Chapter 406: The Immortal Takes Office

The next morning, just as the sky was beginning to lighten, Song You checked out of his room. Following the innkeeper’s directions, he headed left along the dirt road and soon encountered the officials tasked with collecting the mountain tax.

Lady Calico had deliberately taken on her human form, dressed in a tricolor outfit. She looked both well-behaved and charming, her large eyes fixed intently on the officials. Her goal was simple: to see whether she would be charged. If they asked for money, she planned to say she wouldn’t go and instead find a quiet spot to transform back into her cat form and slip past unnoticed.

After all, it was rare for any checkpoint to be able to stop a cat.

However, the officials turned out to be quite kindhearted, especially toward Daoists.

“Apologies, sir,” one of the officials said. “As mandated by the government, anyone climbing the mountain must pay fifty wen as a mountain tax. If you’re bringing horses or mules, it’s another fifty wen per animal.”

He paused for a moment, then added, “But if you, sir, have an ordination certificate and happen to be acquainted with one of the Daoists from the monastery on the far side of the mountain, you may visit them as a guest. Simply present your certificate and state your Daoist title and name, and you will be exempt from the mountain tax.”

“I don’t know anyone there.”

“To be honest, I’m not very familiar with them either.”

“I’m just here to climb the mountain,” Song You replied, politely declining the official’s offer.

“Well, in that case, there’s nothing I can do...”

At this moment, the little girl turned her head to glance at the Daoist, her eyes bright and clear, then looked back at the official, staring at him intently.

Song You spoke up, “What about this child of mine?”

“A child...”

The official gave Lady Calico a quick, casual glance and said, “Someone that small? Why charge for that? Sir, you’re not so rich that you’ve run out of places to spend your money, are you?”

The little girl’s eyes instantly widened, staring at him.

“Thanks.” Song You chuckled softly, then rummaged through the bag on his horse’s back. He retrieved a small string of coins, precisely one hundred wen, and handed it to the official.

The official took the money and allowed them to pass, but he couldn’t help staring at their backs as they walked away, muttering to himself about how rigid this Daoist was.

Lady Calico’s expression was serious, her emotions conflicted.

She felt a bit relieved that she hadn’t had to pay, saving a decent sum of money, but she was also annoyed by the official’s casual dismissal. What frustrated her even more, though, was that horses were charged a fee, yet she—the illustrious Lady Calico, a grand cat demon of such stature—wasn’t worth even a single wen.

“Let’s go.” Song You ruffled her head and began walking up the mountain path.

Mount Zunzhe, one of the Five Great Mountains, indeed attracted a significant crowd. Many had chosen this time to start their ascent, as it was cool in the early morning. Song You’s group found themselves surrounded by people ahead and behind, a variety of individuals with different backgrounds.

However, most of the tourists were concentrated at the base of the mountain. After climbing for a while, the crowd began to thin out.

Song You felt a sense of déjà vu, reminiscent of his climb up Yunding Mountain.

That said, Mount Zunzhe was far smaller than Yunding Mountain and not nearly as tall. In terms of fame, neither mountain could be definitively considered superior. At least, that’s how it seemed before Song You had visited Yunding Mountain.

While Yunding Mountain was long associated with legends of encountering immortals, and Pingzhou itself was rich in such folklore, Mount Zunzhe had its own share of immortal tales.

If Yunding Mountain was known for the picturesque Mirror Island Lake at its base, Mount Zunzhe was like a massive heavenly pillar, appearing from afar like an elegant, dignified elder standing atop the peak. This was unique enough to rival Yunding Mountain in allure.

Moreover, being one of the Five Great Mountains and having religious significance, Mount Zunzhe held a higher status than Yunding Mountain.

Mount Zunzhe also had one critical advantage—ordinary, healthy people could climb it without issue. Yunding Mountain, on the other hand, was notoriously difficult to ascend.

This accessibility, coupled with the mountain tax, contributed to Mount Zunzhe’s popularity.

Song You maintained his usual unhurried pace, placing him in the middle range of the hikers. He occasionally stopped to glance back at the path they had climbed and the height they had gained, exchanged a few words with Lady Calico, or paused to gaze thoughtfully at some spot in the distance, lost in his own musings.

It was still early summer, so the local wild fruits were not yet ripe, but along the roadside vines, he found plenty of small red raspberries. Picking a few to taste, he discovered their sweet and sour flavor depended largely on luck.

Without realizing it, they had already climbed quite high.

By this time, many hikers, worn out from the effort, began to fall behind Song You. Only a handful of people with exceptional stamina were able to overtake him.

The Daoist’s robes stood out quite a bit, and the jujube-red horse following him, free of reins and saddle, was an uncommon sight. Many people passing by couldn’t help but glance his way, especially those who had stopped to rest. Taking advantage of their break, most would strike up a brief conversation with him.

Though Song You kept walking, he would politely respond with a few words.

Before long, a young official approached him, casting side glances as if observing them intently.

Just then, a voice came from behind. “Make way...”

The voice was accompanied by a rhythmic creaking sound.

Song You turned to look and saw two bare-chested porters carrying a bamboo sedan chair. Seated atop it was a corpulent man in official attire. With each step, the chair bounced up and down, producing the creaking noise Song You had just heard.

The mountain path was narrow, wide enough for only two people to walk side by side.

Song You and the young official immediately stepped to the side, allowing the porters to pass first.

The two middle-aged porters were thin to the point of being skin and bones, likely people who made their living on this mountain. Despite carrying the heavyset official, they moved faster than most of the other hikers, wiping their sweat with handkerchiefs as they went.

The official sitting in the chair was also dabbing his sweat with a silk cloth.

“Thank you...”

Creak, creak...

The sound of the bamboo chair gradually faded as the porters carried it farther up the mountain.

Song You turned his gaze back to the path, his expression calm.

At this moment, the young official beside him finally seemed to find an opportunity to start a conversation. Bowing and cupping his hands in a respectful gesture, he greeted, “Greetings, sir.”

“And greetings to you,” Song You replied.

“I am Wei Yinhua from Langzhou. May I ask how I should address you, sir?”

“My surname is Song, given name You, from Yizhou.”

“Yizhou? That’s quite far.”

“It’s not close.”

“Sir, are you heading to Mount Zunzhe to offer incense or to visit friends at the Daoist monastery on the far side?”

“I’m here to enjoy the scenery.”

“Haha, such refined tastes, sir.” The young official chuckled, glancing ahead. The porters carrying the bamboo chair had already gone farther up the path, and the creaking sound was gradually fading. He couldn’t help but laugh again. “At this time of year, even officials who usually dislike going out come to Mount Zunzhe for leisure, giving these porters a chance to earn a good amount of hard-earned money.”

“Indeed...” Song You replied, but then he hesitated, slightly puzzled. “You mentioned ‘this time of year.’ What exactly do you mean?”

“Huh?” The young official seemed surprised and asked in return, “Sir, you don’t know?”

“Oh, you see, I’ve been traveling the world with my companion. We only arrived in Yaozhou last month and reached Huangliang County just last night. We stayed at the base of the mountain and set off this morning. While staying at the inn, the innkeeper mentioned we came at the right time, but I thought it was simply because of the good weather and the coolness of the mountain air,” Song You explained, pausing briefly. “However, hearing you say the same thing, it seems there’s more to it?”

“Haha...” The young official laughed at Song You’s response, clapping his hands. “The weather has indeed been excellent lately—hot at the foot of the mountain but pleasantly cool up here. But the real reason so many people are here is because it’s the fifteenth day of April.”

“The fifteenth day of April?”

“It seems you truly haven’t heard of it, sir.”

“If you’re willing to explain...”

“Ah, climbing the mountain alone can be dull. To have the chance to chat with an esteemed Daoist like yourself, relieving boredom and fatigue, is truly a pleasure!” The young official glanced at Song You, his gaze sweeping over the jujube-red horse and the little girl beside him, who was staring at him with wide eyes.

He then asked, “Since you are a Daoist, sir, have you ever heard of the legend of immortals ascending to the heavens from here?”

“I have heard a little about it.”

“Exactly,” the young official, whose surname was Wei, paused before continuing. “This legend dates back over a century...”

“Oh?” Song You’s curiosity was piqued.

This was a story he hadn’t heard before—not when approaching Huangliang County, not while asking for directions, nor even when staying at the base of the mountain.

“Over a century ago, Mount Zunzhe was already one of the most famous mountains. It was said that when mortals died and became immortals, their first journey to the Heavenly Palace to report for duty required ascending from Mount Zunzhe. However, back then, not many people climbed the mountain.

“Around that time, there was a man who came to climb it, apparently surnamed Li—let’s just call him Mr. Li. While climbing, Mr. Li encountered an elderly man, kind-faced and amiable, who introduced himself as Ai.

“Mr. Li, being quite sociable himself, struck up a conversation. Since there weren’t many others on the mountain path, they ended up climbing together, chatting and supporting one another. Along the way, they developed a deep bond.”

The young official paused briefly before continuing, “When they reached the peak and rested for a while, it was time to descend. At that moment, Mr. Ai bowed deeply to Mr. Li and confessed that he wasn’t there for leisure or sightseeing—he was on his way to the Heavenly Palace to assume his position.

“It turned out he was from Fengzhou, and due to his virtuous deeds in life, he had been granted the status of an immortal and assigned to manage the Heavenly Palace’s warehouses. It was said that when mortals from the southern provinces became immortals, their first journey to the Heavenly Palace always began from the summit of Mount Zunzhe. This took place twice a year, on the fifteenth of the fourth lunar month and the fifteenth of the tenth lunar month.

“Since he had found a kindred spirit in Mr. Li and they got along well along the way, he felt it would be too heartless to keep the truth hidden. So, he revealed his true identity before bidding farewell. After asking Mr. Li not to tell others, Mr. Ai took his leave. From the summit of Mount Zunzhe, he ascended into the heavens in a single leap.

“Later, Mr. Li returned and asked around in Fengzhou. Sure enough, there had been such a virtuous man who had recently passed away. Not long after, his name appeared in the Daoist registry of deified figures. Everything matched what Mr. Ai had said.”

When the story was finished, Song You chuckled and remarked, “It seems Mr. Li didn’t keep his promise.”

“Perhaps it was unintentionally spread,” Wei suggested.

“Still, it’s a fateful encounter,” Song You mused with a smile.

“Exactly,” the young official said. “After that story spread, more and more people began climbing Mount Zunzhe. Many started timing their visits to align with the fifteenth day of the fourth or tenth lunar month, hoping for a chance encounter. It’s said that others have also met immortals on their way to the Heavenly Palace while climbing the mountain.

“Some were able to speak with them, some even befriended them, while others only caught glimpses—half-visible shadows or figures that appeared and disappeared intermittently. There are even tales of people who, presumably adept in certain magic, didn’t walk but flew through the skies and were seen by others. Who knows if it’s true or not.”

“Fascinating,” Song You remarked.

“That’s why so many people climb Mount Zunzhe during this time—hoping to try their luck and see if they can encounter an immortal heading to their Heavenly Palace appointment and perhaps absorb some of their immortal aura or good fortune,” the young official explained, all the while observing Song You’s expression, a look of curiosity and slight suspicion creeping across his face.

“Are you here to try and encounter an immortal yourself?” Song You asked him.

“I’ve always been fond of exploring mountains and rivers. Mount Zunzhe has been on my list for a long time,” the young official replied. “Still, immortals are said to possess not only eternal life and great powers but also exceptional virtue. If one could meet an immortal and accompany them on their journey, even without gaining any immortal aura or blessings, it would surely be a fortunate encounter.”

“You have a point,” Song You agreed.

“And where might you be heading, sir?” the young official asked directly.

“Surely you don’t suspect that I’m an immortal?” Song You replied with a smile.

“Sir, your demeanor and bearing are quite extraordinary. Your horse follows without need for reins, and your child is as beautiful as an immortal attendant, untouched by any dirt or dust.” The young official bowed respectfully and said, “Even if you’re not an immortal, you must surely be an exceptional practitioner of great renown in this world.”

This kind of comment sounded all too familiar.

It seemed that in this era, mortals everywhere shared a similar mindset when it came to seeking immortals. Perhaps the mundane nature of everyday life made searching for immortals in the mountains an appealing form of escapism—even among scholars and intellectuals, who were often no exception to this trend.

“Haha...”

Feeling lighthearted, Song You chuckled and said, “I’m just a modest Daoist with some cultivation. If you’re looking for immortals, I’m afraid you’ve come to the wrong person. That said,” he continued with a playful smile, “I have seen several old gentlemen along the way who very much resemble immortals on their way to take up their heavenly appointments. Take, for instance, the one behind us.”

The Daoist smiled as he gestured toward the path behind them.

“Oh?”

The young official followed Song You’s gaze and indeed saw an elderly man dressed in fine robes, walking alone up the mountain path from below.

The old man had silvery-white hair but a youthful face, a healthy complexion glowing with a reddish hue. His expression was kind and gentle, his demeanor otherworldly. Despite his elegant attire, he had no servants with him. Though his hair was snow-white, he climbed the mountain without any signs of fatigue—his breath steady, his face calm and unflustered.

Even without Song You pointing him out, had the young official turned around and seen him, he might have thought this old man was indeed an immortal heading to take up a heavenly appointment.

That said, this wasn’t the first elderly man of such striking appearance he’d encountered on his journey up the mountain.