The Demon's Chosen.

Ethereal Mountain in the town of Eternal Serenity, along with three other mountains - Celestial in the Radiant Retreat region, Enchanted on the outskirts of Seraphic Summit, and Cascade in the Cascade Bliss delta - together form the Four Great Sacred Mountains.

Among these four mountains, Ethereal is the smallest.

Though not the largest, it is famous for harboring many rare and exotic herbs, attracting many who dream of changing their fortunes. There is a rumor about a giant ginseng on the mountain, nearly the size of a six-year-old child, with roots extending several feet, radiating a purple hue, known as the Purple King Ginseng.

This ginseng sometimes appears in human form, wandering around the mountain's base. Accidentally spotted, some daring souls chase after it, only to find it disappears deep within the mountain, with the pursuers never returning. The more faint-hearted merely watch and retell the story to others.

The tale spreads like wildfire, eventually exaggerating to the point where possession of the Purple King Ginseng is believed to grant dominion over the world, bestowing kingship and wealth beyond measure, and luring countless dreamers in search of glory or fortune.

However, while many enter the mountain, few return, and those who do are often left broken, disheveled, bloodied, and mentally disturbed. Hence, folklore suggests these mountains are inhabited by demons and spirits that brutally attack anyone who encroaches on their territory.

Ethereal gradually becomes a forbidden mountain, shrouded in mystery and enchantment.

The area surrounding Ethereal is a sparse, desolate forest. The nearest residential area is Chrysanthemum village, where many treasure seekers stop. The local trade in room rentals and supplies for forest exploration and mountaineering provides a significant source of income for the residents.

At the end of Chrysanthemum village, two houses stand side by side; one is vacant for rent, the other inhabited by the owner.

The owner of both houses is a young woman with a pretty, charming face, who seldom smiles, her cuteness often overshadowed by her aloof demeanor. She sits crafting a small wooden doll, softly singing two familiar lines from the song "Finding a Word to Replace":

'I want to pick two stars from the sky above

And place them in your eyes for you to see me.'

But the following verses diverge significantly, though maintaining the original melody:

'I want to gather some driftwood from the river

Attach it as your limbs, to walk hand in hand in the rain

I want to collect some forest leaves.

To weave a warm cloak for your bare, cold back

I want to sew a thick glove

To firmly grip the knife handle, pulling it from your heart...'

After completing the figurine, the girl placed it on a multi-tiered shelf already filled with similar figures. It's uncertain how long it took her to carve these several hundred figurines, but one must admit it was a tremendous feat.

Each of these figures was unique, embodying the typical shapes and professional characteristics of humans, including men and women, old and young, scholars reading books, generals wielding swords, bedridden patients, and strongmen lifting heavy weights... but they all had one thing in common: they were eyeless.

The newly finished figurine resembled a rugged swordsman, with a cloak thrown over his shoulder and a giant sword slung on his back. She climbed a ladder and placed it on the fifth shelf from the top.

This shelf for the figurines was divided into ten tiers.

The top tier held a single figure of a highly accomplished monk, with long eyebrows draping down the sides of his face, wearing a kasaya, one hand holding a meditation staff, and the other forming the Seal of Boundless Majesty.

The second tier displayed a pair of figurines, distinctly dressed as royalty. One was a King adorned with the Nine Dragons crown and a robe embroidered with twin dragons facing the sun. The other was a Queen with the Nine Phoenix crown, wearing a robe decorated with a phoenix pattern.

The third tier featured figures from the intellectual class, like the top scholars, graduates, teachers, and students.

The fourth tier contained figures from the merchant class, ranging from street vendors to wealthy businessmen sailing across vast seas.

The fifth tier was dedicated to figures from the martial class, including warriors, generals, archers, and swordsmen.

The sixth, seventh, and eighth tiers displayed figures representing various professions in society.

The ninth tier showcased animal figures, from terrestrial mammals and birds in the sky, to amazing sea creatures.

The final, tenth tier was filled with figures of demons and spirits, displaying fearsome fangs and claws, with tongues outstretched and eyes wide.

After placing the swordsman figurine, she took a feather duster and began dusting from top to bottom. While cleaning, she noticed several spiders weaving webs on the wooden shelf, covering some figurines in a corner.

She pondered for a while and then decided to leave them be. Although spiders are often associated with eerie tales due to their appearance, in daily life they are considered harbingers of good luck, gathering in a place signifying something auspicious approaching. Moreover, their webs help catch flies and mosquitoes in the house.

While it was true that abandoned spider webs should be cleaned to maintain a fresh and vibrant energy in the home, disturbing webs that were being woven or inhabited could dispel good fortune.

She left the spiders alone and continued dusting. Suddenly, she heard the joyful chirping of a long-tailed bird, often a sign that guests were imminent. She thought to herself: "Could it be that someone is coming to rent a room?" With that in mind, after finishing her cleaning, she took four oil lamps and went to the house across the way.

In Chrysanthemum Village, there was a large inn named Phoenix Coming. Normally, it was a haven for wandering explorers, but occasionally when a surge of visitors left Phoenix Coming fully booked, the smaller inns had the chance to welcome guests. Sometimes, guests who preferred quieter accommodations than Phoenix Coming would seek out these other inns.

Recently, it hasn't been peak season, so any guests coming to rent a room are probably those who appreciate tranquility.

Indeed, this rental room is a haven of peace.

That is, if the renter doesn't scream in the night.

A stone path, nestled between two houses, connects their gardens. She walks slowly over the moss-covered path, nearly slipping several times. Reaching the porch, she sets down her belongings, struggles with a rusty key in the lock, and finally hears a satisfying "click" as the door unlocks.

Hesitating slightly, she places her hand on the door handle and slowly pulls it open. The dry, squeaky hinges sound as a musty odor fills the air. Sunlight streams into the living room, revealing simple furniture and a thick layer of dust on a dark brown wooden table and chairs.

Above the table, a pair of bare feet dangles gently, blood trickling down and dropping into the void without touching the table's surface. She avoids looking at the feet, even though she wonders why they always swing so.

She moves past, unbolts, and opens the windows wide. The sunlight floods in, causing the feet and the body they belong to vanish.

She knows this phenomenon as the Demon's Manifestation of Lingering Shadows, not too rare in places marked by unjust, painful deaths. These grievances etch a deathly image at the scene, visible in dim light but disappearing in brightness. Harmless but capable of frightening someone to death.

After opening all the windows and tidying up, she prepares the bedding but doesn't lay it out yet, waiting for a confirmed guest. She prepares four large oil lamps, filled to the brim, at each table corner. The brightness of these lamps should keep the haunting image at bay, assuming the guests heed her advice to keep them lit.

In the evening, as she sits inside, a stranger walks through the garden, steps on the porch, and knocks on the wooden door.

Hearing the knock, she peeks through the adjacent window, seeing a man in his thirties, tall and sturdy.

Feeling a bit anxious but reassured by his honest appearance and the daylight, she hesitantly opens the door a crack. The man speaks: "I heard this house is for rent. Are you the owner?"

'Indeed, the spiders and hoopoes didn't deceive me.' she thinks, then opens the door wider, nodding: "Yes, how many are you looking to accommodate?"

"Just myself."

"And how long do you wish to rent?"

"For a few months."

She thought to herself: 'It's a miracle he's staying for a week, can't a few months.' Like with previous tenants, she had to insist on receiving the rent in advance, lest the renter flee without paying a dime.

"You need to pay two months upfront, and if you leave midway, there will be no refund."

"How much is the rent per month?"

She stated a figure. The man pulled a substantial amount of money from his backpack, counted exactly two months' rent, and handed it to her.

Seeing him with such a large sum, she grew apprehensive: "You... You're not involved in anything illegal, are you?"

The man chuckled: "No, no, don't worry."

After taking the money, she led the guest to the neighboring rental house. This time she exited her own house, circled around to the other, leading the guest through the front door instead of using the shortcut between the two houses.