Unintended Immortality

The Grand Commander mansion was filled with a heavy atmosphere and a decayed scent.

“Grand Commander, I’ve returned.”

“Did you see that gentleman?”

“I did.”

“Speak!”

“The gentleman said, he said...” The messenger hesitated, and upon seeing the old man showing signs of anger, he quickly continued, “He said that the young master has been arrogant and domineering, with a bad reputation among the people of Changjing. He believes this punishment is well-deserved and even said that the punishment was too light.”

“Cough, cough, cough...”

“Grand Commander!”

“So he is unwilling to lift the curse?”

“Don’t be angry, Grand Commander! That Daoist is extremely arrogant! In my opinion, even if he has some cultivation skills, there’s no need to be polite with him or request such a grand favor! This is Changjing, under the Emperor’s rule. Just have the county yamen and the patrolling troops arrest him. If necessary, we can even ask for help from the masters of the Juxian Mansion!”

“Go to the county yamen, and find someone to go to the military camp as well.”

“Yes!”

Time passed gradually, from morning to noon.

The Grand Commander’s mansion remained quiet, only interrupted by the old man’s coughing.

The elderly man, with all his hair and beard white, was dressed in luxurious robes as he sat in a wooden armchair and leaned on his cane. Behind him stood several servants. The middle-aged steward remained kneeling on the floor in front of him, while the young man beside him looked pale and distressed.

In front of them lay a piece of paper detailing the events. The old man had read it over and over again.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

The officials had gone several times without success, causing their anxiety to grow.

“Cough, cough, cough...”

“Grand Commander...”

Someone immediately cast a concerned glance at the old man.

“It’s nothing to worry about. Since taking the master’s miraculous medicine the day before yesterday and lying down for a day, I’ve been much better these past two days and can even walk around now,” the old man said, glancing at the steward kneeling below and the young man sitting beside him who couldn’t hear the conversation.

He struck the young man with his cane, “You wretch, so useless in accomplishing things and only good at causing trouble. Look at what mess you’ve stirred up now.”

The young man lifted his head, his face even paler. He saw the old man’s mouth move in anger, but no sound could be heard.

The extreme silence was terrifying.

At this moment, someone hurriedly entered from outside. “Grand Commander!”

“Speak!”

“The officers and the patrolling troops went again. This is the third time. It was the same as before—just as they entered, it was as if they were enchanted, and they immediately came back out, returning to the county yamen and the military camp.”

“Cough, cough… What about the Juxian Mansion?”

“I just went to the Juxian Mansion and reported the matter. However, the people there said they needed to consult with the State Preceptor.” The person speaking hesitated and lowered their head even further, “After hearing about it, the State Preceptor ordered everyone to stay indoors and said, moreover, that we should not seek out the officers and patrolling troops anymore to avoid causing more trouble.”

“The State Preceptor really said that?”

“Indeed.”

“Word for word?”

“He said you did not properly discipline your own family, allowing them to act recklessly in the city. The fact that they ended up as a deaf person was… was a form of leniency. We should just accept our misfortune and not pursue the matter further.”

“Changyuanzi! You dare to insult me like this!” The old man was immediately enraged.

After a moment’s thought, his anger intensified. He struck the young man again with his cane, while the steward kneeling on the floor dared not move in fright.

But this was his only son. How could he not take action?

Before long, someone came in to report that the county yamen had received orders from the State Preceptor and dared not send more people. Almost immediately after, another report came that the same was true for the patrolling troops.

“Bastards!” The old man was so furious that he nearly died from rage.

But with only a few days left to live and his only son turned deaf, how could he be willing to accept this?

“Go and invite Master Mu!”

“Yes!”

Time slowly passed from noon to mid-afternoon.

The people seated remained still, the standing ones dared not move, and those kneeling on the floor felt as if their knees were no longer their own but still did not dare to move. The air in the room seemed to have become stagnant.

Just then, a middle-aged Daoist priest walked in from outside.

The old man immediately rose to greet him.

This person, named Mu Shou, originally studied Daoism at a Daoist temple on Mount Luming. Later, he came down to Changjing with the intention of joining the State Preceptor at the Fengtian Temple, also located on Mount Luming. Although the State Preceptor accepted him, he was not given any significant responsibilities.

After a few years of being in the Juxian Mansion, he angered the State Preceptor over some matters and was expelled, leaving him to wander the jianghu.

Mu Shou had profound cultivation skills and was adept in spellcraft. After arriving in Changjing and especially after becoming a wanderer, he engaged with various eccentric figures in the jianghu, further advancing his skills.

Previously, he had used his spellcraft to harm a high-ranking official, leading to an investigation by the Martial Guard and nearly being executed. In a desperate moment, the old man had saved him, and Mu Shou owed him his life.

Upon arrival, Mu Shou immediately paid his respects.

“Greetings, Grand Commander. May I ask why you’ve urgently summoned me?”

“Master, please save my son!” The old man quickly recounted the events and requested that Mu Shou remove the curse on his only son.

The debt of saving a life was immense, and Mu Shou did not hesitate. He approached the young man, examined him carefully, and his brow gradually furrowed.

“What’s the matter?”

“Grand Commander, I do not detect any curse or traces of Daoist magic on the young master,” Mu Shou said. “However, with the myriad of spells in the world, there are many I have not encountered.”

“What should we do then?”

“Those who tied the knots are responsible for untying it,” Mu Shou said, sniffing and frowning as he glanced at the old Grand Commander, feeling uncertain but not voicing his doubts.

“That Daoist is extremely detestable. First, I sent people with great gifts to request his help, but he refused to lift the curse. Then, I sent officials and patrolling troops, but they returned without success. When that Changyuanzi found out, he even insulted me and ordered the county yamen and patrolling troops not to take further action. This is truly intolerable...”

“The State Preceptor...” Mu Shou squinted his eyes.

“Is there any way for you to make that Daoist understand the severity of the situation?” the old Grand Commander said. “I don’t seek his life, only that he realizes the seriousness and comes back to lift the curse on my son.”

“Do you have any items left by the Daoist?”

“No.”

“Do you know his birth date and time, or his full name?”

“I only know his name, not his birth date and time.”

“That makes things a bit complicated.”

“Is there another way?”

“Seeing him once might work, but I’m not skilled in direct confrontations. From what you’ve said, that Daoist may have considerable cultivation skills...”

“Would a portrait work?”

“A portrait?” The Daoist was taken aback, then thought for a moment before saying, “If the portrait can be made exactly the same, it might work. However, finding such a painter may be difficult.”

“To be honest, earlier this year I met a person whose ancestor was the renowned Dou Qiuyao, famous for bringing portraits to life and painting tigers with life-like accuracy,” the old Grand Commander said.

He continued, “In his generation, although he didn’t inherit his ancestor’s full talent, his skills are still extraordinary. He can nearly bring to life whatever he paints, especially in terms of capturing the spirit and essence, making it almost lifelike.”

“Where is this person?”

“He is staying as a guest in my residence. He met the Daoist both yesterday and this morning.” The old Grand Commander coughed. “However, he rarely paints people. Although I have offered him refuge, I haven’t saved his life. I’m unsure if he would be willing.”

“What if he refuses?”

“This person is timid; I can threaten him with his life.”

“Alright!”

The old Grand Commander immediately waved his hand to have someone summon Sir Dou.

Soon after, Sir Dou arrived. The old Grand Commander asked him to paint the young Daoist he had encountered last night and this morning. Although Sir Dou was initially unwilling, he complied after the old Grand Commander threatened him with his life.

Servants brought in tables and chairs, set out the painting materials, and Sir Dou began to paint. A clear and refined figure of the Daoist gradually took shape, resembling and embodying the essence of the person, awaiting only the final touches.

***

By dusk, Heroine Wu returned. On the way back, she saw a vendor selling baked pancakes. She bought one as large as her face, and ate it as her dinner while reflecting.

When she left this morning, she only heard the general details from the Daoist. However, on her return, she had learned more details.

The Grand Commander’s residence was filled with people. Those whom the Daoist had rendered mute remained mute, and those who had lost their hearing remained deaf, like something out of a fairy tale.

So many wanted to know who he was.

“...” Heroine Wu shook her head. She had known the Daoist was formidable, but did not expect him to be this powerful.

It was still too reckless.

As she approached Willow Street, Heroine Wu quickened her pace. Along the way, neighbors were buzzing with conversation.

Noticing that the door next door was still open, Heroine Wu casually glanced inside as she passed by. She saw the Daoist playing with the cat as if nothing had happened.

Heroine Wu paused for a moment, looked around to ensure no one was watching, and then slipped inside.

The Daoist was tossing a ball, and the cat was leaping to catch it. Upon seeing her enter, both stopped and turned to look at her.

“Who exactly are you?” Heroine Wu asked directly.

“Hmm?” The Daoist seemed a bit surprised and turned to face her. “Why do you ask that?”

“I’m curious. Who exactly are you?”

“I’m a Daoist from Yizhou.”

“...?” Heroine Wu was taken aback. She had considered many possible responses from him: he might answer, he might not answer, or he might evade the question, but she hadn't expected this.

After a moment of surprise, she smiled and asked, “Are you alright?”

“Yes, I am.”

“Did the officials come today?”

“They did.”

“And they didn't arrest you?”

“No.”

“Did the Juxian Mansion come looking for you?”

“Not at all.”

“That's impressive.” Heroine Wu immediately sat down next to him, her eyes full of curiosity. “How did you manage that? Tell me about it.”

“Just some minor tricks, nothing worth mentioning.”

“And at the Grand Commander’s residence?”

“Also just minor tricks.”

“What Daoist temple are you from?”

“Hidden Dragon Temple.”

“What does Hidden Dragon Temple mean?”

“A dragon lying in wait.”

“It sounds a bit ominous!” Heroine Wu pondered. “Is your temple very powerful? Quite famous?”

“Thanks to the blessings of our ancestors, it has some reputation.”

“I’ve never heard of it before, and I usually have good sources of information.”

“It’s not commonly known.”

“Then where is it famous?”

“In the mountains and palaces, among demons, ghosts, and gods.”

“Impressive, Daoist Master...”

“Thanks to the blessings of our ancestors.”

At that moment, the Daoist suddenly paused as if sensing something, and looked up at the sky.

In the room, although the sky was out of sight, other things were visible.

“Interesting...” The Daoist smiled slightly, took the cloth ball from the cat’s mouth, and tossed it. The cat instinctively jumped to catch it but found neither the ball nor its trajectory.

The cloth ball, however, had disappeared from the Daoist's hand.

“Meow?”

The cat landed back on the floor, looking at the Daoist with confusion.

The Daoist opened his hand to show it was empty and smiled at the cat, saying, “It's telekinesis. Would you like to learn?”

“...?” The cat tilted its head in curiosity.

The Daoist chuckled, pulled the cloth ball from his sleeve, and handed it to Heroine Wu. He then leaned back into the chair, resting against its backrest, and said, “I have some matters to attend to. Please entertain Lady Calico for a while.”

With that, he closed his eyes. In the Grand Commander’s residence, the painter added the finishing touches to the portrait, and it came to life, looking almost like a real person.

Everyone present was astonished.

Just as they were marveling, the figure in the painting suddenly shifted its expression and turned its head to look directly at them.