BaoShan SanRen, a legendary celestial who had lived for hundreds of years, a secluded master who was said to be able to revive the dead, give flesh to bones!
His voice trembled, “You mean… You mean…”
Wei WuXian spoke clearly, “I mean that I know in the name ‘BaoShan’ which mountain is being embraced. This means that I can take you to BaoShan SanRen.”
Jiang Cheng, “… But, but isn’t it that you can’t remember the things from when you were young?!”
Wei WuXian, “It isn’t that I can’t remember anything. There are a few fragmented pieces having been repeated many times that I haven’t forgotten yet. I’ve always remembered the voice of a woman repeating something to me, telling me a location and many other things. The voice said that if I find myself in an absolutely desperate situation, I can go up the mountain and ask the immortals on the mountain for help.”
Jiang Cheng rolled off the bed.
He threw himself over to the table. Wei WuXian pushed the bowl and the chopsticks in front of him, “Eat.”
Clinging onto the table, Jiang Cheng was thrilled, “I…”
Wei WuXian, “Eat. We can talk while eating. Or else I won’t say anything.”
Jiang Cheng could only bring himself onto the stool. Chopsticks in hand, he swept food into his mouth. He had been feeling utterly hopeless, yet he suddenly found that it could still turn around and the world was beautiful behind him. He was so excited that he felt as though flames lit up around him. Unsettled, he didn’t even know that he held his chopsticks from the wrong end. Seeing that he finally began to eat, however distracted, Wei WuXian continued, “I’ll take you there in a few days.”
Jiang Cheng, “Today!”
Wei WuXian, “What are you scared of? Over a hundred year old Immortals, could they disappear in just these few days? It’s a few days later because there are many taboos in this. I’ll have to tell them about you carefully. Or else, if you do something that’s forbidden, it’ll be all over if you anger the master. Both of us would be over.”
Jiang Cheng stared at him, eyes wide open, hoping that he’d tell him some more. Wei WuXian continued, “When you go up the mountain, you can’t open your eyes and look around, you can’t remember the scenery on the mountain, you can’t see the people there. Remember, no matter what they tell you to do, you have to do it.”
Jiang Cheng, “Okay!”
Wei WuXian, “And, here’s the most important point. If you’re asked who you are, you have to say that you’re the son of ZangSe SanRen. You can’t reveal your true identity!”
Jiang Cheng, “Okay!”
It was likely that no matter what things Wei WuXian told him to do, Jiang Cheng would say yes with watering eyes. Wei WuXian concluded, “Alright, let’s eat. Replenish our strength and boost our energy. I’ll have to prepare during the next few days.”
Jiang Cheng had finally realized that he held his chopsticks wrong. He turned them over and ate a few more mouthfuls. It was so spicy that his eyes grew red. He still couldn’t help but curse, “… Tastes terrible!”
After days of continuously being asked about the details of BaoShan SanRen, Wei WuXian set off with Jiang Cheng. After a long journey, they arrived at the bottom of one of the remote mountains in Yiling.
The mountain was lively with green plants. Its top was surrounded by cloud and mist. There was indeed some sense of heavenliness to it. Yet, it was still somewhat far away from the celestial mountain that everyone thought it was. During the past few days, Jiang Cheng had always been suspicious. He sometimes suspected that Wei WuXian was lying to him, and at other times suspected that Wei WuXian had heard wrong or remembered wrong from when he was young, he was constantly worrying whether or not they’d be able to find it. When he saw the mountain, he began to suspect again, “Is this really where BaoShan SanRen lives?”
Wei WuXian sounded certain, “It’s definitely here. Is there any use of me lying to you? So that you can be happy for a few days and then receive an even bigger disappointment?”
Similar conversations had already happened countless times between the two. Wei WuXian walked up half of the mountain with him, “Alright. Now, I won’t be able to go any further up with you.”
He took out a piece of cloth and covered Jiang Cheng’s eyes with it. He told him over and over again, “You must never, never open your eyes. There aren’t any beasts on the mountain. I’d rather you walk slower. Even if you fall, you can’t pull the cloth away. You must not be curious. Remember, just say that you’re Wei WuXian. You know how to answer the questions?”
The matter was crucial as to whether or not he could form a core again and seek revenge. Of course Jiang Cheng didn’t dare be careless. He nodded nervously.
He turned around and slowly began to walk up the mountain. Wei WuXian, “I’ll be waiting for you in the town back there!”
After he watched Jiang Cheng’s slowly moving silhouette for a while, he turned around as well and walked onto another of the mountain paths.
Jiang Cheng had been in the mountain for seven days.
The town that they had agreed to meet in was built amid the mountains. It was rather remote. There weren’t many people inside. The roads were both thin and bumpy. There weren’t even any street vendors on the side.
Wei WuXian was squatting on the side of the road. He glanced at the direction of the mountain. There was still no sight of Jiang Cheng. Hands on his knees, he stood up before feeling his head spin. Wobbling for a few moments, he walked toward the only teahouse in the town.
The teahouse was likely the only building in the town that wasn’t crude. Just as he entered, a waiter went up to him with a smile, “What would you like?”
Wei WuXian was immediately alarmed.
Within the past few days, he’d been on the run and never had the time to clean himself up. He could almost be described as grimy. When most teahouse waiters saw such a look, he’d be lucky if they didn’t kick him out right away. Coming over with such enthusiasm seemed a bit too fake.
He quickly scanned around the shop. The accountant stood behind the counter, appearing as though he wanted to bury his face into the account booklet. Around half a dozen people sat scattered around ten tables. Many of them were wearing capes, drinking tea with their heads low as if they were hiding something.
Immediately, Wei WuXian spun around to leave. However, just one step outside of the teahouse, a tall, dark shadow had hovered over him and struck him hard in the chest.
Wei WuXian smashed into two tables. The waiter and the accountant ran outside, panicking. All of the people inside took off their capes, revealing the sun robes that they wore inside. Wen ZhuLiu stepped over the threshold and stood in front of Wei WuXian. Looking at how he struggled to get up and then at his palm, he seemed to be thinking. Somebody kicked at the bent of Wei WuXian’s knees, forcing him to hit the ground.
Wen Chao’s face appeared in his sight, full of cruel excitement, “You’re down already?! You brat, didn’t you jump around quite a bit back in the cave of the Xuanwu of Slaughter? You’re finished with just a strike? Hahahaha, keep on jumping, look at how arrogant you were!”
Wang LingJiao’s impatient voice appeared as well, “Quick! Young Master Wen, chop off his hand! He still owes us an arm!”