Immortal Travel of Longevity

Summer was just setting in.

In time with the turning season, Chen Changsheng woke once again.

The summer heat rushed at him, heavy and stifling. Fortunately, the mountain breeze brushing against his face offered some comfort, as did the nearby stream. Scooping up a handful of water to drink was incomparably refreshing.

Looking up, he saw the peaks towering before him. The Daoist temple on the mountain remained exactly as it had been, an intoxicating sight.

For a moment, he felt as though he had returned to many years ago.

By all rights, it was time to go fetch some wine.

But as the years flew by, the taste of that wine had grown increasingly strong, losing its former crispness.

After some thought, he decided against it.

"What wonderful weather,"

He stepped into Qiuyue Fang.

Following his memory, he made his way to the small courtyard where Ruyi lived.

But his trip was for nothing.

There was no one in the yard.

Chen Changsheng asked the neighbors and finally learned what had happened.

"You mean this family?"

"Oh, her family received heavenly grace. They went to have an audience with His Majesty!"

"Who would have thought? They were always so quiet, but it turns out they used to work for His Majesty. Unimaginable."

Listening to the neighboring woman's chatter, Chen Changsheng chuckled in agreement.

It was only after leaving the courtyard that Chen Changsheng truly processed the news.

"Why is that girl having an audience with His Majesty?"

Chen Changsheng couldn't figure it out for a moment. Her connection with Yan Nantian wasn't particularly deep, was it?

Besides, given Ruyi's temperament, she probably wouldn't pay any mind to an Imperial Decree.

Then again...

Who knew what Ruyi was thinking? Whenever she was bored, she would go along with whoever called for her.

Missing her didn't make Chen Changsheng feel too much regret. He was going to Shangjing eventually anyway.

The war in the Northern Desert had ended in March. The meritorious officials had been steadily returning, and the enthronement ceremony was fully prepared, scheduled to take place in just a few days.

Chen Changsheng turned around and headed to Tong Zhihuan's place.

Unexpectedly, he found that empty, too.

The whole family was gone!

With no one to ask, Chen Changsheng performed a quick divination.

He then learned that Tong Zhihuan had been invited away to treat an illness. It was a long journey, and Tao'er had gone with him. As for Tong Nianyi, she had passed the tongsheng examination two years ago and gone to study under Mister Wei in Yan County, entrusted to the care of Tang Yuerong at the Tang Manor.

"So no one is around."

Chen Changsheng shook his head with a smile. He decided to swing by the bookstore, wondering if Master Jin San had returned from his travels.

This time, he got his wish.

When he arrived at the bookstore, Master Jin San was smiling, chatting with an apprentice about the people and events he had encountered on his journey. The apprentice was responsible for writing it down, and whenever he made a mistake, Master Jin San would make him correct it.

"Master Jin San is in high spirits today," Chen Changsheng said.

Hearing the voice from outside, Master Jin San answered reflexively, "Of course, isn't this..."

He turned his head, and his words broke off.

"Oh my!"

Master Jin San immediately stood up and hurried forward to greet him.

Approaching respectfully, Master Jin San said, "My dear Mister Chen, why didn't you let me know you were coming? How can my humble bookstore properly host you?"

Chen Changsheng smiled. "Why worry about all that? A cup of tea is more than enough."

"Yes, yes, of course! Bring some tea!"

Master Jin San pulled Chen Changsheng along and sat him down.

Looking as if a great weight had been lifted from his shoulders, the apprentice stood up and hurried off to brew the tea.

"I'll go prepare the tea."

Hearing this, Master Jin San scolded, "I ask you to write a few words and you look completely miserable, but I tell you to brew tea and you run like the wind. You really are good for nothing."

Naturally, the apprentice didn't dare talk back. He just lowered his head.

Master Jin San rolled his eyes at him. "Go, go, go make the tea."

"Right away."

The apprentice agreed and scurried off to do his work.

Chen Changsheng followed him with his gaze, then glanced down at the writing on the table. "Is Master Jin San planning to pass down his mantle?"

Master Jin San waved his hand and sighed helplessly. "I had the thought, but this apprentice of mine is far too clumsy. He doesn't have an ounce of cleverness in him. I'm thinking of replacing him."

Chen Changsheng smiled. "You were just as stubbornly thick-headed in the past."

Master Jin San smiled sheepishly at the remark.

"That is true."

If he hadn't been stubborn, he wouldn't have foolishly run off alone back then, spending all that time digging for pearls by the sea.

Just then, the apprentice brought out the tea.

"Misters, the tea is ready."

After setting the tea down, the apprentice stood off to the side, waiting for instructions.

Master Jin San said, "Sit down and keep writing."

"Huh?"

The apprentice replied reluctantly, "Mister Jin, can't I take a break? My hand is cramping up..."

Master Jin San gave him a swift kick.

"I'll write right now."

The apprentice sat down.

He then turned to Master Jin San and asked, "Mister Jin, what's next?"

"If I don't dictate it, you don't know how to write it yourself?" Master Jin San retorted.

The apprentice blinked, genuinely confused. "If you don't dictate, how am I supposed to know what happens next?"

Master Jin San grabbed a nearby book, ready to smack him.

The apprentice didn't dodge; he simply shut his eyes.

Master Jin San said angrily, "Look how stupid you are! You don't even know how to dodge when I hit you. Stupid! Just stupid!"

The apprentice opened his eyes and lowered his head in silence.

He had no idea how he had offended Mister Jin.

Master Jin San sighed. Looking at Mister Chen, he said, "I've let you see a joke, Mister."

Chen Changsheng smiled. "How is it a joke? This Chen thinks he's quite fine."

With that, he looked at the apprentice and asked, "How old are you?"

The apprentice kept his head down. Likely afraid that Master Jin San would scold him again, he couldn't help but look a bit meek.

"To answer your question, Mister, my name is Ji Fu. I'm seventeen this year, and I've been working at the bookstore for over a year."

Hearing this, Master Jin San nodded in satisfaction.

Now that was more like it. One should always speak up for themselves rather than waiting for others to ask.

Seeing Mister Jin nod, the apprentice breathed a sigh of relief. He had been scolded over this very thing four times already; how could he not remember?

"Auspicious and fortunate," Chen Changsheng said with a smile. "You will certainly have a blessed life ahead of you."

Ji Fu smiled back. "Thank you for your auspicious words, Mister."

"Learn well under Mister Jin," Chen Changsheng said. "There will come a day when you make a name for yourself."

Ji Fu chuckled foolishly, only to unexpectedly catch another kick from Mister Jin.

"Look at the way you laugh. Like a complete idiot."

Ji Fu rubbed his backside and sensibly stepped off to the side.

Master Jin San snorted before snapping, "Why are you standing there? Sit down and write. I don't care how you write it, but you are finishing the rest of this today. If you don't finish, the shop doesn't close. You'll keep it open till midnight if you have to!"

Ji Fu wanted to cry but had no tears. He thought to himself that sooner or later, he would quit and never work here again.

Chen Changsheng smiled, inexplicably feeling a sense of anticipation.

He was very curious about what this apprentice would become in the future. Would he still laugh with such foolish innocence, completely ignorant of the world?

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