My Enemy Became My Cultivation Companion-Chapter 748 - 474: Mountain God Temple (Combined)_2

...…

Several days later.

On a road overgrown with wild grass.

Descending the mountain is easier than climbing it. Chen Yi and Yin Tingxue traveled without obstacles. After leaving Cangwu Peak, they walked southwest for a while. Occasionally, they rode in horse-drawn carts, but mostly they took land routes. Upon arriving in Han City, they boarded a boat to sail south along the Yellow River, which would eventually take them into Hu-Guang.

The sun hung low in the sky, and before they realized it, it was already New Year's Eve. Having continually traveled, Yin Tingxue did not feel any of the holiday spirit. She only found that today's sunlight seemed warmer than before.

In their rush to head south, they had no time to celebrate the New Year.

The memory of last year's New Year's Eve, sprawled over the floor with Yin Tingxue, was still fresh in her mind. Back then, they had slept under the same blanket—he was so shameless! As her thoughts wandered, she recalled the fireworks that night: red and yellow colors burst across the sky, the hazy memory filled with vibrant beauty.

The mountain winds brushed past, bringing a faint chill that snapped Yin Tingxue back to her senses.

"What are you thinking about?" Chen Yi slowed his pace and asked.

"Nothing…" Yin Tingxue glanced at the road covered in weeds and asked, "By the way, did you and Sister Wei Ying ever turn into mice?"

Chen Yi paused for a moment, and then nodded, "Yes."

"Hmm, she specifically told me about that and seemed very happy." Yin Tingxue continued, "She said she wasn't boasting but was merely speaking from experience."

Even though it was secondhand, Chen Yi could imagine Wei Ying slyly flaring her nostrils, secretly pleased with herself.

He chuckled and followed up, "Indeed, we transformed twice—once out of necessity and once because she asked me to."

"Was it a case of mutual affection?"

Knowing that she was rarely petty, Chen Yi casually admitted, "That's correct."

But he hadn't expected—

"You and her shared fondness and turned into two mice," Yin Tingxue said innocuously, her expression harmless, "Then… where does that leave me?"

Chen Yi was momentarily stunned, his expression instinctively stiffened. Turning his head, he saw Yin Tingxue blinking at him.

Initially flustered, he remembered she was just a little fox. So, he feigned severity and growled, "You've become bold enough to get jealous and stir up trouble now!"

Yin Tingxue grew a little frightened and quickly lowered her voice, "Didn't you say you'd be happy if I got jealous?"

"That's true," Chen Yi conceded, not pushing the matter further. He gazed into the distance and said slowly, "Let's not talk about that anymore. From here on, while we travel, I'll teach you Taoist skills, share some Jianghu rules, and explain the mystery of mountain spirits and forest beings. It's my duty as your senior brother, after all."

"Uh-huh," Yin Tingxue nodded earnestly.

Having stayed on Yin Sword Mountain for so long, she hadn't ventured out much. To her, the entities from books—the demons and spirits—had always seemed like fictional stories. Thinking about becoming a proper Taoist herself now filled her with boundless curiosity and excitement.

"For example, as we climb this mountain, we pay respect to the mountain and its temple…"

Before he could finish his words, an elderly voice sounded from behind.

"Make way, would you? Please step aside…"

Chen Yi and Yin Tingxue halted briefly. Behind them was a hunched elderly man leaning on his cane, trudging up the mountain path unsteadily, as though he might stumble at any moment.

The two stepped aside, making way for him. Yin Tingxue curiously watched the old man.

She couldn't hear a single sound from him...

The elderly man kept his head down, his eyes cloudy, walking toward the mountain without stopping. Near Yin Tingxue's ears, she heard no distinct sound, only the faint murmur of muddled air moving...

Chen Yi regained focus and continued, "We pay respect because we are travelers, and they are the hosts. Passing through, we show courtesy, so they don't trouble you. And if they're hospitable, they might even treat you well."

Yin Tingxue nodded, half-understanding.

The mountain path lay deserted. Soon after, the elderly man had disappeared. By dusk, fallen leaves drifted, and sparse forest birds returned from afar to their nests. This small mountain was bleak and desolate, with few people and even fewer animals.

Walking a long way, reaching the top of a slope, they spotted a fork in the road leading into the dense cover of vegetation. Yin Tingxue curiously glanced at it, and recognizing her interest, Chen Yi took her hand and led her down the path.

The end of the path revealed the Mountain God Temple.

The temple's plaque had fallen to the ground, wrapped in thick green vines. The Mountain God Temple appeared to have long been in disrepair, its structures in ruin. Chen Yi guided Yin Tingxue past the threshold, where they saw the hunched elderly man again.

The old man sat on the ground with his head drooped, looking lost.

Yin Tingxue softly asked, "Elder?"

The old man raised his wrinkled gaze, "Do you know me?"

Yin Tingxue was completely perplexed, feeling like a monk lost in meditation.

Before she could respond, the elder stroked his white hair and muttered to himself, "Who was I again?"

He repeatedly tugged at his white locks, occasionally pulling a few strands, but he still couldn't recall who he was. He sank into prolonged contemplation.

Yin Tingxue glanced at Chen Yi, who stepped outside the temple. He drew his sword to cut away the vines clasping the fallen temple plaque. Lifting the plaque, he placed it back at the temple's entrance. Returning inside, he grabbed a nearby broom to sweep the dust from the altar. He then wiped the statue clean with his sleeve and lit three sticks of incense.

As the faint flames danced upward, three trails of white smoke ascended.

The old man took a sharp inhale of air through his nose, his foggy eyes widening as he slapped his thigh, proclaiming, "I remembered! I am the Mountain God of Fengqing Mountain."

Yin Tingxue cast a sidelong look at the entrance, where the restored plaque indeed bore the bold words "Fengqing Mountain."

Afterward, she saw Chen Yi make a respectful bow and say, "This humble Taoist greets the Mountain God."

The old Mountain God rose from his seat, greedily inhaling the incense smoke. He grinned broadly, saying, "This humble fellow greets the Taoist as well, and thanks the Taoist. Such fine sandalwood—you can't imagine how long it's been…"

Once a third of the incense had burned away, the old Mountain God slapped his forehead as if recalling his duty to honor his guests. He turned to the backside of the statue and, after some time, pushed out a wine jar.

"This temple is small; I can only offer mediocre wine."

The Mountain God spoke as he unsealed the jar's lid, only to discover it was empty—the contents had already evaporated.

Momentarily at a loss, he awkwardly stuttered, and Chen Yi waved his hand, "It's no matter. It's late. May we stay here for the night?"

The Mountain God eagerly agreed, "Certainly! Certainly!"

Then, scratching his head in thought, he finally asked, "Taoist, may I ask… what day is it?"

"The thirtieth day of the twelfth lunar month in the Year of the Yellow Dragon."

"Ah, so it's New Year's Eve!"

The old Mountain God slapped his forehead again, and as if to make amends for not having wine to offer, proposed,

"On this New Year's Eve, let me summon some mountain creatures for a feast!"

...…

A fuzzy, silvery moon had just risen above the treetops.

Yin Tingxue widened her eyes.

The first arrivals were a group of weasels, clad in human garments. As they crossed the threshold, they formally bowed to Yin Tingxue, who stood nearest to them. Following them were six orioles with reddish-brown plumage, singing melodiously in human speech. Then came a mountain rat, sneaking along the roof beams before being scolded by the Mountain God: "No incense oil for you to steal!" The rat sheepishly dropped to the floor.

The last arrival was a black bear who squeezed through the doorway, holding a wine jar in its arms.

These were all the creatures of Fengqing Mountain.

On this New Year's Eve, the Mountain God Temple's center was adorned with an assortment of brightly colored fruits—the collective contribution of its denizens.

Pressing against Chen Yi's side, Yin Tingxue seemed nervous. Chen Yi, unconcerned about decorum, wrapped an arm around her shoulder and laughed, "Little fox, are you scared?"

Yin Tingxue nodded.

The mountain rat, whose ears had perked up, exclaimed, "Is she a fox spirit?"

Yin Tingxue wanted to deny it but thought for a moment and replied, "Yes."

"Impressive! No tail, and no trace of demonic energy."

As these words were spoken, the mountain rat extended its hand to snatch a nut, only to be smacked back by the Mountain God.

The six orioles chirped, "Stealing things—how shameful!"

The mountain rat sulked but then turned toward the Mountain God and quipped, "Old man, weren't you losing your mind in your old age?"

The Mountain God replied, "Thanks to these two Taoists and their incense offering, I've regained my clarity."

Then he turned to the orioles and asked, "Aren't you seven sisters? Why are there only six of you? Where's the youngest one?"

The normally chattering orioles fell silent.

The rounded black bear pressed his paw against the floor and murmured, "When you were muddle-headed, a Great Demon took her away… She's likely gone."

"Which Great Demon?"

"The Guhuo Bird."