Chapter 644: Mount Luming's Fengtian Temple

The cat had already flipped over and stood up, the cloth ball held in its mouth. It looked up at Song You, waiting until he had finished dealing with the mountain spirits and demons. Only then did it open its mouth, dropped the cloth ball, and said to him, “Winter’s almost over!”

“Oh?”

“It’s the coldest time of the year now.”

“...” Song You thought for a moment. “Why didn’t you say anything about the cold?”

“...”

The cat was momentarily stunned, baffled by how this person’s focus could be so strange, almost like a cat’s. After a pause, it answered, “It’s written in books that it’s winter! And people say so too!”

“I see.”

“Why did you sit there for so long again this time?”

“I had serious matters to attend to.”

“It was such a long time...”

“But to it, it was just a flick of a finger.”

“It?”

“Heaven. The Dao. The world. You and me.”

“I don’t get it.”

“Then never mind.”

“I brought you persimmon cakes.”

“Thank you...”

Song You had already noticed the persimmon cakes in front of him. He was now wearing a much thicker robe than he had in autumn, with snow resting on his shoulders. Yunding Mountain had taken on its winter appearance—withered yellow hues everywhere, covered in snow amid the desolation, possessing a different kind of charm.

He picked up a persimmon cake and slowly began to eat.

The fire-crystal, molten-hearted persimmon cake had a taste that reminded him of those he’d had back in Hezhou.

Faint sounds drifted in from the distance. Through the shifting clouds and mist, one could see a crowd gathered on the opposite cliff. They were all bundled in heavy winter clothing, their breath forming white puffs in the air, seemingly full of excitement.

“It’s certainly gotten livelier...” The Daoist smiled and couldn’t help but sigh softly.

“There are lots of people over there. Every day, many of them climb along the iron chains trying to reach this side, but no matter what, they can’t get across. So they just turn back,” the cat said, trotting over beside him in small steps.

“I know,” he replied.

“Yan An said you’re the one not letting them cross over.”

“I merely made the iron chains longer, that’s all.”

“Longer? How long?”

“Almost as long as they can possibly be.”

“How long exactly?”

“For some, a hundred zhang. For others, a li. Some even five li. It’s different for each person.”

“Why?”

“Why...” Song You paused for a moment to think, then said to her, “This mountain doesn’t truly belong to us. To occupy it for an entire autumn and winter is such a long time, and it is something I really shouldn’t have done. But there was no helping it. I had to stay here for this long. It was important.

“However, many people come seeking immortality and the Dao. If someone possesses exceptional resolve and their desire to cross the chains and reach this place burns bright with determination, then I, of course, could not use magic to forcibly keep them away.”

“What if someone really does come?”

“Lady Calico and Yan An would receive them for me, wouldn’t you?”

“Mm...” The cat didn’t answer, only turned her head to look down at the cliff, at the mist and the iron chains suspended in it.

After all these months, no one had managed to cross them.

Just then, as the Daoist finished eating the persimmon cake, a small black speck appeared on the horizon. It was Yan An riding the wind as he returned.

“So... are we leaving now?” The calico cat looked up at him and asked.

“We’re leaving.”

“Where to this time?”

“Mount Luming seems to lie at the edge of Pingzhou. It’s a pity that I didn’t visit when I traveled through Pingzhou last time. This time, I’ll ask you to take me there.”

“Alright!” the cat agreed without hesitation.

Lady Calico taking him there... She liked the sound of that.

***

Across the cliff, crowds of travelers bustled about.

The people of the world were not deterred by the frigid winds and chill of deep winter on the mountain. On the contrary, once word spread that a true immortal had appeared on Yunding Mountain and strange phenomena had been witnessed, even more people came in search of the Dao. Their numbers grew steadily, so much so that wild beasts no longer posed a threat. Even the mountain roads washed away by summer floods or the landslides that once blocked the way were no longer obstacles. Not even the cold of winter could stop them.

Crowds of travelers passed through in droves—even tigers and wolves had to keep their distance.

Where there once was no path, people carved one out with their feet. If the road was broken, they made another. If the mountain crumbled, they found a new direction.

With the influx of visitors, fishermen and villagers at the foot of the mountain—as well as peddlers from neighboring Changsheng and Shizu Counties—sensed an opportunity. They began renting out paper-fiber coats and cloth quilts, selling hot roasted sweet potatoes and boiled millet porridge along the way.

Nowadays, those seeking the Dao no longer needed to endure the hardships of the past. So long as they were healthy and reasonably determined—not overly delicate—they only needed to bring some silver and begin the climb. They would be able to reach the mountain.

As a result, many who had visited Yunding Mountain in the past couldn’t help but sigh, “Can one still truly find an immortal this way, and receive their blessing?”

Until today, when the mist thinned slightly, people vaguely saw that the immortal atop the distant mountain... had finally moved. He seemed to have stood up.

Naturally, the crowd erupted in joy.

For months, the immortal atop the mountain had remained utterly still in meditation. One autumn and one winter had passed. If not for the miraculous iron chain—over which no one could cross—many would have suspected it was just a statue someone had placed as a prank.

But now that the immortal moved, across the cliff and the chain, the cultured offered formal bows and the devout knelt in worship, all hoping to catch the immortal’s attention, to earn his favor, and to be taken up into the heavens and live in carefree bliss, enjoying the ultimate harmony of heaven and man.

The clouds and mist swirled, the immortal’s presence flickering in and out of sight.

Not long after, the crowd saw an enormous celestial crane, which was large as a palace pavilion, soar out from who knew where. It arrived to carry the immortal away. Wreathed in clouds and mist, elusive and dreamlike, the crane lightly touched down on the peak of Yunding Mountain, then spread its wings. The great gust it stirred whipped the clouds into a mighty swell as it gently lifted off the summit...

And drifted away into the distant, cloud-filled sky.

The mist between the cliffs receded too, no longer hiding the mountain across the way. Though the iron chain was still veiled in a faint haze, one could now faintly see the other side.

***

Mount Luming was one of the Four Great Daoist Mountains, situated at the border of Pingzhou and Yaozhou. Quiet and remote, it lay somewhat off the beaten path.

Back when Song You journeyed through Pingzhou, Mount Luming had been too out of the way. Like Mount Ye in Fengzhou, it stood “suspended in isolation,” surrounded by no famed sites or scenic routes. It was also in the opposite direction of the path Song You had taken. After spending a night and a year meditating on Yunding Mountain and losing a great deal of time, he still had a promise to keep with an old acquaintance in Changjing, so he had not made the detour to visit.

Still, he didn’t consider it a true regret.

Even the famed Mount Zhen, which shared Luming’s reputation, had only been visited by the Daoist on his second pass through the region.

Heaven and earth were infinite, but human life was finite. One must learn to choose.

It was only after passing through Pingzhou that he learned the State Preceptor had come from Mount Luming. He hadn’t known back then that they would one day cross paths. Nor had he expected that a certain wayward cultivator named Mu Shou, whom he’d met only once, would also be from there. Whether or not those men counted as old acquaintances, it was enough of a connection that he now wished to see it for himself.

More so even than he had wished to see Mount Zhen.

Especially now that the Daoist was about to take action against the gods of Heavenly Palace—those unworthy of their celestial thrones. This was a righteous act, one that could not be done in secret or underhandedly.

Naturally, the gods of Heaven should be informed.

To inform the worthy gods was to let them know that a disciple of Hidden Dragon Temple from this generation intended to take action. He was going to explain the cause, to clarify the consequences.

To inform the unworthy gods was to give them warning:

Hidden Dragon Temple is coming for you. If you intend to resist, prepare yourself. If you do not intend to resist and simply accept that your fate has come, then so be it—resign yourself.

Matters of the Great Dao had always been carried out in the open, with dignity and righteousness.

Mount Luming was one of the most famous Daoist mountains, home to more than a hundred Daoist temples of various sizes. It housed the most complete pantheon of Daoist deities in the entire Daoist tradition.

Over the past few months, the swallow had hardly been idle. When it wasn’t being dragged by Lady Calico to chat or cultivate, or to practice spells, it would fly freely through the skies like Lady Calico out hunting and playing, exploring all the routes around Yunding Mountain in every direction.

This, in fact, showed its attentiveness.

When the Daoist needed to travel to Mount Luming, Lady Calico no longer had to stop constantly to ask for directions. The swallow simply flew ahead, the white crane followed behind, and they could proceed straight to their destination.

They left Yunding Mountain in the morning.

By afternoon, they had arrived at Fengtian Temple.

Naturally, the Daoist did not ride the crane all the way in. That would be far too ostentatious, and also impolite. Instead, he stopped with Lady Calico in the deep mountains behind Luming, as if they were just ordinary travelers seeking directions, and then walked the rest of the way.

Mount Luming was vast, with front and rear ranges, and multiple peaks. The temples scattered throughout varied in size, and many recluses also made their homes here.

Fengtian Temple was the most renowned among them. It had long been known for producing brilliant strategists and scholars. Ever since Changyuanzi emerged from its halls to become State Preceptor, its fame among Daoists nationwide had thoroughly surpassed even that of temples on Qingcheng Mountain and Mount Zhen.

The current State Preceptor, Miaohuazi, though not trained directly at Fengtian Temple, had been a disciple of the previous State Preceptor, and was therefore considered part of Fengtian Temple’s lineage.

As a result, Mount Luming had undergone continuous renovations, becoming more and more grand. Even deep in the mountains, people came in droves to burn incense, seek divination, study, and inquire about the Dao. Its lively bustle rivaled that of temples in major cities.

Song You, dressed in an old, slightly faded white Daoist robe, was carrying a shoulder pouch. Accompanied by a cat and a swallow, he stepped through the temple gate.

As expected, someone came out to receive him.

His greeter was a young Daoist. Perhaps it was because Mount Luming had too many temples, and Daoists often came to visit Fengtian Temple. Or perhaps Fengtian Temple was simply too famous, drawing visitors from all over. Upon seeing that Song You was a stranger, the young man’s attitude was far from reverent. His manners were perfunctory at best, as he asked, “Daoist Master, may I ask your name? Where are you from? Who are you here to see?”

Song You replied calmly, “I am Song You, from Lingquan County in Yizhou, of Hidden Dragon Temple on Yin-Yang Mountain. I have come to visit your esteemed temple, drawn by its renown. May I trouble you to announce my arrival?”

“Hidden Dragon Temple on Yin-Yang Mountain?” The young Daoist was stunned on the spot.

As expected of Fengtian Temple, renowned for its mastery in astronomy, geography, divination, statecraft, and strategic counsel, even a mere junior Daoist could recognize the name of Hidden Dragon Temple.

“Please wait here a moment!” The young man gave a deep bow, then hurried inside.

It wasn't long before...

“

Dong

!”

A resonant welcome bell echoed through Fengtian Temple.

The sound thundered across the mountain. Even other temples nestled deep in the mountains heard the welcoming chime from Fengtian Temple and were astonished.

Daoists from across the temple streamed out together to receive Song You.

A senior Daoist stepped forward and bowed, saying, “We did not know that a Daoist from Hidden Dragon Temple would visit. Forgive us for not coming to greet you earlier. I am Zhuchengzi, the current temple owner of Fengtian Temple.”

“I am Song You, style name Menglai. I have not yet taken a Daoist title,” Song You returned the courtesy with equal politeness. “Temple owner, you are too kind. I just happened to be passing through Pingzhou, and wanted to offer incense at a Daoist temple. I remembered there was a Mount Luming here, and that atop it stood Fengtian Temple, where the former State Preceptor once cultivated. So I came by out of admiration, hoping to pay a respectful visit.”

“Your presence here brings great honor to our humble temple.”

“The State Preceptor and the temple owner...?”

“My master and Changyuanzi’s master were fellow disciples under the same teacher,” Zhuchengzi explained. “I am thus considered part of the same lineage as Changyuanzi. Only, I lack the talent and comprehension my junior brother possessed.”

“My respects...”

Though Zhuchengzi maintained a calm expression, his heart was filled with unease.

Fengtian Temple was known for its skill in divination. Though Zhuchengzi himself could not rival the State Preceptor in peering through the secrets of heaven and earth, he could usually sense something when he focused his thoughts and looked for signs.

But now, standing before this man, he could sense absolutely nothing. The moment he tried to probe intentionally, his mind throbbed with pain.

As expected, Hidden Dragon Temple indeed produced beings like true immortals. What made Zhuchengzi even more uneasy was something from many years ago.

Back then, he had gone to Changjing to visit Changyuanzi, and they had a long talk atop the Stargazing Tower.

Changyuanzi had spoken to him of two things. First, that if he were to die in a few years, it would most likely be at the hands of a disciple from Hidden Dragon Temple.

Not long after, both court and commonfolk ceased hearing from the State Preceptor. At first, it was said that he had gone into seclusion to cultivate, but only a few in Fengtian Temple knew the truth, that this prodigy of their temple had already passed away.

Second, that the current generation’s Hidden Dragon Temple disciple would one day reform the Heavenly Palace, and that it would most likely happen within twenty years of his descent from the mountain.

Doing the math, those twenty years were nearly up. Zhuchengzi truly had no idea what this man had come for.