The Wonders and Oddities of This World

The night grew deeper, and the oil lamp was moved into the room.

Song You sat at the desk, writing with his head bowed. The Three Flower Cat was curled up on the windowsill, its face pressed close to a narrow gap in the window, watching the night sky.

It spoke to the Taoist priest behind it without turning its head. "Why do they set off fireworks for the New Year?"

"Fireworks?"

"Yes."

"They're pretty."

"Oh, really."

"It's very simple."

"Is New Year only once a year?"

"Of course."

"It would be nice if it were twice."

"How did Three Flower Lady celebrate New Year before?"

"In the temple."

"How did you celebrate?"

"In the temple."

Song You didn't feel annoyed or helpless. He continued writing, his brush swaying. He patiently asked without looking up, "What was different from usual?"

"We ate a lot of meat and caught a lot of mice."

"Did you catch mice for New Year too?"

"Yes."

"That must have been hard."

"A little bit."

Song You couldn't help but look up at it.

The little cat's eyes were wide open, round, and fixed on the gap. The fireworks outside were sparse, but they captivated it so much that it couldn't bear to blink.

It's such an honest, pitiful cat.

But that was how things were in those times. Even in times of peace, the brilliance of fireworks belonged only to a select few.

New Year's Eve also belonged only to a select few.

Listen closely—

The wind and rain deepen, the crowds disperse, yet by the lamp, someone still calls out selling sweet dumplings.

The second year of Mingde, the first day of the New Year.

After eating sweet dumplings, Song You walked along the street and arrived at the North Waizi, the Cloud Talk Shed.

Perhaps it was because it was the first day of the New Year, but even though Song You arrived early, the Cloud Talk Shed was almost full. This time, ordinary money only bought ordinary seats.

As usual, he ordered a pot of tea and sat down to savor it slowly.

Old Mr. Zhang cleared his throat twice, and then began.

"Happy New Year to all of you.

"As we were saying, Chen Ziyi's surprise attack from the rear directly destroyed A Yanqi's stronghold. The northern tribes had no choice but to send envoys to sue for peace, cede land, pay reparations, and pledge allegiance to us. This battle ended with our Great Yan victorious! If we are to discuss who was the greatest contributor to this war, besides Marshal Ma's skillful deployment of troops, Chen Ziyi was undoubtedly the one!"

Song You sat, sipping his tea, listening quietly.

Today was the final installment of the Battle of Lan Shui.

Perfect, it had a beginning and an end.

However, one installment only lasted twenty minutes, not enough to fill an entire afternoon.

"That's all for General Chen Ziyi's story for now. The general is still stationed in the north, keeping the northern tribes from daring to herd their horses south. His legend continues! Tomorrow, we will tell tales of gods and ghosts. This humble storyteller charges a modest fee, rain or shine, just enough to make a living. If you have enjoyed the story, please continue to support me!"

This story had concluded.

Old Mr. Zhang picked up his teacup and took a slow sip before glancing at the audience. "There is still some time this afternoon, so I will tell you some miscellaneous stories. If any of you have a story you'd like to hear, or one you've heard before and wish to hear again, feel free to suggest it. As long as everyone is willing to listen, I will tell it."

Someone in the audience immediately called out, asking to hear about Master Guanghong of Taian Temple last autumn.

As soon as the request was made, a chorus of agreement followed.

"Yes!

"Then I shall tell you what I know. If there are any inaccuracies, please correct me.

"Ahem!"

The old gentleman cleared his throat and began to speak again.

The old gentleman began by talking about the tunnel-digging thief, even recounting his experiences before he committed any theft. Finally, he spoke of Master Guanghong, of how he met a young man by chance at the temple, of how he repented and immolated himself before the Buddha, and of Constable Luo solving the case. Yidu was stunned.

Song You sat below, drinking tea, still listening quietly.

Despite being a key participant in the Master Guanghong case, what he knew was far less detailed than what the old gentleman knew. Furthermore, the old gentleman was very skilled, his wording precise, his sentences brilliant, and his emotions abundant. When he spoke of the items stolen by the tunnel-digging thief and the rare treasures found in Taian Temple, he launched into a rapid-fire account. When he spoke of Master Guanghong's repentance and pleas for mercy, he mimicked his tone with uncanny accuracy. When he described the yamen constables mobilizing en masse, he even simulated the sound of footsteps with his vocal techniques to create a sense of tension. The entire performance was as if he had rehearsed it beforehand, flowing smoothly and brilliantly.

This gentleman was truly accomplished.

Song You had listened to him for half a year. Each session lasted at least half a day, and he spoke clearly, with full energy and a loud voice from beginning to end. Even amidst the noise below, he could be heard perfectly clearly.

In this day and age, nothing could be faked; it all relied on true skill.

After finishing the story of Master Guanghong, the crowd below was deeply captivated by the wondrous Taoist arts and the miraculous stories. They began to ask questions.

Some asked who the young man was.

Some asked where one could learn Taoist arts.

Some asked where immortals could be found.

The old gentleman was an expert in this field and knew a great deal. He answered each question based on his knowledge, gradually expanding his narrative and telling more and more wondrous and magical stories and legends.

It was rumored that Cloud Top Immortal Mountain in Pingzhou was perpetually shrouded in clouds, its base hidden from sight and its summit lost in the mist. The mountain had four seasons, and someone had once seen an immortal at its peak.

It was rumored that north of Yuezhou lay a land covered in phoenix trees, each thousands of years old, soaring into the clouds. If one visited during the summer or winter solstice, they might see a phoenix fly down to preen its feathers on the phoenix trees.

It was also said that south of Yunzhou lay an impassable range of high mountains. Beyond these mountains was a hidden paradise where someone had once seen a true dragon.

He then spoke of strange events in the martial world, of the Imperial Preceptor, of the household spirits and wild gods of the north, of the sorcery and poisons of the south, of the world of Yao in the deep mountains, of the underworld of ghosts beneath one's feet, of phantom cities that appeared frequently, and of the Earthfire Village where flames burned for a thousand years without extinguishing. The profound mysteries and wonders of this world were revealed, if only a corner, within the space of a tea break on the lecture platform.

Song You's interest grew with each passing moment.

Finally, it was time for the performance to end. The old gentleman's throat was dry, and he took a sip of water from his teacup. However, he did not leave. Instead, he watched as the patrons departed, adhering strictly to the traditions of a performing artist.

Song You sat for a while before stepping forward to pay his respects.

"Oh!"

The old gentleman did not slight him because he was young. He quickly returned the bow, bowing even deeper than Song You.

"A regular patron, are we!"

"Yes," Song You nodded. "Since arriving in Yidu half a year ago, I have come every day to listen to Master Zhang's storytelling, with hardly any absences."

"I am honored by your patronage."

"It is because Master Zhang tells his stories so well."

"Sir, you are..."

"I am a humble mountain dweller from Lingquan County. I came down from the mountain to travel and passed through Yidu, staying here for half a year. Now that spring has arrived and the weather is getting warmer, it is time for me to leave." Song You bowed again to the old gentleman before him. "I have come specifically to bid you farewell, Master Zhang."

"You are too kind, too kind..."

The old gentleman quickly bowed his waist, then cupped his hands towards Song You. "I wish you a smooth and prosperous journey."

"Thank you, Master Zhang."

"You are too kind, too kind..."

"I just wonder, Master Zhang, how much truth is there to what you said earlier about Cloud Top Immortal Mountain, the land where phoenixes perch and dragons soar?" Song You paused. "This journey of mine is not for just a year or two. If it is on my way, I would like to visit the places you mentioned, to seek the traces of immortals."

"So that is how it is."

"I wonder if you would be so kind as to tell me, Master Zhang."

"Haha! What inconvenience would there be?"

"Please, Master Zhang, do tell."

"Cloud Top Immortal Mountain is an old legend in Pingzhou, passed down for hundreds of years. Many people claim to have seen immortals there. Actually, ah, he chuckled, I am merely repeating what I've heard, I haven't truly seen them myself. As for whether what those people say is true or false, how much truth there is, I dare not presume to say." Old Mr. Zhang smiled sheepishly. "However, for centuries, there have been many renowned scholars and reclusive hermits who have gone to Cloud Top Immortal Mountain to seek the traces of immortals, either seeking immortality, or eternal life, or simply freedom and ease. But tell me, sir, how many have actually become immortals, how many have achieved eternal life, and how many have found freedom and ease?"

"Thank you."

Song You nodded.

This Old Mr. Zhang had only heard the stories. However, based on his decades of life experience and his observations of the world, he did not believe them, but he was reluctant to say so directly.

"As for the matter of the phoenix trees and the phoenix's cry north of Yuezhou, that was recorded by the former Viscount Chengan in his Notes on Mountains and Waters. Later, many people claimed to have seen it themselves, but I have not."

"I see."

Old Mr. Zhang considered this to be more credible.

"As for south of Yunzhou, beyond Mount Qiyun, lies the paradise I spoke of, where a true dragon resides, often coiling in the clouds, inhaling and exhaling mist and smoke." Old Mr. Zhang paused. "This is something my father saw with his own eyes when he was young and told me about. However, times have changed, and I do not know how it is now."

"Saw with his own eyes..."

Song You was momentarily surprised.

Dragons in the world are ever-changing.

In reality, it is not that dragons change, but that all things attain Tao and become spirits, some of which are then called dragons.

For instance, someone traveling in the deep mountains sees a large python grow horns, swallow clouds and exhale mist, and in their fear and awe, they call it a dragon. Someone traveling by boat sees a dark shadow beneath the water, stirring up waves, and assumes it is a dragon. Even some aquatic animals, due to their fierce nature, are called dragons. Some people even raise snakes in wells to observe the water quality. Over time, seeing the snakes become quite spiritual, they praise them as dragons.

Fulong Temple, however, states that true dragons have long been extinct.

If there were true dragons, he would certainly have to go and witness them.

"Haha."

Old Mr. Zhang looked up at him and couldn't help but chuckle twice. "If you're interested, Mister, please sit down. I'll tell you all about it in detail."

"Thank you, Mister Zhang."

Song You ordered two more pots of tea.

The two found nearby seats and sat down. They chatted like old friends until late into the night.

Old Mr. Zhang told many interesting stories, more detailed than he had on stage. For places he knew well, he explained exactly how to get there and how to find them. For places he wasn't sure about, he shared everything he knew to help Song You decide whether to go and how to explore on his own if he did.

They finally said goodbye late at night and parted ways.

Old Mr. Zhang stood at the alley entrance. In the lantern light, one could see the stars falling. He gazed at Song You's figure as he left in the rain, a look of confusion in his eyes.

"Fulong Temple of Yinshan Mountain…"

He seemed to have heard that name before.

But it must have been something he heard in his youth.

Thanks to the alliance leader "Mountain Full of Pine Nuts" for the reward. Everyone, go read Pine Nuts' book, it's called I'm Not a Monster at All. If you read it, you'll know how diligent I am with updates.