[{"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-45":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},2317325,4532,"Chapter 45: Descending the Mountain to Exorcise Demons","the-book-of-strange-tales-chapter-45",45,"\u003Cp>The wind stopped again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Lin Jue turned, he saw his fourth senior brother descending the mountain, flute in hand, surrounded by a pack of wild wolves. Seeing him standing still, the fourth senior brother halted and looked at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Little brother, weren’t you off to Xianyuan Temple to listen to Master Wangji’s teachings? Why are you here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve returned. I came up to chop firewood and happened to be looking for you, Fourth Senior Brother.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Looking for me? Why?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s nothing now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t be so diligent—be lazy a bit. As Third Senior Brother says, if you’re this hardworking, you might as well become a monk instead of a Daoist.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fourth senior brother smiled and stepped downward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wolves followed him like a stream.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue glanced at the little fox beside him; it sat upright at his feet, a tiny mound, watching the wolf pack. As if sensing the gaze from above, it lifted its head to look at him—its eyes clear, filled only with curiosity, not fear of the wolves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s go.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue casually chopped some dead branches, clearing more space in the forest, then headed back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tonight, the temple actually had a good meal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cooking duty had fallen to Seventh Senior Brother.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d always assumed Seventh Senior Brother’s cooking was worse than Sixth Senior Brother’s—and perhaps it was: Seventh Senior Brother couldn’t stir-fry; everything was boiled in plain water, a common practice down in the villages. He especially loved to boil a huge pot of rice, meat, and vegetables, serving each person a bowl—coarse in appearance and taste, yet the flavor wasn’t clearly worse than Sixth Senior Brother’s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At least it was edible, chewable, and filling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But today he had uncommonly boiled a whole chicken—raised on the mountain, simmered in plain water with ginger slices to remove the gaminess, salted just right. It was hard to imagine it tasting bad.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Third Senior Brother was delighted and brought out his homemade wine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The disciples moved the table outside. Summer daylight lingered long, the mountain evening cool, clouds and rosy hues still lingering, swallows darting playfully. Even before sitting down, they already felt a quiet ease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue sat first at the table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Little Sister had returned as if she’d slept, and when she stepped out, she was startled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon asking, they learned it wasn’t any special occasion or birthday—just the Daoists’ whimsy: they’d caught a wild chicken, found it delightful, and so went to the coop to catch two more hens, boiling them into a huge pot as a little feast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No ceremony at all—pure spontaneity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the senior brothers carried out bowls of chicken meat, bowls of rice, and distributed chopsticks, Master Yunhe asked Lin Jue and the little sister:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Today, at Xianyuan Temple, what did you learn?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master, today Master Wangji taught us a technique called ‘Summon Wind.’ My senior brother and I arrived just in time and listened in.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Summon Wind? That’s a common spell! What did you gain from it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I understood only half. I was hoping to ask Master for guidance.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What about the young Daoists at Xianyuan Temple?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They probably understood about the same as us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then you must work harder.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I will, Master,” Little Sister sat still, face serious. “Master Wangji said he’ll test us in a month—if I still haven’t learned it by then, I’ll bring shame upon you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What about Lin Jue?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old Daoist shifted his body, turning to look at Lin Jue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master, I also understood only half. But this afternoon, returning and chopping firewood, I meant to ask Senior Brother about ‘Summon Wind’—when a mountain breeze blew over me, felt refreshing, and suddenly I understood. I’ve learned it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old Daoist froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Little Sister jumped, whirling to stare at Lin Jue in shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her eyes held not just astonishment, but blankness, confusion, disbelief—as if Lin Jue had done something behind her back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just then, the senior brothers arrived with meat, rice, and chopsticks, interrupting their conversation. All looked cheerful; after distributing bowls and chopsticks, each person received an extra cup.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cups were crookedly made, yet upon closer look, held a certain charm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Third Senior Brother carried the wine jar, pouring for each in turn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dark, cloudy wine, like the mountain’s thousand-day wine, contained tiny specks like ants. It still smelled of fruit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is new wine—I brewed it following the recipe of the thousand-day wine from Langtou Mountain. Of course, I didn’t use rare herbs or celestial essences. You’ve tasted it before—tell me, how does the flavor differ?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Third Senior Brother sat down, took a bite of meat, then raised his cup.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s drink together.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old Daoist and all the Daoists raised their cups and drank. Only the two young ones remained: one holding his cup, staring down at it; the other still stunned, not yet recovered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This wine looked quite different from thousand-day wine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But seeing everyone drink it without hesitation, with such ease, Lin Jue felt no hesitation—he tilted his head back and drank it all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Little Sister, dazed, followed suit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The taste was nothing like thousand-day wine, yet equally mild, richly fruity, even sweeter—and surprisingly delicious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You really learned Summon Wind?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After setting down his cup, the old Daoist still seemed doubtful, turning again to ask him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If I haven’t forgotten.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Demonstrate it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue first picked up a chicken neck, bent down, and placed it in the little fox’s tile bowl. Then he switched his chopsticks to his left hand, flicked his right sleeve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huuu…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A gentle breeze stirred in the courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wind was not weak—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had already been cool, with only a trace of warmth from the soup. Now the breeze swept it away entirely, leaving only perfect refreshment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Little Sister grew even more stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good! Excellent!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Yunhe clapped his hands and laughed, a flicker of memory in his eyes: “If those young Daoists at Xianyuan Temple knew, they’d be more frantic than ever!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Lin Jue suddenly understood something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master, you once studied at Xianyuan Temple too?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course. Our families were close—we often went out together during grand rituals to recruit disciples. Originally, if one family took one student, we’d visit each other, study together, combining our strengths. But later, Xianyuan Temple began taking dozens at once, so mostly we went to them. Back then, Master Wangji and I both entered Yishan. When I visited Xianyuan Temple, I always outshone him. But that old fellow wasn’t generous. I was young, proud, and loved showing off—I nearly drove his master and him mad.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even now, decades later, recalling it, Master Yunhe laughed heartily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So that’s how it was.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue understood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No wonder, despite the close ties, Master Wangji of Xianyuan Temple treated Master Yunhe so coldly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He must have secretly compared himself to him countless times in his youth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I didn’t misjudge you—your talent is truly exceptional. But you must also have had a stroke of insight. Either way, gaining such understanding while chopping firewood is a good thing.” Master Yunhe turned to Little Sister. “Why didn’t you go chop firewood with your senior brother?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master, I came back feeling very sleepy, so I slept.” Little Sister replied blankly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Did you gain anything?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t know. But I dreamed I learned a spell—I could fly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old Daoist shook his head. “Perhaps your hair fell in the mountains and was carried off by birds to build a nest. Ancient texts say: ‘Birds carry human hair, dreams of flight.’”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a few cups, they were all light-headed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In all the time at Fuxiu Temple, they’d eaten only meager meals—this was their first such gathering. Homemade wine, home-raised chicken, no one watching how much they ate or drank—they laughed freely. When the wine came, Fourth Senior Brother took out his flute and played a new tune he’d composed; Second Senior Brother, full, went to play the qin. No matter where you looked, the scene was perfectly harmonious and natural.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Lin Jue felt wonderful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After eating and drinking, everyone returned to their rooms. Even the table was left for tomorrow’s cleanup.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next morning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue had planned to go out to practice his spells, but saw visitors at the outer courtyard—several farmers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First Senior Brother was receiving them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue paused briefly, hearing talk of ghostly vapors and shadows…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They must have come seeking help, drawn by reputation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In past times, when the world was peaceful, Fuxiu Temple kept a low profile, quietly cultivating. Occasionally they’d descend to buy supplies; few below even knew the temple’s name. Now that the world was in chaos, Daoists descended to help—when they saw calamity, they couldn’t help but exorcise ghosts and dispel evil. Over time, more and more people learned of this remote mountain temple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These farmers looked like they’d traveled far.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue lingered to listen a while longer, watching First Senior Brother lead them to Tianweng Hall to burn incense, then walked away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The little fox still ran behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, Master Yunhe’s voice came from behind—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lin Jue.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue immediately stopped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He felt a soft bump against his heels, turned to see the little fox lying on its back, frantically kicking its legs to flip over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I recall you learned fire tricks before coming up the mountain, and you’ve dealt with demons before, correct?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Yunhe looked at Lin Jue. He was deeply satisfied with his disciple’s talent and insight, but one thing troubled him: Lin Jue’s obsession with immortality. That was an impossibly difficult path.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Difficult as it was, if his heart held nothing else, it might not be a good thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There’s yin energy in the village below—likely spawning wandering ghosts, dispersing and reforming. Yin and ghostly energy fear fire and yang energy. Though your cultivation is still shallow, you practice Yin-Yang Spirit Law. Even without spells, your yang energy alone is a powerful weapon against evil. The world grows ever more chaotic; even our region is no longer safe. The spirit mediums are worried. Who knows what other troubles may arise, requiring your senior brothers? This matter is simple—you’ll accompany these villagers back and dispel the yin energy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Master.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“As for the lingering souls in the village, if they still possess awareness, persuade them if you can, or submit a petition if needed. Never mind—I’ll send your third senior brother with you. But he’s unreliable; you’ll have to make all the decisions.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Understood.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue agreed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Since you’re taking your third senior brother, bring your little junior sister along too. She doesn’t know anything yet, but I won’t live much longer. Once you leave the mountain, you’ll have to deal with these things—better to get some early experience.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your robes are ready—they’re in the town below the mountain. Remember to remind your third senior brother to pick them up on your way back; he knows where.” Master Bai Yun said, “Remember, though we’re Daoists, we don’t exorcise for free. Don’t forget to collect payment when you leave.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How much should we charge?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s up to you.” Master Bai Yun waved his sleeve and left, adding only, “Exorcise well. If you do a good job, I’ll teach you a new spell when you return—one easy to learn and useful.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue stood where he was, puzzled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned his head and happened to see his third senior brother opening his door, rubbing his eyes, still half-asleep, meeting his gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>",1907,"2026-06-20T14:45:35.226Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","dbfcedd8ba3eaacb061cabb51d61a49b9f9514943586173d4f6b9766bd574d7a","the-book-of-strange-tales-chapter-46","the-book-of-strange-tales-chapter-44",608,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-book-of-strange-tales-cover.jpg"]