Wufeng Mountain? They decided to check it out. Regardless of the dangers, Liu Buqun was determined to explore. As the day darkened, they headed north towards Wufeng Mountain, ready for whatever challenges lay ahead. Just as Liu Bugun stepped into the pavilion, where was the shadow of the pavilion? “Oh no,” Liu Bugun immediately sensed danger. He saw that the surrounding forest was dense with vines sprawling across the sky. A vine was winding towards them. “Rainbow, be careful,” Liu Bugun quickly drew the Mo Xie sword from his back, slashing at the approaching vine. Vines stretched wildly from all directions, clawing at them. Liu Bugun shielded Cai Tong, swinging the Mo Xie sword continuously. “Mo Xie!” A call came from ahead. On a nearby tree trunk, the old man from this morning was hoisted high by vines. The old man struggled desperately, the more he struggled, the tighter the vines wound around him. A vine was around his neck, and he let out a scream as he tried to pull the vine tightening around him, his throat making a bone-chilling noise.
Liu Bugun was momentarily distracted, and several vines swiftly wrapped around Xu Cai Tong. “Rainbow!” Liu Bugun was shocked, wanting to rush over to save her, but vines from all directions lunged at him, quickly binding him. Exhausted from dealing with the vines, Liu Bugun lost sight of Xu Cai Tong in just a moment. “Rainbow, my lady!” Liu Bugun cried out in desperation, his voice echoing throughout the mountain. Furious and frustrated, Liu Bugun cut through the thorns and obstacles, arriving at the tree where the old man was hung, swiftly cutting the vines to free him. Then, with a leap, he flew into the woods, darting from tree to tree like a dragonfly skimming water. After a few leaps, Liu Bugun, carrying the old man, reached the foot of the mountain. The old man was barely breathing, his face flushed purple from lack of air. Liu Bugun took out a golden pill and placed it in the old man’s mouth, and his complexion gradually turned red. However, having lost Xu Cai Tong, Liu Bugun was filled with regret, unsure if she had escaped this calamity.
Liu Bugun left the old man, stood at the edge of Wufeng Mountain, brandishing the Mo Xie sword, and cursed at the mountain, “Mountain gods of Wufeng, listen well. I am Mo Xie, the one who splits the heavens and earth. If you aid the evildoers and do not return Xu Cai Tong to me, I, Mo Xie, will first cleave these five peaks, reducing you to ashes, never to exist in this world again.”
A gentle breeze blew, and before Liu Bugun stood four burly, battle-scarred mountain gods, namely Chi Feng, Chi Shan, Chi Lu, and Chi Sen, who bowed to Liu Bugun, “The mountain gods of Wufeng greet General Mo.” “Hmph, you are cruel and wicked, aiding the evildoers, right?” “No, not at all, General Mo. We are under heaven’s command to inform you of the location of Yuan Ming Mountain. Chi Lin, one of the mountain gods, brought you here from the inn because it was not convenient to speak there. Who knew that upon his return, demons invaded the mountain, beating us black and blue. Chi Lin only wanted to tell you not to linger on the mountain, but he was captured and hung by the demons. The mountain gods of Wufeng are at your command.” “Very well, since you wish to atone for your sins, I’ll give you a chance. You must return Zi Yue before the Yin hour, or you will be damned to eternal destruction.” Liu Bugun said sternly, turning his back to the mountain gods. “As you command, my lord,” the four gods lifted the gravely injured Chi Lin and vanished into the mountain.
Liu Bugun looked at the towering peaks, wondering how he had managed to get up there before. He leaped back into the forest, moving swiftly up the mountain. The night was murky on the mountain, with shadows of trees all around. The black horse was hung over a cliff by vines, and if they loosened, it would plummet into the abyss. The horse was neighing in distress. Liu Bugun climbed onto the tree where the horse was tied, pulled down another vine, tied it to an old tree on the other side of the ravine, and half-suspended himself to pull the horse to safety. Once on solid ground, he untied the horse. “Neigh-” The horse let out a long neigh, seemingly thanking Liu Bugun for saving its life. “Can you still walk?” Liu Bugun patted the horse’s head. The horse trotted forward and then dashed off down the mountain path. As the horse disappeared from sight, Liu Bugun whistled, and it returned. Mounting the horse, Liu Bugun sighed deeply, blaming himself for his carelessness, vowing to save her and deal with the demons to prevent them from ever harming Rainbow again.
The horse seemed to sense Liu Bugun’s worry and headed down another side of the mountain. The path was rugged with almost no way down, and Liu Bugun had to clear the way with his sword. By the time they reached the base of the mountain, it was midnight. Suddenly, a strong wind howled from Wufeng Mountain, mixed with eerie cries and sounds of battle, but Liu Bugun saw nothing on the peaks. He was anxious, wondering where the mountain gods were and how they were faring against the demons, and how to save Cai Tong.
He tied the horse to a tree, unsure of the gods’ fate or Cai Tong’s whereabouts, blaming himself for his recklessness. Suddenly, an idea struck him. He sat on the ground, gathered his energy, and began chanting the true scripture. His third eye slowly opened, and he saw that the mountain gods were fighting with all their might against the demons. “Demon, meet your end!” Liu Bugun leaped up and charged into the fray. The gods were clearly outmatched, only able to defend, not attack. Chi Lin, who was already injured, was knocked down by a demon’s club. Liu Bugun landed among them, wielding his sword like a river, driving the demons into retreat. “Mo Xie, Zi Yue is under the shrine, go save her,” Chi Feng, wielding a golden whip, said, struggling against his opponent.
