Old Friends Meet

Before long, the waiter came over carrying a tray of food, singing out as he walked.

He deftly set the dishes on the table and asked, "Is there anything else you require, sir?"

Ling Qing first picked up a spoon and took a mouthful of tofu pudding.

The rich, savory gravy, the smooth and tender tofu, combined with the minced meat, wood ear mushrooms, and diced pickles, exploded with flavor in his mouth, forcing a satisfied groan from his lips.

This is what life is about; this is what it means to eat!

He then picked up a crispy, fragrant baked flatbread. With a bite of tofu pudding followed by a bite of bread, the bowl was soon empty.

Only then, feeling content, did he pick up a palm-sized steamed bun and find the time to address Xiao Yi.

"Waiter, if you aren't too busy, would you mind keeping me company for a chat?"

After asking, he took a hearty bite of the bun, eating it alongside his rice porridge and pickles.

"Not at all, sir. Ask whatever you wish."

"Sit."

Ling Qing stuffed the rest of the bun into his mouth, freeing up a hand to gesture for him to sit on the stool beside him.

Seeing him hesitate, Ling Qing pulled him down onto the seat, then immediately picked up a fried dough stick.

"I wanted to ask, how much further is it from here to Mount Lao?"

"You're looking to head up the mountain to seek immortals and the Dao, aren't you, sir? It's not far now. Just head east out of Daling Town for about ten miles or so."

Xiao Yi looked him over and replied with a smile.

"Don't take this the wrong way, sir, but there are plenty of people coming and going to seek immortality. Most only stay on the mountain for a year or half a year before coming back down.

Some don't even last three to five days.

You seem like a straightforward person, sir, so it might be best not to waste your effort."

"Oh! Are there really that many people coming to seek immortality?"

"Many? You have no idea. Most people who look like you are heading there for that very reason."

Xiao Yi nodded firmly; he knew better than anyone.

Daling Town was the closest town to Mount Lao, and this shop was the only restaurant in town.

Most of those seeking immortality would eat here and inquire about the situation on the mountain.

You could say this shop was kept afloat by such people, especially in the last few days, as there had been even more than usual.

"Whether there are truly immortals in those mountains, I don't know, but I believe there are.

As for whether one can actually become an immortal...

I only know that plenty of people arrive full of confidence, only to leave in disappointment.

It's clear that becoming an immortal isn't as simple as eating or drinking; it doesn't happen just because you want it to.

If you ask me, sir, there's no harm in taking a stroll through the mountains, but don't pin your hopes too high.

I hear it's austere up there, with nothing but thin porridge and bran cakes to satisfy your hunger.

My shop's food might not be a feast of rare delicacies, but it's certainly tasty.

If you go off to seek immortality, you won't be able to eat such good food anymore."

"I appreciate your concern, waiter. Tell me, which temple do people usually go to for this? Have you heard of Shangqing Temple?"

Seeing that the waiter was genuinely well-intentioned, Ling Qing didn't argue, but asked directly.

"There are many temples and shrines on Mount Lao, and I have heard of Shangqing Temple.

They say it's on the east side of the mountain, near the sea. It's a two or three-day journey.

But the path is steep and the forests are deep; it's not an easy trek."

Xiao Yi thought for a moment; he had indeed heard people mention it before.

He understood that those who sought the Dao were usually the type who wouldn't turn back until they hit a brick wall.

There was no point in saying more; it was better to guide them kindly so they would take fewer wrong turns. Once they couldn't handle the austerity of the mountain, they would naturally give up and return.

With that, he didn't hold back and gave Ling Qing detailed directions on how to enter the mountain.

"Sir, I'm going to check on the kitchen."

Seeing that he had said all there was to say and that the chicken and fish in the steamer were likely ready, Xiao Yi stood up.

"Food's here!!"

A moment later, Xiao Yi called out as he brought over a platter of chicken, fish, and vegetables.

"Much obliged, waiter."

Ling Qing tore off a chicken leg and shoved it into Xiao Yi's hand, then started eating heartily before the man could refuse.

"Thank you for the reward, sir," Xiao Yi said, then turned and left.

Although he could occasionally scrounge up some meat while cleaning, it was different from what a guest offered voluntarily.

"Urrp~~~"

After a whirlwind of devouring, Ling Qing held his belly and let out a comfortable, long belch.

He hadn't gone hungry along the way, but the food had truly been lackluster.

"Brother Xiao Yi, pack me a few more roasted chickens and smoked fish to go."

After resting for a while, Ling Qing shouldered his Book Box and picked up his Wooden Staff, speaking to Xiao Yi as he walked toward the counter.

"Coming right up!"

While Ling Qing was settling the bill and registering, Xiao Yi finished packing the chicken and fish.

"Is the guest heading to that Shangqing Temple?"

Just as he was about to leave, the shopkeeper suddenly spoke up.

"If you aren't in a hurry, you might as well wait a while."

"Oh?"

"I recall two people saying yesterday that they were also going to some Shangqing Temple on Mount Lao. You might as well travel with them; it's better to have company on the road."

"Right, right! How could I have forgotten about that?"

Xiao Yi, who had just brought over the roasted chicken and smoked fish, hurriedly chimed in.

"But those two arrived quite late yesterday; the shop was almost closing, so I only caught a snippet of their conversation."

The shopkeeper continued, "Xiao Yi, go to the back and ask those two..."

"Old Zhu, hurry up, hurry up!"

Before the shopkeeper could finish, a frantic voice drifted in from the backyard.

"What's with the rushing? It's your own fault for dragging me into a chat so late last night; now you know what it's like to be in a hurry."

The other person responded to the prodding with impatience.

However, the voices sounded somewhat familiar to Ling Qing.

"After suffering for so long, we're finally almost there. Can you blame me for being excited?"

"If we fail to enter the mountain gate because we're late, let's see how excited you are then."

"Pah, pah, pah! You can't expect ivory from a pig's mouth—can't you say something auspicious for once?"

As the voices drew closer, two familiar figures appeared before Ling Qing.

"Shopkeeper, prepare some food for us immediately, quick, quick, quick!"

One handsome youth holding a long saber shouted loudly, followed closely by a fat Taoist priest wearing robes.

It was none other than Zhang Zhe and Zhu Guang.

"Zhang Zhe, Brother Zhu Guang, long time no see." Ling Qing raised his hand to greet them.

"Ling Qing?!"

"Brother Ling Qing?!"

The two looked up, and upon seeing Ling Qing, they cried out in pleasant surprise, "You've arrived too!"

"So the three of you know each other? That makes things even more convenient," the shopkeeper remarked as he watched them exchange greetings.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the three didn't linger. Once Zhang Zhe and his companion bought some food, they bid the shopkeeper farewell and turned to leave.

After exiting the town, the three headed east.

Along the way, they shared their experiences since entering the dungeon.

Ever since the dungeon opened, everyone had chosen their identities and been scattered, appearing individually near various small towns or villages.

Ling Qing had initially thought Zhang Zhe had chosen a swordsman or something similar based on his attire, but he hadn't expected him to choose a scholar as well.

Zhu Guang had chosen to be a lay practitioner, and as expected, he had gained knowledge of metaphysics and strange anecdotes.

Throughout their journey, they had all encountered some eerie events.

Fortunately, everyone had been well-prepared, and they had made it through without any major mishaps.