Unintended Immortality

“I am Song You, from Changjing.” Song You stood in the woods, wearing a paper robe over his Daoist garb, snow already covering him as he looked at them.

“Why would you be walking in the deep mountains during such a heavy snowstorm?” The middle-aged man curiously looked at him, feeling relaxed and unafraid. “Are you a spirit or demon of the mountains, or perhaps a divine immortal master from the outside world?”

“I am just a Daoist.”

“How did you end up in the deep mountains?”

“Aren’t you also in the deep mountains?”

“Pardon my rudeness.” The middle-aged man smiled and bowed. “I have long admired Doctor Cai and the Snake Immortal of Mount Beiqin. I heard that Doctor Cai is grateful for the Snake Immortal’s kindness, so he settled here. In return, the Snake Immortal often guides and protects him. Such deeds should be celebrated throughout the ages, and when I heard of them, I found them quite beautiful.”

After a brief pause, he continued, “A few days ago, I came to Mount Beiqin to admire the snow. While descending the mountain, I encountered a hunter. We conversed, and the hunter informed me that there is a small lake on this mountain. He had seen the Snake Immortal fishing by the lake when he got lost while hunting. The Snake Immortal even gave him some fish to satisfy his hunger.

“I also heard that the Snake Immortal enjoys tea, so after returning to the capital, I immediately bought the best tea from Changjing and followed the path indicated by the hunter to seek the Snake Immortal. Unexpectedly, the snowstorm grew heavier along the way, but thankfully, I had the Snake Immortal’s guidance.”

The middle-aged man pointed to the snake path on the ground.

“Are you also here to seek the Snake Immortal?”

“Indeed.”

“Have you found him?” The Daoist did not answer but stood silently in the swirling snow, looking at him without speaking.

“Pardon my rudeness.” The middle-aged man bowed again and casually glanced behind the Daoist. He noticed the bamboo forest below the mountain, the thatched cottage beside the bamboo, the quiet lake in front of the cottage, the small boat on the lake, and the old man fishing from the boat, his straw raincoat covered in snow.

His heart stirred involuntarily, and he bowed even lower while asking, “May I ask, sir, if I can find the Snake Immortal on my visit?”

“If it’s meant to be, you will find him.”

“That makes sense…”

“However…” Song You turned around and glanced at the Snake Immortal. He could almost discern the Snake Immortal's thoughts, so he said, “In such a heavy snowstorm, you’ve still managed to make it here, despite your attendants repeatedly advising you to turn back. You are also a courteous person, so I wish you success in your endeavor.”

Upon hearing this, the middle-aged man immediately understood it as a hint and was overjoyed. “Thank you very much, sir.”

“Don’t mention it.”

They both exchanged bows before taking their leave.

At this moment, they noticed that a calico cat was following the Daoist. It had just been buried in the snow, watching them. Now, as it walked, it seemed to bounce in the snow. Each time it landed, the loose snow covering the weeds would engulf it, and it had to jump again to move forward. It was quite amusing.

This man must also be an unusual person.

The two of them passed each other.

Amidst the wind and snow, the conversation between the middle-aged man and his servant drifted over.

“I told you, it must be a guest of the Snake Immortal. Most likely, he is here for the same reason we are.”

“You’re right, sir.”

“Let’s move faster. If he isn’t afraid of the snowstorm, we shouldn’t be either. If he can find it, we most likely can too.”

“Be patient, sir!”

But the middle-aged man had already gone far ahead.

The servant hurried to catch up, glancing back at the Daoist in the snowstorm, he could only sigh. His master wasn’t the only obsessed one; there were people even more obsessed than him.

***

Song You tightened his paper robe and continued further with the calico cat.

It was incredibly cold on the mountain, and the wind and snow were fierce. Even though the paper robe blocked the wind, and he kept moving, he still felt very chilly.

This coldness lingered until he crossed several mountains and left the area ravaged by wind and snow, before it slightly improved. A complete relief would only come when he reached Doctor Cai’s thatched cottage after descending the mountain. The temperature down below was bound to be higher than that on the mountain, and as he walked, he felt warm even without the paper robe.

“Daoist Master, Daoist Master…”

“Hmm?”

“Do you think our horse will freeze to death on the mountain?”

“Of course not.”

“Why not?”

“It’s not that easy to freeze to death.”

“Cats have fur and still often freeze to death.”

“Well…”

Song You thought for a moment before explaining to her, “Our horse is a Beiyuan horse, born to withstand both cold and heat. It’s less afraid of the cold than a cat. Even during the cold winter at the peak of Changjing, the Beiyuan horse won’t freeze to death. Besides, although it can't compare to you, it’s still pretty impressive.”

“Uh-huh!” The cat felt a little reassured but was still worried.

Even if it wouldn’t freeze to death, it could still be very painful to be cold. The horse was not like Lady Calico, who had her own temple on the mountain. Besides, even Lady Calico, with her own temple, would still feel very cold on winter nights, needing to huddle in the farthest corner to avoid the wind blowing in from the entrance.

“…” Song You glanced at her before saying, “If you’re really worried, why don’t we go look for it?”

“Let’s go find it!”

“After all, we have a drawing.”

“Where do we look for it?”

“It’s on the mountain.”

“On the mountain?”

Having just come down from the mountain and now walking toward Changjing, the calico cat paused again and turned back to look at the mountain behind her.

“It’s not this one; it’s another one.”

“Which one?”

“…” Song You could only extend his hand and point in a direction.

The cat immediately stretched her neck to look. “Where is it?”

“Let’s go.”

“Oh…” The cat quickly followed with her little steps.

It was clear that she had a deep love for her jujube-red horse and was quite worried about it.

The mountain where the jujube-red horse was released was in the direction they took to enter the capital, and while it wasn't completely opposite to this side, it was still quite far off. After the horse arrived, it moved again. But its general direction remained on the mountain Song You had originally pointed to it, never straying too far.

This also showed its intentions and thoughts.

Lady Calico was right; they could keep it in the drawing. Lady Calico was also right; it was too cold in winter. It wasn’t even the coldest time yet, so they should go find it.

In the cold winter season, life retreated, the nights grew longer, and the days shorter. Along the way, most of the wild grass on the mountain had withered to a yellowish hue, and the trees stood mostly bare, with only the pines and cypresses remaining evergreen.

A man and a cat continued forward, not returning to the capital but instead finding a road leading to Donghe County as they approached the city. After asking passersby, they confirmed that the path would lead them to their desired destination, so they took this new route and continued walking.

When they reached the road they had previously taken to enter the capital, they made an effort to discern their surroundings and had a few pointless discussions about it, then chose a direction.

Winter differed from spring; the road ahead was the same road, the mountains were the same mountains, and the villages and houses were unchanged, yet everything felt unfamiliar.

Lady Calico, who loved to worry, missed her horse and asked repeatedly along the way if they were going the wrong way. Song You, on the other hand, could roughly sense the position of the jujube-red horse.

Finally, they stepped onto that small path again and arrived at the little hillside where they had parted from the jujube-red horse.

In the distance, a range of mountains loomed.

“Looks like I didn't get the location wrong.”

“You didn’t.” Lady Calico seemed to recognize it as well and began to scamper forward with her little quick steps.

The mountains looked close but were, in fact, very far away.

The mountains were thickly forested, and the deeper they went, the denser the woods became. Usually, only hunters and woodcutters would venture in here.

When the man and cat came to a stop, they saw several wild horses gathered ahead—one standing guard while the others grazed. Not far from this group, there was also a jujube-red horse, lowering its head to munch on the grass.

“Horsey!” The gentle call was barely audible.

However, the jujube-red horse still heard it, instantly pricking up its ears and lifting its head to look over.

“Neigh…” The jujube-red horse whinnied loudly and immediately dashed over.

Like Lady Calico, the horse slowed down as it approached them. By the time it reached the man and the cat, it had gone from a run to a walk and stopped right in front of them, lowering its head and standing still. Neither the man nor the cat could discern any emotion from the horse’s face.

“Does horsey miss Lady Calico?”

“…”

“Why aren’t you talking?”

“…”

“You’re not smart.”

“…”

The horse remained standing still, silent.

The Daoist reached out to stroke the horse's mane and smiled as he asked, “Are you doing well on this mountain?”

“…”

“You don’t have to leave immediately; it’s just that the harsh winter is cold, and Lady Calico is worried that you’re not doing well. She suggested inviting you to a place that’s not too cold. I wonder if you would be willing.”

“…”

“However, it won’t be long until it’s time to leave.”

“…”

“Alright then.”

The Daoist nodded, smiling, but there was a hint of emotion in his voice as he said, “Thank you for waiting.”

“Thank you!” Lady Calico mimicked him.

Then, the man and the cat turned around and walked toward Changjing, with the horse obediently following behind them in silence.

Lady Calico seemed overly excited and chatted with the jujube-red horse all the way, asking questions about this and that, sharing her own stories, the spells she had learned, and the powers she had comprehended. She talked about the characters she had learned to recognize, her prowess at catching mice in Changjing, and how much money she could earn. But naturally, she received no response.

By evening, they finally arrived in Changjing.

Once they entered the city, the cold wind had lessened considerably. The Daoist, dressed in a paper robe, felt somewhat warm as he walked along the street.

However, this was merely because he was well-fed and warmly dressed, coupled with his Daoist cultivation. The truly poor commoners of Changjing couldn’t rely on such means to keep warm.

Returning to Willow Street, they saw a figure huddled at their door.

It was a person wearing a filthy, tattered Daoist robe, with a long beard and graying hair. He was curled up at the entrance and completely motionless.

“Meow?” Lady Calico looked back at the Daoist.

“Hmm.” Song You nodded, indicating that he had seen it too.

They approached, and the Daoist bent down to examine the figure, while Lady Calico cautiously edged closer, keeping a wary eye on him.

The man was indeed alive, but he appeared very weak.

He seemed to have fallen into poverty and despair, having come to this spot. Other doorways were occupied by shops, and the shopkeepers wouldn’t allow him to sleep at their entrances. Fortunately, Song You and Lady Calico’s shop door was closed, so he had huddled here.

“Fellow Daoist…” Song You nudged him and called out a couple of times.

The downtrodden middle-aged Daoist opened his eyes groggily and turned to look at him, startled. It was only then that Song You realized this man looked somewhat familiar.