Chapter 5: Abnormal

Perhaps in the past, when reading literary works, many people wished they could step into the shoes of the protagonists, yearning for miraculous encounters. Ji Yuan was no exception.

However, at this moment, Ji Yuan felt profoundly uneasy, realizing that reality was far different from his fantasies. He was extremely unsettled.

Observing literary and film works from a detached perspective, everything seemed exciting and full of challenges. But now that he was actually in this situation, Ji Yuan's mind wasn't filled with exhilaration or a sense of good fortune. Instead, it was overwhelmed by the myriad unknown dangers: disease, natural disasters, human-made calamities, and sheer bad luck.

This was likely a world with primitive laws and rudimentary medicine, and the intense tension and unease it evoked left Ji Yuan's mind in turmoil.

Having arrived in a completely unknown world, he might even face extraordinary threats. While wild beasts were one thing, demons and monsters were utterly horrifying.

Given his experience—a few minutes of playing chess somehow transporting him over half a month—Ji Yuan no longer doubted that this world might truly contain demons and monsters.

Worse still, Ji Yuan was now practically helpless, at least for the moment. His physical condition was worse than that of an ordinary person, leaving him with no means of self-preservation. Even a rat could kill him.

The only consolation Ji Yuan had was that despite being unable to move his limbs, he could still feel everything from head to toe. True paralysis often involved a loss of sensation, so he might not be permanently paralyzed.

Ji Yuan was now utterly panicked. These strangers seemed kind; he wondered if they would take him with them when they left and find a local doctor to examine him!

Leaving Ji Yuan alone in the deep mountains, even if he were healthy and strong, let alone incapacitated, was unthinkable.

This wasn't China in 2019; the mountains here were undoubtedly teeming with dangerous animals. Coupled with his unusual experience with the chessboard, it was entirely possible he had landed in a world with actual monsters.

Reality wasn't like Japanese anime, and monsters certainly weren't cute or silly. Most creatures in traditional tales were man-eaters.

If only he could move, Ji Yuan would definitely beg them for help.

***

Zhang Shilin fed the beggar a bowl of warm water. Although the man's mouth twitched occasionally, he remained unconscious. Zhang Shilin could only shake his head, gently lay the beggar down, and return to his companions.

"Brother Shilin, what about the beggar? Should we take him with us when we descend the mountain?"

Zhang Shilin sighed and shook his head.

"He's very weak. He probably won't live much longer and won't survive the journey down..."

Zhang Shilin didn't elaborate, but his meaning was clear to everyone.

His heart sank!

Behind the idol not far away, Ji Yuan's heart went cold.

The rain continued to fall. The traveling merchants chatted and rested, their conversations not much different from those among friends in the 21st century. They discussed gossip, strange occurrences, pretty girls, and even some crude jokes.

From their conversations, Ji Yuan gathered what they did. While not entirely clear, these traveling merchants seemed akin to the peddlers he remembered from his childhood, yet distinct—people who earned a living by long-distance travel, buying and selling goods.

With a desolate heart, Ji Yuan listened, both to their chatter and to the rain outside the mountain god temple. The sounds helped to calm his mind.

"These people call me a beggar. Does that mean my soul possessed the body of a beggar in this world?"

"And what about my original body, found by the search and rescue team on Niutou Mountain? Am I dead?"

"Yes, after half a month without food or water, I must be dead..."

"Mom and Dad will be so sad when they hear the news. Grandpa and Grandma are so old; if they find out..."

Ji Yuan's thoughts drifted, and two lines of tears streamed from his grimy eyes.

Perhaps because his incapacitated state limited energy consumption, Ji Yuan felt no significant hunger.

It was unclear how much more time passed, but the rain outside gradually ceased. Ji Yuan's heart immediately sank; he remembered the traveling merchants intended to leave as soon as the rain stopped.

"Brother Shilin, the rain seems to have stopped!"

It was the voice of the young man named Wang Dong.

"Yes, but it's getting dark soon. It's too dangerous to travel at night in the mountains after the rain. Let's spend the night here in the mountain god temple."

Zhang Shilin's voice followed.

Ji Yuan was slightly taken aback. So it was already getting dark. He felt a faint sense of relief; he was fortunate the rain had stopped late enough that these people wouldn't abandon him, at least not tonight.

After the rain stopped, some of the merchants ventured out to gather damp firewood from around the mountain god temple. They brought it back and placed it near the fire to dry, ensuring enough fuel for the night.

Ji Yuan, however, seemed to have been forgotten by everyone. After nightfall, no one came to check on his condition again.

He secretly longed for Zhang Shilin or someone to come and change the cloth on his forehead, or offer him some water. It wasn't that he desperately needed these things, but rather that such gestures might offer a faint hope that the traveling merchants wouldn't abandon him.

But reality was cruel. He was a stranger, with no family or friends, merely a sick beggar seemingly on the verge of death.

If he were back in his homeland in the 21st century, he would have been saved long ago, Ji Yuan thought repeatedly.

"Huo! There are so many people in this desolate mountain temple! Now I don't have to be afraid!"

A surprised, unfamiliar voice suddenly echoed from the temple entrance, making Zhang Shilin and the others turn their heads. Several merchants even stood up.

At the doorway stood a man dressed like a scholar in a long gown, who seemed delighted to see the people inside the temple.

"It's wonderful to see you all! I went into the mountains for a stroll today and got separated from my friends. Then I lost my way, and to top it off, a heavy rain started, forcing me to seek shelter. The rain stopped, but then night fell, and I was absolutely terrified. Luckily, I spotted your firelight!"

The newcomer spoke as he walked further inside.

"Even if you're bandits, I'd willingly give you some money if you'd take me down the mountain with you. I wouldn't dare stay on this mountain alone!"

Seeing the newcomer's mix of nervousness and relief, Zhang Shilin and the others smiled, realizing he was merely an unfortunate scholar.

"Come warm yourself by the fire; we are not bandits!"

"Hahahaha, you scholars certainly live a leisurely life, venturing into the mountains for leisure! Do you hold any official titles?"

"Not at all, not at all... you jest, you jest..."

Everyone could clearly see the scholar's initial reserve, quickly replaced by immense relief, which brought smiles to the merchants' faces.

Yet, inside the entire mountain temple, only one person felt a deep sense of unease.

Ji Yuan's spine went cold, his scalp tingled, and goosebumps prickled all over his body.

It wasn't until Zhang Shilin and the others began conversing with the scholar that Ji Yuan realized an additional person had entered the mountain temple.

He hadn't noticed how this so-called scholar had arrived at the temple. He hadn't heard a single one of his footsteps!

Something was wrong with this scholar!