Wu Tian followed Liu Min for another day of hiking in the Zhongnan Mountains, and stayed at a hermit's home in the mountains at night. If the hermit's home last night was just a ruin, then the hermit's home tonight made Wu Tian not know what to do.
How to describe it? Although the house last night was shabby, it still had basic daily necessities. But in this house tonight, except for a wooden bed, a table, and a wooden stool, there was no other decent thing in the house.
The most modest thing is a flute hanging on the wall, which is probably the only entertainment for the owner of the house. In this house, any thief would come out crying.
The supper was also pancakes, but they were cold and very hard, like chewing on a stone. There was a little warm water in the kettle, but it was only a bowl, and the pancakes couldn't even be soaked.
Obviously this water has been left for a long time. I heard that practitioners are very particular about not eating after lunch, and some even practice inedia. I guess this is the case for the owner of this house, who doesn’t even have any decent food at home.
This situation lasted for four days. During the day, I walked over mountains and ridges, living on compressed biscuits and water. At night, I lived in a hermit's house on the floor, relying on their little cold and hard food to fill his stomach. The reason why Wu Tian said it was "stuffing"
stomach, rather than filling the stomach, because for Wu Tian, he couldn't eat enough with these things. It was completely stuffed into the stomach. Otherwise, he would not be able to absorb enough energy to sustain him in this barren mountain.
Continue walking in this mountain.
The further you go into the mountains, the more secluded the hermit's residences become. Some are in the bushes, and some are under rock cliffs, making them difficult to spot. If Liu Min hadn't led the way, Wu Tian would have definitely not been able to find even a single figure. And these people
The lives of the people are becoming more and more simple, and some even live in caves with just a wooden door to block the outside. Wu Tian feels like he has returned to the primitive times.
Liu Min seemed to have often walked in the mountains when he was a child. He knew the conditions of each mountain very well, and was also familiar with the hermits here. He could talk to them and have a few words. Later, Wu Tiancai found out that Liu Min's family conditions were not good when he was a child.
Well, you need to go up the mountain to collect herbs. The deeper the mountains, the more herbs there are. Many precious medicinal materials are only found in deep mountains or rock cliffs, so they often go up the mountain for several days, or even longer. During this time, she will live in
Spending the night at a hermit's house, you will become familiar with it after a long time. Deep mountains and stone cliffs are usually the places where hermits live. And the hermits you can see when you first enter the mountain usually have not been here for a long time to practice.
They are adapted to life in the mountains, so they only live in the periphery, relatively close to the village. Some are fake hermits, because the hermits in Zhongnan Mountain are relatively famous, and people often come here to look for them. Some are just curious. Some are just for the purpose.
Seeking advice from experts. So in order to make money, these fake hermits provide paid accommodation and meals to people who come to visit, so that these people can experience the life of hermits, or simply start a fortune-telling business. They give guidance to lost lambs, but they give
When people tell fortunes, they usually don’t speak too bluntly. After all, they still have to work here. Most of the time, they say some mysterious words, so that people can go back and look for opportunities to understand. If you succeed, you have a chance. If you fail, you will have a chance.
Even if there is no chance, no one can offend. The hermit's house they stayed in for the first time was a fake hermit. Otherwise, in this mountain, it was so late, and there was no way to eat hot and delicious pancakes. After all, it was winter.
The route Liu Min took Wu Tian to take was actually very particular. Every time the two of them walked at night, a hermit residence would appear. This way they would not delay the trip, but also get a good rest, and they would not have to worry about not finding it after a day of walking.
Worry about where you live.
On the night of the fourth day, Wu Tian finally arrived at Liu Min's master's house. Liu Min's master's house was halfway up a mountain. The house was built under a steep stone cliff because there was a large recess under the stone cliff.
It’s a place where you don’t have to worry about wind or rain. The house is made of stones piece by piece, and the roof is supported by wooden frames and covered with straw.
This place is very hidden. When you look down from the mountain, you can't see it because the house is built on a recessed stone cliff. When you look at this place from below or from a parallel place, it is covered by dense woods. Maybe it is only in winter.
When some leaves fall, you can vaguely see a stone house here, and it also has a protective color, the same color as the stone wall.
There is a narrow mountain path leading here that can only be passed by one person. When walking, you must stick to the stone wall, otherwise you will accidentally roll down the mountain. Fortunately, this path has been stepped on very solidly, and there are chisels on the stone wall.
It was open so that you could grab it with your hands, but even so, Wu Tian still felt his legs shaking wildly when he walked. It was just because Liu Min was in front and Wu Tian didn't want to embarrass himself in front of women, so he reluctantly mustered up the courage.
Move forward while constantly encouraging yourself and praying for yourself.
Liu Min's master is a woman who looks to be in her fifties, not tall, with a white complexion and no hair on her head. She is wearing a blue robe and a pair of thick cloth shoes. Judging from the appearance, she should have made them herself. No.
She has fair hair and a childish face, and there is nothing impressive about her. She is just a very ordinary woman who looks a little elegant.
"Master." When Liu Min saw the woman, she put her hands together on her chest and saluted her at the same time.
"You're back!" The woman seemed to know that Liu Min was back, and smiled faintly at Liu Min.
"Master, this is my boss. He and I came here just to find the woman who appeared in Zhongnan Mountain recently." Liu Min explained.
The woman looked at Wu Tian, clasped her hands together, and nodded lightly. After Wu Tian saw it, he quickly imitated Liu Min's behavior before, clasping his hands in front of his chest, and then saluted to the other party. He didn't know what to call the other person, either.
Madam? Expert? Master? Wu Tian didn’t think it was appropriate, so he simply called him Master like Liu Min.
"Hello, Master!"
"What's your relationship with her?" the woman looked at Wu Tian and asked.
"Friend." After Wu Tian finished speaking, he added, "A very good friend, we grew up together. She suddenly ran away from home after the Chinese New Year, leaving a lot of mysteries behind. I didn't come here this time to bring anyone with me."
She goes back, after all, it is her own choice, I just want to say a few words to her, that's all." Wu Tian said this because he was worried that the other party would misunderstand, because on the way here, he heard Liu Min say that her master was here
He has been cultivating in the mountains for more than thirty years. He is relatively famous among the hermits of this generation and has a relatively high status. Anyone with a relatively high status is willing to fight against injustice. When upholding justice, Wu Tian is worried that the other party will misunderstand that he has evil intentions and impure purposes.
, if you don’t take him to find Guyu, wouldn’t his sins these days be in vain?
As soon as the woman's eyes looked at Wu Tian, Wu Tian felt as if he had been seen through by the other person. Even the clothes on his body seemed to have disappeared, and his whole person was completely enveloped by the other person's gaze. After one glance,
, the woman nodded and said, "She is on the mountain opposite. It is dark now and the road is dangerous, so it is inconvenient to go there. You can rest here tonight and wait until daytime tomorrow to go there."
"Yes, Master!" Before Wu Tian could speak, Liu Min answered for Wu Tian.
"You stay with me tonight, he will live in the house where you used to live." The woman said calmly. Then she walked into the house.
"yes!"
There are three stone houses, the middle is a place for cooking and placing things, the left is where Liu Min’s master lives, and there is a bedroom on the right. According to Liu Min’s explanation, this is where her master’s master used to live, but her master
The master has disappeared, so it is always empty now. Sometimes it is used for other Taoist friends who come to discuss Taoism to stay temporarily. And tonight, Wu Tian will stay here.
Although the living conditions of the house are simple, the environment is still relatively good. At least it is not like the hermit's house last night where the wind leaked everywhere. Of course, this is also related to the location where the house is built. There are three stone walls here, and only the front one is open, so the wind can blow
Don’t come in. It’s really a geomantic treasure. However, it does require extraordinary perseverance to build a house in such a place. After all, this house was built with only hands without relying on any machines.
It is not an easy task, nor can it be built in a few days or months.
Because there were no lights and no other entertainment activities, Wu Tian went to bed early. He didn't know what Liu Min and her master next door were doing, whether they were reminiscing about old friendships or talking about Zen and Taoism.
The next day, Wu Tian got up very early. This should be the best night Wu Tian slept in the past four days. Although the so-called bed with wooden boards on the stone was a bit hard, the environment was much better than the previous days.
The most important thing is that there is no need to travel long distances over mountains and ridges tomorrow. In addition, this is the residence of Liu Min's master, so there is nothing to worry about, so Wu Tian feels particularly relaxed.
Wu Tian originally thought that he got up early, but as soon as he went out, he saw Liu Min and her master sitting in the yard, which could also be said to be playing Go on the edge of the cliff. Wu Tian didn't understand this thing, but he was good at backgammon.
, so he didn’t go over to watch the fun, but stood in the yard and admired the surrounding scenery. He had been busy traveling these past few days, coupled with his physical fatigue and not eating well, he didn’t have the time to appreciate the scenery. But today
But it was different. Guyu was just around the corner and there was no need to rush today, so Wu Tian finally had time to see the scenery.
Wu Tian's first impression of this place was that it was quiet. Maybe he had stayed in the noisy city for too long, so Wu Tian was a little uncomfortable with the quiet here. Zhongnan Mountain, shrouded in ice and snow, was completely white, except for the wind blowing
Apart from the occasional whining sound coming from the stone wall, you can hear your own heartbeat in such silence.
Maybe because he came here after dark last night, Wu Tian didn't see his surroundings clearly. Now after dawn, he discovered that there was a river under the cliff. The water was not frozen and was still flowing. The water was very clear.
Glowing with white water splashes.
Last night I heard from Liu Min's master that Gu Yu lived on the mountain opposite. Wu Tian searched carefully in the mountain and didn't see a single figure, not even a house. But Gu Yu chose this
It is a seclusion place that most people can't find. I don't know how Guyu found this place in the first place and was able to walk for four days! If it were Wu Tian, he would never hide in a place like this. Of course, he wouldn't think so.
Someone would hide in a place like this.
In fact, Wu Tian wanted to take a helicopter instead at noon on the first day, but Liu Min refused, saying that it would disturb the hermit's practice in the mountains. If he really used a helicopter, it would not take four days or even half a day.
Go here.
"Boss, come over for dinner. After eating, we can leave for Guyu." Just when Wu Tian was thinking about Guyu, Liu Min's voice came from behind.
When he turned around, he realized that Liu Min and her master had finished playing chess.
"Who won?" Wu Tian looked at Liu Min and asked.
"Master!" Liu Min said, and then walked into the room.
The breakfast was very rich. Vegetable pancakes and vegetable soup were all made this morning. Usually Wu Tian wouldn't even look at these things, but today they tasted particularly delicious. After all, this was the best meal Wu Tian had eaten in the past few days.
, although it is bland and has no taste.
Wu Tian ate a lot. Three pancakes and two large bowls of soup. In contrast, Liu Min's master ate less. He pinched a small piece of pancake with his hands, drank a few mouthfuls of soup, and then got up and left.
, I walked outside and sat down at the place where I played chess before, closing my eyes and relaxing.
"Why does your master eat so little?" Wu Tian asked curiously in a low voice.
"My master always only eats so little." Liu Min said calmly, having become accustomed to this.
"Then do they still have morning tea here?" Wu Tian asked.
"Master has finished eating for two days." Liu Min said calmly.
"Ah? What?" Wu Tian was stunned when he heard it. He turned his head and looked at Liu Min's master outside, then looked at Liu Min again and asked, "Your master only eats that much in two days?"
Aren’t you hungry?”
"If it weren't for accompanying us, Master wouldn't even eat these." Liu Min said something that surprised Wu Tian even more.
"Then what does she rely on to maintain her health? Your master won't become an immortal, right?"
"Water! Master usually collects some herbs in the mountains and then makes them into water for drinking."
Could it be that he is full of water?
"How long can your master last like this?"
"When I left here at the age of twenty, Master often went without food for a week."
"...!"
Wu Tian didn't know what to say after hearing this. If it were him, he would have starved to death long ago.
After breakfast, the three of them left the house and headed for the mountain opposite. Wu Tian noticed that Liu Min’s master was walking very fast on the mountain road that was close to the cliff. There was no need to cling to the cliff and it was useless.
She grabbed the concave and convex points on the stone wall with her hands. She just walked forward normally with her hands behind her back, and her steps were very light. Before Wu Tian and Liu Min reached the halfway point, everyone had already reached the end.
Sure enough, he is not an ordinary person.
The same is true when going down the mountain! Although the house is under the stone wall, it is in the middle of the cliff. In other words, there is still a long distance from the house to the bottom of the cliff. And it is almost a slope of more than 70 degrees. If it is Wu Tian
He didn't dare to go down like this just for fun. But Liu Min's master didn't take it seriously. Before Wu Tian could react, Liu Min's master dwarfed and walked down the cliff.
Yes, it is indeed used for walking.
After Liu Min asked, Wu Tian discovered that there were stone steps on the road from the house to the cliff, but each stone step was not as wide as an ordinary brick, and those with bigger feet would not be able to stand at all. Wu Tian lowered his head and went down.
After taking a look, I saw that it was at least fifty meters high. If it fell, wouldn't it be shattered to pieces?
Wu Tian even felt like crying. Master, Master, just because you are great doesn’t mean that everyone else is as great as you. What’s the difference between asking me to commit suicide? Where are these stone steps leading to the bottom of the mountain? They are simply leading to the bottom of the mountain.
Hellish.
"Can we change the road?" Wu Tian asked Liu Min in front of him with a trembling voice. He thought of his parents, brothers, wife, and project A. Before he came, he had no intention of never coming back. Besides, Liu Min
I never told him that there were so many dangers when I was in the capital.
"It takes a day to make a detour, but this is a shortcut." Liu Min said, "Don't worry, as long as you don't look down, you'll be fine. I was also scared when I first went down, but I got used to it as time went by. Master often mentioned
I’m fetching water here with a bucket.”
"...!" Monster, really a fucking monster. Besides, what does it mean to just get used to it? Do you still have to walk back and forth for a few times? It was the first time he went to bed with a woman, and he didn't find it so exciting. Wu Tian said
, "I'm not afraid, I'm just worried that if I fall, I will knock you down. It doesn't matter if I die, don't hurt you."
I don’t know whether Liu Min thought what Wu Tian said was reasonable, or she felt that Wu Tian was afraid, so she said to Wu Tian, “You can grab the trees on both sides of the stone steps and the vines more than ten meters long.
It's very strong and you won't fall off."
"Do you really want to do this?" Wu Tian asked. Tree? Vine? It's winter now, branches and vines have become brittle, and he doesn't trust those things.
"Yes." Liu Min said, "This is Master's test for you. If you can pass, she will take you to find Guyu. If you cannot pass, then you will have to go back the way you came."
Wu Tian was stunned after hearing this. He still needs to test to find someone? Didn't he explain it clearly last night? Besides, he was brought by Liu Min. If he was not someone Liu Min trusted, would Liu Min bring him here? Even if the other party didn't
If she believes in him, she should also believe in her own apprentice.
Wu Tian looked down and saw that Li Min's master had already gone halfway. Wu Tianxin suddenly said to Liu Min, "We're here anyway, let's get down. If I fall down accidentally, you have to catch me."
Stay with me, I will cherish my life!"
"I know!" Liu Min said after hearing this, and then walked down.
Looking at Liu Min walking down step by step, Wu Tian looked at the stone steps, then grabbed the rattan next to him, faced the steps, and walked carefully step by step in a way of lying on the stone steps.
Walking down, I felt... I felt like I was looking for death! (To be continued...)