Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
Bride of the Mountain God
墨書 Inktalez
Chapter One
It was already dusk, and the quiet forest, dotted with patches of sunlight during the day, gradually became dark and deep. The tree trunks and branches had turned into black silhouettes.
"Do not enter the forest at night" - this was the first iron rule that everyone in the village at the foot of the mountain understood after growing up.
At this moment, a young girl is firmly holding a lantern and walking into the forest as night falls. She shows no hesitation and never looks back at the only source of light.
Her name is Yunyi. Her father was conscripted when she was young and died on the battlefield, leaving her and her mother to depend on each other.
The mother deeply loved the father. After the father passed away, the mother lived on, cherishing her love for him. She worked hard and constantly missed her father. In the past two years, the mother's health has deteriorated, and now she is bedridden.
Young adults were conscripted into the military, and most of the children in the village grew up with their mothers.
Yunyi is more sensible and has started taking care of the big and small matters at home early. She is a smart and capable girl who not only keeps the house in order but also makes some handicrafts to sell. She is skillful, kind-hearted, and beautiful, and everyone likes the accessories she makes.
The two of them don't spend much, and the money they save is enough for their mother to see a doctor.
After years of treatment, her mother was getting weaker and weaker. Now the village doctor was at a loss. He told Yunyi: "All we can do now is pray to the gods."
Gods? The doctor's words woke Yunyi up.
Legend has it that there are divine beings in the continuous mountains next to their village. Instead of sitting at home praying, unable to do anything, Yunyi believes that coming to the mountains to seek the divine beings and praying to them in person is more effective.
It is said that the ancient Mountain God can transform into a wild beast running in the mountains. Hunters claim to have seen the divine being living in the mountains - a majestic, non-harming beast that helps lost people find their way out of the forest at night.
The people in the village are strictly forbidden from entering the forest at night, firstly because it is common knowledge that the forest is too dangerous at night, and secondly to avoid disturbing the Mountain God. Where there is a god in the mountains, there is awe and courage in the heart. Even if the god does not appear to provide help, the chances of people returning alive after encountering an accident on the mountain are greater.
Yunyi stepped on the damp and heavy fallen leaves, with slow and steady steps.
She collected all the legendary information, and the places where hunters encountered the Mountain God were always not far from the water flow.
The water source is the source of life, and the Mountain God protects life. Experienced hunters will place fresh fruits as offerings at fixed locations by the water before hunting, praying for the protection of the Mountain God.
The Mountain God will appear before those in need of help. Yunyi remains steadfast in her belief, striving to discern the direction while walking towards the water source, constantly praying in her heart, hoping to meet the god.
Recalling the legend of the Mountain God, Yunyi was not paying attention to her steps and suddenly stumbled. The thick, fallen tree trunk blocking the path looked ominous, but it was the forest's last bit of kindness.
A huge, sleek-furred beast resembling a leopard sits on a tree branch, its large copper-bell eyes shining with a mysterious light as it gazes at Yunyi. Remarkably, the branch does not bend under the weight of the beast, and it blends in with the tree and a leaf as if they were one.
Although she didn't go deep, Yunyi often entered the forest to pick fruits, gather mushrooms, and collect branches. She didn't remember there being a thick tree trunk blocking the path. She climbed up and looked around with her lantern, but didn't see any broken trees. She checked the decayed wood, but there were no signs of human activity on it.
In other words, this obstructing rotten wood is very likely the work of Mountain God—it has seen itself.
Yunyi immediately knelt in front of the rotten wood and prayed loudly, explaining the purpose of their visit.
"I am deeply sorry for intruding into your sacred space late at night. O mountain deity, I pray for the healing of my mother, or for guidance on how to save her. I will bring offerings that you favor, and come daily to express my gratitude for your assistance."
There was no verbal response.
There was a strong wind in the forest, blowing the branches and making the leaves rustle.
The sudden strong wind did not make Yunyi afraid or discouraged. This unusual occurrence precisely confirmed her speculation - the Mountain God was watching her.
Yunyi held onto the decaying wood, knelt in place, and repeated her prayers over and over.
Comment 0 Comment Count