I Have Already Remembered His Name

Qi WuHuo's departure wasn't a big deal.

When Li Puyü came to pay his respects for the New Year, he found the young man gone and felt a pang of loss. The butcher's lucky red envelope, containing five large coins, went undelivered. Life went on as usual, with the sun rising and setting, people coming and going, all bustling and lively. Besides, what was the departure of an ordinary outsider, who didn't even understand the ways of the world, worth mentioning?

The real big event was actually the Mountain God--

The Mountain God temple was repaired.

The crowd, beating gongs and drums, dispersed. At first, people came very frequently, as if they wanted to climb the mountain to worship every morning upon waking. Later, fewer people came. Eventually, those who had built the temple found they hadn't gotten rich, and their sons hadn't suddenly become enlightened and made rapid progress in their studies. They came less and less often, until finally, they simply stopped coming.

Only the woodcutters who went up the mountain would occasionally seek shelter from the rain.

Wild beasts roamed from time to time, snakes occasionally coiled around the beams, dust motes danced in the light, wild and natural.

The Mountain God temple was filled with the almost intoxicating aroma of incense after burning. Suddenly, a voice rang out:

"Hey, hey, hey, what kind of Mountain God is this? Why is the statue made to look like this?"

It was the Deer Spirit. It looked up at the statue and was clearly displeased.

Its tail swished back and forth.

This statue didn't look like the original tiger at all, nor like the young man from later!

It was the common image of a plump, benevolent immortal, smiling happily, though it was unclear what he was so happy about, just looking down at the world below.

On its back, the little figure transformed from Huang Jing raised its hands, babbling in protest.

Finally, it stomped on the Deer Spirit's back, jumped down, and directly burrowed into the Mountain God statue, instantly changing its appearance.

Another month passed, and Mr. Su's family returned to town. The young lady, Su Yue'er, seemed very interested in tales of immortals. Upon hearing about the Mountain God, she invited the young relative from the Cui family to come up the mountain. Laughing, she said, "Before I came here, I hadn't heard any stories about the Mountain God manifesting on He Lian Mountain."

"This time, I must see for myself."

"Yes."

"Hehe, remember those two couplets we saw at the Dao Sect's gate? They really scared Puyü and the others!"

"Such immortal destinies are not easily encountered."

The snow in the mountains had not stopped falling. The girl in the red dress, wearing boots convenient for winter travel, stepped on the accumulated snow, making a rustling sound as she arrived before the Mountain God temple. Perhaps because the Mountain God had not manifested, and it was inconvenient to get here, the place had lost its former liveliness. She picked up some incense with a smile and walked inside. Looking up, her smile suddenly stopped.

"What's wrong, Yue'er?"

The young man from the Cui family asked, confused. He looked up and saw the girl in red's almond-shaped eyes widen in stunned silence. He was also taken aback. He saw that in the Mountain God temple, the stone statue was of a young man with a gentle expression, but his brows were clear and bright. Although it was a simple Mountain God temple, the stone carving was lifelike, as if the young man could step off the pedestal at any moment and speak with a smile.

Although few people came anymore, seasonal fruits and vegetables were never absent, as if other beings continued to offer their tributes.

Su Yue'er stared in stunned silence, "Qi WuHuo..."

She turned and hurried back to town. The young man behind her called out to her, but she didn't stop. Biting her lip, she passed through the mountain path, through the bustling streets, and into the muddy alleyways, finally stopping in front of a courtyard. Panting, she pushed the door, but it wouldn't open. Before her eyes, the wooden door was closed, and the house remained as it was.

It was as if the young man would push the door open and come out from within, but that was just an illusion.

On the stone table lay the scabbard of a sword.

Only a single plum tree, despite it already being early spring, was in full bloom. The faint plum fragrance carried far, a truly remarkable sight.

Amidst the chaotic mortal world, this place was serene.

Su Yue'er stared in stunned silence.

The wind blew, and a flower petal fell onto the sword's scabbard.

Nothing else.

That was all.

She reached out and placed her hand on the wooden door, suddenly feeling a sense of loss, and murmured softly:

"Qi WuHuo..."

Qi WuHuo and the old man left the town. He thought they would walk a long distance, but with every step he took, it felt as if he had already traveled a great distance. The scenery receded behind him, yet he didn't feel any different. It vaguely resembled the supernatural ability he achieved when he used the Mountain God Talisman Seal while lecturing, but upon closer reflection, it was entirely different.

They walked on. In Qi WuHuo's perception, it only took the time to brew a cup of tea, and then the old man stopped.

Qi WuHuo took a breath. The air was moist, like just before it rains.

He could hear a thunderous roar in his ears.

He asked, "Is it going to thunder?"

The old man burst into laughter, "Hahaha, no, no. Come with me."

The old man led Qi WuHuo a few more steps forward, and they stood on a rock formation, looking down. They saw vast, surging green waves that stretched to the horizon, spanning the wilderness, seemingly boundless and magnificent. Wave after wave crashed forward. Two waves collided, the sound booming like thunder, as if it would never cease.

Qi WuHuo was stunned by the sight before him. "This is..."

"Is this the sea?"

"The sea?"

The old man shook his head. "No, it's just a river."

The young man was taken aback. "A river?!"

The old man stroked his head and said with a gentle smile, "There are many profound and marvelous methods in the world, and you will naturally see them in the future."

He then led Qi WuHuo to the riverside. They saw the surging waves, with a crest rising like a small mountain. It was impossible to cross, let alone by boat, and it seemed even flying over it would be difficult. From the mountain, they could only sense that this stretch of water seemed to connect with the sky. It was only upon reaching the riverbank that they could feel the breathtaking, oppressive force.

Qi WuHuo asked, "Is the person you mentioned living nearby?"

The old man smiled and shook his head, "He should be in the river, on an island."

Qi WuHuo looked at the river, "An island in such turbulent waters?"

The old man replied with a smile, "Indeed."

Qi WuHuo asked, "With the water this swift, how can we cross?"

The old man stroked his beard and chuckled, "Naturally, by boat."

"Boat?"

Qi WuHuo looked around. With such large waves and strong winds, no boat could possibly navigate them. There was no one else around. Qi WuHuo went to look for a boat, but returned empty-handed. There was no sign of human habitation, let alone any traces of human activity. There were only a few shells and some tiny twigs, thinner than Qi WuHuo's fingers, washed ashore from who knew where.

Qi WuHuo said regretfully, "There's no boat... I only found these twigs. I can't even make a boat with them."

The old man chuckled and shook his head, "You, you actually went looking for wood to make a boat?"

"Never mind, never mind. Since you've come."

"Then we'll use this 'boat'."

Qi WuHuo was stunned. He saw the old man casually pick up a thin twig.

He flicked his finger.

A long, thin twig landed on the sea. Despite the surging waves, it wasn't washed away. The twig suddenly grew larger, instantly spanning the waves like a giant log. Pavilions, intricately carved and painted, appeared on it in a flash, magnificent and stately. It had transformed into a massive, grand ship. The old man stroked his beard and smiled, "Isn't this a boat?"

"And I have you to thank, WuHuo. Come, come, get on board."

The old man stepped onto the ship as if it were ordinary, and Qi WuHuo followed suit. He reached out and touched the massive ship, feeling its smooth, calm texture. It was real, not an illusion. He instinctively asked, "What kind of supernatural ability is this?"

The old man replied, "Deconstructing all things, reshaping them into treasures, reversing creation, inscribing runes and seals. This is artifact forging."

He then shook his head and casually added, "It's merely working with what already exists."

"A mere trivial skill."

"WuHuo, focus on elixir cultivation, don't get sidetracked by this."

Without any apparent action, a strong wind began to blow. The ship cut through the giant waves, moving forward smoothly. Qi WuHuo stood at the bow, gazing at the vast, boundless expanse, his heart opening up. The wind blew, lifting the young man's blue robe behind him. He was from an ordinary family, his black hair tied up with a simple grass rope to avoid looking unkempt. Now, with the wind, his black hair was swept back.

The old man smiled and stroked his beard, "Your heart is open now. WuHuo, why don't you meditate and refine your Primordial Qi?"

"Yes."

Qi WuHuo suppressed the exhilaration of seeing such scenery.

He sat down facing the vast, rolling waves, breathing evenly, refining his Primordial Qi.

Despite the great wind and waves, and the thunderous roar of the surf, He was able to focus his mind and meditate as usual.

After an unknown amount of time, around noon, the large ship finally slowed to a stop. When Qi WuHuo opened his eyes, he saw an island ahead. It looked like spring, incredibly beautiful and scenic, with neat houses that weren't extravagant, appearing like those of a moderately wealthy family.

Fields and paths crisscrossed, and the sounds of chickens and dogs could be heard.

Qi WuHuo saw a man leading a large yellow ox, plowing the field.

The large ship docked, and the old man brought Qi WuHuo ashore.

He felt even more that such fine crops could exist in the world. The farmer seemed to have noticed the old man's arrival and quickly came over. Just as he was about to bow, the old man raised his hand, stopping him. He gently pressed his palm down and said with a smile, "No need for formalities."

What surprised Qi WuHuo was that the large yellow ox also nodded in greeting.

The farmer looked at Qi WuHuo beside him and smiled, "You said you were coming, so we've been preparing things for several days. Is this child a young attendant accompanying you?"

The old man replied, "No."

His smile faded slightly, and he became more serious, saying gently, "I have [Name Record him] too."

"WuHuo, bow."

?!!!

The farmer and the yellow ox's expressions changed in unison.