Chapter 14: The Proper Way to Unveil the "Mountain Trekking Travelogue"

Traditional skills of the mountain wanderers, like the ones described here, are recorded extensively in the "Mountain Wanderer’s Travelogue."

For instance, the art of taming beasts. According to ancient texts, it originated with the northern mountain wanderers. Legend has it that they were the first to domesticate the wolf, which eventually led to the dogs we know today. Zhang Hao found this belief credible, as it was documented in the "Mountain Wanderer’s Travelogue."

The ancient records also provide meticulous details on precautions to take while traversing the mountains. For example, the three-leaf water shield grass: encountering it demands caution, as venomous snakes lurk within five steps, and a single misstep could be fatal. The original text states: “When facing three-leaf water shield grass, within five steps there is surely a venomous snake; caution is necessary.”

Moreover, the ancient manuscripts mention the Four Essentials of Mountain Wandering: Sniff, Listen, Observe, and Touch.

Sniffing involves discerning direction by the scent of the soil. The text reads: “The soil facing the sun has a faint smell, akin to cow dung.” This means that soil on the sunlit southern side emits a subtle aroma reminiscent of cow dung. Simply mastering this sniffing technique allows one to navigate the mountain paths even blindfolded, relying solely on the nose.

Listening is about using the ears to identify wild beasts and their movements within the mountain. Essentially, it means sound-based spatial awareness to better protect oneself in the wilderness. The text notes: “By listening, one can discern spirits and mountain entities.” This implies that a skilled mountain wanderer can tell whether the sounds are made by spirits or mountain creatures.

Mountain spirits encompass all living beings of the mountain—wild animals and precious herbs like wild ginseng alike. As for spirits… these refer to the inexplicable, indescribable phenomena encountered by ancient mountain wanderers.

The essentials of Observing and Touching are simpler. Observing means keeping watch in all directions; even in pitch-black nights, mountain wanderers can clearly see forests hundreds of meters away. When confronted by spirits, they can determine with their own eyes whether what they see is real or illusion.

Touching involves using tactile sensation and experience to identify whether something is poisonous or safe to harvest.

All these are invaluable lessons earned through generations of mountain wanderers risking their lives, helping their successors discover more treasures within the mountains.

Yet, the duties of a mountain wanderer extend beyond mere treasure seeking.

They are also known as Guardians of the Mountain—the true protectors of the mountain’s spirits and natural treasures. Their role is to preserve the mountain’s integrity, for only by safeguarding the mountain from harm can they continue to harvest its riches and survive.

Lost in thought, Zhang Hao’s vision cleared. He looked again at the nightingales perched among the branches and smiled, shaking his head. Now was not the time to tame birds; the moment simply was not right.

On his first mountain expedition, his priority must be to familiarize himself with the mountain’s trails, to immerse himself fully in this vast wilderness, allowing the mountain gods and spirits to sense his presence and truly accept him as one of their own.

Feeling his strength and spirit somewhat restored, Zhang Hao leaned on his cane and followed the narrow forest path ahead.

...

The grass was lush and verdant; the forest stretched endlessly.

One man, one cane, breathing heavily, body slightly stooped.

Zhang Hao lifted a hand to steady himself on a tree trunk, gripping his cane tightly with the other. He drew deep, eager breaths of the fresh forest air.

After a brief rest, he pulled out his phone to check the time.

Near midday, he had been trekking the mountain all morning with barely a pause.

This was a considerable test of his stamina and endurance.

Fortunately, on this first journey, he did not expect to find anything extraordinary, so he felt a bit more at ease.

Zhang Hao had his own plan: through repeated mountain excursions, he would gradually acclimate his body to the pace of mountain wandering, effectively strengthening himself.

If he happened upon any mountain treasures, of course, he would seize the opportunity without hesitation.

But if such treasures proved too difficult to obtain given his current skills, he would not hesitate to let go.

Primarily, his experience was still limited, and his mountain-wandering techniques barely mastered. One wrong step in these perilous mountains could mean death.

Zhang Hao would not take such a risk.

Having been granted a second chance at life, all he wished was to live peacefully with Li Siyu and enjoy their simple days. Everything else was insignificant.

With this resolve, his brief rest ended. Renewed in strength and endurance, Zhang Hao pressed onward through the dense undergrowth, heading into the unknown.

Choosing to traverse the overgrown forest rather than well-trodden paths was deliberate.

Ancient texts advise: “When venturing deep into the mountains, one must tread the wilds, not village paths. Small roads invite mountain spirits and attract supernatural beings—this is ill-advised.”

In other words, experienced mountain wanderers must take unmarked, weed-choked trails—paths that look difficult and seldom traveled.

Because walking such paths first increases the chance of discovering mountain treasures, and second, it avoids arousing suspicion from mountain spirits.

The gentle forest trails are reserved for casual hikers and visitors. During times when the mountain’s yin energy is strong, these paths easily draw the attention of spirits.

These wanderers pass through and leave the mountain, so even if noticed by spirits, it is manageable as long as there is no direct encounter.

But mountain wanderers are different. They walk these forests generation after generation. Once tainted by the aura of spirits, future journeys become extremely difficult.

Even moving to a different mountain section will not prevent attracting the spirits’ notice.

Of course, Zhang Hao remained somewhat skeptical about these spirits recorded in the texts.

Since every generation of mountain wanderers emphasized these supernatural beings, their existence cannot simply be dismissed.

Yet in modern times, since the founding of the nation, animals no longer become spirits, and no one alive has ever witnessed such phenomena. The existence of mountain spirits remains uncertain.

Still, with a heart full of reverence for the mountains, Zhang Hao preferred to abide by the customs and beliefs handed down by the mountain wanderers.

After all, this was how he made his livelihood.

At that moment, a dazzling light appeared before him.

He paused briefly, then hurried forward, pushing through the thick brush. The light grew increasingly brilliant.

Soon, he emerged from the woods into a clearing. Ahead lay a vast chasm with a steep drop; dense forests stretched far below, layered endlessly in the distance.

The air was fresh, the sunlight warm yet piercing. Birds sang in chorus, and the wind whispered through the trees.

Not far off, continuous mountains extended for hundreds of miles, ultimately veiled by a misty haze that concealed and protected them.

Unconsciously, he had reached a towering cliff.

A gentle breeze stirred, rustling the leaves.

Zhang Hao’s hair fluttered in the wind as he gazed upon the scene before him, momentarily forgetting his purpose, simply lost in the view.

So this was the mountain he had lived by all his years—and such beauty it held.

At that instant, a faint smile lifted the corners of his mouth, and his eyes shone with longing.