After Failing to Find Immortality 6

Chapter 6: Changling County

“Have you heard? The main peak of Mount Taiyi, just dozens of miles from our Changling County… vanished into thin air in broad daylight!”

“Is that true?!”

“It is! The farmers working in the fields saw it with their own eyes!”

A young waiter wiped the table, gesturing dramatically with his left hand. “They said a thick fog descended upon the mountain, the clouds churning like a celestial phenomenon. The farmers had to stop working. And when the fog cleared, the towering peak of Mount Taiyi was gone!”

“Rumor has it that the newly established Taiyi Immortal Sect, seeing that the mortal world was at peace, decided to return to seclusion.”

“Eh? I heard it was called the Supreme Dao Immortal Sect.”

“It’s clearly the Heavenly Profound Myriad, All Things Unified, Supreme Enlightenment Holy Sect! You’re so out of touch.”

“Sigh! If only I had known, I would have gone to Mount Taiyi to try my luck. To meet an immortal… that would be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!”

The chatter filled the restaurant, everyone discussing the sudden disappearance of Mount Taiyi, each with their own version of the story.

But for Lin Tianlu, sitting quietly at a table, the topic made him feel a bit strange.

I’m still working on my home defense sect.

It was just a barren mountaintop with a few extra blades of grass. How had these people concocted so many elaborate names for nonexistent sects?

But…

He was still relieved.

“Despite all the commotion, it seems no one except Hua Shuya knows that I came down from the mountain.”

And Hua Shuya was clearly not a gossip. She hadn’t spread the word.

But that Mount Taiyi…

It had vanished so suddenly that even he was dumbfounded.

When Hua Shuya noticed its absence, she had assumed he had used his immortal powers to make the mountain disappear, her eyes shining with awe.

He had tried to explain, but she just gave him a knowing look, as if saying, “I understand, I understand.” It gave him a headache.

“Customer! What can I get for you?”

A waiter approached with a flattering smile, a curious look in his eyes.

He had been working in this restaurant for over ten years, serving countless customers. This scholar, covered in dust, his white robe faded and yellowed, clearly looked like a destitute vagrant. But there was something about his face, a gentle and approachable aura, an unreadable depth that hinted at a hidden status.

How strange!

The waiter was puzzled.

Lin Tianlu pushed aside his thoughts and, after a moment of consideration, said, “A cup of rice wine and a few side dishes, please.”

“Right away, Sir!”

The waiter quickly responded, not showing any disrespect despite his shabby appearance.

Soon, the dishes and wine were served.

Lin Tianlu picked up his chopsticks, looking at the steaming food, and sighed.

He hadn’t eaten anything for half a month.

During his first two days on the mountain, he had been worried and anxious about it. But as he gradually adapted to his new life, he had forgotten about food altogether.

But now, he could finally sit down and enjoy a proper meal.

Although he was craving a hamburger and coke.

A bucket of fried chicken would be even better.

“…”

Just as he was about to take a bite of the marinated beef, he paused, put down his chopsticks, and smiled gently towards the door.

A small figure quickly ducked behind the doorframe.

“No need to hide. Come in and have a meal.”

“…R-really?”

The child cautiously poked his head out again.

Lin Tianlu smiled. “Of course. A scholar wouldn’t lie.”

The child hesitated for a long time, glancing at the other customers in the restaurant. Seeing that no one had noticed him, he slipped inside.

He looked to be about ten years old, his face and clothes dirty, patched with worn-out fabric. Clearly, he was a poor child begging for a living on the streets.

“Eat.”

Lin Tianlu took a sip of his wine.

It was… quite weak.

A few drops of alcohol in a cup of hot water?

The child swallowed hard, wiping his hands. Unable to resist the temptation of food, he started eating cautiously.

As he gradually relaxed his guard, he began to devour the food, clearly starving.

Lin Tianlu glanced at the boy’s neck and wrists, noticing some unhealed wounds. He sighed inwardly.

The world he had transmigrated into didn’t seem peaceful either… Or rather, no matter what dynasty, no matter how prosperous, there would always be those who struggled to survive.

As they ate in silence, the waiter who had served them earlier approached with a troubled expression. “Sir, this child…”

“Bring him two more dishes and a steamed bun.” Lin Tianlu smiled faintly, taking out a small piece of silver from his pocket. “Make sure there’s plenty of meat.”

The waiter’s eyes lit up, and he bowed repeatedly. “Thank you, Sir! Thank you, Sir!”

He took the silver and rushed to the kitchen excitedly.

The beggar child was stunned, staring at the waiter’s retreating figure, forgetting to chew the food in his mouth.

“Are you looking at the money, or the person?” Lin Tianlu suddenly asked.

The child was startled and mumbled, “He… he wouldn’t let me near the restaurant before.”

Lin Tianlu smiled faintly. “That’s his job. If beggars disturbed the other customers, he would be the one punished.”

The child lowered his head silently.

Lin Tianlu pondered for a moment, then shook his head with a wry smile.

He wasn’t going to lecture a young child about life lessons or offer guidance. Without money, it was all meaningless. No matter how eloquently he spoke, it would just be empty words.

“Child, this meal isn’t free.” Seeing the boy flinch, Lin Tianlu quickly continued, “But if you can answer a few questions for me, I’ll treat you.”

The child swallowed his food and quickly asked, “What do you want to ask, Sir?!”

“Do cultivation sects exist in this world?”

“C-cultivation sects?” The boy shook his head blankly. “I don’t know. I’ve never heard anyone mention them… They’re just stories people tell each other.”

They only existed in folk tales?

So his predecessor and Hua Shuya had climbed Mount Taiyi just to try their luck.

Perhaps there were no immortals in this world?

Lin Tianlu pondered for a moment, then continued, “Then are there any demons, ghosts, or monsters in this world? Evil spirits, mountain spirits, that sort of thing.”

The boy shook his head again, then hesitantly nodded.

“What do you mean?”

“I-I’m not sure.” The child clutched his hands nervously. “I haven’t encountered any ghosts or demons myself. I’ve only heard adults talk about them… But unlike the immortal sects, when they talk about these things, they sound very serious. And… I think there have been some deaths in town.”

“There have been deaths?”

“Just a few days ago… a concubine died in the Li family’s house on East Street.” The child lowered his voice. “I happened to pass by and saw the body laid out in the ancestral hall. She was covered with a white cloth, and there were several Taoist priests performing rituals to ward off evil spirits. It looked very mysterious.”

Lin Tianlu was thoughtful.

At that moment, the atmosphere in the restaurant suddenly changed. The noisy chatter subsided, and a hush fell over the room.

Lin Tianlu turned his head and saw a beautiful figure entering the restaurant.

It was Hua Shuya, her radiant face glowing with warmth and a gentle smile. Now that she had removed her heavy cloak, her figure was even more graceful and alluring. Her elegant demeanor and subtle air of nobility drew the attention of the surrounding customers.

She walked over to their table and bowed to Lin Tianlu.

“I apologize for interrupting your meal, Senior. It was inconsiderate of me.”

“Don’t worry, I’m not hungry.” Lin Tianlu smiled and finished his wine, then stood up. “The families of those farmers…”

“I’ve taken care of everything, Senior. Each family received a hundred taels of silver, twenty bolts of silk, food supplies, and so on. I’ve also contacted the local academy and arranged for their children to receive an education.”

“Cough…”

Lin Tianlu almost choked on his own saliva, staring at the young girl in astonishment.

This wasn’t just kindness, this girl… was truly wealthy!

Although he had just arrived in Changling County, he had already learned a bit about the local prices. One tael of silver was enough to cover food and lodging for several months.

The beggar child beside him was stunned, his jaw dropping.

That much money… he wouldn’t be able to earn that in three lifetimes of begging.

Hua Shuya looked puzzled. “Senior, is there something wrong with the compensation?”

“It’s more than enough, more than enough!”

Lin Tianlu sighed. “I didn’t realize you… came from such a wealthy family, young lady.”

“It’s all thanks to the blessings of my ancestors. I’m truly humbled.”

Hua Shuya glanced at the beggar child beside them. “Senior, this child is…”

“I’m just treating him to a meal.”

“I see.”

She approached the child with a gentle smile and patted his head. “To receive kindness from an immortal is a great fortune. Take this money and buy yourself some new clothes.”

As she spoke, she took out a silver ingot from her pocket and placed it in the boy’s worn-out pouch.

Before the stunned child could react, Hua Shuya waved goodbye with a smile. Under the surprised gazes of the other customers, she left the restaurant with Lin Tianlu.

“…”

The child stared blankly at the bulging pouch in his hand, unable to comprehend what had just happened.

“Immortals… ?”

He clutched the silver ingot tightly, then suddenly slammed it onto the table.

“I-Innkeeper! I want to exchange this for… food!”