Immortal Travel of Longevity

Chen Changsheng and Miss Yun Xiang entered the Autumn Moon Market.

Along the way, Yun Xiang followed silently by her teacher’s side.

She wanted to say something to him, but every time she recalled how close they had been in the Library Pavilion, her face would flush red.

Thus, silence accompanied them the whole way.

After entering the Autumn Moon Market, Chen Changsheng walked toward the Tong family home, guided by his memory.

Halfway there, he turned to glance at the wine tavern standing at the head of the West Bridge.

The tavern had been renovated and looked quite different now.

The tavern’s xiao’er (waiter) often changed; this job wasn’t meant for the long term, so it was common for a new one to come every year or two.

Chen Changsheng only took one look before turning his gaze away.

Come to think of it, he didn’t seem so greedy for wine anymore these days; otherwise, he would have always stopped to ask for a jug. Noticing her teacher’s reaction, Yun Xiang asked, “Teacher, what are you thinking about?”

Chen Changsheng merely shook his head. “Just looking around idly. Nothing in particular.”

Yun Xiang gave a small nod and asked nothing else.

She knew her teacher’s nature; he never shared many words or matters, even with those closest to him.

Because of this, neither she nor the others could truly understand his thoughts.

It was like reading a blank, wordless book.

Chen Changsheng arrived at the Tong household carrying the Love Knot.

Moyuan and Hu Junhan had already arrived and found their seats.

A bump had appeared on Yu Hongjin’s forehead; she had hit it on a tree when she fell. But being a supernatural being, a minor injury like this was nothing to her.

“Mr. Chen! You’ve finally arrived! Please, come quickly!”

Tong Caizheng hurried forward to greet him upon seeing Chen Changsheng and immediately led Mr. Chen into the courtyard.

“A small matter delayed us. I hope we haven’t missed the auspicious hour?” Chen Changsheng inquired.

“Not at all, not at all! The timing is perfect!” Tong Caizheng assured him.

The elder Tongs ushered Chen Changsheng inside the inner chamber.

Three chairs were arranged on each side of the upper area—seats for the elders today.

Boom!

The sound of a gong echoed from outside the chamber.

“The auspicious time has come!”

As the announcement rang out, the several hundred guests lifted their heads in unison.

“The time has come!”

“Where is Young Master Tong?”

Amidst the murmurs, Tong Zhihuan emerged from a side chamber, carefully leading Tao’er by the hand into the main hall.

“Congratulations! Congratulations!”

Nearly a hundred well-wishers lining the path erupted in joyful congratulations, the atmosphere buzzing with excitement.

The marriage officiant stood in the center of the Main Hall. Seeing the couple arrive, he began, “Today, a red leaf alliance is forged, a happy union blessed with fortune…”

In the hall, Tong Zhihuan tightly held Tao’er’s hand.

Before them sat their revered parents; behind them, symbolized Heaven and Earth.

“First bow to Heaven and Earth!!”

Tong Zhihuan prepared to kneel when he noticed Miss Tao’er beside him seemed to pause hesitantly.

Indeed, Tao’er hesitated as she started to kneel.

Concern stirred in her heart.

“What’s wrong?” Tong Zhihuan whispered.

Tao’er shook her head slightly and finally knelt down.

But as her knees touched the ground, a strange tremor vibrated through Heaven and Earth.

A layer of dark cloud blotted out the fierce sun overhead, casting the entire place into shadow.

Tao’er’s heart lurched; she froze on the spot.

Beside the Main Hall, both Moyuan and Hu Junhan frowned deeply.

Exchanging a glance, they moved silently toward the exit.

Moyuan looked up at the swirling sky above. “Just as predicted,” he murmured.

Hu Junhan focused on the dark clouds, perceiving a wisp of Heaven and Earth Misfortune seemingly forming within them.

Hu Junhan stated grimly, “If Miss Tao’er completes that bow… I fear this Misfortune will descend upon her.”

Their peripheral vision simultaneously flickered toward the scene unfolding inside the hall.

“Tao’er probably felt it too,” Moyuan acknowledged, his expression grave.

Tao’er wavered, kneeling yet unable to bring herself to lower her head in the bow.

Seeing her hesitation, Tong Zhihuan was confused.

He whispered gently, “Miss Tao’er?”

Tao’er startled back to the moment. Beneath her wedding veil, she bit her lip, unsure how to explain to Tong Zhihuan.

The elder Tongs seated above exchanged bewildered glances.

Chen Changsheng retrieved the Love Knot from his robes and rose, stepping forward.

Tong Zhihuan looked back. “Mr. Chen?”

Tao’er gave a small jolt of surprise and turned as well.

Chen Changsheng extended the Love Knot toward Tao’er.

“Hold this knot tightly,” he said calmly. “Everything can be solved.”

Tong Zhihuan and Tao’er both reached out and grasped the Love Knot. In a fleeting moment, as if their hearts were suddenly linked, they understood each other completely.

Chen Changsheng raised his voice clearly: “First bow to Heaven and Earth!!”

Gripping the Love Knot together, Tong Zhihuan and Tao’er leaned forward and completed the bow.

At that precise instant, the wisp of Heaven and Earth Misfortune within the dark clouds plummeted downward.

Yet, before this Misfortune could breach the hall, it crashed against a barrier formed by an aura of marriage blessings and was forcefully repelled outside.

Observing this from outside, Moyuan understood.

The Misfortune recoiled sharply when it struck the aura of betrothal, retreating as if afraid to re-enter the hall.

Moyuan looked at Hu Junhan. “Mr. Chen.”

Hu Junhan nodded. While Miss Tao’er was protected now, that wisp of Misfortune still hung suspended, undispersed.

“It’s been blocked, but it hasn’t dissipated,” Hu Junhan noted. “Should we… intercept it?”

Moyuan considered briefly before shaking his head. “We should probably leave it alone. If Mr. Chen intervened, he will surely handle the aftermath.”

As they debated, a flicker of red suddenly caught their eyes.

“Huh? What’s that?”

Yu Hongjin, clearly tipsy, peered at the lingering wisp of Heaven and Earth Misfortune with a mix of confusion and plain curiosity.

Moyuan glanced at her irritably. “Where have you been wandering? And where’d you steal that wine jar?”

“Hiccup!” Yu Hongjin let out a small burp and tried clumsily to tuck the wine jug behind her back “None of your business!”

Moyuan sighed, too occupied to wrangle with her.

But that moment of distraction was all it took.

Yu Hongjin’s gaze was fixed on the swirling black mist.

“Hmm…”

“It looks… kinda yummy.”

With that, she bounded upward.

Moyuan’s eyes snapped wide. “Hey—!!” He lunged forward to grab her, but his hand closed on air.

The wisp of Misfortune vanished…

Straight into Yu Hongjin’s mouth.

Hu Junhan, alerted by the shout, whipped his head around. “Huh? What happened?”

He found Moyuan frantically patting Yu Hongjin’s back. “Spit it out! Spit it out, right now!!”

“Waaaaaah!” Yu Hongjin wailed, sputtering. “Gross! So gross!!”

“I said spit it out!”

Moyuan was frantic now. He channeled a strand of demonic power, trying to force the expelled Misfortune from her.

It was futile.

Hu Junhan stared, stupefied. “She… swallowed that Heaven and Earth Misfortune?”

“Stop gawking and help!”

“Useless,” Hu Junhan murmured with disbelief. “That wasn’t food. Once swallowed… it’s not coming back up.”

Moyuan’s hands stilled. Speechless, he stared at Yu Hongjin’s flushed, tear-streaked face.

The little wine-gourd spirit just kept blubbering miserably.

“So yucky… Really, really yucky…”