Unintended Immortality

Chapter 270: Resolving Old Matters

“I’ve just said a few words—how could that amount to kindness or deserving gratitude?” Song You smiled as he stood up.

He continued, “You all defended the nation in life. If you can continue to safeguard this area in death, it is I who should thank you on behalf of the people. Should you one day become netherworld deities through this, that would be the result of your own efforts and diligence, and it would have nothing to do with me.”

He added with a chuckle, “I’ll take another stroll around Yuan’an City.”

“We will escort you, Immortal!”

The ghosts eagerly followed, enthusiastically introducing the details of the city to him.

After a thorough tour of the city, the ghosts gradually dispersed. By this time, Song You and his cat and horse had returned to their original spot—the former residence of the city’s commanding general. Song You planned to spend the night there.

Only one ghost remained at his side: Tang An.

Taking the opportunity, Song You asked, “General, I heard earlier that the reason the northern frontier army attacked again this time was due to the involvement of demons and ghosts?”

“According to those delivering messages along the border and to Caotou Pass, the northern army had demons and ghosts assisting them,” Tang An replied honestly. “I don’t know where they found these creatures, but they were willing to aid in warfare. Without them, the northern frontier army might not have dared to invade the South.”

“Are those demons and ghosts powerful?”

“I’m not entirely sure, but based on the messengers’ accounts, they’re certainly not on the same level as the great demon kings,” Tang An said.

He continued, “Demons and ghosts are unlike humans. While the army may be large and courageous, it can still struggle against demons with strange and formidable techniques.

“Before General Chen returned to the North to take command, the border troops were already in a state of panic due to these creatures. Only after General Chen arrived was the situation stabilized.”

“I see,” Song You murmured, his brows furrowing in thought.

Tang An glanced at him cautiously.

“Sir...”

“There's no need to worry, General,” Song You said, his brows relaxing as a smile appeared on his face. Understanding Tang An’s meaning, he didn’t hesitate to say, “I can grant you a strand of spiritual energy to help you walk back to Yidu.”

As he spoke, he extended his hand, revealing a stream of radiant light in his palm.

Tang An lowered his gaze to the glowing stream, its light reflecting in his eyes. He quickly cupped his hands in thanks.

“Thank you, sir!”

“You and I are basically old acquaintances—no need for such formality.”

Song You lifted his hand, and the light flew up and entered Tang An’s body.

Tang An shuddered as a faint glow enveloped his ghostly form. After a few moments, the light dissipated.

“Though I know your determination is unwavering and fearless, I must still caution you,” Song You said.

He added, “The journey to Yidu spans thousands of li, with mountains and rivers to cross. Along the way, you will encounter not only malevolent demons and ghosts but also those who exorcize them, as well as temples, shrines, and roadside deities. There will also be dogs that love to bark at ghosts. You’ll also have to pass through an area teeming with demons, ghosts and skilled mortals.”

“If you encounter any masters, you should honestly explain that I, Song You, have aided you in your journey to Yidu and request their leniency. Once you’ve passed Hezhou, the road should be much safer. Ṛᴀ₦ŐΒĘš

“However, avoid entering any cities, and steer clear of temples and shrines. As for the dogs guarding villages at night, your cultivation may not be deep, but it’s certainly not weak either. They should pose no real threat to you.”

“Sir, I will never forget your great kindness!” Tang An said sincerely.

“Let me remind you again—my name is Song You, and I’m from Lingquan County in Yizhou. When you return and see your wife, your younger brother, or Constable Luo from across the street, please convey my regards to them.”

“Yes, sir!” Tang An paused for a moment before adding, “But even if I make it back to Yidu and see my wife, we are still separated by the realms of the living and the dead. I will eventually need to find another place to settle. May I ask for your guidance once more—should I consider the ghost city in Fengzhou?”

Song You felt a pang of emotion at his words. They were no longer separated by the realms of the living and the dead...

Regardless of whether they were, once Tang An returned to Yidu, he would indeed need to find a place to settle.

As they walked the city again in the daylight, the layout of Yuan’an City became more apparent. They even climbed onto the city walls, walking along their broad paths wide enough for horses to gallop. They circled the entire city atop the walls.

Built during a previous dynasty and abandoned over a decade ago, the city now exuded a profound historical melancholy. Compared to the night before, it presented an entirely different charm.

Lady Calico neither asked where Song You was going nor what he intended to do. She kept a consistent distance from him—not too far, not too close. Yet her energetic curiosity led her to constantly explore—peering here, inspecting there, and running around with endless enthusiasm.

She seemed entirely absorbed in her own activities, as if his actions had nothing to do with her, and she had no interest in what he was doing. However, no matter what she did, she always maintained that not-too-distant, not-too-close proximity to him.

The city gates and arrow towers still stood. Standing on the edge of the wall and gazing into the distance, they could see the line of beacon towers stretching along the horizon. On the walls, traces of damage from arrows were still visible.

Last night showed the original state of the city. Today, it revealed its current state.

And for a long time to come, it might remain like this. How many years it would endure, however, was uncertain.

Song You hoped it could last for centuries. If so, the places he and Lady Calico now walked might one day be revisited by countless future generations.

“...”

Song You stopped in his tracks and looked around. Then, he raised his hand, palm open.

“Swish, swish...”

Over a dozen streams of light flew from his hand, landing at the edges of Yuan’an City. Half were used to restore the vitality of the surrounding land, while the other half sealed the city’s yin and ghostly qi.

From now on, as long as the ghosts in the city did not venture out to cause trouble, the surrounding lands would remain unaffected.

Still, some extra precautions were necessary.

On the outer wall of the city’s barbican, Song You found a piece of wood embedded in the wall—likely a remnant of a structure that once stood there. He reached out, gently snapping off a piece. Holding it in his palm, he rubbed it between his hands, wood shavings scattering into the air. When he opened his hand again, the piece of wood had been shaped into a roughly hewn token.

“Let’s go,” Song You said to Lady Calico.

With that, he turned and began descending the wall.

The calico cat remained at her perch on the battlement, her amber-like eyes gazing out at the distant horizon. It was unclear what she was thinking, or whether she’d heard him at all. Only after a moment did she leap down from the battlement and trot after the Daoist.

“Are we leaving?”

“We’re leaving.”

“Not staying to play a little longer?”

“Are there lots of mice here?”

“Plenty.”

“The grasslands have many too, and rabbits. Rabbits can be sold for money.”

“That’s true...”

Returning to their resting spot, they packed up their belongings. One man, one cat, and one horse continued at an unhurried pace, exiting through the city gate. Outside by a pond, Song You scooped up a handful of water to wash his face. With a small spell, he gathered earth to form a wall, creating a yellow dirt barrier about four chi high at the city gate. With that, they left Turtle City.

When they turned back for a final look, the city had already shrunk into the distance.

Song You now had a general understanding of why the State Preceptor had preserved this city and gathered the ghostly soldiers and generals here. The underworld was taking shape, and the underworld would naturally need ghost soldiers.

Yet, for some inexplicable reason, Song You felt there might still be a day when he would meet them again.

Or perhaps not. Perhaps, after his travels, when he retired to Yin-Yang Mountain’s Hidden Dragon Temple, he might hear about the heroic souls of the Yanzhou grasslands many years later through some channel. He might learn of their great efficacy, or that one among them, outstanding in virtue and skill, had become some renowned divine official, commanding countless minor gods and spirits.

Such a story, too, would be its own kind of reunion.