Unintended Immortality

The woman was dressed in plain white clothes with her face concealed by a veil, and she held a scroll in her arms. Despite the sweltering summer heat, she appeared neither hurried nor anxious, quietly standing at the door with her maid accompanying her.

Song You recognized her at a glance; it was Miss Wanjiang from the Hexian Pavilion.

Her graceful presence seemed to linger in his mind, and the sound of her qin still echoed in his ears.

However, with her face veiled now, the Daoist felt a moment of disorientation. He realized that he had already caught a fleeting glimpse of her earlier in front of the Hexian Pavilion.

Song You exchanged glances with the little girl and walked over.

“Ladies…” He looked toward them. He couldn’t tell if there were two or just one woman.

“Sir.” It seemed the two women had only just noticed him, and they both bowed in greeting. Their voices came one after the other.

Song You hurriedly returned the greeting, then took out his key. While unlocking the door, he asked, “Are you two looking for me?”

“Indeed we are,” the woman in white replied gently. “Seeing that you had closed the door, we asked the neighbors, who informed us that you left this morning and have been keeping the door open for the past few days. So we decided to wait here for a moment.”

“Thank you, sir.” The two figures bowed again before following the Daoist inside.

The two-story building had a green tiled roof, and it was surprisingly cool inside.

“Lady Calico, why don’t you go upstairs to write?” the Daoist said to the little girl, then turned to the two women and added, “Please take a seat.”

“Thank you…” It seemed that the two of them had a master-servant relationship, with one sitting and the other standing.

Upon entering the room, the woman removed the white veil that had covered her face, revealing an exquisite countenance.

“This morning, taking advantage of the cool weather, I took my child to the Anle Pavilion to enjoy some tea, which is why I closed the door,” the Daoist said with a slight smile. “It’s hot today, and I appreciate your patience; please don’t take offense.”

“There’s no need for such concern, sir,” the woman replied with a smile. “I am Wanjiang from the Hexian Pavilion.”

“I had the fortune of witnessing your grace and qin skills at the Hexian Pavilion, and I was quite astonished,” the Daoist said, pausing for a moment. “May I ask what brings you here today, Miss Wanjiang?” n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

“It’s nothing of great importance.” Miss Wanjiang slowly unfurled the scroll in her hand, revealing a meticulously framed painting, which she handed to the Daoist.

“I believe we’ve met on two occasions before.”

“Oh?” The Daoist looked at the painting and was momentarily taken aback.

The artwork depicted a corner of Mount Chang in spring, featuring a long corridor in the mountains where the Daoist and a cat sat side by side, surrounded by breathtaking spring scenery. In the center were the backs of the Daoist and the cat; the Daoist appeared at ease, while the cat seemed languid. Although it showed only their backs, the image conveyed even more charm than a frontal view would have.

To say the painting was better than that of Master Dou would be impossible, and while it lacked any spiritual resonance or mystery, it certainly couldn’t be dismissed as unremarkable.

Even an ordinary person could sometimes create an extraordinary work unintentionally, not to mention the artist’s skills were not lacking—though they could not quite compare to the divine touch of Master Dou.

At this moment, the one admiring the painting was indeed one of the figures depicted within it.

Miss Wanjiang’s soft and gentle voice continued, “Every year, I leave the city to enjoy the flowers, but this year was particularly different.”

“Hmm?”

“While I was on Mount Chang, I was captivated by the beauty of the apricot blossoms and was eager to paint. I had already chosen the scene depicted in the painting. However, with an accidental glance, perhaps by fate, I happened to see you. You were leading a calico cat to admire the flowers on the mountain and rest. Just from your silhouette, I felt it perfectly matched the mountain scenery.

“I thought that if I could include you in the painting, it would embody the spirit of the piece. I simply couldn’t resist the urge to start painting.”

He said, “This painting showcases your skills.”

“My painting skills are modest. It’s all thanks to you and your cat,” Miss Wanjiang replied with a slight smile. “As long as you don’t mind me incorporating you into my work, I’m content.”

“Since it’s a matter of fate, and a refined affair, how could I dare to take offense?”

“What you say is absolutely true, sir. However, even matters of fate and refinement can be complete or incomplete.” Miss Wanjiang still smiled. “At the time, I wanted to return the painting to you, so that our fate and this refined affair could be complete. Unfortunately, when I laid the final stroke, you had already left. I regretted it for a long time.

“Later, we met again, but that time you weren’t wearing your Daoist robe, and I hadn’t seen your true face before. I only caught a brief glimpse of your calico cat in your satchel, but I didn’t dare approach. A few steps later, we missed each other again, and I returned, filled with regret once more.”

She paused for a moment. “Fortunately, later I heard about your immortal deeds from a distinguished listener of the qin. Today, I came specifically to seek you out and return the painting. Upon seeing you, I confirmed that indeed, both times it was you. Today, I can finally fulfill my wish.”

“If it is a painting you created, why speak of returning it?”

“Thanks to you, I’ve acquired the divine essence and spiritual energy of the painting. This work is my favorite among all the pieces I’ve created in my life. With this painting, I already feel content. However, keeping it without your permission would be a transgression.

“I like it, but it weighs on my conscience. If you also appreciate it, I would gladly gift it to you, making it a beautiful deed. If you’re unwilling, I’ll keep it to myself, and that too would be lovely.”

“I see…” The Daoist nodded, shifting his gaze from the painting to this woman of great renown in Changjing and asked, “Is your visit simply to return the painting?”

“Why do you ask that?” The woman’s tone suggested she was not surprised by the question.

“I’m curious at heart.”

“I indeed had other purposes for coming here,” the woman replied calmly, as if she had anticipated the question.

“I would like to hear more.”

“May I ask where you are from, sir?”

“I hail from Yizhou.”

“What brings you to Changjing?”

“After traveling to this place, I have paused for a moment's rest.”

“I envy your carefree and free-spirited life,” the woman said with a hint of resignation. “I have been confined here my entire life.”

“Why do you ask this?”

“I only wish to know why you came to the Hexian Pavilion that day.”

“I’ve heard that your qin skills are unparalleled, and there are storytellers who have listed your music among the Ten Wonders of Changjing. I have admired you for a long time, so I saved up enough money to come and experience it for myself,” the Daoist explained earnestly.

“I see…” Miss Wanjiang’s tone was similar to before, but she then humbly added, “That’s merely the flattery and praise of the world. I am unworthy of being counted among the Ten Wonders of Changjing. I’m just a merchant running a qin tavern. I hope that my performance on that day didn’t leave you disappointed.”

“Your qin skills are indeed exceptional; it’s something I’ve never witnessed in my life. I can only express my admiration—there’s no question of disappointment.”

“I’m truly flattered.” The woman spoke softly to him, and her demeanor and poise while speaking could captivate many literati in Changjing.

“I dare not deceive you, sir. Since I opened this qin tavern, I have drawn the dissatisfaction of many noble ladies in the city. There are often rumors that I am a demon in human form or that I have used sorcery to charm people, attempting to ruin my reputation.

“Recently, I heard of your deeds in the Grand Commander’s residence. Thus, I came here to find you, both to return the painting and to seek some reassurance.”

“I won’t hide it from you either,” the Daoist replied. “There were indeed people who came to find me and asked me to go to the Hexian Pavilion to see whether you are a demon or if you have used sorcery to captivate others.”

Upon hearing this, the woman gazed at the Daoist.

“However, what I mentioned before was also the truth. The reason I went to the Hexian Pavilion was out of my admiration for your qin skills; I wanted to witness them for myself. The visit was merely a coincidence.”

“What did you think after seeing it for yourself?”

“Don’t you know how you yourself are?”

“…” A silence fell over the room. The Daoist looked at the woman as the woman looked back at him.

But just a few seconds later, the woman grinned from ear to ear, transforming the atmosphere with her warmth.

“Your abilities are like those of an immortal; how could you not see through it?” She shook her head with a bitter smile. “What woman doesn’t yearn for eternal youth and unchanging beauty?

“Though I may raise a gold-feeder minor ghost to maintain my appearance and even trade my qin music for money to feed it, this spirit cannot harm anyone. I have never harmed anyone nor used wicked magic to confuse people. I hope you can see this clearly.”

“Is that so…” The Daoist smiled, finding the conversation quite intriguing. This feeling was reminiscent of his encounter with the steward at the Grand Commander's residence, as he unraveled the steward's layers of thoughts.

However, the two situations were different. The steward’s lies were aimed at harming him, while the lies of the woman before him were meant for self-preservation.

Yet, the Daoist’s reaction made the woman sense something amiss. After contemplating for a moment, she did not reveal her thoughts but instead asked, “I wonder where the calico cat you brought that day has gone?”

“Didn’t you already see it?”

“…” The woman looked up at him, then smiled and said, “You truly are a Daoist master; even the cat you raised has attained enlightenment.”

“What you say is incorrect; Lady Calico is not a cat I raised. I merely encountered her while descending the mountain. We were fated to meet, and seeing her innocent demeanor and the trouble she caused, we agreed to travel together.”

“Are you truly so kind to demons?”

“All things possess a spirit, and one’s good or evil is not determined by their kind or nature.”

“Then are you keeping her by your side to enlighten her?”

“It is she who is enlightening me.”

“…” The woman fell silent again, gradually understanding. She then composed herself and stood to bow.

“Thank you, Daoist master.”

“Why are you thanking me?”

“Though you were unwilling to play along with me, you didn’t expose me. You saw that I was not human but did not make things difficult for me…” She wore an expression of helplessness, “Shouldn’t I be grateful?”

“You are too polite.”

“Indeed, Hidden Dragon Temple truly lives up to its reputation.”

The woman remained quite helpless; perhaps this was the frustration of exerting great effort and ingenuity, only to be unraveled by the other party using the most straightforward methods.

“You’ve heard of Hidden Dragon Temple?”

“I’ve heard of it far and wide,” the woman replied. “However, I have yet to witness the abilities of Hidden Dragon Temple. I was too confident in my own methods of concealment. I have inadvertently embarrassed myself before you, Daoist master.”

“There’s no need to feel disheartened,” the Daoist said sincerely. “Your cultivation skills are remarkably high, leaving one in awe. Your skills in concealment are top-notch; I believe the ancestors of Hidden Dragon Temple wouldn’t be able to see through your true form either.”

“How did you see through it?”

“That day was Qingming[1]”

At Qingming, all things were pure and orderly; the climate was clear and the scenery bright, allowing everything to be seen.

“…” The woman’s expression tensed up slightly, then she appeared even more helpless. “So, you practice the Four Seasons Rotation Method…”

“Indeed,” Song You replied. “What you actually lost to was the timing, not to me.”

“Your techniques are remarkable.”

“You are also quite skilled.”

The conversation between the two became notably different as they sat across from each other.

1. The Qingming Festival is a traditional Chinese festival observed by ethnic Chinese. ☜

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