In the mountain hollow, there was no wind; the surface of the lake was as calm as a mirror, with cold mist rising, and a small boat remained motionless on the water. An old man sat in the boat, holding a bamboo pole, and the fishing line sank into the water, causing not even a ripple.

Suddenly, there was some movement on the water's surface.

Song You stopped at the edge of the lake, raised his hand, and was about to greet the old man when a gust of wind blew by. The mist swirled with the wind, and then the lake surface cracked with a loud noise, forming a solid ice path that extended straight to the small boat.

Song You then lowered his hand and stepped onto the ice path. The floating ice was unsteady, wobbling often, but it didn’t crack or sink. As he walked, it only sent out ripples in the water.

The mirror-like ice was also disturbed. As Song You walked, he glanced back at the calico cat. He noticed that, although the cat felt apprehensive and doubted the strength of the ice, it followed him cautiously, which reassured him.

When he reached the front of the boat, he performed his greeting once more.

“I am Song You, the heir of the Hidden Dragon Temple from Lingquan County in Yizhou. Greetings, Snake Immortal.”

“Please, come aboard,” the old man said.

“Alright.” Only then did Song You and the cat step onto the small boat.

The small boat immediately rocked, sending ripples across the surface, accompanied by the creaking of the boat and the subtle sounds of splashing water. In this seemingly still world, there was finally some movement.

“

Plop…

”

The sound of splashing water arose. The old man also lifted his fishing rod. A small silver fish, only about two fingers wide, was hooked on the line.

The small silver fish splashed into the bucket, making a noise.

“Please sit.” The old man turned around, his face a very ordinary elderly visage, smiling at him. “I thought you would come in autumn.”

“I felt that this mountain would be beautiful when the heavy snow falls, so I waited until winter,” Song You replied.

From the tone of the Snake Immortal, he could tell that the immortal had likely known he was the heir of the Hidden Dragon Temple for some time. Thus, the last time he had been helped was also because of the Hidden Dragon Temple. What the State Preceptor said about the Snake Immortal having a connection with the ancestors of the Hidden Dragon Temple must also be true.

Since that was the case, the Snake Immortal could be regarded as an elder. Naturally, one should show respect to elders.

Thus, Song You respectfully bowed and continued, “I heard that it has snowed on the Mount Beiqin, so I came here. I arrived last night and intended to visit Doctor Cai first before paying my respects to you.

“However, it seems that Doctor Cai hasn’t been home for a long time. After spending the night at his doorstep, I came directly to visit you. I should express my gratitude for the assistance you provided last time.”

“Doctor Cai, huh…”

“I heard that you know Doctor Cai?”

“I do.” The Snake Immortal cast the fishing line back into the water. “He’s a good person, with exceptional medical skills and noble character. He often goes into the mountains to gather herbs and sometimes faces attacks from poisonous insects and ferocious beasts, so I protect him.”

“I have also heard that Doctor Cai has remarkable medical skills and even employs techniques that astonish and terrify people. I admire and am curious about him, so I wanted to witness his prowess,” Song You said, sitting at the back of the boat and gently stroking the calico cat’s back. “Unfortunately, I’ve come twice and haven’t encountered him; perhaps it’s just not meant to be.”

“He has gone north, and he probably won’t return for several years.”

“He has gone north?”

“Yes, the northern conflicts have just settled down, but demons are rampant and diseases plague the people. They are in need of someone to help them.” The Snake Immortal said without turning his head. “Before he left, he came to thank me for taking care of him all these years. He also said he didn’t know if he would be able to return.”

“I see.” Song You slightly squinted, lost in thought.

The Snake Immortal on the boat then asked, “How is your master?”

“She was quite healthy when I left.”

“The Five Elements Method is not good for prolonging life.”

“Indeed.”

“The pine tree at the entrance of the Hidden Dragon Temple, is it still there?”

“It has become an ancient pine.”

“Then that’s good.”

“Has my master ever visited you before?” Song You asked.

“Since I settled here, every generation of Hidden Dragon Temple’s heirs that reaches Changjing has come to find me,” the Snake Immortal replied. He reeled in his line and placed a new small fish into the bucket. Turning to glance at the cat sitting properly beside the young Daoist, a flicker of emotion appeared in his eyes. “Over the years, I’ve seen several generations.”

“I’ve heard that you had a relationship with our temple’s ancestors?”

Shaking his head with a sense of nostalgia for the matters of his younger days, the Snake Immortal said, “I am a close friend of the Daoist Fuyang. When I met him, I already had some cultivation skills, but I didn’t know the methods. With his guidance, he truly gave me new insights, so I followed him to help him eliminate demons and establish the Great Yan dynasty.

“Afterward, I returned to the Hidden Dragon Temple with him, and that pine tree was planted by my own hand. Later, when the Daoist Fuyang passed away, I no longer had the need to stay at the Hidden Dragon Temple, so I returned here, living a leisurely life every day. Occasionally, when villagers from below see me, they refer to me as the Snake Immortal.”

“Is this where you transformed?”

“Of course.”

Song You recalled that Daoist Fuyang. It was during the late years of the previous dynasty and the early years of Great Yan, in a time of chaos, that he helped Great Yan's founding emperor restore peace. After establishing the dynasty, he returned to the Hidden Dragon Temple and was considered relatively unique among the many ancestors.

Most ancestors traveled the world during times of general peace, wandering through the world to view mountains and waters while subduing demons. Unlike him, who descended from the mountain amidst chaos, he eliminated gods and demons for over a decade, and by the time peace was restored, he had already concluded his travels.

“That's about enough.” The Snake Immortal glanced at the fish in the bucket. “Let’s head back.”

As soon as he finished speaking, the small boat began to move, sending a series of ripples across the water.

The three of them—two people and a cat—disembarked, with Song You and the calico cat following behind the Snake Immortal toward the thatched cottage.

“The mountain is quiet but also dull. I usually wander around the mountains to admire the scenery and the clouds. I only stay here when I’m fishing; there’s nothing else here for me to entertain you.”

“You live a leisurely life, Snake Immortal.”

“The title of Snake Immortal is merely what the world calls me,” the Snake Immortal replied calmly. “I have heard of your deeds; you possess great abilities and don’t need to address me in such a manner.”

“If you live in the mountains and watch the clouds while unaware of the passing years, you’re already an immortal.”

“Well said.”

The three of them entered the thatched cottage, brewed tea, and chatted.

They discussed the monsters hidden in Changjing, the state preceptor and the emperor’s quest for longevity, Doctor Cai and the chaos in the north, as well as the ancestors of Hidden Dragon Temple. They subsisted on the dried fruits, grilled fish, and pomelo on the stove. Before they knew it, half a day had passed, and they were highly engrossed in their conversation, while the cat had long since grown bored.

In the evening, the Snake Immortal invited him to stay the night. Song You took out his travel bag and fell asleep in the thatched cottage.

It was very cold in the mountains, and snow began to fall at night. Fortunately, he had the cat to keep him warm.

In the deep night, the heavy snowfall caused the sound of bamboo breaking to occasionally ring out.

The next morning, Song You woke up, pushed open the wooden door, but didn’t immediately step outside. Instead, he waited for the snow above to settle down completely before finally stepping out.

The Snake Immortal was already fishing on the lake.

Seeing him holding a fishing rod with another one placed beside the small boat, Song You stepped onto the boat in the same manner as yesterday. He glanced at the wooden bucket nearby, which contained only three small fish. After greeting the Snake Immortal, Song You picked up the other fishing rod, sat down beside him, and they began to fish and chat while drifting on the lake.

“When do you plan to leave Changjing, little fellow Daoist?”

“I'll leave in the spring.”

“Have you gained anything during your time in Changjing?”

“I’ve gained a lot.”

“Where are you heading next?”

“I’m still uncertain, not yet decided.”

“Oh?”

“I want to go north, but I also want to go south.”

Their voices were soft, as if they were afraid of disturbing the fish swimming below.

The Snake Immortal’s fishing rod remained steady in his hand, his expression also calm and undisturbed. “Are you thinking of going to Fengzhou's Mount Ye?”

“You know about Fengzhou, Snake Immortal?”

"The years have caught up with me, and I can no longer cultivate like I used to. With so much free time, I naturally know a lot," the Snake Immortal said with a smile before continuing, "You must already know that Mount Ye is part of a scheme between the State Preceptor and the Emperor. Yet, if you're still eager to see it for yourself, could it be that you have some doubts in your heart?"

“Hearing is not as reliable as seeing.”

“You’re quite astute, little fellow Daoist.”

“Please enlighten me, senior.”

“As for the reasons behind it, I’m not sure; I only know that the State Preceptor’s intentions are likely not simple.” The Snake Immortal lifted his rod again, catching another small fish as he spoke.

He added, “Going north concerns worldly matters—people suffer, and lives are in turmoil. Going south relates to the underworld—Heavenly Dao shifts, and spirits find peace. It's indeed difficult to choose which direction to take first.”

Song You asked, “What do you think the State Preceptor is after?”

“In short, it’s neither worldly matters nor something that will yield results in a year or two.”

“Not worldly matters…” This aligned roughly with what Song You knew as well.

The Snake Immortal cast the hook into the lake again, and the two continued to fish while speaking softly. By noon, the Snake Immortal had caught seven or eight fish, including a large one. Meanwhile, Song You, lacking skill, had managed to catch only one, not even knowing where he had fallen short compared to the Snake Immortal.

In the afternoon, he said his farewells and prepared to leave.

The wind and snow in the mountains were quite heavy, with snowflakes seemingly blowing sideways. Song You retraced the path the Snake Immortal had taken to guide him back, stepping deeply in some places and lightly in others, while the calico cat struggled to navigate the snow.

However, just as he climbed up the mountain, he heard voices ahead, mingled with the howling wind and snow.

“Sir, it’s windy and snowy, and the forest is deep. Let’s go back and come another day.”

“We’ve almost arrived; how can we turn back now?”

“That’s just what the mountain hunters say, perhaps only to earn your reward. How can we take it seriously? We’ve already entered Mount Beiqin; if we go further in, there’s a risk of being snowed in, and there are still wild beasts in the forest that don’t hibernate, starving and dangerous. It may be difficult for me to lead you out.”

“Since there’s a snake path, how could we easily get lost? Just keep moving forward, and we’ll surely find the Snake Immortal.”

“

Sigh…

”

“It seems there’s someone ahead.”

“Who is it?”

The two also spotted a Daoist figure through the swirling snow in the forest.

𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

However, the calico cat had sunk nearly halfway into the snow, exposing only half its head as it stared at them, making it invisible to the others.

“It’s a Daoist.”

“We should call him sir.’“

“Sir, there are often demons and spirits in the mountains that mislead people, especially in this heavy snowstorm. Don’t trust too easily.”

“Mount Beiqin is the Snake Immortal’s territory. There are no demons here. Don’t worry; let me go take a look.”

A middle-aged man in a thick long robe stepped forward through the wind and snow, smiling as he approached Song You and bowed. “I am Yu Mo, a resident of Changjing. I’ve come to the mountains seeking the Snake Immortal. Meeting you, sir, feels quite fortuitous. May I ask where you have come from and where you are headed?”