Immortal Travel of Longevity

Long Zhongzheng had quite a few complaints to share.

The world was in turmoil, food was scarce, unreasonable soldiers roamed everywhere, and so on...

Yet when Chen Changsheng asked why he hadn't left for Great Xiang, Long Zhongzheng replied, "I was born a Jing person. With my country shattered and my home gone, I wouldn't find peace anywhere. I might as well stay in this chaotic Northwest. The days are hard, sure, but this life of scurrying and hiding keeps me busy enough to forget a few things."

To exaggerate a little, he had long grown accustomed to a life of licking blood off the tip of a blade.

Chen Changsheng expressed his understanding. "How long do you plan to stay, then?"

Long Zhongzheng thought about it. "I really couldn't say. I might just drop dead any day."

"Things are rarely that unpredictable."

Chen Changsheng offered a helpless smile. "Such things are better left unsaid."

Long Zhongzheng chuckled in agreement. "Who cares? The more you fear death, the faster it comes. I said it, so what? If I truly die, then that's just my fate."

Long Zhongzheng looked at him and asked, "Someone?"

"A friend."

Chen Changsheng replied.

He mused that perhaps Yan Ruchu, who had long dwelled deep within the palace, thought exactly the same way.

Yan Ruchu's obsession perhaps extended beyond the legacy of the House of Yan. Like Long Zhongzheng, his nation was gone, and his heart had nowhere to return to.

"A Jing person too?"

"I suppose so."

"Oh." Long Zhongzheng nodded, then added, "But there aren't many like me. When it comes down to it, people are all in it for themselves. Who really cares about the greater good of the nation? It just boils down to believing in different things."

He said this, but such people were hardly a minority.

Long Zhongzheng paused for a moment before continuing, "Besides, so many years have passed. The original Jing people have grown old or died off, and they lost their fight a long time ago. The nobility and powerful elites killed the ideals of the next generation. There is no hope left for Great Jing."

Chen Changsheng asked, "And if an opportunity suddenly arose?"

Long Zhongzheng blinked. "You'd expect an old bag of bones like me to go out and fight?"

"Then what would it take?"

"It would just be a matter of recruiting troops and buying horses, all exchanged for real gold and silver. Without those things, who would risk their lives for you? People are all out for themselves."

"Meaning, you would only go if you were given real gold and silver? That wasn't what you meant a moment ago."

"Even if you gave me all that, I still wouldn't be willing to go."

Long Zhongzheng replied, "I sent my wife and daughter to Jiangnan a long time ago. I am fine out here in the Northwest, but I'd never dare get involved in the matter you just mentioned. If they traced it back to my family, it would be over for them."

Chen Changsheng nodded to show he understood.

Long Zhongzheng laughed. "Everyone is different. The things I want aren't the same either."

He gathered himself and said, "Why are we talking about all this? Drink up, drink up."

Chen Changsheng raised his cup and drank with him.

The two of them drank as the tavern slowly emptied out, until there was no one left and the waiters began wiping down the tables and chairs.

Long Zhongzheng was thoroughly drunk, though he still had his wits about him. His steps, however, were a little unsteady as he walked.

"Where are you staying? I'll walk you back," Long Zhongzheng said.

Chen Changsheng said, "This Chen is staying close by. Besides, you look much drunker than I am. Let me walk you back instead."

Long Zhongzheng nodded. "Alright, then."

As they walked, Long Zhongzheng mumbled, "Around here, you shouldn't walk alone after dark. You never know who might jump out and rob you."

Hearing this, Chen Changsheng murmured, "Is that so..."

He lifted his head and looked over.

Only to find that at the mouth of the alley, several sets of eyes were watching them.

Long Zhongzheng suddenly sobered up as well.

"Ah..."

He sighed and said, "I knew it."

He had similarly noticed the stares in the alley, and he immediately reached for his waist.

In the blink of an eye, a Short Blade was concealed in his sleeve.

Chen Changsheng asked, "Brother Long knows martial arts?"

Long Zhongzheng gave a smile. "How else would I dare leave a tavern so late? But there's no need to panic. Let's see what happens first..."

With that, he stepped forward, his footsteps no longer as unsteady.

"Brothers in the alley."

Long Zhongzheng called out, cupping his hands in greeting. "I was in high spirits today and drank a little too much. All my silver taels went to the wine, so I have nothing left to treat you with. Why don't you do me a small favor and give me some face tonight? I'll treat you all to a drink another day."

The figures in the alley paused, then a voice called out, "State your name."

"Shopkeeper Long."

"..."

The alley fell silent for a moment. Then a voice called back, "You must be joking, Shopkeeper Long. How could we brothers dare block your path?"

Long Zhongzheng smiled and said, "Many thanks."

With that, he strode forward.

Chen Changsheng followed behind him, and they passed through the alley.

The rest of the journey went much more smoothly.

Though they frequently felt the weight of prying eyes, those people merely glanced at them before looking away, making no move to cause trouble.

Chen Changsheng said, "You have quite the reputation around here?"

Long Zhongzheng nodded. "These night watchmen used to run with the gangs in Ximing City. Back when the trading firm was open, almost all of them received favors from it at some point. Even if some have changed leaders, they're still willing to grant me a bit of face."

Chen Changsheng thought for a moment and said, "So you've done quite well for yourself?"

Long Zhongzheng shook his head. "Not exactly. If you don't stir up trouble, they'll leave you alone out of respect for the past. But the moment you cause a mess, they won't care about those old sentiments either."

"Morals aren't what they used to be."

Long Zhongzheng paused at the remark. "You're wrong about that. I reckon it's always been this way. Regardless of past or present, people have always been like this..."

"Indeed."

Chen Changsheng breathed a sigh. Where in this world was there any true jianghu morality?

Long Zhongzheng lived a fair distance away, but Chen Changsheng managed to escort him to his door.

"Why don't you just spend the night here?"

Long Zhongzheng said, "There are quite a few night watchmen out. It would save you from running into trouble."

Chen Changsheng smiled. "There is no need. If This Chen was able to come here, I certainly have no fear of such things."

Long Zhongzheng understood. "Very well. But you still need to be careful in all things. If anything goes wrong, just use my name. It will at least keep them from striking to kill on the spot."

"Alright."

Chen Changsheng agreed and then bid him farewell.

Scaling the wall of the alley, he leaped lightly up onto the roof tiles.

Though he wasn't afraid, he didn't want to let such people ruin his mood. He simply traveled along the eaves to avoid running into them.

Under the cover of night, the green-robed figure drifted over Ximing City like a willow catkin. His footsteps were light, without making even the slightest sound.

He planned to leave the city tonight. He intended to travel even closer to the borderlands to take a look.

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