Chapter 134: An Idler in the Mortal World, A Celestial Immortal Amid Mortal Dust

This sickly empire was beyond saving.

Chen Changsheng didn’t even want to look at it anymore. With such a ruler and such ministers, what good would saving it do anyway?

Chen Changsheng suddenly spoke: “This humble one admits defeat.”

Hearing this, Zhong Zhengyuan was stunned for a moment.

He smiled faintly, then shook his head.

He truly understood that saving this empire might have been a mere flick of Chen Changsheng’s hand.

But everything depended on whether it was worth it.

For Great Jing, it clearly was not.

…

The teahouse was bustling as ever.

The waiter looked up at the familiar old seat upstairs. Finding it empty, he felt puzzled.

Lord Liu should have been here by now.

Yet for two days in a row, Lord Liu hadn’t shown up. The waiter was confused.

‘Perhaps he’s busy with official duties…’

The waiter thought it over, feeling sorry for the gentleman who had waited in vain those two days.

But what he didn’t know was:

There was already someone sitting in that seat.

Liu Huaizhang sat in his accustomed spot, glancing at the Storyteller on the stage. He was still narrating the tale of the Great Sage; only he was speaking so slowly, even now he hadn’t reached the Five-Finger Mountain and Tathagata.

Behind Liu Huaizhang stood two Yin Attendants in ghostly robes. One wielded a Chain, the other gripped a Long Saber, standing guard over Liu Huaian.

The two Yin Attendants treated Liu Huaizhang with courtesy, even permitting him to visit the teahouse after his death.

One Yin Attendant spoke: “Magistrate Liu, it will be dark soon. If we delay further, it will be difficult for us to account for our task.”

Liu Huaizhang paused, then said, “Honorable Yin Attendants, might you spare me a little more time? Just a bit longer. I have an appointment to meet someone here today.”

The two Yin Attendants exchanged a look. One replied, “Mortals in the Mortal Realm cannot see wandering spirits of the Underworld, Lord Liu. Why trouble yourself by waiting?”

Liu Huaizhang replied, “I have broken one promise already. If I miss this one too, this humble self will bear the weight of regret.”

The Yin Attendants communicated silently with their eyes, then reluctantly agreed.

Before they left, the City God had instructed them to politely escort Magistrate Liu back. The reason was clear to them; they had witnessed and remembered Liu Huaizhang’s deeds over the years. He deserved respect!

Roughly thirty minutes passed.

The Yin Attendants looked increasingly awkward. “Lord Liu…” one finally urged.

It wasn’t that they wanted to deny him grace; their task hung over them, and they feared blame from above for any delay.

Liu Huaizhang hesitated, sighed, and said, “If they are not coming, then…”

His words were interrupted as a figure ascended the stairs.

Liu Huaizhang’s gaze fixed on the gentleman. He smiled. “The person I’ve been waiting for has arrived.”

The Yin Attendants looked over. They saw a Man in Blue Robe approaching directly and sitting down across the table.

“Who is that?” one Yin Attendant asked.

The other thought for a moment. “Not seen before in previous years. Likely not a resident of Shangjing.”

Both Yin Attendants studied him intently. It was strange; they had encountered many refined scholars in Shangjing City, but none possessed such an extraordinary presence as this man.

The waiter came upstairs and poured tea for the gentleman.

He couldn’t see the figure sitting opposite, nor the Yin Attendants. He simply said to Chen Changsheng, “Sir, please have your tea. Just call if you need anything.”

“Thank you,” Chen Changsheng nodded.

The waiter nodded and withdrew.

Liu Huaizhang looked at the person seated before him and suddenly smiled. A promise between gentlemen – how could it be forgotten? It was good he had come.

Under the gaze of the Yin Attendants and Liu Huaizhang, Chen Changsheng took two teacups from the plate.

He poured tea, placing one cup before himself.

Chen Changsheng’s movements were deliberate.

Liu Huaizhang watched him, finding a quiet pleasure in the act.

But when the second cup was filled, the Man in Blue Robe pushed it across the table towards Liu Huaizhang.

The Yin Attendants raised their eyebrows in surprise.

Liu Huaizhang was momentarily stunned too.

Then Chen Changsheng lifted his head.

He looked directly at Liu Huaizhang sitting across from him and said, “Does the old gentleman not plan to speak?”

With those words, the atmosphere at the table instantly grew heavy.

The two Yin Attendants behind Liu Huaizhang tightened their grips on the Chain and Long Saber, their eyes fixed intently on Chen Changsheng’s expression.

Liu Huaizhang snapped out of his daze.

“You…”

He suddenly burst into loud laughter, hearty and unrestrained.

“So that’s how it is! I should have known earlier. How could a mere mortal know such a story in its entirety?”

Seeing Liu Huaizhang laugh, Chen Changsheng shook his head disapprovingly. “To go and die without a word, you really are devoid of humor.”

Chen Changsheng took a sip of his tea, then turned his gaze to the two Yin Attendants standing behind Liu Huaizhang.

Chen Changsheng said: “Thank you, Honorable Yin Attendants, for escorting him here. This humble ‘I’ will have a brief word with Lord Liu. I shall ensure Lord Liu is delivered to the City God Temple later.”

The two Yin Attendants exchanged a look, clearly surprised.

They conferred in low voices for a moment.

Then one stepped forward. “We two likely cannot afford to offend the gentleman. Yet, may we know your name? We must report back to our superiors.”

Part of their caution stemmed from their inability to identify his true nature. The other came from his tone, which held no apparent malice, easing their concern.

Chen Changsheng replied, “My name is Chen Changsheng. Some days ago, I met the City God. Be at ease.”

The Yin Attendant nodded. They conferred again briefly.

“Then we shall not disturb you.”

The two figures behind Liu Huaizhang left the teahouse.

In truth, they didn’t truly depart entirely. One remained stationed outside the teahouse. The other hastened back to the City God Temple to report the encounter.

Liu Huaizhang watched Chen Changsheng dismiss the formidable Yin Attendants with a few words. His curiosity deepened.

Liu Huaizhang asked, “What exactly are you, young brother?”

Chen Changsheng looked at him. “An idler.”

Liu Huaizhang paused at the answer, then smiled and nodded knowingly. “An idler in the Mortal World, a Celestial Immortal amid mortal dust. That fits.”

Chen Changsheng looked back at him. “Do you think ‘I’ fit that image?”

“Why wouldn’t you?” Liu Huaizhang countered.

Chen Changsheng shook his head, rejecting the implication. “I am likely the one who fits it least.”

Liu Huaizhang just smiled, looking as silly and good-natured as he had the day Chen Changsheng first saw him at Longdong Lane.

Chen Changsheng said: “I came directly from the Imperial Palace.”

Liu Huaizhang froze momentarily upon hearing this, then immediately asked, “Did His Imperial Majesty… see that memorial?”

Chen Changsheng placed his teacup down and looked directly at Liu Huaizhang. “Was it worth it?”

“What?”

“You could have lived several more days.”

Liu Huaizhang didn’t press his question. The silly smile reappeared on his face.

Chen Changsheng stared at him. “Advising through death? Proving loyalty through death? Is this your way of governing?”

Liu Huaizhang ignored the challenge and repeated his question, “Did His Imperial Majesty see it?”

Chen Changsheng hadn’t expected him to cling to this question, even now.

He fell silent, thinking it over, then finally answered.

“He saw it.”

Hearing this, Liu Huaizhang laughed again.

That silly laugh.

Chen Changsheng, from beginning to end, could not comprehend how he could possibly laugh at such a thing.

Truly, hopelessly foolish…