[{"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-14":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},2317294,4532,"Chapter 14: Spending the Night at the Temple","the-book-of-strange-tales-chapter-14",14,"\u003Cp>Beneath the moon, the bamboo grove rustled, and so did the footsteps of the crowd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue walked at the front—it was an act of sheer necessity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since they had followed him, none dared walk ahead; whenever Lin Jue slowed his pace, they slowed too, even if the darkness hid their jostling, they refused to step forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, Lin Jue could feel many eyes secretly studying him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some finished studying him and exchanged glances with their companions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those who did not secretly study him were precisely the ones who often stumbled—likely unaccustomed to night travel, rarely drinking pine-needle tea or similar herbal remedies, and suffering from night blindness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“L-Lord Immortal…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, someone could no longer bear the silence and spoke to Lin Jue: “Was that just now a demon?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hm?” Lin Jue heard the voice and exhaled in relief. “It’s the demon that often appears on this road to frighten travelers.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“… ”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crowd exchanged uneasy glances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those who could not see held their breath, staring blankly around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“May I ask, Lord Immortal… from which sect do you hail?” asked a man dressed as a merchant, bowing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I have no sect.” Lin Jue glanced left and right; though many were present, he feared the demon might still lurk or others watched from the shadows. Though he wished to correct their address of him and felt unworthy of it, he held his tongue and said only: “No more talk. Focus on the road.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this, none dared speak further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The atmosphere grew heavy again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue had to speak again: “You need not fear. With so many of us, even if a ghost or demon slept upon this path, it would rise to make way.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tension eased slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue quickened his pace, striding forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crowd hurried to keep up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the pace slightly increased, their thoughts turned more to their footing, and occasional stumbles and cries of “Watch your step” lessened their fear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This stretch of road passed without incident.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue walked, pondering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yishan…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At last he remembered this mountain—and why it sounded familiar:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the legend of Shu Village, the Third Aunt wandered out, stole a fairy peach from a celestial mountain, ate it, and turned first into a fish, then into a mountain. That mountain she climbed to steal the peach was called Yishan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the Third Aunt truly existed, then what of the legend?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the legend of the Third Aunt was true, then Yishan was truly a rare celestial mountain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue, thinking this, could not help asking: “Gentlemen, have any of you heard of a celestial mountain called Yishan nearby?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“One mountain? Which ‘one’?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Never heard of it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We mere mortals…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I think I’ve heard…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I haven’t. Have you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yishan…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A jumble of voices, with only two faint, uncertain murmurs that might have been useful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, the night was still, and even the softest sound reached Lin Jue’s ears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Anyone heard of it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I vaguely recall hearing of it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I think I’ve heard something.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two spoke as they walked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One voice ahead, one behind; one close, one distant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Could you tell us more?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They say it’s a famous mountain, with Daoists and immortals. Many of our folktales come from there,” replied the man walking ahead, closer to Lin Jue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Isn’t Yishan the mountain where the Red Emperor refined his elixir?” muttered the man behind, stumbling, his hand gripping another’s shoulder, eyes unfocused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Red Emperor’s elixir? Any other legends?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I can’t recall.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No more.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you know how to reach Yishan?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t remember clearly. It shouldn’t be far,” said the man ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yishan is remote, the roads treacherous. Since ancient times, those seeking immortals, asking the Dao, burning incense and worshipping gods all went to Qiyun Mountain… oh!—no one went to Yishan.” The man behind spoke, nearly tripping, then someone stepped into a puddle, splashing water everywhere. “I only know the general direction. If Lord Immortal wishes to go, you’ll have to ask along the way.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How do you get there?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Past Danggu County, head toward Qiyun Mountain. Walk two hundred li, then turn south. There are no official roads there—only narrow paths used by mountain Daoists and locals.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this point, the path ahead clearly widened; under the moonlight, a temple loomed faintly in the distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps aware that travelers often delayed by mountain rain needed guidance, the monks had lit a lantern at the gate—the only light along the entire trail.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’ve arrived!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’ve arrived…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lord Immortal! We’ve arrived!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crowd instantly brightened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those who could not see hurriedly asked those beside them: “Where are we? How far?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Phew…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue exhaled again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then did he speak seriously: “I am no Lord Immortal. I have no cultivation. I merely got lucky—startled and scared off that demon on the road. I held back from correcting your titles because I feared the demon might be listening. But from now on, do not call me Lord Immortal again!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crowd was stunned and confused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue repeated his warning several times before moving forward toward the temple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only now did these travelers gain courage; one stepped forward and gently knocked on the gate. Soon, a monk arrived with a lantern to open it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Venerable guests, are you here to spend the night?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are there others coming behind?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Perhaps.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Come in quickly,” said the monk, ushering them in. “This afternoon’s rain brought far more travelers tonight than usual. There aren’t nearly enough rooms.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’ll squeeze! Travelers don’t fuss over comfort. Young sir, after you!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though Lin Jue had said he was no Lord Immortal and had no cultivation, these merchants, having witnessed his actions, still held him in great respect and continued to treat him with special deference after walking with him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue stepped forward, following the lantern-bearing monk into the temple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked around as he walked, observing the temple and the monks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The monk was an ordinary middle-aged man—neither tall nor fat, wearing plain monk’s robes. The temple itself was not large; its tiled walls and furnishings were worn. Many travelers had already arrived, and though it was late, the monks had risen to cook porridge. Early arrivals sat or stood in the courtyard, at doorways, or under eaves, holding coarse clay bowls, sipping their hot porridge carefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The scene was deeply comforting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue smelled the aroma of the porridge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The slurping sounds made his mouth water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Earlier, he had asked these travelers: this temple was merely an ordinary one, and because it stood on a roadside and accepted travelers, it carried more of a moneyed scent than most temples—half-monastery, half-inn. No one spoke of any enlightened master here, nor of any monk possessing magical arts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Gurgle…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue’s stomach growled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just then, as he walked through the temple’s center, he glanced back at the mule he held by the reins, his eyes filled with reluctance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mules perfectly inherited the strengths of both horses and donkeys: as sturdy and durable as donkeys, yet nearly as capable of carrying burdens as horses. Carrying this satchel on foot was painfully slow; with such a mule, this journey would have been far easier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps he wouldn’t have had to travel by night at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He might have arrived before the rain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sigh…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue sighed, then halted his steps, no longer hesitating. He raised his voice loudly: “Who lost a mule on the road tonight?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The night was quiet; his voice carried far.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as he spoke, the entire temple fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What? A mule lost on the road?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mules were not cheap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some fine mules sold for more than draft horses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many eyes turned toward him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet before they could ponder or speculate, someone staggered out of a room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He tripped on the doorframe and crawled forward several steps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The guiding monk, initially stunned, quickly grasped the situation, glanced at Lin Jue, then raised his lantern ahead to light the man’s way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The approaching figure was a middle-aged man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was not tall, with three strands of beard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was none other than Yao San.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His expression now bore some resemblance to the Yao San from before, especially in the fear on his face, but beyond that lingering fear, his face also carried regret, anguish, and self-reproach—complex emotions that flared into agitation when he saw the donkey.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mine! I lost my donkey!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue had intended to ask how it was lost, but seeing his face, seeing his expression, he said nothing, only handed over the reins:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I found it on the road. Here it is.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man was at a loss for words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Congratulations, layperson—what a blessing to have recovered what was lost. Now you can eat properly. Take the donkey to the stable at the back,” the monk said, holding up his lantern with a smiling urging tone, then turned again toward Song You, his demeanor and gestures subtly more respectful than before, “At such a young age, you possess such virtue—it is truly admirable.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I cannot accept such praise. I merely did what was right.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You are our temple’s honored guest.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, no, I couldn’t.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re too humble,” the monk gestured politely, “Please, all of you, follow me. Our temple knows how weary you are from traveling at night, so we’ve prepared white porridge to warm your bellies.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone hurried inside; most were in their thirties or forties, yet just as on the road, they kept urging Lin Jue to walk ahead, speaking in overlapping voices.\u003C\u002Fp>",1594,"2026-06-20T14:45:35.226Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","6463f668956f570f6682860d750900f4008b32ee803136171b32b1c2aa8f82a3","the-book-of-strange-tales-chapter-15","the-book-of-strange-tales-chapter-13",608,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-book-of-strange-tales-cover.jpg"]