Chapter 51: Li Kingdom's Mountain God Festival

Xiangping Mountain had been under lockdown for half a month. At Jin Taihui’s request, apart from the ancient temple that stood unchanged for millennia and could not be disturbed, many small villages were forcibly dismantled. These villages were then merged into a single large village outside Xiangping Mountain. Additionally, numerous modern human facilities within the mountain area were removed, clearly aiming to create a pristine, otherworldly utopia.

Utilizing the high efficiency of modern industrial technology, historians and architectural experts from the Li Kingdom, based on mythological legends and historical research, constructed a magnificent Mountain God Temple atop Xiangping Mountain.

Originally planned for completion within half a month, it had already exceeded the deadline by several days.

“We have shown utmost sincerity,” Shanye remarked as he approached the Mountain God Temple. Outside, the garden was adorned with various colorful flowers and plants. Within the courtyard, two transplanted thousand-year-old cherry trees stood proudly, their branches festooned with beautiful red ribbons interspersed with occasional silver bells. The blossoming sakura, accompanied by the pleasant sounds carried on the gentle breeze, created a scene of breathtaking beauty.

“Sir…” Jin Shiquan’s expression showed traces of concern.

As Jin Taihui’s son, honestly speaking, their family had always been ordinary folk. However, after his father was unexpectedly saved by the mountain god, their fortunes took a significant turn for the better.

With his father overseeing the Mountain God Festival and receiving full government support, the benefits were self-evident. But Jin Shiquan, being a common man, still harbored fears.

What if the mountain god doesn’t appear? What if it isn’t truly the mountain god? Regardless of which possibility, their family could end up facing severe misfortune due to this event.

Shanye also felt immense pressure, though he didn’t mention it to Jin Shiquan. Not only did he play a crucial role in initiating the Mountain God Festival, but the construction of the Mountain God Temple involved repurposing materials specifically dismantled from other ancient and divine temples. This was necessary to capture the unique antiquity, solemnity, and grandeur befitting a sacred temple.

However, Shanye found no need to elaborate on these details to Jin Shiquan.

While everyone eagerly anticipated the Mountain God Festival, beneath an unassuming withered cherry blossom branch somewhere on Xiangping Mountain, a green cocoon began pulsating rhythmically, like a beating heart.

Yesterday, Duan Wenxuan had found a citizen of the Li Kingdom in Yilan City, temporarily incapacitating him. Using shape-shifting and bone-compression techniques along with the individual’s identification, he managed to pass through security checks undetected and return to the Li Kingdom. Subsequently, on Xiangping Mountain, he repeated the tactic by impersonating a guard member, effortlessly tossing the green cocoon inside.

One day later.

Over a dozen drones soared above Xiangping Mountain, while helicopters stood by on standby. The entire perimeter of Xiangping Mountain was tightly secured by a large contingent of guards stationed beyond the cordon line.

The Pagoda.

The Pagoda served as the administrative headquarters for the Li Kingdom’s government. At this moment, almost all high-ranking officials of the Li Kingdom were gathered in a meeting room, with a screen quietly projecting in mid-air at its center.

“It should be starting soon,” said an elderly man seated at the head of the table, his silver hair contrasting sharply with his robust facial features.

“I’ve informed Shanye to have Jin Taihui take charge. After extensive training, the male and female witches should not falter.”

“Agreed,” the elder responded decisively.

However, only this resolute old man knew that deep down, he felt somewhat uneasy.

Currently, not just the Li Kingdom but all nations on Xuanlan Star were about to face the first major outbreak of supernatural changes—a pivotal moment marking the escalation from previous minor incidents involving mysterious resurgences.

This conclusion was reached based on the increasing speed, concentration, and fluctuations of certain substances detected in the air, combined with analyses by global top experts. It also explained why he supported Shanye’s proposal, overriding opposition, to honor the mountain god exceptionally.

One and a half months ago, the elder had participated in a secret worldwide conference. Now, within the most secure safe inside his residence, lay documents signed after that meeting.

The Li Kingdom, with its small territory and half bordered by sea, faced immense challenges ahead.

If this mountain god truly is benevolent and can protect the Li Kingdom, what harm could there be in granting it control over the entire Xiangping Mountain? Even if the conditions for the mountain god’s protection were stringent, as long as human lives aren’t required for sacrifices, the Li Kingdom would accept them. At this thought, the elderly man couldn’t help but deeply furrow his brow, reflecting a hint of weariness and resignation.

As the order was issued from the building, far away at Xiangping Mountain in Geshan City, Shanye suddenly stood upright. He pulled out a confidential satellite-connected phone, which displayed a message signaling the commencement of the sacrifice ritual.

Gently touching the Jade of Beauty he carried close to his heart, Shanye took a deep breath and announced, “The sacrifice begins!” With that, carrying a miniature camera, he strode confidently into Xiangping Mountain’s interior.

Outside the temple at this moment,

following Li Kingdom’s mountain god sacrificial customs, four burly men with bare upper bodies stood forth. Their bodies were meticulously clean, adorned with colorful masks on their heads, and they held aloft offerings of lambs, calves, piglets, and peacocks for the sacrifice.

Jin Taihui, having hastily reviewed all the necessary steps for the mountain god’s ritual, served as today’s ceremonial officiant. The cold winter wind chilled everyone to the bone, yet none present dared to shiver or rub their hands disrespectfully.

Jin Taihui’s expression was deeply solemn and devout. As an experienced hunter all his life, encountering the mountain god had stirred within him a mix of indescribable excitement, joy, and fear.

The excitement was self-evident, but the fear stemmed from the fact that despite hunting his entire life, he had never paid homage to the mountain god. Even as a child, he secretly ate offerings meant for the deity when his father worshipped it. It was believed that those who disrespected the mountain god would have their souls dragged into the bodies of beasts within the mountains, forever losing the chance to reincarnate as humans.

No, no, Jin Taihui silently dismissed such thoughts.

From now on, he vowed to wholeheartedly serve the mountain god and perhaps even become one of its attendants someday.

On this day, Jin Taihui donned a long white robe with a red silk sash tied around his waist, which contrasted his usual rugged appearance, imparting a touch of elegance upon him.

With a flourish of his robes, he raised his hands towards his chest and proclaimed loudly: “Let the music begin, commence the sacrifice.”

Nearby, musicians dressed in traditional attire from the Li Kingdom’s ancient times awaited, ready to perform sacrificial melodies based on historical descriptions. Honestly, how many people nowadays truly studied these ancient tunes and could still play them?

These experts had hastily prepared the music, suspecting that their rendition might not fully capture the original essence due to time constraints. They did their best within the limited period available. All they could hope for was that the mountain god wouldn’t mind if His sacrificial melody underwent slight innovations, considering society continually evolves and progresses.

As mournful strains filled the air, four men solemnly placed wooden platters held high in their hands at both sides of the temple. Following this, a group of carefully selected youths began performing the sacrificial dance. Behind them, eight individuals, equally clad in white robes but strikingly beautiful, each with flowing black hair loosely tied back by red cords adorned with delicate bells.

“The Priestess Sacrifice.”

Eight beautiful young maidens, their expressions deeply devout, stepped lightly into the Mountain God Temple wearing only white cloth shoes amidst the freezing cold.

Despite the inherent danger, each participant had fiercely competed for their spot in this ritual. Whether it was the previous men or youths, and now these lovely maidens, all were selected after intense power struggles among Li Kingdom’s elites and tycoons.

At that moment, somewhere on Xiangping Mountain:

The pulsations of a green cocoon grew increasingly rapid, as if mimicking a heartbeat. It could sense that the oppressive aura weighing upon it had nearly dissipated.

Eager to emerge, being confined within the cocoon felt unbearably uncomfortable.

Dimly, it heard voices calling out and faint music playing.

Who is calling to me?

With a slight crack, the green cocoon split open, revealing a gentle breeze above the fissure. Unlike the harsh winter wind, this breeze was remarkably soft, carrying a hint of warmth.

Cherry blossom petals drifted gently down, with some not reaching the ground but instead dancing lightly on the breeze. Gradually, the wind grew stronger, sweeping up more and more cherry blossoms.

The green cocoon fully split open, revealing countless intertwined tender branches inside, vaguely forming a humanoid shape. The surrounding petals swirled around it, as if guarding something precious.

‘Who am I? Who is calling me?’

Guided by the wind, it effortlessly moved towards the source of the call. As if commanding ‘the wind’, its body transformed into delicate petals, drifting like a gentle breeze from one side of Xiangping Mountain, steadily heading towards its destination.

At this moment, Kim Tae-hwi’s heart was filled with growing unease.

During the final sacrifice, the shamaness had already entered the temple to perform the last hymn, yet there were no signs of the mountain god’s arrival.

Unbeknownst to him, the silver bells hanging from the cherry trees in the temple began emitting melodious sounds. Kim Tae-hwi didn’t notice at first, but he soon observed an increase in floating petals, while the once piercing winter wind softened considerably.

Jingle-jingle.

The sound of the silver bells quickened urgently.

Kim Tae-hwi suddenly shuddered, clasped his hands at his chest, bowed his head, and cautiously entered the temple.

Inside, he witnessed countless cherry blossom petals swirling in the air, coalescing into a human form that gradually dispelled its enchantment. Revealed beneath was a man dressed in long robes of red and white.

The man had silvery-white hair cascading down his shoulders, with an excessively pale complexion giving him a somewhat ethereal appearance. However, despite this, his prominent jawline and finely chiseled features exuded a striking masculinity.

“Lord Mountain God!” Kim Tae-hwi instantly recognized him as the same mountain god who had saved him before. With a loud cry, he fell to his knees, prostrating himself fully on the ground. His heart swelled with utmost devotion, wishing fervently to demonstrate his sincerity by laying bare his very soul.

As soon as the mountain god appeared, everyone in the observation booth sprang to their feet, eyes glued to the screens. Meanwhile, within the temple, the priestesses, youths, and men collectively sighed in relief, followed by a surge of excitement.

This reaction stemmed from Li Kingdom’s mythology, where mountain gods were originally considered spirits or monsters inhabiting the mountains. Consequently, most mountain gods possessed unusual appearances (often deemed unattractive) and sometimes exhibited unconventional preferences.

In mythology, mountain gods were known to take interest in both human girls and boys… Hence, the sacrifices included both handsome men and beautiful women; males were called male witches, while females were priestesses.

This mountain god’s appearance… If He had any intentions, the priestesses felt instantly self-conscious upon first glance, yet there was also a hint of secret delight within them. As for the male witches, they too marveled at the mountain god’s striking beauty, which surpassed human aesthetic standards. Regardless, they had mentally prepared themselves before arriving, and now finding it beyond their expectations, a sense of relief emerged.

Unlike the others, Xiangping of the Stream focused on the small pond inside the temple. The water gently flowed with the breeze, forming a mirror-like surface before him, allowing Him to see His own reflection clearly.

“The visage of the old god?” Xiangping’s gaze remained tranquil.

Initially, His thoughts were somewhat unclear, but upon reaching this place and seeing the revered name “Xiangping” inscribed in the temple, a sudden realization dawned on Xiangping, restoring His divine essence fully.

He is the new god, born from the body of the deceased old god.

The old deity had died, but due to the transformation of heaven and earth, remnants of its divine essence were preserved. Recently, this essence unexpectedly saved a hunter, only to dissipate entirely after the rescue. However, as a result of that single act, humans resumed their offerings, giving birth to a new deity.

Although born from the old god, Xiangping knew it was no longer the same entity. The previous deity protected humanity, having given its utmost for the people without regret, even unto death. Yet, Xiangping distinctly felt a lack of such deep emotions; while devoid of malice, its connection with the local inhabitants remained indifferent.

“O Priest greets the mountain god, willing to serve,” Kim Tae-hwi proclaimed fervently, prostrating fully with his forehead touching the ground, his voice tinged with tears of excitement.