Mountains and giant beasts, cabins in the woods

"Ahem! I understand!" Liu Xingmo quickly changed the subject. "By the way, Director, how's the response to my new 'GG' column, 'Old Tales of the Mountain City,' at the school?"

"Oh, do you want to hear the truth or a lie?"

"That's the truth, of course!"

"It's terrible, awful. This week, I've received several kilograms of razor blades, enough to sell for over ten dollars. Remember to pick them up tomorrow."

"Huh? That can't be... What did I do to deserve this?"

"Your essay, as a new type of exam question, adds another subject to the children's homework. Woohoo... Hahaha..." The big macaque couldn't help but grin.

"I feel very sorry, I really have let them down." Liu Xingmo's face was full of remorse. "I suggest that the children's parents take them to the restaurant featured in the newspaper for a nice meal, firstly as compensation, and secondly to help them better understand the content of the article..."

"Heh, you little rascal."

At the library's front entrance, an old man and a young boy, one big and one small, chatted freely, just as they had for the past eight years.

Other staff members arrived one after another, and there were also eager learners who came to browse through the treasured books.

Liu Xingmo then remembered something and asked, "Curator, who is Li Yannian? Is he very powerful?"

"The Xuanwu Mountain God is naturally incredibly powerful! What, you've already thoroughly studied the 'Records of Tortoises and Soft-shelled Turtles'?" the curator asked, raising his eyes.

"Yes! That book helped me a lot, and I thought the author was truly extraordinary. I never imagined it was the famous Xuanwu Mountain God!"

"Yes. Those above the fifth rank can be called gods, and that Li Yannian is one of the Four Saints. He cultivates both the Blood Path and the Water Path, and is one of the most powerful among all the old immortals."

"So strong? You can even cultivate two paths simultaneously?" Liu Xingmo exclaimed in amazement.

"He was a legendary figure from ancient times. According to legend, he first cultivated the Blood Path, specializing in the Tortoise-Snake Transformation, and mastered the Xuanwu Divine Body, breaking through to the sixth level. Afterwards, he traveled the world, visiting ancient dragons and whales in the depths of the ocean, exploring the mysteries of the Flowing Water Path, and cultivating it to an extraordinary level. In the end, he joined forces with three of his contemporaries to drive out powerful beasts, conquer vast lands, and establish the human kingdom of 'Li'. Later generations referred to them as the Four Saints."

"Wow! Impressive." After exclaiming in admiration, Liu Xingmo looked around to make sure no one was nearby, then asked in a low voice, "Our Black Dragon Stronghold also practices the Blood Path. What's our relationship with this old immortal?"

"Well..." The giant macaque's expression changed, and its already red face turned even redder.

He looked around and then lowered his voice to say, "The Mountain Goddess, who is also our ancestor, is a disciple of the White Tiger Mountain God, one of the Four Saints."

"Oh? Then why are we holed up in this old forest instead of lording it over the country?" Liu Xingmo's voice was barely audible. "I mean, wouldn't it be better to be a thousand-year-old family in a great power?"

"Don't pry into things you shouldn't know. Take good care of your turtle." The curator put on a stern face and said no more.

"Okay, fine." Liu Xingmo lowered his head and walked towards his office. Then, remembering something, he asked, "Director, do we have any other works by the Xuanwu Mountain God in our collection? I'd like to read them."

"There's also a copy of 'The Record of Snakes and Pythons,' which's been gathering dust in the inner vault. I'll give it to you. Come find me after get off work tomorrow."

"Really? Thank you so much! Please make sure you get it!" Liu Xingmo said excitedly, but then realized that his behavior was exaggerated and a bit strange.

He quickly added, "The Xuanwu Mountain God is truly a role model for us all. Just a casual glance at his manuscripts is enough to inspire heartfelt admiration for this senior..."

"Liu Xingmo, just focus on your studies. Don't mention that person again," the curator warned sternly.

Liu Xingmo walked into the office, his mind still replaying what had just happened.

He has read quite a few ancient books over the years and has a deep understanding of the publicly available historical and geographical knowledge.

There are three major human kingdoms in the Central Plains region, and the Li Kingdom is one of them, located in the treacherous mountains and rivers of the south.

The names of the Four Saints are known throughout the land: the White Tiger Mountain God presides over the laws, the Black Tortoise Mountain God imparts knowledge and teaches, the Vermilion Bird Mountain God develops commerce, and the Azure Dragon Mountain God travels the world...

Heilongzhai is far from the Central Plains, located deep in the mountains and forests of the northeast, separated from the Li Kingdom by thousands of miles.

Our ancestor, also known as the Mountain Goddess, was named Liu Nu Luo, nicknamed the Tyrannosaurus Mountain God, and had been living in seclusion for many years.

Although she doesn't appear in public, her influence is everywhere. For example, Li Yannian's original handwritten work would rot in a bookstore, untouched by anyone.

It would be one thing if her master were anyone else, but he's the White Tiger Mountain God who oversees the entire Li Kingdom. She shouldn't be being ostracized...

There are too many things I don't understand.

Liu Xingmo put aside his various thoughts and devoted himself to newspaper writing.

Writing and reviewing manuscripts, printing and drying, door-to-door sales, GG collaborations...

I worked for two days straight and earned 536 yuan.

You could actually earn more, as long as you lower GG's minimum standards.

Liu Xingmo knew he couldn't exhaust the resources and ruin his good reputation. So he chose established restaurants with top-notch flavors and partnered with them on a limited basis.

The newspaper industry, a relatively new field, has already seen competitors emerge.

The "Nancun Monthly" magazine has started publication in Nancun. Although it's not very popular now, it's hard to say what the future holds.

Liu Xingmo set rules with his three companions, confirmed their future development direction, assigned tasks, divided the money, and then disbanded.

He put his wallet in his pocket and excitedly went to the library front desk.

The *Record of Snakes and Pythons*, judging from its title, is meant to be a pair with the *Record of Tortoises and Soft-shelled Turtles*. Furthermore, its author, Li Yannian, was nicknamed the God of Xuanwu Mountain.

Xuanwu is a mythical beast that combines the characteristics of a tortoise and a snake.

No matter how you look at it, there must be a secret technique hidden in that ancient book!

A precious secret technique left behind by one of the most powerful and unparalleled experts!

Liu Xingmo braced himself on the counter and plopped down on it. He stretched out his hands: "Director! Let me see the book quickly, I can't wait."

"Oh dear, what bad luck. The book has been borrowed." The big macaque scratched the fur on its belly. "Wait a little longer, I'll give it to you as soon as it's returned."

"Huh? Who borrowed the book? I'll go directly to their house to get it back."

"Liu Sanniang."

Upon hearing the name, Liu Xingmo felt a bad premonition: "There are dozens, if not hundreds, of people in the village named Liu San Niang. Which Liu San Niang is it?"

"There's always gossip around a widow's door, you'd better not go."

"The proprietress of Jinli Restaurant?"

"It's her."

"That bitch! She stole my beverage formula, sent people to cause trouble at my stall, and made me lose so much money! That viper-like old woman, why did she have to take the 'Snake and Python Record'!"

"You said it yourself, a woman like a viper. She's recently made a breakthrough and can now take human form. That book has had some effect on her."

"Damn it! Curator, can you find a way to get the book back?"

"Don't embarrass this old monkey! Don't worry, I have other books here, also written by the Xuanwu Mountain God."

The big macaque placed a thick new book on the table.