Unintended Immortality

As the autumn equinox approached, they were likely nearing Yangzhou.

Song You had been traveling eastward along the coastline, not only to enjoy the view but also to let Lady Calico play by the sea and feast on fresh seafood.

However, this journey had taken them through rather desolate lands. Aside from the abundance of seafood, the coastal region was barren, lacking much else. And no matter how delicious something was, eating too much of it in a short span would inevitably grow dull.

Even though Song You carried an ample supply of spices and possessed extensive culinary knowledge, allowing him to prepare meals with great variety, he still longed for beef, lamb, and pork—craving dishes rich in the smoky, oily flavors of home-style cooking to add some diversity to their diet.

Yet Lady Calico was thoroughly enjoying herself by the seaside. Song You reasoned that their journey through the inland regions would be long, whereas opportunities to travel along the coast were rare. So, for now, he continued following the shoreline.

But eventually, that path was no longer an option.

It wasn't that they had reached the end of the eastward route, but rather that while the coastline continued, the terrain had changed. The beaches gradually disappeared, replaced by mountains, forests, and sheer cliffs.

Even when they did come across a patch of shoreline, there were no longer any villages, county towns, or official roads. Inevitably, Song You had to turn northward, heading into the mountains of the interior.

As they traveled further inland, the villages and towns they passed grew more prosperous. More people spoke the official dialect, while the use of local vernaculars dwindled.

Song You knew then—they were nearing Yangzhou.

At the moment, he wasn’t sure which mountain they were on, only that there were many villages scattered below. The houses, nestled among the mountains, were built in clusters with white walls and dark gray tiles, stretching in neat yet varied rows.