Chapter 39: The Inspector and the Magistrate, No Trace of the Immortal

"Where are you headed, sir?" Li Bai asked impulsively.

"First to Luoyang, then to Bianzhou, then to Yanzhou, and finally to Mount Tai."

The cat, still firmly gripping the meat in its teeth, scampered back.

"Are you going to Mount Tai to observe the Zen ceremonies? I wish to accompany you, sir."

"I am merely going for a look."

Jiang She was not entirely convinced. "The journey to Mount Tai spans many mountains and rivers. Even traveling every day, it would take several months. It is no easy task."

Jiang She could not afford a horse, and the carriage rental firms would never be willing to lease horses for such a long duration and distance. He himself did not mind the hardships of the road and intended to walk at a leisurely pace. If he could not make it in time, he could simply use the art of flight; it would not matter. But for a mortal, constant travel would likely result in serious illness.

Li Bai’s tone was firm. "I am willing to go!"

He added, "Did you not say before, sir, that you were willing to travel with others and wander the world? Why then can I not go?"

He continued, "I shall purchase two carriages. Since we are setting out, we will certainly need to bring many things; this way, we can be well-prepared and the journey will be more comfortable."

Jiang She smiled faintly. "Two carriages are quite expensive."

Li Bai said with high spirits, "If it is for you, sir, what are these worldly trifles of gold and silver?"

"..."

In the end, Jiang She relented. "Then we shall depart tomorrow."

Li Bai’s expression instantly brightened. He immediately bowed, hurried off to the carriage firm to buy horses, and then spent the rest of the day bustling in and out with two of his servants, purchasing supplies.

The neighbors watched them coming and going, clearly very busy. Just as Li Bai finished carrying a trunk inside, a neighbor grabbed him at the doorway and asked, "Master Li, what are you preparing for? The Dragon Boat Festival has already passed, hasn't it?"

Li Bai laughed heartily but did not reveal the whereabouts of the immortal. "I just feel the house is lacking a few things, and it is best to get them all sorted out these days."

The neighbor was suspicious. If you are just buying household items, why buy those tall, strong horses?

"Master Li, do not try to fool me." The neighbor thought for a moment, took out a small, slightly damaged bamboo basket, and turned to catch the cat running in the yard. "Ask that gentleman inside—he has been feeding this cat for so many days—is he willing to buy a couple of pounds of dried fish?"

...

A while later, Jiang She returned from the dry goods store, carrying several dried fish and a packet of salt.

"The cat has eaten all this meat in vain; when you go back, share some with the other cats. I have caused you trouble, sir."

The neighbor took them with a bashful smile. "You have been feeding this cat for many days, sir, so I assume you are fond of it. I had intended to bring it over to you earlier, but I never found the time, and I dared not disturb you rashly."

The neighbor tried his best to make his words sound refined. He knew that the people in this courtyard were either wealthy or extraordinary, and he had rarely interacted with them.

Jiang She looked down at the cat. Seeing him, the cat became unusually bold and restless, kicking its legs against the bamboo basket, its tiny head nearly squeezing out.

He said, "It is I who should be thanking you."

"Since we are neighbors, would you like to come in for a cup of tea?"

"That would be wonderful!" The neighbor was overjoyed.

He wiped the mud from his shoes against the threshold of his own door, knocking it away. He looked back to see if the ground he was walking on was clean before stepping inside with great care.

The cat, once inside, seemed more at ease than he was. It acted as if it had returned to its own home, tail held high, swaying back and forth, and found the most comfortable spot on the table to lie down, emitting a soft purr.

Jiang She brewed tea, adding an extra portion of leaves. He handed it to the man, who sat somewhat uneasily. After some idle chatter, Jiang She learned that the neighbor’s family were not originally from Xiangyang. Years ago, they had been workers in a merchant caravan, and after years of running about, they grew weary and settled down in Xiangyang.

Xu Da had brought his wife and children over, and they had lived here for twelve years now. His children had grown up almost entirely in Xiangyang and already considered it their hometown.

Jiang She asked, "Where is Master Xu from?"

"I am from Chenzhou. Years ago, when the Yellow River flooded, there was no way to survive. Never mind the fields, even my parents starved to death. Otherwise, I would not have had to go everywhere to seek my fortune, following ships and trading."

Chenzhou was located on the southern bank of the lower reaches of the Yellow River. Whenever the river breached its banks, the region of Chen and Song would be flooded, washing away houses and fields.

Master Xu bowed his head and took a sip of tea. "This tea...!"

The taste seemed somewhat unusual. Xu Da savored it for a long time, holding the cup and restraining himself to only half a cup before asking cautiously, "Master Jiang, may I take this half-bowl of tea back for my family to drink?"

"Of course." Jiang She said, finding a small soup bowl, putting the tea leaves into it, and filling it to the brim with water. Fearing they might be reluctant to drink it, he added, "It must be consumed within three days."

Xu Da took it carefully and placed it on the table. He sighed, "You are a kind man, sir."

The more he thought about the taste of the tea, and connecting it to various rumors and the people who had been poking their heads around the alley lately, Xu Da could not help but ask: "Master Jiang, is there really such a thing as an immortal in this world?"

"There is."

Xu Da’s eyes widened. He was about to kneel down with a thud, but he felt as if something was pressing him down; he could not bend his waist or kneel.

"Sir..." Xu Da’s heart pounded in his chest. He knew he had encountered a master. He was both fearful and awestruck. "Can an immortal achieve eternal life?"

"They can."

Seeing the man’s eyes widen, his heart racing, and his face flushing red as he prepared to bow, Jiang She stopped him immediately. He smiled and pointed to the soup bowl on the table.

"Master Xu, take this back and share it with your family. I am leaving in a few days, so you need not return the bowl."

The neighbor, while feeling a sense of loss, decided to enshrine the bowl as soon as he returned home.

He said, "Take care on your journey, sir. I wish you a smooth and safe trip."

Jiang She thanked him.

After the man left, he looked at the cat, which was fast asleep, curled into a ball on the table, its belly rising and falling with every breath. It slept soundly, appearing quite at ease.

He stroked the small cat’s head. A strange feeling rose in his heart: this was his cat now.

Not long after, the trunks were mostly packed, hitting the ground with a heavy thud. Yuan Danqiu was taking a midday nap. Hearing the commotion, he jumped up from his bed. Listening to the hurried footsteps outside, he realized that neither Taibai nor Master Jiang usually walked like this, and the sound of footsteps did not seem to belong to just two people.

Could it be that the two of them had gone out and the courtyard had been robbed?

Yuan Danqiu immediately scrambled out of bed, threw on his outer robe, looked around the bedroom, picked up a porcelain pillow from the couch with one hand, put on his shoes, and tiptoed to open a crack in the door.

"...Sir?" Yuan Danqiu was stunned, looking at the trunks packed throughout the courtyard and the servants scurrying about.

Once he understood the situation, he exclaimed, "Sir!"

...

...

The next day.

The inscription on the stele was finally completed. The stone was draped in red silk, and several laborers carefully lifted it together. The Governor and Magistrate Cheng walked one after another, leading the group, gazing at the azure sky with refreshed spirits.

Behind them was a large crowd of yamen runners, officials, and other dignitaries. Following them were the local gentry of Xiangyang, especially those who had dreamt of the immortal at the Lu residence that day, all crowding around the stone tablet.

On both sides, runners cleared the way, beating gongs and drums.

They shouted:

"The Governor is passing—make way!"

"The Governor is passing—"

"Make way—"

Finally, the large group stood outside the courtyard gate. Seeing so many people, with high-ranking officials in the lead, the neighbors all climbed the walls to peek.

The Governor bowed toward the courtyard gate.

"Han Chaozong, Governor of Xiangzhou, has come to pay his respects to the immortal—"