Unintended Immortality

In the first few days of the new year, there were frequent visitors. The first was Miss Wanjiang from Hexian Pavilion.

In fact, after the autumn outing by the Yuqu River, she had visited a few times, sometimes bringing a pot of wine and some snacks, or some rare fruits from the market. They would chat about spirits, demons, and immortals, or she would sigh about the princess. In any case, these were things she couldn’t easily discuss with others.

That influential princess hadn’t come to disturb Song You, but she did send a message and some gifts through Miss Wanjiang, filled with polite pleasantries.

Cui Nanxi came, and so did General Chen. Even the City God visited again. A few other high-ranking officials with whom Song You had limited interactions also came bearing gifts, saying they were here to wish him a prosperous new year.

In response, Song You bid each of them farewell.

As for the gifts…

Some were hard to accept, others were hard to refuse. Even for those he accepted, most of them were things he couldn’t take with him. Some gifts were quite practical and perfectly suited for travel, yet he didn’t want to take them either. Nor did he wish to sell them for money, so they simply piled up in his house.

A few more days passed, and some of the people of Changjing whom he had helped before came to thank him for his kindness, often bringing small but thoughtful gifts, most of which were consumable.

Some even brought century eggs from the eastern district. But these too became a bit of a burden.

Since last month, Song You had been trying to clear out his belongings at home. The cured meats and pickled vegetables weren’t a big concern—what he couldn’t eat or take with him could be left with the neighbors. But items like eggs, rice, flour, and seasonings had to be dealt with. Even before he had finished using the old ones, more kept arriving, leaving him rather helpless.

At times, Song You found himself in a daze, realizing that over the course of his seemingly idle year, he had helped so many people. By the seventh day of the lunar new year, he was still eating eggs given to him by a woman.

Then another woman came by to deliver more vegetables.

“Thank you, thank you…“

After much effort, Song You finally managed to see the woman off, only to find a middle-aged Daoist with a limp standing outside his door, accompanied by a young Daoist boy carrying a small bundle of gifts.

The middle-aged Daoist met his gaze, immediately cupping his hands in greeting with a smile.

“You’re compassionate, fellow Daoist.”

“So you’ve come as well, State Preceptor.”

“It seems you've been quite busy lately.” The State Preceptor smiled as he entered. After several conversations, they had become quite familiar with each other. “I've been occupied since the beginning of spring, and only today have I managed to come to wish you a happy new year. I hope you don't think I've been neglectful.”

“You jest,” Song You replied with a helpless smile. “It’s rather amusing, I’ve been idle in Changjing all this time, but recently I’ve been unexpectedly busy.”

“Since you arrived in Changjing, you've often helped the people of the city. It’s only natural they’d come to offer new year greetings. This shows that the people of our Great Yan have not forgotten propriety.” the State Preceptor laughed. “I know you're not fond of such things, so I've brought only a small packet of spices, thinking you might find them useful. I hope you won’t refuse.”

“Thank you, State Preceptor.”

“I’ve come not only to deliver this gift but also to bring a task entrusted by His Majesty, as well as some news.”

“Oh?”

“Last year, Changjing had an abundant harvest, thanks in large part to you. His Majesty would like to invite you to the palace to personally express his gratitude. Would you be willing?”

“I appreciate the kind invitation, but I’ll be leaving Changjing before long. I plan to spend my remaining time wandering the city, preparing for my departure. Please convey my thanks and regrets to His Majesty.”

“Then I fear His Majesty may find fault with my lack of eloquence,” the State Preceptor chuckled, not pressing further. Instead, he continued, “There’s also some good news.”

“What good news?”

“The population of Great Yan has now reached nearly 200 million. With more people and less land, many can no longer afford to eat solely from the harvests. A few days ago, news came from Xuzhou: the Swallow Immortal of Anqing has manifested, bringing back superior seeds from overseas that yields more than the eastern rice we once relied on.

“The Immortal instructed the people of Anqing to plant it, and after the local governor learned of this, he reported it to the court. His Majesty was overjoyed and has already issued an edict inviting the Immortal to the capital,” the State Preceptor said. “It seems the Immortal is someone you once advised—a friend, perhaps?”

“I wouldn’t call it advising, more of a suggestion.”

“Such a deed is immeasurably virtuous.”

“The credit belongs entirely to the Immortal.”

“Indeed...” The State Preceptor seemed lost in thought. “Since the Immortal has agreed to come to the capital, they should arrive in a few days. I’ll be sure to inform the Immortal and invite them to reunite with you.”

Song You looked at the State Preceptor and asked, “I wonder what His Majesty and you think about this?”

“Since ancient times, deities have been established by their merits and virtues,” the State Preceptor said after pausing for a moment. “If the superior seeds brought back by the Swallow Immortal can truly relieve the plight of the people of Great Yan, their merit would be immeasurable.”

He paused again, then continued, “Although the Swallow Immortal of Anqing once committed the crime of stealing grain from the granaries, it was to aid the disaster-stricken people, and therefore shouldn't have been punished. If the superior seeds prove useful, it would be a remarkable feat, and the Immortal should be honored as a deity.”

After a brief pause, the State Preceptor added, “As for this merit, heh, fellow Daoist, you need not worry. Deities who achieve their position through stolen merit will not last long. If any deity is capable of such a thing, they deserve to fall from the altar.”

“Your wisdom is truly remarkable, State Preceptor.”

Hearing this, the State Preceptor merely smiled at Song You and asked, “I wonder, is this explanation satisfactory to you?”

Song You nodded and replied calmly, “With your words, I am reassured.”

There was no need to feel embarrassed about it. Though he agreed to this at Swallow Immortal's request, it was only right. If someone in Changjing truly dared to seize this merit to ascend to godhood, or if any deity from the heavens could actually take merit to solidify their position…

Song You could only say that dealing with earthly matters was troublesome for him, but once the matter was beyond the human realm, that was exactly where his strengths lie.

“Mortals should not have too much contact with gods and immortals, and in the past, when the court granted deities their titles, it was never necessary for spirits and immortals to personally receive the decree. But His Majesty has invited the Swallow Immortal to come in person this time, which shows His Majesty’s high regard.”

“His Majesty is indeed a wise ruler.”

“Indeed.” The State Preceptor nodded. “In the future, it will likely be similar to how the Eastern rice was introduced—test planting in one area, and if the harvest is good, it will be implemented on a trial basis, and then gradually promoted nationwide. It will take some time.”

“That’s not really my area of expertise.”

“You are too modest...”

“I’m just speaking the truth.”

“I heard that you are planning to leave Changjing soon.”

“Yes,” Song You said. “Since I’m traveling the world, I naturally cannot remain in one place forever. My time in Changjing has already been fruitful, and I just need to prepare for my next journey. I’ll come back to visit again.”

“Where are you planning to go next?”

“To be honest, I’m rather lazy, and I haven’t figured it out yet.” Song You paused, looking at the State Preceptor. “But for now, it doesn’t matter where I go. Perhaps once I leave Changjing, I’ll naturally know where to go. Since that’s the case, why worry about it in advance? It’s better to let things flow naturally.”

“Your thoughts truly differ from ours.”

“What do you think? Where should I go next?”

“Since it’s up to you and you wish to go with the flow, I wouldn’t want to say too much.” The State Preceptor remained calm, then added, “However, no matter whether you head north, south, or east, it seems likely that you’ll return to Changjing. And when you return, I expect things in Changjing will have changed.”

“That too, is only natural.”

“Hahahaha...”

The State Preceptor chatted with him for a while longer, finished a pot of tea, and then took his leave, limping as he departed.

Song You calmly stood up, washed the teapot and teacups, and didn't bother opening the gift the State Preceptor had brought. He simply set it aside, stacking it with other gifts that had been accumulating, and didn't pay it much attention afterward.

In the following days, fewer people came to visit.

Song You still wandered about every day, observing the bustling scenes of Changjing, shopping in the East Market, and then in the West Market.

The bag that had been taken out was placed upstairs. He and Lady Calico would each put a little something inside each day, but only a little at a time, never too much. This slow and steady method of preparation avoided giving the impression of hurry and ensured nothing was forgotten in the rush.

Song You wanted to wait for the old Swallow Immortal and then leave.

Before he knew it, it was already the end of the first month of the lunar year. The people of Changjing, like the martial artists at the Anqing Great Liujiang Gathering, all looked up, observing a group of birds flying overhead.

“What kind of bird is that?”

“Looks like a swallow.”

“A swallow? How can there be swallows this early?”

But they looked more surprised than the martial artists at the Great Liujiang Gathering had been—back then, the martial artists knew about the Swallow Immortal in Anqing, as they stood on the Swallow Immortal Terrace. But now, the people of Changjing were unaware of the Swallow Immortal's existence; they only knew there were no swallows at this time of year in Changjing.

As for being shocked, that wasn't the case.

The martial artists at the Great Liujiang Gathering had seen many strange things—gods, ghosts, and monsters—so they weren’t too surprised to see unusual swallows in the sky. However, the people of Changjing had seen less, and though they didn’t think it was a demon or a deity, they still considered it an odd phenomenon.

But Changjing was not only inhabited by ordinary people.

There was the Tianhai Temple, filled with monks who had cultivated profound skills, and even other high-ranking monks from elsewhere who stayed there. The city also had the Juxian Mansion, built by the State Preceptor, where practitioners from all over the nation gathered. The city’s City God Temple had the City God and several priests, and there were countless demons and ghosts in the city as well.

As the swallows flew by, everyone who sensed it looked up. Some were alert, some were amazed, some were timid, and others felt sentimental.

The thousand-year-old Swallow Immortal had come to the capital.

That evening, Song You sat at the table. Meanwhile, the calico cat squatted at the door. It only showed him its back, its tail swaying back and forth.

Outside, it was pitch black, and it was unclear what the cat was looking at.

Suddenly, the cat lifted its head. The night sky was still and silent, without stars or moon. But the cat seemed to have seen something.

“Daoist Master.” The cat immediately turned its head and said to the Daoist behind it, “The swallow you've been waiting for has arrived!”

“Come back.”

The calico cat quickly turned and ran back, sitting by his side, looking up and continuing to gaze outside.

“Thank you, Lady Calico,” Song You spoke softly to her, lowering his head.

When he looked up again, several figures had appeared at the door.

At the forefront was an elderly man, tall and thin, with silver hair and a face full of wrinkles. He was so frail that it felt as if the wind could blow him over. Behind him were a few young men and women, all slender and tall, each of them exceptionally handsome.

The cat cast a glance at the young men and women.

Song You also briefly scanned the young disciples behind the Swallow Immortal before his gaze settled on the old Swallow Immortal. He stood up to welcome them. “Swallow Immortal, long time no see.”

“Sir...” The old Swallow Immortal quickly stepped in emotionally. As he walked, he bowed, and as soon as he opened his mouth, he said, “How should I thank you, sir?”

“I can't accept such a grand gesture from you, Swallow Immortal,” Song You said to him. “Swallow Immortal, you don’t have to thank me—please, sit down quickly.”

“Thank you, sir!” The old Swallow Immortal sat down.

A few of his juniors stood behind him, quietly glancing at Song You.

“It's too late for tea today, so I won't trouble you, Swallow Immortal. Please, have a glass of water instead.” Song You poured a cup of water for the old Swallow Immortal, and then his first question was, “Why haven't I seen Yan An?”

“You need not worry, Yan An is fine,” the old Swallow Immortal said. “They're simply searching in different locations, and communication between them is difficult. Some have returned, while others have not. I can feel that Yan An is still searching overseas. When he returns, I will have him come see you immediately.”

“I see.” Only then did Song You let out a breath of relief, continuing to look at the Swallow Immortal.

It had been three years since they last parted at Anqing, and seeing him again now evoked a sense of nostalgia. The old Swallow Immortal had grown even older.