The Changbai Mountains were calm, devoid of wind and snow.
Three people and four small monsters walked along a mountain path.
Yan Shouyi couldn't help but ask Uncle Weng, "Uncle Weng, how long have you been looking after my mother?"
Uncle Weng reminisced for a moment and sighed, "I've been on this mountain for as long as I've been taking care of the young lady, only it's a shame she left for a few years mid-way."
Yan Shouyi knew exactly what those years meant. It was when his mother descended the mountain with his father and gave birth to him.
Yan Shouyi also recalled what Li Genmiao had said to Uncle Weng earlier, mentioning that Uncle Weng seemed to have guarded the Changbai Mountains for thirty years.
Based on age, his mother must have been on Changbai Mountain before the age of ten.
Another point worth noting was why Li Genmiao knew so much about Uncle Weng.
Had he investigated beforehand, or did he know Uncle Weng's situation because he was an old acquaintance of his mother?
"Uncle Weng, I grew up with my grandfather. My father and grandfather rarely mentioned my mother, so I don't know anything about her. Could you tell me about her?"
The words felt awkward. The son knew so little about his mother that he needed someone else to introduce her.
However, Uncle Weng saw Yan Shouyi's childhood lack of maternal affection, forcing him to be strong in the face of difficulties and setbacks. Thus, a hint of pity appeared in his expression.
"Of course, no problem."
"The young lady was originally from a prominent family, seemingly from the capital, Yanjing. On her tenth birthday, she was noticed by a wandering master, taken as a disciple, and then brought to Changbai Mountain. Perhaps her master didn't know how to care for her, so he found me and asked me to go up the mountain to look after her."
"During those years on Changbai Mountain, the young lady diligently cultivated with her master. But one day, a group of young people broke into the Heavenly Lake, intruding into the place where the young lady meditated. This sparked her longing for the outside world, and ultimately, she couldn't resist the temptation and descended the mountain with that group of youngsters."
"By the time old me and the young lady's master discovered it, the young lady was nowhere to be found. The group that took her away, little master, you must surely know who they are."
Yan Shouyi coughed twice and rubbed his nose.
It was none other than his rascal of a father.
Even though Yan Chou appeared to be a man of integrity now, he was far more reckless in his youth than Yan Shouyi was now. Otherwise, he wouldn't have attracted so many enemies, leading to enemies specifically forming a "Fan Yan Chou Alliance" chat group over a decade later.
"After the young lady gave birth to you outside, she suddenly settled down and quickly returned to Changbai Mountain. However, by the time the young lady returned, her master had already ascended to immortality."
"Mother's master… died?" Yan Shouyi asked in surprise.
Uncle Weng nodded. "In fact, the young lady's master died in the second month after she descended the mountain. Before his death, he instructed me not to touch his remains, insisting on waiting for the young lady's return and for her to handle it personally. From then on, I didn't go to the Heavenly Lake again, waiting until the young lady returned."
Why didn't the mother's master allow Uncle Weng to touch his remains?
By the time his mother returned years later, wouldn't his master's body have turned into mere bones?
Was it because he blamed or resented his mother for leaving without saying goodbye, intending to make her feel guilty?
"I later asked about the reason for the young lady's return," Uncle Weng sighed. "It was then that I learned the young lady had married another inheritor of Lu Ban, and the son born to them was destined to experience a great life-and-death tribulation."
"After the young lady gave birth to the little master, she learned that he would face a death tribulation in the future. So, she cruelly returned to Changbai Mountain, intending to seek a way to break the fate tribulation from her master. But by then, her master had already ascended. The young lady regretted it immensely, and thus confined herself, making a great vow like a Bodhisattva of Buddhism – that until the fate tribulation was resolved, she would not leave Changbai Mountain!"
"From that day on, the young lady was confined within the Heavenly Lake, able to study the ancient texts left by her master, deduce scriptures, and perfect the lower volume of the Lu Ban Book. The Heavenly Lake became her prison, and this confinement lasted for a full twenty years!"
Shan Ji chimed in, "It was during these twenty years that we were enlightened by the immortal sister."
For twenty years, Jiang Qingxue had never left the Heavenly Lake, only able to keep these animals company, thus nurturing these four astonishing 'pets'.
After hearing Uncle Weng's explanation, Yan Shouyi remained silent for a long time.
He had always thought his mother was heartless, not understanding why she abandoned him and never appeared for twenty years.
Now he finally understood that everything his mother did was for him.
His parents, without permission, brought Yan Shouyi into this world but found they could not give him a complete life. Thus, his mother confined herself, and his father was imprisoned. Both their remaining lives were spent trying to atone for the mistakes of their past, to save their son.
"Mom..."
Yan Shouyi's eyes became a little moist.
But he quickly wiped away his tears and smiled, looking ahead.
Twenty years of effort were about to pay off, because he had arrived at Changbai Mountain.
...
The group walked until dawn, finally arriving outside the Heavenly Lake.
Standing at the end of the path was an ancient stone gate. Barren land surrounded the gate, with only a soaring wooden bird carved on its top, lifelike and vivid.
Uncle Weng stopped there, patted Shan Pao's head, and said to Yan Shouyi, "Little master, if you wish to be reunited with your mother, you must pass this final trial."
Yan Shouyi jumped down from Shan Pao's back and asked, "What trial?"
"This stone gate before you is the Heavenly Gate of Changbai Mountain, set with a formation and restriction by the young lady. If you cannot break the restriction, you cannot pass through the Heavenly Gate and enter the Heavenly Lake."
Yan Shouyi frowned. "Is this a test from my mother?"
He thought the reunion of mother and son was a shared hope, but he didn't expect his mother to set up another difficult hurdle for him at this moment.
Uncle Weng nodded. "Yes, the young lady said that if you cannot pass the Heavenly Gate, it would be meaningless even if you met her, so it's better not to meet."
My mother's heart is truly ruthless...
Yan Shouyi's mouth twitched, and he resignedly stepped forward to examine the Heavenly Gate.
Uncle Weng moved aside.
The Heavenly Gate was simply two massive stone pillars supporting a horizontal beam. The beam was carved with a lifelike wooden bird, seeming ready to break free from its restraints and soar into the sky at any moment.
Apart from this, the Heavenly Gate had no other special features, nor any mechanisms.
He tried to pass through the Heavenly Gate but was pushed back by an invisible force, as if a fierce wind was blowing through it.
Yan Shouyi took a few steps back, frowning.
Suddenly, he caught sight of Li Genmiao standing behind them, idly admiring the scenery.
He instantly felt a surge of anger. "Actor, so coming to the Heavenly Lake is just my business, right? You come and help too, otherwise, I'm going to start slacking off too."