Unintended Immortality-Chapter 454: Deep-Seated Vengeance

The fierce and burly man strode up to the Daoist in the blink of an eye, his towering figure nearly blocking out the sunlight. Yet, despite his intimidating appearance, he remained exceedingly polite, cupping his hands respectfully.

“Sir, have you traveled to Yangdu?”

“I have.”

“Meeting you here is truly unexpected, yet it is also my great fortune!”

“It is merely fate, both for you and for me,” Song You replied warmly, raising his eyes to look at him. Then, he asked, “And what brings you here?”

“I originally came into town to buy some supplies—things we’ll need when we go back to sea, which are hard to find near the coast. Then, I suddenly heard a commotion over here. My curiosity got the better of me, so I came to take a look,” Ye Xinrong answered truthfully. “I never expected to see that so-called 'Jile God' scattering money here... nor did I expect to run into you, sir.”

“Aren't you supposed to be at the coast?”

“Oh, we were supposed to stay in the coastal counties, but after we returned safely thanks to your help... First, everyone had been through quite an ordeal, and second, we didn’t dare set sail again so soon. So, Mr. Jia gave us a sum of money and told us to rest for half a year. We'll wait until the new year to reassess the situation at sea,” the descendant of the Yaksha clan explained respectfully.

He continued, “My grandfather once served as a general in Yangzhou, and I was born in Yangdu. But our family has fallen into decline, and I was hired by Mr. Jia to guard his ships. I spend most of my time drifting on the sea, with no one left at home. Still, whenever I have the chance, I return to take care of our ancestral house—otherwise, it would just rot away.”

“I see.”

“Sir, are you out for a casual stroll as well?”

“In a way.” Song You paused briefly before saying, “I heard there's a 'Jile God' in Yangdu, so I came to see for myself.”

“I see...” Ye Xinrong cupped his hands respectfully in response.

In his heart, however, he found it rather strange—

The so-called “Jile God” was an extraordinary figure in Yangdu, someone he had once held in deep awe. Yet, recalling that night—the sight of the colossal dragon stretching hundreds of zhang long, the massive waves split apart by sheer force—and now, standing here, speaking with this very man about the so-called god, he suddenly felt that the so-called “evil deity” was nothing remarkable after all.

“Where is Lady Calico?”

“Lady Calico has been occupied with her own matters these past few days and is staying in her room at the chema inn.”

“You’re staying at the chema inn, sir?”

“I wander the world with only a horse for company. I simply didn’t bring it with me when I set out to sea that day,” Song You replied with a slight smile. “The chema inn is convenient, and it's also cheaper.”

“I see.”

Ye Xinrong hesitated for a long moment before finally speaking, “To be honest, sir, after we parted ways at sea, the stewards on the ship gradually realized how foolish they had been for not daring to ask where your immortal abode was, nor properly expressing their gratitude for saving our lives. They regretted it deeply.

“A few months ago, they even traveled to Langzhou, hoping to find out where you cultivated. They have been wanting to thank you again ever since.”

He paused, sneaking a glance at Song You before continuing in a softer tone, “Most of the stewards are still in the coastal counties, but Mr. Jia has returned to Yangdu to recuperate. I was wondering if...”

“I am merely a wandering Daoist,” Song You interjected with a polite bow. “What I did that day was simply a small gesture, and, truthfully, I dread unnecessary trouble more than anything. I would appreciate it if you didn’t mention me to the others.”

“Understood!” Ye Xinrong bowed his head and responded respectfully. Yet his expression showed he was deep in thought.

“But meeting like this is fate,” Song You said. “I’d like to ask you about the so-called 'Jile God.' Would you mind having a cup of tea with me?”

“It should be I who treats you to tea, sir!”

“Then let’s walk and talk.”

“As you wish.” Ye Xinrong cupped his hand in agreement.

At that moment, he understood—this so-called “Jile God” likely didn't have much time left...

The two of them soon found a teahouse and ordered a pot of tea. Song You did not drink; he simply listened as Ye Xinrong spoke about Jile God.

“To be honest, sir, I, too, suffered at his hands once...”

“Did he also scatter your wealth?”

“Almost exactly like today,” Ye Xinrong sighed. “Back then, I was still in Yangdu. Relying on my strength and martial skills, I was young and arrogant, looking down on everyone. At that time, I had not yet been hired by Mr. Jia to guard his ships and had never witnessed the supernatural wonders of the world. Jile God had yet to be removed from office by the authorities, and his following in Yangdu was vast.

“One night, I got drunk at a tavern and, in my drunken recklessness, spoke wildly. Perhaps a devotee overheard and reported me, and that was how my misfortune began. My family's savings were already meager, and in just a few moments, they were completely wiped out.”

Just from his words “perhaps a devotee overheard and reported me,” it was clear that, after spending years at sea, his understanding of the world had grown far beyond that of an ordinary man.

At the very least, he understood that deities couldn’t just hear drunken ramblings uttered in a tavern.

“It was different from today. Back then, I was hot-blooded and furious. I stood outside my house, shouting at people not to pick up the money. Others, afraid of me, dared not touch it. But then, the money that had already fallen to the ground suddenly flew up again—this time scattering even further. When I tried to grab it, I couldn't hold onto a single coin.” Ye Xinrong sighed deeply.

“My mother was already in poor health, relying on medicine to stay alive. After that incident, she was both angry and frightened, and without money for medicine, she passed away not long after.”

“My condolences...”

“...”

Ye Xinrong lifted his teacup and drank in one bold gulp, as if it were liquor. He waved his hand dismissively, his expression calm. “But after that incident, my name spread even further. Some called me a fool, while others said I was unafraid of ghosts and gods. When Mr. Jia heard about me, he invited me to guard his ships. Over the years, my life has been much better than before.”

“I see.”

“Could it be that you intend to...?” Ye Xinrong did not dare to meet Song You’s gaze directly, but his anticipation was evident.

“This is my expertise.”

“Sir, you’re the true immortal—this so-called deity is nothing more than a demon.” Ye Xinrong let out a cold snort before suddenly shifting the topic, as if just remembering something. “Speaking of which, something else just came to mind.”

“Oh? What is it?”

“When we returned from overseas, the seas had been chaotic for a long time, and many maritime merchants were growing desperate. So the moment Mr. Jia arrived at his residence in Yangdu, many people came looking for him.”

As he spoke, Ye Xinrong looked somewhat uneasy, glancing at Song You cautiously, as if afraid that the immortal, who didn’t want his name to be made known, would take offense at what he was about to say. “Word about what happened at sea spread in the process.”

“I’ve already heard about it since arriving in Yangdu,” Song You replied with a slight smile.

“I only hope it hasn’t caused you any trouble.”

“Please, go on.”

“Two months ago, a Daoist came looking for me, having tracked down my ancestral home. He asked about the events at sea,” Ye Xinrong said, his brows furrowing slightly. “I wasn’t sure what to say, but from the way that old Daoist spoke, it seemed he knew you. He was aware that the Daoist from the sea was you, and that you would come to Yangdu, so he questioned me about you.”

“Oh? He was asking about me?”

“Yes...” Ye Xinrong hesitated before adding, “That old Daoist also seemed intent on eliminating this so-called deity.”

“What is his name?”

“I think his name was something like... Wen-something-zi.” Ye Xinrong scratched his head. “I am a descendant of the Yaksha clan. While I am not as dull-witted as my grandfather, my memory is still quite poor.”

“Wenpingzi?”

“That’s it! Sir, do you know him?”

“No.”

“Then your divine insight must be incredible!”

“I have only heard of him, nothing more.”

“That Wenpingzi said he cultivates at Tianxing Temple outside the city. He told me that if I ever needed anything, I could go find him. Or, if I happened to see birds flying overhead at dusk, I could chant some incantation to call them down, then tell the bird to pass a message saying 'Ye Xinrong is looking for Wenpingzi.' He would then know,” Ye Xinrong recounted with some embarrassment. “But I didn’t take it seriously at the time.”

“Tianxing Temple. I’ll remember that.”

“Sir, do you wish to meet him?” Ye Xinrong asked. “I can go fetch him for you!”

“That won’t be necessary. I wouldn’t want to trouble you.”

“What trouble? I’m not heading back to the coast for a few more days. I have free time, so please, sir, don’t be so formal with me!” Without waiting for a response, Ye Xinrong continued, “Which direction are you staying in? What street, what alley, which chema inn? And when do you plan to leave Yangdu?”

“Not until next spring or summer at the earliest.”

“Next spring or summer?”

“I plan to rest for a while.”

“Then where will you stay after that, sir?”

“I might rent a place.”

“Whoosh...”

Ye Xinrong’s eyes widened in an instant. He immediately straightened up, pushed his stool back, and bowed respectfully. The sudden movement caught the attention of many patrons in the teahouse, drawing curious glances.

“My ancestors were once of some renown. Though the general’s estate is long gone, a modest residence still remains. It has been left unoccupied for years. Even I, who spend most of my time away, only return occasionally to clear out the weeds from the courtyard and rooftops—lest it fall into disrepair, or worse, be claimed by squatters,” Ye Xinrong said solemnly.

He added, “I will be leaving in a few days, and the house has already been tidied up. If you don’t mind, I would like to offer it to you as a temporary resting place during your travels.”

“Why go to such lengths?”

“An empty house is bound to deteriorate faster with no one living in it.” Ye Xinrong paused before adding with a chuckle, “Besides, if it can soak up a bit of your celestial aura, all the better.”

“In that case...”

“The residence is quite spacious, perfect for Lady Calico to run around and play. It would also be more convenient for you to keep a horse.”

“...”

With no excuse left to refuse, Song You finally agreed.

About an hour later, Song You returned to the chema inn.

The moment he pushed open the door, he was greeted by the sight of a calico cat sitting neatly at the entrance. It was perched upright on the floor, staring up at him with a small, unreadable face. Its tail swayed idly from side to side behind it, exuding an air of exceptional obedience.

It had come to welcome him home.

“I’m back,” Song You spoke softly as he stepped through the doorway.

The cat tilted its head up, staring at him, then glanced outside. Curious, it asked, “Daoist priest, where did you go to play today?” “Just took a walk around.”

As he passed by the cat, he asked in return, “How far along is your travelogue?”

“Uh...” The cat stood up, trotting after him, looking up again. “Did you come across anything fun?”

“How far along is your travelogue?”

“Did you come across anything fun?”

“...”

The Daoist paused briefly, then replied in an indifferent tone, “Nothing particularly fun. Just passed by a street where a house had its doors and windows wide open, and a lot of money was flying out, scattering all over the ground. People were scrambling to pick it up. It was even easier than when you dug for treasures at the shore.”

“Really, meow?!”

“How would I dare deceive you, Lady Calico?”

“Why was the money flying?”

“Also, I found us a place to stay.”

“Where?”

“The house is in the east side of the city.”

“Where was the money scattered, meow?”

“On the street.”

“Did you pick any up, meow?”

“We’ll be moving there in a couple of days.”

“How much did you pick up?”

“...”

Song You sat down on the bed and began taking off his shoes at his own pace.

The cat sat right in front of him, tilting its small head up, staring at him unblinkingly. Its eyes were brimming with curiosity, completely unhidden.

But the Daoist refused to answer.