Immortal Travel of Longevity

But any talk of Zhao Yuqing belonged to a past life.

Their ties were far too complicated to untangle. Besides, Chen Changsheng hadn't even fully grasped the most basic aspects of Cultivation yet. Taking on a disciple was out of the question—he would only be leading them astray.

When it came to true ability, Zhao Yuqing was the senior.

Because of this, Chen Changsheng had never entertained the thought of taking a disciple.

He simply hadn't expected time to pass so quickly. Even someone like Zhu Sheng was starting to consider taking on a disciple. Just how many years had it been?

The two of them didn't talk much by the river.

They parted ways in a hurry.

He had no idea when they might meet again, but Chen Changsheng believed that old friends would always find a time to reunite.

Right before they parted, Zhu Sheng handed him a Waist Token.

Chen Changsheng nodded, accepted the token, and offered his thanks.

Zhu Sheng stood there and watched him walk away.

It suddenly struck him that the man didn't seem quite as carefree as he had in the past.

Well...

Then again, thinking back on it, Chen Changsheng hadn't exactly been at ease back then either.

He seemed to have always been this way.

...

The journey was fraught with difficulties.

There were fewer shops open along the road now. In this chaotic world, the inns and waystations outside the cities no longer dared to keep their doors open. For one, it was a losing business. For another, there were simply too many vicious people roaming about. Between troublemaking soldiers and rampant mountain bandits, the slightest misstep could invite a fatal disaster.

After walking for who knew how long, Chen Changsheng had lost count of the ruined waystations and small roadside shops he had passed along the official highway. Stripped of life, they now resembled dilapidated temples, serving only as occasional shelters for weary travelers. Scattered within them were the cold ashes of extinguished campfires.

The transition between the old and the new was always like this; things inevitably had to lie desolate for a time.

Once peace returned to the world, these waystations and little shops would open for business once again. When that time came, it would bring about a completely different landscape—something to look forward to.

There were mountain bandits on the road as well, though none of their groups were particularly large.

They were nothing more than two or three men with meager martial arts skills blocking the road to rob travelers. Lacking numbers, they exclusively targeted those traveling alone.

This was thanks to Prince Yu's years of cracking down on bandits and thieves. The Southern Yan Sect had contributed the most to this effort; their people constantly worked in the shadows, maintaining order in the inconspicuous corners of the world.

It showed that Yan Ruchu still held at least some regard for the realm in his heart.

Of course, it might have just been that old eunuch's own idea. Regardless, it was a good thing.

Faced with these scoundrels blocking the road, Chen Changsheng was in no mood to play along.

With a simple sweep of his sleeve, the three men fainted on the spot.

Chen Changsheng commandeered their horse in passing, stripped the men bare, and strung them up in a tree by the roadside. Whenever people from the Local Government saw them, they would surely deal with the matter.

"Hyah."

The horse ambled forward at a sluggish pace, seemingly reluctant to move.

Chen Changsheng couldn't help but shake his head. "Are these bandits so poor they can't even afford to feed their horse?"

Left with no choice, Chen Changsheng led the horse to a spot where it could graze on some forage.

He had always firmly believed that horses were spirited creatures, much like dogs, and could always build a good relationship with people. He would often chatter away to the horse, keeping the boredom at bay.

Only after the animal had eaten its fill did they resume their journey.

...

After so many years away, returning to Qingshan City, he found the place vastly changed.

The banners along the city walls had been changed once again. The character for 'Yu' flew high in the air, declaring exactly who the master of this domain was.

Riding horses was no longer permitted once inside the city.

Such a rule hadn't existed in the past; it had only been enacted after Prince Yu's arrival.

Thus, Chen Changsheng had to dismount and proceed into the city on foot.

He inevitably had to go through a round of inspections.

This was where the Waist Token Zhu Sheng had given him proved its worth.

Upon seeing the token, the soldiers at the city gates respectfully greeted him. "Greetings, My Lord."

"Please allow us to lead the way for you, My Lord."

A soldier took the reins to lead the horse as Chen Changsheng walked into the city.

Chen Changsheng had initially intended to decline, but unable to refuse their fervent goodwill, he had no choice but to accept.

He made his way straight toward Chuanfeng Alley.

"Does anyone still live in Chuanfeng Alley?" Chen Changsheng asked.

The soldier thought it over for a moment, but he didn't even know where Chuanfeng Alley was.

After all, he wasn't a local of Qingshan City.

Chen Changsheng clarified, "In the past, there was a wine shop about a hundred paces down from the alley, and a Medicine Hall right at the entrance."

The soldier paused before shaking his head. "My Lord, I am not a native of Qingshan City. I am a newcomer and reside in the Military Camp, so I am truly unfamiliar with the local layout."

Seeing this, Chen Changsheng decided not to press the matter.

But as he walked further along, he finally understood why the soldier hadn't the faintest idea.

The wine shop was closed.

The Medicine Hall was gone, too.

The doors were shut tight. It looked as though there was no one left here.

Feeling a bit lost, Chen Changsheng spotted an elderly man hurrying down the street and called out to him. "Excuse me, old sir, but could I ask you a question? When did this wine shop close down? Wasn't Uncle Li running it before?"

The old man glanced at the shuttered building. He searched his memory for a moment before replying, "It closed down a long time ago. I can't quite remember when. Wasn't Li Lao'er running the place before? Later on, his son took over, but he couldn't keep the business afloat, so they packed up and left."

"Left?"

The old man cast a glance at the soldier standing nearby.

"You can speak freely, old sir," Chen Changsheng assured him.

Seeing the soldier turn his head away, the old man gave a slight nod and continued. "They fled to avoid trouble back when Prince Yu first marched into the city. Who knows when they'll ever be back. If they've managed to do well for themselves out there, they might never return."

"Is that... so..."

Chen Changsheng murmured under his breath, his hands falling to his sides.

The old man narrowed his eyes, peering closely at him. "Say, why do you look so familiar to me? I feel like I've seen you somewhere before."

Chen Changsheng smiled. "I lived in Qingshan City for a time, many years ago."

The old man shook his head. "My memory's a bit fuzzy. What's your surname? What's your name? Which street or alley did you live on?"

Chen Changsheng answered him truthfully.

Yet when the old man heard the name 'Chen Changsheng', he had absolutely no impression of it.

"Alas, I'm getting old..."

The old man said, "I can't remember."

Chen Changsheng returned his smile, only saying, "It will come back to you eventually. Doesn't it always happen by chance?"

"Right, right..."

After bidding the old man farewell, he stepped into Chuanfeng Alley.

The alley was incredibly well-kept. It was practically spotless; there was no moss on the cobblestones, nor any trace of white frost creeping up the walls.

How had it managed to take on such a fresh, brand-new look?

Fortunately, the courtyard itself hadn't changed much.

Chen Changsheng fished a key out from his sleeve and tried to unlock the door, but it didn't fit. Only then did he realize the lock had been changed.

He did a quick mental calculation and instantly understood what had happened.

Someone was borrowing the place.

He forced the lock open and stepped inside.

The soldier hitched the horse to the tree, then took his leave.

Chen Changsheng took a seat in the rocking chair and let out a long sigh.

He rocked back and forth, looking down.

The rocking chair was a replacement. It was new, and seemed as though it hadn't been used for very long. The difference was that after he sat down, it didn't let out those familiar creaking sounds.

Everything here seemed to be perfectly fine.

Just as it was in his memories.

Yet returning now to find it so empty, he couldn't bring his spirits up.

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