Chapter 221: Yunmeng Mountain, the Elixir of Immortality

A major incident occurred in Linjiang County last night: the fleet of ships belonging to the Mirror Reflection Bureau, docked at the port, was scattered by a sudden surge in the river water. Some claimed the massive waves were not a natural disaster but the work of demonic rebels, while others insisted it was the commotion caused by a powerful martial artist from the jianghu attempting to assassinate the bureau's chief official.

With a thousand people, there are a thousand opinions, and rumors abound. Yet regardless of the truth, Chen Guangrui, as the chief official of Linjiang County, was forced to brace for the impending storm.

The corpse recovery team searched along the river for the bodies of the victims, while government office runners and soldiers scoured the area for the missing government vessels.

Strangely, despite the enormous commotion last night, the corpse recovery team had not found a single body. Moreover, not only were no bodies found, but the official ship carrying Liao Duzhu had also vanished without a trace, as if it had disappeared into thin air.

Chen Guangrui was filled with worry, but Master Tang stepped forward to comfort him: "My lord, do not worry; the fact that no bodies have been found is actually a good thing. Not finding the ship is also a good thing; if the ship has drifted elsewhere, that would be even better!"

"Think about it, my lord: if bodies were truly discovered and the ship found, the outcome might not be as optimistic as the current situation."

Master Tang paused briefly before continuing, "In my view, the only possibility for finding no bodies is that the Duzhu's official ship has already sailed away from the port. Otherwise, even if it had sunk in the river, at least one or two crew members should have floated to the surface and been found by everyone."

Master Tang and Chen Guangrui held different perspectives: one was shrewd and adept at shifting blame and making excuses, while the other always adhered strictly to his duties, upholding integrity and serving the public. Even when encountering problems, the latter immediately thought of how to solve them, unlike Master Tang, who only sought to evade responsibility.

However, although their temperaments were completely different, Chen Guangrui had never made any move to dismiss Master Tang from his post, a fact that the entire county government office found peculiar.

Only those close to County Chen Xianzun knew that during the first few days of Chen Guangrui's tenure, his first impulse had been to fire this very Master Tang.

However, the Magistrate's Lady, who possessed great insight, immediately advised Chen Guangrui, saying that dealing with people required a balance of firmness and flexibility. As the master of a county, Chen Guangrui was too rigid and upright, causing many people to dare not approach him, which was not a good thing.

But Master Tang was different; he was shrewd and could get along harmoniously with both good and bad people. Such a person was precisely what Chen Guangrui lacked.

Upon hearing this, Chen Guangrui felt it made perfect sense and extinguished the fire in his belly. Master Tang remained completely unaware of this matter from start to finish.

In fact, from the very first day he saw the new County Magistrate, Master Tang had begun packing his bedding, ready to leave the government office at any time. The reason was simple: he realized that County Chen Xianzun was a completely different kind of person from himself. If such a man did not dismiss him, would he keep him on just to celebrate the New Year?

Zhao Zhonghe had once asked Master Tang why he was suddenly packing his luggage. At the time, Master Tang shook his head and sighed, offering only an abrupt and contextless remark: "Head Constable Zhao hates evil as if it were a mortal enemy; in the future, he will surely continue to serve as the government office's head constable."

However, Master Tang waited left and right, waiting for nearly two years, yet County Chen Xianzun never dismissed him.

When things deviate from the norm, there must be something sinister afoot. Master Tang could not figure it out no matter how hard he thought, so he could only attribute this unreasonable anomaly to metaphysics.

He still remembered the dream he had once experienced at the Pear Garden Theater: in the dream, he, having fathered a daughter, rose to prominence through her, enjoying smooth sailing all the way, truly blessed by a lucky star.

Nowadays, the County Magistrate still valued him highly; perhaps this was the karmic reward for his diligent efforts over the past two years to conceive a child and father a daughter!

So Master Tang reasoned.

However, just as County Chen Xianzun and Master Tang were preoccupied with their own differing thoughts, news suddenly arrived from Jinmen Prefecture.

"My lord! The Duzhu's official ship has been found at the shore of Jinmen Prefecture, at the Baishui Ferry..."

Upon hearing this, Chen Guangrui looked at Master Tang in surprise, unable to help but note that the master's words had come true as a prophecy.

Could it be that this master's mouth had been blessed by divine light?

Apart from County Chen Xianzun, upon hearing the news that the official ship carrying Liao Duzhu had met with disaster outside Jinmen Prefecture, all the officials of Linjiang County visibly breathed a sigh of relief.

They thanked the Prefect of Jinmen, thanked the high and low officials of Fucheng, and likewise thanked Liao Duzhu.

This Duzhu had chosen a truly excellent place to die!

No wonder people say that figures from Jingcheng are extraordinary; just this level of perceptiveness was enough for the officials of Linjiang County to remember for a lifetime!

In contrast to the Linjiang County officials, who were trembling with fear, the atmosphere inside the Undertaker's Shop was one of serene tranquility.

Of course, it would have been even better if not for that young couple flirting and bickering right at the entrance.

By the counter, one zombie and one cat were staring intently at the boy and girl at the door, who were pulling and tugging at each other, completely oblivious to the need to maintain propriety.

Shang Shaoyang, limping on his leg, spoke vicious words, yet when the young lady truly became angry and threatened to return alone to Nan Commandery, he rushed forward again, insisting on finding someone to escort her back.

Xu Qing's back teeth ached just watching them, while Xuan Yu watched with great relish.

"Shopkeeper Xu, I have already paid the silver; you must honor your integrity. If he dares to die, you must come and collect his corpse for me!"

As she departed, Miss Gu, with red-rimmed eyes and gritted teeth, left behind a fierce threat, then cast one final vicious glare at Shang Shaoyang before boarding the carriage and leaving.

Xu Qing asked curiously, "Young Master Shang, what exactly did you do to that young lady to make a daughter of a family go to such lengths for you?"

Xuan Yu perked up its ears, afraid of missing a single word.

Looking at the human and cat before him, both brimming with a desire for gossip, Shang Shaoyang chose not to hide the truth.

A funeral parlor's Mr. White Affairs and a black cat that could not understand human speech—even if they heard his romantic past, what could they do about it?

Shang Shaoyang was actually worried about having no one to confide in, so this human and this cat were currently quite suitable.

"There was originally nothing much to it; it was just that at the age of eleven, I traveled the jianghu with a sword at my side..."

"Wait! Traveling the jianghu with a sword at eleven years old?"

"Cough, I ran away from home."

"..."

Xu Qing gestured for Shang Shaoyang to continue speaking.

"That year, while I was traveling on the road, I happened to encounter a group of mountain bandits robbing travelers. Those individuals were extremely fierce, not looking like ordinary bandits but rather like men trained in military formations..."

Speaking to this point, Shang Shaoyang suddenly stopped. He shook his head and continued instead, "At the time, I was young and unaware of the inner workings; I only thought evil bandits were oppressing the good and innocent, so I grabbed my sword and rushed forward, intending to challenge the bandit chief to a duel."

"When that bandit chief saw me, he said not a word, turned around, and left with his men, clearly awed by my aura. At that time, that girl—well, the young lady of the Gu family from Huainan—was standing amidst a pile of corpses."

Xu Qing did not believe him and interrupted, "You, an eleven-year-old boy, could scare away ruthless and vicious bandits? If you had simply said the bandits saw your youth, had a change of heart, and spared you, I would believe that."

Shang Shaoyang's old face flushed red, and stiffening his neck, he retorted, "What do you know? At the time, I was traveling the jianghu with a sword, followed by more than a dozen bodyguards from the Shang family..."

Shang Shaoyang abruptly cut himself off, saying, "Never mind those details; anyway, the result was that the Gu family and my Shang family became friendly. Later, she lived in my home for half a year; seeing each other day in and day out, and since I, this young master, am a rare talent of handsome appearance, it was natural to win a woman's affection. I just didn't expect her to be so persistent."

"A hero saves a beauty, and the beauty falls in love; this matter truly isn't your fault." Xu Qing nodded, indicating his understanding.

A hero saves a beauty? Beside him, Xuan Yu looked up at Xu Qing, then glanced sideways at a bronze mirror placed on the counter.

Inside the mirror was a pitch-black cat, looking just like a piece of charcoal.

For some reason, Xuan Yu recalled again the titles those humans it had raised in the past had given it: Coal and Charcoal.

In that case, a hero could only save coal.

Hearing Xu Qing's words of agreement, Shang Shaoyang cleared his throat and, with a somewhat unnatural expression, said, "Actually, it wasn't entirely like that; it might also be because I secretly watched her bathing several times. She always knew about it but never told me."

"If the Gu family hadn't come to propose marriage this time, causing me to flee home to avoid the wedding, and if she hadn't personally told me these things, I fear I would still be completely in the dark." "..."

Upon hearing this, Xu Qing's face immediately turned dark.

So he had ruined a young lady's chastity and now didn't want to take full responsibility? This bastard second-generation rich kid was truly a bastard!

"Get out, get out, get out! Don't bother me while I'm still alive!"

Shang Shaoyang knew he was in the wrong, yet before leaving, he straightened up seriously: "In my youth, I was ignorant; now that I think back, I realize just how many disgraceful things I did."

He sighed, this second-generation rich heir abandoning his former dissolute manner, and said: "Nowadays, few in the world are benevolent and kind, while many are cruel and violent; my Shang family is precisely not a household of benevolence and kindness. I intend to use my own flesh and blood to eliminate evils and bring about reform; if at this moment I indulge in romantic entanglements, I will surely harm both others and myself in the future."

Xu Qing's brows furrowed slightly; hearing Shang Shaoyang's words, he suddenly understood certain matters.

No wonder this legitimate son of the Shang family would purchase a burial plot from him, reserving his own funeral arrangements in advance; no wonder he would reject the Young Lady of the Gu family's affections and flee his wedding to come here.

It turned out this person had never intended to die a peaceful death!

"Young Master Shang, I am merely a Shopkeeper of a funeral parlor; I do not understand such things. However, should anything ever befall Young Master Shang, I will fulfill my duties responsibly and will not allow Young Master Shang's corpse to be exposed in the wild, to be gnawed by stray dogs."

"."

Wait, do you even know how to speak? Would saying some auspicious words cost you a piece of flesh or something?

"Just you wait, Shopkeeper Xu; my injuries have already healed. Today, I shall go find that dead Eunuch and settle this once and for all!"

Though he spoke thus, Shang Shaoyang also knew his own limitations; his going to find Liao Jinzhong was merely to embarrass the man, to disgust that old Eunuch, that was all.

As long as he could disgust the old Eunuch into leaving, that would be victory!

As for why Shang Shaoyang held such a deep grudge against Liao Jinzhong, the reason was none other than this: the County Magistrate of Linjiang County and the Magistrate's Lady frequently mentioned how the Mirror Reflection Bureau acted lawlessly within the county administration; Shang Shaoyang had been lodging at the Magistrate's residence, so upon hearing this, how could he possibly sit idly by and ignore it?

In fact, had Xu Qing not intervened midway, Liao Jinzhong might truly have been disgusted away by Shang Shaoyang.

Xu Qing looked at Shang Shaoyang, whose legs and feet had suddenly returned to normal, and said with some amusement: "What if Young Master Shang wins? And what if he loses?"

"People say one must have a just cause for action; since Young Master Shang is going, surely there must be some explanation, correct?"

Shang Shaoyang halted his steps, thought for a moment, then suddenly smiled: "Very well!"

"If I can break that old Eunuch's legs and return intact, I will marry Young Lady Gu!"

"."

It seems you never intended to take responsibility toward Young Lady Gu at all! Xu Qing's gaze upon Shang Shaoyang held no small amount of contempt.

"What expression is this, Brother Xu? Could it be that Brother Xu thinks so little of me?"

"Then I wish Young Master Shang a safe journey!"

"."

Cursing under his breath, Shang Shaoyang left the coroner's shop; Xu Qing watched the figure depart, shaking his head with a wry smile.

Today he had actually played matchmaker; yet judging by Young Master Shang's demeanor, even if he learned that Liao Jinzhong was already dead, he likely would not easily agree to the marriage with Young Lady Gu.

Having finished watching the drama, Xuanyu opened his mouth to ask: "Does Immortal Xu think Young Master Shang and Young Lady Gu will marry?"

Xu Qing smiled faintly, nodded, and said: "They will. Since I promised Young Lady Gu, I will certainly complete this transaction."

"After all, a ghost marriage is still a marriage."

Xuanyu seemed to comprehend something, yet he committed every word Xu Qing spoke to memory.

In the morgue, upon the cold slab.

Facing the old Eunuch before him, Xu Qing felt no disgust.

In his eyes, no matter how filthy a corpse might be, it was still part of his work.

He had always been highly professional.

The old Eunuch's life, plainly speaking, consisted of only so much: aside from some dirty schemes of open strife and hidden struggle within the deep palace, there were the old Eunuch's youthful days of forming 'duishi' partnerships with various unfavored concubines and lonely, restless palace maids, or his filthy entanglements with some young Eunuchs, old Eunuchs, and even an Imperial Prince.

Xu Qing did not enjoy reading such things; just as when he first saw that little sparrow of Liao Jinzhong being severed at age seven upon entering the palace, merely looking at it made his whole body feel uncomfortable.

The degree of depravity within the palace often correlated with the prevailing atmosphere of the times; when those above set a bad example, those below would follow suit, as the saying goes, 'what is done above is imitated below.' However, after Emperor Longping grew old, the atmosphere below became somewhat more normal, though privately, some aging concubines still engaged in reckless misconduct.

Liao Jinzhong had long grown accustomed to such things; occasionally discovering them, he would not assign blame, but merely keep them in mind, waiting for some future day when they could be brought out and used as leverage.

The more Xu Qing read, the more awkward he felt; who could have guessed that a Grandmaster of a generation, a formidable and imposing great Eunuch, would be such a person who loved petty tricks and displayed a petty, narrow-minded nature?

If not out of respect for a Grandmaster, and worry about missing some crucial information, Xu Qing would likely have accelerated his page-turning progress long ago, looking only at the final reward.

Xu Qing's brows locked tightly together; until, when the Scripture of Salvation turned to a certain page, he suddenly stopped.

Wait! Had he just heard a very familiar sentence?

The Scripture of Salvation flipped backward, time returning to when Liao Jinzhong had just become the Chief Steward of the Imperial Household Department.

On this day, Emperor Longping suddenly issued a summons, ordering Liao Jinzhong to hasten to audience immediately.

At that time, Emperor Longping was already over seventy years old, with seemingly not many years of life remaining; thus, many in the court shifted their attention to the imperial heirs.

Only the Third Imperial Prince, Zhao Rong, kept his mind fixed upon Emperor Longping; not only did the Third Imperial Prince show great concern for the Emperor's health in daily life, but he also eagerly catered to the Emperor's private pursuit of techniques for longevity.

Hearing that the villagers of a certain place in Jinmen were exceptionally long-lived, Zhao Rong informed Emperor Longping of this matter; upon hearing this, the old Emperor overruled all objections, specifically set aside state affairs, toured Jinmen, and resided in that rustic region for half a ten-day period.

Before returning to the capital, Emperor Longping bestowed upon this village the name 'Ten Thousand Longevities.'

Besides visiting the Longevity Village and Longevity Township, Zhao Rong also specifically inquired about the daily diets and living habits of those longevity stars, recorded them in registers, and finally presented them upon the sacred desk.

In itself, none of this held anything special; yet when Liao Jinzhong was summoned into the palace, Emperor Longping gave the great Eunuch before him a specific order—

"Eunuch Liao, there is a matter I need you to handle: north of Cloud Dream Mountain lies a Longevity Village called White Cage Village, within which resides a certain White Cloud Immortal; it is heard that this Immortal Master's ancestors once obtained an Immortal's inheritance within Cloud Dream Mountain, containing techniques for longevity."

"Rong'er has been keeping watch on this for me for quite some time; two years ago, White Cage Village promised to refine for me a Longevity Pill that would extend fortune and lifespan, yet they have always lacked one medicinal catalyst."

"Now that medicinal catalyst has been found; it is said to be a Nine-Life Mysterious Cat. Once this catalyst is used to successfully refine the pill, I shall be able to live nine more lifetimes!"

"Eunuch Liao, I order you to hasten to Cloud Dream Mountain, assist the Immortal Master of White Cage Village in refining this medicine for me and retrieving it; you must not fail!"

(End of Chapter)