Chapter 95: Shennong of the Fiery Mountain

With a stable external environment, the human race began to develop rapidly. Their capacity for reproduction was formidable, which naturally led to the urgent problem of food supply. Fuxi and his companions struggled to find a solution, and so they sought guidance from Xuandaozi. Xuandaozi replied to Fuxi, urging patience, assuring him that the answer would soon become clear.

In the southern wilderness, there was a great human tribe named the Lie Mountain Clan. This clan possessed a treasure that could relieve the people’s pressing need—it was a type of millet that could be cultivated in the fields, known as “su,” essentially the millet of later generations.

When Fuxi learned that this was the key to solving the grain crisis, he immediately set aside all other affairs and hurried south to the Lie Mountain Clan. The chieftain of the tribe warmly welcomed Fuxi and his entourage. When Fuxi requested to see the “su,” the chieftain personally accompanied him to the fields to inspect its growth, environment, and yield.

Even after this investigation, Fuxi was not satisfied—he wished to taste the millet himself. The chieftain quickly served them a dish prepared from carefully selected grains. The texture was delicate and smooth, each grain of millet releasing its own flavor, evoking the sensation of returning to nature itself.

Fuxi was instantly enamored with this food, but then noticed the chieftain’s awkward expression.

“What’s the matter?” Fuxi wondered. He had hoped to take some seeds back to cultivate, thereby increasing the food supply for his people. The situation was dire; there was little left to eat. Though he had encouraged the people to raise animals for self-sufficiency, that would only secure the future—there was nothing for the present. If he could use his power to hasten the millet’s growth, the urgent crisis could be resolved. Yet now, inexplicably, he was told he could not take any with him.

“This millet is not truly ours,” the chieftain replied meekly. “It belongs to Yi Qi.”

Upon hearing the name “Yi Qi,” Fuxi’s eyes widened in disbelief.

More than a century earlier, during the war between humans and demons, there had been a tribe leader who had fled the battlefield. Even Fuxi had learned of this and wanted to capture the leader. Unexpectedly, the man executed a brilliant maneuver. He had withdrawn to cut off the demon clan’s supply lines, but the demons were no fools—he was killed by a powerful demon as soon as he revealed himself.

This revelation calmed Fuxi’s anger. Perhaps attacking the demons’ rear would indeed break their defenses. Following the path the fallen leader had paved, Fuxi broke through the demon formation and achieved victory.

Fuxi wanted to reward the leader’s family, so he sent people to inquire after them.

That leader’s name was Shaodian, of the Lie Mountain Clan. At the time, people did not know that the deceased Shaodian was a hero, and they pressured his wife, Lady Youjiao. Though she knew her husband could not have been a coward, she could not endure the slander and abuse and returned in shame to her homeland. But her old neighbors looked upon her with hatred and ultimately drove her from the Lie Mountain Clan.

Lady Youjiao pleaded bitterly not to be cast out, as she was already with child, but her pleas were met with cold rejection. Thus, the wife of a great tribal chief was left to survive alone. Not long after, she gave birth to Yi Qi.

Eventually, Fuxi sent people to clear Shaodian’s name. When the truth came to light, the new chieftain hurried to the mountains to welcome Lady Youjiao, but Yi Qi refused their overture.

Fuxi did not make an issue of it but ordered that mother and son be well cared for, and thought no more of the matter.

He never imagined that he would once again come to the Lie Mountain Clan in the south, nor that the very person he had forgotten would be the one to find a solution to the human race’s plight. Fuxi hastily asked the chieftain where Yi Qi could be found, and together they made their way to Yi Qi’s dwelling.

Yi Qi’s home was surrounded by all manner of plants, with the treasured millet among them.

A young man stepped out and greeted the chieftain, “What brings you here today, sir?”

Yi Qi well knew the chieftain would not come without reason. Ever since he had discovered the wonders of millet, the chieftain would visit now and then, though his purpose was unclear.

“This is the great leader of our people, the Emperor Fuxi. Why do you not pay your respects?” the chieftain said, bringing up Fuxi’s name when the youth failed to show proper deference.

“You are Fuxi?” Yi Qi stared directly at him.

Those beside Fuxi were about to reprimand the boy for his insolence, but Fuxi stopped them.

“I am Fuxi,” he replied. After all, he owed this family a debt and cared little for such formalities.

“Your junior Yi Qi pays respects to his senior brother,” Yi Qi said, bowing deeply. The spectators were left utterly bewildered.

Fuxi, confused, quickly helped Yi Qi to his feet. Yi Qi then produced a cloth bearing the Taiji diagram.

“That is—” Fuxi’s eyes narrowed. He regarded Yi Qi and, exhaling deeply, said, “So you are the little junior brother.”

When Fuxi had descended the mountain, the Grand Supreme Elder had told him he would one day meet a man bearing the Taiji diagram, surrounded by a hundred herbs. Fuxi had waited for centuries, never expecting that the prophecy would be fulfilled on this very day.

“Are all these plants edible?” Fuxi asked, for the survival of the human race weighed heavily on him.

“There is plenty of food here, enough to help our people through this difficult time,” Yi Qi replied, producing a cloth bag from his sleeve and presenting it to Fuxi.

“Why don’t you come back with me, junior brother?” Fuxi invited, glad to have found both a solution and a kindred spirit.

“I cannot accept, senior brother. My mother passed away not long ago, and I must observe three years of mourning here,” Yi Qi replied solemnly.

Fuxi apologized for his thoughtlessness and said, “Your parents are as my own. Let us keep vigil together.”

Such was Fuxi’s magnanimity that everyone present was filled with admiration—how rare for a man to treat a junior brother, newly acquainted, with such affection.

“I am grateful for your kindness, but you have many affairs to oversee. Let me complete my mourning, and after one year I shall come to you,” Yi Qi said. He had already mourned for two years; one more remained before he could join Fuxi.

Hearing this, Fuxi let go of his hope for immediate assistance and returned to the sacred mountain with his people.

Yi Qi, however, felt joy in his heart—soon he would step into the world.

This Yi Qi would come to be known in later generations as the Flame Emperor.