Volume One, Chapter Fifteen: Atop Flat Horse Mountain

As soon as dawn broke, Yibing immediately set out once more. This time, however, no matter how he pleaded, Han Yu would not let him carry her, even as a rabbit. Left with no other choice, Yibing slung her onto his back. It wasn’t all bad—now he could run as fast as he pleased.

“Hey! Why are you running so fast?” Despite Yibing’s plump frame, Han Yu was jolted so much that her head spun.

“If I can’t catch up to Brother Jin and the others, I won’t know how to get to Bianma Mountain!” Yibing stopped in his tracks to explain, flustered.

“…But there’s no need to hurry so much! I’m still injured—you’re trying to kill me, aren’t you?” Han Yu shouted, her rabbit ears wobbling atop her head.

“I…” Yibing pouted, thinking, “If I wanted you dead, why would I bother saving you?”

“Oh, let’s just go, let’s go! Do you want the sun to roast me to death?” Han Yu began to howl again, shaking the whole mountainside. A rabbit afraid of the sun?

“You want to stop, you want to go—make up your mind!” Yibing muttered under his breath.

“What did you say?” Han Yu’s voice turned sharp.

“Nothing, nothing at all!” Yibing quickly lowered his head and pressed on, switching from a run to a brisk walk.

Along the way, Han Yu constantly directed him—first left, then right—and if Yibing disagreed, she would shout until he gave in. He had no choice but to obey her every command.

At midday, a sudden scream nearly sent Han Yu tumbling from Yibing’s back.

“Brother Mu! Brother Mu!” A round ball of flesh rolled down a nearby slope, trailing a long plume of dust.

“Wow!” Han Yu’s mouth hung open with shock.

“Hey, Sister Zhao!” Yibing rushed forward to greet her.

“Brother Mu, Brother Mu, Senior Brother was worried you wouldn’t take this path and might head for the main road instead!” The plump girl waved the half-eaten flatbread in her hand excitedly. Yibing was stunned—if Han Yu hadn’t been yelling earlier, he really would have taken the main road. Could it be that Han Yu…

“Brother Mu, you must be hungry?” Noticing Yibing’s gaze fixed on her flatbread, the plump girl smiled and pulled another one from her bundle.

“Good… good…” Yibing was so delighted he nearly bounced.

“Glutton!” Han Yu whispered, unable to resist.

“Hm? What was that?” The plump girl looked around suspiciously.

“Nothing! Nothing! Just the rabbit making noises!” Yibing quickly changed the subject.

“The rabbit?” The plump girl eyed Yibing with suspicion. Yibing hurriedly untied his bundle and lifted Han Yu.

“Oh! A little white rabbit! How cute!” The plump girl reached out, greasy fingers from the flatbread, stroking Han Yu so much the poor rabbit nearly fainted from disgust.

“I… I found it on the road. It seemed injured!” Yibing’s eyes flickered as he spoke.

“Wow, such smooth fur!” The plump girl picked Han Yu up, raving, “Smooth my foot! Your hands are just oily!” Han Yu cursed silently.

“Sister Zhao, where are Brother Jin and the others?” After finishing his flatbread, Yibing remembered his real purpose.

“Brother Mu, let me look after this little white rabbit, please? Good bunny…” The plump girl didn’t even look up as she asked.

“Sure, sure…” Yibing’s answer eased Han Yu’s worries; she’d been dreading how to share a room with a bunch of smelly men.

“They’re resting on the other side of the slope—come on!” The plump girl, still cradling the rabbit, led the way up the hill.

Barely a few steps later, Jin Guishan and the others appeared atop the slope, drawn by the plump girl’s shout. Seeing Yibing, everyone brightened. Jin Guishan, though hesitant to ask about his ordeal, was overjoyed to see him return unharmed.

After this, Jin Guishan’s group traveled day and night, and only after three days did they finally enter the territory of Bianma Mountain. The peaks layered one upon another, shrouded in mist; the air was filled with birdsong and the cries of monkeys, lending the place an ethereal, almost celestial grandeur.

“Just over this slope is the main peak of Bianma Mountain!” Qi Yuanxiao pointed ahead, excitement in his voice.

Sure enough, cresting the slope, they were greeted by a towering mountain peak piercing the clouds. A flag-lined stone road led straight to the summit, thronged with people. On a broad plateau halfway up, tents stood clustered, smoke rising from cooking fires. At the summit, a Daoist temple with blue bricks, green tiles, and a stately red gate glowed in the sunlight, its golden characters shining, even from afar.

On the journey, Yibing had heard Brother Jin mention that Bianma Mountain was home to the Orthodox Jia Sect of Daoism, led by Master Qixu, known as the True Immortal Qixu. He was said to command dragons and phoenixes, his powers boundless, with disciples numbering in the tens of thousands—the largest sect in the land. Today, seeing it for himself, Yibing could only agree.

Amid the crowds, Jin Guishan’s group managed to reach the plateau halfway up. They chose two tents, one for men, one for women; though set a bit apart from the main road, they were close enough for convenience. No sooner had they settled in than Daoist monks from the temple brought lunch—plain vegetables and rice porridge—but for those who hadn’t had a proper meal in ages, it was a feast. Even Yibing, who’d planned to look for his senior brothers, paused to eat.

“The Immortal Gathering isn’t until the day after tomorrow. While things are quiet, you have plenty of time to search for your senior brothers—take it easy,” Jin Guishan smiled.

“Thank you, Brother Jin! I owe you for looking out for me all this way!” Yibing spoke sincerely, plopping down to eat.

After lunch, Yibing couldn’t wait to go searching for his senior brothers. He started at the plateau, asking at every tent, patiently inquiring one after another. The plump girl followed, always cradling the rabbit, saying she wanted to be there in case anything happened. Han Yu was the most annoyed—why drag her along, forcing her to endure wind and dust as they trudged up the mountain?

At last, at the temple gate, Yibing saw the three golden characters: “Welcoming Immortals Palace.” The palace was truly extraordinary—three grand halls, each with carved beams and painted rafters, flanked by dozens of side halls, dining halls, and guest rooms, all nestled among ancient pines and cypresses. It was massive.

He even asked the cooks, but still found no trace of his senior brothers. Yibing sank again into disappointment. The plump girl tried to comfort him, but nothing could lift his spirits. When the two returned, heads hung low, the others didn’t even need to ask—they knew he’d found nothing.

“Brother Mu, don’t worry. Maybe your senior brothers are delayed and haven’t arrived yet!” Jin Guishan reassured him.

“Oh, you’re right!” Yibing perked up.

“The competition is the day after tomorrow. We may just be here to complete a task, but we must do our best, lest we embarrass our master,” Jin Guishan addressed the group.

“It’s nothing to fear. Senior Brother is skilled in the arts; he’s sure to place second or third, at least,” Qi Yuanxiao said confidently.

“Skilled? He was beaten by that demon!” Jin Guishan frowned. This trip had shaken him deeply.

“Come on! That demon was… shameless. Otherwise, how could she have beaten Senior Brother?” The plump girl, stroking the rabbit’s ears, suddenly shouted. Jin Guishan felt both grateful and annoyed—grateful for her loyalty, annoyed at the implication he’d been seduced.

“Ahem! I think, just to be safe, we should practice the Black Tortoise Formation again!” Jin Guishan pretended not to hear and continued.

“But we’re one person short; our power is reduced…” He Lingchi muttered.

“We have Brother Mu!” At Jin Guishan’s words, everyone’s eyes turned to Yibing.

“Don’t worry, as long as he holds that position!” Jin Guishan turned to Yibing, “Brother Mu, the footwork and inner methods can’t be shared—please understand.”

“I know, I know!” Yibing understood perfectly.

The whole afternoon, Yibing helped them practice the Black Tortoise Formation. All he had to do was stand at the Serpent’s position, but even that was tiring for hours on end. Only when dinner was served did he finally get a break. With nothing else to do after the meal, he again went out to ask around.

By now, more and more people had arrived—men and women from various sects, all dressed differently but exuding a celestial air. This time, the plump girl didn’t follow; at the doorway, Brother Jin called her back, perhaps to discuss matters with his fellow disciples.

“Little fatty!” As Yibing wandered about, an elderly Daoist nun with kindly eyes stopped him.

“What is it, Master?” Yibing sized her up, surprised.

“Nothing, just a reminder—watch that important thing at your waist!” The nun smiled and walked away.

Yibing was stunned, taking a while to realize what she meant by “that important thing.” She must have seen that his belt was actually a transformed treasure. When he tried to find her again, she was gone.

He wandered aimlessly, asking every stranger he met, but still no news of his senior brothers. Perhaps they were still on the road. Even so, Yibing refused to give up, searching until dusk before reluctantly returning to the tent.

Just as he approached, he saw Jin Guishan escorting a middle-aged Daoist of noble bearing inside. This man was dignified, with the air of a master; Jin Guishan’s respectful demeanor showed his high status.

“Take care, Senior Brother!” Jin Guishan’s address startled Yibing—Senior Brother?

“Brother Jin, please accept this!” The middle-aged Daoist tried to press a bundle on Jin Guishan.

“Senior Brother, we can’t. It’s our duty to help…” Jin Guishan broke off, spotting Yibing. With an outsider present, the Daoist put his bundle away.

“Aren’t you six people?” The Daoist glanced at Yibing, smiling, “And this is?”

“Oh, this is Brother Mu, whom we met on the road. We became good friends and journeyed together. Brother Mu, this is Daoist Feixu, True Immortal Qixu’s top disciple. He’ll host the Immortal Gathering.”

“An honor!” Yibing bowed hurriedly.

“Thank you, thank you!” Hearing Yibing wasn’t one of Jin Guishan’s own, Feixu turned back to Jin Guishan, “Brother Jin, I take my leave. See you at the gathering!”

“Safe travels, Senior Brother!” Jin Guishan escorted him out, then returned.

“What’s wrong?” Seeing Yibing’s curiosity, Jin Guishan laughed.

“Nothing, just… you call True Immortal Qixu’s chief disciple ‘Senior Brother’?”

“Oh, that! Qixu and my master are old friends, calling each other ‘brother and sister,’ so naturally, I call his disciples ‘Senior Brother.’” Jin Guishan explained as he entered the tent. Yibing nodded and followed. Unexpectedly, everyone was inside, their faces gloomy.

“Everyone, rest up!” Jin Guishan hesitated, glancing at the two sisters. They nodded and left. The remaining brothers laid out their bedding, washed up—everyone weighed down by worries. Seeing this, Yibing kept quiet, greeted them briefly, and climbed into bed.

Early next morning, the noisy commotion outside woke Yibing from his dreams. He wanted to linger in bed, but with so many outsiders around, it seemed improper, so he forced himself up.

Stepping outside, he saw the plump girl squatting, playing with the little white rabbit. Han Yu, however, was unimpressed; no matter how the plump girl coaxed, she lay motionless, making the girl’s cheeks puff with frustration. Seeing this, Yibing hurried over.

“Sister Zhao, up so early?” He reached for Han Yu, hoping to check her injuries, but she sprang straight into the plump girl’s arms. The girl was delighted, “See, it still likes me best!”

“Really!” Yibing eyed Han Yu sourly; her rabbit eyes gazed at the sky.

“How’s her injury?” Out of conversation, Yibing asked.

“Much better—she even jumped just now! I fed her half a carrot, too!” As she spoke, both Yibing and the plump girl’s stomachs growled in unison. Han Yu’s rabbit mouth twisted, “These two are born gluttons!”

“Come inside for breakfast!” Hearing their stomachs, Qi Yuanxiao poked his head out of the tent, grinning.

The morning was spent practicing the Black Tortoise Formation again, but Jin Guishan’s attitude seemed much changed. Yesterday, he’d explained things to Yibing; today, he said nothing, only requiring him to stand in place. Yibing found himself with nothing to do, but it was dreadfully boring. With nothing to occupy his mind, he drifted into thought, watching the brothers move, remembering his own mad master’s teachings.

“Ah… I wonder how the old man is doing?” Yibing sighed, rubbing his nose.

After lunch, Jin Guishan announced an afternoon break and led them to explore Bianma Mountain. Sightseeing delighted everyone; after some lively debate, they decided to climb to the summit first. They expected the Welcoming Immortals Palace to be ancient, but the temple attendants said it was built only two years ago. The rear mountain, however, had a tiny temple, said to be centuries old. So they turned to the back, and deep in the woods found an extremely dilapidated temple. Half the gate had collapsed, but the faded characters “Bianma Temple” were still visible.

“Bianma Temple? Was Bianma Mountain once called Bianma Mountain?” Jin Guishan mused.

“Perhaps!” Qi Yuanxiao agreed.

“Look, Senior Brother!” He Lingchi suddenly pointed to the overgrown weeds. Jin Guishan turned, and saw something half-buried in the earth. Qi Yuanxiao darted over and wiped it clean, revealing a white stone. The plump girl rushed to help, and soon they uncovered a lifelike white horse statue.

“Wow, a horse!” The plump girl’s shout echoed through the valley. Jin Guishan glared, making her stick out her tongue.

“Maybe Jin Guishan is right—Bianma Mountain must have been called Bianma Mountain centuries ago, but for reasons unknown, after a hundred years, it became the Bianma Mountain we know…” Yibing muttered.