Chapter Seventy-Six: My hair has turned silver with age, yet you remain as radiant as ever

The instant the white deer appeared, a thunderous surge erupted within Daoist Yu Yin’s mind, and countless memories came flooding back. The young hunter from Jiangning Prefecture, the white deer in the forest—after sixty years, they met again!

Feelings of guilt, melancholy, and excitement intertwined in his heart. He wanted to speak, but his throat felt constricted. Lost and unsettled, his gaze suddenly met that of the divine deer in the sky.

Within those divine eyes, there was no reproach or blame; instead, there was warmth and the joy of reunion with an old friend. They regarded each other for a long moment, then smiled, letting go of all burdens.

The knot that had weighed on his heart for sixty years was finally untied today. Yu Yin’s vision blurred with tears.

Though he was now old and gray-haired, to see his old friend as radiant as ever left him with no regrets in life. Tears streamed down his face, and through them, he seemed to glimpse a figure in the spiritual spring valley—a young Daoist, holding an apricot branch and smiling as he said,

“Senior brother, you gave me an apricot pit; today, I return to you a tree of apricot fruit. Such is the fate that binds us, wondrous and beyond words!”

Is this what destiny means? How fortunate!

...

At this moment, no one noticed Daoist Yu Yin’s dazed state. Everyone’s gaze was drawn entirely to the white deer shimmering in the void.

Even though they had just witnessed Qingyangzi and Jiang Liunian wielding divine jade talismans to dispel calamity and sickness, nothing compared to the impact of this scene.

Could there truly be deities in this world?

Not only did the deity manifest before all eyes, but it descended amid the prayers and blessings of thousands, radiating an aura of supreme nobility and holiness.

If this was not a legendary deity, how could such phenomena occur?

Shocked and awed, the disaster victims of Jiangzhou and the townsfolk bowed once more, expressing gratitude for the white deer’s divine grace.

“Thank you, great deity, for saving my entire family!”

“From now on, I will burn incense and make offerings every day to repay your life-saving kindness…”

The emotions of ordinary people are the simplest. Seeing the white deer emerge from the bitter apricot seed, they were convinced this deity had driven away their calamities and illnesses, and were filled with heartfelt gratitude.

...

At that moment, a gentle voice sounded from above:

“I am the spirit of the Bitter Apricot, servant of Jade Morning Immortal. By the Immortal’s command, I have come to dispel plague and sickness! The Immortal has said, you need not thank him—simply remember to do good deeds, for Heaven will reward virtue!”

Hearing this, the crowd was stunned. Even this deity served under the Jade Morning Immortal? Who could such a being be?

Judging by his words and actions, he must be a true master.

Before anyone could ponder further, the white deer addressed the physicians below:

“The Immortal has observed that the Pine Origin Festival, once a gathering for the noble pursuit of medicine and saving lives, has now become a place for seeking fame and profit—contrary to its original purpose!”

The many physicians on the ground showed expressions of shame, except for a dozen or so who remained composed, their consciences clear.

The white deer paid no mind to their reactions and continued, “Moved by this, the Immortal intends to establish a new Apricot Grove Assembly, a path of virtue. Any act of saving lives and helping others will be rewarded by the Red Pine Daoist Temple on behalf of Heaven!”

A stir rippled through the crowd. Today’s events seemed more miraculous than half a lifetime’s experiences.

What was this path of virtue? Apricot Grove Assembly? These were unheard-of concepts, and curiosity grew.

The bold among them asked, “Could you explain, great deity, what the path of virtue means?”

The white deer smiled. “For example, if you physicians act with compassion, prescribe medicine, and aid the poor, that is a virtuous deed! But virtue must come from the heart—good deeds done without sincerity do not count. All rewards for virtue depend solely on one’s intentions!”

Good deeds are good deeds, virtue is virtue.

Good deeds can be faked, but virtue must spring from the heart.

Otherwise, if a rich man simply distributes wealth to the poor, would he not amass boundless virtue?

Realizing this, many nodded in agreement.

Then, a young man named Su Mu bowed to the white deer and asked, “Great deity, may ordinary folk like us also perform acts of virtue?”

Recalling Lin You’s instructions, the white deer nodded, “Of course! The Apricot Grove Assembly welcomes all, regardless of status—physician or commoner, all may participate. Rewards from the Immortal will be granted according to accumulated virtue!”

A disciple of the Medical Sect asked, “What kinds of rewards may be exchanged for virtue?”

“Spiritual herbs and elixirs, all may be exchanged,” the white deer replied.

This answer astonished everyone.

Spiritual herbs are already rare treasures, and legendary elixirs are unheard of. Now, simply by performing acts of virtue, such rewards could be gained?

“Jade Morning Immortal is truly a master of the Way!” an elder sighed in admiration.

...

If others obtained spiritual herbs or elixirs, they would guard them as heirlooms for generations. Even martial arts masters would find such treasures irresistible.

Yet Jade Morning Immortal, for the sake of saving the suffering, offered these rare materials as rewards. What breadth of heart was this? It was beyond worldly measure.

The white deer observed the crowd’s reactions, indifferent to skeptical glances.

The Apricot Grove Assembly was but a first trial in the Immortal’s path of virtue. The rewards offered were only spiritual herbs and elixirs.

Once the system of virtue was perfected, even methods of immortal cultivation, or divine investiture like its own, could be granted as rewards.

But such things must wait until the Immortal established his Dao foundation.

The allure of immortality is unparalleled; not only for mortals, but even cultivators find it irresistible.

Once the crowd’s discussions subsided, someone asked curiously, “How will virtue be calculated? And how may we claim our rewards?”

The white deer answered, “There are twelve thousand eight hundred apricot seeds here. If you perform acts of virtue, at next year’s Apricot Grove Assembly, you may plant them here. According to the amount of virtue accumulated, each tree will bear apricot fruits.”

Then it added, “A hundred good deeds, or a single act of virtue, will yield one apricot fruit, exchangeable for a ten-year spiritual herb. Ten acts of virtue will grant a hundred-year herb…”

After this detailed explanation, the crowd’s eyes grew eager.

And according to the white deer, even if unable to attend the Assembly, one could plant a bitter apricot seed in their own courtyard.

The more virtue accumulated, the more miraculous the tree. It would not only ward off calamity and disease, but also attract the manifestation and blessing of the deer spirit.

All one needed was to do good deeds from the heart, nothing more. Deeds done without sincerity would be in vain, preventing anyone from abusing the system.

The elder’s eyes brightened as he stroked his beard and praised Zhang Yuanyi, “If this is true, the customs of Jin Prefecture will be greatly purified!”

Zhang Yuanyi, however, voiced concern, “Though the teacher’s actions are admirable, if ever more people perform acts of virtue, I fear the mountain’s spiritual herbs may not suffice.”

Thank you, fellow Daoists, for your votes!

Today, an extra chapter will be added for the helmsman ‘Gentle Breeze Moves My Heart q’. The additional chapter will be posted this afternoon.