Chapter Eleven: The Calamity of Mortal Peril

More and more people came to the Mountain God Temple to make their wishes, and Liaochen began to feel a vague sense of unease. Cultivators who pursue the Way of Heaven often have premonitions, but never before had he experienced such an obscure and terrifying intuition. He tried divining several times, but found nothing. The heavenly secrets were veiled; there must be a reason for this.

A few months later, a group chanting “Amitabha” but dressed as layfolk entered the range of Liaochen’s divine sense, and he immediately understood the source of his ominous feeling—a calamity of slaughter was approaching, and escape was impossible. The first of the seven tribulations of cultivation had arrived.

The newcomers were none other than the leader of the White Lotus Sect, disguised as Tang Fu, accompanied by the Holy Maiden Tang Yingying and their protector disciples. Tang Tong and the others merely circled the Mountain God Temple, questioned passersby about its miracles, and left without entering. So cautious—would they dare come if they weren’t confident?

Liaochen could not imagine what could threaten him, but the mysterious disappearance of the previous Mountain God haunted his thoughts. His sense of impending crisis was surely not groundless.

As night fell, the White Lotus leader brought his party into a manor beyond the reach of Liaochen’s divine sense. The manor was small, built on blue stone foundations with brick walls—if guarded by soldiers, it would be a fortress. Its owner was Li Yuan, a local commander, so its fortress-like design drew no comment.

“Your subordinate greets the Sect Leader, the Holy Maiden. May the Sect Leader enjoy celestial blessings, the Holy Maiden golden peace. Greetings to all the protectors.” As Tang Fu and his group entered, Li Yuan was already waiting behind the door.

“Protector Li, no need for such ceremony. Rise!” Tang Fu nodded, motioned Li Yuan up, and went straight to the inner courtyard. Li Yuan led the way, explaining the manor’s details as they walked.

“Protector Li, how many followers do we have locally? Are arms and armor prepared, how many able-bodied men, and have they been trained?” Tang Fu cared nothing for the manor itself; he wanted only to know if he had the means to seize the Ming dynasty’s throne.

“Reporting to the Sect Leader, we have over ten thousand followers locally, but out of fear of government scrutiny, most propagate the faith in remote areas. Lately, because of the Mountain God Temple, many have ceased worshipping Our Lady of Birthlessness. And due to official patrols, I have not acted, fearing to alert them. I await your decision.” Li Yuan’s forehead was beaded with sweat as he knelt and reported.

Tang Fu merely listened, saying nothing for a long time before replying, “Caution is reasonable. Stand up.”

Li Yuan rose carefully. “Your subordinate has arranged food and wine to welcome the Sect Leader, Holy Maiden, and the protectors.”

Tang Fu nodded, “Very well. Tell us about the Mountain God in full detail, leave nothing out.”

At the dining table, Li Yuan repeated his thorough investigation. For a long while, everyone was silent. Sect Leader Tang Fu tapped the table and said, “It seems this new Mountain God is not only capable but unusually active—not behaving as a true divinity, but as if he has a purpose.”

The White Lotus Sect, originating from the Pure Land school of Buddhism, had existed since the Northern Song, spreading for centuries. It was more than a tool to delude the masses; it studied all major sects and the ways of divinities. True gods do not flaunt miracles or offer universal aid; they aim for longevity. This Mountain God did not seem interested in enduring, which was strange.

“Sect Leader, is the Mountain God here because of us?” The White Lotus Sect was not lacking in clever minds. They soon connected the dots; their reasoning might be off, but the outcome was the same. All present were high-ranking members, and at once they linked the rising influence of the sect in the area to its sudden plight, nodding in agreement.

“No matter what the Mountain God intends, our sect cannot tolerate him. Tonight, I…” Tang Fu had just begun when his expression changed abruptly. He shouted, “Courting death!” and pulled a golden seal from his robe, flinging it outside. Instantly, commotion erupted in the courtyard, and the group rushed out. Tang Fu picked up the golden seal from the ground and said, “Just now, a yin spirit was spying on us—clearly the Mountain God means us ill.” He looked at the others, “To raze the mountain, destroy the temple, kill the god and break the worship—Zhang Tianshi did it, and so can we. Since the Mountain God came looking for trouble, he has only himself to blame.” He gazed toward the Mountain God Temple, voice heavy, “I anticipated changes, matters touching gods and ghosts, so I brought our sect’s century-old idol. The Holy Maiden can summon the Holy Mother. When we fight the Mountain God, the protectors will lead the followers to storm the temple, profane and break its divine radiance, then burn it down. I want to see what this petty Mountain God can do to stop our sect’s rise.” Tang Fu ordered fiercely, and everyone complied.

“Three nights hence at midnight, we act together. No mistakes allowed.” Tang Fu waved his hand, losing interest in the feast, and retired to rest, while the others dispersed to prepare.

At the instant the yin spirit was destroyed, Liaochen abruptly awoke from meditation, his expression darkening. With a sigh, he could no longer calm his heart—the sense of unease grew ever stronger. He pondered, then took out three divination coins, prayed silently, and cast them on the ground.

The hexagram was Water below Water above, the first line: “Repeated pit, entering the pit, ominous.” The image reads: “Repeated pit, entering the pit,” losing the Way brings misfortune.

Liaochen felt a chill in his heart—the heavenly secrets were revealed; his tribulation was at hand. He quietly picked up the coins, walked slowly out of his cave, gazed at the bright moon, and after a long silence, waved his fist and cried, “The water floods, the noble one acts with constant virtue, practicing the Way. I shall press forward boldly, my Way unchanged, and perhaps turn misfortune to fortune.” With that, he returned to his cave, pondering how to break the predicament.

On the first day, Liaochen withdrew his divine radiance from the Mountain God cave, writing talismans inside.

On the second day, he reluctantly sent the fox into the forest, then sat in tranquility, refining his magical tools.

On the third day, Liaochen released a white paper crane, then returned to his cave to observe the steady stream of strangers arriving. Yet the White Lotus leaders remained unseen—what were they up to?

The moon rose high, midnight approached, the boundary of yin and yang. Liaochen, holding his magic sword, stood quietly before his cave, waiting for his enemies.

Two figures appeared in the distance. One was an old man in green robes, gaunt of face, but with eyes shining fiercely, as if ready to devour. The other was dressed in flowing white, graceful in every step, yet utterly free from any worldly taint—truly like a celestial maiden.

“Are you the Sect Leader and Holy Maiden of the White Lotus?” Liaochen asked, though he already knew, but it was necessary. His divine sense scanned them—they lacked deep cultivation and could not possibly threaten him. So, where did his sense of impending tribulation originate?

“Immortal, why not stay in the mountains and cultivate? Why stir up worldly dust? If you leave now, we can all coexist in peace. What do you say?” Tang Fu saw Liaochen, who was not what he expected of a Mountain God—rather, he was a Daoist in mountain robes. Tang Fu hesitated. If he were a Mountain God, his power would be limited; but a Daoist's abilities could be vastly greater. What level had this one reached? He hesitated.

“Since I have revealed myself, it is only right to have a contest. You have come from afar; surely you don’t intend to leave empty-handed. Whatever magical arts you possess, please display them.” Liaochen replied, hoping to discern the true origin of his tribulation.

“If that’s your wish, then prepare yourself!” Tang Fu pulled out a jade box, carefully opened it, and a beam of blood light shot skyward.

“Why is it always this thing…” Liaochen muttered in annoyance, watching the figure floating uncertainly in midair.