[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-book-of-strange-tales":3,"chapter-the-book-of-strange-tales-the-book-of-strange-tales-chapter-580":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Book of Strange Tales",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2317860,4532,"Chapter 580: A Better Place","the-book-of-strange-tales-chapter-580",580,"\u003Cp>“Thank you, Immortal, for your help.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you, Immortal.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sir, you’re too kind. Though we’ve only just met, we’ve known each other for a long time—and I, too, have reason to thank you.” Lin Jue paused, “Besides, I’ve only helped the two of you through this one crisis. The current Son of Heaven holds a deep obsession with exterminating demons. Though the Fomen’s Buddhist teachings are profound, they still cannot match the power of the Son of Heaven’s immortals. This is merely the second purge of demons—it will come a third time, a fourth. What are your plans then?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two exchanged glances, both deeply troubled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet they had clearly discussed this before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, the woman spoke:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Immortal, the Purple Emperor purges demons once every sixty years; the next purge will be fifty years from now. My husband, being mortal, has limited lifespan. We’ve already severed all ties in the mortal world, so we’ve resolved to wander to the ends of the earth, seeking a secluded mountain retreat where we may play chess and spend our remaining days together.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a solution—but not a good one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But Master Gu is no cultivator. If you wander to the ends of the earth, you’ll suffer the hardships of travel; if you hide deep in the mountains, living on wild food and cutting off all human contact—even if both of you are refined souls who can pass time with chess—you’ll find it dreadfully dull.” Lin Jue said, “Besides, Madam is pregnant. What will you do after giving birth?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But what choice do we have?” Master Gu sighed helplessly. “Immortal, you saved us once—you cannot protect us for life. We are mere mortals. How can we defy heavenly law and divine might?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you remain in the mortal world, I truly cannot protect you for life. But I do have a hermitage, a secluded mountain. I had intended—if you truly had nowhere else to go—you could come there to hide. Unless one day I myself am purged by the Purple Emperor, no monks or Daoists will ever reach my door.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue paused, then smiled faintly. Though young in face, he now carried the aura of an immortal:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But now, I’ve found you a better place.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What place?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The couple both turned to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This place.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue turned and pointed behind him. The sky had cleared, yet Feilai Mountain still drifted with faint mist, even cleaner and fresher after the rain:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There is an immortal within this mountain—a half-ancient acquaintance of yours. If you truly have no ties left in this world, why not go there and play a few games of chess with him?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A half-ancient acquaintance?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hah! Master, you’ve replayed and analyzed seventeen games with me in your dreams—doesn’t that count as playing against him seventeen times? Since you’re a true chess lover, and you’ve come to know him through the game across realms, how can you not call him a half-ancient acquaintance?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, the two instantly understood who he meant:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That Heavenly Old Man!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He was once the Heavenly Old Man—and a great chess player who now needs someone to play with and ease his boredom.” Lin Jue said, “If Master Gu comes, I suspect he’ll suit the Old Man’s taste better than I do.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At these words, Master Gu’s expression changed instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the mortal world, tales often circulated of “some master playing chess against heaven.” Whether true or false, whether mortals could truly play against heaven, the very legend proved this was the highest aspiration of any chess player. Besides, he had seen seventeen games between this immortal and the Heavenly Old Man in his dreams—he knew the Old Man’s skill well, and bitterly regretted he was never the one playing, only an observer, unable to learn firsthand. His fingers had long been itching to move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If I play a few games with the Heavenly Old Man, will the Purple Emperor spare my wife?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hah! Master, just go. Play a few games. When you emerge, perhaps the Purple Emperor’s purge will already be over.” Lin Jue said, “If I’m still here, I’ll come personally to escort you and your wife back to Yangzhoucheng—you can resume raising children and enjoying mortal family bliss.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The couple fell into thought, then understood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most likely, this was the principle the immortal had once mentioned in his dream over a decade ago: “One day in heaven equals one year in the mortal world.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Daoist waved his sleeve, and before them appeared a hollow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Heavenly Old Man awaits you inside.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two exchanged glances, then stared into the hollow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside stood a steep mountain, a white waterfall hanging from its peak, countless immortal trees breathing mist and radiating radiant light. Strange beasts roamed the woods, rare birds flew across the sky—it was unmistakably the legendary paradise beyond the mortal realm. They stared, stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without further hesitation, they stepped forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Immortal, let Master Gu take my place in the two-hundred-move wager.” Lin Jue called into the hollow, “I’ll return next year for the Yellow Serpent.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hollow vanished without sound or trace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fox leapt down from the clouds, shrinking to his side, her divine radiance subdued, clever and nimble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Immortal bells and elegant music, white cranes soaring in unison, nine heavens parting to reveal palace gates, the Purple Emperor wearing his imperial crown.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Majesty, the Ciyun Bodhisattva has submitted a report: she followed your command to purge demons in Jiangnan, and encountered a demon who invaded the mortal realm and even mated with humans—a grave violation of heavenly law. As she prepared to destroy it, she was obstructed and defended by Lin Zhenren of the mortal realm, who even clashed with her.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A solemn voice came from behind the pearl curtain:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lin Zhenren?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Lin Zhenren who attained the Dao at the end of the previous dynasty—the old friend of the founding emperor of our dynasty.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I know.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Purple Emperor fell silent, then spoke:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He is upright and benevolent, with great merit and prestige among mortals. The fall of the previous dynasty and the rise of ours may well owe much to him. Had he merely defended an ordinary demon, I might have granted him some leeway, given his virtue. But I recall—his fox companion is connected to Lady Yao Hua, isn’t she?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Precisely!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Enough…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The pearl curtain trembled slightly as the Purple Emperor waved his sleeve: “Not yet the time. Let him have a few more decades.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though time flows swiftly in Yuanqiu Immortal Realm, how swiftly does mortal time flow as well?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the Central Plains, the old Immortal Physician, worn down by labor, had consumed immortal fruits and cultivated great Dao, yet at nearly two hundred years old, he rested beside a common roadside tree, his medicine chest, gourd, and staff laid beside him—as if on an ordinary day, on an ordinary journey to heal the sick, taking a midday rest under the shade…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, he said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When I’m gone, don’t grieve. Give the gourd to your senior brother, the medicine chest to your junior brother, and the staff to you. Bury my body in a hole.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The disciple, puzzled, looked again—his master had closed his eyes, his breath stilled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His vitality vanished swiftly, yet his spirit emerged from his body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old Daoist had not yet become an immortal, but since descending the mountain, he had witnessed dynastic changes, repeated chaos, natural disasters, plagues, and countless wars. In the hearts of countless mortals, he had long earned the name “Immortal Physician, Divine Healer,” his merit immeasurable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Merely from incense and worship, one could become a god.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nearly two years later—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Daoist temple by the road in Mingxia County.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Daoist, still young and elegant, amused his guests.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned straw into fireflies, scattered wheat into butterflies; as fireflies and butterflies danced, a beautiful woman behind a pearl curtain played music, while graceful maidens swayed and poured wine for the guests.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One man had just boasted of his growing alcohol tolerance—the Daoist laughed, pointed, and made his wine pour endlessly, forcing him to wave his hands in protest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crowd cheered. Another called for the Daoist to perform again. He didn’t refuse, waved his hand, and pulled out a long-hidden love letter from his bosom. “It’s warmed up,” he laughed, then tore it open and read it aloud on the table, leaving the man crimson-faced and the guests roaring with laughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet all present were generous souls; drunk and merry, no one was offended, no one thought it improper—only unrestrained mirth in their tipsy revelry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One man, face flushed, slapped the table and shouted over the music:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Joy! Pure joy! Mortal life has been heavy with sorrow for so long—only here, with the Daoist, is there true immortal delight! Hahaha!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another chimed in: “Yes! I haven’t visited the Daoist here in years. Every time I pass, I want to pay my respects—but the temple’s always closed. I thought the Daoist had already ascended to immortality! Hahaha…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this, everyone burst into laughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hahaha…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Daoist, clad in simple linen, also laughed, then climbed onto the table, standing on its edge. Everyone knew him—they weren’t afraid he’d fall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They assumed he’d perform again—but he only looked down, smiling at them all:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How do you know today is the day I ascend to immortality?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hahaha…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crowd laughed again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One said, “The Daoist has long been an immortal,” another said, “You’re so happy every day—why become an immortal?” The Daoist laughed along with them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, the music stopped. The dancing ceased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one knew when, or how—the singers and dancers had vanished, as if they had never been.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The guests fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Daoist on the table rose slowly into the air, smiling, and ascended to immortality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only these words remained:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I returned today to say farewell. If you come again, you won’t find me. Haha—until we meet again.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Around the same time—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A dusty road, the clatter of horse hooves at an inn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Daoist in casual robes entered with a red-clad woman. They ordered lamb and wine. As they drank, he suddenly sensed something, and looked up at the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What is it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman beside him asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Nothing.” The Daoist shook his head. “I’m just about to ascend to immortality.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why the sadness?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Melancholy is the reason—this is the last cup of wine for this mortal flesh. After attaining truth and becoming immortal, I wonder if I’ll ever drink again such nectar and ambrosia, or taste such blissful drunkenness...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Today I’ll drink with you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The red-clad woman beside him smiled at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With slender, snow-white fingers, she held the cup, poured wine for him, then lifted her sleeve to shield him from the yellow sand outside the door; all the martial wanderers present envied him utterly.\u003C\u002Fp>",1819,"2026-06-20T14:45:37.804Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","44ddec7abe8e2d032f0fe1b5794502c73f39e4fd24423f1473409e7063e4690c","the-book-of-strange-tales-chapter-581","the-book-of-strange-tales-chapter-579",608,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-book-of-strange-tales-cover.jpg"]