Yunshan gets its name from the clouds in the mountain. When the sun is right, Yunshan is shrouded in fog. Especially when you stand on some high peaks, looking at the mountain fog is like looking at the sea, the scenery is breathtaking.
The most famous place in the mountain is Yunshan Guanwu Peak, but in fact, Yanxia Peak where Yunshan Guan is located is also good, but its location is slightly inferior to the outside. If someone wants to climb the mountain to watch the fog, they will definitely not choose this.
After all, there are wild animals in Yunshan. Although there has been no news of any big beasts, there are actually some really dangerous jackals and leopards.
In Bingzhou, where farming is enough to make a living, there are not many people who would risk their lives to rely on the mountains for their food. As a result, Yunshan, a mountain that is not very deep compared to Jizhou, actually feels sparsely populated.
It was still early when Taoist Qingsong and Qi Wen took Ji Yuan out of the county. However, Ji Yuan and they did not use any magic or supernatural powers when they entered the mountain, so even without counting the climb, it still seemed like a long journey of more than twenty miles to the foot of Yunshan Mountain.
Fortunately, although Qi Xuan and Qi Wen did not know any orthodox martial arts, they had been practicing Taoist body-building techniques for many years, which were somewhat similar to the Eight-Section Brocade that Ji Yuan knew in his previous life, and had the effect of strengthening the body. Therefore, both of them had good leg strength and it didn't take them long to enter the mountain.
During the process, they chatted about all sorts of things, including the genius doctor Qin Zizhou from Jizhou, and how Taoist Qingsong recuperated and how long he recovered from his illness, and how he returned to Bingzhou.
It was obvious that the sun was setting when they entered the mountain. Ji Yuan, walking on the Yunshan Mountain Trail with a strip of meat and a big fish in his hands, jokingly asked the master and his disciple.
"When do you usually come back? It's such a long way from Dongle County, it shouldn't be dark when you come back, right?"
They had been walking together all the way, and with Ji Yuan's easy-going nature, the master and disciple didn't have to be as restrained when talking to each other as before. Hearing Ji Yuan's words, Qi Wen immediately complained.
"Mr. Ji, you hit the nail on the head. Sometimes when I go back to the Taoist temple with Master, it's already dark before we even climb the mountain. Look, I have two hatchets in my backpack to protect myself from wild animals!"
Ji Yuan had never displayed any magical skills in front of the two of them. In fact, in Qi Wen's heart, he regarded Mr. Ji more as a gentleman with great martial arts skills and a good heart.
But Taoist Qingsong was different. He had always believed that Ji Yuan was not an ordinary person, and he felt very embarrassed to hear his disciple criticizing him in front of Mr. Ji.
"It's just sometimes, sometimes it happens. Most of the time it's not dark. Besides, I only set up a stall every few days. Sometimes I go to the surrounding villages. Most of the time I practice in the mountains."
"Oh, cultivation? I am quite curious about this. How do you Taoists cultivate?"
Ji Yuan was really curious when he asked this question. Based on what he knew about the martial arts world, some Taoist temples are also sects in the martial arts world, and they require some level of cultivation and martial arts training. What do the two Taoists in the seemingly insignificant Taoist temple like Yunshan Temple usually practice? They wouldn't just learn fortune-telling, right
"If you practice Taoism, you naturally want to become an immortal... uh..."
Taoist Qingsong suddenly couldn't continue speaking and subconsciously looked at Ji Yuan who was climbing the mountain with the two of them. Although he had never seen Mr. Ji perform any magical methods from a few years ago to now, he was extremely sure that this man was a fairy.
Talking about cultivating immortals in front of the gods feels like showing off one's proficiency in front of an expert.
"Haha... becoming an immortal is not a bad idea, go on."
Ji Yuan just smiled and didn't care. From his own perspective, he didn't think he was a real immortal. He was just a cultivator. Most of the immortal palaces, immortal gates, immortal mountains and immortal islands were the same.
Taoist Qingsong was much more cautious when speaking now, and he thought deeply before speaking.
"In fact, what Taoists cultivate is nothing more than a pure mind. They do not worship gods nor seek wealth in the mountains. The stars in the sky and all things in the world are what we Taoists respect and fear. The so-called pure body and mind merge into nature, and a balance can be achieved with all things in the world. This is the place where we can feel at peace and tranquility."
Ji Yuan slowed down his pace and thought carefully about Taoist Qingsong's words. The two Taoists subconsciously followed him and walked slowly. Taoist Qingsong was still a little uneasy, wondering if he had said something wrong.
"I was a little absent-minded just now. Now that I think about it, many immortal cultivators are pursuing similar things. Some of them are even not as good as you understand. Taoist Qingsong said it very well: Man follows the earth, the earth follows the sky, the sky follows the Tao, and the Tao follows nature."
After Ji Yuan said a few words, he quickened his pace again, and Taoist Qingsong and his disciples hurried to catch up.
Taoist Qingsong continued to mutter: "Man follows the earth, the earth follows the sky, the sky follows the Tao, the Tao follows nature..."
. . .
Taoist Qingsong from Yunshan Temple used all his skills to prepare this dinner. The meat was bought from the county, the vegetables were grown in the backyard, the firewood was picked up from the mountains, and his cooking skills were the result of years of practice.
There were five dishes and a fish soup in total. They all looked and smelled good. Of course, they didn't taste as good as the Dragon King Banquet, but they were also fresh and delicious.
Ji Yuan did not exchange pleasantries with the two men, and the two Taoists were not reserved at the table either. The three of them ate heartily at an eight-immortal table in the Taoist temple's kitchen, from the time it was still light in the sky until the oil lamps were lit.
After seeing that Taoist Qingsong had already eaten a lot, Ji Yuan mysteriously picked up his bag and took out a wine jug from it.
"Come on, come on, Taoist priest, don't rush to eat yet, look at what this is! Um, Qi Wen, you eat yours."
"oh…"
Seeing that Master and Mr. Ji had put down their chopsticks, Qi Wen followed suit. But when he heard what Mr. Ji said, he started eating again, scooping soup over his rice, while his eyes, like his Master Qi Xuan, were focused on the thing in Ji Yuan's hand.
Taoist Qingsong looked up and down at the pottery bottle, which had a thick bottom mouth and a narrow top mouth. The top was tightly plugged with a stopper wrapped in red cloth.
"Mr. Ji, is this a wine bottle?"
"Hahahaha... This is a wine bottle filled with wine. The point is not the bottle, but the wine in the bottle."
Qi Wen used chopsticks to pick up the rice soaked in fish soup and asked in a daze.
“Is this wine expensive?”
Ji Yuan smiled and looked at him, then looked at Qi Xuan, who also had a curious but thoughtful look on his face.
"Expensive? This wine won't sell well unless it's famous. There's only one person in the world who can make this wine. People who don't have the chance to drink it won't be able to drink it no matter how great they are."
Ji Yuan added in his mind, "It should be said that only a dragon can do it."
"Of course, this wine is difficult to make, and the alcohol content is quite high. It's very easy to get drunk. I only have a few cups on hand. Qi Wen still has to clean up the dishes, so don't drink it. Taoist Qi Xuan, how about two cups?"
Qi Wen took it seriously, but Taoist Qingsong came to his senses. He thought that the hidden meaning in Mr. Ji's words was not trivial, so he asked tentatively.
"Mr. Ji, are you drinking too?"
Sure enough, Ji Yuan smiled and shook his head.
"I won't drink it. This is specially brought for you, Taoist priest. Don't refuse it!"
In Yunshan Temple, Ji Yuan didn't need to maintain his illusion. His eyes were pale as he looked at Taoist Qingsong, making the latter unable to say no and vaguely guessing something.
Accountant Yuan had already taken an empty bowl from the stove and sat back at the table. After all, he was here to extend Taoist Qingsong's life, so there was no need to have a sip from the wine glass to express his feelings. He could just drink it in one gulp.
When opening the seal of the wine bottle, Ji Yuan inexplicably rubbed his fingers around the mouth of the bottle twice before pulling out the cork.
Tilt the bottle and pour the wine into the bowl. The wine actually turns green in color and a very light aroma wafts out.
"Hehehe... Come on, Taoist Qingsong, try this wine. My friend is quite old, and his brewing skills are much better than your cooking skills!"
Taoist Qingsong looked at Ji Yuan and then at the wine in the bowl in front of him. The wine was still swaying slightly, reflecting the light of the oil lamp on the table from time to time. In a trance, he could see a faint mist on the surface of the wine as if his eyes were dazzled.
"Then I...will listen to Mr. Ji and give it a try?"
When Qi Xuan asked tentatively, Qi Wen also interrupted.
"Master, don't you never drink?"
"Master Qi Wen is wrong. I am not asking Master Qingsong to drink too much. I just want him to have a taste. It's okay to have a taste. I still know my limits. Master Qingsong, please go in!"
"Oh, okay!"
Qi Xuan carefully picked up the bowl and sniffed the aroma of the wine. A faint mist flowed into his nostrils, and he suddenly felt slightly dazed. There seemed to be the sound of waves in his mind, and it was like heavenly music.
Seeing that he looked a little dizzy, Ji Yuan quickly placed a hand on his back, and a trace of magic power and a ray of spiritual energy flowed into Qi Xuan's body.
"Don't smell it, just drink it."
Qi Xuan sobered up and tilted the wine bowl towards his mouth. Immediately, the tip of his tongue touched the wine, and endless flavors blossomed in it. His eyes narrowed.
But before he could savor the taste further, he suddenly felt a strong impact on the surface of the bowl.
“Ouch…”
Ji Yuan simply grabbed the bowl with his right hand and turned it over, then patted Qi Xuan lightly on the back with his left hand.
"Gurgle~Gurgle~Gurgle..."
Half a bowl of wine was poured directly into Qingsong Taoist's mouth. He put down the bowl, turned around and looked at Ji Yuan in a daze. In less than a breath, his body shook and fell down, lying on the table and breathing evenly.
Qi Wen on the side was stunned by Ji Yuan's action. No matter how he looked at it, he felt that Mr. Ji had just forced his master to drink.
"Oh, this wine is very easy to get drunk. Your master drinks too slowly. If I hadn't done this, he would have fallen down before finishing it."
Ji Yuan explained to Qi Wen with a bright smile.
"Eat, eat, let's continue eating."
"Uh...Okay..."
Qi Wen carefully looked at his master's peaceful sleeping posture and didn't dare to fart.