Immortal Travel of Longevity

When he was young, Zhang Xiaoqi once thought becoming like Mr. Chen shouldn’t be too difficult a thing. But much later, he finally understood the meaning behind the name “Mr. Chen.”

The Divine Crane was still in the backyard.

When Zhang Xiaoqi stepped into the backyard, Chen Changsheng looked at him again.

It was almost as if Mr. Chen knew he would return.

Zhang Xiaoqi looked at Mr. Chen, cupped his hands, and said, “Zhang Xiaoqi thanks Mr. Chen.”

Mr. Chen watched him calmly and shook his head.

That day, the boy in tattered clothes rode the Divine Crane.

Amid the mist-covered Green Mountains.

With one crane’s cry, in the blink of an eye, the world around him changed.

Mr. Chen lifted his eyes and watched the Divine Crane fly away until it vanished from sight. Then, he saw Xiaoliu leaving the side hall of the Taoist Temple.

Chen Changsheng said, “He saw that letter. This way, perhaps it will truly be unforgettable.”

Zhang Xiaoliu breathed a sigh. “I understand. But Teacher, people are selfish after all. I’m no saint. I didn’t want Xiaoqi to forget his dad and mum completely one day.”

Chen Changsheng nodded slightly.

That was what made a living, breathing person.

Zhang Xiaoliu breathed out, closed his eyes, and said, “May his journey be smooth sailing, just as you said, Teacher. May he rise straight to great heights.”

From then on, there was no Zhang Xiaoqi left in Autumn Moon Market.

Zhang Wudi stood forever on the small hill outside Autumn Moon Market, staring at the mountain road beyond.

As for Zhang Xiaoliu, he walked between this hill every day. He would come early in the morning to offer three incense sticks, then walk all the way down, sweeping away weeds and moss from the stone steps.

Day after day, year after year.

For time and again life proves unpredictable, and each person’s path winds differently through the Mortal World.

…

On the Tongtian River, a black-canopied boat arrived at the shore.

A man dressed in simple clothes stepped off the boat. He had a small moustache. Though his gaze was gentle, it held a hidden ambition.

After leaving the boat, he went to a nearby Tea Stall and asked for some tea to soothe his throat.

While drinking the tea, he suddenly looked toward a patch of bamboo forest.

He frowned, then walked toward it.

Hidden within the bamboo forest were several figures. As he entered, they all emerged before him.

“Greetings, Lord!”

Dozens of Shadow Guards bowed low.

Zhao Zhen swept his eyes over them and frowned. “Did the old man teach you to hide this poorly? Either follow me properly hidden, or don’t follow at all!”

The Shadow Guards exchanged embarrassed glances.

“All of you, stay far away! And these uniforms? Are you afraid people won’t recognize you as Shadow Guards? Change them!”

Zhao Zhen glared angrily. “Worthless fools! Useless, the lot of you!”

He snorted coldly, then turned back to the Tea Stall for his tea.

After drinking the tea, Zhao Zhen entered the nearby settlement.

This trip was a private, secret inspection. Only his Shadow Guards and trusted aides knew about it. The Imperial Court only knew he was ill. Two months wasn’t long, but it was enough.

Changchun Prefecture, next to the rivers, had long been wealthy in the Southern Region, paying substantial taxes every year.

Zhao Zhen observed the people’s lives and found the reality vastly different from what he’d imagined. Officials judged cases unfairly, bribes were common. Just walking around, he learned much.

But he wasn’t surprised. Heading south, he’d seen much of this.

At the local level, things differed greatly from Shangjing.

Hypocrites filled every office.