Chapter Eleven: The Devouring Mountain

As evening fell, the Meng family prepared to depart. Old Father Lin, unwell, had retired early to bed. Old Madam Lin and her three sons escorted Fubao’s maternal grandparents to the door.

Madam Meng, reluctant to part with her daughter and grandson, had intended to linger a few more days. Yet before she could voice her wish, Old Master Meng—skilled as ever in persuasive eloquence and flowery speech—interrupted with a cascade of reasons. It made sense, after all; more than a month had passed already. The master himself was usually preoccupied with his business affairs, the eldest son was immersed in his civil service studies, often neglecting sleep and meals and wholly indifferent to the family store. The youngest son was a free spirit, rarely home for more than a few days at a stretch, his commitment to the shop as fleeting as a fish leaping from water. Asking him to stay put in the store would be akin to asking for his life. The daughter-in-law was gentle and inexperienced, still too green to manage the household.

After weighing everything, Madam Meng decided to return home. As for her homecoming, Old Master Meng felt only profound relief. Night after night spent alone in an empty room was lonely beyond bearing—he couldn't endure it any longer.

Meanwhile, Third Son Lin also breathed a sigh of relief. Longing for his wife left his heart aching; he yearned for intimacy, but under the watchful eye of his mother-in-law, he scarcely dared. To be subjected to her sharp gaze day after day was suffocating. Now, with the Meng family gone, he declared himself liberated—at last, he could indulge in his desires.

Although Meng Yun was loath to see her family go, she had no choice but to send them off with tears, her heart heavy. She glanced at her husband, who was in high spirits, and instantly knew what was on his mind, shooting him a sidelong look.

Third Son Lin could only fall silent under her gaze.

Yet that very night, he did indeed get what he’d been yearning for.

Elsewhere, in the second Lin household—

“Husband, the water’s ready. Time to wash up,” Li Shi entered carrying a basin of water. Lin Erlang was just coaxing little Cenhǎi to sleep. The boy, having not seen his father for some time, had become overexcited and soon fell asleep.

“My dear, you’ve worked hard,” Lin Erlang said, tucking in his son’s quilt before hastening to take the basin from her.

“How many days can you stay this time?” Li Shi ventured, seeing the smile lingering on her son’s sleeping face.

Lin Erlang paused, then answered slowly, “I can stay for two days this time.” He sighed.

“Can’t you stay a little longer? We see so little of each other, and even Cenhǎi often asks after his father.” She turned away, her eyes reddening as she finished. What kind of married life was it, with such rare reunions?

“Dearest,” Lin Erlang hurried to turn her back to face him. Seeing her eyes shine with unshed tears, his heart twisted with pain. He drew her into his arms and spoke gently, “It’s my failing—I can’t be with you and our son as I wish. But it can’t be helped. One reason I returned was to attend Fubao’s full moon banquet and see you both. The other is that the master sent me to search for a certain medicine.”

“Medicine?” Li Shi was puzzled.

“Yes, ginseng—old ginseng,” Lin Erlang replied earnestly.

“What? How are you supposed to find that? Old ginseng means roots that are a thousand years old or more! They’re like spirits now; let alone catching one, most have never even seen it.” Li Shi was bewildered. Why would the master of her husband’s shop want such a rare treasure?

This world was abundant with strange creatures and wonders—wild, running children who were not unheard of. But ordinary people could never hope to encounter such things. Legend had it that the vast Dabie Mountains near Lin Family Village held rare treasures and fierce beasts. Hunters, even those highly skilled in martial arts, had ventured in as a group, only to vanish without a trace. No one had ever returned. The Dabie Mountains had thus been declared forbidden ground, known as the Man-Eating Mountains.

“Husband, they’re not expecting you to go into the mountains, are they? They’re sending you to your doom! I absolutely won’t allow it—” Li Shi said in panic at the thought that her husband might be sent into such peril.

“Don’t worry, dearest, it’s not as you think. The master only asked me to inquire around and see whether there are any leads on old ginseng. The actual search will be left to experts,” Lin Erlang reassured her with some helplessness.

“That’s good, as long as you don’t go in yourself. Whoever wants to risk it can go; it won’t be you.” Li Shi finally felt at ease.

“Rest assured, I won’t do anything dangerous. I’ll always be here with you,” Lin Erlang promised, drawing her close.

“Yes,” Li Shi replied softly.

The next day, Lin Erlang woke late, well into the morning, feeling deeply satisfied. The happiness of a family of three was about to unfold.

But—as soon as he opened the door, his expression darkened. Beneath the large tree in the Lin family’s courtyard, his brother-in-law was basking in the sun on an exquisite, hand-carved wooden chair that he’d apparently dragged over from who-knows-where.