Unintended Immortality

As the night deepened, the oil lamp was moved inside.

Song You sat at his desk, head bowed as he wrote. The calico cat lay on the windowsill, face close to the center of the window. She peered at the sky outside through a narrow crack.

She watched while talking to the Daoist priest behind her, not even turning her head.

“Why do they set off those things during the New Year?”

“Fireworks?”

“Yes.”

“They look pretty.”

“That’s true.”

“It’s that simple.”

“Of course.”

“It would be nice to celebrate it twice.”

“How did you celebrate the New Year in the past?”

“I spent it in the temple.”

“How did you celebrate there?”

“I spent it in the temple.”

Song You didn’t feel annoyed or helpless. He just continued to write with the string loop of his brush swaying while patiently asking without looking up, “What was different from usual?”

“I ate a lot of meat, and caught a lot of mice.”

“Did you catch mice even during the New Year?”

“Yes.”

“Hard work.”

“A little bit.”

Song You couldn’t help but look up at her.

The little cat’s eyes were round and wide open, fixed on the narrow crack. Though the fireworks outside were sparse, she watched intently, unwilling to blink.

Such an honest and pitiful cat.

However, this era was like this. Even in peace and prosperity, the splendor of fireworks belonged only to a few.

New Year’s Eve belonged to only a few.

If you don’t believe it, just listen…

Late into a windy, rainy night when the crowds have dispersed, someone still calls out by the lamp, selling tangyuan.[1]

***

The first day of the second year of Mingde[2].

After eating tangyuan, Song You walked along the street and arrived at the Northern Market, Cloud Talk Canopy.

Perhaps because it was the first day of the New Year, Cloud Talk Canopy was nearly full even though Song You had arrived early. This time, he could only get an ordinary seat while paying the ordinary price.

As usual, he ordered a pot of tea and sat down to slowly savor it.

He heard Old Mr. Zhang cough twice and then began again.

“Wishing everyone an auspicious New Year.

“As mentioned earlier, Chen Ziyi’s surprise attack from behind directly struck Ayanqi’s stronghold. The northern tribes had no choice but to send envoys to sue for peace, ceding territory and paying reparations, as well as acknowledging the emperor as their sovereign. This battle ended with our Great Yan’s victory! Besides Marshal Ma’s excellent deployment of troops, the greatest credit undoubtedly goes to Chen Ziyi!”

Song You sat with his tea, listening quietly.

Today was the last chapter of the Battle of Lanshui.

Just right, a story with a beginning and an end.

But each chapter only lasted about half an hour, hardly enough for a whole afternoon.

“General Chen Ziyi’s story ends here for now. The general is still guarding the north, and the northern tribes are too terrified to come down south to graze their horses. His legend continues! Tomorrow we’ll narrate the tales of gods and ghosts. Whether wind or rain, my fees are affordable, merely earning enough to support my family. If you’ve enjoyed it, I hope you continue to support me!”

With that, this story concluded.

Old Mr. Zhang lifted his tea bowl, taking a few unhurried sips before glancing at the audience below. “There’s still some time this afternoon, so I’ll tell you some scattered stories. If any of you have something you’d like to hear, or something you missed previously and want to hear again, feel free to mention it. As long as everyone is willing to listen, I’ll tell it.”

Immediately, someone in the audience shouted, asking to hear the story of Master Guanghong at Taian Temple from last autumn.

Immediately, voices of agreement echoed.

“Alright!

“Then I’ll tell you what I know. If there are any inaccuracies, please correct me.

“Ahem!” Clearing his throat, the old gentleman began again.

Starting with the tale of the earth-traversing burglar, he even described the burglar’s experiences before he started stealing, eventually getting to Master Guanghong. He recounted the monk’s chance encounter with a young man in the temple, his remorse and spontaneous human combustion before the Buddha. He talked about how Constable Luo solved the case, which shocked all of Yidu.

Song You continued to listen quietly in the audience while sipping tea.

Although he had played a significant role in the case of Master Guanghong, he truly knew fewer details than the old gentleman. In addition, the old gentleman’s skillful use of words, brilliant sentence structures, and emotional expression added flair. When describing the goods stolen by the burglar and the rare treasures discovered in the search of Taian Temple, his delivery was fluent and fast. When narrating Master Guanghong’s repentance and pleas for mercy, his imitation of his tone was remarkably true to life. When discussing the yamen constables turning out in full strength, he even vocally mimicked footsteps, creating tension. It was as if he had written a draft and rehearsed beforehand. It was both natural, and very exciting.

The storyteller was indeed very skilled.

Song You had listened to him for six months. Each session lasted at least half a day, yet he always spoke clearly from beginning to end, with an energetic, resonant voice that was clearly audible even with a noisy audience.

These days, nothing fake could stand the test. True skills were indispensable.

After Master Guanghong’s story, the audience was deeply drawn to those fantastic Daoist arts and miraculous tales, and started asking various questions.

Someone asked about the young man’s identity.

Someone asked where he could learn Daoist arts.

Someone asked where to find immortals.

The old gentleman, adept and knowledgeable, answered each question according to his knowledge, gradually leading into more and more mysterious and miraculous stories and legends.

It was rumored that the immortal Yunding Mountain in Pingzhou was shrouded in mist and clouds all year. One could not see the summit from the foot of the mountain, or the foot from the summit. The mountain hosted all four seasons, and some claimed to have seen immortals at the peak before.

Another rumor spoke of a land north of Yuezhou that was filled with Chinese parasol trees[3]. Each tree was ancient and so tall they reached the clouds. Those who visited during the solstices might see phoenixes fly over and alight on the trees grooming their feathers.

Another tale spoke of an insurmountable high mountain in the southernmost part of Yunzhou. Beyond the high mountain, there was a paradise hidden from the world, where some have reportedly seen true dragons.

Stories of strange affairs in the jianghu, the imperial court’s State Preceptor, northern household deities and illegitimate gods, southern witchcraft and gu poisons[4], the world of demons deep in the mountains, the ghostly halls beneath their feet, illusory cities that frequently appear and disappear, and a village which had been burning in subterranean fire for a thousand years without extinguishing. A corner of this world’s mysterious and fantastical affairs had already been revealed within the time it took to drink a cup of tea on that stage.

Song You grew increasingly intrigued.

Finally, the session ended. The old gentleman was thirsty and lifted his teacup to drink water. However, he didn’t leave. He watched the audience depart, adhering strictly to traditional performer etiquette.

Song You sat for a while before going forward to greet him.

“Oh my!” The old gentleman didn’t slight him despite his youth, quickly returning the bow and bowing even deeper than him.

“You’re a regular guest!”

“Yes.” Song You nodded. “Since arriving in Yidu half a year ago, I’ve come daily to listen to your stories, seldom missing a session.”

“Thank you for your patronage.”

“It’s because you’re an excellent storyteller.”

“What is this about…?”

“I’m a hermit from Zhuo Commandery, Lingquan County who has descended the mountain to travel the world. Passing through Yidu, I’ve stayed here temporarily for six months. Now that spring has begun and the weather is gradually warming, it’s time to leave.” Song You bowed again to the old gentleman. “I came specifically to bid you farewell.”

“It’s too much of an honor…”

The old gentleman hurriedly bowed too and then cupped his hands. “I wish you a pleasant and smooth journey.”

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome…”

“I wonder about the immortal Yunding Mountain and lands where phoenixes perch and dragons soar that you mentioned earlier, how much of it is true?” Song You paused. “This journey is not just for a year or two. If it’s on the way, I’d like to visit those places you have mentioned to seek traces of immortals.”

“So that’s it.”

“Would you mind sharing more?”

“Haha! Why not?”

“Please tell me.”

“Immortal Yunding Mountain has been a legend in Pingzhou for a few hundred years. Many claim to have seen immortals there. Actually, it’s embarrassing but I’ve only heard about it, and not really seen them myself. As for the truth of those people’s claims, I can’t say how much is true.” Old Mr. Zhang laughed sheepishly, “However, over the past few centuries, many scholars and famous people have frequently visited immortal Yunding Mountain to seek traces of immortals as well as recluses who aspired toward immortality. Some seek immortality, others longevity, while others simply seek freedom and ease. However, please consider this, how many have actually become immortals, how many have attained longevity, and how many have achieved true freedom and ease?”

“Thank you.” Song You nodded.

This Old Mr. Zhang had only heard the tales. However, he didn’t believe them based on his decades of life experience and worldly knowledge, but it was just difficult for him to say so directly.

“As for the Qingtong Fengming Mountain[5] north of Yuezhou, it was recorded in the previous dynasty’s Shanshui Notes by Cheng Anbo. Many have claimed to see it since, though I’ve never seen it myself.”

“I see.”

Old Mr. Zhang found this more credible.

“And south of Yunzhou, beyond Qiyun Mountain, is the paradise hidden from the world I mentioned. A true dragon has lived for a long time there, often hovering in the clouds and spouting mist.” Old Mr. Zhang paused. “My father has seen it with his own eyes in his youth, and he told me this personally. But the world changes, who knows how it is now?”

“Seen it with his own eyes…” Song You was momentarily somewhat surprised.

Dragons existed, and they came in countless forms.

Actually, it wasn’t that dragons changed much but that various living creatures who had gained cultivation skills were often called dragons by humans.

For instance, someone traveling deep in the mountains might see a giant python with horns blowing out vapor. Filled with terror and shock, he would call it a dragon. A boatman might see a black shadow in the water that easily caused waves, and think it was a dragon. Even some water creatures which were aggressive by nature were also called dragons. Even someone keeping a snake in a well to observe water quality might, after a long time, regard it as a dragon due to its perceived spirituality.

However, according to Hidden Dragon Temple, true dragons went extinct a long time ago.

If there was a true dragon, he must go to see it for himself.

“Haha.” Old Mr. Zhang looked up at him and couldn’t help laughing twice. “If you’re interested, sit down here, and I’ll tell you in detail.”

“I’ll trouble you to do so.” Song You ordered two more pots of tea.

They found seats nearby and sat down. Like good friends who have known each other for years, they talked deep into the night.

Old Mr. Zhang recounted many interesting places in a row with more detail than when he was on stage. What he knew well, he would explain clearly to him how to get there and how to find it. What he was less sure about, he also did his best to share fully what he knew, letting Song You decide whether to go himself and how to explore by himself if he decided to go.

It was late at night when the two finally said their goodbyes and parted ways.

Old Mr. Zhang stood at the alley entrance. With the lantern’s light, one could see the fine rain falling from the sky but he gazed at the figure of Song You leaving while braving the rain, with a puzzled look in his eyes.

“Hidden Dragon Temple of Yin-Yang Mountain…”

It sounded familiar.

But it was likely something he’d heard in his youth.

1. Tangyuan are dumplings made of glutinous rice flour which are served in soup, commonly eaten during New Year, Lantern Festival and the Winter Solstice. This is a quotation from a poem by Song dynasty poet Jiang Kui called “Jostling to watch the lotus-picking boats on Lantern Festival.” ☜

2. Current Chinese era name in the world of the novel. ☜

3. According to Chinese legends, phoenixes would only alight on Chinese parasol trees. ☜

4. Legendary witchcraft poisons supposedly made from venomous creatures. ☜

5. Name literally means “Chinese parasol tree phoenix cry” mountain. ☜

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