Unintended Immortality

The window on the second floor was wide open, and the night breeze filled the room. There was no moon outside, only a sky full of stars.

The scattered starlight gathered on the ground. After his eyes adjusted to the nighttime light, Song You could make out shapes and objects. While he couldn't see the subtle movements on the ground or far away, he could discern the outline of the city. The roof eaves stretched far into the distance, blending into the darkness, creating a serene beauty.

A soft voice came from behind. “What are you looking at?”

“I heard there are demons causing trouble in this city,” Song You replied, leaning by the window without turning around. “Did you see any demons walking around last night while you were out exploring, Lady Calico?”

“I didn’t see any.” A shadow leaped up beside him.

Lady Calico perched on the window ledge, stretching out its body as it said, “But there were many people on the street, and they made a rustling sound as they walked.”

“That’s the patrol.”

“The patrol…”

“The imperial guards.”

“They are the human army guarding this city.”

“I haven’t asked yet!”

“It’s fine.”

“But I did feel that there were demons far away while walking on the roof last night. But they were too far off, and I didn’t dare to run over and check.”

“Keep your distance from them.”

“Are you looking for demons?”

“I’m just casually checking.”

“Did you find any?”

“Of course not,” Song You said softly. “Maybe it’s because this place is too poor, and the demons don’t want to come here.”

“Too poor...”

“Lady Calico, do you think it would be good to buy a long couch and place it here? The couch would be about this high. I’ll place a tea table in the middle, roughly this high.” Song You gestured the height next to the window, the highest point of the tea table barely reaching below the window.

He continued, “This way, it will be more convenient for us to enjoy the view from the window, and you won’t have to jump onto the ledge every time.”

“I won’t fall off.”

“But the tea table can be used for lying down.”

“I saw some people sitting on rocking chairs. They looked like a lot of fun.”

“You like those, huh…” Song You turned his head to assess the upstairs space by the dim light, feeling that it could fit.

“Do those things cost a lot of money?”

“We can only know after we go see.”

Lady Calico turned to look at him closely. “Don’t we have any money left?”

“A little bit.”

“Just a little bit?”

“I guess.”

“Is it impossible for humans to get by without money?”

“…” The question made Song You pause and think deeply.

It wasn’t fully true that people couldn’t live without money. In these times, many people in remote areas used very little money throughout the year. Some didn’t use money at all; when they needed salt, they carried goods down the mountain to trade. For the rest of the time, they lived self-sufficiently, leading a very primitive life.

But saying that this perspective was incorrect also seemed not quite right.

In the novels about heroic figures in the jianghu, a mere wen could sometimes become an obstacle, and many in the jianghu toiled endlessly for money.

Even the cultivators revered by everyone, apart from a few mountain recluses or orthodox ascetic monks, still needed money to varying degrees.

The reason there was a Hidden Dragon Temple on Yin-Yang Mountain, and why so many petulant temple owners over the generations hadn't torn it down despite their capriciousness, was precisely because the temple offered the convenience of interacting with the mundane world. When they were feeling lazy, they could even rely on it to collect some income from incense offering and live an idle life.

Song You, too, needed money to travel in the human realm.

However, the jianghu people were often carefree, splurging their money on wine while they had it and enduring hunger without complaint when they didn't. In contrast, Daoists had a calm and indifferent nature. If they had money, they lived a little better; if they didn't, they just made do with what little they had and didn't mind at all.

After thinking for a while, he simply said, “I guess.”

The little cat’s brow furrowed instantly. It was clearly a cat's face, but for a moment, it seemed to show a hint of sorrow.

“What should we do?”

“Make money.”

“How?”

“Find a way.”

“I saw someone selling kittens on the street when I was out exploring during the day.” Lady Calico lifted its chin and pointed in a direction.

“Hmm?”

“You could sell me.”

“…” Song You couldn’t help but smile. “Lady Calico, you know that’s not possible.”

“You could sell me, and when you get the money and leave far away, I could sneak away and come find you.”

“That’s not right.”

“Can catching mice make money?”

“I’m not sure.” Song You reached out and patted its head. “We’re just short of money, not no money at all. Besides, not having money won’t lead to starvation. Lady Calico, you don't need to worry about that.”

“We won’t starve?”

“We won’t.”

“Oh…”

“Under no circumstances should one make money through stealing, robbing, or cheating. But Lady Calico, you’re an upright cat, so I’m sure you wouldn’t need me to explain this simple principle.”

“Right.”

“You’re indeed upright.”

“The woman next door was eavesdropping on us.”

“It doesn’t matter.”

“She quietly went back.”

“It doesn’t matter.”

“She’s now in bed.”

“Stop eavesdropping.”

“My ears heard it by themselves…”

“Let’s go to sleep.” Song You picked Lady Calico up from the windowsill.

The room was quiet for a moment before Lady Calico’s voice sounded. “What are you doing? Put me down…”

***

On the third day after arriving in Changjing, Song You woke up early.

This time, he happened to encounter the heroine leaving. She was still dressed in thick, dark gray clothing, which was probably convenient for carrying weapons. When she saw Song You while closing the door, she let out a few awkward laughs, seeming a bit embarrassed.

“Haha, did you sleep well last night?”

“Quite well.”

“I thought I heard someone talking next door last night. I wasn’t sure if it was you or the neighbor on the other side. I listened closely from both sides and it seemed like it was coming from your side.”

“It’s no problem.”

“…”

“Are you heading out?”

“Y-Yes, I’m going out to work.”

“Take care.”

“Thank you.” The woman locked the door and turned to leave. The morning was foggy, and her dark clothing quickly made her hard to see.

It was unclear what she was up to so early.

The heroine’s remarks the day before had been quite apt; everyone had their own tasks to attend to, and they should maintain a certain distance even if they were old acquaintances. Therefore, Song You wasn’t interested in knowing her plans. Once she was out of sight, he turned his attention back to his own tasks and calmly began preparing breakfast.

He cooked a pot of gruel. He went to the meat shop at the east end of the street to buy a small amount of minced meat of just a tael and some green vegetables. When it was finely chopped and the gruel was just the right consistency, he tossed them all in, and now he had a pot of minced meat and vegetable gruel.

After finishing his meal, he asked a neighbor where he could find old wooden furniture. With the cat in tow, he headed in that direction.

It seemed he might have taken a wrong turn… But it was no big deal; when one had time to spare, no path was a detour.

Suddenly, someone stopped him.

It was a middle-aged man with a long beard, dressed in a Daoist robe, holding a fortune-telling banner that doubled as both a banner and a walking stick. He started speaking as soon as he saw Song You.

“Sir, I see you glancing around anxiously, your eyes troubled, and you seem to be plagued by misfortune. Recently, your endeavors might not be favorable. If you are here for the imperial examination, why not have your fortune told? I am skilled in fortune-telling, including palm reading and divination. Knowing what’s to come can give you some assurance!”

Song You turned to look at him. The cat, Lady Calico, also looked up at him.

The divination banner was composed of a wooden staff and a banner with only one character on it—jie[1]. This word was similar to the one on the inn banner, which read jiu[2], and was a signature of the fortune tellers in Great Yan.

Song You looked at his own clothes and then smiled, cupping his hands in greeting. “Fellow Daoist, I am also a Dao cultivator. I am not an examinee coming to the capital. I’m just out today without my Daoist robe.”

“Official, why are you deceiving this old man?”

“I speak the truth. Fellow Daoist, please seek business elsewhere.”

“Fine then….” The fortune-teller shook his head and walked away.

As Song You continued on his way, he encountered several more fortune-tellers like this.

In Great Yan, fortune-telling, divination, and dream interpretation were quite popular. This was especially true with the court's endorsement of Daoism. The current State Preceptor was renowned for his divination and fortune-telling skills, so fortune-tellers were numerous in Changjing.

Besides these basic “traveling fortune tellers,” there were also “stationary fortune tellers” who set up stalls or even tents on the street, each hanging a banner with the character jie so that people could easily see what they were offering. The best-established ones even had their own shops in busy areas, with lines of people, including scholars and officials, seeking their advice.

Indeed, the imperial examinations were approaching.

In Great Yan, people liked to consult fortune tellers before important events like examinations or travels. Now that many examinees had gathered in Changjing, it was likely that fortune-tellers from neighboring counties and commanderies, or even those who usually engaged in other trades, had donned fortune teller's robes to make money from these out-of-town examinees.

The government was lax about such businesses and was unable to distinguish between genuine and false fortune tellers, so they dared not offend them.

This gave Song You some insight. He then continued searching for places selling old furniture.

Along the way, he occasionally overheard discussions about the recent shocking news: the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works had been devoured by a demon at home. This news had alarmed the entire court and the populace. Especially since the demon had yet to be captured, common people were unsettled, and the dark forces and monsters seemed emboldened and more active.

And the imperial examinations were near.

With the cat in tow, Song You walked through bustling marketplaces and narrow alleys. His pace was leisurely compared to the hurried passersby, as if he scorned time itself.

He walked, looked, and listened. He absorbed the stories of Changjing and observed the lives of its people.

By the afternoon, he had finally bought a satisfactory long bench, a tea table with cushions, and an old rocking chair. He had spent quite a bit of money.

He also bought a few shop banners. Upon returning home, Song You took out his writing materials. He wrote the word Dao on one piece of paper and slanted it against the door, placing it outward to attract attention. On the other two long banners, he wrote the specific services he was offering and hung them on either side of the front door—“Exorcism” and “Rodent Extermination.”

Song You looked at his handiwork with satisfaction.

He then turned to Lady Calico and said, “If someone comes to the shop for exorcism, that’s my job. If someone comes seeking help with rodent extermination, it will be up to you, Lady Calico.”

“Meow?”

“I don’t know….”

Song You smiled.

Whether it was helping people with their misfortunes, driving away evil spirits, or dealing with rodents and pests, it was all considered good work. As for Lady Calico’s question on how much money they could make, he didn’t know yet—much of it depended on the customers.

Wealthy and generous ones might give more, while the poor and less fortunate might offer less. Earning more meant better meals, while earning less meant simpler fare.

It was just a different way of living, a new perspective on the world.

1. The Chinese word is 解, which means to solve or understand. ☜

2. The Chinese word is 酒, which is short for 酒店, which means inn or tavern. ☜