Chapter Twenty: The Malady of Immortality

Xu Yuan descended the mountain, but after a few steps, he came to a halt. He glanced back, a rare trace of confusion flickering across his face.

For both the mortal world and the heavens, a full year had truly passed. The last time he was here had already been a year ago. Yet Xu Yuan felt a sense of dislocation—a fracture in his memory, or perhaps, a disconnect between himself and the world of men.

By the calendar, it had indeed been a year since his last visit to Spring Breeze Monastery, but if he judged by his memories in the mortal realm, it would not be wrong to call it “yesterday.” “Yesterday,” he’d come here to play chess; today, he returned to find an old friend gone.

No matter when, no matter how many times, this feeling always left Xu Yuan deeply unsettled. A year in the heavens was long as well, but when he immersed himself in the comprehension of the “Vanishment Sutra,” his mind was wholly absorbed, oblivious to the passage of time. There was nothing else to occupy him in the heavens, so such meditation was a fitting way to pass the days.

And yet, because of this, every time he descended to the world of men, the memories in his mind were still from his previous visit, forcing him to accept that the world had already changed in his absence. Was this not the same as a year in heaven passing as a day on earth? Mortals are born, age, fall ill, and die—they do not have so many years to spare. While he spent his days one after another, the mortal world had already cycled through spring, summer, autumn, and winter.

Perhaps, every gift that fate bestows has its price marked in secret. His “great fortune” required such a counterbalance.

“Mister Xu?”

Noticing Xu Yuan standing there in a daze at the foot of the mountain, Ji Wu called out to him cautiously.

“Ah...” Xu Yuan returned from his reverie.

“Mister Xu, would you like to come to my house for a while? My mother and father have both missed you greatly,” Ji Wu offered, standing at his side.

“Very well,” Xu Yuan agreed this time without further hesitation, nodding his assent. No matter what, Master Xu had passed away. Though he had not entrusted Xu Yuan with any matters, they had known each other, and Xu Yuan had enjoyed many meals at his table. It was only right that he lend a hand to the two disciples left behind.

“Wonderful!” Ji Wu had not considered so much—he had simply seen Xu Yuan descend the mountain and stand there, lost, as if unsure where to go. He’d issued the invitation on a whim, never expecting Xu Yuan to accept so readily. Excitement surged in him, and he leapt high with joy.

For him, the longer he could spend with Mister Xu, the greater his chance to become his disciple in truth.

Before long, the sounds of Ji Wu’s exuberant shouts echoed through the Ji family’s security agency.

“Father! Mother! I found Mister Xu! He’s come to visit!”

Ji Wu ran ahead, beaming with pride. He remembered how he’d once risen early every day to wait in the peach grove for Mister Xu—who seemed to love their family’s orchard—an endeavor his mother had often teased him about. But now? Not only had he truly met Mister Xu, he’d even invited him home!

This feat was something to be proud of.

“What? Mister Xu is here?”

Almost immediately, a striking and graceful figure rushed out of the house—Ji Wu’s mother, Cai Shulan. At a glance, she saw the white-robed figure, elegant as jade and bearing an otherworldly aura.

To Ji Wu’s surprise, she said nothing, but turned and hurried back inside, leaving him utterly bewildered.

Fortunately, Ji Yun had heard the commotion and came over, laughing heartily. “Mister Xu! It’s been many years—how have you been?”

“Much the same as always.” Xu Yuan smiled. Seeing familiar faces eased some of the melancholy and desolation that had taken root in his heart.

“For Mister Xu, it does seem as though nothing ever changes,” Ji Yun observed with a touch of emotion, his gaze lingering on Xu Yuan.

When they first met, he and Cai Shulan had not even had a child. Now their son was in his teens, yet Xu Yuan bore no trace of wear or hardship, as though time itself had left no mark upon him. Only that air of transcendence had grown ever deeper over the years.

“Come in, please,” he urged.

The three of them moved to the sitting room, where Ji Yun exchanged a few words with Xu Yuan about the changes in the Ji family’s security agency over the years: how business had grown, how they had recruited new skilled hands...

When old friends reunite, talk naturally turns to family matters.

After about a quarter of an hour, Cai Shulan returned. In that brief time, she had changed into a beautiful and costly dress, one even Ji Wu had rarely seen her wear. Carrying a tray of tea, she entered and offered it. “Mister Xu, please enjoy some tea.”

Xu Yuan nodded his thanks and took a sip before speaking. “I have come today because there is something I wish to trouble you with.”

“Oh?” Ji Yun looked intrigued, even teasing, “Is there really something Mister Xu needs help with?”

“Enough out of you!” Cai Shulan shot him a fierce glare. “Mister Xu once saved our lives. Whatever you need is as good as done—just say the word.”

“It’s nothing major...” Xu Yuan briefly explained the matter of Spring Breeze Monastery. “With Master Xu gone, his two disciples are both afflicted with natural disabilities. If they should come down the mountain, I hope the Ji family’s security agency might look after them a little—that would be enough.”

Life on the mountain was harsh and solitary, nothing like the bustling, dreamlike world below. But Ah Chou and Ah Guai’s disabilities were real; should they descend, even with Master Xu’s skills, they would inevitably suffer discrimination, bullying, even abuse. If the Ji family could look out for them, it would be the best arrangement—and a small gift to Master Xu’s disciples.

“That’s hardly worth mentioning,” Ji Yun said grandly, waving a hand. “Why not just have them come and help out at the agency? They needn’t work as escorts—there’s always a need for people.”

“If they’re willing, that would be well. If not, even a little support will make life easier for them,” Xu Yuan said with a slight nod.

Seeing Xu Yuan had no further requests, Ji Yun brought up another matter. “By the way, Mister Xu—about the county magistrate’s son-in-law...”

“The county magistrate’s son-in-law?” Xu Yuan shook his head, unconcerned. “You need not worry about that, nor get involved.”

“But the magistrate once issued a warrant in town...”

“It’s of no consequence. If he doesn’t come for me, I’ll go to him. He’s in town now, isn’t he?”

“He is,” Ji Yun replied, somewhat stunned.

“Good,” Xu Yuan said, a cold glint in his eye. Evil must be eradicated at the root. To deal with the magistrate’s son-in-law alone was not enough—the protector must fall as well.

Sensing the conversation had taken a dark turn, Cai Shulan quickly interjected, “Mister Xu, you haven’t eaten yet, have you?”

“I have not.”

“I’ll prepare a meal for you, then.”

It was midday. After a hearty luncheon, Xu Yuan took his leave from the Ji family’s security agency, refusing their offer to see him off.

Ji Wu tried to follow, but Ji Yun caught him by the arm.

“Father...” Ji Wu pleaded pitifully, desperate to go.

“Stay home and behave! Mister Xu is not one for conventions—do you really think you can keep up with him?”