Volume One, Chapter Fifteen: Atop Flat Horse Mountain

As soon as dawn broke, Bing was eager to set out again. This time, however, Han Yu stubbornly refused to let him carry her, not even in her rabbit form. Left with no choice, Bing slung her onto his back. Yet this arrangement had its advantages—he could run freely and swiftly.

“Hey! Why are you running so fast?” Despite Bing’s considerable girth, Han Yu was jostled so much that her head spun.

“If I can’t catch up with Brother Jin and the others, I won’t know how to get to Flat Horse Mountain!” Bing stopped abruptly to explain.

“…But there’s no need to rush so! I’m injured, you know! Are you trying to kill me?!” Han Yu shouted, her rabbit ears twitching involuntarily atop her head.

“I…” Bing pouted, thinking, “If I wanted you dead, why would I save you?”

“Oh, hurry up! Are you planning to let the sun roast me alive?” Han Yu cried out again, her voice echoing over the hills. A rabbit, afraid of sunlight?

“You tell me to stop, then you tell me to go!” Bing grumbled under his breath.

“What was that?” Han Yu demanded sharply.

“Nothing, nothing at all!” Bing hung his head and pressed on, now walking briskly instead of running.

Along the way, Han Yu directed him left and right, and whenever Bing disagreed, she would not stop complaining. Helpless, Bing had to follow her instructions.

At noon, a sudden shriek nearly sent Han Yu tumbling from Bing’s back.

“Senior Mu!” Turning, they saw a round ball rolling down a distant slope, trailing a plume of dust behind it.

“Wow!” Han Yu’s mouth dropped open in astonishment.

“Hey, Sister Zhao!” Bing hurried forward.

“Brother Mu, Brother Mu, our senior was worried you’d take the main road instead!” The plump girl waved the half-eaten flatbread in her hand, excitement shining in her eyes. Bing paused, recalling Han Yu’s loud protests earlier—if not for her, he really would have taken the main road. Could it be Han Yu…

“Brother Mu, you must be hungry?” Noticing Bing’s gaze fixed on her flatbread, the plump girl smiled and pulled a hot cake from her bundle.

“Great… wonderful…” Bing nearly bounced with excitement.

“Glutton!” Han Yu muttered quietly.

“Hm? Did you hear something?” The plump girl looked around suspiciously.

“No, nothing! Just a rabbit’s cry!” Bing quickly changed the subject.

“A rabbit’s cry?” She eyed Bing with doubt. He hurried to untie his bundle and held up Han Yu.

“Wow! A little white rabbit! How adorable!” The plump girl’s greasy hands stroked Han Yu, making Han Yu nearly faint with disgust.

“I… found it on the road. It seems injured!” Bing’s eyes darted nervously.

“So soft!” The girl picked up Han Yu. Han Yu cursed inwardly, “Soft, my foot! It’s your greasy hands!”

“Sister Zhao, where are Brother Jin and the others?” Only after finishing his flatbread did Bing remember the main purpose.

“Brother Mu, let me take care of the rabbit. Good bunny…” she said, not looking up. Bing’s answer sent Han Yu’s heart into relief—she had worried all along about how to share a room with a group of stinky men.

“They’re resting on the other side of the slope. Let’s go!” Without waiting for a reply, the plump girl cradled the white rabbit and headed up the hill.

Barely a few steps later, Jin Guishan and the others crested the slope, drawn by the girl’s loud shout. Seeing Bing, everyone greeted him with joy. Though Jin Guishan dared not ask about his ordeal, he was visibly delighted to see Bing return safely.

After that, they traveled by day and camped by night for three more days, finally entering the territory of Flat Horse Mountain. The peaks rose in layers, shrouded in mist, with birds singing and monkeys chattering, lending the place an ethereal air worthy of a celestial palace.

“Just over this ridge lies the main peak of Flat Horse Mountain!” Qi Yuanxiao pointed ahead with excitement.

Indeed, after crossing the slope, a towering summit appeared, its stone avenue leading straight to the top, flanked by fluttering banners and bustling crowds. Halfway up, tents dotted the open ground, smoke rising from cooking fires. At the peak, a Taoist temple stood, its blue tiles and red gates solemn and majestic, the golden characters above the entrance gleaming from afar.

On the journey, Brother Jin had explained that Flat Horse Mountain was home to the Orthodox Jia Sect, led by Master Qixu, known as the True Person Qixu. He was said to command dragons and phoenixes, his powers boundless, with over ten thousand disciples, making it the foremost sect in the land.

Jin Guishan and his companions camped halfway up, choosing tents for men and women separately. As soon as they settled in, Taoist monks from the temple brought lunch—just rice porridge and greens, but after so long without a proper meal, everyone eagerly sat down. Even Bing, who was about to go out searching for his seniors, paused to join.

“The Immortal Gathering starts the day after tomorrow. With nothing pressing, you can use these days to inquire about your seniors’ whereabouts. There’s no rush!” Jin Guishan smiled.

“Thank you, Brother Jin! I truly appreciate your care on this journey!” Bing said sincerely, plopping down.

After lunch, Bing could not wait to go out searching. He started with the tents halfway up, patiently asking at each one. The plump girl followed, cradling the rabbit, saying it was better to have company in case anything happened. Han Yu was most annoyed—why drag her along with these two fatties when the mountain paths were rough? Even if carried, she still caught wind and dust.

Only at the temple gates did Bing finally see the three golden characters: “Palace of Welcoming Immortals.” The place was extraordinary, with three main halls, dozens of side halls, refectories, and guest rooms, all with ornate beams and painted rafters, nestled among ancient pines and cypresses—truly a paradise on earth.

Even the kitchen monks had been questioned, but Bing found no trace of his seniors. Disheartened, he returned, the plump girl coaxing him but to little avail. The two trudged back, their dejection obvious, so no one bothered to inquire.

“Brother Mu, don’t worry. Perhaps your seniors are delayed on the road and haven’t arrived yet!” Jin Guishan comforted him.

“Oh! That’s true!” Bing brightened.

“The competition is the day after tomorrow. Even if we’re just fulfilling our duty, we must do our best—lest we embarrass our master!” Jin Guishan addressed everyone.

“There’s nothing to fear. Our senior is skilled in the arts, surely he’ll place in the top three,” Qi Yuanxiao declared confidently.

“Skilled? He was beaten by that demoness!” Jin Guishan frowned. This journey had been a blow to him.

“Nonsense! If that demoness weren’t so… shameless, how could she defeat our senior?” The plump girl, busy stroking the rabbit’s ears, suddenly shouted. Jin Guishan was torn between gratitude and frustration—grateful for her loyalty, annoyed that it implied he was led astray by desire.

“I think, just in case, we should practice the Black Tortoise Formation again!” Jin Guishan continued, pretending not to notice.

“But we’re one short. Our power is greatly reduced, so practicing…” He Lingchi muttered.

“We have Brother Mu!” As soon as Jin Guishan spoke, all eyes turned to Bing.

“Don’t worry, he just needs to hold his position!” Jin Guishan said, turning to Bing, “Brother Mu, the steps and methods must not be taught to outsiders, please forgive us!”

“I understand! Of course!” Bing nodded.

All afternoon, Bing practiced with them, holding the position of the spirit snake. Standing for hours was exhausting, but he endured until dinner. Afterwards, he again set out to inquire.

By now, the mountain was crowded with people from various sects, men and women, all dressed in immortal garb. Yet some seemed nothing like cultivators—no doubt many opportunists among them. This time, the plump girl stayed behind, called back by Brother Jin at the gate, probably for some discussion.

“Little fatty!” Bing was suddenly stopped by a kindly old Taoist nun.

“What is it, Master?” Bing examined her curiously.

“Nothing, just a reminder—watch your waist, the important thing there!” She smiled and walked away.

Bing froze, only realizing after a moment that she meant his belt, a magical artifact. She was truly perceptive.

He searched for her again, but she was gone. Bing wandered, questioning every stranger he met, but again found no news of his seniors—perhaps they never came to this Immortal Gathering at all. Still, Bing persisted until dusk, returning to camp disappointed.

Just as he approached the tent, he saw Jin Guishan escorting a middle-aged Taoist with an air of profound cultivation. From Jin’s respectful manner, his status must be high.

“Senior, take care!” Jin’s address surprised Bing—he was a senior?

“Brother Jin, please accept this!” The Taoist pressed a bundle into Jin’s hands.

“Senior, we mustn’t. It’s only right for us to help… Ah, Brother Mu is back!” Jin quickly changed the subject. With outsiders present, the Taoist withdrew his bundle.

“Weren’t you six?” The Taoist realized his slip, smiling as he appraised Bing. “And this is?”

“Oh, we met Brother Mu on the road. We became friends and traveled together, looking out for each other!” Jin explained simply. “Brother Mu, this is Master Feixu, the chief disciple of True Person Qixu. He’ll be hosting the Immortal Gathering!”

“An honor, an honor!” Bing hurried forward.

“No need for formality!” Hearing Bing was not one of Jin’s group, Master Feixu turned back to Jin. “Brother Jin, I’ll take my leave. See you at the gathering!”

“Safe travels, Senior!” Jin walked him out, then returned.

“What’s wrong?” Jin smiled as Bing looked at him curiously.

“Nothing, just… you call True Person Qixu’s chief disciple ‘senior’…”

“Oh, that! True Person Qixu and my master are old friends, so we address each other as senior and junior. Naturally, I call his disciple ‘senior,’ too!” Jin explained as he entered the tent. Bing nodded and followed. He was surprised to see everyone inside, even the plump girl and her sister staying instead of returning to their own tent. All wore grave expressions.

“Everyone, rest well!” Jin hesitated, then glanced at the sisters, who nodded and left. The remaining brothers went about making beds and washing up, all weighed down by their thoughts. Bing didn’t say more, greeted the group, and climbed into his bed.

Early next morning, the clamor outside woke Bing. He wanted to linger in bed, but with so many strangers around, it was improper. He forced himself up.

Outside, the plump girl crouched, playing with the white rabbit. Han Yu was clearly unimpressed—no matter how she coaxed, Han Yu lay unmoving, her attitude puffing the girl’s cheeks in frustration. Seeing this, Bing hurried over.

“Sister Zhao, up so early?” He reached toward Han Yu, wanting to check her injuries, but she sprang into the girl’s arms. The girl beamed, “See, she likes me best!”

“She really does!” Bing said, a little sour, as Han Yu gazed up at the blue sky.

“How is she?” Bing, at a loss, made conversation.

“Much better—didn’t you see her jump just now? I even fed her half a carrot!” As she spoke, both Bing and the girl’s stomachs rumbled in unison. Han Yu pouted, “These two are born gluttons!”

“Come eat!” Hearing the rumbles, Qi Yuanxiao poked his head out, grinning.

The morning was spent practicing the Black Tortoise Formation again, but Jin Guishan’s attitude had shifted. Yesterday, he’d explained some essential methods to Bing, but today he said nothing, merely asking Bing to stand in place. Bing found it peaceful, though tedious. Idleness led to daydreams, and watching the brothers gesture and chant, Bing remembered his crazy master’s teachings.

“Ah… who knows where he is now!” Bing sighed, rubbing his nose.

After lunch, Jin announced an afternoon break, inviting everyone to explore Flat Horse Mountain. Sightseeing delighted the group, and after much chatter, they decided to climb to the summit first. They thought the Palace of Welcoming Immortals must be ancient, but a temple official revealed it was built only in the last two years. The rear mountain, however, had a small, egg-sized temple, said to date back centuries. The group headed there, and in a dense forest found a dilapidated shrine. On its half-collapsed gate, the faded characters “Temple of Transformation Horse” could still be seen.

“Temple of Transformation Horse? Could Flat Horse Mountain have originally been called Transformation Horse Mountain?” Jin mused in curiosity.

“Perhaps so!” Qi Yuanxiao agreed.

“Look, Senior!” He Lingchi suddenly shouted, pointing to the weeds. Jin turned, and saw something half-buried in the earth. Qi Yuanxiao rushed over and brushed away the dirt, revealing a white stone. The plump girl excitedly joined in, and soon they uncovered a lifelike white horse statue.

“Wow, a horse!” The girl’s shout echoed through the valley. Jin glared at her, and she stuck out her tongue sheepishly.

“Maybe Jin is right—Flat Horse Mountain was called Transformation Horse Mountain centuries ago, but for some reason, after years of change, it became Flat Horse Mountain…” Bing muttered.