After leaving the tavern, Chen Changsheng carried the Wine Gourd and headed outside the market.
Ten miles away from Autumn Moon Market stood a mountain. Legends said an Immortal once came there, taught Immortal Arts, and let three dewdrops fall, which transformed into a Taoist Temple.
The temple was named Flowing Cloud Temple.
Forty years ago, the old master of Flowing Cloud Temple brought three children up from the mountain’s foot. He gave each of them an impressive Taoist name: Xuan Tian, Xuan Di, Xuan Huang.
The old master didn’t understand Daoist Arts, but his words were bold. He carelessly bestowed the four great titles—Heaven, Earth, Mysterious, Yellow—without any order.
Yet this impossibly boastful old man lived for one hundred and forty long years.
Chen Changsheng stood outside the mountain gate, holding the wine.
He hadn’t visited in three years. Now stone steps led up the mountain, likely built painstakingly by San Xuan over time.
He stepped onto the stairs.
San Xuan had already been waiting there for quite some time.
So many years had passed. They were no longer boys. Wrinkles etched their faces, their backs were bent, and old age had settled upon them.
“Greetings, Mr. Chen.”
San Xuan spoke in unison, bending respectfully.
Chen Changsheng raised a hand. “No need for formalities.”
Xuan Tian stepped forward. “Mr. Chen, Master, he…”
His words trailed off. He lowered his head, eyes filled with sadness.
His two junior brothers mirrored his expression.
Seeing their faces, Chen Changsheng suddenly understood.
Xuan Tian closed his eyes. “Infinite Heavenly Lord.”
Chen Changsheng felt a momentary daze. He glanced at the wine in his hand. He’d thought he would sit and chat awhile with the old Taoist, sharing a few sips.
Now it seemed there was no chance left.
Chen Changsheng sighed. “Take me to see him.”
Xuan Tian led Chen Changsheng into the temple.
Following a small path behind the structure, they reached the Back Mountain.
A solitary grave stood there. Its tombstone read: “Master of Flowing Cloud Temple – Hong Sancai’s Grave.”
Chen Changsheng stood silently before the tombstone for a long time.
Hong Sancai was probably the longest-lived person Chen Changsheng had ever known.
Chen Changsheng asked, “Did the old Master Hong leave any instructions before he passed?”
Xuan Tian replied, “Master wished for you, Sir, to decide.”
Chen Changsheng pressed, “Anything else?”
Xuan Di stepped forward. “Master also left behind a question.”
“What question?” Chen Changsheng asked.
“Master wanted us to ask you, Sir…” Xuan Tian hesitated before continuing, “Is it possible to achieve immortality?”
Chen Changsheng didn’t answer. Instead, he asked, “Was there more?”
“Nothing else. Master departed after asking this one question,” Xuan Tian said.
Chen Changsheng nodded, acknowledging the answer. His gaze rested on the grave.
After a long while, he uncorked the Wine Gourd and poured the contents onto the ground before the tombstone.
The wine flowed down.
It splashed onto the earth, then soaked deep into the soil.
He hadn’t expected the wine he brought to serve such a purpose.
Who could have imagined, in the blink of an eye, places remain but people change? Chen Changsheng felt a deep gloom within him. The Curse wrapped around him felt increasingly hateful.
When the Autumn Moon Brew in the gourd finally ran dry, Chen Changsheng slowly stirred back to the present.
He shook his head helplessly, speaking to the lonely grave mound: “I thought you’d live another decade or so.”
“Hong Sancai, ah Hong Sancai. What a waste of that name! Heaven, Earth, and Man – you didn’t possess even one of the Three Talents. Even in death, you clung to such futile questions. You weren’t foolish. Why couldn’t you figure it out?” New ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄhapters are published on ɴovelfire.net
The three San Xuan exchanged puzzled glances behind him.
What did Mr. Chen’s words mean?
Chen Changsheng finally turned his gaze away. He looked directly at the three San Xuan.
“Your Master practiced the Path of Immortality for one hundred and forty-seven years. Yet, in the end, he lived less freely and easily than an ordinary mortal. How truly lamentable.”
“I was acquainted with your Master. Though he entrusted me with deciding your futures, such decisions should never rest with an outsider. It breaks all tradition.”
Chen Changsheng declared, “Therefore, from now on, you three decide your own paths. Stay or leave, do as you please.”
Hearing this felt like a great weight lifted from Xuan Tian.
He breathed a long sigh of relief, bowed deeply with clasped hands, and said, “Thank you, Mr. Chen, for your generosity.”
Chen Changsheng waved dismissively. Then he looked at Xuan Di. “And you?”
Xuan Di replied, “I will journey with Senior Brother Xuan Tian into the Mortal World.”
Chen Changsheng nodded. Then his gaze shifted to Xuan Huang.
“Xuan Huang. Of the three of you, you are the youngest. What will you do?”
Xuan Huang sported a full head of white hair. His face was gaunt, contrasting sharply with his two senior brothers.
“Xuan Huang wishes to stay and guard the temple.”
Chen Changsheng stared at the respectful Xuan Huang for a long time without speaking.
Truthfully, Hong Sancai hadn’t attained Immortality at all. He had simply lived an exceptionally long life.
“To seek Immortality?” Chen Changsheng asked.
Xuan Huang shook his head. “To carry on the legacy.”
He continued, “Forty-eight years have passed since I came up this mountain. I believe I can live another forty-eight springs and autumns, just like Master. That is enough time to preserve the tradition.”
A faint smile touched Chen Changsheng’s lips. “You are the most like your Master.”
Xuan Huang chuckled. “My two senior brothers always say that too.”
But Chen Changsheng spoke bluntly: “Your brothers are clever men. Only you are the fool.”
Xuan Tian and Xuan Di immediately lowered their heads in response.
Xuan Huang, however, answered simply, “Your reprimand is justified, Sir.”
Chen Changsheng waved his hand again. “As you wish. If you choose to stay on this mountain, I cannot stop you.”
Xuan Huang exhaled in relief and bowed. “Thank you, Sir.”
Chen Changsheng swept his gaze over all three. He drew a deep breath, then said decisively, “Those who wish to descend the mountain, go. Those who wish to remain, stay. That is all. Let’s have no more words.”
Xuan Tian and Xuan Di bowed again to Mr. Chen. Without lingering a moment longer, they began their descent down the mountain.
Now only Chen Changsheng and Xuan Huang remained in the mountaintop temple.
They stood together at the temple gate.
Below, Xuan Tian and Xuan Di walked slowly down the stone steps. Though well past fifty years, their steps were unsteady yet also strangely liberated.
“Infinite Heavenly Lord…”
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Xuan Huang sighed deeply. “My two senior brothers will surely find their own true Path.”
Chen Changsheng smiled faintly. “That Path lies within the joys of the Mortal World.”
Xuan Huang pondered, “Sir, might such worldly joy also be a form of the Path?”
Chen Changsheng thought for a moment, then nodded. “That observation is indeed correct.”
For the Red Dust of the Mortal World could itself be the greatest joy.
He glanced at the sky. The day was waning.
“It grows late. I must take my leave.”
Xuan Huang nodded respectfully. “Take care on your journey, Mr. Chen.”
Chen Changsheng set his foot upon the first descending step.
But a question held Xuan Huang back. He called out just as Chen Changsheng was departing.
Chen Changsheng paused mid-step and looked back. “What more is it?”
“May Xuan Huang ask one last question?”
Chen Changsheng granted permission with a nod.
Xuan Huang gathered his resolve. “Sir, what is your true answer? Could you achieve it?”
Chen Changsheng looked at him directly. “You claim you don’t pursue immortality? Why ask this?”
Xuan Huang managed a small smile. “If only I knew the answer, perhaps I could hold onto some sliver of hope.”
Chen Changsheng studied his face for a moment. Finally, he spoke, “The answer lies in my name.”
“‘Longevity and Enduring Vision.’ I chose ‘Changsheng’ — ‘Long Life’ — as my name.”
Xuan Huang started. A flicker of astonishment crossed his eyes. “Then… Sir… did you attain it?”
“I did not,” Chen Changsheng denied flatly.
For a Mayfly could not claim long life.
Seeing the unwavering intensity in Xuan Huang’s gaze, Chen Changsheng suddenly changed his answer: “Rather, it is that ‘Long Life’ resides within me.”
Xuan Huang stood stunned. By the time he grasped the words, Mr. Chen had already turned and continued down the steps. The figure in the Blue Robe reached the corner of the path and vanished from sight.
A strange dizziness swept over Xuan Huang. Mr. Chen’s final phrase echoed incessantly in his ears: “Long Life resides within me.”
He lifted his head slowly and looked out at the twilight spreading across the distant heavens.
A profound sense of understanding washed over him. Softly, almost reverently, he whispered the sacred phrase:
“Infinite Heavenly Lord…”