There are no purely good people in the world, nor purely evil villains. In official records, Tian Xiangzi could be said to have done nothing but evil deeds. In reality, he was an old man without the strength to truss a chicken. Weak limbs couldn’t kill people—what could kill was his wise brain. Why would such an intelligent person insist on rushing down a dead end? Nearly eighty years old and unwilling to relax for even a moment.
Fools were straightforward—eat their fill and sleep, carefree and worry-free. People, especially clever people, thought too much, had more doubts, and more unknowns. Fools wouldn’t consider whether there were actually immortals on the moon. Clever people would. Whenever they looked up at the starry sky, they couldn’t help but wonder—what exactly were the stars? Were they truly the residences of celestial immortals?
The Tian Xiangzi before him was among the best of these. He claimed to have comprehended the ultimate truth of the mortal world. Now he only needed to find a shortcut to ascend to heaven, and he could transform from mortal to celestial immortal. When saying these things, Yun Ye had already discovered he was trapped in a frenzied emotional state from which he couldn’t extricate himself. This was a madman, a madman suffering from delusions. Yet he also possessed extremely strong self-control, so ordinarily one couldn’t see anything amiss.
“Since this old man first bound his hair and began studying, the first character I learned was the character for ‘immortal.’ Over many years of exhaustive study with white hair, flipping through canonical works written by successive generations of ancestral masters, observing the great meaning and small details, seeking passages and extracting sentences, scrutinizing every word—I finally found the White Jade Capital. That is a world of white jade. Flying and dancing in the heavens, warriors holding halberds, hearing celestial music and spontaneously dancing, immortal cranes carrying lingzhi, white turtles presenting auspicious signs, on earth springs of jade nectar gush forth, in heaven celestial maidens scatter flowers, congratulating this old man on three thousand years of life.”
Scattered thinking, illogical words, empty voice, burning gaze—all of this proved that this Tian Xiangzi was a thorough and complete madman. Yun Ye picked up the peach he’d bitten once and continued gnawing. He needed to find something to plug his mouth, otherwise he would immediately flee in panic.
“You all follow in this old man’s wake, climb the cloud ladder,披 the heavenly wind, pluck the stars. At dawn drink celestial dew, at dusk dine on evening clouds. Leave names in the immortal register. In the morning observe snow at Kunlun, at night listen to the sound of the Eastern Sea’s waves. Attain great freedom.” Tian Xiangzi had fallen into an illusion of his own making from which he couldn’t extricate himself, caressing Xi Tong beside him with entrancing words to deceive him. Xi Tong, over eight chi tall, curled up like a small cat behind him, allowing that withered claw to stroke his spine.
Yun Ye deeply regretted coming to see Tian Xiangzi. He’d thought that as a leader, Tian Xiangzi must be a wise person. Under conditions of mutual benefit and win-win cooperation, the two would reach consensus. One would travel the world, one would stay in Chang’an reading their world travelogues. How perfect! He would never have imagined, no matter how hard he thought, that the meeting between two people would be so bizarre. He had to negotiate terms with a madman?
“Who would have thought the old gentleman’s cultivation has reached such profound depths? Yun Ye deeply admires this. This boy would be extremely honored to contribute a small effort to the old gentleman’s great plan of ascending to immortality. As they say, when one person attains the Way, even chickens and dogs ascend to heaven. Brother Xi Tong having this immortal destiny truly makes others die of envy.”
After his excitement passed, Tian Xiangzi’s eyes gradually became clear. He’d fallen into his own illusions more than once or twice. He relied entirely on powerful willpower to return to reality. Xi Tong obviously didn’t have this ability of his, still so excited he couldn’t control himself.
“I heard Xi Tong say that Marquis Yun, you plan to tell this old man everything you know about the White Jade Capital. Is this true?”
“Indeed so. Right now the sky of the far north is still completely dark. Only after waiting until the end of the third month will it be time to act. The old gentleman sent people out too early before. That place is full of crises. Wanting to return alive is harder than ascending to heaven.” When Tian Xiangzi’s consciousness was clear, it was better to speak the truth.
“This old man also believes they cannot possibly return alive. However, sacrificing themselves for the great cause is also their supreme glory. This time, this old man plans to go personally. What does Marquis Yun think?”
“Immortal destiny, immortal destiny—meeting is having destiny. What belongs to the old gentleman, no one can steal. What isn’t yours cannot be forced. The old gentleman making a trip personally would naturally be excellent. But your body—can it withstand the severe cold there?” Yun Ye wished this fellow would die immediately. His mouth had to offer some persuasion though. The proper attitude couldn’t be lacking.
“With Marquis Yun’s guidance, there should be no problem. It’s just that Marquis Yun yearns for mortal achievements and avoids the path of ascending to immortality. Otherwise, you and I could seek the immortal gate together and ascend to heaven together—wouldn’t that be delightful?”
This sentence frightened Yun Ye into a cold sweat. If he were coerced into going to the Arctic with him, that would truly be lifting a rock to drop on his own feet.
“My teacher’s dying words repeatedly warned this boy not to become obsessed with the immortal way. Moreover, having seen my teacher’s miserable condition, this boy truly doesn’t dare harbor extravagant hopes about the immortal way. I can only wish the gentleman success. When the day comes that five colors appear in the sky, this boy will certainly burn incense and pray, celebrating for Tian Xiangzi.”
“Hahaha…” A hoarse, exhausted laugh burst from Tian Xiangzi’s chest, expressing extreme pleasure.
“In this world there are many mean and petty types, deluded by a hundred-some years of mortal wealth and honor, like mayflies born at dawn and dead by dusk. Marquis Yun abandons the great way to pursue small gains—how foolish! So be it. Immortal destiny cannot be forced. You’ve entered treasure mountain but return empty-handed. How pitiful, how lamentable.”
Tian Xiangzi looked at Yun Ye with a gaze of pity for all beings, as if seeing the world’s most foolish person. Though scorned, Yun Ye appeared unfazed by favor or disgrace. In Tian Xiangzi’s view, he had been thoroughly deluded by the mortal world’s meager wealth and no longer possessed the slightest ambition.
Yun Ye pulled out the Arctic guide he’d written a few days ago from his bosom and presented it to Tian Xiangzi with both hands. No matter what, the man was about to become an immortal, prepared to use his eighty-year-old life to open up the Arctic for him. He was completely worthy of respect.
Tian Xiangzi personally received the thin booklet from Yun Ye’s hands. After opening it, he read carefully. Shortly after, having finished reading, he closed his eyes and pondered in his mind for a moment. Opening his eyes, he asked Yun Ye, “Does a million-jin giant fish truly exist?”
“In the past, Lord Ren cast a giant anchor into the sea, using an ox as bait. For a year he caught no fish, then caught a ship-swallowing fish. It fed for a thousand li. Sir, you’ve read extensively—how could you not know this passage? Why ask about this matter? When you go to the Northern Sea, you will naturally encounter ship-swallowing fish. Polar bears aren’t frightening—with expert guards protecting you, naturally you won’t fear them. It’s just that ship-swallowing fish truly cannot be subdued by human力. Upon seeing them, fleeing far away is the best strategy.”
“Naturally this old man has read the Zhuangzi. Previously I thought that was merely a metaphor. I didn’t expect ship-swallowing fish truly existed. On this journey, whether I live or die is hard to predict. Such a fine head—so many people want to obtain it, trying every method but unable to get it. Now the greatest possibility is actually feeding fish. Truly marvelous beyond words.”
Tian Xiangzi was truly a generation’s outstanding hero. The demon king Zhu Can who ate people at the end of the Sui Dynasty was one of his disciples. After Zhu Can’s death, he disappeared. Everyone under heaven hated that he didn’t die. Those prepared to eat his flesh and use his skin as a blanket weren’t just one or two—Li Jing here was probably one of them. Decades of effort pursuing him, yet without any leads. He still lived happily in the mortal world.
“Marquis Yun’s gift, this old man will remember in his heart. The Hidden Gate has also prepared some modest gifts. I hope Marquis Yun will accept them with a smile.” Having said this, he clapped his hands. A bald, burly man carried an iron chest and placed it before Yun Ye. When it landed, the sound was heavy—quite weighty!
Having delivered the gift, Tian Xiangzi seemed to have exhausted his strength as well. Two strong men emerged from behind the tree, carrying a soft sedan chair. Xi Tong held Tian Xiangzi and placed him in the sedan chair, bowed once to Yun Ye, then left. The strong men walked very quickly. In just an instant, they disappeared into the riverside woods.
Cheng Chumo and the veteran auxiliary soldier walked out from a riverside pavilion, coming to where Yun Ye and Tian Xiangzi had conversed. Yun Ye didn’t move, still maintaining his kneeling posture, methodically biting the peach in his mouth with an absent-minded appearance.
Cheng Chumo also sat beside Yun Ye. Taking a pear from the plate, he tossed it to the veteran auxiliary soldier. He himself also grabbed one and started crunching away. He knew Yun Ye’s quirk—once he fell into contemplation, he lost perception of external matters. What he could do was accompany him on the side, waiting for him to wake up.
The Yun family guards emerged from the woods one by one. Each had drawn swords and strung bows, ready for battle at any moment. Because from beginning to end, Yun Ye had never issued an attack command, and now Tian Xiangzi and his group had already left, naturally there was no need for ambush. They all revealed themselves.
Yun Ye woke from his contemplation. Pulling a peach pit from his mouth—the peach had long been finished. He’d been unconsciously biting the pit. His teeth were about to crack.
A swift horse burst out from the riverbank. Li Jing was dressed in full traveling attire, a sheathed long sword thrust diagonally across his back. Coming before them, his eyes seemed about to shoot flames. Drawing his sword, with one stroke he cut the low table across from Yun Ye in two.
Waving his hand, he chased away the surrounding guards. Seeing only Yun Ye and the fruit-eating Cheng Chumo remaining on the mat, knowing he couldn’t chase Cheng Chumo away, he lowered his voice and said to Yun Ye, “Do you know what kind of person you let go today? His terribleness is beyond your wildest dreams. Why your Aunt Hong became that way—it’s because she suffered greatly at this demon’s hands. This old man has searched the world exhaustively for twenty years. Today was the closest I’ve come to him. Boy, you will regret for your entire life the action you took today in letting him go.”
Yun Ye said with a smile to Li Jing, “Uncle Li, rest assured. His best destination is to perish in the Arctic wasteland. You’re right—this person is very frightening because he’s a madman. All people who dream of immortality and eternal life are either madmen or perverts. You don’t understand what ‘pervert’ means. You only need to know that just now I also very much wanted to kill him. It’s just because there were unavoidable reasons that I let him off. Just lift the mat and you’ll understand.”
Hearing Yun Ye say this, Cheng Chumo lifted the mat under their feet. Under the mat was a pit. Tang Jian and Xu Jingzong were curled up unconscious at the bottom. Around them was spread sulfur, fire oil, dry firewood, and other combustible materials. A length of oil-soaked hemp cloth strip connected all the way to where Xi Tong had been sitting.
Seeing these things, Li Jing angrily hurled his sword to the ground and said to Yun Ye, “This old thief claims to have infallible strategies. This time we’ve fallen into his trap.”
“It’s all this boy’s fault for not telling Uncle Li beforehand. Otherwise, with Uncle Li’s abilities, even if he were an immortal, by now he would have found it hard to escape death.” Yun Ye had to take the blame upon himself. Otherwise, if Li Jing suddenly changed his mind and refused to teach at the academy, Yun Ye would cry himself to death. As for whether Tian Xiangzi would die, when he would die—what the hell did it have to do with Yun Ye?