Chapter 24: The Impassable Southern Mountain, Sheltering from the Rain Among the Peaks

No wonder, no wonder.

As Cao Kong looked at his younger brother, understanding dawned in his heart—the boy must truly be blessed with extraordinary fortune.

Why was this so?

His brother had roamed the Misty Hills for years under the illustrious name of "King of the Southern Mountains." In the world of Journey to the West, titles were not chosen lightly; names carried real weight and rank. Should someone of meager fortune assume a title beyond their destined station, they would surely pay a price.

After all, this world teemed with powerful figures. If you took a name too lofty or irreverent, how could these mighty ones not take offense? Even if they were above such things, what of their followers?

Yet his brother had dared claim the title "King of the Southern Mountains"—a name that bordered on brazen arrogance. The Southern Mountains signified not only eternity but specifically referred to Zhongnan Mountain, the ancestral seat of Daoism. To adopt such a title was to place oneself above the Three Pure Ones and all their kin.

This was no idle boast; it was fact. In the original tale, when the Monkey King encountered the Golden Leopard, who called himself the King of the Southern Mountains, even the Monkey was stunned and rebuked the leopard for his audacity.

He went on to say: "Lord Laozi is the ancestor who split heaven and earth, yet sits only at the right of the Jade Pure One. The Buddha is the lord of all, yet lies beneath the Great Roc. Confucius is the sage of the Confucian school, yet is simply called Master. How dare you, a mere furball, style yourself King of the Southern Mountains?"

The Monkey cited these three to show just how exalted the title "King of the Southern Mountains" truly was.

For the Golden Leopard to bear such a name and survive for centuries—unless his fortune was profound, what else could explain it?

If this was indeed the case, Cao Kong thought, perhaps by taking the Golden Leopard along on this journey, there might be unexpected rewards.

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The next day, the two brothers descended the mountain and headed north. The Tengyou Mountains lay only three hundred li away, but since the Treasure Exchange Gathering was still some time off, Cao Kong did not hurry.

Side by side, they traveled like ordinary wanderers, admiring the late autumn scenery, plucking fruit from the trees when hungry, drinking from mountain springs when thirsty.

Days passed as they walked, half a month slipping by without notice.

Even while traveling, Cao Kong did not neglect his cultivation. Day and night, he practiced breathing exercises, absorbing spiritual energy. The energy field of his nascent golden core was beginning to take shape, the five elemental energies circulating within in endless cycles.

His internal world grew ever more refined, and the sights and changes of nature deepened his understanding of the cycles of heaven and earth. The endless alternation of the four seasons, five elements, and six energies; the shifting of sun and moon, the dance of yin and yang—all cycled without rest. Perhaps therein lay the secret of heaven and earth's everlasting nature.

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The Golden Core technique was precisely about refining oneself as a miniature cosmos, aligning with the principles of heaven and earth, borrowing their longevity, until one finally achieved an immortal, flawless Golden Core—thereby attaining eternal life.

With this deepening comprehension, Cao Kong found his cultivation smoother, even if his pace was unchanged.

A few more days passed. On this day, Cao Kong and the Golden Leopard entered a mountain. No sooner had they stepped within than Cao Kong sensed something amiss.

Because he trained in the orthodox Golden Core method, he was attuned to the myriad energies of heaven and earth, which normally changed and flowed freely. But here, things were different.

From the moment he entered, he felt an excess of yin energy—so much so that it was chilling, almost oppressive.

“Brother, look, there are two long tracks here.”

Cao Kong followed the Golden Leopard’s pointing finger and smiled.

“These are likely the tracks left by a cart passing by. The earth on either side is still moist, so someone must have come through not long ago.”

Drip… drip…

Raindrops began to fall on the leaves and the ground, their soft patter growing louder, yet to Cao Kong, the sound imparted a certain tranquility.

“Come, let’s see if we can find some shelter ahead,” Cao Kong said with a smile. Though he could easily keep the rain from touching him with a flicker of magic, he found it dull to do so. Far better to seek shelter with his brother and savor the sound of the rain together.

He had barely finished speaking when the Golden Leopard dashed ahead, then turned, pointing excitedly.

“Brother, hurry! There’s a ruined temple up ahead, and I think someone’s inside!”

Cao Kong, amused by his brother’s childlike enthusiasm, shielded his head with his hand and hurried forward like a common traveler caught in the rain.

The brothers soon reached the temple. It was small—just a few zhang across—quite dilapidated, its signboard nearly broken, with only the character for “mountain” and half of “temple” remaining.

One of its three walls gaped with a large hole, both great doors were shattered, but the roof, at least, was intact enough to provide shelter.

Creak…

As the Golden Leopard pushed the door open, a wave of warmth greeted him, and he felt several pairs of eyes settle on his face.

Cao Kong followed him in and saw a group of traveling merchants who had clearly been there a while. They had built a makeshift hearth; flames flickered beneath an iron pot of boiling water.

The merchants eyed the newcomers warily at first, but seeing that both were young and fresh-faced, with sleeves soaked by rain, their suspicion eased.

Cao Kong offered a polite smile. In ancient times, travel was never easy—one never knew whether they’d meet friend or foe on the road.

---

So he kept his distance, drawing the Golden Leopard to sit apart.

The Golden Leopard behaved himself, for his brother had told him to act human while traveling, to avoid using magic unless necessary, and to embrace the experience.

The crackle and sizzle of burning kindling filled the humble space with a strangely comforting sense of security.

But now and then a cold draft slipped in, making everyone shiver.

“Who do you think those two are?”

“They look refined—not like villains. Maybe traveling scholars.”

“Eh, it’s tough for everyone on the road. There are nine of us here—why not invite them over to the fire for warmth and a bit of soup?”

“Agreed. If we can help, we should. A kindness given is a kindness earned.”

With that, a burly, bearded man among the merchants called out, “You two, why not come over and warm yourselves by the fire?”

“Thanks! You’re all so kind!”

Before Cao Kong could answer, the Golden Leopard bounded over, his innocent manner drawing hearty laughter from the merchants and melting away any lingering suspicion.

Such clear-eyed youth—what need was there to be wary?

Cao Kong cupped his hands in thanks and joined them. The two groups sat together in silence, warming themselves as the water boiled.

The bearded merchant, after pouring hot water for his companions, wiped two wooden bowls clean and filled them, placing them near Cao Kong and the Golden Leopard.

“Help yourselves, if you’re thirsty,” he said, then turned away, resuming his conversation. Cao Kong listened—the merchants were worried about the persistent rain delaying their travels, forcing them to spend the night in the temple.

He also heard them say the mountain had been unsettled in recent years, with frequent disappearances.

The rain did not let up, and dusk fell.

Suddenly, the door creaked open. Cao Kong looked up to see a woman enter—strikingly beautiful, with a slender figure and a face pale as death. She moved silently, her footsteps making no sound.