He did end up at the inn after all.

When the inn attendant saw the man in the blue robe, he said, “Sir, did you forget something? The room hasn’t been tidied yet. Let me go check for you.” 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Chen Changsheng said, “I am here to stay.”

“Huh?”

The attendant was stunned.

“But didn’t you… just check out earlier?”

Chen Changsheng asked, “I checked out earlier. Does that mean I can’t stay now?”

The attendant faltered, then quickly replied, “Of course you can, sir. Please come in.”

“I’ll take the same room. No need to show me up.”

“But…”

The attendant said, “As you wish, sir.”

He watched as the Green-Robed Gentleman went up the stairs.

The attendant stood in the Main Hall, staring at the man’s back. He muttered softly to himself, “This man is really odd…”

Just after the attendant muttered this,

Chen Changsheng, already on the stairs, suddenly stopped walking.

The attendant’s heart leaped into his throat, feeling guilty.

But then he saw the Green-Robed Gentleman give him a warm smile.

The attendant hurriedly nodded back.

Chen Changsheng turned back and continued upstairs.

“I scared myself half to death,”

the attendant let out a long sigh, patting his chest.

He had thought he was overheard.

But upon second thought, it was just him being jumpy. His voice had been so soft, and they were so far apart. It would be strange if anyone could have heard!

The attendant vowed inwardly: Can’t speak carelessly next time.

Once Chen Changsheng entered the room, he closed the door.

He tossed the three books onto the table as if discarding something unimportant.

Thud!

The money pouch hit the table with a heavy clank.

“This pouch sure is heavy,”

Chen Changsheng murmured. He hadn’t intended to take this much, but that scholar insisted on stuffing it into his pouch.

He felt it would be rude to refute the man’s kindness, so he accepted it without a second thought.

Chen Changsheng took a deep breath and then settled into the chair to rest.

In the blink of an eye, dusk had arrived.

…

Chen Changsheng had barely woken up

when he heard a voice outside.

“Is the Immortal Elder inside? This humble deity has come to pay respects.”

Chen Changsheng turned and said, “Enter.”

The City God passed through the door (or floated/entered the room smoothly) and knelt upon seeing Chen Changsheng.

“This humble deity greets the Immortal Elder!”

Chen Changsheng said, “Rise, City God. For what matter do you seek me?”

The City God stood up. “Reporting to Immortal Elder, the evil ghost has been dealt with. Also, the wandering spirits consumed by it have all entered Reincarnation. The God of Blessings and Virtue has returned to his rightful place. Only… only the Manor of Prince Yu…”

Chen Changsheng asked, “Was the Manor of Prince Yu unoccupied solely because of that evil ghost before?”

The City God nodded. “Precisely. The rumors calling it a haunted house were due to its actions.”

“This humble deity wished to inquire about that scroll painting in the manor…”

Chen Changsheng said, “Leave that scroll right where it is. Pay it no mind.”

“Yes.” The City God pressed on, “Should this humble deity assign a few Yin Attendants to guard it?”

“Unnecessary.”

“This humble deity understands. There is nothing more then. I shall…”

The City God bowed his head. “…take my leave.”

“Wait.”

Chen Changsheng said, “It was rushed before. I forgot to ask about some things.”

“Regarding Prince Yu, how much does the City God know?”

The City God listened, then said, “Prince Yu…”

“His cultivation level was profound. His Art of Painting was particularly remarkable. Next was his Art of Divination. This humble deity once saw him foretell weather merely by counting on his fingers. He could calculate the exact time thunder would strike.”

“Art of Painting…”

Chen Changsheng stroked his chin. “Would they all be bamboo and orchids?”

The City God nodded. “Exactly as the Celestial Immortal said. Back then, Prince Yu created the scroll painting ‘Bamboo Orchid’. All who saw it praised it highly. Even the renowned Bamboo-and-Rock master, Mr. Zhong, graciously admitted his skill was surpassed.”

“Does that painting still exist?” Chen Changsheng asked.

The City God shook his head. “When the manor was confiscated, nearly everything was taken away. Back then, some thieves caught wind and stole some valuable items beforehand. But the ‘Bamboo Orchid’ was not among them.”

Chen Changsheng nodded. “The painting itself is secondary. It’s Prince Yu himself…”

The City God said, “This humble deity hardly dared appear before Prince Yu in those days, so my knowledge is limited. Please forgive me, Celestial Immortal.”

Chen Changsheng waved his hand. “I hold no such expectation. You may go.”

“This humble deity takes his leave.”

The City God left, releasing a sigh of relief once beyond the door.

Quiet settled back into the room.

Chen Changsheng pondered.

It seemed this Master Zhulan hadn’t left much behind.

He wondered: why had Prince Yu intentionally let Emperor Jing capture him?

Because of the road through Everview Mountain?

Impossible.

In truth, Prince Yu was already deep into cultivation back then. Creating that mountain road must have been a simple task. But cultivation is governed by Karma. Prince Yu’s purpose in coming here was likely to leave behind the contents of that scroll. Secondarily, to build the city.

Opening Everview Mountain was probably just a side task.

So, only one explanation remained.

“To avoid Karma,”

Chen Changsheng murmured.

Back then, Prince Yu must still have held a certain wariness of Heaven and Earth Karma. He obviously hadn’t reached a deeper level yet.

After being captured by Emperor Jing, he could legitimately become a ‘dead man’.

Later, he used some unknown method to conceal himself from Heavenly Secrets.

So well that even Chen Changsheng’s divination could only confirm his death.

This way, Karma simply couldn’t cling to him anymore.

“Meticulous indeed.”

Chen Changsheng glanced at the three books on the table, muttering, “This Master Zhulan went to tremendous lengths for Great Jing.”

“Using his own power to save an entire dynasty. He was truly bold and decisive.”

Chen Changsheng increasingly wanted to meet this Master Zhulan.

…

Morning light. Cockcrow. Thin mist rose over Qingshan City. Faintly, the chime of a bell could be heard, drifting from the Taoist Temple by the mountain stream.

Chen Changsheng went to the Tea Stall very early.

Few people were yet on the street, though some vendors were already pushing their carts into place.

Yan Huanglou was cooking porridge. Seeing Chen Changsheng, he said, “You here?”

“Mn.”

Chen Changsheng sat down and asked, “How much longer?”

Yan Huanglou answered, “Less than a short while till it’s ready. Why so early today?”

“Nothing better to do,” Chen Changsheng replied.

Yan Huanglou snorted. “Truly bored? Then come help me out here. Relaxing. Chance to chat with folks sometimes.”

Chen Changsheng chuckled. “Pay me?”

“Of course pay.” Yan Huanglou stated, “Ten coppers a day.”

Chen Changsheng countered, “Less than one pot of tea. No deal.”

Yan Huanglou said, “Ten coppers a day ain’t shabby. And you turn it down?”

Chen Changsheng just smiled, offering no further reply.

Suddenly, a voice called from outside.

“Changsheng! Changsheng!!”

Chen Changsheng looked. Not far off, An Long was leading a donkey. Piled high on the cart behind it were heaps of fresh, bright red peaches.

Aqing sat perched on the donkey’s back, waving at Chen Changsheng.