Chapter 78: Entering a Dream
Five days had already passed. As the sun set in the west, Chen Ping'an finally ascended Ao Tou Peak as marked on the new official government map. This peak stood out prominently among the surrounding dozens of miles, rising especially high into the clouds. Chen Ping'an gnawed on a hard, dry flatbread as he sat on a branch of an old pine tree that extended horizontally out from the cliff at the summit. A clear breeze blew, causing the hair at the young man's temples to flutter wildly.
The bamboo basket had been placed at the foot of the tree. Chen Ping'an wasn't bold enough to climb the tree while carrying the basket on his back. In the past, mountain climbing was merely a task he treated as a not-so-easy chore, always thinking about keeping up with Old Man Yao's pace. But now, it was different. When tired, he would stop and take a good look at the distant green mountains and clear waters. Moreover, many of the breathtaking landscapes that left Chen Ping'an in awe had previously been part of the Great Li court's forbidden mountains. The young man could only follow the taciturn old man on detours, and Ao Tou Peak was among them.
Traveling through mountains and rivers along this route, Chen Ping'an witnessed many unfamiliar and magnificent sights: layered groups of waterfalls that formed small rainbows after the rain, as if the young man could reach out and embrace them to take home and treasure; steep cliffs where thousands of birds gathered, strung together like white curtains hanging on a wall; perilous peaks that could only be ascended via a single treacherous path, eventually leading abruptly onto a large stone platform where the view opened up, making one unable to resist holding their breath. At night, the young man would put on a coat, lean against his bamboo basket, and fall into a drowsy sleep, as if he could hear the murmurs of celestial beings in the heavens.
After three more days of arduous travel over mountains and rivers, Chen Ping'an finally reached Shenxiu Mountain, as Master Ruan had mentioned. To the northwest, about ten miles apart, stood Tiaodeng Mountain and Hengshuo Peak, forming a triangular pincer formation with Shenxiu Peak, like three giants standing each on their own side.
According to the map, within a hundred miles surrounding this one peak and two mountains, there were five other peaks of various sizes. The smaller ones were Caiyun Peak and Xiancao Mountain, while the larger ones were Dengxin Terrace, Huanghu Mountain, and Baolu Mountain. Before arriving at Shenxiu Mountain, Chen Ping'an had visited Xiancao Mountain and Dengxin Terrace. Xiancao Mountain was only slightly larger than Zhenzhu Mountain. Although it was low in elevation, its vegetation was exceptionally lush, with many towering trees. As for Huanghu Mountain, it was likely named after a small lake halfway up the mountain; viewed from afar, the lake water appeared yellow, but up close it was extremely clear. However, aside from this small lake, Chen Ping'an felt that Huanghu Mountain was far inferior to the Shenxiu Mountain beneath his feet.
Chen Ping'an then spent a full four days wandering around Shenxiu Mountain and Hengshuo Peak, ultimately settling on three mountains.
Xiancao Mountain, Baolu Mountain, and Caiyun Peak: Xiancao Mountain was small, Baolu Mountain was large, and Caiyun Peak was high.
Among them, Baolu Mountain took up the most of Chen Ping'an's time. It truly lived up to the saying "deep clouds, high mountains, and long rivers." Among the many peaks Chen Ping'an had traversed, its scale was second only to Piyun Mountain and Shenxiu Mountain. However, Chen Ping'an was somewhat puzzled—Baolu Mountain was such a large area, and it was near Hengshuo Peak. Moreover, even someone like Chen Ping'an, a complete layman in cultivation, could sense the picturesque scenery of this mountain. Why would Master Ruan abandon Tiaodeng Mountain in favor of Baolu Mountain?
Chen Ping'an estimated that the three mountains he had chosen would cost about forty-five gold-copper coins. That would leave thirty-five coins. Zhenzhu Mountain would inevitably cost one Spring-Welcoming coin, leaving a full thirty-four coins. That was enough for Chen Ping'an to be generous and buy a truly major mountain! After all, Master Ruan had said that even top-tier mountains like Kuquan Mountain Range, Xianghuo Mountain, and Shenxiu Mountain were only worth twenty-five to thirty gold-copper coins.
Master Ruan had also revealed a secret: in the future, within a radius of a thousand miles, the Great Li court would confer the title of a Great Mountain God, three Mountain Gods, and one River God. Ruan Xiu had explained this in detail the next day. A Mountain God meant that the Ministry of Rites would select a suitable candidate—either a famous historical figure from the local area or a meritorious military general who had died in battle. Then the Great Li Emperor would approve and formally appoint the candidate as a Mountain God, using a special vermillion brush to inscribe the name into the Mountain and River Registry. After a ceremony of burning incense and offering sacrifices, symbolizing that the Son of Heaven, as the emperor patrolling the mortal world on behalf of the gods, had informed the higher deities, the matter was generally considered complete.
Afterward, the Imperial Observatory would manufacture a gold scroll and a jade tablet, which would be personally written with a proclamation by the National Preceptor and then buried at the foot of the mountain. Finally, the government would commission a statue of the god, cast in clay and gilded, to be enshrined in a temple. That Mountain God would then have the right to openly receive incense offerings from the people, protect the creatures of that mountain region, and suppress, subdue, or expel any ghosts or yin entities that crossed the border.
Chen Ping'an didn't dare hope that among the three mountains near the Shenxiu Mountain he had chosen, a Mountain God would be stationed to help guard his home. Instead, he placed his hopes on the largest mountain, the one that cost the most money. In that way, his main estate would be protected by Master Ruan for three hundred years. As for that isolated, lone mountain far away, if he could invite a Mountain God there, it would undoubtedly set Chen Ping'an's mind at ease.
As for the little mound of Zhenzhu Mountain, which was only worth one Spring-Welcoming coin, probably no one except Chen Ping'an would give it a second glance.
Chen Ping'an now sat on a large stone precipice at the summit of Caiyun Peak. In front of him lay the brand-new map of the Great Li Longquan region. The young man had already memorized the names and geographical locations of those major mountains, but he still couldn't make up his mind about purchasing the last mountain.
The straw-sandal-clad young man cupped his cheeks with his hands, furrowing his brow tightly, and gently rocked his body back and forth.
His thoughts wandered ten thousand miles away.
What could he do with the mountains after buying them? Chen Ping'an actually had no idea.
But just thinking that for three hundred years, he would be the nominal owner of these five mountains was already a very happy thing in itself.
He could first marry a wife, start a family and a career, and later pass it down to his children, who would then pass it on to their children.
So, getting married, though not an urgent matter, was something he needed to start considering.
At that thought, Chen Ping'an, grinning foolishly, suddenly snapped back to reality, feeling a bit embarrassed.
He leaned back, feeling sleepy, and wanted to close his eyes for a while. He didn't know how long passed, but when he opened his eyes, Chen Ping'an was immediately overwhelmed. He was having dreams even in broad daylight now?
It turned out that this was the third time he had encountered that white-clad figure.
Once on the covered bridge, once under the stone arch bridge, and now here on the mountaintop.
The tall white-clad figure, bathed in a radiant white light, was now sitting cross-legged, only about two zhang away from Chen Ping'an. Yet, Chen Ping'an simply couldn't make out the person's features.
Chen Ping'an felt that constantly being so frightened wasn't going to work out. He mustered his courage and spoke carefully, "Old senior..."
Slap!
The next moment, Chen Ping'an felt as if a cow's tail had whipped him across the face—a searing, stinging pain.
As if waking from a dream, Chen Ping'an sat up sharply, only to find himself still in his original position. He looked around, but there was nothing out of the ordinary. However, when he touched one cheek, it was still hurting.
The young man racked his brains but couldn't figure out the reason. He could only scratch his head in bewilderment.