Ginko arrives at a village where the men are in a heated discussion about the mountain. After learning of Ginko's identity they ask for his help to find another Mushi-shi called Mujika, who happens to be the master of the mountain. While on his trek through the mountain Ginko stumbles across a boy who's also looking for Mujika. Later they manage to find Mujika but this isn't the end of it.
Ginko rencontre le gardien d'une montagne qu'il semble ne pas pouvoir quitter pour le bien du village vivant à son pied. Cependant, il la considère comme la montagne sacrée.
Durante il suo viaggio, Ginko incontra un vecchio Mushishi che gli racconta la storia di come sia diventato il custode della montagna dove vive, e perché non possa lasciarla per il resto dei suoi giorni.
霊峰の山腹に開いた穴――。その奇妙な現象に足を山中へと踏み入れたギンコは、老いた蟲師と出会う。
영봉의 산허리에 뚫린 구멍. 그 기묘한 현상에 발을 산중으로 내디딘 깅코는 늙은 충사를 만난다.
山中出现种种异象，银古操纵“鼹虫”找到失踪的老虫师无直，发现他竟是山神。原来误杀旧山神后，无直就担负起了神的工作，以至不堪重负。为了村人的幸福，无直不顾银古的劝阻召来了“白蛇”。吃掉无直的白蛇成为了新山神，自然也恢复了平衡。沉睡的山中，只有对逝者的追忆仍在初雪的寒意中袅袅不散。
