After Failing to Find Immortality 2

Chapter 2: The Girl Meets an Immortal, A Game of Black and White

The girl before him looked to be about seventeen or eighteen years old, with delicate features, flowing black hair, and a hint of burgeoning charm. A thick winter cloak enveloped her figure, but he could still discern a mature and alluring physique.

So beautiful girls really did appear out of nowhere, even in the depths of the mountains.

Lin Tianlu sighed softly, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

But his solitary life over the past two weeks seemed to have dulled his senses, for only a slight ripple of excitement stirred within him.

The fact that he had suddenly encountered another living person on this sacred Mount Taiyi was far more astonishing to him.

However, the atmosphere between them was a bit awkward, both staring at each other in silence.

Lin Tianlu put down his chess piece and stood up, clearing his throat, about to break the silence.

But the words caught in his throat, and he hesitated.

What… should he say?

Based on the fragmented memories of the deceased scholar, he knew that this era resembled the Tang and Song dynasties, with some cultural differences. But ultimately, it was still ancient China, where people spoke in a refined and archaic manner.

If he blurted out modern slang…

Wouldn’t it sound jarring and strange?

While he struggled to find the right words, the young girl quickly composed herself, stepping forward and bowing respectfully. “This humble one, Hua Shuya, greets the immortal of the sect!”

“?”

Lin Tianlu’s expression froze.

Immortal? Was she referring to him?

Glancing around discreetly, confirming that there was no one else around, he asked tentatively in a deep voice, “Why do you say that, young lady?”

“Everyone in Xima Prefecture knows that there’s an immortal sect on Mount Taiyi, where immortals impart their teachings. Their disciples all cultivate divine techniques and achieve immortality.”

Hua Shuya, the elegant young girl, bowed with her hands clasped, her voice clear and melodious. “This humble one has journeyed all the way here, but Mount Taiyi is deserted, with no food, water, or shelter. Only you, Senior, are sitting here, playing chess.

To have such leisure and tranquility, only a true immortal could possess such unwavering composure and ability.”

She looked up slightly, her bright eyes sparkling with admiration.

Her eyes were indeed beautiful, but her gaze was intense, like someone who had discovered a priceless treasure.

Lin Tianlu felt a bit uncomfortable under her scrutiny. He imitated her gesture and bowed slightly. “Your deduction is impressive, young lady. But I’m not a member of this immortal sect. I’m just a humble scholar who stumbled upon this place. The mountain path is treacherous, so I’m forced to stay here temporarily.”

“A scholar?”

Hua Shuya was surprised.

Looking closer, this ‘senior’ was indeed wearing ordinary, coarse clothes, his appearance no older than her own. He didn’t seem like a revered and transcendent immortal.

Had she mistaken him for someone else?

The girl’s face flushed with embarrassment, and she was about to speak, but then her heart skipped a beat.

—Wait!

The summit of Mount Taiyi was perpetually shrouded in cold, damp mist, its altitude high, the temperature freezing. She had felt incredibly cold on her journey up, relying on her thick cloak to stay warm.

But this man…

Was only wearing a simple scholar’s robe?!

And upon closer inspection, she couldn’t sense his aura at all!

Having practiced martial arts since childhood due to her wealthy background, she had a keen eye, despite her young age. She could usually discern a person’s aura and upbringing with just a few glances.

But now, she couldn’t see through this young man at all.

He was standing right before her, yet her martial senses couldn’t detect even a trace of his aura. It was as if he had completely merged with his surroundings, becoming one with nature, ethereal and elusive, like the mountain mist.

His face was handsome and refined, his gaze deep and unfathomable. Although he wore no luxurious ornaments, he possessed an aura that made him seem distant and transcendent.

She had never encountered such a presence in her seventeen years of life!

Even her parents, even her renowned grandfather, couldn’t compare!

But for such a divine figure to call himself a ‘humble scholar’… Could there be a hidden meaning, a test of some sort?

With that thought, Hua Shuya’s tone became even more respectful. “I’ll remember your words, Senior.”

“?”

Lin Tianlu was a bit surprised. Ancient women were truly polite and deferential.

But he didn’t dwell on it and quickly asked, “Young lady, did you climb the mountain alone? What brings you here?”

Hua Shuya bowed deeply and explained patiently, “Senior, this humble one was passing through Xima Prefecture and heard rumors of an immortal sect on Mount Taiyi.

I didn’t believe these folk tales at first, but half a month ago, I repeatedly heard distant roars echoing through the mountains, as if immortals had descended. And since there’s an elder in my family who is chronically ill, I decided to seek out this immortal sect, hoping to find a way to prolong his life. However, the mountain was shrouded in heavy fog a few days ago, making the path impassable, so I was delayed.”

“Most of my companions couldn’t handle the climb and are currently resting halfway up the mountain. I’m the only one who reached the summit.”

Lin Tianlu’s heart skipped a beat.

So his karaoke sessions had reached beyond the mountains?

But seeing the girl’s serious expression and focused gaze, he figured… no one probably understood the meaning of those lyrics. Otherwise, he would be mortified.

Well, at least he had sung many Japanese and English songs that no one could understand.

But it seemed quite a few people had tried to climb the mountain.

His eyes lit up. “Do you have a way to descend, young lady?”

Hua Shuya replied seriously, “This humble one has set up a series of iron chains along the mountain path. You can safely descend by following the chains, Senior.”

Lin Tianlu was overjoyed.

Finally, a way down the mountain!

Although life on the mountain was quite peaceful, living like a savage every day was getting old.

Hua Shuya hesitated for a moment, then continued, “Senior, what are you doing here alone?”

Lin Tianlu smiled. “Due to some unforeseen circumstances, I’m stranded here. I’ve just been finding ways to pass the time. This game of black and white stones, for example, is quite an enjoyable pastime.”

“Black and white stones?”

Hua Shuya glanced curiously at the board on the stone table.

Black and white stones, scattered across the board in a seemingly random pattern. It looked no different from the Go games played on the streets.

Although she had practiced martial arts since childhood, she was also well-educated and knew a bit about Go. At first glance, it seemed that this immortal wasn’t familiar with the common Go techniques and was just placing the stones randomly… Eh?!

But Hua Shuya’s expression quickly changed, her gaze fixed on the board, as if captivated by the game.

How… how could this be?

This seemingly chaotic and random arrangement of stones somehow felt harmonious and balanced. It was as if each stone, each move, had been placed with careful deliberation, a display of incredible skill.

The more she focused, the more she sensed the extraordinary nature of this game. It was profound and mysterious, containing a hidden truth that made her heart tremble!

Lin Tianlu saw her entranced expression and chuckled. “Are you interested in this game I’m playing, young lady?”

“Senior… could I… play a few moves?” Hua Shuya’s voice trembled slightly.

“Of course. Feel free to play.”

Lin Tianlu was also intrigued. He rolled up his sleeves, his excitement growing.

He had been alone on this mountain for over half a month. Now, a well-educated and beautiful young girl had appeared, offering to play a game with him. It was a delightful turn of events.

Even if it was just Gomoku.

“Thank you for the opportunity, Senior.”

Hua Shuya took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing heart, and sat down opposite Lin Tianlu.

“—!”

But the moment she sat down, her pupils constricted, and her breath hitched.

The young man sitting before her, who had seemed so ordinary just a moment ago, suddenly radiated a terrifying aura, as deep and vast as an abyss, both divine and demonic, pressing down on her with the force of a collapsing sky. She felt as if her very soul would be crushed!

In a daze, Hua Shuya saw the surrounding mountains crumbling, the stars in the sky fading away. Countless fragments of light danced before her eyes, weaving a tapestry of strange and inexplicable patterns.

When everything finally settled, the mountains and rivers had vanished, leaving only this ordinary-looking young man, his smile unchanged.

And beneath her, the familiar Mount Taiyi was gone, replaced by a hazy, ethereal galaxy, vast and dark, with countless stars twinkling and swirling, forming a celestial Go board. The vast world stretched out before her, transformed into countless black and white stones, floating and spinning like a dream.

The young man’s smile was unreadable as he held a black stone in his right hand, his left hand behind his back.

“Young lady, you’re taking too long to make your move. I’ll go first.”

His words echoed in her mind, shaking her soul!

The galaxy Go board rippled, the stars swirling, as if the entire universe was at his fingertips.

Hua Shuya’s eyes trembled, her face pale. In that instant, she felt incredibly small, like a speck of dust in a vast river, under the gaze of a divine being, exposed and vulnerable.

Her vision narrowed, focusing only on the black stone in the young man’s hand as he slowly placed it on the board…

Snap!

The stone landed, creating ripples in the celestial game.

“Pfft—!”

Hua Shuya suddenly coughed up a mouthful of blood, her eyes rolling back as she collapsed to the ground, unconscious.

“…”

Lin Tianlu’s smile froze as he wiped the blood from his face, completely bewildered.

“???”

—What just happened?

They were just playing Gomoku. Why did she suddenly spit blood?!

Could it be… she came up here just to scam him?