[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-book-of-strange-tales":3,"chapter-the-book-of-strange-tales-the-book-of-strange-tales-chapter-107":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Book of Strange Tales",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2317387,4532,"Chapter 107: The Mountain God of Yishan","the-book-of-strange-tales-chapter-107",107,"\u003Cp>In late autumn, the mountains had grown very cold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yishan often fogged over; even on clear mornings in late autumn, the mountain mist was thick. Lin Jue rose early, opened the door, and saw the entire courtyard shrouded in dense fog—no buildings across could be seen, not even the ancient pine in the yard was clear, only its silhouette visible through the mist and dim morning light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This season and temperature were perfect for sleeping.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fuyao had been half-asleep and wanted to sleep longer, but since Lin Jue had gone to cook, it had no choice but to shake its head, rise, and follow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It walked unsteadily, but there was no other option.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, the kitchen was warm, and just as easy to sleep in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue walked along the eaves, but before reaching the kitchen, a knock came at the gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who is it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It certainly wasn’t a person at this hour.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if someone came from the village below or another Daoist temple in the mountains, arriving at Fuxiu Guan’s gate this early would require leaving in the dead of night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Lin Jue was not afraid; he calmly went to open the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a creak, the great gate opened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mountain mist and forest drizzle outside were even heavier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two lanterns came into view; when the wind blew, the mist thinned slightly, revealing the two spirits holding them: a cloud leopard standing as tall as a man, and a tall, slender macaque. They stood silently at the gate, staring at Lin Jue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue understood—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These were the messengers sent by the Mountain God.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So early…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But there was no point in delaying further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Please wait a moment—I’m not the only one going. I must wake my junior sister and senior brother.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue turned and walked back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cloud leopard and macaque turned to look at each other, said nothing, and continued standing silently outside in the mist, lanterns in hand, unmoving. When they noticed the Daoist had left behind a fox crouched on the ground watching them, they silently lowered their heads and met its gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Lin Jue returned to the inner courtyard, his junior sister had already stepped out, rubbing her eyes—she kept similar hours and was heading to light the stove for breakfast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue woke his senior brother as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three hurriedly gathered their things and stepped out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two messengers turned and walked back with them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mountain mist was thick indeed; the morning light was already dim, now even more blurred and hazy. Fortunately, the two messengers carried lanterns, and wherever their light fell, everything became clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two messengers led them deeper into Yishan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At first, they walked the same path Daoists from Fuxiu Guan often took to climb the mountain or reach Xianyuan Guan, but soon they turned onto another path.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Daoists from Fuxiu Guan knew every trail near the mountain, even the paths without trails that could still be traversed—but the path the Mountain God’s messengers took was unlike any they had ever known, because it had never existed before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a straight path.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The messengers carried their lanterns forward; wherever the light fell, whether ahead lay thorns, ancient trees, or fallen grass and dead branches, all automatically parted to form a road.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Steep places once remembered became gentle; impassable spots became passable; even places that had once been sheer cliffs or deep chasms now had paths laid out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three and the fox walked on, glancing left and right, exchanging glances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The messengers said nothing but were patient; if they noticed the trio lagging, they would stop in the mist ahead, lantern held high, waiting until the trio drew near before continuing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ancient pines were common in the mountains, growing along the path or rooted between massive rocks and cliffs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the Mountain God’s messenger walked, occasionally brushing past an ancient pine, the lantern’s light caused the pine to instantly shift from green to red, its color like that of pine blossoms in spring or summer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The junior sister couldn’t help turning to look at Lin Jue—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Brother, didn’t I tell you I was right?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue sensed her gaze and knew exactly what she wanted to say, but only smiled without answering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gradually, the sky brightened and the mist thinned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three reached the valley floor, slightly tired; by the towering, slender stone peaks rising like bamboo shoots toward the heavens, they could roughly tell where they were.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They couldn’t help stopping to look up at the mountain—a slanted ascent, all strange peaks covered in ancient pines, jagged rocks, behind them faintly visible blue sky and white clouds, impossibly tall. Compared to it, the people walking through were minuscule, overwhelmed by a crushing sense of pressure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All three couldn’t help gasping for breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Any ordinary person would have stopped to rest countless times by now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the three had not rested once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking up, the cloud leopard and macaque stood ahead on the path, turning sideways to watch them; the three exchanged glances and continued forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only the fox was not tired, leaping nimbly among the strange rocks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unaware, they had reached halfway up Lianhuafeng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Passing through the pass between Lianhuafeng and Lianruifeng, the view opened up—this was a fine spot to view Tiandoufeng, but today’s thick clouds and mist hid it; all three had been here many times before, and remembered the sides as stone walls—but now a path had appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The path seemed to split from the mountain rock, revealing stone steps leading straight into Lianhuafeng, with ancient pines growing beside it, their branches stretching out as if to welcome them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Mountain God’s messenger walked forward with lantern in hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Passing through the passage, they entered another world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was as if inside Lianhuafeng, yet also above the clouds; between majestic peaks like petals surrounding one another, a palace suddenly appeared, ancient in style, with a stone stairway growing from the granite leading deep into the palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On both sides of the stairway stood lantern pillars, like jade pavilions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were also stone carvings of various mountain spirits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Until they reached a palace hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Creak…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The messenger extended the lantern’s pole, and as the light touched the door, it opened—but the messengers stood at the threshold, turning to face the three and the fox, not entering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you both.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three bowed their thanks and stepped inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside, the palace looked lavish; inside, it held little decoration—only a long couch at the very top, upon which sat two figures: a middle-aged man in ancient noble robes, and a graceful woman in a shimmering green garment, like peacock feathers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Four spirits stood beside them, all in human form, but not fully transformed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were the green lion, white elephant, tuolong, and black bear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These four spirits were enormous, like mountains and giants; the three had to look up to see them, and the aura radiating from them was terrifying, carrying immense pressure. Clearly, their failure to fully take human form was not due to insufficient cultivation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the usually bold fox dared only glance at them furtively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We pay our respects to the Mountain God.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The senior brother’s voice came from the front.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We pay our respects to the Mountain God.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We pay our respects to the Mountain God!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue and the others followed, speaking one after another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No need for such formalities.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Mountain God’s voice came from above, deep as a mountain collapsing, echoing endlessly, yet calm; after speaking, he asked: “Are you Daoists from Fuxiu Peak?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hahaha…” The Mountain God laughed. “Last winter, your temple cooked meat—the flavor was most unusual. Who cooked it? What kind of meat was it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They immediately remembered that snowy, freezing night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hadn’t the spirit who knocked on their gate that night demanding meat been sent by the Mountain God?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they thought this, two gazes turned toward Lin Jue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Majesty, I cooked it. I used some spices to stew it, so the flavor was rare—even in the human world below, it’s seldom tasted,” Lin Jue said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The flavor is good.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Mountain God threw back his head and laughed heartily, then turned to business: “I’ve heard that below, in the human world, chaos has returned, even strange events—could they affect my Yishan?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. The imperial court has grown corrupt again; it’s nearly time for the world to descend into turmoil.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue did not know how long Yishan had existed, nor how long this Mountain God had lived, so he recounted the affairs below as they truly were.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He did not mention his own speculations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Mountain God fell into thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Long moments passed before his voice came again:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then it seems indeed serious. If this spreads across all of Huizhou, and you had not noticed it in time—if left unchecked—it could truly affect my Yishan. You deserve credit.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We merely wished to inform Your Majesty, hoping you might prepare early, to avoid disaster,” the senior brother said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you, Mountain God,” Lin Jue added.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do not worry too much. Even if a demon king arises, unless he reaches the realm of ancient sages, he will not dare trespass into my Yishan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Mountain God glanced at Lin Jue, then at the senior brother, then said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But caution is still necessary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fuxiu Peak lies on the outermost edge of Yishan; if trouble spreads, you are most vulnerable. Therefore, I shall give you a token. Carry it with you. If any spirit dares trespass into Yishan, hold the token and chant my divine name—‘Mountain God of Yishan’—and my power shall descend at once. You serve as my sentinels beyond the mountain.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Mountain God waved his sleeve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An object flew toward Lin Jue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue was surprised, reached out, and caught it—a tablet the size of a palm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tablet was forged of metal, unknown in origin; its weight felt heavier than ordinary iron, yet lighter than gold or silver, and it hummed with the spirit of mountains and rivers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Carry it as you walk through the mountains, and the forests will open paths for you. Even beyond Yishan, it holds my divine power, capable of subduing demons, ghosts, and evil spirits.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you, Mountain God.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I am not human; there is no need to uphold the elaborate rituals of the mortal world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mountain god glanced at him again, then at the fox sitting demurely beside him, and suddenly smiled: \"You are no ordinary fox spirit.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I do not know,\" Lin Jue said, seizing the chance to ask, \"Please, Mountain God, instruct me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Whenever the mortal world undergoes great change, when divine authority shifts, there are always those who attain enlightenment. Cultivate well, never forget your original heart—perhaps one among you will be the one.\" The mountain god’s voice carried deep emotion, as if he had witnessed it all, then he swept his sleeve toward them: \"Go now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A faint light glowed behind them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three turned around and saw that the clouded leopard and the macaque holding the lantern had already appeared behind them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mountain god had not told him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue could only bow:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We take our leave.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though I am not human and need not uphold the elaborate rituals of the mortal world, as a god with nothing else to do, you may offer worship to me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We obey your divine decree.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three followed the two messengers out, and when they turned back at the gate, the mountain god, his concubine, and the four towering demon guardians had all turned to stone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue clenched the token in his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This mountain god was unexpectedly kind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He suddenly recalled words from a book—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It is said that the Four Rivers and Five Sacred Mountains each have their own spirits; the Five Sacred Mountains’ spirits are wise and holy, the Four Rivers’ spirits are benevolent. Now it seems the spirit of Yishan has its own character as well.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue murmured to himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This mountain god was not as old as Yishan itself, but was an essence born of the mountain, having cultivated for ages, receiving worship from spirits and demons, and becoming the mountain’s own deity, then enduring countless more years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such a mountain god, so long as he remains within the mountain, possesses boundless divine power; unless one wields the might to shatter the entire mountain’s spiritual essence, none can harm him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet this divine power is also his prison.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As an earth deity, he cannot leave at will; though he may watch the rise and fall of clouds and storms, the ebb and flow of the world, he is rooted here, forced to hear and see events rather than experience them firsthand—most likely, he is terribly bored.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No wonder he lives so long yet asked them for meat to taste and demanded offerings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When they stepped out of the mountain, the mist had already cleared, and the heavens and earth lay wide open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Returning to Fuqiu Temple, it was already noon. They first recounted their audience with the mountain god to their senior brothers and Master, then placed the mountain god’s token inside the temple, enshrining it in the Banshipoint Hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That way, should anyone detect an anomaly, they could return to the temple and retrieve the token to seek the mountain god’s aid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, the mountain god said this token had the power to suppress demons, ghosts, and evil influences; though they did not yet know how exactly to use it or how great its power was, carrying it when descending to exterminate demons could never hurt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was, in a way, the mountain god’s protection.\u003C\u002Fp>",2282,"2026-06-20T14:45:35.226Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","aa32b5b2828d56d2abf10b72df08abed94d78599611c7940d65fcbd10b68db32","the-book-of-strange-tales-chapter-108","the-book-of-strange-tales-chapter-106",608,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-book-of-strange-tales-cover.jpg"]