Chapter 521: A Decade of Footsteps, A Decade of Heart

During late summer, in the stone forest of Longzhou...

Perched high in the mountains, a dirt path had been carved out by passing caravans. At the mountain's peak stood a simple pavilion, its wooden pillars supporting a thatched roof. Though unlikely to keep out the rain, it offered much-needed shade from the unforgiving northwestern sun.

A Daoist stopped there with his horse, casually settling into the shade. As the mountain breeze brushed past, he gazed into the distance.

Just a few steps ahead lay a cliff.

Near him sat a calico cat, its back facing him. Its small, rounded body curled up like a fluffy ball, making it look like two lumps fused together—one larger for its body, the smaller one its head.

The landscape beyond was both vast and perilous. Towering stone peaks, slender and sharp like a dense bamboo forest, rose in clusters from the ground. Except at noon, sunlight could hardly penetrate the thick maze of stone pillars.

Now, in the morning light, the golden rays slanted across the stone forest, casting diagonal streaks of brightness amidst the dense formations. The sight was both mesmerizing and imposing.

A group of travelers had just climbed up from below.

While making their way through the forest, they had felt as though they were weaving between countless stone pillars, forced to follow the caravan's worn tracks and the occasional trail of donkey dung. Stray too far, and one might easily lose their way in the labyrinth of stone. At the time, they had only sensed its complexity, never truly grasping its vastness.

Now, standing atop the mountain, looking down at the stone forest, they finally understood the path they had traveled. The journey, once arduous, now seemed tinged with an air of wonder.

Beyond the stone forest, the view stretched even farther.

A mighty river flowed from west to east, dividing the heavens and the earth. In the distance, it stretched all the way to the horizon, where the sky met the land. Closer by, along the riverbank, lay a vast plain of fertile soil. Scattered across it were clusters of houses, their courtyards adorned with fruit trees.

Elderly farmers slowly guided donkey carts along the roads, while the sounds of chickens clucking and dogs barking punctuated the quietude, painting a scene reminiscent of a hidden paradise.

The calico cat, still facing away from Song You, sat motionless, staring at the distant scenery. Other than the occasional ripple in its fur as the wind brushed past, it did not stir, seemingly lost in thought.

No one knew what thoughts might be running through that small feline mind.

“Lady Calico.”

“Hmm?”

At the sound of her Daoist's voice, the cat's body remained perfectly still, but her head suddenly twisted around to look at him, eyes filled with curiosity.

“What are you thinking about?”

“

Meow

?”

“I'm asking you, Lady Calico.”

“I...” Maintaining her forward-facing body while her head was turned backward, the cat stared at the Daoist, pondered for a moment, and then said, “I’m looking at the scenery.”

“Looking at the scenery?”

“...” The cat continued to stare at him, seemingly searching her memory. Only after a pause did she speak again. “Between the mountains and rivers lies great cultivation...”

“It seems you’ve reached the stage of comprehending the great Dao of heaven and earth,” Song You said with a chuckle, recognizing that she was simply mimicking his manner of speech. But he did not expose her.

“That's right!”

“And what about other cats?”

“

Meow

?”

“I’ve always been curious. Cats often do this, especially house cats. They sit in a spot, staring out a window or at something far away, completely still. What do they think about?”

“Hmm...”

Still in the same twisted posture, the calico cat contemplated briefly before responding honestly, “I don't know what other cats are thinking.”

“Then what about before? What did you think about in the past?”

“I don’t remember what I used to think about,” the cat answered seriously, staring at him with unwavering eyes. “I’ve already become very smart. I don’t remember what I thought about back then. When people grow up and become smarter, they also don’t remember what they used to think about when they were little and silly.”

“That makes sense...”

“But ordinary little cats are also very smart!”

“Of course...” Song You nodded with a smile and withdrew his gaze.

The cat, too, turned her eyes back toward the distance.

The wind howled through the stone forest, accompanied by the faint clinking and clattering of unseen figures. The labyrinthine landscape made it impossible to tell where the sounds were coming from.

Only when they moved closer did they catch glimpses of a caravan at the forest's lowest depths—brief flashes of movement between the towering stones. Most of the time, the travelers remained hidden from view.

Who knew where these merchants had come from?

Having rested enough, the Daoist slowly got to his feet.

Though the cat did not turn her head, she sensed his movement and stood up as well. As she stepped forward to follow him, she turned slightly to glance into the distance and remarked, “I like this place.”

“Hmm...” Song You couldn't help but glance back with her.

The flatland below was bordered by a great river in the front, the stone forest to the left, and towering mountains to the right and behind, leaving it nestled securely in between. The secluded yet tranquil and sheltered atmosphere made it no surprise that the cat felt at ease here.

“There’s a path leading down up ahead. With so many caravans passing through, I’d wager there’s an inn or a roadside lodge down below. Let’s stay there for the night.”

“I guessed that too!”

The man and cat made their way down the mountain. The cat’s steps became light and cheerful.

The mountain was, in fact, quite tall.

Though the village by the stone forest seemed close—almost within reach—the winding mountain path leading to it twisted and turned, making the descent a time-consuming journey.

Once they reached the bottom, standing within the mountain itself, they could no longer see the great river ahead. The towering stone forest and mountains that encased the village no longer felt like an enclosure from within. The cat trotted along with her small, quick steps, tilting her head up to observe her surroundings. From her expression, it was clear that what she saw did not quite match her expectations.

“Lady Calico, you must understand that the same thing, when viewed from different directions, appears different. But no matter the perspective, it remains what it is,” Song You said as he walked.

As expected, there was indeed a roadside inn at the foot of the mountain, a simple lodging meant for passing merchants and travelers to rest.

Song You booked a room.

The accommodations were simple and crude, but the price was low—much cheaper than even the roadside inns outside Changjing or near the Ghost Market.

But not long after settling in, it was Song You who fell silent.

For it was then that he overheard from passing merchants that, at the end of spring this year, Chen Ziyi had succumbed to his injuries and passed away in Changjing.

The traders spoke with great interest, recounting the details of the event.

This was Longzhou, and beyond lay the Lianshan Corridor—an essential trade and cultural route linking Changjing to the Western Regions, connecting Great Yan to the western nations. Many of the merchants here had come from Changjing itself.

Sitting by the window, Song You gazed outside for a long time.

Then, suddenly, a cat leapt onto the windowsill, entering his line of sight. She turned her head and looked at him.

“What are you thinking about?”

“...” Song You shifted his gaze to her. After a moment of contemplation, he finally replied, “I just feel sorrowful about General Chen’s fate... and a little worried for him as well.”

“Hmm? Worried about what?”

“Although General Chen was both intelligent and courageous, and had many strategists under his command, most of them were stationed at the northern frontier. Moreover, his conduct was too rigid and uncompromising,” Song You explained seriously.

He continued, “The newly enthroned emperor may not be inherently malicious, but he is weak-willed and easily swayed. Worse still, he has a Daoist by his side who has inherited some of the State Preceptor’s teachings.”

“I don’t understand...”

“I worry that they might have foreseen General Chen having a backup plan and will prevent him from returning to life,” Song You paused for a moment. “But at the same time, I feel that we will meet him again someday.”

“I still don’t understand...”

“Then forget it.” Song You reached out and stroked the cat’s head.

The cat allowed him to do so, staring at him seriously as she said, “Don’t be sad!”

“Of course.” Song You smiled slightly, quickly putting the matter aside. He then asked her, “Tomorrow marks the Beginning of Autumn again. What would you like to eat to celebrate?”

“A feast!” The cat’s eyes instantly lit up.

“That’s right.”

“But this place seems small, and there don’t appear to be many food stalls or shops selling anything special.”

“Lady Calico, you’re mistaken,” Song You corrected her. “Although this is a small place, it is a hub for passing merchants. Silks, tea leaves, and porcelain from Great Yan are sold through here, while goods and wealth from the Western Regions flow in through this route.

“Even the spices you use for braised dishes are imported from here. Besides, the northwest, though harsh and barren, has its own unique delicacies.”

“Delicacies!”

“Take the mutton here, for example—it's truly exceptional.” Song You paused before continuing, “I’ll prepare an egg’s essence for you, along with some of the finest mutton.”

“Okay!”

The cat agreed without hesitation, behaving exceptionally obediently.

The Daoist continued to sit by the window, gazing outside.

If nothing else, this place was truly peaceful.

Only when night fell did Song You climb into bed, close his eyes, and quietly attune himself to the spiritual resonance of the autumn season.

Over the course of the night, his attunement to the spiritual resonance of the Beginning of Autumn deepened yet again.

***

The next morning...

The merchants staying at the roadside inn were abuzz with discussion about the strange phenomenon that had occurred overnight—how all the grass and trees around the inn had turned golden as if autumn had arrived in just a single night. Yet, oddly enough, this transformation was confined only to the area surrounding the inn.

Fascinating as it was, business still called. The merchants packed their belongings and set off again—some heading west toward the Western Regions, others journeying east to Changjing.

By early morning, the once-crowded inn was nearly empty. Only the Daoist remained, unhurriedly sitting down to enjoy his breakfast.

The meal had been arranged the night before.

It was nothing extravagant—just a whole lamb neck, a bowl of fermented noodles, and a single egg.

The lamb, sourced from the finest selection in the village’s eastern market, was particularly tender. The neck, considered the best cut, had been simmered simply with scallions, ginger, and salt—nothing more. Yet it was succulent and juicy, melting effortlessly in the mouth. Even compared to the northwestern lamb he had tasted in Changjing, this was far superior.

The local specialty, fermented noodles, was made with a fermented sour broth. Its acidity was perfectly balanced, neither too strong nor too mild, and could be drunk directly like water, providing relief from the summer heat.

A portion of freshly pulled noodles had been boiled without any additional seasoning, not even salt or vinegar. Once cooked, they were placed in a bowl, and a pot of fermented noodle was poured over them, completing the simple yet refreshing fermented noodles. It was light, cooling, and wonderfully appetizing.

The Daoist and the cat shared the meal, eating to their hearts’ content. Even the swallow managed to sneak a few bites.

Yet, as Song You ate, a wave of sentiment washed over him.

“It’s been ten years already...”

Looking back, it felt as though he had traversed endless mountains and rivers, witnessed countless events, and experienced the vastness of the world. But when he thought about Jinyang Road from all those years ago, it still seemed as if it had only been yesterday.

What a strange and wondrous feeling.