In this chapter, the Destined One arrives at the Woods of Ember, where they encounter three bosses: Father of Stones, Quick as Fire, and Fast as Wind. This text will discuss these three characters.
Father of Stones was previously mentioned in the chapter on Yellow Wind Ridge. Many years ago, several cliff rocks in Yellow Wind Ridge absorbed the Spiritual Energy and Essence of the sun and moon, becoming stone spirits. 
Among them, two, due to their deep cultivation, were granted the title of Mountain God. Later, several Buddha heads caused havoc in the ridge, and one stone spirit was possessed by these Buddha heads, becoming Shigandang. The two Mountain Gods and the other stone spirits could not defeat it. The Yellow Wind Sage came to Yellow Wind Ridge, saw the Buddha heads, and decided to eliminate them, thus helping the two Mountain Gods subdue Shigandang and dividing its soul essence between them. After consuming the essence of the Buddha heads, the Mountain Gods’ magical power greatly increased, and they took on human hearts and forms. This is the origin of Father of Stones and Mother of Stones. Later, the two stones united and gave birth to a stone child—Son of Stones.
One day, a girl covered in wounds inadvertently took refuge in the cave of the Mountain God, and Father of Stones, seeing her plight, took her in. The girl was from a nearby village and had suffered years of abuse from her parents who planned to marry her off to a simpleton in exchange for Betrothal Gifts, which led her to flee from home.
On this day, after her parents discovered her whereabouts, they brought villagers to the cave entrance to cause trouble, fearing to enter due to Father of Stones and the stone spirits. The girl’s parents issued a harsh threat: if their daughter was not returned, they would hire a Taoist Priest to deal with them.
The girl did not want to implicate the Stone Spirits, so she quietly left during the night. Unfortunately, she accidentally fell off a cliff and died. By the time the Father of Stones found her, her body was already cold. Hearing that the Rakshasi of the Flaming Mountains possessed great magical power, he carried the girl’s corpse to the Flaming Mountains to seek resurrection from the Rakshasi. Regrettably, even the Rakshasi was powerless to help. Undeterred, the Father of Stones waited on the mountain path of the Flaming Mountains, hoping for the Rakshasi’s mercy, until the girl’s flesh had turned to bone, yet he never gave up. It is evident that the Father of Stones was a kind-hearted Yaoguai.
Fast as Wind and Quick as Fire were originally two ruffians and scoundrels, wandering the city. During an attempt to rob a rich young master, they accidentally killed him and were both sentenced to the Guillotine, imprisoned to await execution after autumn.
While in prison, one ruffian taught the other a set of martial arts techniques. Come autumn, the two were beheaded in the marketplace. The executioner sprayed wine, raised his blade, and their heads fell to the ground, only to suddenly fly up into the air, to the acclaim of the spectators. Later, these two heads turned into Yaoguai in the mountains, one known as Quick as Fire, the other as Fast as Wind.
The phrase “Quick as Fire, Fast as Wind” literally conveys two states of extreme nature. “Quick as Fire” suggests something or someone moving swiftly and intensely, like a blazing fire that cannot be stopped; “Fast as Wind” further emphasizes speed, as if chasing the steps of the wind, light and swift. This description is vivid, combining the dynamic elements of fire and wind from nature, effectively conveying the concepts of ‘quick’ and ‘urgent’.
In the game “Black Myth: Wukong,” the phrases “Quick as Fire, Fast as Wind” are given physical form as they become twin elite monsters in the Flaming Mountains and Woods of Ember. These bosses, with their swift attacks and unique combat styles, profoundly demonstrate the speed and power encapsulated in “Quick as Fire, Fast as Wind.”
Beyond the literal interpretation, “Quick as Fire, Fast as Wind” carries a deeper metaphorical meaning. In Chinese, it is often used to describe someone or something that acts quickly and responds swiftly, capable of accomplishing tasks or handling emergencies in a short period. This extended meaning emphasizes the importance of efficiency and speed, particularly relevant in the fast-paced modern society. In the competitive workplace, embodying the spirit of “Quick as Fire, Fast as Wind” is often seen as a key to success. Those who can quickly adapt to changes and seize opportunities are usually the ones who stand out in fierce competition, maximizing their personal value.
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