Chapter 66

In the midst of the Western Mountains,

At this moment, the yin and yang energies were interacting, making the icy spring water even more refreshing, adding a few more flavors.

A few scholars were walking together, each with an extraordinary demeanor, clearly all having achieved some level of scholarly success. One of them, dressed in green, looked at the sky and said, "Fellow classmates, I wonder how much longer it will take to reach Yan Peak?"

"Liu, there's no need to guess. Look at the highest peak in the northwest, standing out uniquely; that's Yan Peak," said Zhao Chang, pointing to Yan Peak in response to Liu Du's question.

Liu Du looked in the direction indicated and saw that Yan Peak was lush and green all year round, very beautiful.

After admiring it, he complained, "This distance looks close, but it's actually very far. When will we reach the top with our pace?"

Zhao Chang laughed, "The first half of the journey is all paved with stone steps! Even if the second half is difficult, there are inns at the waist of the mountain where we can rest. They serve excellent food and drink. After eating and sleeping, we'll have the strength to continue tomorrow."

Liu Du's eyes lit up at this, and he started up the mountain path, causing the others to laugh.

However, these scholars, mostly having a foundation in Daoist practices, though not necessarily accomplished, had significantly increased physical strength. A tall and broad scholar followed with large strides, "If that's the case, I'll follow too!"

The noise echoed far along the mountain path, startling the birds in the forest and stirring a competitive spirit among the group, who all went up together.

Zhao Chang and Jin Ququan's small group waited on a hillside for Ye Qing, laughing loudly, "Are you afraid?"

Ye Qing laughed, feeling a bit dazed, recalling a line, "In the prime of our youth, we scholars are full of vigor and passion!"

"Coming!" he responded loudly, stepping up the stairs, but his eyes were fixed on the tall and broad scholar in front, with a glint of determination.

This scholar was Li Huaji, currently a child scholar, from a not-so-good family background, but with a straightforward personality, and he was the main character in this night visit to the mountain god.

This time, Ye Qing had foreknowledge and arrived ten days early. With his scholarly talent, he quickly integrated into this small group of scholars.

Now, he was about to encounter this opportunity.

The spring scenery in the mountains was lush and dense, and occasionally, mountain streams formed small waterfalls, while the pines and cypresses remained evergreen.

The scholars walked and stopped, observing the mountain scenery. Jin Ququan, a local, led the way and said, "Fellow classmates, this tavern has been run by generations. Although the mountain villagers are limited, it has a unique charm. The peach blossom wine here is a local specialty. It's said that drinking three jars can make you see peach blossoms all over the mountain."

The scholars all smiled at this enthusiastic introduction. Ye Qing laughed and asked, "Those peach blossoms are probably seen in dreams, right?"

Jin Ququan was taken aback and felt a bit embarrassed. He had drunk peach blossom wine but never three jars. Now that someone was doubting it, he couldn't argue, so he said, "I'm ashamed to spread something unverified. I apologize to Brother Ye!"

Ye Qing waved his hand, "No problem, no problem. Who has such a large capacity? Why don't we try it this time? Uh, let me say in advance, I'm not good at drinking..."

The surrounding scholars laughed, "Excuses! You should be punished!"

As the day gradually turned to dusk, everyone felt a bit tired. However, the mountain path gradually widened, and they reached a flat area. A tavern was shrouded in mist, with a pole in front, a large flag fluttering in the wind, inscribed with the words "Tavern." The tavern was mostly built with thatch, simple in the mountain wilderness.

"Here we are, this is the place," Jin Ququan clapped his hands and pointed.

Actually, they all knew they had arrived without him saying so. They all sighed in relief. Although they had Daoist practices, they were still scholars, and the mountain journey had made them tired, so they all went inside.

Ye Qing, however, observed carefully. After feeling the atmosphere of the tavern and the houses behind, he confirmed that there were indeed human lives, not ghosts or monsters, and he felt relieved.

In the mountain wilderness, it's always better to be cautious.

The scholars sat down, and a waiter came to serve them, "What would the gentlemen like? Our mountain tavern doesn't have much to offer, but please bear with us. However, our peach blossom wine is a specialty, capable of intoxicating three immortals. Drinking three jars can make you see peach blossoms all over the mountain. In the past, our peach blossom wine was even considered for tribute."

"You waiters are quite talkative. Bring everything you have, and start with three jars of wine. Let's see if there are really peach blossoms all over the mountain," Li Huaji said loudly, eager and generous.

Ye Qing was moved by this, thinking that this person's character was indeed different, which was why he would do such a thing.

"Brother Li, I know you are always generous, but do you really want to drink three jars? Don't get drunk and make us carry you to Yan Peak," a familiar scholar teased.

Li Huaji, tall and broad, always generous, laughed, "Not drinking here would be a waste. If I get drunk, I'll sleep in the tavern. You don't need to worry about me."

Soon, the waiter brought a few pounds of cooked beef, a chicken, some vegetables, and several jars of peach blossom wine, placing them on the table for the scholars to enjoy, then left.

The scholars ate and drank, pouring bowl after bowl of peach blossom wine. The aroma filled the air, invigorating their spirits, and they all praised, "Indeed, it's excellent wine."

Li Huaji took a sip but said nothing, only to get up and ask for another jar, saying, "These bowls are too small, not satisfying!"

He then switched to a larger bowl, poured it, and drank it in one go, finishing half a bowl in an instant. Everyone was impressed.

"Long have I heard of Brother Li's generosity. Today, I see it for myself," Zhao Chang said, surprised, "In terms of drinking capacity, you are our first."

"Time flies, drinking good wine, it's not in vain to live," Li Huaji said, laughing, and drank several more bowls, quickly showing signs of intoxication.

The scholars present were all impressed, and someone, unwilling to be outdone, said, "Brother Li, I've heard of your reputation. Today, I see it's true. However, I've heard that not far from Yan Peak is a mountain god temple. If you can invite the mountain god here to drink, we'll raise money for a feast and let you drink to your heart's content. What do you say?"

At this moment, Ye Qing knew the time had come and said, "Yan Peak is Yan Peak, but this place, though part of it, is called Shao Yan Mountain. How can the mountain god of Yan Peak come to Shao Yan Mountain? Don't make such a fuss and offend the spirits."

Yan Peak and Shao Yan Mountain were originally one, but in the previous dynasty, they were divided into two. Ye Qing had thought carefully about why a single "night visit to the mountain god" could gain the favor of the mountain god, giving Li Huaji the good fortune to pass the scholar and imperial examinations.

He had checked the county records before coming, learned about the division of the territory in the previous dynasty, and combined it with Li Huaji's tragic death and the subsequent persecution of his family, which made him understand a few things, so he said this.

Li Huaji was drinking on his own, but upon hearing this, he put down his large bowl, his eyes shining, and was about to respond. However, he was taken aback by Ye Qing's words.

The person who was originally unwilling, now with a turn of his eyes, said, "What's the problem? Yan Peak and Shao Yan Mountain are originally one, and the mountain god is the same. There's no territorial division. If Brother Li can really invite the mountain god, we'll all show respect, and it won't be disrespectful. We'll take the responsibility!"

With these words, Ye Qing's purpose was achieved, and he remained silent. Li Huaji looked at his classmates, "Oh? Is that what you all think?"

The scholars, happy to agree, nodded, "Of course, if Brother Li can invite the mountain god, we'll raise money for a feast. If the mountain god is offended, we'll take the responsibility!"

They were just joking and didn't think Li Huaji would really agree. However, as soon as they finished speaking, Li Huaji suddenly stood up, laughed loudly, and went out, "Wait here. I'll invite the mountain god back and drink with you. Don't forget the feast!"

Li Huaji disappeared in an instant, leaving the others stunned, looking at each other.

"Yan Peak is often covered in snow, which never melts. A mountain god resides there. One day, a group of scholars came to stay at a tavern. Soon after, there was a landslide..."

The tragic scene from his previous life flowed through his mind, vividly presented before him.

Clearing the fog, he saw the dozen or so scholars, each with a dark aura, some even with bloodstains. Ye Qing made up his mind and said, "I see Brother Zhao ran away after drinking half a jar. That's not right. I'll bring the wine and catch up with him, making him drink three jars to see the peach blossoms!"

Jin Ququan realized, "I almost let him slip away!"

"Brother Ye, go quickly!" the others urged.

Ye Qing laughed and went out, leaving the tavern and following the mountain path. He soon saw a corner of a golden eave among the green trees on a nearby hill.

In no time, he reached the mountain god temple. The temple, with several halls, was clean and neat, gilded and splendid, clearly with many believers.

Ye Qing nodded inwardly, pushed the main hall door, and his expression changed.

Inside the hall, Li Huaji was bending over, his shoulder muscles bulging, grunting as he tried to lift the mountain god statue from its base. However, he was drunk and not using his strength well, failing to lift it.

"Brother Zhao, what are you doing?" Even though Ye Qing had expected it, he was still speechless.

"Ah, Brother Ye, you came just in time!" Li Huaji looked up, surprised and delighted, "Come, come, come, help me lift it down!"

Ye Qing's face turned as black as a pot bottom, "This is a gilded clay statue, weighing over a hundred pounds! Even if we can carry it back, we'll be lying down!"

Li Huaji was startled, tried to lift the statue again, stumbled, and almost fell, then said with a bitter face, "It's very heavy, but a man of honor must keep his word. I must carry it back."

Ye Qing was speechless, laughing bitterly, "Bad choice of friends, I'm unlucky. Let's do it together!"

The two men worked together to lift the statue and carried it step by step out. When they reached a boundary not far away, Ye Qing felt a chill.

"One, two, three, we've crossed!" As he thought this, a闷雷 (thunder) suddenly rumbled in the gradually darkening sky, and the mountain seemed to shake.