Unintended Immortality

After a round of washing up, the Daoist lay down on the bed.

The cat stood on the coffee table by the window, occasionally turning its head to glance at the night outside, then looking back at the Daoist on the bed.

“Lady Calico, you should go to sleep early.”

“Was that person today the Emperor?”

“Yes, he is the Emperor.”

The Daoist, lying on the bed with his eyes open, looked into the darkness and said to her, “If you had received his imperial edict back then, you could have remained a cat god by the Jinyang Road without fear of being captured. You wouldn’t have to wander around like this with me.”

“I enjoy wandering around with you.” The cat immediately turned around to respond.

“…” The Daoist couldn’t help but smile.

The calico cat back then didn’t think that way.

“Daoist priest.”

“Mm?”

“Will people still come looking for me to catch mice in the future?”

“Of course they will.” The Daoist remained still on the bed, his voice the only sound that came through. “And no one will dare to harbor ulterior motives anymore. But you should learn how to interact with people. Not just as a cat, but also as a demon, as a person.”

“I will do my best.”

“Are you going out to catch mice tonight?”

“I'm full tonight.”

“Then you should sleep early.”

“I need to absorb the moon’s essence.”

“But there’s no moon tonight.”

“Oh, right...”

The cat then turned around and jumped back onto the bed, crawling around until it found a comfortable spot near the Daoist’s waist. After adjusting its position to make itself more comfortable, it closed its eyes.

The Daoist also shut his eyes.

At this time, some movement could be heard from next door.

He wondered what the heroine was doing in Changjing. He only knew that she was very aware of all the happenings in and out of the city; many events that occurred in the morning, she had already heard about by the time she returned in the evening. Even those matters that were usually hard to hear about, as long as she inquired, she could easily get to the bottom of it.

It seemed to be part of her work in Changjing and the work she did for the nobility.

However, it appeared that her reason for coming to Changjing wasn’t just for riches and glory.

“Interesting.” The Daoist calmed his mind and drifted into sleep.

***

The room was lit with many candles, emitting a calming fragrance. The square lanterns were adorned with poetry, and layers of white gauze curtains created a hazy ambiance, casting silhouettes of the people inside. ṟ𝙖

Two individuals sat across from each other at a chessboard.

One was a graceful and noble woman, around forty years old. She had great skin, though she had a bit of wrinkles. At this moment, she was playing the white pieces.

The other, dressed in white, was as beautiful as a celestial fairy. She was playing the black pieces.

Behind them stood a maid in attendance.

The sounds of chess pieces being placed echoed back and forth.

The noble woman spoke, “You’ve been in Changjing for a few years now, and you seem to have grown even more beautiful.”

“My appearance hasn’t changed; perhaps I’ve just become more like the people of Changjing after staying here for a long time.”

“Sometimes I truly want to hire someone to find those rumored pills that guarantee eternal youth. Unfortunately, even your gold-feeder ghosts here can’t bring my youth back.”

“Princess, you have grand ambitions; how could you get involved with such trifles?”

“You are quite clear-headed. But you, who can retain eternal youth, wouldn't understand what sacrifices women make to preserve their youth and beauty.” The princess shook her head.

The princess said, “It’s a pity my two younger brothers aren’t as clear-headed as you; they’ve even incited demons to eliminate my subordinates without knowing who orchestrated it or who guided them... Haha, how can one aspire to be an emperor during peaceful times while acting in such a manner?”

“What you say is indeed true.”

“Recently, we discussed why the City God of Changjing suddenly woke up and became diligent. Have you found out the reason?”

“Princess, forgive me, but there’s still no news.”

“That’s fine.”

"The City God has been complacent for too long; he will eventually realize that this is not a sustainable path. However, for him to wake up now and intervene in the struggle for the crown prince, even as a deity, requires some courage," the woman said, her fingers pinching a chess piece as she examined the board for a potential move.

She continued, “If it weren't for someone enticing him with benefits, there must be a master urging him on. The Heavenly Palace wouldn't have intervened all these years, and it probably wouldn't now either.”

“Your words are quite correct,” the princess spoke calmly.

Miss Wanjiang glanced up and smiled. Her smile was so bright that it was as if the candlelight dimmed a little. “Judging from your words, you already have someone in mind?”

“Do you remember the auspicious signs that descended in the capital at the end of spring, when the spiritual rain soaked everything?”

“I remember.”

“Have you heard about the incident at the Grand Commander’s mansion a few days ago?”

“I’ve heard.”

Miss Wanjiang squinted, recalling their encounter on Mount Chang, and her quick glimpse of the person at the Hexian Pavilion. The rumored Daoist master who punished the Grand Commander’s son had also brought a calico cat.

“Is there a connection between those two?”

“I don’t know,” the princess said, placing her piece and furrowing her brow.

She continued, “However, tonight, His Majesty invited a Daoist into the palace to drink and discuss matters with the State Preceptor and General Chen Ziyi in the Anle Palace. He specifically instructed the concubines and eunuchs not to roam around to avoid disturbing the palace's tranquility. I’ve heard that the Daoist brought a calico cat with him.”

“So, you’ve planted a spy around the emperor.”

“Not exactly,” the princess replied. “But the palace is so small; how could any incident escape anyone's notice?”

“I see.”

“Do you know when such a master arrived in Changjing?”Nôv(el)B\\jnn

“I don’t know for now,” the woman answered quite candidly.

“Go look into it.”

“Yes.”

“What time is it?”

“It’s almost the third watch.”

“It’s so late.”

Wanjiang asked, “Do you want to return, or stay here to rest?”

“I should go back for a while. I’m not sure if that Daoist has left the palace yet or is still inside having a late-night conversation with His Majesty. In any case, I need to return to find out.”

“Are you not going to finish this game?”

“You’ve already won.” The princess stood up.

The woman quickly got to her feet as well.

After seeing the princess off, her expression changed swiftly, losing its respect and becoming indifferent.

With large, elongated eyes that seemed almost otherworldly, her beauty was unlike that of an ordinary mortal. Her lips resembled a boat turned upside down, and when her expression became indifferent, it immediately exuded an air of cold disdain for the world.

She turned to gaze at the night sky outside, squinting her eyes in contemplation as she murmured, “Hidden Dragon Temple…”

She called for her maid to bring her a painting and opened it to take a look.

The painting depicted a mountain full of apricot blossoms, with a long corridor circling the mountainside, yet only a corner was captured in the artwork. On the corridor sat the Daoist and the cat side by side, the cat leaning slightly toward the Daoist, the scene quiet and beautiful.

Even some ill-intentioned individuals would find their hearts softened for a moment upon seeing it. In the distance, the mountains and flowers appeared faint. Nearby, the apricot blossoms extended their branches, with petals gently falling in the wind, drawing the cat's gaze upward...

It was truly a rare and exquisite painting.

When it was first completed, she felt it should be gifted to the Daoist, believing that would be the best outcome for their fated meeting. But after bringing it home and frequently admiring it, she found herself liking it more and more, and growing increasingly reluctant to part with it.

Though it couldn’t compare to the masterpieces of the great Master Dou, nor to those of Master Dou’s successors, it could still be considered a remarkable work, right?

If asked if she would give away this painting, the woman would definitely refuse. Not even to the princess.

If the gift were to be returned to the figure depicted in the painting, it would be a delightful matter, But at this moment, her heart wasn’t as decisive as before.

“Sigh…” The woman revealed a look of helplessness.

She put away the painting, poured herself a pot of wine, and sat back down at the chessboard. She picked up a piece again, saying to the maid beside her, “Come play a game with me.”

“Master, I am you. How can I possibly win against you?” the maid replied with a cheerful laugh.

“Sigh, how boring.”

“…”

The next morning…

The game of chess the night before remained, while the spring wine lay half-drunk and empty.

The woman gradually awakened.

The maid refused to play chess with her, so she had to play against herself. Of course, even if the maid did play, it would still be her playing against herself.

Unfortunately, her own thoughts were at odds. She had no choice but to continue playing alone until midnight, with neither side winning. After drinking some wine, she found it lacked sweetness while drinking, and upon waking, it felt bitter. How annoying.

The maid returned to report that she had found the gentleman’s residence.

“Are we going today?”

“Not today.”

“Why not?”

“It’s cloudy today; it’s not suitable to go out.”

“When will we go?”

“In a few days. He should be quite busy these days.”

“Alright.”

The maid withdrew, and the woman continued to lie back down, occasionally fiddling with the chess pieces on the table. Her eyes seemed to be observing something, yet appeared distant; her mind seemed to be contemplating, yet also emptied of all thoughts.

***

Willow Street attracted many gazes.

In Changjing, there were numerous individuals fond of the Immortal Dao and idolizing masters. Many could not tolerate the Grand Commander’s luxurious lifestyle or his lack of control over his children. Likewise, there were many who simply wished to befriend master cultivators.

Common folks only knew that the Grand Commander sought to extend his lifespan, mistakenly consumed a poisonous elixir, and was poisoned to death. It was most commonly said that the arrogant son of the Grand Commander had offended a master, who then cursed him to become deaf and mute, pleasing the public.

Gradually, some began to say that the master might have descended from the heavens, but after all, it was just hearsay; no one knew who the immortal truly was.

But if one were among the powerful and wealthy of Changjing, they would know a thing or two about this.

Some were eager to witness the demeanor of the master, yet feared incurring the displeasure of the Chang family. Others were unafraid but did not know how to make a visit. Some found a reason to visit the master, but then hesitated, wondering if many others had thought of the same approach.

Some worried that the master or the Chang family would blame them since they had introduced the mouse-catching divine cat to the Grand Commander’s family.

Some were typically calm and observed from the shadows. Some were naturally straightforward and came as they pleased.

Yet, those who arrived at Willow Street could only find a closed door. The original sign that had “Exorcism” had been removed, leaving only “Rodent Extermination.”

The Daoist rose early and boiled a few eggs, then he took the calico cat and bought some baked flatbreads, steamed buns, and mantou. He filled his water containers and then followed Heroine Wu to fetch her beloved yellow mane horse, and together they left the city.

At this point, they were already on the road to Mount Beiqin.

In midsummer, when lush greeneries surrounded them, today was particularly cool. The sun was hidden from view, and walking along the dirt path with the wind blowing felt truly delightful.

The cat took little, quick steps, darting here and there as if it hadn’t been outside the city for a while. It was in high spirits, occasionally following the sound of cicadas to find its way up a tree, which only improved its mood further.

The Daoist priest was also in a good mood, feeling as if the world was his oyster.

He cast aside all thoughts of Changjing. He just wanted to enjoy himself, without caring about the heap of troubles.

“Today’s cloudy; it’s a great day to go out!”

“It’s nice and cooling…”

“Indeed.”

“As long as it doesn’t rain.”

“It won’t rain today.”

“How do you know?”

“I guessed.”

“Then I believe you!”

“Thank you.”

The Daoist took a glance at Heroine Wu, who was carrying several fire wicks on her horse. She was likely worried about spending the night in the deep mountains where there might be many mosquitoes, and wanted to use them to ward them off.

That was great; it saved him some worry.