“I’ve just said a few words—how could that amount to kindness or deserving gratitude?” Song You smiled as he stood up.

He continued, “You all defended the nation in life. If you can continue to safeguard this area in death, it is I who should thank you on behalf of the people. Should you one day become netherworld deities through this, that would be the result of your own efforts and diligence, and it would have nothing to do with me.”

He added with a chuckle, “I’ll take another stroll around Yuan’an City.”

“We will escort you, Immortal!”

The ghosts eagerly followed, enthusiastically introducing the details of the city to him.

After a thorough tour of the city, the ghosts gradually dispersed. By this time, Song You and his cat and horse had returned to their original spot—the former residence of the city’s commanding general. Song You planned to spend the night there.

Only one ghost remained at his side: Tang An.

Taking the opportunity, Song You asked, “General, I heard earlier that the reason the northern frontier army attacked again this time was due to the involvement of demons and ghosts?”

“According to those delivering messages along the border and to Caotou Pass, the northern army had demons and ghosts assisting them,” Tang An replied honestly. “I don’t know where they found these creatures, but they were willing to aid in warfare. Without them, the northern frontier army might not have dared to invade the South.”

“Are those demons and ghosts powerful?”

“I’m not entirely sure, but based on the messengers’ accounts, they’re certainly not on the same level as the great demon kings,” Tang An said.

He continued, “Demons and ghosts are unlike humans. While the army may be large and courageous, it can still struggle against demons with strange and formidable techniques.

“Before General Chen returned to the North to take command, the border troops were already in a state of panic due to these creatures. Only after General Chen arrived was the situation stabilized.”

“I see,” Song You murmured, his brows furrowing in thought.

Tang An glanced at him cautiously.

“Sir...”

“There's no need to worry, General,” Song You said, his brows relaxing as a smile appeared on his face. Understanding Tang An’s meaning, he didn’t hesitate to say, “I can grant you a strand of spiritual energy to help you walk back to Yidu.”

As he spoke, he extended his hand, revealing a stream of radiant light in his palm.

Tang An lowered his gaze to the glowing stream, its light reflecting in his eyes. He quickly cupped his hands in thanks.

“Thank you, sir!”

“You and I are basically old acquaintances—no need for such formality.”

Song You lifted his hand, and the light flew up and entered Tang An’s body.

Tang An shuddered as a faint glow enveloped his ghostly form. After a few moments, the light dissipated.

“Though I know your determination is unwavering and fearless, I must still caution you,” Song You said.

He added, “The journey to Yidu spans thousands of li, with mountains and rivers to cross. Along the way, you will encounter not only malevolent demons and ghosts but also those who exorcize them, as well as temples, shrines, and roadside deities. There will also be dogs that love to bark at ghosts. You’ll also have to pass through an area teeming with demons, ghosts and skilled mortals.”

“If you encounter any masters, you should honestly explain that I, Song You, have aided you in your journey to Yidu and request their leniency. Once you’ve passed Hezhou, the road should be much safer. Ṛᴀ₦ŐΒĘš

“However, avoid entering any cities, and steer clear of temples and shrines. As for the dogs guarding villages at night, your cultivation may not be deep, but it’s certainly not weak either. They should pose no real threat to you.”

“Sir, I will never forget your great kindness!” Tang An said sincerely.

“Let me remind you again—my name is Song You, and I’m from Lingquan County in Yizhou. When you return and see your wife, your younger brother, or Constable Luo from across the street, please convey my regards to them.”

“Yes, sir!” Tang An paused for a moment before adding, “But even if I make it back to Yidu and see my wife, we are still separated by the realms of the living and the dead. I will eventually need to find another place to settle. May I ask for your guidance once more—should I consider the ghost city in Fengzhou?”

Song You felt a pang of emotion at his words. They were no longer separated by the realms of the living and the dead…

Regardless of whether they were, once Tang An returned to Yidu, he would indeed need to find a place to settle.

After some thought, Song You said to him, “Didn’t the ghost officials, your old comrades from the northern army, advise against going to the ghost city?”

“Indeed they did. However, I consider myself to have lived an upright life. Aside from a few minor mistakes when I was still young and dumb, I’ve never done anything bad. Would such a person still be unfit to go there?”

“...”

Song You held his gaze for a moment before replying, “I’ve never been to Fengzhou, so I can’t speak to the situation there. But it’s no trivial matter, so I urge you to consider it carefully.”

Tang An returned his gaze, silent for a few moments before cupping his hands. “I understand.”

“Safe travels, General.”

“Farewell, sir!” Tang An bowed deeply, turned, and walked away at a brisk pace.

Song You watched him until he disappeared into the distance, then turned back. Under the light of the lantern held aloft by Lady Calico, he began to take out his bedding and spread it on the ground.

To repay a favor was to complete a beautiful cycle. To resolve an old matter from five years ago in Yidu here and now was, in its way, a fitting conclusion.

Even if that was all this journey accomplished, it would still be worthwhile.

May you have smooth travels, all the way to your homeland.

“

Sigh

...”

Song You lay down, closed his eyes, and drifted off.

Lady Calico found a spot to hang the lantern, mimicked his sigh, and then transformed into a cat. Curling up on the woolen mat, she lay down to rest.

***

The morning sunlight shone directly onto his face. Song You woke up and opened his eyes, immediately greeted by the sight of a blue sky.

Last night, he had slept indoors, sheltered by a roof that blocked the moonlight and doors that kept out the wind. The room had been sparse but functional. Now, upon waking, all that remained were four walls of compacted yellow earth—walls that were partially crumbling in places. The beams, pillars, tables, and chairs had all vanished, leaving only the lantern lodged in a crack in the earthen wall.

There was no roof in sight, so he could clearly see birds flying across the sky.

Fortunately, the morning was windless. However, the sunlight glaring down on his face had done the job of waking him up.

The jujube-red horse stood quietly nearby.

His waist felt warm. Pulling back the blanket and looking down, he found the calico cat nestled against his waist, lying on her back with her belly exposed. She seemed quite comfortable.

Sensing the light, the calico cat let out a soft sound, then used one paw to cover her eyes.

“...”

Song You pulled the blanket back over her, wiped his face, and carefully stood up. He put on his shoes and stepped outside for a look.

Outside lay a wide, open space. It seemed to have once been a courtyard.

Beyond the courtyard, all around were crumbling walls and ruins, an expanse of desolation. Wild grass grew along the edges of the walls and roads, left unchecked. The only traces of human activity were the faint footprints left by the Daoist and the jujube-red horse the night before, barely visible now. The complete and functional military fortress he had seen at night seemed as if it had never existed.

This was unmistakably a world of yellow earth in the springtime grasslands. The ground and walls were all a dusty yellow.

The scene, with its decay, carried a profound sense of desolation.

Back inside, the calico cat had initially rolled over, intending to continue sleeping after sensing his departure. But after a moment with her eyes closed, unease crept in. She poked her head out from under the blanket, squinting at him, her small face visibly showing an expression of inner conflict. After a while, she finally reached a decision.

She stepped out from under the blanket and followed him. Together, man and cat took another tour of the city.

The night before had been too dark to see clearly. Even if they had seen clearly, the atmosphere was different from now.

As they walked the city again in the daylight, the layout of Yuan’an City became more apparent. They even climbed onto the city walls, walking along their broad paths wide enough for horses to gallop. They circled the entire city atop the walls.

Built during a previous dynasty and abandoned over a decade ago, the city now exuded a profound historical melancholy. Compared to the night before, it presented an entirely different charm.

Lady Calico neither asked where Song You was going nor what he intended to do. She kept a consistent distance from him—not too far, not too close. Yet her energetic curiosity led her to constantly explore—peering here, inspecting there, and running around with endless enthusiasm.

She seemed entirely absorbed in her own activities, as if his actions had nothing to do with her, and she had no interest in what he was doing. However, no matter what she did, she always maintained that not-too-distant, not-too-close proximity to him.

The city gates and arrow towers still stood. Standing on the edge of the wall and gazing into the distance, they could see the line of beacon towers stretching along the horizon. On the walls, traces of damage from arrows were still visible.

Last night showed the original state of the city. Today, it revealed its current state.

And for a long time to come, it might remain like this. How many years it would endure, however, was uncertain.

Song You hoped it could last for centuries. If so, the places he and Lady Calico now walked might one day be revisited by countless future generations.

“...”

Song You stopped in his tracks and looked around. Then, he raised his hand, palm open.

“

Swish, swish

...”

Over a dozen streams of light flew from his hand, landing at the edges of Yuan’an City. Half were used to restore the vitality of the surrounding land, while the other half sealed the city’s yin and ghostly qi.

From now on, as long as the ghosts in the city did not venture out to cause trouble, the surrounding lands would remain unaffected.

𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

Still, some extra precautions were necessary.

On the outer wall of the city’s barbican, Song You found a piece of wood embedded in the wall—likely a remnant of a structure that once stood there. He reached out, gently snapping off a piece. Holding it in his palm, he rubbed it between his hands, wood shavings scattering into the air. When he opened his hand again, the piece of wood had been shaped into a roughly hewn token.

“Let’s go,” Song You said to Lady Calico.

With that, he turned and began descending the wall.

The calico cat remained at her perch on the battlement, her amber-like eyes gazing out at the distant horizon. It was unclear what she was thinking, or whether she’d heard him at all. Only after a moment did she leap down from the battlement and trot after the Daoist.

“Are we leaving?”

“We’re leaving.”

“Not staying to play a little longer?”

“Are there lots of mice here?”

“Plenty.”

“The grasslands have many too, and rabbits. Rabbits can be sold for money.”

“That’s true...”

Returning to their resting spot, they packed up their belongings. One man, one cat, and one horse continued at an unhurried pace, exiting through the city gate. Outside by a pond, Song You scooped up a handful of water to wash his face. With a small spell, he gathered earth to form a wall, creating a yellow dirt barrier about four chi high at the city gate. With that, they left Turtle City.

When they turned back for a final look, the city had already shrunk into the distance.

Song You now had a general understanding of why the State Preceptor had preserved this city and gathered the ghostly soldiers and generals here. The underworld was taking shape, and the underworld would naturally need ghost soldiers.

Yet, for some inexplicable reason, Song You felt there might still be a day when he would meet them again.

Or perhaps not. Perhaps, after his travels, when he retired to Yin-Yang Mountain’s Hidden Dragon Temple, he might hear about the heroic souls of the Yanzhou grasslands many years later through some channel. He might learn of their great efficacy, or that one among them, outstanding in virtue and skill, had become some renowned divine official, commanding countless minor gods and spirits.

Such a story, too, would be its own kind of reunion.