Chapter 67

As the divine statue of the mountain god arrived at the tavern, it was only a mile’s journey, yet both were drenched in sweat from the effort.

"Brother Ye, I was the one who suggested this, so I should carry it from here on." Li Huaji said at this moment.

Ye Qing was taken aback, then let go, smiling on the surface but inwardly pondering. Just as a thunderclap sounded, a mass of greenish-yellow mist slowly rose above the divine statue, gathering into a dense cloud.

The rumbling of thunder had just faded when a thin layer of gray mist began to spread, even containing a faint trace of pale purple.

The ability to see with the Heavenly Eye was a Daoist practice exclusive to scholars, and Ye Qing, having been reborn three times, possessed it. Seeing that Li Huaji was unaware, still drunk, he inwardly sighed.

"Ahh—" A loud scream came from the doorway.

Jin Ququan stood up, eyes wide, pointing at the divine statue: "This is the god of Yan Mountain, who has received offerings from successive dynasties. You were joking, but you actually moved the mountain god?"

"This is a sin. Even if the court does not punish us, if the mountain god punishes us, we will be in grave trouble!"

Everyone looked at each other, sobering up from their drunkenness, and only then realized that this act violated the imperial laws and divine prohibitions, which could harm their prospects.

Their spirits dampened, and they glanced at the golden divine statue, which exuded a heavy and solemn aura, causing sweat to bead on their foreheads. One of the scholars said, "Brother Zhao, since you invited the mountain god from the temple, it is your duty to entertain him. I will take my leave first."

With that, he hurriedly left the table.

"Leaving, leaving!" Seeing someone take the lead, the other scholars all chimed in, ignoring the deepening night, and ran down the mountain path, faster than rabbits.

The tavern owner and his assistants trembled and immediately knelt down.

This was a world where ghosts and gods were manifest. Offending a deity was a major taboo in the countryside. If it were ordinary people, they would be punished by the village's private justice to avoid bringing disaster to the village.

But they dared not offend the scholars and could only kneel.

"A true man stands by his actions. I was the mastermind, and if the gods wish to punish, let them come to me!" Li Huaji, who had just regained some clarity, looked at the retreating figures and said, "I’ve misjudged these people. They talk grandly at banquets, each with the courage of a swordsman and the heart of a musician, but in a critical moment, they are cowards!"

He then asked, "Why didn’t you leave, Brother Ye?"

Ye Qing waited for Li Huaji to finish speaking and then said calmly, "I was also a bit drunk and didn’t persuade you. How could I abandon you now?"

This involved many people, and in his previous life, the county government did not punish a large number of noble descendants for such a minor offense. Besides, in everyone's eyes, he was just an observer. Why should he flee?

Moreover, could they really escape?

The gray mist had been hesitant, but seeing a large group flee, it immediately split, with most of it chasing after them. The remaining half, most of which entangled Li Huaji, and a smaller portion entangled Ye Qing. As the gray mist descended, it mixed with the originally red mist, creating a chaotic blend.

"Haha, how fortunate to have a true friend in life!" Li Huaji, unaware, laughed loudly, genuinely joyful. He then turned to the divine statue, bowed solemnly, and placed a jar of wine at its feet: "My original intention was to invite the revered god to drink with us. How could a minor disturbance cancel our banquet?"

"That’s right. There’s no incense here, so let’s offer wine instead!" Ye Qing came over, sprinkled a bowl of wine, and bowed. At this point, he could not abandon the situation.

As they offered the wine, a mist suddenly appeared. Strangely, as the mist emerged, the world changed. The same tavern remained, but everyone else was gone, leaving only Li Huaji, Ye Qing, and a dazed assistant.

"This is... no, not a dream of the divine, but a domain formed by divine power. This is truly terrifying." With a sense of awe, he turned stiffly and saw a middle-aged man. This man had a golden mountain pattern on his forehead, a rugged face, and was covered in animal skins, looking like a wild man, but his spiritual pressure was as heavy as a mountain, exuding deep solemnity.

Ye Qing composed himself and bowed, saying, "Scholar Ye Qing, I greet the mountain god."

Li Huaji, still in shock, remained in his previous posture, his face pale, but as a student, he bowed: "Student Li Huaji, I greet the mountain god."

The mountain god’s expression was unreadable. He patted the wine jar, turned to sit in a chair, poured a bowl of wine, and drank it in one gulp: "For many years, no one has invited me to drink. You are the first."

Ye Qing and Li Huaji trembled at his words, trying to remain calm. No matter how much they prepared, facing this legendary deity was inevitably intimidating.

"Never mind, sit down. I won’t blame you." The mountain god waved his hand, indicating that Ye Qing and Li Huaji should sit. As a mountain god, he was a manifestation of the earth’s spirits: "I have been confined in the mountain for a long time. It’s nice to have a chance to go out."

Ye Qing and Li Huaji relaxed a bit: "Thank you, great mountain god, for not punishing us."

Moving the divine statue out of the temple was already an offense, and the mountain god’s forgiveness was a matter of basic courtesy.

The mountain god said nothing, just drank bowl after bowl of wine. As they drank, they gradually began to converse.

The assistant was puzzled: "Why are there only a few guests left? Where is the boss?"

The mountain god drank another bowl of wine and chuckled: "The guests have climbed to the top of the mountain. Your boss was afraid I wouldn’t have enough wine, so he ran away."

"Is that so!" The assistant understood, oblivious to the situation, and even gave a thumbs up, praising: "This guest is new? What a great drinker!"

Ye Qing found it amusing. To the assistant, this was like a dream, and many things were beyond comprehension.

A moment later, the assistant brought two plates of cooked beef and said, "It’s getting late, gentlemen. Please rest after eating and drinking. It’s dangerous on the mountain with wolves and tigers!"

Ye Qing glanced at the mountain god, seeing no objection, and said, "It seems the banquet must end. We should rest."

The mountain god chuckled: "Why rush? The sunrise at Yan Peak is the best view. I haven’t come down in many years. Let’s rest here for the night and go up the mountain in the morning!"

"Do you have any mature mountain ginseng or pine and cypress spirits in the mountains?" Ye Qing, seeing the mountain god’s expression, recalled the temple built for this deity in Shaoyan Mountain and understood more.

Moving the divine statue here must have broken the taboo, allowing the deity to regain his full identity as the god of Yan Mountain. However, it still needed time, and it would be complete by morning.

Li Huaji’s eyes lit up, listening intently. He trusted the mountain god, the revered deity of the surrounding three hundred miles, who would not lie.

The mountain god nodded, his chiseled face looking outside the tavern, and said solemnly: "You shouldn’t ask about this, but since we have met, I will answer."

The mountain god paused: "In the depths of the mountain, where no one goes, spirits naturally arise, gradually developing intelligence. Some may absorb moonlight, but this takes a very long time."

"Ordinary trees, unless they have a special encounter, will never develop intelligence within their lifetimes. As for mountain foxes and other creatures, unless enlightened by a great demon, the chances of becoming spirits are negligible. However, with enough numbers, some will be different."

He pointed north: "In the three hundred miles I oversee, the trees and beasts are countless. In the north, there is a thousand-year-old tree that has been washed by the Luminous Nectar, developing intelligence and absorbing moonlight for three hundred years, gaining some Daoist cultivation."

He then pointed west: "In the western mountain, there is a white-spotted tiger that has devoured other beasts and become the king of the mountain. By chance, it swallowed a five-hundred-year-old yellow essence, opening its intelligence. If it has another opportunity, it might achieve greater things. If not, it will live a hundred years, longer than an ordinary tiger."

...

The mountain god pointed out the locations of the spirits in the mountains, explaining their cultivation levels. Li Huaji found it interesting, while Ye Qing silently memorized the information.

"In the three hundred miles I oversee, besides the thousand-year-old tree in the north that has absorbed the Luminous Nectar, there is a deep ravine in the western mountain with a black snake. This snake is an ancient species, having cultivated for a thousand years and developed the appearance of a dragon. Do not provoke it, or you will lose your life."

The mountain god looked at Ye Qing meaningfully, and Ye Qing’s heart raced: "What does this mean? Why specifically mention the dragon snake?"

The mountain god saw everything, his eyes half-drunk, a smile on his face, and said wildly: "Come, let’s drink. We won’t stop until we are drunk."

"Boom—"

A thunderclap shook the sky, and a faint light poured down. Ye Qing understood—this was the mountain god returning to his original position.

With this thought, he stood up and bowed solemnly: "Congratulations, great mountain god, on your return."

The mountain god was taken aback, looking deeply at Ye Qing, his eyes flickering, and said after a long pause: "It’s all thanks to the two of you that I could return!"

He then said, his tone becoming unusually serious: "What do you want?"

"I only wish for the mountain god to guide us to achieve our goals." Ye Qing bowed, and Li Huaji, still in a daze, looked at the two.

"Very well, very straightforward." The mountain god smiled coldly, looking at Li Huaji first: "Though you are a Li family descendant, you are from a branch line. You have many friends, but your reputation is superficial, and your qi is insufficient to achieve success."

"However, if you return home and follow the ancient sages, harmonize with your neighbors, and simplify your friendships, you will have enough to strive for the titles of scholar and candidate. But don’t overcorrect. Everything in the world has its reason."

Li Huaji’s face changed, and he bowed after a long silence: "Thank you for your wise words."

The mountain god waved his hand: "Your resolve is firm. These words are just a reminder. You don’t need to thank me. I only hope you remember to show mercy in the future."

As he spoke, a greenish-yellow mist seeped over and enveloped Li Huaji, pushing away the gray mist.

Li Huaji did not respond.

The mountain god was not angry, then looked at Ye Qing: "You are beyond my comprehension, but I can see a bit now. I can’t give you what you want, but I can show you a path."

He whispered a few words in Ye Qing’s ear, then a smaller greenish-yellow mist descended on Ye Qing. The mountain god sighed: "The karmic ties are resolved. It’s time for the light to shine."

As he finished speaking, the mist dissipated, and the first rays of the morning sun shone down.

---

The page turns, and the advertisement begins.

The page turns, and the advertisement ends.