Chapter 137: History's Ghost Snake Great Immortal (Second Update)

If that many animals all came charging down the mountain, even without large beasts, it would be a blow to the villages at the mountain's foot.

There are far too many of them!

For a moment, the people of the 749 Bureau took up defensive positions, instinctively gripping their weapons, and Wang Xuehao lowered his voice to order Xu Tiancheng.

If anything happens later, you, Ruotong, and some of the people should first lead the villagers to retreat, so they aren't accidentally hurt by these animals.

Compared to them, the villagers were much more relaxed; upon hearing this, the village head quickly spoke up:

You can rest assured; these animals won't harm us—they are the Mountain God's children.

Yes, yes, we're all one family, all under the Mountain God's care.

Exactly, how could we attack our own kin?

The villagers had already witnessed the spiritual nature of these animals; although this gathering of a hundred beasts was larger than before, they felt only surprise, not fear.

Wang Xuehao did not agree with his view, after all, these are animals, lacking reason, and no one can guarantee they can control themselves.

Although the 749 Bureau personnel believed there was something abnormal in the mountains, they did not believe in the Mountain God spoken of by the villagers.

But seeing the village head's confident expression, they didn't feel it appropriate to say anything more.

The rosy light slanted across the myriad mountains, fading into the vast wilderness as dusk approached, yet the mountaintop gathered a patch of colorful clouds that lingered.

The lingering glow of the setting sun bathed these animals, covering them with an orange-red halo, as if even their fur emitted a mysterious light.

These animals had already reached the mountain base; the distance kept closing, and it seemed they would soon pass the sign and fence, but they stopped.

They also noticed the presence of the 749 Bureau and the villagers, merely glanced at them, then averted their gaze; their animal eyes fell on a point not far away, all looking in the same direction.

It seemed that something there was more attractive to them.

Whoo—

As if sensing something, the animals lifted their heads and, in unison, let out a mournful cry; the combined sound was deafening, startling everyone.

That sound cannot be described in words—it contained bird calls and the roars of beasts, all mixed together; as the mountain wind blew, the wailing echoed beneath the heavens.

I don't know if it was an illusion, but they actually heard reluctance and sorrow in those sounds.

Their mood also turned low and heavy, as if a large stone blocked their chests, making them inexplicably short of breath.

The village head couldn't help muttering to himself, unconsciously placing a hand on his chest: "Why do I feel a bit sad?"

He wasn't the only one feeling this way; the other villagers were the same, a silent solemnity spread among them, nobody speaking, as if they had been infected by these animals.

The sunset fell behind the green mountains, leaving only the evening clouds drifting in the sky, as if something had also completely departed from this great mountain.

In the distance, a patch of mist could be faintly seen flickering with specks of gold light, gradually drifting away as the sunset vanished into the mountain ranges.

Is that a cloud?

Too far away to see clearly.

Looks like a mass of golden cloud?

Someone gazed toward the distant mountain peaks where they meet the sky, and it seemed a mass of clouds was moving away, but it wasn't morning now, there was no dawn gold light, yet no one knew why that cloud would flash with golden radiance.

And that direction was exactly where the hundred beasts were facing.

This scene happened quickly; before people could even react with surprise or admiration, it had already vanished in an instant.

It feels empty……

How strange, what on earth is going on today?

The 749 Bureau people were fine; they didn't feel this deeply.

But the villagers had long worshipped the Mountain God, forming incense and intention; moreover, having received Ye Qin's favor, there was a subtle, almost imperceptible connection between them in the unseen.

At this moment, the villagers only felt an emptiness in their hearts.

Xu Tiancheng's pupils suddenly contracted, as if he had seen something utterly inconceivable; his throat inexplicably went dry, and he couldn't help swallowing.

Captain, Captain, look.

Wang Xuehao and the others hurriedly looked over, only to witness an unforgettable scene.

Only to see those animals actually kneeling on their forelimbs, a black river began to surge, like dominoes falling, just as with the livestock, as if some unseen force was driving all of this.

In the animals' eyes sparkled crystal tears, and the mournful cries never ceased, as if they were bidding farewell.

Such a scene was truly shocking.

Even if any expert in biology were here, they probably couldn't explain this behavior.

What kind of power could drive so many animals to perform such actions?

I understand!

The village head seemed to sense something, suddenly kneeling on the ground and kowtowing toward the distance; seeing this, the other villagers all looked as if they had suddenly become wise, imitating him, their eyes full of devotion.

Wang Xuehao and the others watched their actions, utterly baffled, looking completely confused.

Even if the animals' strange behavior could be overlooked, how could the villagers also start kneeling and worshiping?

Village head, what are you doing?

After the village head finished kowtowing and rose, he wore an expression of sudden realization and explained: "These animals should be paying homage to the Mountain God; we should also bow once."

The village head thought that only the Mountain God could cause so many animals to appear here and behave so strangely.

Although we don't know why they gathered here to kneel, it doesn't matter; just bowing is enough.

Upon hearing his words, the 749 Bureau personnel felt it was absurd to the extreme; Xu Tiancheng was about to say something, but upon glancing at the dense crowd of kneeling animals not far away, he swallowed his words.

Wang Xuehao and the others silently watched the animals' and villagers' actions, their hearts stirred by countless ripples.

Roar——

Just then, a distant, mournful howl faintly came from afar, drifting unpredictably among the mountain ranges, hard to trace.

This should also be some animal's call, yet they found that no creature could match it.

It's also strange that the animals, which had just been kneeling, now all rose, as if they had received a signal, reluctantly glanced once more at the mountain base, then turned and headed back into the deep mountains.

Such a sudden change once again refreshed the 749 Bureau's understanding.

As the village chief had said at the start, this group of animals truly had no intention to attack; they seemed merely to be saying a simple farewell.

The black tide surged again, spreading from all directions, and those animals returned to their nests.

The livestock in the village also grew calm, as if they had completed some important mission and duty, once again restoring the livestock's ignorance.

Although the beasts had already dispersed, recalling the earlier scene felt like a dream, and the 749 Bureau personnel could not calm their emotions.

The Longyuan Mountain incident has become a cold case; it's unknown whether we will ever solve its mysteries in our lifetime.

Gazing at the endless green mountains, Xu Tiancheng couldn't help but ask: "Captain, do you really think there are mountain gods in this world?"

The words of those who had been involved with Longyuan Mountain once again floated in Wang Xuehao's ears.

Most of the special incidents concerning Longyuan Mountain were heard from those people's oral accounts.

The 749 Bureau personnel themselves have experienced not much; the earlier encounter upon entering the mountain counts as one, and now the beasts' kneeling counts as another.

Only by seeing it with one's own eyes does one know how shocking it is, to the extent that everyone's views are subtly influenced.

And now, the mountain closure has succeeded here, and it's time for them to set off and depart.

Wang Xuehao and the others finally looked back at the layered green mountains, leaving only a blurry outline, which became even more mysterious.

"It's almost July 15th, time to go home and sweep the graves." Wang Xuehao said an out-of-the-blue remark, causing the team members to stare at each other; Wang Xuehao didn't explain anything, merely patted Xu Tiancheng's shoulder—the one who had just spoken—and in the tone of an experienced person educated him: "Little Xu, remember to burn some paper by the roadside this year."

Xu Tiancheng looked bewildered, watching Wang Xuehao walk away, and spat: "I couldn't care less about you!"

The other team members also shook their heads, laughing: "The captain himself obviously isn't sure either, just pretending to be a big-tailed wolf here—let's go, let's go."

"Little Xu, you must firm up your faith and thoughts, not assign mysterious colors to everything; you should know that human scientific knowledge is limited."

As they spoke, the group gradually walked away, leaving Xu Tiancheng to sneer disdainfully.

As for the Longyuan Mountain matter, it could only be temporarily concluded, yet it became an indelible mark in the hearts of everyone in the 749 Bureau.

The next day, on the plane.

"I haven't gotten a good night's sleep in several days; this time when I go back I'll make up for it all."

Xu Tiancheng yawned; these days everyone's spirit has remained in a tense state, handling massive information and having to sift through various document files to find clues related to Longyuan Mountain, mentally and physically exhausted; now returning to headquarters, we can finally take a few days off.

Wang Xuehao also felt deeply for everyone: "During this period you all have worked hard; when we return I will report to the superiors and get you a few days off to rest properly."

Upon hearing this, the others immediately perked up, and Xu Tiancheng even shouted excitedly: "Long live the captain!"

After returning to headquarters, everyone rushed nonstop to the meeting room, while Wang Xuehao organized all the Longyuan Mountain-related materials and met with the bureau chief.

"Report to the bureau chief, everything has been handled!"

"That mountain is now completely sealed off; I suppose no one will intrude again in the future."

"These are all the investigation materials; please review them."

The chief of the National Secrets Bureau is nearly sixty years old, his demeanor looks no different from that of a little old man; placed outside, no one would associate him with being the leader of a mysterious department.

The bureau chief looked at the documents before him, his expression somewhat solemn, and then listened as Wang Xuehao continued:

"However, during the mountain closure we also encountered a strange matter: the animals and livestock in the village and on the mountain all knelt and whined, behaving oddly……"

"In short, Longyuan Mountain is quite peculiar, different from previous human forbidden zones. Those forbidden zones at least can be understood, science also has explanations—nothing more than the geographical environment being too dangerous—but Longyuan Mountain is full of superstitious coloring, giving us a headache; we have never encountered anything like it……"

This talk lasted over half an hour; when Wang Xuehao emerged from the office, he finally felt relieved.

Meanwhile, in the office, the bureau chief lowered his head to carefully examine the document contents, his face full of doubt, clearly also unable to figure out exactly what the situation with Longyuan Mountain was.

After a long while, the bureau chief sighed, took the file folder from beside him, and filled all the information materials into it.

"This Longyuan Mountain is strange everywhere!"

"Pa—"

Accompanied by a low murmur followed by a dull sound, the bureau chief took out the 'National Secrets Bureau' seal, solemnly stamped it, and personally affixed the seal.

The red seal faintly showed four characters:

"Top Secret!"

Thereafter, this highly confidential file was personally sent by the bureau chief to the secret archive room, placed on the first shelf.

With a 'Bang!' sound, the archive room's door closed again, kicking up a layer of imperceptible dust, which in the sunlight through the window became hazy and indiscernible.

The years have sealed it in dust, awaiting a destined person to open and read.

……

The Longyuan Mountain matter could finally be concluded, everyone also had rest time, and Wang Xuehao could finally breathe a sigh of relief.

After leaving the archive room, he went to the meeting room and routinely summarized this operation.

Then, the meeting adjourned.

"Finally, vacation!"

"Let's go, off work and head home."

A group of people chatted and laughed as they left the meeting room, just bumping head-on into another action team; seeing them fully equipped and looking hurried, it was obvious they were about to go on a mission.

Wang Xuehao found it a bit strange and called out.

"Old Zhang, what mission is it, so urgent?"

Upon hearing that, the team also saw Wang Xuehao and the others, all stopped their steps, greeted them, and the team leader Old Zhang replied:

"The Capital City Archaeological Center discovered the remains of a deceased eminent monk; it might be somewhat special, though we don't know the specifics. Originally it was the local police's task, but since we're going to that city to handle a spy case, we'll help escort them along the way."

Saying that, he also curiously sized up the few people: "You look travel-worn; what's up, just got back? Mission completed?"

Wang Xuehao replied: "Forget it, truly not as easy as your mission; this time we ran into a big incident."

"What big incident?"

"Added a human forbidden zone—does that count as a big incident?"

"Yo, a major operation—this year's bonus is secured."

The two exchanged case details, while Xu Tiancheng on the side curiously interjected: "Captain Zhang, what are the remains of that eminent monk? Do we really need the 749 Bureau to escort them out?"

"We're just sending them along the way," Old Zhang replied, after thinking: "As for that eminent monk… I looked at the operation materials; it's a monk with the dharma name Zhidun."

Xu Tiancheng looked clueless, "To be honest, I haven't heard of it."

Wang Xuehao laughed, "With your meager knowledge, getting into the 749 Bureau is no small feat; you don't know about the recluse monk?"

Xu Tiancheng exclaimed, "Captain, do you know?"

Wang Xuehao clasped his hands together and said proudly, "Form is emptiness!"

???

Because they were on duty, the two teams didn't stay in touch long and soon bid farewell.

……

After the Mountain Closure was completed, online public opinion was also suppressed; no one came for adventure or curiosity anymore, and Longyuan Mountain returned to its former tranquility.

This matter seemed to be just swept under the rug; public memory is fleeting, and there's never a shortage of new online hotspots, so their attention quickly moved on.

But at some point, a documentary began circulating online titled 'The Legendary Wu Du'.

Many clicked out of curiosity, discovering the video listed recent strange events that had taken place in Wu Du.

For example, the initial heavenly fire, later the miraculous sights at Shangqing Temple, footage from the wind‑capturing program, and the legendary tale of 'Chasing the Boat for a Sword' shrouded in historical mist, among many others.

The documentary quickly became a popular online video.

Strangely, many locations in the video are very vague.

Except for the well‑known Shangqing Temple and Waiting King Village, most places were mosaicked, yet this did not hinder netizens' discussion.

Although the video is hot, with considerable views and clicks, its comment section is unusually clean—a stark contrast that shouldn't be the case.

Whenever someone discusses the locations or coordinates in it, the comments get harmonized, as if an invisible force is controlling everything.

Later, netizens also noticed some clues and gradually stopped discussing it, but the video brought another wave of popularity to Shangqing Temple.

Waiting King Village also benefited, drawing many visitors, but lacking any special scenery, the popularity faded quickly.

After all, in the video only Shangqing Temple and Waiting King Village appear to the public; it seems some hidden force wants to use this to confuse the audience.

People from other provinces, after watching the video, sparked a wave of tourism to Wu Du.

As an international modern metropolis, Wu Du's inclusivity is obviously high; its steel‑and‑concrete urban forest boasts numerous skyscrapers reaching into the clouds.

As night fell, neon lights gathered into a colorful river flowing through the city.

A few young people, just returning from Shangqing Temple, were drawn by the online buzz and came here for a holiday trip.

Passing through the suburbs, they walked and chatted.

"Wu Du lives up to its name!"

"That fiery online tale of Chasing the Boat for a Sword actually started spreading from Wu Du."

"Later, didn't a specialist step forward to say the Chasing the Boat for a Sword story is wrong? It seems a layer of mist shrouds it, leaving a historical blank that sounds spooky."

"Haha, yeah, I just listen to it as a spooky tale."

The few talked heatedly, their voices drifting in the evening breeze, unaware that a pair of translucent, jade‑green eyes had lit up in a nearby flowerbed.

It was Ye Qin, returning from his mountain travels!

He had merely been passing by, never expecting to overhear such a conversation; it was like a small stone dropping in, sending countless ripples through his heart.

"What's going on?"

Ye Qin's expression turned doubtful; wasn't the old man described by these people exactly the one he met when he entered the mottled ages fragment?

He naturally knew the tale of Chasing the Boat for a Sword, and after leaving the mottled ages fragment he had also realized it.

"But what about the historical mist they spoke of?"

"Could it be related to me?!"

"Could my involvement have inadvertently left a trace in history?"

Ye Qin couldn't help recalling the scene of his first discussion of the Dao with Zuoci.

At that time Zuoci had a furnace of failed elixir.

After emerging from the mottled ages fragment, he had also seemingly discovered spoiled elixir in an ancient tomb.

There were also murals depicting Zuoci seemingly waiting for someone.

He thought it was merely a coincidence.

Perhaps it was Zhuang Zhou dreaming of a butterfly, or a butterfly dreaming of Zhuang Zhou, which is why the mottled ages fragment has a vague connection to reality.

Or perhaps the fragment of the mottled ages is just a tiny tributary in the river of time, insignificant to the whole, and he has merely been a bystander all along.

But looking at it now, it doesn't seem that way.

The conversation just now sparked doubts in Ye Qin's heart.

"Is he merely a bystander, or a passer‑by caught up in it?"

"Does he have the power to affect history, or will he only leave a historical scar?"

Ye Qin stood frozen, his serpentine pupils swirling with thoughts, feeling his brain burn.

"This mottled ages fragment truly hides profound mysteries."

But these are merely Ye Qin's guesses; he isn't certain, since to this day there is no solid proof that he truly participated in that history.

"Perhaps if I enter the mottled ages fragment a third time, I might find the answer."

Originally I thought the mottled ages were just simple time shards, but now Ye Qin's view has changed; perhaps they involve something deeper.

As contact deepens, those things will gradually be unearthed.

Ye Qin already had an idea in mind; his emerald serpent eyes grew deeper again, and his figure dissolved into the deep night.

No one could detect that in this vast metropolis a giant snake had once passed through.

The night grew denser, as if a black canopy draped the sky; a silver gleam hung upon it, dispelling darkness and lighting the country lane.

The rustling sound was especially noticeable in the quiet night, like a cold wind blowing or some unseen creature crawling by.

The moonlight flowed like water, shedding a clear glow; the wilderness lay silent, and a dilapidated building could be faintly seen swaying on the verge of collapse.

On a weed-choked plot of land, a deserted temple stood there, its walls gnawed by insects and ants, broken and rotting, a feeling of desolation and decay surrounding it.

Ye Qin set foot here again, unsure if it was due to the ghost monk's demise, but he sensed no ripple of that eerie energy.

He felt only a trace of time-worn aura.

This was his destination for this trip.

Since the ghost monk has been dealt with, the deserted temple poses no danger to Ye Qin, so he can also go inspect the time-worn fragments inside.

Otherwise, searching anew would take considerable time; it's better to choose this.

"I hope this time-worn fragment can dispel my doubts."

Upon entering the deserted temple, indeed that lingering eerie aura was gone; everything around remained unchanged, no different from when Ye Qin first came.

Only the monk with the strange, exaggerated grin was missing.

After winding around, he still ended up back at the starting point.

Ye Qin released his mental power, spreading it over the entire temple.

"Better safe than sorry"—that aura was too uncanny, so Ye Qin dared not let his guard down.

After a while, confirming that no eerie aura remained, Ye Qin finally relaxed.

"Please show yourself, White Bone."

He then summoned the primal White Bone; the Supreme Clarity Observatory resting on its palm emitted a mysterious aura, beginning to link with the time-worn fragment.

Ye Qin coiled his body, his jade-green snake eyes slowly closing, and soon immersed himself in the temporal aura sensed by the Supreme Clarity Observatory.

Time was mottled, dreamlike and illusory; the wave of time surged forward, sweeping up everything around and depositing it in the river.

The surge continued unceasingly, time never ceasing, yet occasionally a tiny ripple changed—seemingly insignificant, yet in fact linked to everything.

"Hum!"

The Supreme Clarity Observatory trembled slightly, causing White Bone's arm to sway as well.

A familiar weightlessness surged toward Ye Qin again, as if his very soul were being tugged; amid the spinning world, he felt his whole self lift off.

He did not know how long had passed before he slowly opened his eyes to find himself inside a Daoist temple.

By his third time, he was already a seasoned hand; stepping out of the Daoist temple, he saw a lush, verdant mountain forest, with no sign of habitation around.

"I have no idea where I am, or what era this is."

Ye Qin walked through the forest, pondering which way to go, when a distant, resonant bell tone faintly reached his ears.

"Boom—boom—boom!"

He followed the sound, and soon a temple came into view, incense curling lazily, its flourishing incense evident; sunlight fell on its golden walls, as if divine light shone down, blessing all.

The plaque bore three large characters—Hidden Mountain Temple!

The whole temple complex looked extraordinarily grand; chanting drifted from within, floating above the eaves, as a breeze blew, the bell tolling together with the wooden fish's sound faded away.

"Is that the ruined temple? So it's called Hidden Mountain Temple."

Ye Qin carefully sensed that the temple held no eeriness or danger; after a moment's hesitation, he still decided to investigate.

The temple's exterior was solemn and sacred, and its interior proved to be another world.

Ye Qin entered, seeing the temple grounds embraced by green trees, flowers and grasses clustered, pleasing to the eye; carved corridors and painted pillars wound endlessly, everywhere revealing exquisite craftsmanship.

The temple set amid the green grove, with apricot-yellow walls, blue-gray ridges, and dark-green ancient trees, everything harmoniously complementing each other.

Inside the temple stood lifelike Buddha statues, seated on lotus pedestals, gazing compassionately upon the world; before the offering table, an incense burner held three thick sticks of incense.

The smoke curled, rendering the Buddha's features slightly hazy, profoundly mysterious and ineffable.

Many monks sat in the main hall, eyes tightly shut, as if sealing off their senses, focused on striking the wooden fish in their hands.

That wooden fish seemed aged, its surface unnervingly smooth, emitting a resonant tone—as if the Buddha enthroned on the lotus pedestal whispered, listening to the stir of all things.

The leading monk appeared young, only in his thirties or forties, yet his bearing was transcendent, that of an accomplished high monk.

He struck the wooden fish in his hand beat by beat; though it seemed without rhythm, it subtly carried an inexplicable cadence, as if able to stir the heart.

The moment Ye Qin stepped into the hall, he too slowly opened his eyes, his gaze unerringly falling on Ye Qin.

The monk's and the snake's gazes met across the void, as if transcending time and space.

Upon seeing Ye Qin's arrival, this monk, like the figures in the previous time-worn fragment, showed no surprise, offering a kind smile and lowering his wooden fish.

"Amitabha, a traveler from afar is a guest."

"I am the monk Zhidun; I do not know what brings you here, benefactor."

"I see everyone saying I'm updating with filler again and too little."

"A daily ten‑thousand‑word update is certainly doable; an occasional update is already a big chapter, and two updates would probably add a bit more length."

"I will keep striving; thank you for not abandoning me."

(End of chapter)