I became an immortal in the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 10 The Mountain God is Invited to an Meeting

Meeting the other party's surprised and suspicious gaze, Jiang She gave a slight bow.

The tone is gentle.

"My surname is Jiang, and my given name is She. I am a hermit from the mountains of Sichuan."

Li Bai stood beside him and nodded from afar: "I am Li Bai, courtesy name Taibai, a native of Longxi."

The old man was surprised and looked him up and down.

Such a Taoist method...

It was something he had never seen before.

He was able to completely conceal his form and aura, and before he finished speaking, no one in the courtyard could even detect his breathing or footsteps.

Before them stood two people, one dressed in white, with bright, piercing eyes and an extraordinary air about him.

The other person wore a worn-out old blue robe, had a handsome face, and looked like an ordinary hermit living near Mount Lumen, not caring much about his clothes and accessories.

Only his demeanor, as ethereal as drifting clouds, carried a hint of something elusive.

The old man still had a good memory. Hearing the white-clad man named Li Bai say that he was deceitful, he knew that the visitor was up to no good.

These two people.

They are enemies, not friends.

"What brings you two here?"

Li Bai was much more confident, and when he saw the old deer mountain god, he was full of self-assurance.

He said in a loud voice, "I heard that Lu Sheng met the Immortal Master, so I came here to see for myself. I have just witnessed your ability to 'exhale and turn into flames'. I also heard that the old Immortal Master is two hundred years old and has lived for one hundred and forty years, having experienced two cycles of sixty years. I am filled with admiration."

“I happen to have a friend who is a reclusive hermit who has attained enlightenment.”

"He has some connection with this mountain. He heard that a celestial master has come down from the mountain. His Taoist magic is profound and he is very powerful."

"So I came to take a look."

"I would like to learn from you."

"Use the righteous path and the law."

By the end, Li Bai's expression had turned solemn.

After he finished speaking, Jiang She smiled slightly. He didn't speak with the sharp edge of Li Bai; he seemed to have a gentle and mild temperament.

"Young master is fond of Taoist arts, and I admire it greatly. I would like to ask him for some guidance."

The Lu family courtyard became lively. In the twilight, several guests huddled together and whispered among themselves, while servants craned their necks to watch, exchanging pleasantries and whispering amongst themselves.

The young apprentice tilted his head, fanning the stove fire with a palm-leaf fan, oblivious to the sparks that flew out.

The stove was bubbling away, simmering bitter medicine. Apart from the old lady who was still asleep, even Luo Langzhong, who had just finished administering acupuncture and was standing there with his hands bound, was squinting and lost in thought.

The affairs of immortals have always been mysterious and enigmatic.

It's not something that ordinary people like them can easily understand.

Watching the old man exhale flames, and seeing the two figures approaching step by step, their forms ethereal and unreal, he held his breath, unable to resist the urge to continue observing.

The path to immortality is extremely profound.

What does it look like?
Luo Langzhong couldn't help but think to himself, "Immortals and Taoist priests are not gods; they accumulate essence and energy to become immortals... This must be what true immortals are like..."

On the other side, under the old locust tree.

Yuan Danqiu stood there blankly under the tree, unable to move for a moment. After a long while, he touched Meng Haoran's hand.

His lips moved, unable to hide his surprise and doubt.

"...Too...too white?"

Yuan Danqiu squinted to make out: "The one next to him is...Young Master Jiang?"

These two weren't searching for immortals, or the relics of Pang Degong, the old man from the Jin Dynasty, who encountered immortals. So why did they end up at the Lu family's house? And why did they appear before people in such an unbelievable way?

When did these two arrive, and how long have they been here?

Before this, they were in this courtyard with the eldest son of the Lu family, two doctors and apprentices, three alchemists and apprentices, four or five servants of the Lu family, and six or seven guests.

They were all oblivious, watching the old man practice his "immortal arts" without noticing anything amiss.

Among the servants of the Lu family, some recognized Li Bai and exclaimed in surprise.

"Young Master Li?"

He knew exactly what was going on in Taibai's mind. If it wasn't Taibai, then the method must be... Jiang Langjun?
Two hours ago, we met at the mountain temple. The Taoist magic that kept clothes dry in the rain, and the ability to keep rain-soaked plants looking fresh again... And then there were the words the porter in the temple said... Connecting all these elements...

Yuan Danqiu and Meng Haoran exchanged a glance and looked at each other blankly.

for a long time.

Meng Haoran said slowly.

"He is probably no ordinary person."

"I thought so too. Could it be that Taibai encountered a true scholar of immortality?"

"The first line of Taibai's poem refers to the immortal master deceiving Lu Sheng..."

"Could that old man be an imposter?"

"Judging from Li Bai's appearance, he must know a lot."

"After the competition is over and we leave the Lu family, we'll go ask him!"

"Excellent!"

The two agreed on this, then put their hands in their sleeves and watched the two sides discussing the Dao in the courtyard. What they heard was Li Bai and the boy exchanging words, and they watched with complete concentration.

……

……

Jiang She withdrew his gaze from the locust tree and looked at the child in the courtyard, listening to him speak.

"My master has lived in the mortal world for forty years and has seen all kinds of gold, silver and precious treasures, and delicacies from land and sea. Even the flesh of a leopard and the lips of a gorilla have lost their taste and he has gradually stopped eating them."

The young Taoist said:
"Master has always devoted himself to the Dao, focusing on cultivating the Dharma and not concerning himself with worldly affairs. In other places, even if someone were to offer gold and silver to a temple and ask for disciples to sweep and clean, they would not easily accept anyone into their sect. This time, it was only because he saw that Lu Sheng of the Lu family had a predestined connection and wanted to test the boy's heart toward the Dao."

"Unexpectedly, a wild Taoist priest first provoked a fight."

"If there are other gentlemen like this, who use the guise of seeking advice to actually scheme and frame others in order to make a name for themselves."

"My master and I, his disciples, are just reclusive people in the mountains, not interested in worldly affairs."

"Your appearance is upright and honest, why act in this way?"

The young Taoist boy stood upright. He had followed the old man through many experiences and had developed a remarkable ability to remain calm and composed in the face of adversity. He spoke eloquently and with great reason.

It seemed like he was genuinely trying to persuade me.

Lu Sheng, who was standing to the side, couldn't help but nod in agreement.

He recognized Li Bai and said, "Taibai, you have been deceived. How dare you offend the immortal master?"

"Stop talking. Your grandmother has always treated you very well. Quickly admit your mistake so that I can apologize to the Immortal Master and ask for his forgiveness."

He then apologized to the old man in a low voice.

"This is the son of a merchant from Sichuan. He was originally invited to my grandmother's birthday banquet. His name is Li Bai. He is a very talented poet, but he is also a bit impulsive and arrogant. He must have been deceived by a villain this time. I hope the Immortal Master will help..."

He was unaware that Li Bai had declined to attend the flower hall.

He glanced at the steward who had just angrily rebuked and obstructed him in the courtyard. Lu Pei, feeling a sense of smug satisfaction, explained in detail to the old immortal master.

He was accused of being a treacherous and deceitful person.

Jiang She, however, showed no sign of anger.

He didn't bother arguing with these ancient people. In his eyes, their every move and word was fascinating. It was a pity he hadn't studied classical literature or history in his previous life; otherwise, he would have had a much better understanding and appreciation of these ancient figures, whether they were chatting idly or rebuking him.

He just smiled.

Jiang She said, "If I wish to become famous..."

"I'm afraid you gentlemen will not be able to see me in person."

"I have come here today merely to point out the right path for you and to advise you not to go astray."

These words were too arrogant. The young Taoist frowned, and the old man brushed Lu Sheng's hand away, preparing to step in.

Behind him, Li Bai stared intently at Jiang She. He had spoken those words of mockery about the fake immortal master without a second thought. But with a celestial being right before him, he couldn't look away.

This is the place my heart longs for.

Then they saw Jiang She facing south, giving a slight bow.

Yun Danfeng Qingqing said:
"Mountain God of Lumen, please come and meet me."

(End of this chapter)