting it down beside him.
The sword hummed.
He turned, the hem of his robe fluttering.
The young man in blue placed one hand on the black iron sword case and the other behind his back. His black hair and dark eyes, exuding a pure and tranquil aura, gazed upon the assembled mountain gods with an indescribable calm and ease. Then he spoke:
“Today, I shall preach the Dao.”
“Everyone please—listen carefully.”
