The Oxen's Lament: The Last Journey of the Lost Souls

In the heart of the ancient Chinese mountains, where the world of the living merges with the realm of the dead, there existed a tale that would become etched into the annals of the Shanjing Epic. This was the story of the oxen, who, having served their earthly masters to the end of their days, were destined to embark on the Last Journey. They were the lost souls, bound to wander the mountains and seas until their spirits found peace.

The oxen, once sturdy and strong, had now become decrepit and weary. Their eyes, once filled with the glow of hard work, now reflected nothing but the sorrow of their impending demise. It was said that on the day of their passage, the oxen would call out with a lament so deep and haunting that it would pierce the hearts of the living and the dead alike.

In the small village nestled at the foot of Mount San, there lived an old hermit who had heard the tale of the oxen's lament. He was a man of great wisdom, who had dedicated his life to understanding the mysteries of the Mountain and Sea Classic. It was he who knew the way to the oxen's last resting place, a place shrouded in mist and legend, known only to the few who dared to seek it.

The hermit had a vision, a vision that told him of a great peril facing the lost souls. The balance between the living and the dead was threatened by a malevolent force that sought to claim the oxen's spirits for its own. The hermit knew that only by uniting with the oxen could he protect their journey and restore the balance.

As the day of the oxen's passage approached, the hermit set out on his own Last Journey. He traveled through treacherous terrain, crossing rivers and climbing mountains, guided by the whispers of the wind and the echoes of the oxen's lament. Along the way, he encountered creatures of great power and wisdom, who joined him in his quest to save the lost souls.

One evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden glow over the mountains, the hermit arrived at the entrance to the oxen's final resting place. It was a cave, deep within the mountains, where the oxen would gather to begin their journey into the afterlife. The air was thick with the scent of ancient stone and the faintest trace of the oxen's lament.

The hermit stepped into the cave, his heart pounding with fear and determination. As he ventured deeper, the cave walls began to glow with an ethereal light, revealing the oxen, huddled together in a state of deep meditation. Their eyes, once hollow and tired, now sparkled with a newfound clarity and purpose.

The hermit approached the oxen, his voice calm and steady. "O great oxen, I have come to aid you in your journey," he said. The oxen opened their eyes, their gaze steady and unwavering. "We have heard your call," they replied in a voice that seemed to resonate with the very essence of the mountain.

The hermit explained the peril that threatened the lost souls and the importance of their journey. The oxen listened intently, their spirits stirred by the urgency of the situation. Together, they devised a plan to counter the malevolent force that sought to claim their spirits.

The next morning, as the first light of dawn filtered through the cave, the hermit and the oxen set out on their final journey. They traveled through the mountains and seas, their spirits bound together by a bond of shared purpose. Along the way, they encountered the creatures of the Shanjing Epic, who offered their aid and protection.

The journey was fraught with peril, as they faced trials that tested their resolve and their strength. But through it all, the hermit and the oxen remained united, their spirits unbroken. They reached the peak of Mount San, where the force that threatened the lost souls awaited them.

In a climactic battle, the hermit and the oxen fought valiantly, their spirits fueled by the power of the Mountain and Sea Classic. The battle raged on, the forces of good and evil locked in a fierce struggle. Finally, in a moment of supreme sacrifice, the hermit and the oxen managed to defeat the malevolent force, restoring the balance between the living and the dead.

With the threat vanquished, the hermit and the oxen returned to the cave, where they prepared for their final passage. The oxen's lament, once a symbol of sorrow, now resonated with a newfound strength and hope. As the spirits of the oxen began their journey into the afterlife, the hermit knew that their sacrifice would be remembered for generations to come.

The hermit returned to the village, his mission complete. The tale of the oxen's lament and their Last Journey spread far and wide, becoming a part of the Shanjing Epic. And so, the lost souls found peace, their spirits forever bound by the bond of their shared journey.

In the end, the hermit looked upon the mountains and seas, their beauty untouched and their balance restored. He knew that the tale of the oxen's lament would continue to inspire and guide those who sought to understand the mysteries of the Mountain and Sea Classic. And so, the story of the lost souls, their journey, and the hermit's courage would be a testament to the enduring power of unity and sacrifice.