Going Down the Mountain to Exterminate Monsters

The wind stopped again.

As Lin Jue turned, he saw Fourth Senior Brother descending the mountain, holding a flute, surrounded by a pack of wild wolves. Seeing him standing still, Fourth Senior Brother couldn't help but stop and look at him.

"Little Junior Brother, didn't you go to Immortal Source Temple to listen to Dao Master Wang Ji Zi lecture? Why are you here?"

"I'm back. I came up the mountain to chop firewood and happened to be looking for you, Fourth Senior Brother."

"Looking for me? What for?"

"It's nothing now."

"Don't be so diligent. Be a bit more lazy. As your Third Senior Brother says, if you're going to be this diligent, you might as well become a monk instead of a Taoist priest."

Fourth Senior Brother smiled and walked down.

The pack of wolves followed him, like a flowing stream.

Lin Jue lowered his head and glanced at the little fox beside him. It was sitting obediently at his feet, a small lump, eyeing the wolves. As if sensing the gaze from above, it tilted its head up to look at him. Its eyes were clear, filled only with curiosity, no fear of the wolves.

"Let's go."

Lin Jue casually chopped some dead branches, making more space for the mountain forest, and then walked back.

Tonight, the temple had a good meal.

It was Seventh Senior Brother's turn to cook.

He had initially thought Seventh Senior Brother's cooking skills couldn't compare to Sixth Senior Brother's, and perhaps that was true—Seventh Senior Brother didn't stir-fry anything; he just boiled everything in plain water. This was a common practice in the villages below. He especially liked to cook a large pot of rice, dishes, and meat, serving everyone a bowl. It looked crude and tasted crude, but the flavor wasn't necessarily worse than Sixth Senior Brother's.

In any case, it was edible, chewable, and filling.

However, today he had uncharacteristically cooked a pot of chicken. It was a chicken raised on the mountain, stewed in plain water with ginger slices to remove the gamey smell. The salt was just right, so it was hard to mess up.

Third Senior Brother was also very happy to see this and brought out his homemade wine.

The temple residents moved the tables outside. The summer daylight lingered, the mountain evenings were cool, the clouds were still beautiful, and swallows played. It already felt pleasant before the food even arrived.

Lin Jue sat down at the table first.

Junior Sister seemed to have woken up from a nap. When she came out, she was also surprised.

Upon asking, they learned it wasn't a special occasion or anyone's birthday. It was just that the mountain Taoists felt like it. They had caught a wild chicken on the mountain and thought it was a happy event. After a moment's thought, they went to the chicken coop and caught two old hens, stewing them in a large pot for a feast.

There was no ceremony, just spontaneity.

As the Senior Brothers were serving the chicken, Cloud Crane Taoist asked Lin Jue and Junior Sister:

"You went to Immortal Source Temple today. What did you learn?"

"Reporting to Master, Dao Master Wang Ji Zi taught a spell called 'Summon Wind' today. Senior Brother and I happened to be there and overheard it."

"'Summon Wind'? That's a common magic! What did you gain from it?"

"I only half-understood it. I was thinking of asking Master for guidance."

"What about the young Taoists at Immortal Source Temple?"

"They probably understood about as much as we did."

"Then you must work hard."

"Your disciple will," Junior Sister said earnestly without moving, "Dao Master Wang Ji Zi said he will test us in a month. If I still haven't learned it by then, I'll bring shame upon Master."

"Lin Jue?"

The old Daoist leaned to the side and looked at Lin Jue.

"Reporting to Master, I also understood it vaguely," Lin Jue said truthfully. He paused, "However, when I came back up the mountain to chop firewood this afternoon, I intended to ask my Senior Brother for pointers on 'Summon Wind.' Unexpectedly, a gust of mountain wind blew, and I felt refreshed. Suddenly, I had an epiphany and learned it."

The old Daoist's expression froze.

Junior Sister was startled and quickly turned her head, staring at Lin Jue in surprise.

"?"

Her eyes held not only shock but also bewilderment, confusion, and disbelief, as if Lin Jue had done something behind her back.

Just then, several Senior Brothers were bringing out the meat, rice, and bowls and chopsticks, interrupting their conversation. The Senior Brothers looked very happy. After distributing the bowls and chopsticks, each person had another cup in front of them.

The cups were all crookedly made, yet upon closer inspection, they had a certain charm.

Third Senior Brother held the wine jar and poured for everyone.

The dark, cloudy wine was like the Thousand Day Wine from the mountains, with tiny sediment like ants. It still smelled of fruit.

"This is a new batch of wine. I brewed it according to the Thousand Day Wine from Langtou Mountain. Of course, I don't have as many rare herbs or the essence of the sun and moon. You've all tasted it before. Tell me, how does the flavor differ?"

Third Senior Brother sat down, took a bite of meat, and then raised his cup.

"Let us drink a cup together."

The old Daoist and the other Taoists raised their cups and drank. Only the two youngest remained. One held his cup and looked down at it, while the other was still in shock, unable to snap out of it.

This wine looked quite different from Thousand Day Wine.

However, seeing everyone drink it without hesitation, Lin Jue felt a sense of carefree abandon and drank it down in one gulp.

Junior Sister dazedly followed suit and drank.

This wine truly doesn't taste like Thousand Day Wine at all, but it's also not strong at all. It's still rich with fruit aroma, and the sweetness is even more pronounced. It's surprisingly delicious.

"You really learned that Summon Wind?"

After putting down his wine cup, the old Daoist priest seemed to disbelieve it himself. He then turned to ask him again.

"If I haven't forgotten."

"Try casting it."

Lin Jue first picked up a piece of chicken neck, bent down, and placed it in the little fox's tile bowl. He then switched his chopsticks to his left hand and waved his right sleeve.

"Whoosh..."

A gust of clear wind immediately rose in the courtyard.

This wind was surprisingly not weak at all—

It was already cool at this time, with only a little warmth from the soup's steam. When the wind blew, this bit of warmth vanished completely, leaving only extreme comfort.

Junior Sister was immediately even more stunned.

"Good! Good!"

Cloud Crane Taoist clapped his hands and laughed heartily. A hint of recollection appeared in the corners of his eyes. "If those little Daoist priests at Immortal Source Temple knew, they'd probably be even more anxious than they were back then!"

Lin Jue seemed to understand something upon hearing this.

"Master, did you also listen to the Dao at Immortal Source Temple originally?"

"Naturally. Our two temples have always been on good terms. We usually went out to take disciples during major ceremonies. If one temple only took one disciple, we would often visit each other and listen to the Dao together, combining the strengths of both families. However, later on, Immortal Source Temple started taking more than a dozen disciples at once, so it was mostly us who went there to listen." The old Daoist priest said with a smile, "Originally, Wang Ji Zi and I joined Mount Yi together. When I went to Immortal Source Temple, I always had the upper hand over him. But this old fellow wasn't a generous person. I was young and full of vigor, and I loved to show off. I almost angered his master and him to death back then."

Even though it had been decades, Cloud Crane Taoist still laughed heartily as he recalled it.

"So that's how it was."

Lin Jue finally understood.

No wonder Wang Ji Zi from Immortal Source Temple had such a poor attitude towards Cloud Crane Taoist, despite their temples being on good terms.

He guessed they must have been secretly comparing themselves often when they were young.

"I didn't misjudge you. Your talent is indeed extraordinary, though there must also be reasons for your fortunate insights. Regardless, to have such gains from chopping firewood on the mountain is truly a good thing." Cloud Crane Taoist said, then turned to look at Junior Sister. "Why didn't you go up the mountain to chop firewood with your senior brother?"

"Reporting to Master, I felt very sleepy after returning, so I took a nap," Junior Sister replied with a dazed expression.

"Did you gain anything?"

"I don't know about gains, but I dreamed I learned magic and could fly."

"Perhaps your hair fell on the mountain and was carried away by birds to build their nests," the old Daoist priest said, shaking his head. "Ancient books say that when birds carry away a person's hair, they dream of flying."

After a few cups of wine, they were already feeling tipsy.

Since arriving at Floating Hill Temple, they had only been eating meager meals to survive. This was their first time having such a gathering. They had their own brewed wine and self-raised chickens, and no one cared how much they ate or drank. They chatted and laughed freely. When the wine took hold, Fourth Senior Brother took out his flute and invited everyone to listen to a new tune he had composed. Second Senior Brother, who ate quickly, went to play the zither after he was full. No matter which moment was captured, the scene was incredibly harmonious and natural.

Even Lin Jue felt wonderful.

After eating and drinking their fill, they each returned to their rooms, leaving the dishes to be cleared the next day.

The next morning.

Lin Jue had intended to go out to practice his magic when he saw some incense visitors in the outer courtyard – a few farmers.

Senior Brother was receiving them.

Lin Jue paused briefly, hearing something about Ghost Qi and ghostly shadows...

They must have come to the mountain, having heard of them, to ask the Daoist priests for help.

In the past, when the world was more peaceful, Floating Hill Temple kept a low profile and focused on cultivating the Dao. They would occasionally go down the mountain to buy supplies, and most people in the villages didn't know of Floating Hill Temple's existence. Now that the world had become chaotic, Daoist priests who went down the mountain to travel and saw disasters couldn't help but help catch ghosts and expel evil spirits. Over time, more and more people became aware of this Daoist temple located in the remote mountains.

These farmers looked like they had traveled a long way.

Lin Jue couldn't help but stand there and listen for a bit longer. Seeing Senior Brother leading them to the Heavenly Elder Hall to offer incense, he then walked away.

The little fox still trotted behind him.

Suddenly, Cloud Crane Taoist's voice came from behind—

"Lin Jue."

Lin Jue immediately stopped in his tracks.

"Master."

He then felt his heel go soft, as if bumped by something. He turned to see the little fox cub lying on its back on the ground, frantically kicking its four legs and flipping over.

"I remember you learned the 'Spit Fire' Performance Art before you came up the mountain, and you've also had dealings with monsters before, haven't you?"

Cloud Crane Taoist looked at Lin Jue. He was naturally very satisfied with his disciple's talent and comprehension. The only thing was that he felt Lin Jue was too fixated on immortality, which was a very difficult pursuit.

Difficult it may be, but if one's heart is set only on this path, it might not necessarily be a good thing.

"Yes."

"There's some Yin Qi in the village down the mountain, I'm afraid some lonely ghosts have spawned, scattering and gathering." Cloud Crane Taoist said to him, "Yin Qi and Ghost Qi are most afraid of Fire Qi and Yang Qi. Although your cultivation is still shallow, you happen to be cultivating the Yin-Yang Spiritual Law. Even without using any magic, your Yang Qi is a great weapon against Yin evil. The world is becoming more chaotic, and our land is no longer peaceful. Even the Spirit Medium is worried. It's possible that your senior brothers might be needed for other matters. Today's matter is simple, so you will accompany some villagers back to clear out that Yin Qi."

"Okay, Master."

"As for the lingering souls in the village, if they retain their sentience, try to persuade them if you can, or report it to the authorities. Never mind, I'll have Third Senior Brother go with you. He's unreliable though, so you make the decisions."

"Understood."

Lin Jue agreed.

"Since you're bringing Third Senior Brother, you might as well bring your Junior Sister too. She doesn't know anything, but I don't have many years left. Once you go down the mountain, you'll have to deal with these things, so it might be good for you to get some experience now."

"Alright."

"Your Taoist robes are ready. They're in the town down the mountain. Remember to remind Third Senior Brother to pick them up on your way back; he knows where they are," the Cloud Crane Taoist said. "Remember, even though we are Taoists, we don't drive away evil spirits for free. Don't forget to collect your payment when you leave."

"How much should I charge?"

"That's up to you." The Cloud Crane Taoist finished speaking and left, waving his sleeve. He only left behind one sentence, "Exorcise the demons well. If you do a good job, I'll teach you a magic spell that's both easy to learn and useful when you get back."

Lin Jue stood in place, confused.

He turned his head and happened to see Third Senior Brother opening his door, rubbing his eyes, and coming out groggily. Their eyes met.