I became an immortal in the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 4 What are kings and nobles worth anyway?

Li Bai wanted to learn Taoism from him?
Jiang She felt a subtle tension. He was seriously examining the young man in front of him when he couldn't help but think of Li Bai's ups and downs decades later, which made him feel both amused and pitiful.

"So you're going to study immortality and seek the Dao, and then give up being an official?"

Li Bai still performed the disciple's rites, using the etiquette a disciple uses when meeting his teacher.

He stood tall and elegant, carrying a long sword on his back. He was handsome and stood out from the crowd. His tone was humble, yet he had an air of arrogance. In his words, he did not put high-ranking officials and nobles in any way.

He said with high spirits:

"If one could become a disciple of an immortal and learn the art of immortality, what would be the point of becoming an official, let alone a king or noble in the mortal world?"

……

……

Several hundred feet away, the Old Deer Mountain God transformed into a frail old man and sat down to talk with another earth deity.

That local deity is a spirit that has become a mountain spirit, of lowly origin, and committed evil deeds in its chaotic and ignorant state. Unlike the old deer mountain god, who was born of a spirit deer, it did not dare to approach the front just now.

"You've seen it? A single stick of incense can grant the mountain god ten years of life—what kind of magical power is that?"

"seen."

The old deer mountain god was still shaken.

Thinking back to what had just happened, he frowned, stroked his long beard, and recalled the events.

"It's still unclear... How can we possibly discern the true nature of such a person? He appears no different from an ordinary person, except for his lofty demeanor. If he hadn't lit incense himself, I wouldn't have known that such a person had traveled to my Deer Gate Mountain, and I wouldn't have been able to pay my respects."

There was a pause.

Old Deer Mountain God added.

"It's like... blending in with the world."

Upon hearing this, all around fell silent.

The earth spirit listened with longing, its beastly body leaning forward, the black fur on its cheeks almost poking the old deer mountain god's nose.

"You've struck gold this time, meeting a highly accomplished sage who extended your life by ten years. There's even a purple aura in the incense... By the way, what's that gentleman like? Is he easy to talk to?"

The old deer mountain god stroked his white beard. He had gained ten years of lifespan and could slowly ponder how to prolong his life. He was in a great mood.

laughed.

"They only exchanged a few words. The man seemed to dislike gold and silver and could talk to ordinary people. He had a kind of back-to-basics attitude."

The Earth God savored the phrases "returning to simplicity" and "mingling with the world" in his heart.

I could only sense an ethereal aura emanating from him. Although we had never met, I could already imagine his calm and composed demeanor.

It is very desirable.

"I wish I could ask a sage to guide me, but alas, I have no such opportunity."

"Unfortunately, such a person's every move is in accordance with the natural way, and that stick of incense is not something you can obtain by simply begging. The fact that you have been able to obtain this opportunity is already a blessing."

The Earth God sighed deeply.

"We shouldn't ask for more! We can't ask for more!"

As the earth spirit spoke, the black hair on its cheeks drooped, lamenting its own fate.

The mountain god stroked his beard, also feeling regret. When he transformed into human form, his hair and beard were all white, without a single black hair, making it impossible for mortals to discern his age. Considering his demeanor and expression, he appeared to be an old immortal.

At this moment, however, he looked regretful.

He sighed deeply, "That's the way it is."

The Earth Deity was originally a spirit, possessing keen insight into human nature. He had also known the Old Deer Mountain God for a long time and was quite familiar with him. He could tell from the conversation that there was more to it than met the eye.

He hurriedly asked:
"Could it be that you asked for something else?"

The old deer mountain god remained speechless for a long time.

After a long while, he finally spoke.

"That young man from the Lu family down the mountain has somehow gotten into trouble... I took the liberty of asking that gentleman to take a look. I originally intended to offer him the ginseng I had hidden, but he refused, saying he was just passing by."

"I agreed."

The local deity was astonished upon hearing this.

"Are you out of your mind?!"

"Given such a shameless opportunity to ask for favors, you're giving it to the Lu family? That incense will only extend your life by ten years; you'll still die after ten years anyway. Why don't you ask for your own life?"

Old Deer Mountain God also felt some regret.

He thought of the kindness shown to him hundreds of years ago, when he had just gained sentience but was shot in the leg by a hunter who wanted to sell him at the market. Lu Sheng bought him and was astonished to see him kneeling and begging for mercy, speaking human language. He realized that this was a spirit deer.

He applied medicine to the wound, released it back into the mountains, and visited it frequently.

The Old Deer Mountain God had become a spirit by accident, unaware of the future and ignorant of Taoist practices. It was Lu Sheng who lent him books and read hundreds of Taoist scriptures, which later gave him the opportunity to glimpse the Taoist path. They recited Taoist texts for ten years, forging a deep bond.

The Old Deer Mountain God, having received such kindness, promised to take care of his descendants.

But eight hundred years have already passed.

Times have changed, and the world has transformed from Han territory to Tang territory.

Lu Sheng of yesteryear has turned to dust in his grave. The Lu family has experienced rise and fall, and most of the family fortune accumulated in those years has been sold off.

Later generations of descendants were unaware that Mount Lumen had a mountain god who drove away evil spirits and brought good fortune to the Lu family, protecting them generation after generation.

He watched them being born and crying, and saw them marry and have children. He saw them throwing white coins and singing funeral songs, and the newlyweds being buried in the old earth.

Eight hundred years, thirty-two generations of descendants.

Such care is actually enough.

After all, he had already experienced the difficulty of seeking the Dao back then.

He also witnessed the fear of the decline of the Dao and the powerlessness of the five signs of decay in the heavens and man. He had already seen his companions die in meditation as their lifespans ran out.

By chance, I received the Dharma.

It should have been used to seek the Tao.

The Old Deer Mountain God sighed deeply.

"This is the last time I will look after his descendants."

The Earth God Mountain Demon sat silently to one side. He was born from a mountain spirit and had committed evil deeds in his early years. He was ignorant and confused. Later, people feared him and worshipped him. The local magistrate built a small temple for him and he was given a small ley line and was granted the title of Earth God. He was not as good as the mountain god of Lumen Mountain.

Their lifespan is also short, lasting no more than two or three hundred years.

When faced with such a highly accomplished person, one should be extremely cautious even if it is requested once, and should be content with what one has done. It is impossible to make several more requests later.

With only one chance to seek the Dao, this old deer actually entrusted his favor to the Lu family.

The mountain demon was speechless, feeling a sense of admiration.

The leaves rustled in the wind, and the two mountain gods and earth deities sat facing each other across a blue stone table, both silent. Only the rustling of the wind through the leaves and the gentle flow of the stream could be heard.

The old deer mountain god changed the subject and brought up a matter.

He deliberately omitted the dullness, laughed mischievously, and picked out a funny story to tell.

"When I appeared to thank that gentleman, I was unaware that there were other people around, which might have startled that mortal."

"Oh?"

"Speaking of which, you and I should be familiar with that person. In recent years, there have been many people seeking immortality and enlightenment, and you and I have met them a few times."

"Are you here to ask the questions?"

“Exactly.” The old Deer Mountain God laughed. “How difficult it is for mortals to seek immortality. They come to my Deer Gate Mountain seeking immortality, unaware that there is a true immortal by their side. It’s quite interesting.”

“Now you should know,” said the mountain demon.

“That mortal has quite a reputation for talent in the world,” said the Old Deer Mountain God, who lived in the mountains and protected the neighbors and villagers. He had also heard of this person’s name. “I have heard that this person’s poems are elegant and otherworldly, as if he were a banished immortal.”

"Is that so? What poem was it?"

The old mountain god nodded and recited a poem with his friend.

"Sichuan is full of sacred mountains, but none can rival Mount Emei. I travel around and try to climb them, but how can I possibly know all their wonders? The azure sky opens up to the heavens... If I were to meet a hermit riding a sheep, we would hold hands and soar through the white sun."

The earth spirit understood the meaning of the poem.

Every stroke conveys a carefree and unrestrained spirit; every character seems to yearn for immortality.

The ground just laughed.

"What a sage seeking immortality."

The old deer mountain god, his childlike spirit stirred, wondered, "I wonder if that mortal, knowing the gentleman's identity, would bow down and beg for immortality?"

The Earthly Deity Mountain Demon said, "Indeed."

"With such a great opportunity, how can we easily miss it?"

The Earth Deity was also somewhat envious, stroking his beard thoughtfully, and muttered, "That person is so open-minded, I wonder if he would accept this poet as a disciple."

The old mountain god gazed at the new mountain after the rain and uttered a single word.

"Disaster."

　The next update will be tonight.
　　"Climbing Mount Emei" was written by Li Bai when he was probably twenty years old. The full poem is as follows:
　　The land of Shu is rich in sacred mountains, but none can rival Emei. I've traveled far and wide, attempting to climb and admire them; their wonders are beyond description. The azure sky opens up to the heavens, its vibrant colors seeming to have been painted. I admire the cool purple clouds, and indeed, I've obtained the secrets of the brocade pouch. I play the jade flute amidst the clouds, and the precious zither on the rocks. My lifelong ambition has ended here, and my joy is complete. The ethereal beauty seems to linger on my face, and worldly burdens vanish in an instant. If I were to encounter a hermit riding a sheep, we would hold hands and soar through the white sun.

　　Baidu Baike (Chinese Wikipedia) translation in plain language:

　　The Shu Kingdom boasts many sacred mountains, but none can rival the majestic Mount Emei. Even a brief ascent of Mount Emei reveals its unique and extraordinary scenery, far exceeding what one can fully appreciate. Its verdant peaks stretch to the horizon, their vibrant colors like a scene from a painting. Reaching the summit and admiring the purple clouds, one feels as if they have truly attained the art of immortality. I play my jade flute amidst the clouds and strum my precious zither on the rocks. My lifelong desire to cultivate the Tao and learn immortality has led me to renounce worldly pleasures. My face seems to be filled with the aura of the rosy clouds, and the burdens of the mortal world have suddenly vanished. If I encounter an immortal riding a sheep, I will join hands with him and soar through the daylight.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)