[{"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-36":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},2317316,4532,"Chapter 36: Meeting Me Is Your Good Fortune","the-book-of-strange-tales-chapter-36",36,"\u003Cp>Dining hall, breakfast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A bowl of wild vegetable congee, unlimited, one egg per person; aside from the lingering bitterness of the wild vegetables, there was nothing wrong with it. But there was also a dish of pickled vegetables, which were overly salty and cloying, even gritty to chew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only six people came to eat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rest had not yet risen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This place was far too leisurely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue had not yet begun cultivating spiritual methods or learning spells, still needed to perform morning rituals, and had not yet adjusted to such a relaxed lifestyle; after breakfast, he found himself with nothing to do.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you two idle?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Senior brother.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Senior brother!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two responded one after the other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ve just arrived on the mountain and aren’t used to mountain life—I’ll find you something to do.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Senior brother, please instruct us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Senior brother, we’re listening!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both responded with perfect manners.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Today, pilgrims will come. One of you stays behind to help me receive them—good practice in how to welcome guests. The monastery’s firewood is running low; the other goes up the mountain to chop wood.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The senior brother smiled at them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The junior sister immediately looked at Lin Jue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll chop wood,” Lin Jue said naturally. “I brought a woodcutter’s axe up with me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The senior brother was not surprised, only said to him: “But here on Yishan, things are different from elsewhere. Since you’re going up to chop wood, I have some things to tell you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“About the mountain spirits?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“About the mountain spirits is only one part. If you encounter them, just say you’re a disciple of Fuqiu Monastery. Once you wear the Daoist robe, they won’t trouble you. At most, some may play tricks—just hold fast to your heart and don’t be tempted, and you won’t lose composure. The nearby wild beasts have all been warned by the fourth junior brother and won’t easily harm anyone.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Understood.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Also, when chopping wood in the mountains, don’t just cut any tree you see. If it’s a young living tree, leave it alone. If it’s a large living tree, only cut the lowest side branches; if there are no side branches below, don’t cut at all. Best to find dry, dead trees—they burn well and don’t need drying.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Anything else?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The deeper paths of Yishan are treacherous—walk with utmost care. This mountain is peculiar: mostly rock, little soil. The pines here grow with extreme difficulty, and are favored by the Mountain God—don’t cut them. If you come across wooden stakes along the way, don’t sit on them just because you’re tired—they might be the seats of mountain spirits.” The senior brother smiled faintly, his expression turning nostalgic. “These were the warnings my master gave me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Understood.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Go. If you don’t gather enough wood, it’s fine—bring back some pine cones. They burn well too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue said nothing, agreed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Where in this world does learning come without labor? Besides, judging by this monastery’s appearance, most things are self-sufficient. Chopping wood is among the simplest tasks—just requires effort. If not me, who else? The old master or the senior brothers in their seventies and eighties?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned back to fetch his axe, then found a bamboo basket, a carrying pole with two ropes, and tucked in the last of his tāguǒ, heading in the direction the senior brother pointed, toward Fuqiu Peak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Along the way, there was plenty of vegetation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wild grass was useless; thorny shrubs were lush now, not yet dry enough for firewood. Some large trees had their lower branches already cut clean; not a single dead log could be found.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was normal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fuqiu Monastery had been here for years; the closest firewood had been harvested first every year.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had to go higher.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Go deeper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Go farther.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was mountain terrain, early morning—the morning mist had not yet cleared, refreshingly cool. Now, Lin Jue had no worries about wandering the world, no confusion about where to seek a master or the Dao; with his mind settled, his spirits were high. Why fear a long journey?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gradually entered the depths of Baiyun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fuqiu Monastery sat at the foot of the peak; from the monastery, the scenery wasn’t obvious, but as he climbed higher, the landscape gradually revealed itself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Occasionally, exposed granite appeared, along with ancient pines rooted in rock crevices—whether the pines grew naturally in the cracks, or their roots had split the stone, he could not tell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unfamiliar bird calls and animal roars echoed through the mountains and the clouds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Avoid ancient pines, be cautious with living trees, seek dead wood, cut dry branches; if he found many pine cones on the ground, he picked some up. Gradually, Lin Jue gathered a fair amount of firewood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The terrain grew steeper. Without realizing it, he passed through dense forest and turned back—behind him lay open space.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the distance, green mountains layered into shadows, countless tiers, morning mist pooling in valleys and lowlands, forming a sea of clouds, stark white against the ink-dark peaks, breathtaking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned again—and above him stood a stone peak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is this Fuqiu Peak?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue studied it closely, recognizing faintly the shape the old Daoist had pointed out to them from afar—two other stone peaks nearby, one with a notch like a pair of scissors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The air was cool, his strength and energy full, his mood good—he naturally wanted to climb up and see.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But first, he had to chop wood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Here, dead wood and dry branches were plentiful; the lower side branches of large trees had barely been touched, some even regrown after being cut.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Crack…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sound of chopping wood echoed constantly through the mountains.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still reverberating through the clouds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chopping wood required no thought—just keep doing the same thing steadily, no rush, and there was tangible reward. It was unexpectedly enjoyable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue worked calmly, and soon had gathered many dry branches, tied into two bundles, the basket full.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Done!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, it was time to climb.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He left the firewood, pole, and basket aside, tucked his tāguǒ into his robe, took up his axe, and began climbing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unconsciously, his clothes grew damp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not from rain—from sweat and mist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mountain was simply too high—he had entered the clouds. Even on a clear, rainless day, deep within the clouds, one’s clothes still grew wet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The closer he got to the summit, the steeper it became.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the very top, he had to use hands and feet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, it wasn’t far—didn’t take long.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The boy quickly reached the summit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he stood up, he froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before him lay the heart of Yishan: stone walls connected, countless peaks and strange rocks, immeasurable in height and form. Many rocks appeared barren, yet ancient pines grew upon them. The morning mist still clung between these strange peaks, stubborn pines, like a gauzy veil draped by heaven and earth, shifting with the wind into ever-changing wonders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What a magnificent landscape.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue was deeply awed, eyes wide, trying to absorb every detail of this marvel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From below, one could never guess such scenery existed here. No doubt most people were blocked by the remote paths, rarely coming here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, only one thought filled his mind—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a mountain like this, there must be immortals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue stared for a long time, not noticing the chill wind, only listening to the mournful mountain breeze, watching the endless transformations of mist and cloud. After the initial awe faded, he finally diverted his attention slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just then, he was hungry. He pulled out his tāguǒ and ate it right there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tāguǒ was far tastier than the monastery’s meals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But just then, he heard another sound in the mountain wind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue tilted his head, listening closely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There truly was a sound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muffled, whimpering—not human.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like some animal, or its pup.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It sounded pitiful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue remembered the senior brother’s warning: mountain spirits might trick him, so he must hold fast to his heart and not be tempted. He ignored it, continuing to chew his tāguǒ.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ignoring it couldn’t go wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Whoosh…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mountain wind blew in gusts, distant white clouds rolling like waves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Facing this landscape as his meal, savoring slowly—what better life than this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the whimpering continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Worse—it grew clearer, more pitiful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue frowned, finally unable to resist. He set down his tāguǒ, picked up his axe, and walked toward the sound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was very close—only seven or eight zhang away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue slipped down a slope—and saw it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It truly was an animal pup.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A small creature, its fur just grown in, gray and dull, vaguely dog-like but not quite, no bigger than a palm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It crouched at the edge of the stone peak, clearly separated from its mother, turning its head left and right, whimpering constantly. When it saw Lin Jue, it fell silent, staring at him with wide, pleading eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Animal faces differ from human ones—you can’t tell fear from confusion—only those round, unblinking eyes fixed on Lin Jue, silent, heartbreakingly pitiful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is it a lost cub from some wild beast in the mountains?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or is it a mountain spirit playing a trick on him, the new arrival?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue thought as he looked around, seeing no other cubs, nor any animal that might be its mother.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Where’s your mother?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue held his firewood axe and spoke to it casually, as if addressing a person.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Naturally, there was no reply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The little creature still stared at him with round, black eyes, looking weak, helpless, and utterly innocent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wondered what it might be thinking at that moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leaving wasn’t right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Staying wasn’t right either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fine. If you’re truly a lost cub, then not meeting me would’ve been your fate—but since you met me, it’s fate between us. You’re lucky.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saying this, Lin Jue did not approach it closely. Instead, he sat down on a slope some distance away, continuing to eat his tāguǒ, hoping its mother would return and take it away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After he stopped moving, the wind grew colder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The little thing still stared at him silently, expression unchanged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Worried it might be hungry, Lin Jue broke off a piece of tāguǒ, walked over, and placed it before the creature, then returned to his original spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing it didn’t eat, he didn’t press it, and simply sat there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He felt it might still be too close, so moved farther away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could no longer see the distant forest of strange peaks and countless bizarre rocks, but he could still see the mountains on either side—both covered in fissures and veins of granite, shaped like shears, like the Cloud Gate, with ancient pines rooted deep within, still beautiful beyond mortal realms, as if belonging only to heaven.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Waiting in such a place, no matter how long, never felt too long.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially since he’d come up here to admire the view anyway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue was patient, even serene.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Until time slowly passed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sun had long passed overhead; distant mist gradually cleared, replaced by smoke rising far away—perhaps from some fire—then the sun began its slow descent westward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue nearly fell asleep right there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he came back to himself, the little creature still lay quietly far off, a tiny dot in the distance. It neither moved nor cried—perhaps afraid that another cry would alarm Lin Jue and make him eat it, or perhaps it felt safer now that another creature was near. It simply stared at him with those round, wide eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The small piece of tāguǒ Lin Jue had broken off earlier had already been eaten.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hour grew later and later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unconsciously, the distant cliffs had turned golden in the sun’s light; ancient pines cast slanted shadows across the rock face. The great mountains began to mist over again, revealing their unfathomable side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Little one, why haven’t your parents come yet?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue picked up his firewood axe and approached the creature again, still unsure whether this was a mountain spirit’s trick.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For instance, what if it was a shape-shifter creating this little thing to stir his pity, make him reluctant to leave, keep him stranded in the mountains all day, then mock his foolishness? Or wait until sunset, when darkness fell, to take his life?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His master said Yishan had mountain gods, strict and solemn, and all mountain spirits knew of the Daoists of Fuxiu Temple—at least on Fuxiu Peak, the latter should be impossible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The former, however, was possible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At least that yellow dog on the path could pull off such a thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now, lowering his head to meet its gaze, seeing its confused, fearful, helpless eyes—he saw himself, more than a year ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue couldn’t help but sigh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing night draw near, he reached out and picked it up, preparing to take it back to the temple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for whether it was a spirit’s trick—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it weren’t a truly wicked demon or ghost, who would use human kindness as bait to lure someone in? If such a thing truly existed, then so be it—he’d let his firewood axe speak.\u003C\u002Fp>",2190,"2026-06-20T14:45:35.226Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","7e28a2ef45d9e1347b73c4ab61da11004add613670588ebe5757dd71ade1016e","the-book-of-strange-tales-chapter-37","the-book-of-strange-tales-chapter-35",608,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-book-of-strange-tales-cover.jpg"]