I became an immortal in the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 144 Tavern, City God Temple, Travels
Following the directions, the City God and the civil and military judges drifted towards the tavern. Behind them was a somewhat dejected and silent general, who returned his sword to its sheath.

The general, still tucked into his sword sheath, couldn't help but murmur a phrase.

"Damn it, who are these people? They actually know the City God..."

As he muttered to himself, the City God and the civil and military judges had already transformed into human form, no longer floating around, and walked along the alley to the tavern.

His clothes were changed from the heavily colored official robes to ordinary clothes.

In a wine shop.

The storyteller first told a very novel story.

As the three entered, they heard a chant, followed by the storyteller's tale of Lu Sheng, who, eight hundred years ago, stood at the foot of the mountain reciting Taoist scriptures to a white deer. The storyteller's voice was slightly hoarse, his speech varied in pace and rhythm, conveying the difficulty of reciting scriptures.

Upon hearing the storyteller's kowtow before embarking on his spiritual journey, he deliberately paused. He picked up the teacup beside him and took a sip.

He put down his teacup, his voice lingering.

"Hey buddy, get ready!"

The words fell.

A waiter emerged from the back door of the tavern, carrying a bamboo basket and smiling broadly. He walked through the tavern, asking for tips.

Mr. Liu said with a smile:
"If you enjoyed listening to this, please feel free to give us a small amount of money, no matter how much, it's all a token of our appreciation."

At the table, some people casually tossed out a coin or two, while others, genuinely just there to eat, would try to eavesdrop on a conversation, keeping their heads down and ignoring them. The waiter, being tactful, muttered about giving them a tip but didn't approach them. Some people were generous, grabbing a handful of coins—more than ten coins in total.

The waiters took turns offering their congratulations with smiles.

"Thank you for the reward, young master!"

"Brother Wang has rewarded me!"

The diner handed over the money and urged, "Tell me quickly! Tell me quickly!"

What happened next?

The three City Gods stood at the door and listened for a few moments. They heard the story of the white deer seeking immortality and forming a bond with the people at the foot of the mountain. As ghosts and gods, they felt a sense of wonder.

The City God stroked his beard.

Wenpan nodded: "That's a good story."

Judge Wu also said, "It is indeed wonderful; no wonder the masters love to hear it!"

The three of them went inside and looked towards the tavern.

The air was thick with the smell of alcohol. A dozen or so people sat in small groups in the hall. The three ghosts immediately spotted the Pei family and the people the gatekeeper had mentioned.

Dressed in a faded blue robe, he sat by the window. On the table were two or three small dishes, a plate of mutton, and a pot of wine. He drank alone, listening to a storyteller, with a greedy cat lying in his lap.

She picked up a piece of mutton, held it in her palm, and offered it to the kitten to try.

His eyebrows and eyes were lowered, and his demeanor was calm.

The three people walked over.

You should bow with your hands clasped.

The shop assistants walked over carrying baskets, giving them a strange look. Jiang She wiped the black cat's face with a handkerchief, counted out ten coins from his pocket, and prepared to put them in the basket—he was now quite generous with his money.

The waiter quickly lifted the basket to prevent Jiang She from touching it.

"Oh, oh, oh, you're too kind, sir—"

The waiter whispered, "Mr. Liu said that the stories we're telling now are interesting, and we owe it all to you, young master. He told us not to take your money anymore."

Jiang She glanced around the shop; the diners were eating and drinking, chatting amongst themselves, and some were urging the storyteller to continue.

We're so grateful to you.

The waiter hurriedly said, "Young master, please stay here and have your drink. I need to take in the next guest."

Jiang She glanced at the storyteller who was sipping tea to moisten his throat. He was looking this way, and Jiang She smiled and nodded at him.

They took the money back.

Only then did he look at the three "people" standing in front of him. They were dressed in fine clothes. Jiang She showed no surprise and raised his hand to return the greeting.

"Please have a seat, all three of you."

The City God laughed.

"It seems the master knew we had come to pay our respects."

This is a table for four. The City God and the Civil Judge are sitting opposite each other, leaving only the Military Judge. He glanced at the table, feeling it inappropriate to sit next to such a powerful figure, and considered asking the waiter to bring him a stool.

Jiang She moved aside to make room for the other person.

The cat looked at the three people, glancing around as if it had smelled incense. It wrinkled its little nose, poked its head out, and continued eating its own meat.

Jiang She asked:
"You gentlemen don't mind this cat, do you?"

The City God chuckled, looking at the little black cat, which seemed to possess an extra touch of intelligence. Upon closer inspection, it was indeed a little cat demon.

He laughed heartily. "What's there to mind?"

"The writings by the master Pei family have truly broadened our horizons."

Jiang She listened as Mr. Liu began to recount the story of the white deer in the mountains attaining enlightenment.

Jiang She didn't know many details, and the whole story was only briefly written in two or three hundred words, just to explain the cause and effect.

With Mr. Liu's additions, the storyteller gained many new insights. He made the short story of a few hundred words fascinating. Just this part about entering the Dao fully revealed Lu Sheng's cautiousness, Bai Lu's ignorance, and the difficulties of seeking the Dao eight hundred years ago.

That's really impressive.

When the mountain god returns from his meditation, we can listen to his story together.

It's probably even more interesting when the parties involved are right in front of you.

He ate his meal while noticing that the other people's tables were empty.

Jiang She beckoned, inviting the waiter to bring more wine and dishes.

Judge Wen declined, saying modestly, "Sir, there's no need for you to spend money. We are actually considered ghosts and gods; a little incense offering at the temple is enough for us."

The table in front of the three people was empty.

Jiang She picked up his chopsticks and saw the bowl and chopsticks, mutton, side dishes, and wine in front of him.

He smiled.

"I should buy some, otherwise I won't feel at ease eating alone."

"Sir, you are truly delightful."

Judge Wu nodded as well.

The three of them didn't ask for much, just a plate of snacks and a pot of wine. Judge Wu, who loved meat, also ordered two plates of mutton.

The food and drinks were served.

The City God didn't rush to eat; instead, he held up his wine cup and asked with a smile.

"I heard that last night a house in the city was filled with ghostly energy. When the Night Wanderer went to investigate, the ghostly aura vanished in the blink of an eye. Could this be the work of a master?"

Jiang She nodded.

"Yes, I went to the Pei family."

"There was a demon haunting the scabbard, but fortunately no one was killed."

Upon hearing the word "scabbard," Judge Wu recalled the general standing before the courtyard gate. His eyes flickered, and he asked, "Is it the scabbard that hangs before the master's gate?"

"Yes."

Jiang She should go down.

"So that's how it is. You actually used that ferocious ancient spirit as a guard. You're quite skilled!"

Jiang She said:
“There’s no need for you three to address me like that. I am merely a student of the Way.”

Judge Wu glanced at the City God.

He thought to himself, "This person isn't the type to put on airs after all."

The City God also changed his title accordingly, saying with a smile:

"The Pei family had previously gone to the City God Temple to offer incense. Today, when I went to the Pei family to exorcise the ghosts, I was surprised to find that you had actually converted all the wandering spirits in the Pei mansion, freeing them from their torment."

The City God bowed respectfully, showing some reverence.

"The gentleman is kind-hearted."

"You're too kind, City God. I just happened to be passing by and did it on a whim."

"I heard that you have been traveling and have come to Yanzhou?"

"That's true."

"Where have you been?"

Jiang She put down his wine cup and counted, "I haven't been to many places. I've only been to Xiangyang, then I went to Luoyang and made a half-circle. After that, I went to Weizhou and Weixian, which is where Chaoge was during the Shang Dynasty."

"Now we have arrived in Yanzhou."

The City God did some mental calculations. Considering the current situation in Yanzhou, he understood the situation.

"Sir, are you here to witness the Fengshan ceremony?"

"Yes."

Waiters bustled about the tavern, hurriedly carrying trays and cups, while the accountant tapped on his abacus, squinting at the ledger as he counted profits, occasionally spitting as he turned a page. The storyteller's tales were captivating, drawing cheers from the diners, while others, worrying about their children at home, raised their cups of wine and grumbled a few words to their old friends.

They talk about ghosts and travel here, as if it's from another world.

【Ask for monthly ticket】

(End of this chapter)