Wu Tong, exhausted, leaned on the bed and unexpectedly fell asleep. He did not know how long he slept when suddenly a faint feminine fragrance, neither orchid nor musk, drifted toward him. The scent entered his nose, and he felt a soft hand caressing his cheek. He awoke to see Liu Yun smiling, saying, "My foolish brother, how long have you been here? How is it that I am here now?"
Wu Tong was both shocked and overjoyed to see Liu Yun awake. He immediately embraced her, tenderly stroking the cheek of the woman nestled in his arms, and softly asked, "It was all my fault, I failed to protect you."Liu Yun smiled and said, "My silly brother, in my dreams I thought someone kept speaking to me." Wu Tong held her close, gazing at his beautiful wife. His heart stirred, his mind grew restless, and he could not restrain himself. He lowered his head, their lips pressed together for a long moment, and he whispered, "Now will you forgive me?"Liu Yun nodded, blushing, and said shyly, "Not here, this isn't our place." Wu Tong also flushed, gently stroking her hair, and chuckled, "Then if it were our place, would it be allowed?" Liu Yun playfully punched him, pouting, "You, always so improper."
Wu Tong clasped her hand and murmured, "I stayed here all along, fearing you might wake and find no one by your side."Hearing this, Liu Yun's heart trembled slightly. She felt his deep care, her eyes shimmering with tenderness as she whispered, "You… always make me ache with affection."
The two then left the cave. As they stepped outside, the snow ape saw them emerge and grew ecstatic, dancing about. Suddenly, it knelt before Liu Yun. The white-haired old man said, "The ape begs the lady's forgiveness for his careless offense." Liu Yun quickly reached out to help the snow ape up. The ape, overjoyed, suddenly lifted Liu Yun into its arms, startling her. The old man sternly scolded, "Ape, do not be rude!"
Hearing the reprimand, the snow ape looked like a child being chastised, hastily putting Liu Yun down, hanging its head in shame and regret. Liu Yun stepped forward, knelt, and said, "Junior Liu Yun offers deepest thanks for senior's rescue."
The old man lifted her up, saying, "It is said, if a son is untrained, the fault is the father's. This is the ape's fault, yet it is I who must apologize. You two must be hungry—come, let us share a meal."The three of them and the ape came to a stone table laden with fresh fruits, their colors vivid and fragrance rich, along with wild vegetables steeped in spring water and other mountain delicacies. Though simple, they carried a unique flavor.
The old man said, "Please, sit."Once seated, Wu Tong wondered how to address him. Knowing he should show respect, he asked, "Senior, may I boldly ask your name?"The white-haired elder smiled kindly and said, "I am nearing the end of my years, living in seclusion in Tianshan. I long ago forgot worldly names. This life, I follow Laozi's way of non-action, desiring nothing and contending with no one. I call myself the Old Man of Non-Action."
Liu Yun, raised in a scholarly family and well-versed in Daoist teachings, smiled meaningfully, saying, "Non-action exists, yet also returns to nothing. Senior is indeed a man of the Way, worthy of my admiration."The elder was surprised and said with a smile, "I did not expect the young lady to also pursue the Dao. Such affinity is rare indeed. As the saying goes, 'Heaven and I are born together, all things and I are one.' Since you understand Daoist truths, your mind is already a step beyond others."
Liu Yun nodded gently and smiled. "Senior flatters me. Since childhood I have learned Daoist principles from my father, yet I have never met a true master of the Way. To meet you today is a blessing beyond measure."The Old Man of Non-Action stroked his beard, smiling. "The Way of Heaven cycles on, all things have spirit. Since we are gathered here today, it is fate."
Wu Tong suddenly felt moved and said, "The ancient sages who truly cultivated themselves were subtle and mysterious, unfathomable."The elder looked surprised, laughing. "You two are indeed Daoist friends—unfathomable indeed!"Wu Tong replied modestly, "My father-in-law is master of the Heavenly Reverence Sect, so my wife is well-versed in Lao-Zhuang teachings. When I was young, I too read the works of the sages. Just now a spark struck me, and I spoke without thinking."
The Old Man of Non-Action laughed heartily. "Since you two are not only Daoist companions but also refined scholars, let us eat together." The table was filled with fruits, but the main dish was a soup made from Tianshan snow lotus fruit. They ate the wild vegetables and mountain delicacies, which proved to have their own special taste. After their fill, Wu Tong and Liu Yun bid farewell to the old man and the snow ape. The ape led them down the mountain. At the foot, Wu Tong said, "Brother Ape, please return now." The snow ape gazed at him, then pressed its right palm to its chest and bowed. Wu Tong smiled and returned the gesture, the two laughing heartily. The ape chattered on, and Wu Tong, deeply moved, embraced it as though parting from a brother. The ape, saddened, patted its chest, then pointed to Wu Tong's chest, showing its deep bond. Wu Tong said with emotion, "Brother Ape, if fate allows, I shall return to visit you." He raised his fist; the snow ape did the same, and they gently knocked fists together. The ape waved once more, then bounded away up the mountain, disappearing into the icy valleys.
The two found their horses, fortunately not far off, mounted, and galloped away. By now the sun was setting, the sky blood-red in the dusk. As night fell, they entered a nearby city and found an inn to rest for the night. After days of travel, they soon fell fast asleep.
At dawn, they came downstairs for breakfast. The inn was crowded with diners. Suddenly, an old man said, "On the Longyou Road there has lately been held a Demon-Exorcising Assembly against Yin Mountain. Have you heard of it?"
Another old man nearby asked, "This assembly, is it aimed at the Yin Mountain Old Devil and his den of snakes and rats?"The first replied, "Indeed. The six great sects of Tianshan, both north and south, have all sent people to strike at Yin Mountain's lair, intending to wipe them out in one move."
The diners perked up their ears. Another old man said, "But when has the government ever succeeded in capturing Yin Mountain Sect? These past years, they have grown stronger, renaming themselves the Yin Mountain Cult. They recruit outlaws from all over, with many flocking to join. The cult's numbers swell, and their arrogance grows unchecked. Nearby villages are often raided and tormented. Recently, their leader, the Yin Mountain Celestial, has been practicing evil arts. Every new and full moon, he descends the mountain to seize beautiful women, claiming it is for cultivation. This so-called art of absorbing yin to replenish yang has harmed countless women."
The first old man said, "Exactly so. Because so many women have suffered, the masters Xu Fang of Kunlun Sect and Deng Tian of Tianshan Sect had no choice but to rally the six great sects of the region to exterminate Yin Mountain Cult. The date is set for tomorrow at dawn, when all forces will converge on Yin Mountain."Another old man murmured, "Then it will surely be a bloody battle."