Shen Hui soaked in the water for a while, then suddenly remembered something. He reached for his clothes on the bank and took two round objects from his Taoist robe's pocket.
Wild Chicken Eggs.
That morning, as he passed a thicket, a wild chicken had burst from a nest in the grass. He had looked down to find seven or eight eggs nestled neatly together.
He hadn't had the heart to take them all, so he had pocketed just two, thinking they would make breakfast by the hot spring.
Now was the perfect time.
He held the eggs up for a look. Their shells were bluish gray with brown speckles, and they were a little smaller than chicken eggs.
Holding one in each hand, he gently tapped his fingernails against the tops of the shells, making two tiny holes the size of grains of rice.
Then, with a thought, he summoned a flame and held the eggs near it, roasting them slowly.
Watching the flame dance, Shen Hui suddenly remembered something from his childhood.
Back then, a spirit medium had lived in the village. She was over seventy and looked as thin and dry as a twig.
Whenever someone in the village suffered a fright or a string of bad luck, they went to see her.
She didn't charge money. All they had to bring was a packet of brown sugar and a packet of biscuits.
Shen Hui had seen her perform a ritual.
She would sit by the door of her main room with an egg, dip a chopstick in ink, and draw a talisman on the shell.
He had no idea what she drew. He only knew the marks were crooked and winding; he couldn't recognize a single one.
When she finished, she buried the egg in the hot ashes of the stove for the time it took a stick of incense to burn. Then she dug it out, peeled it, and had the person receiving the ritual eat it.
He used to squat by the door and watch, swallowing saliva from sheer hunger.
Those eggs smelled wonderful as they cooked. He could catch their toasted fragrance from far away.
That was precisely why, back then, he had wished every day that he might fall ill or suffer bad luck, so he could eat one too.
Shen Hui smiled and turned the two eggs over.
There were no talismans drawn on these eggs, so naturally, they had no power to ward off evil or avert disaster.
Then again, who could say whether the talismans the spirit medium drew had ever worked?
In any case, everyone in the village said their illnesses had cleared up and their bad luck had gone after eating one.
But no one looked into whether that was thanks to the egg, the talisman, or the comfort of believing an egg would make them better.
They were just about done.
Shen Hui withdrew the flame, dipped the eggs in the cool water, and began peeling them.
The whites were tender, with a faint golden-brown layer. He took a bite. The yolk was soft and rich, and the aroma rushed straight to his head.
There was no salt or seasoning, only the pure taste of egg, yet nothing could have been more delicious.
The two eggs were gone in a few bites.
Shen Hui licked his fingers, sank contentedly deeper into the water, and began cultivating.
Several hours later, he opened his eyes.
He breathed out a mouthful of turbid air, settled his mind, and looked inward. His energy absorption for the day had reached ten points.
That was faster than usual.
Ordinarily, three or four hours of meditation indoors would only bring him ten points. This time, barely more than two hours had passed before he reached ten.
The spiritual energy in this pool was indeed far denser.
He did not stop cultivating. He remained seated.
Another two hours passed.
When he opened his eyes again, the number on the interface flickered and rose by one more point.
That point had accumulated much more slowly, but he had gained it in the end.
At the Taoist temple, absorbing more energy after reaching ten points was as slow as a turtle crawling. In this pool, he could still squeeze out another point.
Shen Hui did the sums: if he came every day from now on, eleven points a day would make three hundred and thirty in a month.
Thirty more than he would get indoors.
Over a year, that would add up to more than an extra month's worth.
Even a mosquito's leg was still meat.
He stood, warm water sliding off his body and stirring a layer of white mist.
The sun had already dipped toward the west. It was time to go back.
With his right hand, he formed the seal for the Wind-Borne Art. A clear breeze rose from his palm and blew across the pool.
The mist rolled apart to either side, revealing a clear passage.
He stepped onto the bank, dried himself, dressed, tucked the hawthorn fruit away again, and looked back at the mist-shrouded pool.
"I'll come back tomorrow."
The sun slanted westward, casting a faint golden glow across the snow beneath the trees.
Shen Hui followed his own footprints through the snow, still turning over everything he had experienced while cultivating in the pool.
After walking for about fifteen minutes, he spotted a black speck moving slowly across the snow among the distant trees.
He stopped and narrowed his eyes at it.
The speck moved very slowly, stopping and starting, as though something trapped there was struggling.
Shen Hui watched with a frown. The longer he looked, the more something seemed wrong.
It was a person.
But what was someone doing in these deep, wild woods?
Should he go and look?
Alone in the wilderness, it would be unwise to approach a stranger rashly.
But Shen Hui watched the figure struggle in the snow. After weighing it over and over, he could not suppress his concern. He left the main path and waded through knee-deep snow toward the black speck.
As he drew near, he saw it was an old man.
The man sat sprawled on the ground, wrapped in a tattered padded jacket covered in patches upon patches. Its fabric was dingy gray, and blackened cotton stuffing showed through in several places.
A bundle of firewood lay beside him, tied with hemp rope fashioned into shoulder straps. The bundle had tipped to one side, and a strap pulled at his shoulder, dragging his whole body backward.
He reached for a branch of an old tree beside him, trying to use it to stand.
But the tree was too thick and the branch too high. His thin fingers clawed uselessly at the air a few times without reaching anything.
He looked like a beetle turned onto its shell, helplessly flailing in the snow.
Shen Hui took a few steps closer.
"Sir."
The old man flinched violently and turned his head.
His face was wrinkled like dried bark. His cheeks were badly chapped, and the corners of his mouth were split, with blood seeping from some of the cracks.
At the sight of Shen Hui, panic flashed in his eyes. He shrank back as though he wanted to flee, but the bundle of firewood held him fast.
Shen Hui quickly softened his voice. "Don't be afraid, sir. I mean you no harm."
As he spoke, he held out his hand.
The old man stared at it, hesitating for a long while.
At last, he shakily extended his own hand, covered in chapped skin and calluses, and took Shen Hui's.
Shen Hui gave a firm pull and helped him to his feet.
"Th-thank you, Master Taoist..."
Shen Hui paused, then smiled. "Please don't call me that, sir. I've only been a Taoist for three months. I don't deserve 'Master Taoist.'"
The old man cupped his hands repeatedly. "You do, you do, Master Taoist..."
Before he could finish, his foot slipped, and he fell into the snow with a thud.
Shen Hui hurried to help him up.
The old man was about to speak again, but Shen Hui had already bent down, untied the bundle from his back, and hoisted it onto his own shoulder.
"You mustn't!"
The old man waved his hands anxiously, all the wrinkles on his face bunching together.
"It's on my way." Shen Hui smiled. "Come on."
The old man wanted to say more, but seeing how easily Shen Hui carried the load, unlike himself, he fell awkwardly silent.
They headed down the mountain, one following the other.
The old man walked slowly and had to pause for breath every few steps.
Shen Hui slowed to match his pace and made casual conversation.
"Which village are you from, sir?"
"M-Master Taoist, I'm from Li Family Village at the foot of the mountain."
"Li Family Village? You came this far to gather firewood?"
The old man stiffened and lowered his head further. He only murmured an answer, his voice as faint as a mosquito's.
Shen Hui understood and asked no more.
He knew that under the rules of the Great Shuo Dynasty, not just anyone could go into the mountains to gather firewood.
Only woodcutters designated by the authorities had that right, and there was a distinction between official mountains and public mountains.
Deer Rest Mountain happened to be an official mountain. Commoners who trespassed to cut wood there faced a beating and a fine at best; at worst, they could be exiled to serve in the army.
This old man... had probably come in secret.
Shen Hui slowed his steps and spoke more gently. "Don't worry, sir. All you've gathered are dead branches. That hardly counts as cutting trees."
The old man froze for a moment. Then he understood what Shen Hui meant, and his eyes suddenly reddened.
"You're a good man, Master Taoist," he said.
Shen Hui smiled but said nothing.
They walked with their heads down for a while. The old man's steps gradually grew steadier, and he became more talkative.
Following behind Shen Hui, he asked cautiously, "Master Taoist... do you cultivate at Clear Wind Temple?"
Shen Hui did not turn around. "I do."
The old man nodded, his voice tinged with reverence. "Everyone at Clear Wind Temple is a great master."
Shen Hui laughed. "You're mistaken there. I certainly don't count as one."
But the old man kept shaking his head. "Anyone from Clear Wind Temple is a great master. Who in Qu County doesn't know that when it comes to subduing demons and driving off ghosts, Clear Wind Temple is the best..."
Once he started, the old man chattered on.
"If the county magistrate hadn't posted a notice saying we mustn't go up the mountain and disturb the Taoist masters' cultivation, I'd have gone to the temple to offer a stick of incense, whatever it took. It's the least I could do."
Shen Hui nodded.
He knew about that.
Clear Wind Temple was well known in Yongchang Commandery. Officials and commoners alike often came seeking help when trouble arose.
Old Taoist Ji Chen was capable, and softhearted too.
Over time, the temple had drawn more and more worshippers.
But Clear Wind Temple was, after all, a quiet place where master and disciples cultivated. Too many visitors would disturb the mountain's peace.
With no other choice, Old Taoist Ji Chen had asked the county magistrate to post a notice forbidding people from climbing the mountain to burn incense.
If something happened, they were to seek help from the authorities first. For matters the authorities could not resolve, Clear Wind Temple would come down the mountain twice a year, in spring and autumn, and deal with them then.
They walked a little farther before the old man suddenly sighed.
"Master Taoist... I didn't mean to break the law..."
"I know."
Shen Hui nodded. "But if you needed firewood, why not gather it in the public mountains nearby? Why come all the way to this official mountain?"
The old man was silent for a while before answering.
"The ones nearby... I can't go there."
"Why not?"
"A few months ago, a tiger suddenly appeared in the mountains. It was fierce and ate several hunters. The authorities organized a hunt and drove it away, but who would have thought..."
He swallowed.
"One tiger left, and a vicious wolf appeared in its place."
Shen Hui frowned slightly.
"Cat Ridge is the only way into the mountains. The wolf hides up on the ridge and pushes rocks down on people, picking off anyone alone. It's already... already eaten several."
He raised his head and glanced at Shen Hui, fear in his eyes.
"A few days ago, someone saw the beast from a distance. They said it could stand upright now and walk like a person."
Shen Hui's steps faltered slightly.
"Walk upright?"
He turned toward the old man. "Did you see it yourself?"
The old man hunched his shoulders and lowered his voice further. "N-no, I wouldn't dare go see it myself... Lame Liu from the village told us. He was up the mountain cutting firewood that day and saw the beast standing on the ridge in the distance. It stood on its hind legs, its front legs hanging down, looking toward the foot of the mountain like a person. Lame Liu was so frightened he abandoned his firewood and scrambled home. He was ill for half a month."
Shen Hui's brow furrowed.
A wolf that walked upright, ate people, and knew to push rocks down from above.
That was no ordinary beast.
"Didn't the authorities do anything?"
"They did." The old man sighed. "The county magistrate sent several constables with swords and spears. But the beast turned and vanished into the mountain. They couldn't catch so much as a hair of it."
Shen Hui walked on in silence, the snow crunching beneath his feet.
The old man stole a glance at his expression and said quietly, "Young Master Taoist, I—I didn't mean to steal wood from an official mountain. I truly had no choice... There's no one left in my household but me. I'd burned through all my firewood, and if I didn't gather more, I'd freeze to death. I know Clear Wind Temple's rules. I shouldn't have come here..."
Shen Hui came back to himself and waved a hand. "Don't worry, sir. All you gathered were dead branches. Even if the authorities found out, they'd scold you at most. Besides, who would come up the mountain to patrol in this heavy snow?"
The old man nodded and could not help wiping his eyes with his ragged jacket.
They walked a while longer, until the foot of the mountain came into view.
Pointing to a village in the distance where smoke rose from the houses, the old man said, "That's our Li Family Village. Young Master Taoist, would you... would you like to come to my home for a bowl of hot water?"
Shen Hui shook his head. "It's getting late. I need to return to the temple. Take care, sir. Next time you gather firewood, don't go so deep into the mountain. Just pick up what you can near the foot."
The old man took back his bundle of firewood and left, thanking Shen Hui over and over.
Shen Hui stood at the foot of the mountain, watching the stooped figure disappear at the village entrance. Then he turned and headed uphill.
By the time he returned to the Temple, dusk had fallen.
Shen Hui took the bag of hawthorns to the kitchen, changed out of his snow-soaked Daoist robe in the woodshed, then went straight to his master's quiet room.
The door stood ajar, and a lamp burned inside.
He knocked.
"Come in."
The Old Taoist sat cross-legged on a cushion, a Daoist scripture in his hands. "You're back?"
Shen Hui bowed, then recounted everything that had happened with the old man, especially what was strange about the vicious wolf: it ate people, pushed stones, and walked upright.
The Old Taoist set down his book and stroked his beard.
"Cat Ridge... I think I know what's going on."
Shen Hui blinked. "You know about it, Master?"
"Yongchang Commandery isn't all that big. I keep a tally in my head of where the demons and ghosts are."
The Old Taoist rose and went to the window, looking out into the dark night.
"That creature was once an ordinary beast of the mountains. A few years ago, it had only learned to breathe in the moon's essence, and it had never eaten anyone. Perhaps it saw that tiger eating people and grew greedy too."
He turned to Shen Hui. "When you came down the mountain, did the old man ask you to help?"
Shen Hui shook his head. "No. He never even brought it up."
"An honest fellow, then."
The Old Taoist nodded. "But now that you've stumbled upon this, we can't ignore it. That vile beast has eaten several people already. Leave it be, and sooner or later it'll become a demon and make trouble."
Shen Hui's heart stirred. "Master, do you mean..."
"What do you think?" The Old Taoist looked at him with the hint of a smile.
Shen Hui was taken aback. He had not expected his master to turn the question on him.
He lowered his eyes and thought it over carefully before looking up. "Now that I know, I can't do nothing. Otherwise, when I sit down to cultivate my Qi Refining in the future, I'm afraid I won't have a moment's peace."
The Old Taoist studied his face without speaking.
Shen Hui went on. "That old man risked his life going up the mountain for firewood. There are wolves at Cat Ridge, so he'd rather take the long way around and venture onto Official Mountain than use that shortcut. That vile beast has left people with nowhere to turn."
The Old Taoist nodded. "So you want to go down the mountain and get rid of the demon?"
Shen Hui considered it briefly. "Yes."
The Old Taoist looked at him but said nothing.
After a long while, he suddenly smiled.
The smile looked a little peculiar on his aged face, yet it did not make him seem distant.
"You've been my disciple barely three months, and you dare take on a job like this?" the Old Taoist asked.
Shen Hui thought for a moment, then answered earnestly, "My Fire Element Art is fairly fierce. It should be enough against an ordinary spirit. Besides..."
He paused. "If we wait much longer, I'm afraid more people will die in its jaws."
The Old Taoist did not respond. He simply turned to look out the window.
A moment later, he spoke. "That wolf hasn't quite come into its own, but it's close. It has tasted human flesh and blood, taken on a trace of human essence, and gained some intelligence. Give it a little more time, and I'm afraid it'll be able to speak, come down the mountain, and wreak havoc."
He looked back at Shen Hui. "You said someone saw that beast walking upright?"
Shen Hui nodded. "That's what the old man said."
The Old Taoist gave a soft snort. "If it can walk upright, it's imitating a human. Beasts like that are the hardest to deal with. It's cleverer than a wild animal but more reckless than a full-fledged spirit. Once it's fully grown, you can at least follow the trail of its actions. It's at this half-formed stage that it's hardest to judge."
Shen Hui caught his meaning. "You're worried I won't be able to handle it, Master?"
The Old Taoist did not answer. Instead, he asked, "What do you think?"
Shen Hui considered it, then answered honestly, "I've never fought anything like it, so I can't say for certain. But... I do have some confidence."
The Old Taoist kept his eyes on him. After a moment, he smiled again.
"Very well."
"Then go and try," he said.
Shen Hui froze. "You agree, Master?"
The Old Taoist waved a hand. "You took on this job yourself, so you can see it through yourself. I have just one question: do you know which way Cat Ridge is?"
Shen Hui blinked.
He truly had no idea.
The Old Taoist shook his head. "You don't even know the way, and you're already talking about going down the mountain to slay a demon?"
Shen Hui gave a sheepish smile.
"Have Jingming go with you tomorrow."
The Old Taoist straightened his Daoist robe. "She knows the way, and she's seen something of the world. With her watching over you, nothing too serious should go wrong."