Otaku Translation: The Unintentional Path to Immortality Chapter 31

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"Some people progress quickly, while others progress slowly. Even I have experienced moments of both rapid and slow progress," Song You explained. "In the past, I adhered to strict rules while practicing in the temple. However, after leaving the mountain, the world expanded before me, and my progress accelerated."

"Why is that?"

"It's a mysterious matter. But Lady Calico is not human; she doesn't need to learn these things, just breathe as usual."

"I see."

Song You smiled.

Perhaps it was because of his two lifetimes or some other reason, but he had become increasingly fond of simple things and less interested in complexity. Although the Daoists in the Temple of Blessed Clarity were all friendly, he found it easier and more enjoyable to talk to Lady Calico, even though their conversations lacked substance.

"Lady Calico."

"Mhm?"

The calico cat was grooming her fur, but she lifted her head at his words.

"How about we return the day after tomorrow?"

"It's up to you."

"Since we're traveling together, such a big decision should be discussed with Lady Calico."

"The day after tomorrow..."

"Yes."

"Mm..."

The calico cat stared at Song You for a while before saying, "You seem to not like them very much."

"Why does Lady Calico say that?"

"There's meat to eat here every day, but you don't seem to like it here."

"I just find playing with them less enjoyable than being with Lady Calico," Song You shook his head. "Besides, we can't eat their meat every day."

"I see."

"How about it?"

"Then let's go back tomorrow." The calico cat immediately spoke decisively.

"That's not good either."

"Why?"

"Tomorrow, I have to help them with some difficult questions regarding Dao. It's our way of repaying their hospitality for the past few days."

"Oh..." The calico cat seemed pensive.

"Let's sleep." Song You blew out the oil lamp, scattering sparks of light like stars.

The next morning, EmergingCloud and WindResponse came to find Song You again, doing their utmost to entertain him. However, they couldn't recreate the bond they had decades ago. While forcing a connection wasn't necessarily bad, it was difficult to develop the same deep friendship in such a short time.

Song You merely resolved the doubts of other Daoists in the temple and, in the evening, informed Guanghua Zi of his intention to return the next day.

Despite everyone's attempts to persuade him to stay, he remained unwavering.

EmergingCloud and WindResponse, on the other hand, admired him greatly, perhaps even regarding him as a true immortal. They wished to follow him and explore the world together with him, but he simply stated that they were not destined to do so.

Another day passed, and Song You descended the mountain in the early morning darkness.

Bathed in the moon's gentle glow,

He journeys forth with only a cat in tow.

From dawn until dusk, when the sun set, Yidu was already not far away. Song You pondered for a moment. With winter already upon them, spending the night in the cold didn't seem appealing. Instead, he decided to take advantage of the moonlight and continue his journey back to Yidu in one go. By a stroke of luck, he managed to arrive just before the city gates closed for the night. Upon returning to the courtyard, the soft melody of a tune began, filling his heart with a sense of tranquility.

---

The weather in Yidu was getting colder.

Song You had plenty of leisure time every day. Besides going to the entertainment district to listen to stories, most of the time, he stayed at home, warming himself by the fire, practicing, and chatting with the cat, living a comfortable life without leaving the house.

Occasionally, people would come seeking amulets or talismans for protection. Song You didn't have consecrated items, but drawing talismans was easy for him. He always obliged, earning some money to buy meat for Lady Calico.

Sometimes he went out for a walk, observing the winter in Yidu, seeing people braving the cold in search of livelihoods, hurrying in thin clothes. When the weather turned cold, the prosperity of the world faded away, but there were still many gains to be had.

Buds began to bloom in the courtyard's yellow plum trees.

Song You often sat beneath the tree, not knowing when they would bloom, but when approaching, he could already smell their fragrance.

"Knock, knock, knock..."

There was a knock at the door again.

Song You opened the door and saw Luo, the head constable.

In the cold winter months, Head Constable Luo was still dressed in black clothes and boots, but they were thicker now. His cheeks were red from the wind, and he held a small fish in his hand, skewered through the cheeks with a river reed.

"Greetings, master."

"Greetings, Head Constable, aren't you cold?"

"I'm a martial artist, always on the move, so I don't feel cold."

"Please come in."

Head Constable Luo followed Song You into the courtyard, seamlessly closing the door behind him along the way, a gesture he had evidently grown accustomed to. As they walked, he said, "Lately, my lazy brother-in-law has taken up fishing as a hobby. Today, he spent half the day fishing and returned shivering from the cold. But all he caught was this tiny fish, not even two fingers wide. He even had the audacity to suggest we cook it for soup! Haha! I thought I might as well offer it as a gift to Lady Calico."

"You're really kind."

"Lady Calico..." Head Constable Luo took off the river reed and placed the small fish not on the ground, but on a clean stone table.

Initially, when he visited the courtyard, he only brought gifts for Song You, not for Lady Calico. However, one day, seeking advice on a supernatural matter, he spotted a finely dressed little girl in the courtyard, resembling a delicately carved doll. This was peculiar, as he had never seen a girl there before. In subsequent visits, he would sometimes encounter the cat and other times, the girl. However, whenever he saw the cat, the girl was nowhere to be seen, and vice versa. As time passed, and with Lady Calico's typical demeanor, he gradually pieced together the puzzle.

Having been a constable in Yidu for many years, Head Constable Luo had encountered many things related to ghosts and Yaoguai and dealt with cases of animals becoming Yaoguai. To be honest, it wasn't as mystical as people thought. These animals becoming Yaoguai only gained intelligence, and speaking like humans was already quite eerie. They didn't have the ability to transform into human form as in stories. In the hands of some martial artists, they could still be killed with a single blow. At most, they would plead for mercy in various ways when being struck.

It was his first time seeing a Yaoguai capable of transformation.

Head Constable Luo was surprised but felt it was reasonable at the same time.

He was surprised to discover that there was a Yaoguai capable of transformation living opposite him, and he hadn't actually discovered it for so long. However, when he considered that she was appearing next to a master like Song You, it didn’t seem so strange anymore.

Which story lacked a skilled master accompanied by an extraordinary Dao Acolyte or Yaoguai mount?

Naturally, Master Song should have one too.

Since then, every time he visited, he would bring gifts for Lady Calico. And Lady Calico, in turn, kept their house free of rats and ensured their food and grain were safe.

Seeing that the calico cat had already started eating, Head Constable Luo watched for a while before turning to Song You and saying, "Master, the Temple Fair at the Temple of Lord Yue is coming up soon."

"How soon?"

"In three days, on the third day of the coming month."

"Oh..." Song You suddenly realized that it was already the twelfth lunar month, late in the year.

"There are already many people gathering near the Temple of Lord Yue, but it will be livelier after the third day," Head Constable Luo said. "Do you have anything you want to buy, master? The fair is very bustling, so you might need a guide. I have a group of men who can assist you."

"We'll see when the time comes."

"If you need anything, just knock on my door."

"Thank you, Head Constable Luo."

"You're welcome, master."

After chatting for a while, Head Constable Luo left.

A smile had already appeared on Song You's face.

The Temple Fair, also known as the Temple Market, originated from religious gatherings, especially on major holidays or special religious days, where large numbers of believers gathered. Where there were people, there was business. In an age of limited transportation and challenging shopping conditions, people still had a demand for goods. Consequently, some individuals began setting up stalls at temple fairs to promote their products. As the number of merchants and customers increased, it became a virtuous cycle, and eventually, temple fairs were no longer limited to worshippers but became a large shopping festival, one of the most lively events of the year.

Temple fairs could be big or small.

Small temple fairs might only attract people from nearby villages or the same county. Large temple fairs were grand affairs, with influence spreading across several provinces. It was hard for modern people to imagine that someone would travel thousands of miles for half a month just to offer incense, spend a few days at the fair, and then spend another half month returning home.

During this period, some people would gain knowledge, some would be able to make a fortune, some would make lifelong friends, some would encounter their beloved or a suitor, while others would come and go alone, or to be robbed.

The Temple Fair at the Temple of Lord Yue was the largest in Yidu, although it didn't extend across several provinces, people from remote areas within the province would come, and performers and merchants from outside the province would also arrive.

The temple fair was scheduled for the third day of the lunar month because it was rumored to be the birthday of the deity Lord Yue. Temple fairs of this scale were no longer limited to the Temple of Lord Yue but began around this time. They typically lasted a few days after the third day to conclude the festivities.

Song You had been looking forward to this fair for a long time.

He went for a walk around town and indeed, as Head Constable Luo had said, there were already many merchants and performers gathering in Yidu today, crowding the streets near the Temple of Lord Yue, bustling and lively.

Lady Calico noticed his excitement, but she didn't quite understand: "Daoist, are temple fairs fun?"

"I don't know." Song You replied and then added, "I hope so."

"You seem to really like temple fairs."

"It's very lively," Song You said to the calico cat. "Has Lady Calico ever seen such a lively scene?"

"It's already quite lively in this city."

"No..." Song You shook his head. No matter how large the population of Dayan and how prosperous the city of Yidu, constrained by the era, perhaps the number of residents gathered within the city during the New Year's cross-year period was not as numerous as those congregating under the landmark buildings in the provincial capital in Song You’s previous life. It might not even match the number of visitors in a popular tourist destination during the Golden Week. Only this temple fair was truly bustling.

It was the grandest human event of this era.

Comparable to the hustle and bustle of Song You’s previous life.

Song You's eyes flickered, but he didn't explain to Lady Calico. He just said, "There are many things at the fair that you can't see on ordinary days, like talented performers, exotic flowers and plants, rare birds and animals. We can not only enjoy the excitement for a few days but also buy many delicious things, and, um, maybe buy a horse or mule."

"Buy a horse?"

"Yes."

"We? Buy a horse?"

"What's wrong?"

"Do we need to buy a horse?"

"Buy a horse or maybe a mule," Song You said to her. "So we can travel the world in the future."

"Great!!"

Lady Calico's eyes sparkled.

Song You looked at her, feeling puzzled.

She seemed unusually excited.

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