Chapter 584: Many Thanks to the Mountain Lord

Publish Time: 2026-07-26 21:32:00

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Chen Changsheng took that page into his hands.

His eyes fell upon the writing.

It bore four characters:

‘Divine Decree of the Gods: Part One.’

Chen Changsheng asked, “If that’s the case, why did the Mountain Lord choose to give this to me?”

The Mountain Lord remained silent, offering no explanation.

Seeing this, Chen Changsheng said nothing more. He stood up and walked toward the temple exit.

“I shall take my leave.”

At the doorway, he looked back.

He glanced first at the child, then his gaze settled on the faceless Divine Statue.

Chen Changsheng spoke, “If the Mountain Lord is the Mountain God, why does this temple lack both an inscribed plaque and even a face upon its Divine Statue?”

The Mountain Lord didn’t look at him. Still, no explanation came.

Chen Changsheng cupped his hands respectfully. “I understand…”

“Many thanks to the Mountain Lord.”

Then, without looking back again, he left the place.

The child lifted his head, looking out. He opened his mouth as if to speak, but in the end, merely shook his head.

This wasn’t the Chen Changsheng he was waiting for.

The one he awaited was the Chen Changsheng consumed by deep hatred.

‘What difference does it make if he guessed…’

The child let out a long sigh within the temple. He rested his head in his hands and slowly closed his eyes.

Once asleep, he wouldn’t know how many years might pass before waking again.

………

Why was the Divine Statue faceless? Why did the temple lack a plaque?

Chen Changsheng guessed a little.

This was a means. A way that allowed the Mountain Lord to become a Ghost Deity yet escape the binds of Heaven and Earth. He was a Ghost Deity, but he existed outside the dominion of the Heavenly Dao.

Thus, the Mountain Lord could live forever as a Ghost Deity. As long as someone informed him of events, he could know everything under the sun, past and present.

Chen Changsheng did not doubt that the Mountain Lord lied.

On the contrary, he believed the Mountain Lord truly knew all things. Perhaps, besides Yu Xuan, no one else understood more.

Chen Changsheng also understood: were he determined to ask, the Mountain Lord might not refuse him.

But could the Mountain Lord truly speak of such things whenever he wished?

Whether it be the Old Dragon King or Hu Junhan, they all feared that Karma. Though as a Ghost Deity, the Mountain Lord used means to avoid Heavenly Dao constraints, was it truly possible the Heavenly Dao remained completely unaware of his existence?

Clearly not.

The Mountain Lord’s slumber was proof of his long existence.

It made Chen Changsheng wonder what the Mountain Lord waited for.

He waited for a certain moment.

Perhaps—just perhaps—the very reason the Mountain Lord existed was to one day tell him everything. Yet speaking it would also herald his own end.

This might be a release for the Mountain Lord.

But Chen Changsheng could not bring himself to force it. On one hand, the Mountain Lord was right; he was not yet worthy of knowing the truth. On the other hand, as he himself had put it, scheming for this matter meant asking about his own past life and Rebirth.

But the exact why remained unclear to Chen Changsheng.

For now, it was enough that he had learned the answer he sought on this journey.

March 13th. The Demon Realm Well.

The Southern Garden, Thirty-Three Heavens.

Chen Changsheng frowned slightly. “March 13th… how could I possibly get there in time…”

By that date, he wouldn’t even have awakened.

Though he now knew the answer, it presented him with a new difficulty.

Seeing Chen Changsheng emerge, Zhong Zhengyuan hurriedly approached.

Regaining his composure, Chen Changsheng looked up and noticed numerous Elders of Tianji Mountain had also arrived without his notice.

“Mr. Chen.”

Zhong Zhengyuan addressed him.

Chen Changsheng nodded in return. “These are…”

Zhong Zhengyuan asked, “A moment ago, Tianji Mountain quaked. What transpired between you and the Mountain Lord, Mr. Chen?”

Chen Changsheng paused, then explained, “I apologize for alarming everyone. The Mountain Lord and I merely exchanged pointers a little, causing the tremor. The Mountain Lord is unharmed. He merely fell asleep after I departed.”

Chen Daoqiu stepped forward. “Is he truly unharmed?”

Chen Changsheng nodded. “Unharmed.”

Chen Daoqiu led a few Elders into the temple deep in the valley. Only after careful inspection did they breathe a sigh of relief.

And so, no one further detained Chen Changsheng.

Zhong Zhengyuan spoke, “Allow me to escort Mr. Chen beyond the mountain gate.”

Chen Changsheng hesitated a moment, then nodded. “Your trouble is appreciated.”

Zhong Zhengyuan summoned a Divine Crane which carried Chen Changsheng away from the mountain.

The crane navigated through dense layers of fog.

During this time, Zhong Zhengyuan asked, “What did you speak with the Mountain Lord about, Mr. Chen? Did knowledge of the Demon Realm surface?”

“We did find the Demon Realm’s location, only…”

Chen Changsheng shook his head with a sigh and said no more.

Zhong Zhengyuan pressed, “The Demon Realm path is blocked?”

“You could say that.”

At the very least, Chen Changsheng didn’t know how to wake himself on March 13th.

If he couldn’t make it on time, witnessing anything at the Demon Realm Well was impossible.

Zhong Zhengyuan responded, “Is that all? Given Mr. Chen’s cultivation, finding another way is certain. It is only a matter of time.”

“Mm.”

The two rode the Divine Crane through the clouds and mist.

Ahead, they unexpectedly encountered a youth patrolling the mountain’s outer perimeter.

Zhong Zhengyuan intended to pass without pause, but spotting the boy on the other crane reminded him of something. He slowed their pace.

The youth on the descending crane clasped his hands towards his master upon recognizing him. “Greetings, Master.”

Zhong Zhengyuan acknowledged him with a nod.

But when the youth noticed the passenger on his master’s crane, he suddenly froze.

“H-hey! You… you…”

Chen Changsheng cupped his hands politely. “Little Daoist Friend, we meet again.”

“Has the gentleman met him before?” Zhong Zhengyuan asked, surprised.

Chen Changsheng nodded. “This very Little Daoist Friend stopped me outside earlier today.”

The youth on the crane stammered, “I clearly remember you left! How did you instead emerge from the mountain gate?”

Chen Changsheng smiled. “Merely an Illusionary Trick.”

Zhong Zhengyuan looked between them. Addressing the youth, he asked, “You Qi, do you recognize who this gentleman is?”

You Qi paused, studying Chen Changsheng again.

He simply couldn’t recall.

Zhong Zhengyuan stroked his beard and chuckled. “Have you forgotten the very person who brought you up this mountain many years ago?”

You Qi hesitated. The reminder struck him like lightning.

“I remember now! You’re the Daoist Priest from Flowing Cloud Temple! You’re that gentleman?!”

Chen Changsheng smiled warmly and dipped his head. “Little Daoist Friend, it has been a long time.”

Zhang Xiaoqi gaped. He hadn’t dreamed he’d ever see this gentleman again.

He hurriedly asked, “Sir! My mother and father… how are they? Are they well?”

Chen Changsheng paused. Silence hung heavy.

Zhang Xiaoqi faltered. “Sir…?”

Chen Changsheng said, “Your father has passed away. Yet it was simply passing away of old age. Please accept my condolences in this time of grief, Little Daoist Friend.”

Zhang Xiaoqi felt as if a bell had tolled in his chest, reverberating deep within him.

His expression lost focus. He swayed, almost falling from his crane.

“You Qi!”

Zhong Zhengyuan swooped forward to steady him.

Zhang Xiaoqi, head bowed, whispered weakly, “I’m alright, Master…”

But the faintness in his voice spoke of vanished strength.

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