I became an immortal in the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 223 Earth Element Techniques (+7)

"Many thanks to the immortal master for relieving the suffering of my people and avenging my friend..."

"You're too kind, Landlord."

Jiang She helped the old man up, preventing him from kneeling and bowing.

The land deity then cautiously inquired, "Where are you all headed?"

"We need to go to Yuezhou."

Jiang She thought for a moment and then said, "I heard that during the Han Dynasty, someone went into Tiantai Mountain to collect herbs and met an immortal. He married the immortal and a hundred years had passed when he came down the mountain. Things had changed and the immortal's whereabouts were unknown."

"I might go to Tiantai Mountain to see what's going on then."

The land caresses the beard.

He had heard of this story; it was a favorite tale among scholars and poets. But in reality, apart from the one before him, he had never seen any other immortal masters. Most of them were simply cultivators with supernatural powers and profound spiritual attainments.

The landowner offered a tactful piece of advice: "It might be possible, but it's also difficult to find."

"Even if you don't see it, it's still good to travel around and see the mountains and rivers."

The land was handed over.

"This humble deity possesses only meager strength, but is willing to escort the immortal master on his journey."

Say it.

The landman held a bamboo staff and gently tapped the ground with it.

In the forest below the mountain, the soil trembled, enveloping the group. Jiang She sank into the earth, experiencing this wondrous scene; it was the first time he had ever witnessed a local deity using supernatural powers.

Being underground, it didn't feel suffocating.

Li Bai and Yuan Danqiu stared wide-eyed.

"We're actually in the ground?"

Yuan Danqiu pointed to the distance and pulled Li Bai to look. Both of them had excitement in their eyes as they carefully identified the creatures they could see.

"Is that an earthworm?"

The cat opened its eyes wide, looking left and right warily, and quickly climbed onto Jiang She's shoulder, holding on tightly.

Li Bai looked around for a while before remembering to ask.

"Sir, what kind of supernatural power is this?"

Outside, the sound of Tu Di's hearty laughter could be heard.

"This humble deity is unworthy, unable to control mountains and rivers, and possesses only this earth-based method, which can help the immortal master and the others on their way."

Jiang She cupped his hands in greeting.

"Thank you, land."

He knew that the land had not received offerings for many years, and its Taoist practices had declined. It had taken a great deal of effort to perform this ritual and send them to a place a hundred miles away.

Li Bai, Yuan Danqiu, and the mountain god all bowed and expressed their gratitude.

Seeing their movements, the cat perched on Jiang She's shoulder and also lifted its two front paws.

He stood on the ground, panting for a moment, then bowed and said with a smile.

"See you soon, Master Immortal."

"Goodbye land."

The soil around them moved and changed rapidly. Jiang She could feel himself traversing the land quickly, gradually leaving Hangzhou behind.

The mountains and rivers have faded into the distance.

About half an hour later, a group of people suddenly appeared from one place.

The dirt off his body fell off.

Looking again.

Having crossed many mountains and rivers, they now found themselves outside a remote village, with numerous waterways in sight. Jiang She, with his keen eyesight, looked along both sides of the waterways and saw houses with black tiles and white walls.

It's 140 li from Hangzhou to Yuezhou, and even if you travel quickly, it will still take three or four days.

The land in Yuqian County saved them a long and arduous journey.

He brushed the dirt off the cat.

"We've arrived at Yuezhou."

Having fulfilled the request made by the magistrate of Xiangyang County years ago, Jiang She thought about it and decided to inform Magistrate Cheng.

……

……

The Prefect of Xiangzhou, Cheng's residence.

Four years have passed, and Cheng Zhi's temples have turned a little gray, all from the stress of his promotion. He rose from magistrate of Xiangyang County to chief administrator of Xiangyang Prefecture, becoming a deputy official. Managing the prefectural staff and overseeing discipline was no easy task.

It was a rare day of rest and leisure. Cheng Zhi had instructed his subordinates early in the morning to proceed as usual, and to come to him only if they had any difficult decisions to make. The children were also being looked after by servants.

On this free day, he and his wife invited his cousin and cousin's husband, Wang Erlang, and the four of them played leaf games together at home.

Wang Erlang glanced at the servant and said with a smile:

"Now that Governor Han has been moved to another place, my brother-in-law must be working much harder."

Cheng Zhi smiled and played another leaf card.

他 说:

"It's not a difficult matter. Apart from being somewhat fascinated by Taoism, the new governor is otherwise fine. Just a few days ago, the governor asked me if the story of the immortal was true or false."

Wang Erlang was curious.

"What did my brother-in-law say?"

Cheng Zhi said, "Since you admire the Dao, then tell the truth. The governor even went to the temple to pay his respects. The temple was bustling for a while after it was renovated, but no one went there for two or three years."

Wang Erlang laughed.

To others, what happened back then was just a strange story passed down through generations, but to him, it was a personal experience.

In recent years, many people have asked him about his dream experiences, what it felt like to not eat for seven days after waking up, what the gods looked like, what supernatural powers they possessed, and how dreams could come true.

That magnificent story, repeatedly recalled and washed over my mind, even added a touch of color to it.

—When Wang Erlang repeated the story, he omitted the part about being killed by a knife. Over time, he also forgot what really happened.

Wang Erlang sighed.

"I haven't been to the temple in a long time. I should go and offer some incense!"

After Wang Erlang mentioned it, Cheng Zhi's wife also remembered it.

She asked her husband:

"Wasn't there a talented scholar who once associated with an immortal? What happened to him now?"

Cheng Zhi glanced at the card game.

"You mean Haoran? Haoran is an excellent poet."

“He told me at the time that it was a pity he missed the opportunity to travel with the immortals. Those people said that they would return in a year. Now almost four years have passed, and he only receives occasional letters. He doesn’t know when he will be able to return.”

"His family kept urging him, as it seemed he would be going to Chang'an to take the imperial examination in a while."

"I will write him a letter of recommendation when the time comes."

Madam Zhao played a leaf card, then regretted her mistake.

She said, "This scholar surnamed Meng is quite lucky. He has been recommended by a prefectural official, which makes submitting his application much easier."

Cheng Zhi glanced at his wife, then nudged her arm under the table and secretly swapped cards with her.

His tone was elegant and composed.

"Madam flatters me."

“I’ve only been promoted to the rank of Assistant Governor. In Xiangzhou, people still listen to me, but in Chang’an, I’m afraid I’m not even good enough to be a stepping stone.”

Cheng Zhi sighed.

"I once invited Haoran to serve as a county magistrate in the area, but the talented man was too proud and did not accept."

Wang Erlang saw his brother-in-law and his wife making moves under the table. He chuckled and nudged his wife's arm; they both knew what was going on.

Lady Zhao won this round.

Cheng Zhi and the other three took money out of their purses and handed it to Madam Zhao.

Cheng Zhi saw his wife counting money and smiling.

Finally breathed a sigh of relief.

During this period, he was busy with official business all day and rarely went home.

His wife was busy raising the children and managing the household all by herself, which made her very resentful and gave her a bad temper.

We won the game.

He was able to get by for the next few days.

They played leaf games and chatted and laughed. After lunch and a couple of drinks, Cheng Zhi suddenly felt sleepy, took off his outer clothes, and fell asleep on the couch.

Perhaps it was because he mentioned the immortal he had seen four years ago on the table today.

He also felt something and dreamed of the immortal.

He still looked very young and handsome, and his clothes were still similar to the blue robes he wore before. The immortal stroked the cat in his arms and looked at him with a smile.

"Chief Secretary Cheng, how have you been?"

【Ask for monthly ticket】

(End of this chapter)