Unintended Immortality

Chapter 150: Go Upstairs and Sleep First

“You’re finally here, Daoist priest.” The calico cat gazed at the Daoist from the beam.

Her tone was quite natural, as if she had merely climbed the willow tree to play and happened to encounter the returning Daoist, rather than being driven onto the beam by someone.

The Daoist walked directly through the people at the door. This time, they did not faint, but they were too startled to make a sound.

The Daoist entered the room, stopped under the beam, and looked up at the cat with his arms extended.

“Lady Calico, please come down.”

“Mm...” The calico cat locked eyes with him for a moment before standing up on the beam. She adjusted her position slightly and then leapt down gracefully, like a delicate swallow.

The Daoist caught her steadily, as promised.

Holding the cat, he turned around and scanned the people present, asking, “I am Song You from Yizhou of Lingquan County. May I know who the son of the Grand Commander of this residence is?”

Though he asked, his gaze was fixed on the young man in the crowd. It was quite easy to distinguish between the master and the servant.

The young man swallowed nervously, his fear palpable, but he tried to muster some courage. “Where did you come from, Daoist? Do you know this is the residence of the current Grand Commander?”

“I am aware,” the Daoist replied.

“Then how dare you intrude...?”

“Such words are useless.” The Daoist shook his head, unwilling to engage in idle chatter about these matters. Instead, he said, “I only ask you, since you know Lady Calico can speak and is not an ordinary cat, why do you still insist on taking her away from me and depriving her of her freedom?”

“...” The young man glanced between him and the cat in his arms.

Both the Daoist and the cat looked back at him.

The Daoist’s gaze was calm as he pondered whether he would counter with an argument, avoid the topic and continue accusing him of trespassing, or use his noble status to press the issue.

The cat, on the other hand, looked quite intrigued with her eyes wide open.

“You think you can act recklessly just because you know some Daoist magic! This world belongs to the Great Yan, and this is the capital of Great Yan under the Emperor’s rule. Don’t think you can get away with this!”

“Interesting.”

The Daoist met his gaze, shaking his head and showing no desire to continue the conversation. “The steward I dealt with, I have sentenced him to a lifetime of muteness. Since you conspired with him, you cannot escape this fate either.”

“What are you going to do?”

“Yesterday, when I returned, I investigated your usual behavior. I heard that you enjoy listening to slander and often oppress the common people. Therefore, I have sentenced you to a lifetime of deafness, hoping to cure your heart's ailments with this affliction. As for the flatterers who used to flatter you, you will have to deal with them yourself.” �

“How dare you...” The young man’s eyes widened in anger, his voice growing louder. But before he could say much more, he fell silent.

He heard no sound at all. He even doubted whether he had spoken just now.

The world seemed utterly silent, and not even a whisper could be heard. The young man’s eyes widened further.

The Daoist spoke, and strangely, he was the only one who could hear the Daoist's voice. “I possess considerable cultivation skills, and the method I have used is rare and difficult to resolve. Like the steward, I hope you will reform and act with integrity in the future. If, after many years of traveling, I return to the capital and hear of your good deeds, I may lift this affliction. If not, then you may remain deaf for life.”

“...” The young man stood stunned.

The Daoist glanced at the others, not making things difficult for them, and left the residence with the cat.

The cat remained content in his arms.

This time, no one tried to stop him. At most, some looked on from a distance, but no one dared approach.

“Are you enjoying yourself here, Lady Calico?”

“Not really.”

“Why not?”

“Last night, they chased after me. This morning, they tricked me into the house, trying to capture me and send me to a place called the Empress.”

“The Imperial Palace,” he corrected.

“Yes, they tricked me, saying you sold me.”

“And then?”

“Haha, they were too foolish! They couldn’t catch me at all, nor could they deceive me!”

“Lady Calico, you’re brave and invincible, with unmatched wisdom.”

“Exactly!”

The Daoist looked down at the cat in his arms. The cat looked up, both their gazes calm and clear.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

“But what if they had caught you?”

“They can’t catch me.”

“What if they did catch you?”

“If they did catch me...” This puzzled the cat, which blinked its eyes.

“Hmm?”

“Then I’d run away!”

Song You rarely saw this heroine in the morning. Although it was still early, according to her usual habits, she should have already been out.

At this moment, Heroine Wu noticed them.

The Daoist stopped at the door and greeted her, “Heroine, are you not going out yet?”

“I’m free today, so there’s no hurry.” Heroine Wu casually glanced at them. “Where have you been? You didn’t come back all night.”

“Lady Calico was out catching mice.”

“Then why didn’t you come back?”

“I was accompanying Lady Calico,” the Daoist said as he climbed the steps, getting closer to the woman. He smiled and said, “This morning, we offended some influential figures in Changjing. There might be some trouble. If someone comes to search, please act as if you don’t know.”

“Hm?” Heroine Wu’s expression stiffened as she looked up at him.

Seeing that he seemed sincere and not pretending, she said nothing. She just stood up, took her small stool, and went inside.

Song You understood and followed her in.

Heroine Wu walked inside and then turned around, her eyes wide as she stared at them. “Which influential figure in Changjing did you offend? How did you offend them?”

“It’s not a big deal.”

“Tell me, I have some connections. Perhaps I can help you.”

“The Grand Commander.”

“Goodness! A first-rank official!”

“Yes.”

“How did you offend them? Is it serious?”

“They wanted to send Lady Calico to the imperial palace as a gift to the current Empress.” Song You explained honestly, “I broke into the residence and brought Lady Calico out.”

“Did you hurt anyone?”

“I’m not sure if it counts as injury.”

“How so?”

“I used a minor spell to punish the steward with lifelong muteness and the young master with lifelong deafness,” Song You replied.

“The current Grand Commander may not have real power, but he is a royal relative and an elder statesman from the previous dynasty. He had no children for most of his life and only had one son in his old age, whom he dotes on greatly. He is the only heir,” Heroine Wu recounted in detail, “You’ve turned his son into a deaf person. How could he possibly let you off the hook?”

“Indeed.” Song You nodded. The imperial court was an integral part of the human realm, and human affairs were often tumultuous and chaotic. As long as one could not fully transcend the mundane and remain untouched by worldly matters, they would inevitably be involved. Offending the local nobility was indeed a troublesome matter for a Daoist.

“Now you’ll have to leave Changjing and continue your travels. You should leave quickly,” Heroine Wu said. “Go get ready, I have my ways.”

“I need to stay in Changjing until next year.”

“What will you do then?”

“Don’t worry, heroine. You’re a person of the jianghu, and the jianghu has its own methods. I’m a Daoist, and Daoists have their own ways,” Song You replied respectfully. “Just remember, if officials come to search the neighboring house, don’t pay any attention. If they ask you, you can say whatever you like.”

“Is it really that simple?”

“For the time being, yes. The Hidden Dragon Temple has a certain reputation. If it becomes a big deal, someone will step in to resolve it.”

“Who will step in?”

“Those who allow the powerful and arrogant to run amok.”

“Those who allow the powerful and arrogant to run amok?” The heroine looked puzzled. “Why would they come to help you?”

“It’s a complicated story.”

“Are you really sure?”

“I wouldn’t deceive you, heroine.”

Heroine Wu’s eyes flickered as she considered, occasionally glancing at him. After a short while, she nodded in agreement.

“Alright then, I’ll go out and avoid the situation.”

“You’re decisive, heroine.”

“Let’s see what you’re capable of.”

“I fear the officials might trouble you.”

“I’m not afraid.”

“I’m a bit tired now, so I’ll return to my place.”

“Alright...”

“Farewell.”

Song You continued to cup his hands respectfully to her. Then, holding the cat, he returned to his own room. He took his time, went upstairs, and decided to take a nap first.