Except for Headman Cao and Mr. Chen, almost everyone had some blood on them, but thankfully only minor wounds with no life-threatening injuries. Some herbal medicine and bandages were applied before moving on.

After handling this, everyone remained shaken, unable to fully regain their composure.

Headman Cao ignored their state. One by one, he called them to kneel before the Mountain God Lord’s divine statue. They needed to understand how they had survived today’s ordeal.

Chen Changsheng watched silently throughout, saying nothing.

…

Late night, deep silence.

A cold wind howled outside the temple.

“Crackle.”

The fire was lit once more. Freshly added firewood crackled, occasionally sparking.

An especially heavy silence hung by the fire; not even a single word was spoken.

They huddled together for warmth, as if the fire’s light offered them their only comfort.

Now, they dared not go anywhere else.

They didn’t even dare step beyond the temple door.

To them, only this Mountain God Temple felt remotely safe.

“Er Niu, add more wood,” Headman Cao said softly.

Er Niu nodded in agreement and threw in more firewood.

Moments later, the fire burned fiercer.

Headman Cao stared into the flames. Their flickering light danced in his eyes. He just gazed, dazed.

The others squeezed together tightly, survivors through a calamity.

Not dying here made them feel incredibly lucky.

Chen Changsheng handed a baked pancake to the Caravan Leader.

Headman Cao snapped out of his daze, took it, and said, “Thank you, Mr. Chen.”

Chen Changsheng replied, “They were yours to begin with.”

Headman Cao offered a weak smile, then swallowed the entire pancake in one go.

He let out a long breath. “Being able to eat a baked pancake feels so good.”

Chen Changsheng remarked, “After surviving calamity, such things are precious indeed.”

But Headman Cao wasn’t listening.

Everything had been frantic earlier. He couldn’t recall everyone’s movements, but he knew one thing: the only calm soul amidst it all had been Mr. Chen by his side.

The young man had acted so normally, never screaming like the others. Headman Cao first thought Mr. Chen simply had great self-control, but thinking back now… something felt off.

This young man had spoken of the Mountain God Lord.

And the Mountain God Lord had responded!

Headman Cao felt certain their survival was tangled up with this mysterious Mr. Chen.

“Has Sir encountered such things before?” Headman Cao asked.

Chen Changsheng shook his head. “I am encountering it for the first time.”

Headman Cao studied Chen Changsheng’s eyes, finding them startlingly calm, utterly unreadable.

“What is it?” Chen Changsheng inquired.

Headman Cao shook his head. “Nothing. Are you still hungry, Sir? I’ll fetch a couple more baked pancakes.”

Chen Changsheng declined, “Just sit and rest. I’m not hungry.”

He pulled out a wine gourd. “A sip?”

“Hmm.”

As before, Headman Cao cupped his hands to receive the wine, then tilted his head back to drink.

He savored the mouthful of fine liquor, tasting every nuance, committing it to memory.

😝😝😝Golden Novel translates the best Chinese web novels for you!😝😝😝

Finished, he sighed deeply. “Good wine…”

No one dared sleep that night.

Only when the sky turned grey with the faintest hint of dawn did they dare close their eyes to rest.

Exhausted from the long vigil, they could do little more than lightly doze.

Chen Changsheng glanced at the Caravan Leader. Headman Cao’s eyes were shut, seemingly asleep.

After a moment’s thought, Chen Changsheng rose and walked out of the Mountain God Temple.

He moved to one side, glanced back at the temple, and called out, “Still hiding?”

At his words, a wisp of white mist rose.

The stooped figure of an old man in rough hemp clothes materialized before Chen Changsheng.

Seeing Chen Changsheng, his legs buckled, and he knelt instantly.

“This humble deity greets the Celestial Immortal!”

The Mountain God remained prostrate, trembling, inwardly terrified for his own fate.

“Rise and speak,” Chen Changsheng spoke calmly.

The old Mountain God nodded slightly and stood.

Still, he dared not raise his eyes, his posture one of utter humility.

Chen Changsheng asked, “How many years have you held the position of Mountain God here?”

“Replying to the Celestial Immortal, over two hundred and thirty years.”

“Two centuries… you should have accumulated considerable belief energy.”

Chen Changsheng paused. “Yet now, facing a mere petty demon, your energy was depleted. Why?”

“This humble deity… This humble deity…”

The Mountain God shuddered, his legs threatening to give way.

“Mercy, Celestial Immortal!”

He dropped to his knees again. “This humble deity failed in his duty! I should not have turned a blind eye! I should not have let that fiend run wild! Mercy, Celestial Immortal!”

Chen Changsheng sighed. He looked toward the Mountain God Temple – run-down, its dilapidation stark evidence of long neglect.

With a wave of his hand…

A gentle breeze lifted the old Mountain God to his feet.

The Mountain God blinked, momentarily confused. “Celestial Immortal…?”

Chen Changsheng said, “Gathering belief energy has never been easy for you. When it runs out, your position as the Righteous Mountain Deity will soon vanish. Self-preservation… is only human.”

The old Mountain God stood frozen, then sighed heavily. “Great compassion, Celestial Immortal! After the villages below the mountain moved away years ago, belief grew scarce. This humble deity maintained my duty, protecting this mountain. Last night, against that rat demon… nothing of the faith remains. That the Immortal holds no grudge… this deity is eternally grateful!”

As he spoke, the old Mountain God seemed close to tears, his old face wretched, clearly reflecting years of hardship.

The crumbling temple stood unrepaired, verging on ruin. Decades of tending the mountain’s dwellers… it had not been easy.

Chen Changsheng waved dismissively. “I did not say I hold no grudge.”

The Mountain God looked up hesitantly as Chen Changsheng continued.

“As the Righteous Mountain Deity, your duty is to protect those passing through these mountains. Amount of belief is irrelevant. You turned away. That is your failing.”

“However…” Chen Changsheng’s gaze swept the surroundings, “Observing the profound vegetal essence saturating this place shows much effort went into nurturing Jiguan Mountain. This merits recognition.”

The old Mountain God felt a pang of relief, but before he could speak, the Celestial Immortal’s tone shifted again.

“But this merit cannot erase the previous failing.”

Chen Changsheng declared, “You possess no remaining belief energy to forfeit. This mountain requires its guardian deity. Therefore, you are granted a chance at redemption. Atone through future deeds.”

The Mountain God finally breathed easier, bowing deeply. “This humble deity thanks the Celestial Immortal for your mercy!”

Chen Changsheng continued, “Henceforth, any traveler entering this mountain’s domain: the innocent and those possessing great merit shall be safeguarded until they depart safely. The wicked may be disregarded. Should any demonic spirit wreak havoc, whether upon the innocent or the guilty, you must intervene. Do you object?”

The Mountain God bowed low once more. “This humble deity shall strive with all my strength!”

Chen Changsheng gave a slight, solemn nod.

“So be it.”