A Walk in the Rear Mountain

Qingshan Town, the mountain behind, a silent forest where thick, tangled branches and leaves grow without order. Deep within, sunlight cannot penetrate, leaving the woods damp and shadowed.

The mountain range behind Qingshan Town twists and turns, stretching for tens of thousands of miles. In the depths, one might encounter spirit beasts that have awakened intelligence or venomous creatures capable of ending a life in an instant.

At the forest’s edge, a group of travelers moved steadily toward the heart of the mountain. It was none other than Yu Daoyi and his companions. Seven days—neither short nor long—after Yu Daoyi stabilized his cultivation with the Spirit-Stabilizing Pill at home, he spent his time preparing, studying maps of the mountain. The vastness of the mountain meant that losing one’s way inside could lead to trouble with fierce beasts.

Watching Yu Daoyi’s enthusiasm, Song Qiuling found him akin to a country bumpkin, a mortal who’d never seen the world. She was at a loss for words.

Her father had been relentless in his warnings for this journey, stuffing her with protective talismans and magical artifacts—a father’s worry for his daughter traveling far. All that remained was for him to fetch the Mystic Spirit Branch himself for his beloved girl.

Fortunately, Song Qiuling knew she was no greenhouse flower. She needed constant tempering, so she firmly rejected her father’s “good intentions,” dragging her younger brother along instead.

Song Cheng walked timidly beside them, glancing anxiously around, his squinted eyes darting nervously. Remembering his father’s words, he felt a wave of sorrow. He’d been instructed to always stand in front of his sister, to take any danger upon himself—let the beasts hit him, let the poisonous insects bite him, fill any traps before his sister crossed. Was this what a father should say? Had age muddled his father’s mind? He couldn’t even remember his own son’s name!

His sister, too—why was he here? He wasn’t participating in the alchemy assessment; the Mystic Spirit Branch was useless to him! What could he, a third-stage Qi cultivator, possibly do? He’d only hinder the exchange between his sister and that “vegetable brother.”

Song Cheng glanced at his sister and the Yu brothers. Exactly! With them here, plus a bodyguard, what use was he? Just a snack for the beasts?

Yu Yunfan followed quietly behind, his striking features marred by resignation. He’d been dragged along by his older brother, watching as Yu Daoyi poked at everything curiously, feeling embarrassed. Thankfully, there weren’t many people around—he could maintain his aloof persona.

Oh~ yoh-ho~ wooo~

Such were Yu Daoyi’s thoughts, like a simpleton who’d never seen the world—or perhaps he could be more confident, drop the “like.” He poked at unfamiliar plants, touched strange rocks, sniffed unknown substances, occasionally prodding them.

Hmm, confirmed—this thing is dung! Damn! The dung in this world is bizarre! Who could recognize this?

“Ahem, I think we need an experienced leader for this expedition. If any danger arises, we must protect the leader at all costs!” Yu Daoyi declared righteously.

The other three said nothing, all staring at him as if he were a fool, making him feel uneasy.

“Forget it, just don’t stray from the group.” Yu Daoyi waved his hand, dropping the subject. Not a single one was cooperative! None had any spirit!

After some time, Yu Daoyi surveyed the unfamiliar surroundings—the monstrous ancient trees, the constant growls of wild beasts. Doubt flickered in his eyes.

He looked at his map, eyes wide, unmoving. His mind—if he had one—spun rapidly. Suddenly, he rotated the map one hundred and eighty degrees, squinted, and nodded.

Alright, search complete.

I was reading it upside down! Damn! What now? Should I tell these three? No! My perfect image would be ruined!

Oh, my image was ruined long ago. Sigh, how tragic.

Wait! Is this the time for such thoughts?

His face became a canvas of conflicted emotions, his mind a tangled web.

Thinking back to entering the mountain, Song Qiuling had proposed hiring an experienced mountain dweller to guide them, increasing their safety and preventing them from getting lost.

He had insisted, pounding his chest, that he had a map—arguing his case until they acquiesced. With outsiders present, how was he supposed to interact with his little sister? One more suplex and his dignity would be gone!

Damn! Who drew this cursed map? Not even a compass—no east, south, north, or west! Didn’t they know the terrain was complex and easy to misread?

“What’s wrong?” Song Qiuling noticed Yu Daoyi had stopped suddenly.

“Hmm… I think we should take another path,” Yu Daoyi said, scratching his head awkwardly.

“Another path? Why?” Song Qiuling asked, puzzled.

“The map shows danger ahead! A first-tier spirit beast is active in that area!” Yu Daoyi said seriously.

Spirit beasts are ranked into nine tiers, corresponding to the nine stages in human cultivation. It’s said those who reach the Nascent Soul stage can transform into human form.

Song Qiuling pondered. If that was the case, there was no need to go further ahead.

“So which way should we go?” Song Qiuling asked.

“Just turn left, go straight, then left again, straight, then right, then…” Yu Daoyi’s gaze wavered, pointing left and right, indecisive.

“Stop. Speak plainly.”

“Oh, return the way we came.”

?????

“Return the way we came—to where?” Song Qiuling sensed something was wrong.

“Oh, nothing serious, just back to our entry point.” Yu Daoyi replied sheepishly.

“Back to the starting point?” Song Qiuling gritted her teeth.

“Yes! As expected of the brilliant Qiuling, you understand instantly~”

Back to the very beginning—the memory of your innocent face~

Wait, why is the sky spinning over the mountain?

“Ah!!!”

Yu Daoyi crashed heavily to the ground.

“Yu Daoyi! What do you mean? Are you saying we’ve been walking the wrong way all morning?”

Song Qiuling snatched the map, scrutinizing it. The longer she looked, the darker her expression.

“This is the map you said showed danger ahead? The whole area is spirit beast territory!”

Song Cheng watched his furious sister. Sigh, whenever these two are together, things always end up like this.

Yu Yunfan turned away, refusing to look. This brother is hopeless. Let him fall, and fall hard, so I won’t have to worry about whether to help.

“Mistake! Absolute mistake!”

“Sis, let’s head back first. Brother Daoyi didn’t mean it.”

Sob sob, Song Cheng, you’re the best. My own little brother just watches, not even gloating.

“Once we’re safe, sis, you can do whatever you want.”

…Do whatever you want? Oh-ho? If possible, I prefer to take the initiative, but if it’s Qiuling, please be gentle.

Huh? Wait! You little brat, what are you saying! That was completely unnecessary!

“Once we’re out of here, I’ll deal with you properly!” Song Qiuling said fiercely to Yu Daoyi, then turned and strode forward, her chest heaving with agitation.

Real… not right, really fierce. After all this time, this girl’s temperament hasn’t mellowed at all. Poor Daoyi, pitifully rubbing his backside.

“Let’s leave for now. If a spirit beast jumps out, we’ll be in real trouble.” Yu Daoyi feigned pitifulness.

Just as the group turned to leave, a roar echoed, and the distant underbrush shook violently.

Yu Daoyi: “……”

That one sounds even fiercer. Yu Daoyi shivered.

Can’t be this unlucky, can it? As a transmigrated protagonist, how am I so cursed?

Everyone was startled, then focused, preparing for battle. Song Qiuling drew her magical sword, Azure Frost; Song Cheng somehow produced a black rod.

Impressive, all came prepared. He saw his little brother take out a cauldron.

A black cauldron emanating dark spiritual energy, supported by three legs, the rim sprouting two ears, covered in intricate patterns—clearly not an ordinary item.

Where did my little brother get this thing?

Forget it, I’d better get serious. Daoyi clenched his fists tightly, then glanced down in despair.

Damn! I have no weapon! Damn! As a third-stage Qi cultivator, I can’t even use spells!

No cultivation, no weapons—how am I supposed to seduce, no, fight you! Rely on my delicious body?!