Chapter 2: The Carrot Queue

Do you, as a girl, also wish to slay demons and eliminate evil? It seems that Maoshan rarely accepts female disciples

There is indeed such a place. I once heard my master mention that in Yaoge City, not far from Maoshan, there is a place called Yixiao Pavilion. It is said that each successive Yixiao Lord is well-versed in secret arts, and as long as you are willing to pay a certain price, you can learn anything you wish to know. If you seek the Yixiao Lord, he will surely know how to ascend the mountain; wandering around aimlessly like a headless fly is not a solution.

Is he a Taoist priest on Mount Maoshan

Well, you can go with peace of mind... Hua Qian Gu wiped the cold sweat from her brow while waving goodbye to him

Indeed, but the good carrots in this vicinity have basically sold out. The ones grown by the common folk at home have likely been purchased as well. You should check at the largest fruit and vegetable store in the city, Yihutang, as they might still have some available. However, the remaining ones are likely to be of poor quality and quite expensive, so buying them would be a waste.

I would like you to convey a message to my master, Daoist Futu.

The woman in the green dress took a bite and asked, "Did you dig this up yourself?"

Every time I see flowers, my heart feels soft. I long to poke at those white petals with my fingers and pucker my lips to kiss the flower's stamen a few times! I lower my head and take a sniff, only to find that the fragrance of the flowers lingers between my lips and teeth, lifting my spirits immensely

Unaware of the series of murderous gazes directed at her from behind, she followed an excited and curious maid forward. She had imagined that such a mysterious place as the Abandoned Pavilion would be dilapidated, nestled in a mountain forest by a lake, towering high in a secluded paradise. To her surprise, it was not only located in the bustling city center, but also adorned with magnificent exterior architecture.

Alas, deities, where have you all hidden? Hua Qian Gu raised her head to look at the sky, which had just been bright and sunny but had suddenly turned dark. She extended her hand and found that a fine drizzle had begun to fall. All around her were trees, and suddenly she could no longer tell which way was north.

"Is this radish okay?" Hua Qian Gu timidly asked. The woman in green was robust and tall, even taller than an average man, with a pair of large feet that were almost twice the length of hers. She was not unattractive, but her appearance was somewhat fierce.

I do not wish to exterminate demons and eliminate evil; I simply hope that those things stay away from me and do not bother me, and I will be content.

Indeed, there is a peculiar fragrance about you that I can sense from afar. However, my magical abilities are still limited, and I cannot discern what might be amiss.

After washing the radishes found in the creek, without a basket, they wrapped them in their clothes and went to line up. By this time, it was getting late, and there were significantly fewer people.

Oh, so I have to go find the radish and then line up, right? Hua Qiangu thought to herself that it was fortunate she arrived just in time; otherwise, she would have had to wait several more days. Turning around, she noticed that many people were already lined up behind them, and the queue was moving quite quickly.

Ah? Is it really that difficult to meet him? Has no one tried to kidnap him or find a way to sneak in and see him?

I just want to ask who the hell stole my family's only cow and the * picture * book! If I find out who it is, I will break his dog legs!

Although she has encountered ghosts and experienced sleep paralysis several times, she is fortunate to have the protection of Buddhist beads and the talismans she prayed for at the temple, and nothing serious has happened. Moreover, she knows that her father's spirit is surely watching over her silently. However, the ghosts and spirits she has recently encountered have become increasingly powerful, far surpassing those in her small mountain village. Fortunately, Maoshan is a place rich in spiritual energy; although she has been wandering here for several days, she has not encountered any trouble, whether during the day or at night.

Do you think that Yi Qiu Jun is someone you can meet whenever you want? That would be exhausting. Not only do you have to pay a price to ask him questions, but meeting him also comes at a cost. And that cost is this basket of radishes! Let me tell you, Yi Qiu Pavilion only opens on the first and fifteenth of each month, and people come from far and wide. Each time you want to see him, the required offering is different. Last time it was a large cabbage, and recently, Yi Qiu Jun has developed a fondness for radishes, resulting in a near sell-out of radishes within a hundred-mile radius! However, there are very few radishes that can satisfy Yi Qiu Jun, and even fewer people who get to see him! Wealthy individuals travel from distant places carrying the best radishes, only to leave disappointed if they do not get to meet him.

The young man smiled and nodded: "Do not be afraid, I have come specifically to thank you. Additionally, since you are able to see me, I would like to ask you for a favor."

She called out twice, but only the echo responded, with no reply. A sense of fear began to rise within her; the surroundings were shrouded in mist, making it impossible to discern east from west or north from south. The only thing clearly visible was the tall tower. Perhaps there would be someone there? Even if there was no one, if she stood a little higher on the tower and shouted, perhaps someone would see her?

Ah? Hua Qian Gu was so frightened that she almost dropped all the radishes on the ground, suddenly feeling a wave of nausea.

Blocking the entrance with branches and shrubs, I still could not sleep soundly at night. At the slightest rustle of the wind, I would wake up startled. It was not until the latter half of the night, when I was utterly exhausted, that I finally dozed off. In a daze, I saw someone enter, standing beside me; it was a young man dressed as a Taoist priest, in his early twenties.

Are you going to dig by yourself? At such a young age, you shouldn't go up the mountain alone; there are many wild beasts in the mountains around here

Is there really no one coming down from the mountain

You possess no magical power at all, cannot break the formation, nor can you open the secret path. Recently, the demons have been unusually active, and it seems that every sect is on high alert. The defenses at Maoshan are extremely strict, with talismans everywhere. I met a tragic end under the demon's magic, my corpse left to rot in the wilderness, unable to gather my soul into form, nor can I transcend to leave. I have been wandering around Maoshan for nearly a month and have not been able to get close to the main peak, so I am unable to assist you in ascending the mountain

Tsk tsk, calling you foolish, do you think the Hall of Eternal Decay is so easy to breach? Even if the emperor himself came, he would have to obediently stand in line with a radish! The Hall of Eternal Decay is quite formidable; throughout the world, regardless of nobility or various sects, no one dares to underestimate it. Just think, being all-knowing, isn't that akin to being a living Buddha?

No one answered in the library, so I steeled myself and pushed the door open. Then I let out a scream that was more terrifying than seeing a ghost, piercing the night sky.

You are indeed impressive, going to the mass grave to dig up radishes. However, the radishes nourished by the flesh and blood of the dead do taste quite good. You may go in.

"At a glance, you must be here to seek the assistance of Lord Yiqiu, right? Just follow this line and walk straight ahead, then take a turn at the front; the pavilion at the end of the line is where you need to go."

She did not know whether it was that the ordinary fairy mountains and blessed lands were all arranged with formations, preventing common people from ascending, or if she had encountered a ghost wall again

Yes, it is on that mountain to the west

She discovered that tongues of people were hanging everywhere in the tower, suspended by red silk threads

Could you tell me how to get to the mountain?

Brushing the mud off his body, he turned around to take a look. What he had stepped on was not a stone at all, but clearly a human's white, bony thigh bone, with some fragments of bone scattered into the bushes along with the collapsed earth

Why is it so small? Is this a radish or garlic?

Amitabha, Amitabha... Hua Qian Gu felt a chill in her heart. This skeleton might have belonged to someone who was harmed by thieves and carelessly discarded in this desolate mountain wilderness, only to be devoured by wild beasts. Although it was somewhat frightening, she slowly slid down the slope, gathering the bones piece by piece and wrapping them in a piece of clothing. Then she dug a grave that was neither too deep nor too shallow to bury them, and finally, she cut a piece of wood to place on the grave.

What are you doing at Maoshan

It’s nothing, I have three bones and two taels of meat; even a tiger might not necessarily eat it!

Ah, is it possible to do it this way?

Is anyone there? Is anyone there? she shouted loudly, but there was still no response

Suddenly standing up, she was caught off guard by the slippery rain-soaked ground and accidentally fell down the slope by the roadside. Instinctively reaching out to grab the plants on the ground, the sharp serrated edges of the grass cut into her hands, leaving deep gashes as blood dripped into the soil. In an instant, a large area of flowers around her turned completely black. Hua Qiangu looked at the damage she had caused, feeling a pang of regret.

Is that true? Then fine, I will go down the mountain to find him tomorrow

Finally, she arrived at the door, and Hua Qian Gu coughed softly, asking in a low voice: "Is anyone there?"

What is your name? Let's just write it as "Nameless." Uh... I have limited abilities, and without a proper coffin, I can only manage to bury you in your clothes. At least you won't be a wandering soul without a grave. If you have a spirit in heaven, please do not blame your junior for accidentally stepping on your bones today. It was unintentional... Here, this steamed bun is offered to you; eat your fill and reincarnate early.

Alright, then I will rely on you

Sometimes there may be one or two, but most of them travel by burrowing into the ground or soaring through the clouds, directly descending from the mountain.

Hua Qian Gu's face suddenly turned pale as she realized that she had encountered a ghost again: "You... you are the one from during the day, that..."

Hua Qian Gu was wearing her father's altered blue robe, her hair styled in a high bun to resemble a boy. She also wore a straw hat, carried a bundle in her left hand, and leaned on a makeshift walking stick made from a tree branch in her right hand. Draped over her shoulders was her ever-present dogskin coat. At her waist, she had a worn-out sickle tucked in.

Although it is not very high, falling into the bushes would definitely result in some injuries. She struggled to climb up the branches and grass. As her foot slipped, the already loose soil collapsed entirely, and Hua Qiangu, in a flurry, happened to step on something that seemed to protrude from the slope. Then, with a strong push, she climbed up.

Hua Qian Gu opened her eyes wide, how could this be? From the outside, it appeared to be no larger at all; although magnificent, it was merely an ordinary pavilion. Yet inside, it was unexpectedly vast and continuous, resembling a palace that seemed to stretch endlessly. The most striking feature was the crooked, towering spire in the center, piercing into the clouds as if it connected to the heavens. But from the outside, there was no sign of such a tower at all. The most striking feature was the crooked, towering spire in the center, piercing into the clouds as if it connected to the heavens. But from the outside, there was no sign of such a tower at all

Hua Qian Gu used a small knife to carve a few characters on the wood in a crooked manner, then bowed and turned to continue searching for the path up the mountain

The rain gradually intensified, and the mud on the ground clung to her feet, making it increasingly difficult to walk. This is not good; I am so tired. Hua Qian Gu sat down under a large tree to take shelter from the rain and rest. Generally, she traveled during the day and tried to find temples, farmhouses, or the stables of inns to stay in at night. If she encountered desolate areas, she had no choice but to find a dilapidated house to take refuge in, or simply climb a tree to sleep.

Only until it was almost dark did she still not find anything, so she had no choice but to return to the cave where she had rested a couple of days ago. She built a fire and gnawed on the hard, dry rations. A wave of discouragement washed over her; were there really Taoists and immortals on this mountain? Why couldn't she find them? She couldn't even reach the summit!

Lin disappeared in an instant, while Hua Qiangu took a deep breath, fell down, and continued to sleep soundly.

Oh, oh..." Hua Qian Gu nodded repeatedly, "But how can I see Daoist Qing Xu? I have been here for many days and cannot find the way up the mountain."

Hua Qian Gu gazed into the distance, where the lofty mountains and steep ridges were enveloped in a sea of verdant hues, devoid of any signs of human habitation. The towering peak of Mao Mountain resembled the head of a green dragon, floating amidst the vast expanse of clouds.

The woman did not pay attention to the radish, but instead scrutinized Hua Qiangu for a long time. Then she whispered something to the woman in red beside her, and that woman hurriedly ran inside

However, she has been wandering around the mountain for several days, from Ermaofeng to Sanmaofeng, from this peak to that cave. The summit is clearly right in front of her, yet she cannot ascend.

Hua Qian Gu's jaw almost dropped: "Are so many people here to ask Lord Yi Qiu questions?"

After enduring a difficult and bumpy journey for over two months, I finally arrived at the foot of Mount Mao. After resting for a night, I set off towards the mountain. Unfortunately, no matter how I tried, I could not reach the main peak, Da Mao Feng. It was clearly right in front of me, yet I found myself going up and down, only to return to the starting point.

Finished, why is it so vast, where did I end up? Hua Qian Gu was wandering back and forth in the Nine曲回廊, anxiously searching for the woman who had just guided her. To her horror, she discovered that in such a large place, there was not a single person, it was eerily desolate, and all the rooms were pitch black.

The rain gradually ceased, and Hua Qiangu continued to walk forward. After the rain, the forest was filled with a blend of the scent of green leaves, grass, and damp earth. The sky began to clear, and the dewdrops on the flowers by the roadside sparkled brightly. Hua Qiangu, feeling refreshed, stopped and crouched down, widening her eyes to observe and trying hard to recall the name of this flower. She had been infatuated with flowers since childhood, but unfortunately, any flower she touched would wither away in an instant, turning to ashes. Thus, she could only look but not touch, which left her feeling extremely frustrated. She had been infatuated with flowers since childhood, but unfortunately, any flower she touched would wither away in an instant, turning to ashes. Thus, she could only look but not touch, which left her feeling extremely frustrated

I see, are there any mountains nearby that have wild radishes?

However, what astonished her even more was that as soon as she stepped into the pavilion, it felt as if she had instantly entered another world. Surrounded by swirling mist, her body suddenly felt much lighter, as if she were walking among the clouds

Hehe, I love to slack off, and I always get punished. I manage to get by like this every time, so I haven't learned much. If I had known to put in more effort, perhaps I wouldn't have suffered so badly under Chunqiu's rule...

With a steely resolve, she arrived at the foot of the tower. Cautiously, she began to ascend the staircase of the dilapidated and crooked tower, each step creaking ominously as if it might collapse at any moment, causing her heart to race.

"Help, what kind of help?" Hua Qian Guo observed that he was refined and courteous, unlike ordinary ghosts and monsters, which alleviated much of her fear.

Hua Qian Gu, both speechless and curious, grabbed a crooked-mouthed old man and inquired about the way to Yiqiu Pavilion, while the old man glanced at her sideways.

So why does everyone have a basket of carrots

Two days later, Hua Qian Gu stood in the center of Yao Ge City, staring in astonishment at the zigzagging line that filled the entire long street. There were all kinds of people, from high-ranking officials and nobles to beggars and commoners, each holding a basket of radishes.

No, I am not a disciple of Maoshan; I am a member of the Laoshan sect. My name is Lin Suiyi. Originally, a month ago, my master asked me to deliver something to Daoist Qingxu of Maoshan, but I was intercepted by the demon from the Demon Realm, Chunqiu Buzai, who not only stole the item but also destroyed my spiritual body with his magical powers. I hope that if you encounter Daoist Qingxu, you can inform him of this matter and ask him to relay it to my master, who must be anxiously waiting for my return now

Hua Qian Gu saw a woman in green sitting at the entrance, inspecting each person's basket of radishes. Then, she waved her hand impatiently, indicating that they were not up to standard and should come back next time

I have come to seek apprenticeship and learn the craft

She began to rise with great expectations, turning westward in Xishan, and finally found a few radishes. Carefully digging them out, they were smaller in size since they were wild, but they were white and tender. She casually wiped off the dirt on her clothes and put them in her mouth; they were both crunchy and sweet. The most amusing part was that she also unearthed a small ginseng plant. Taking a bite, she thought it was a radish, but after spitting it out, she found it tasted terrible and casually tossed it aside

As if stepping into a legendary fairyland, she had never encountered such a beautiful place in her life. Unconsciously, she slowed her pace and kept looking around. The woman leading the way, with a hurried expression, did not notice whether she was following. By the time Hua Qiangu realized what was happening, the woman had already disappeared, and once again, she found herself gloriously lost

Uh, Hua Qian Gu wiped the sweat from her brow and forced a couple of dry laughs, then turned to leave. It seems that she should go find the official, right? This Yixiu Jun is truly pitiful, but can he really know about such matters?

You, please do not be sad, I will do my best to help you. However, I still prefer to go to Maoshan, as this was my father's last wish before he passed away. Is there really no other way?

There was truly no other way; I had no choice but to brace myself and walk towards the tower. It appeared to be not very far, yet I walked until nearly dusk before I finally reached the base of the tower. To my surprise, the door on the second level was ajar, and there was a faint light inside.

"Oh, alright, thank you, uncle." Hua Qian Gu took a few steps and turned back, unable to resist asking, "Uncle, what question do you want to ask Yi Xiu Jun while waiting in line?"

Taking a big bite of the steamed bun, she had only ever heard tales from others about how the Maoshan Taoists captured ghosts and subdued demons. She did not know if it was true, or if they were indeed as powerful as the legends suggested. With little money on her, she could not afford much in tuition fees. She wondered if those Taoists would accept a girl as a disciple. If that were not possible, she would have to try disguising herself as a boy.

When it was Hua Qian Gu's turn, she was so nervous that her palms were sweaty. Carefully, she held the hem of her clothes, concealing the radish, and showed it to the person.

He slowly walked towards the tower when suddenly his entire body felt as if struck by lightning, a wave of numbness coursing through him. His knees buckled, and he nearly lost his balance. Looking down, he saw the ground around him shimmering with a fluorescent glow, revealing a massive diagram of the Five Elements and Eight Trigrams, and it seemed he had inadvertently stepped right into it. Hesitating for a moment with one foot inside and one foot outside, he found that his body felt no discomfort, so he continued to walk further inside.

Of course, how many people in this world encounter troubles and need help! Do you think you are the only one?

The youth shook his head: "Hurry up and get up, I came here specifically to thank you today. If it weren't for you, I would not have been able to gather my soul, and I don't know how much longer I would have to wander on this Mount Mao."

She has always been directionally challenged; no matter how detailed the directions given to her, even if a map were drawn for her, she would still inevitably get lost. Furthermore, she cannot travel at night, and during the day, she often encounters obstacles, which is why it took her so long to reach Maoshan.

I am not sure either. Why not go to Laoshan and speak directly to my master? You could also plead with him to accept you as a disciple. He has a kind heart and loves stinky tofu. As long as you keep asking him and bribe him with wine and stinky tofu, you need not worry about him refusing.

Ah, I have finally found you! Please accept me as your disciple, Master!" Hua Qiangu quickly bent down and knelt on the ground

Hua Qian Gu hurriedly defended herself: "But it's very sweet!"

Wow, there really are things that can fly! That's amazing! What should I do?

You should head west towards the city; there may be some on the mountain over there