The bamboo forest rustled beneath the moon, accompanied by the shuffling footsteps of the crowd.
Lin Jue walked at the very front, though he truly had no other choice.
Ever since these people caught up to him, they simply refused to walk ahead. Whenever Lin Jue slowed his pace, they hurriedly slowed down as well. Even when the poor visibility of the night caused them to jostle against one another, they still refused to take the lead.
At the same time, Lin Jue could feel many of them secretly sizing him up.
Some would look him over and then exchange glances with their companions.
The rest who weren't secretly observing him were the ones frequently stumbling as they walked. They likely rarely found themselves traveling at night and thus didn't regularly drink herbal remedies like pine needle tea, leaving them suffering from night blindness.
"Little... Immortal Master..."
Finally, someone couldn't hold back any longer. Breaking the heavy silence, they asked Lin Jue, "Was that a monster just now?"
"Hmm?" Hearing the voice, Lin Jue breathed a sigh of relief. "It was the same monster that often comes out to scare people on this road," he replied.
"..."
The crowd immediately exchanged nervous glances.
Those who couldn't see held their breath, peering around in confusion.
"May I ask, Immortal Master... what is your lineage?" a man dressed as a merchant asked, cupping his hands.
"I have no lineage." Lin Jue glanced around. Even with their large numbers, he worried the monster might still be lingering, or that other demons were watching from the shadows. He wanted to correct these traveling merchants about the title they used for him, feeling unworthy of it, but he swallowed the urge. "Everyone, let us stop talking and focus on the road," he said instead.
Hearing this, the crowd didn't dare say another word.
The atmosphere grew heavy once more.
Left with no choice, Lin Jue added, "You don't need to be afraid. With so many of us, even if a demon or ghost were sleeping on the road, they would have to get up and make way."
The tension eased slightly.
Lin Jue picked up his pace, taking large strides forward.
The crowd hurriedly followed.
With the faster pace, everyone naturally focused more on their footing. Coupled with the occasional stumble and reminders to "be careful," their fear dwindled further.
This stretch of the journey passed without incident.
Lin Jue fell into thought as he walked.
'Mount Yi...'
He finally remembered the mountain and realized why the name sounded so familiar—
In the legends of Shu Village, San Gu had gone out to play and secretly picked Immortal Peaches on an immortal mountain. After returning and eating them, she first turned into a fish and then into a mountain. The mountain where San Gu had picked those Immortal Peaches was called Mount Yi.
Since San Gu was real, what about the legend?
If the legend of San Gu was also true, then this Mount Yi was truly a rare immortal mountain.
Reaching this point in his thoughts, Lin Jue couldn't help but ask, "Gentlemen, have you ever heard of an immortal mountain nearby called Mount Yi?"
"Mount Yi? Which Yi?"
"Never heard of it."
"We ordinary mortals..."
"I think I've heard of it..."
"I haven't... have you?"
"Mount Yi, huh..."
A flurry of disorganized voices arose. Only two phrases seemed somewhat useful, but they were spoken very quietly out of uncertainty.
Fortunately, the night was quiet save for their footsteps, allowing Lin Jue to catch even the faintest sounds.
"Vaguely."
"I think I've heard of it."
The two men spoke up as they walked.
Their voices came from front and back, one near and one far.
"Could you elaborate?"
"I heard it's a famous mountain," the man walking closer to the front answered. "There are Daoists and immortals on it. A lot of immortal tales from our area originate from there."
"Isn't Mount Yi the mountain where the Red Emperor practiced Alchemy?" the man further back said, stumbling along. He could be seen leaning on another person's shoulder, his eyes unfocused and vacant.
"The Red Emperor's Alchemy? Are there any other legends?"
"I can't remember clearly."
"No."
"Do you know the way to Mount Yi?"
"I don't remember clearly, but it shouldn't be too far," the man in the front said.
"Mount Yi is very remote, and the roads are treacherous. Since ancient times, people seeking immortals, inquiring about the Dao, or burning incense to worship the gods have all gone to Qiyun Mountain... ouch... nobody goes to Mount Yi," the man in the back said, nearly tripping halfway through. Someone else stepped into a puddle, splashing water everywhere. "I only know the general direction. If the Immortal Master wishes to go, you might just have to ask around as you travel."
"Which way is it?"
"After passing Dangu County, head toward Qiyun Mountain first. Walk two hundred li, then head south. There are no official roads over there, only small paths taken by the mountain Daoists and locals."
"Thank you."
At this point, the road ahead noticeably widened. By the moonlight, the silhouette of a temple could faintly be seen in the distance.
Perhaps knowing that people had been delayed by the mountain rain and were traveling at night, the temple monks had lit a lantern at the entrance to welcome and guide them. It was the only point of light on this mountain road.
"We're here!"
"We made it..."
"Immortal Master! We've arrived!"
The crowd immediately grew excited.
Those who couldn't see in the dark hurriedly asked the people next to them where they were and how much further they had to go.
"Phew..."
Lin Jue breathed another sigh of relief.
Only then did he speak up with a stern tone. "I am no Immortal Master, nor do I have any cultivation. I was merely lucky enough to intimidate and scare off that monster on the road. I was worried there might be demons eavesdropping along the way, which is why I didn't correct your title for me. From now on, you must not call me Immortal Master anymore!"
"Ah?"
The crowd was shocked and bewildered.
Lin Jue repeatedly warned them before stepping forward and heading toward the temple.
Only then did these merchants and travelers find their courage. Someone took the initiative to step up and gently knock on the door. Soon, a monk holding a lantern came to open it.
"Benefactors, are you here to seek lodging?"
"Indeed."
"Are there others behind you?"
"Perhaps."
"Please, come in quickly," the monk said as he ushered them inside. "Because of the rain this afternoon, we have an exceptionally large number of people staying the night—far more than usual. We don't have nearly enough rooms."
"We'll just squeeze in! When traveling away from home, why care so much about such things? Young gentleman, please go first!"
Even though Lin Jue had already declared he was no Immortal Master and lacked cultivation, these merchants still deeply admired his actions. Having been led by him for a stretch of the road, they continued to treat him with exceptional respect.
"You're too polite."
As he walked, he observed the temple and the monks.
The monk was a very ordinary middle-aged man, neither tall nor stout, wearing robes made of plain fabric. The temple itself wasn't very large either, with its tiled walls and decorations looking somewhat old. By this time, it was already filled with many travelers seeking shelter. Despite the late hour, the monks had actually gotten up to cook congee for everyone. Many of the earlier arrivals were sitting or standing in the courtyard, at room entrances, or under the eaves, cradling coarse earthen bowls and carefully sipping the hot congee.
This scene was deeply reassuring.
Lin Jue caught the aroma of the congee.
The slurping sounds made his mouth water.
On the way here, he had asked the travelers and learned that this seemed to be just an ordinary temple. Because it was built along the road and took in travelers for the night, it carried a slightly stronger scent of Copper Coins than most temples—acting as both a monastery and an inn. He hadn't heard any rumors about "accomplished high monks" residing here, nor had he heard of any monk here knowing magic.
"Grumble..."
Lin Jue's stomach began to growl.
Right as they reached the middle of the temple courtyard, Lin Jue glanced back at the mule he was leading, a trace of reluctance in his eyes.
Mules truly perfectly inherited the strengths of both horses and donkeys. They were hardy and durable like donkeys, yet possessed a carrying capacity close to that of horses. Walking with his scholar's book chest on his back was incredibly slow; if he had a mule like this to help him, the journey would be unimaginably easier.
Perhaps he wouldn't have even had to travel through the night today.
He likely would have arrived before the rain even started.
"Sigh..."
Lin Jue sighed. Then, stopping his steps, he cast aside his hesitation, raised his head, and shouted, "Who lost a mule on the road tonight?"
The night was already quiet, so his voice carried far.
As soon as his words fell, the entire temple fell silent.
What? Someone lost a mule on the road?
The price of a mule was not cheap.
Some good mules could even sell for more than a draft horse.
Many gazes swept over.
But while they were still processing the question, someone had already stumbled out of a room.
Tripping over the doorframe, he crawled several paces forward.
The guiding monk had been slightly dazed at first, but once he roughly figured out what had happened, he glanced back at Lin Jue before raising his lantern forward to light the man's way.
The person who came over was a middle-aged man.
He was short and sported a three-strand beard.
It was none other than Yao San.
His expression at this moment was somewhat similar to before—at least in terms of fear. But aside from the lingering terror, his face was also mixed with a complex array of emotions: regret, heartache, and self-blame. When he saw the mule, he became incredibly agitated.
"Mine! I lost a mule!"
"..."
Lin Jue had originally intended to ask how he lost it, but seeing that face and that expression, he was left speechless. He simply handed the reins over.
"I found it on the road. Here you go."
"This..."
"Congratulations, Benefactor, on recovering what was lost. Now you'll finally have an appetite. Hurry and lead the mule to the stables in the back," the monk urged with a smiling face while holding up his lantern. Then he turned back to look at Lin Jue. Unconsciously, his demeanor had grown even more respectful than before. "For a Benefactor of such a young age to possess such moral character is truly admirable."
"I am unworthy of such praise; it was only the right thing to do."
"Benefactor shall be our temple's honored guest."
"I wouldn't dare."
"You are far too polite." The monk made an inviting gesture. "Please, Benefactors, continue following me. Knowing that you all have suffered on the night road, our temple has specially prepared plain congee to fill your stomachs."
The crowd hurriedly headed inside. Most were in their thirties or forties, yet just like on the road, they continued to chatter amongst themselves while insisting that Lin Jue take the lead.