Before long, the red sun climbed high, and Tripitaka felt drowsy and disoriented, unable to tell which direction was which. In a bewildered state, he suddenly spotted an elderly man approaching, leaning on a staff. Coming closer, the old man waved his hand, and the ropes binding Tripitaka were instantly severed.

With a gentle breath, Tripitaka regained his senses and knelt in gratitude, saying, "Many thanks, kind sir, for saving my life."

The old man nodded and replied, "You may rise. Have you lost anything of importance?"

Tripitaka replied, "My companions have been devoured by monsters. I'm unsure about our belongings and horses."

The old man pointed with his staff and said, "Isn't that a horse and two bundles over there?"

Tripitaka turned his head and saw that, indeed, his belongings were there, nothing lost, which eased his mind a bit. He asked the old man, "Sir, where are we? How did you end up here?"

The old man explained, "This is Twin Forks Ridge, a den of tigers and wolves. How did you get into this place?"

Tripitaka replied, "When the rooster crowed, I left the border of Hezhou Wei. I woke up early, braved the frost and dew, and suddenly fell down a ravine. I encountered a fierce and wicked demon who captured me and my two companions. Then there was a black man who claimed to be Lord Bear Mountain, and a plump man who said he was Daoist Bull. They called the demon the General of Yin. They devoured my two companions and dispersed at daybreak. Unexpectedly, I had such great fortune and destiny to have you come and rescue me here."

The old man explained, "The Daoist Bull is actually a buffalo spirit beast, Lord Bear Mountain is a bear and leopard spirit beast, and General Yin Tiger is a tiger spirit beast. The other monsters around are all mountain spirits, tree ghosts, and fierce beasts like grey wolves. They can't devour you because of your innate purity. Follow me. I'll guide you back on the right path."

Overwhelmed with gratitude, Tripitaka carried his belongings on the horse, holding the reins, and followed the old man out of the ravine and onto the main road. He tethered the horse by the roadside, turned to bow and thank the kind stranger. The old man then transformed into a gentle breeze, riding a crimson-crowned white crane, soaring into the sky, and disappearing. As the wind gently rustled, it left behind a note with four lines of verse:

> "I'm the Great White Star from the Western Sky,

> Came to rescue you, don't question why.

> With divine help ahead on your quest's way,

> Face challenges bravely, repay no dismay."

Upon seeing this, Tripitaka offered a grateful bow to the heavens and said, "Many thanks to Counselor Eveningstar for guiding me through this hardship." With the bow complete, he led his horses and continued on his lonely journey.

The mountain path was truly a sight to behold:

The chilly wind rustled through the rain-soaked forest, and a gentle murmur flowed from the brook below. Wildflowers exuded a sweet fragrance while thickets of stones lay scattered. The sounds of deer and monkeys echoed loudly as herds of antelopes and deer roamed about. Birds chirped and chattered, filling the air, while an eerie quiet hung over everything else. The venerable monk was filled with anxiety, his heart beating fast. His horse, though willing, struggled to lift its weary hooves.

Risking his life, Tripitaka climbed into the rugged mountains. After half a day's journey, there was no sign of human habitation. His stomach growled with hunger, and the path ahead was uneven. In this dire situation, he suddenly heard the roars of two fierce tigers ahead and saw several long snakes coiling behind him. To his left were poisonous insects, and to his right were monstrous creatures.

Tripitaka, feeling helpless, had no choice but to release his worries and surrender to fate. His horse's strength gave out. First, its hooves weakened, then it knelt down, and finally, it collapsed to the ground.

Tripitaka had no place to rest, feeling profound despair. Utterly helpless, he believed he was surely going to die.

Just when he faced this calamity, a saving grace emerged. Just when he seemed doomed, suddenly, the venomous creatures scurried, the demonic beasts fled, the ferocious tigers retreated, and the long snakes vanished. Tripitaka raised his head and saw a figure emerging from the hillside, brandishing a steel trident and carrying a bow and arrows. Indeed, he was a formidable hero. Take a look at him:

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He wore a cap made of leopard-spotted ailanthus leaves, a jacket woven with fine wool and silk, a lion-patterned belt around his waist, and deer-skin boots on his feet. His round eyes gleamed like a hunting hawk, and his tousled beard resembled the stars in the Milky Way. He carried a quiver of poisoned arrows and a sharp-pointed steel trident. His thunderous presence shattered the nerves of mountain insects. His bravery startled even the bravest wild pheasants.

As the man approached, Tripitaka knelt by the roadside. He clasped his hands and cried out, "Great sir, please save me! Great sir, please save me!"

The man reached the spot, set down his steel trident, and extended a hand to help him up, saying, "Elder, have no fear. I'm no villain; I'm a hunter from these mountains named Liu Boqin, also known as the Warden of the Mountain. I came out looking for two mountain creatures for food. Unexpectedly, I came across you, finding you at the heart of a precarious situation."

Tripitaka explained, "I am an honored envoy of the Great Tang, a monk on a journey to the West to seek Buddhist scriptures. I had just arrived here and was surrounded by wolves, tigers, snakes, and other creatures, unable to move forward. Suddenly, you appeared, and all the animals fled. You saved my life. Thank you, thank you very much."

Boqin replied, "I reside here, relying on hunting wolves and tigers for a living and catching snakes and insects to survive. That's why the animals are afraid of me. Since you're from the Tang Dynasty, we're fellow countrymen. This area is still within the borders of the Great Tang, and I, too, am a subject of the Tang Dynasty. We both share the same land and water, ruled by the emperor. You have nothing to fear. Come with me to my home, rest your horse, and tomorrow morning I'll accompany you on your way."

Tripitaka felt relieved and grateful, thanking Boqin before leading the horse to follow him.

As they crossed the hill, they heard a whooshing sound in the wind. Boqin said, "Elder, don't move. Sit here for a moment. That sound is from a mountain cat. Let me handle it for you."

The monk was frightened by his words, frozen in place. Boqin grasped his steel trident and confidently stepped forward. Suddenly, a colorful tiger came into view. It saw Boqin and immediately turned to flee.

With lightning speed, Boqin shouted, "Where do you think you're going, you beast?"

Cornered, the tiger spun around and lunged with its claws unsheathed. Boqin raised his three-pronged spear to defend himself.

The monk was so terrified he collapsed onto the grass. Having lived a sheltered life, he had never witnessed such a fierce encounter.

Boqin and the tiger fought fiercely on the slope below, an intense struggle between man and beast.

It was a scene of fierce rage, with a wild tempest roaring. Boqin's fury surged like a powerful river while the spotted tiger unleashed its might, sending clouds of red dust into the air. Fangs bared and claws slashing, they faced off in a deadly dance. Boqin's three-pronged trident soared like the sun, its tips scattering a thousand blossoms like misty clouds. Thrusting and parrying, they clashed with unyielding force, their movements as swift as a soul returning to the living or a judge of the netherworld confronting his verdict.

The spotted tiger roared, its sound ferocious, causing mountains and rivers to tremble and startling the birds and beasts.

Boqin's fierce shout resounded, opening up the celestial vault to reveal the stars. With fiery determination in his golden eyes and fierce courage in his heart, Boqin, the stalwart protector of the mountain, stood his ground as the sovereign of the beasts.

A battle between man and tiger, they contested for survival and dominance, where a single misstep could lead to the loss of one's very essence.

For about an hour, the two of them battled fiercely. Eventually, the tiger's claws weakened, and its guard dropped.

With a swift and precise thrust, Boqin drove his spear-like fork through the tiger's chest. Tragically, the tip pierced its heart, and in an instant, blood covered the ground.

Boqin seized its ear and dragged the lifeless body onto the path. Unfazed and composed, he turned to Tripitaka and said, "Fate has favored us. This mountain cat will provide sustenance for you, venerable sir."

Tripitaka couldn't help but praise, "Boqin, you're truly a divine warden of the mountains!"

Boqin modestly responded, "Oh, it's nothing. You're too kind with your words. This is simply the good fortune of the venerable one. Come, let's not waste time. We'll skin and cook it soon, so you can have a meal."

With one hand gripping the trident and the other hand dragging the tiger, he led the way ahead. Tripitaka held onto the horse's reins, following closely behind. As they trekked over the hill, they suddenly came upon a mountain village. The scene before them was truly captivating:

Ancient trees reached for the sky, and wild vines covered the path. In countless valleys, chilly winds stirred while a myriad of cliffs created a unique atmosphere. A narrow path was adorned with the fragrance of wildflowers, and clusters of serene bamboo stood lush and green. A grassy gate parted a thatched fence, picturesque in every way. Stone bridges and white earth walls framed a charming village, truly rare.

The autumn landscape felt desolate, with a refreshing air of solitude. Along the road, yellow leaves fell, and white clouds floated above the peaks. Mountain birds chirped merrily within the sparse woods while a small dog barked cheerfully outside the village gate.