Chapter 530: Summoning the God Once More in Shadu

“Lady Calico, it’s your cat litter.”

“Mm?”

The cat turned her head and glanced at him a few times, seemingly too lazy to engage in conversation. She swayed her head a little, then continued climbing.

Each sand dune was towering and magnificent, far beyond what one might expect. Whether human, cat, or horse, they all seemed insignificantly small in comparison. Climbing such dunes was no easy feat.

Because the sand was always shifting.

And because the slopes were far steeper than ordinary mountains.

For every step forward, one's foot would slide back, undoing most of the progress. With dunes this tall and this steep, taking three steps forward often meant sliding two steps back—turning what should have been a short distance into something three times longer.

This was the case for the Daoist and the cat. It felt like walking on a slippery surface.

The horse had it even harder, forced to zigzag its way up.

Lady Calico kept chattering as they climbed, telling the Daoist that the sand refused to let her up. She would casually share how warm her legs felt, asking him if he felt the same.

Reaching the top of the dune made everything much easier.

Not only was the view vast and open, with the storm now fading into the distance, but it also meant they were about to begin the descent.

The cat stood at the peak, gazing at the distant caravan before turning to her Daoist companion.

“They’re not walking on the dunes!”

“Everyone follows their own path.”

“We’re out of baked flatbreads.”

“Shadu is just ahead.”

“We’re out of watermelon too.”

“We can endure a little longer.”

“You really are something...”

The cat swayed her head as if exasperated with him, unwilling to argue further. Instead, she turned back to confirm the direction with the Daoist, then took a few quick steps before leaping straight down the dune.

Ahead of them, endless dunes stretched across the horizon, rising and falling without end.

Song You, however, had his eyes set on the dune ahead.

He wondered what kind of scenery awaited at its peak.

With that thought, he planted his staff firmly into the sand and followed after Lady Calico.

Climbing was steep; descending was just the same.

But going downhill was far more enjoyable.

With each step, the Daoist covered the distance of three. The cat was the same—until, in her enthusiasm, she ran too fast on the slick sand, lost her balance, and tumbled forward.

Rather than struggling against it, she simply let herself roll down, following the steep, curving slope of the dune. Sand clung to her fur as she tumbled further and further, covering an impressive distance in an instant.

As she rolled, the shifting sand produced a sound. It was light as silk and bamboo, yet as heavy as thunder.

After hours of exhausting ascent, drenched in sweat and gasping for breath, it had taken only moments to reach the bottom.

At the base of the dune, the sand was crisscrossed with countless footprints left behind by caravans and camels, forming a road—one that the wind might erase at any moment.

“Excuse me, which way is Shadu?”

Standing by the road, Song You felt his thirst catching up with him. He bowed slightly, inquiring with a passing merchant.

But most of the merchants were silent, focused on their journey. They were not ones for idle chatter. With water scarce along the route, they were even less inclined to speak. Many merely glanced at him before moving on, uninterested. Only one merchant raised his hand and pointed behind them, back the way they had come.

“Thank you.”

Song You expressed his gratitude and lifted his gaze—not to the road they had traveled, but to the sand dune ahead.

Below, countless merchants and camel caravans continued their journey, trudging along the well-worn trade route at the base of the dunes. In the dull monotony of their march, some turned their heads while others looked up, watching the small group navigating the ridges above.

Under the golden light of the setting sun, they moved along the sharp, blade-like crest of the dunes. The dunes were sometimes bathed in sunlight, sometimes swallowed by shadow, sometimes walking right along the border where light met darkness.

He felt lonely, yet free; he was insignificant, yet unwavering.

They crossed dune after dune, traveled li after li, until the sea of sand finally neared its end.

Up ahead, civilization appeared.

A ladle of spring, the moon its gleam,

Like ivory bright in a silver stream.

On every side, the sand dunes rise,

Glowing beneath the slanting skies.

It was a crescent-shaped spring, nestled in the heart of the desert.

Beside the spring stood an ancient pavilion, weathered yet resilient, with a watchtower nearby where soldiers were stationed on guard.

Song You descended along the ridgeline.

By the time he reached the bottom, the spring still maintained its crescent shape. Likely, the wind had sculpted the dunes into arcs and ridges, naturally giving the water its form. However, what remained of it now was little more than a small puddle, barely two zhang long.

The water was so shallow that one could see the bottom at a glance. From the surrounding mud, the dried watermarks, the withered reeds, and the distance from nearby structures, it was clear that this spring had once been much larger and deeper.

Song You could imagine its once-vibrant emerald waters.

It must have been a rare wonder in the desert.

Standing before the lake, he murmured to himself, “Such a pity...”

A merchant caravan passed by, hoping to draw water from Crescent Spring, but the stationed guards turned them away.

“Why not?”

“We’re all dying of thirst!”

“Officer, have mercy!”

“Even if we die of thirst, we can’t touch it. We’re nearly dried out ourselves, but not a single drop can be taken from this Medicinal Spring.” The soldier’s lips were cracked from dehydration, but his resolve remained firm.

He continued, “The officials have decreed that the spring is spiritual. It’s already dried up to this point. If we don’t leave some water as a seed, as a lure, it will vanish completely. And if that happens, there will be no more Medicinal Spring.”

“Ah...” The merchants had no choice but to leave.

At least it saved them the effort of begging further.

Meanwhile, in the distance, more caravans and camel trains approached, crossing paths with those departing. Though they likely sensed the situation, they still refused to give up, coming closer in hopes of finding a different answer.

Beyond this point, the Western Regions grew even drier.

Water was scarce. No one knew how many travelers would fail to make it out of this desert alive.

“Ah...” Song You sighed, patting the neck of his jujube-red horse. He spoke softly, “One day, I’ll let you taste this Medicinal Spring water.”

With that, he turned away, leaving the place behind.

Behind him, the two soldiers gripping their halberds furrowed their brows, their expressions increasingly puzzled. They exchanged glances, watching as he walked farther away, and finally, one of them could no longer hold back.

“Sir, please wait!”

The jujube-red horse came to an abrupt stop. Song You and the cat halted as well, turning their heads.

One of the soldiers sprinted toward them. The heat was unbearable, and his armor was heavy. After just a few steps, he was already sweating.

“Sir, is your surname Song?”

“And how would you know that?”

“Two days ago, Shadu issued an order instructing us to keep an eye out for a Daoist master traveling with a horse and a cat. We were told to report immediately upon seeing him and to invite him to Shadu as soon as possible.”

“I see...”

Song You stood still, nodding slightly.

A brief moment of thought, and he realized that it must have been because of his summoning of the Rain God in Longzhou to regulate the weather. The prefect of Longzhou, whether out of concern for him or for some other reason, must have sent word to the nearby Shazhou and asked the local officials to keep an eye out.

He was now at the northwestern edge of the Great Yan territory, and for a fleeting moment, he felt an odd sense of

“Who in the world does not know my name?”

[1]

Song You did not hesitate and addressed the soldier, “Then let’s go.”

“We must first report to our superiors. Please follow me and rest in the pavilion to avoid the sun.”

“Alright.”

And so, Song You followed.

This place seemed to be a government outpost, positioned strategically near a vital desert water source. Soldiers were stationed here both to guard against desert bandits and to monitor passing merchant caravans. They also collected a small water-drawing tax.

The pavilion had long been battered by wind and sand, its structure aged and worn.

Song You did not have to wait long inside before a group of junior officials hurried over to greet him with respectful bows. Shortly after, a messenger on horseback rode off at full speed toward Shadu to inform the prefect of his arrival. Meanwhile, an official from the desert outpost was assigned to escort Song You and his companions to the city.

Shadu was the administrative center of Shazhou, an essential gateway between the Great Yan empire and the Western Regions, as well as the last major city before reaching the vast western lands.

Silk Road caravans passed through endlessly, bringing immense economic wealth that made Shazhou flourish. It was a melting pot of cultures, where East met West in a dramatic collision of religion, politics, military affairs, and art.

This convergence led to an era of cultural brilliance, making Shadu a dazzling pearl of Eastern civilization, shining brightly over the vast northwestern expanse.

Yet now, Shadu too had been ravaged by drought.

As Song You left the desert and made his way toward the city, he did not see a single field of crops. The land had cracked under the relentless sun. Upon entering the city, he was met with the sight of starving bodies lying everywhere. People had parched, cracked lips, and their entire beings were reduced to a state of extreme dehydration. Some were even teetering on the edge of life and death.

The Shadu river, which ran through the city, had nearly dried up. It was now passable on foot, with only a few patches of muddy residue clinging to its last traces of moisture, themselves on the verge of disappearing. There was not a single green tree to be seen within the city. Even the willows by the riverbank had all withered and died.

Cries of suffering echoed in every direction.

Song You attuned himself to the energy of the heavens and earth—yet he could sense almost no moisture.

A deep unease settled over him.

He had barely made it halfway through the city when the prefect himself arrived, leading his officials to personally welcome him.

“I am Zhang Shan, prefect of Shazhou, also known as Zhang Wangchuan. I’ve come here together with my officials. Greetings, sir.”

“Greetings, sir.”

“Greetings, Prefect and esteemed officials,” Song You returned the greeting, though his brows remained slightly furrowed, his gaze unable to help but drift toward the suffering people on the streets.

“A few days ago, after receiving a letter from the prefect of Longzhou, I dispatched men to wait for you at every major checkpoint and outpost. We have been awaiting your arrival for some time,” Prefect Zhang said, offering another respectful bow.

“I apologize for the delay.”

“Immortal Master! This way, please!”

“I am simply Song. You may call me Daoist Master or sir, either is fine,” Song You replied as they walked. “The drought here is indeed far more severe than in Longzhou.”

“Who could deny it? That Medicinal Spring was born in the desert and stored within it, never drying up for hundreds of years. Yet this year, it has nearly run dry. If not for my order, it would likely have already disappeared by now,” Zhang Wangchuan explained as he led Song You toward the government office.

He said, “I have heard of what you accomplished in Longzhou, and I am willing to have temples and shrines built throughout Shazhou’s villages and along the trade routes in honor of the Great Immortal Hu Mu. I ask that you use your magic to summon him and bring salvation to the people and the merchants of Shazhou.”

“I will do my utmost.”

“Then we owe you our deepest gratitude,” Prefect Zhang sighed. “The drought in Shazhou is even more severe than in Longzhou. The common people suffer, and so does trade. Our dynasty values commerce, and this route is a crucial section of the western trade road. Once drought sets in, merchants traveling the route struggle to replenish their water supply, making it difficult to cross the desert.

“In the first half of this year, things were still manageable—many merchants reached this point, realized the drought, but did not turn back. However, in the second half of the year, once news of the severe drought spread, merchants, even if they hadn’t perished on the way, were reluctant to come at all.

“The imperial court has sent multiple urgent decrees, yet despite exhausting every possible solution, I have been unable to resolve the issue. My official position now rests in your hands, sir.”

“I will do everything in my power.” That was all Song You said.

“If you have any requests, please do not hesitate to ask,” Zhang Wangchuan said, bowing once more.

“Is the drought in the Western Regions even worse?”

“The merchants passing through say as much,” Prefect Zhang replied. “If Longzhou is only partially affected, with some crops still surviving, then Shazhou is far worse—only a handful of water sources have yet to dry up. There’s no point in talking about how much farmland remains; even the sheep raised on the Gobi Desert have died in droves from thirst and starvation.

“And if you go farther west... I’ve heard that some places are completely abandoned. The land is littered with corpses, dried up into mummies under the sun. Even the toughest drought-resistant plants can't survive.”

“It's that severe...?”

“Who knows what’s causing it?” Zhang Wangchuan sighed in frustration. “Could there really be some malevolent force behind this?”

“I heard there’s a Terraflame Kingdom near Shazhou?”

“There is,” Prefect Zhang confirmed. “It's west of here, deep in the desert—about two hundred li away. Only locals familiar with the route can guide you there.” Lowering his voice, he added, “Rumor has it that the fire altar in the Terraflame Kingdom has shattered, and its fire qi has escaped, causing this year’s drought.”

After speaking, he sneaked a glance at Song You.

The other officials behind him also turned their eyes toward him.

“We should go take a look,” Song You said.

“You intend to go?”

“I have already asked Great Immortal Hu Mu. The drought in Longzhou and Shazhou appears to be a natural occurrence, the result of the world’s shifting balance. At least in these two regions, there is no unnatural source directly causing it. That said, I would still like to visit the Terraflame Kingdom to investigate. If nothing else, it would be a learning experience.” Song You continued, “But there is no need to rush for now.”

“I see,” Zhang Wangchuan nodded before anxiously asking, “Then, sir, when can you summon the deity?”

“As soon as possible.”

“The altar and incense stand have already been prepared for you. However, we have also arranged a meal and drinks, as you have traveled long and hard. You are covered in dust from the journey. Perhaps you should eat first and rest?”

“There are matters of greater urgency. Let us first summon Great Immortal Hu Mu and seek his guidance.”

The Daoist’s voice was calm, though inwardly, he did not hold much hope. They entered the Shazhou government office together.

By now, night had fallen, and lanterns had been lit throughout the building. In the courtyard of the

yamen

, the altar had indeed been set up.

Compared to the hurried arrangement at Xuanbi Temple, the altar in the Shazhou

yamen

was far more elaborate, giving proper respect to the deity. However, the clay idol itself was still rather crude.

“Prefect, please take care of my horse. It has carried a heavy load on this journey and has endured much hardship. Yet, along the way, it has neither eaten good fodder nor had its fill of water. I would be grateful if you could provide it with a proper meal and plenty of water.”

The Daoist was indeed covered in dust—his robes, shoes, and even his hair were filled with sand. He accepted a cup of water from a

yamen

clerk, drinking only a portion before sharing the rest with the cat and the swallow. Then, he stepped forward to stand before the altar.

As before, he asked Lady Calico to transform into human form and assist in lighting the candles and incense. The officials of Shazhou watched, stunned.

Wisps of incense smoke curled into the air, carrying a rich and precious fragrance.

“Great Immortal Hu Mu, please reveal yourself...”

The words had barely fallen when the wind began to rise.

A fierce gust swept through the courtyard, lifting the robes and hair of those present and sending yellow sand swirling into the air. The officials instinctively narrowed their eyes against the wind, yet the strong gust did not disturb the candle flames or the incense smoke.

Instead, the incense burned rapidly, sending up thick plumes of blue smoke that shot straight into the clay idol on the altar.

The statue trembled, its surface flickering with divine light.

Then, Great Immortal Hu Mu descended, stepping down from the altar. As before, he was reverent and solemn—but this time, there was weariness in his eyes.

And when he realized where he had been summoned, his expression turned even more helpless.

1. This phrase comes from the famous Tang Dynasty poem "别董大" (Farewell to Dong Da) by Gao Shi (高适). It expresses admiration for someone's fame and reputation, implying that they are widely known and respected. ☜