Chapter 42: Him
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Settling into a deep meditative state, Pan Yun slowly guided the spiritual energy entering her body to merge with her own vital energy, following the practice method of the Earth Origin Technique. She only took a small portion, and indeed, it did not dissipate but instead formed a loop. Passing through the Mud Pellet Palace, it gradually flowed down the meridians and settled into her dantian.
The qi formed from the fusion of spiritual energy and vital energy was noticeably stronger. Once settled in the dantian, it created a thin layer of qi in the previously empty space there.
Pan Yun felt a surge of excitement and continued her cultivation.
Ultimately, she emerged from meditation because she was too hungry.
She opened her eyes to complete darkness. After blinking a few times to adjust, she saw the faint moonlight filtering in through the window and realized she had been practicing for most of the day.
She quietly opened the door and made her way to the kitchen.
There was a faint light in the kitchen.
Pushing the door open, she saw that the fire was kept alive by charcoal embers in the stove.
She lit a lamp and lifted the pot lid. Inside was a stack of steamers neatly arranged with buns and vegetables. The bottom held water, and since the charcoal was still warm, the food remained cozy and warm.
Next to the stove, Miao He had left a note for her. The meal was specially saved for her.
Pan Yun was deeply touched; someone had remembered to leave food for her.
The night was extraordinarily quiet, with only a solitary moon in the sky. After eating, she stepped out of the kitchen and involuntarily followed the moonlight as she walked forward...
“Meow—” A sharp, piercing cat cry suddenly snapped Pan Yun back to attention. Looking down, she realized she was standing at the edge of a cliff. Beyond was a pitch-black abyss that seemed bottomless.
Cold sweat broke out on her brow. She took two steps back, reached out, and caught a black cat that leapt up to her. Her eyes scanned the surroundings warily.
“What is this? A ghost? A mountain spirit?”
The breeze whispered through the trees, but nothing answered her. Pan Yun saw no abnormalities.
She stood still for a while, then decided not to entertain this creature any further and promptly turned back inside.
She placed the black cat at the head of her bed and said, “Well done. Tomorrow, I’ll reward you with extra spiritual energy.”
“Meow—I prefer merits,” the cat seemed to reply.
“When we get a chance to leave the mountain, I’ll get you some,” she promised. After all, doing good deeds was something she loved.
Because Pan Little Black had saved her life, Pan Yun was especially kind to it tonight. The cat, proud and alert, prowled around the room before finally choosing the top of a cabinet as its nest.
It had long wanted to avoid lying beside Pan Yun but hadn’t dared to say so—now it finally dared.
Pan Yun opened the cabinet, revealing the cloth she had just received during the day.
She quickly fashioned a simple bed for it and promised, “Tomorrow I’ll find clean dry grass, bake it fragrant, and then cover it with soft cloth. You’ll lie on it like a cloud.”
“Meow—” Pan Little Black was visibly excited just thinking about it.
Pan Yun picked it up, climbed onto a stool, and placed it atop the cabinet. Stroking its head, she said, “But tonight the bed’s still hard. You’ll have to tough it out and keep watch for me. If any evil spirits dare to disturb me, scratch them to death.”
Pan Little Black knew her kindness was not without expectation, but it wasn’t disappointed.
Pan Yun felt uneasy in her heart. After some thought, she decided not to sleep and took out two boxes of cinnabar to begin grinding and preparing talismans.
But how could a child stay awake all night?
Despite her interest, as midnight approached, her eyelids grew heavy and heavy.
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She patted her face and closed the cinnabar boxes, hugging them as she drifted off to sleep.
She resolved that after finishing the cinnabar preparations tomorrow, she would write ten or so exorcism talismans. What kind of ghost dares to scare her?!
Pan Yun gradually sank into slumber, and the black cat, unaware, also fell asleep.
Suddenly, Pan Yun opened her eyes, clutching the cinnabar, and saw once again the imposing figure of a martial general before her, wearing a half-smile.
Pan Yun was startled but quickly realized she was dreaming.
So this was... even though she knew she was dreaming, she couldn’t wake up?
She was silent for a moment but no longer anxious. Instead, she carefully examined the man opposite her.
Dreaming of the same person one night is a matter of “day thoughts, night dreams.” Dreaming of the same person two nights in a row is quite intriguing...
If she was in a dream yet consciously aware and unable to awaken, all the more interesting.
Pan Yun carefully stared at him. Seeing no sign that he would speak, she tentatively called out, “Master?”
He raised an eyebrow.
Pan Yun gasped, “Are you truly my master?”
She attempted to bow but realized she was holding cinnabar, so she quickly set it down and clasped her fists respectfully.
“Disciple Pan Yun pays respects to Master.”
He said nothing, only the mocking curve at his lips faded somewhat.
Pan Yun carefully ventured, “Master, you know that the senior apprentice brother has accepted a new disciple, so you came to give me a welcome gift, right?”
He: ...
Before he could answer, she waved her hands repeatedly, “Master, no need to be so formal. I am already grateful to be your disciple. You do not know, on my journey here, everyone said the scenery of Mount Sanqing is magnificent, filled with spiritual energy, truly a place of goodness. Especially the villages at the foot of the mountain, long blessed by the Mountain God, holding you in reverence like an endless river, blah blah...”
Pan Yun lavished the Mountain God with praise until his expression softened, then stopped.
She felt exhausted but dared not sigh, maintaining a look of admiration as she asked, “Master, did you come specially to see me, or to teach me cultivation methods?”
He only gave her a deep look before turning and leaving.
Pan Yun watched as he transformed into a great crane and flew away. After a long silence, she thought, “Oh gods, gods, could you please say something!”
The next day, Pan Yun, sporting dark circles under her eyes, respectfully offered incense to the Three Purities, Elder Ge, and Minister Li. After placing the incense sticks, she suddenly realized—where was their Master?
Their Master, the majestic Mountain God of Mount Sanqing, had no shrine or statue of his own?
Pan Yun was shocked and hurried to find Senior Brother Wang Fei Yin, who was practicing swordsmanship outside the door.
“Senior Brother—”
Wang Fei Yin’s sword movements were unhurried. He glanced at her and continued.
“Fifth Junior Sister, have you practiced today? Follow Miao Zhen and the others to train basics first. Later, I’ll teach you sword techniques.”
“Cultivation isn’t achieved overnight. No rush. But right now, Senior Brother, why doesn’t Sanqing Temple have our Master’s shrine?”
Wang Fei Yin deflected a sword strike, nearly stabbing the ground.
He steadied his breath before asking, “Why are you suddenly thinking about this?”
Pan Yun looked serious. “I dreamed of Master last night, and this morning I found no shrine for him. Do you think he’s angry and sent me the dream because of this?”
Wang Fei Yin studied her carefully.
Pan Yun lifted her chin, even more serious than he was.
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Wang Fei Yin explained, “Master’s temple is at the foot of the mountain, where the local people worship him. So there’s no separate shrine on the mountain.”
“That won’t do. Besides the offerings from the people, Master should also receive offerings from his disciples,” Pan Yun said solemnly. “How can we be unfilial just because Master is capable and earns more? People never feel they have too little money; how could a god dislike abundant incense offerings?”
Wang Fei Yin found no argument and even thought she had a point. Why then hadn’t he set up a statue and shrine for the Mountain God all those years ago?
Oh, right, because of the deity’s appearance and a local legend.
He said delicately, “Master might not like to show his face.”
“Impossible. Master is so handsome; why wouldn’t he want to show himself?” Pan Yun hesitated, then added, “Well, some handsome men don’t want to be seen. Master is taciturn, maybe a bit reserved.
“So we can carve a statue that resembles him in spirit, not necessarily likeness, as a substitute. As long as everyone knows it represents Master, the incense will reach him, right?”
Seeing Wang Fei Yin still pondering, Pan Yun dragged him toward the backyard. Standing at the cliff’s edge, she said, “Senior Brother, last night Master almost took me off this cliff to accompany him because when I formally became his disciple, I only bowed to Heaven and Earth, never properly to his shrine.”
Wang Fei Yin’s mouth dropped open. “Junior Sister, that’s no joking matter. Could it be that it was too dark, and you confused directions thinking this was the way back?”
Pan Yun pointed to the red lantern at the side door. “Though the lantern is barely enough to light a few feet, it’s still conspicuous at night. You can see it as soon as you leave the kitchen. I wouldn’t mistake that.
“Last night was real. I admired the beautiful moonlight, and suddenly I was at the cliff’s edge. If my dear cat hadn’t cried out, Senior Brother would have seen my soul, not my body.”
Wang Fei Yin: ...
Pan Yun concluded, “It’s all because I never bowed to Master’s shrine.”
Wang Fei Yin looked troubled. “Isn’t it possible Master is dissatisfied with you as a disciple...”
“Impossible,” Pan Yun said without hesitation. “I’m such a prodigy. What master would refuse to accept me?”
Wang Fei Yin closed his mouth and waved dismissively. “Fine, you go. I’ll handle this.”
Pan Yun asked, “How will you handle it? By not making a shrine or statue for Master?”
Wang Fei Yin did not answer but told Pan Yun to go have some fun first.
Reluctantly, Pan Yun left, glancing back repeatedly.
Wang Fei Yin stood at the cliff’s edge, pondering deeply. After a long look, he turned and left.
Before noon, Wang Fei Yin appeared dressed in ceremonial robes, holding a treasured sword and a stack of talismans.
Tao Ji, returning from the alchemy room, was stunned. “Senior Brother, what are you doing?”
Wang Fei Yin waved him over. “You’re just in time. I’m about to host a ritual ceremony. Come assist me.”
Tao Ji asked, “So sudden? Don’t you need to prepare?”
“I’ve already sent Pan Yun and the others to prepare.”
Pan Yun and the others silently held wildflowers, fresh mountain spring water, vases, and incense. They wondered if these humble offerings were enough for the ritual.
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