Chapter Five: Secretly Eating the Immortal Fruit

News spread that someone had hanged themselves; the innkeeper, waiters, and a throng of diners downstairs all rushed upstairs in a hubbub. Having nearly finished my meal, I set down my bowl and hurried over out of curiosity.

The crowd clustered tightly, making it impossible to see what lay within. I could only crouch and peer between their legs, glimpsing the immortal who had tried to take his own life, sprawled on the floor in pale blue garments.

The immortals murmured anxiously.

“Is he dead?”

“Can he still be saved?”

“He can!” a voice responded from the crowd.

Being short of stature, I hopped several times but couldn’t see which immortal had spoken.

The blue-robed immortal was resuscitated amid urgent efforts. A cheer erupted—“He’s alive! He’s alive!”—and they carried him into a chamber, the crowd surging around him. I leapt and strained from the edge but never managed to see clearly what unfolded inside.

“What’s going on?” the immortals whispered, heads together.

“Too much pressure, not enough confidence, perhaps. Maybe he went up the mountain early to seek a master and was rebuffed. Or perhaps he couldn’t even find the Jade Purity Realm. Just couldn’t see a way forward,” one speculated.

“Let it go. With odds like these, we’re just here for luck and excitement. No point in fantasizing,” another remarked.

“With our meager abilities, we have nothing to lose. Those who struggle are usually the ones with deep immortal potential, full of skills, proud and lofty, yet frustrated and unfulfilled,” someone opined.

“If it were me, I wouldn’t kill myself in public! If I truly wished to die, I’d find a cliff in Kunlun Void, seal my immortal body, and leap quietly—guaranteed death! No one could stop me, and I’d spare myself being a spectacle even after death,” said another.

“Hush! Keep your voice down, lest the one inside overhear and try the cliff!” someone cautioned.

“Which immortal mountain doesn’t have a few bones buried? Such deaths have existed since ancient times.” The one with the idea seemed quite philosophical.

I mused silently—was it truly so dire? An old deity who killed his betrothed, I’d avoid him at all costs. Yet one after another, so many were willing to die or live for him... Truly, all sorts of passions and mindsets existed!

Leaving the inn, I found myself on a bustling street. With no clue where to find Dongfang Mo, I wandered to the street of makeup artists to join the lively crowd.

“Young master! Try the Peach Blossom Beauty look!” a makeup immortal called to me.

“Me? Dress as a female immortal? Are you serious? Isn’t it always male immortal costumes?” I asked.

“Of course not, young master! Who says the makeup is only for women disguised as men? Go the other way—you’ll stand out. Come, let me try it for you.” The makeup immortal was enthusiastic.

“Is this a master-seeking or a beauty contest?” I laughed.

“Cloudsky High Immortal is popular! With your build, you’d make a charming young female immortal. But we’ll need a full-body magical makeover—chest, hips, waist, skin tone, face—all must be transformed. I’ll give you a discount! Just ten silver leaves,” she said.

“To become a female immortal, I’d need a complete transformation. Am I really that lacking?” I wondered privately.

“No, thank you. I’m not seeking a master,” I declined.

The makeup immortal soon drew in a curious young fairy, persuading her to try a male disguise with a dazzling pitch. The young fairy replied, “Only ten silver leaves? All right, make it convincing!”

Suddenly inspired, I thought, “I could do this business too! With my skills, it’s a fine opportunity to make money. Since Kunlun Void won’t officially open for a few days, I’ll stay in town, and when the time comes, I’ll just wait outside Jade Purity Realm’s gate for Dongfang Mo with a sign.”

Resolved, I sought lodging at an inn, but as the waiter had said, it was packed! That night, I transformed into my cold crow form and slept in a tree.

The next day, I found the last vacant spot at the corner of Makeup Street, conjured a sign, and began offering my services. It was much quieter here, with few customers. Yet, thanks to my five centuries spent mastering the art of disguising as a man for survival, my skills surpassed others, quickly attracting many young fairies.

“Little immortal friend, I’m low on silver and need food and lodging. I have a fur cloak I just bought—very expensive. If you help me transform into a male immortal, I’ll trade it to you. I hear it’s cold in the mountains,” a young fairy said.

“If you give it to me, what will you do?” I asked.

“Well... I just found another one I liked even more and bought it,” she admitted sheepishly.

I examined the cloak—brand new, white, just my taste—so I accepted.

After two days of business, I’d gathered plenty of news. It turned out that simply entering the Kunlun range wasn’t enough to seek a master; one had to find the divine realm, Jade Purity, established by Cloudsky High Immortal. The mountain was suppressed by dragon energy, making it nearly impossible to use immortal arts; climbing was arduous, so Cloudsky High Immortal had set a time limit for the ascent.

I asked why everyone sought Cloudsky High Immortal. The answers were myriad: some said he had saved their entire family and they wished to pledge themselves; others admired his fame and sought his protection; some wished to comfort him, replacing Lu Xue; others claimed he was the most handsome god in the heavens, unmatched in appearance and bearing.

I asked if any had actually met him. All said they’d only heard of him, save one who claimed her grandmother had seen him... I nearly burst out laughing—her grandmother’s “handsome god”... No wonder Cloudsky High Immortal’s effigy was made with white hair and beard in an ugly style.

At dawn, weary from sleeping under the eaves, I went early to the market, which was deserted. The past two days, I’d earned enough for meals, but my meager immortal power was nearly depleted. Feeling cold, I wrapped myself in the cloak I’d received. Though I was a cold crow, in such frigid weather, this cloak would be invaluable on Kunlun Void.

While awaiting customers, I pondered the absence of the fortune-telling wandering immortal—where had he gone to earn money?

Just as I was thinking, a voice spoke, “Little crow... how should I be made up?” It was a gentle, magnetic male voice.

A fragrant scent enveloped me...

“Achoo!” I sneezed, looking up to see a male immortal in purple brocade, draped in pale lavender cloud-gauze, standing before me. His appearance surpassed even the most beautiful women of heaven. Not just beauty—his ethereal aura, tall form, tranquil demeanor—he could easily claim the highest rank in the heavens.

I stared at him, feeling uplifted, utterly entranced...

The exquisite immortal flicked his sleeve, conjured a folding fan, and gently waved it, laughing when he saw me gaping.

“Achoo! Achoo!” I sneezed twice more. Why was he fanning himself in this cold? I blew warm air into my hands, rubbing them as I said, “You’re so stunning—no need for disguise. If you dressed as a female immortal, Cloudsky High Immortal would marry you outright.”

“Oh? Marry me? Haha...” The exquisite immortal burst out laughing.

His hair, figure, face, and smile... so beautiful! I silently marveled.

He leaned closer, bracing one arm against the blue stone wall behind me, gazing into my eyes with gentle intent. “Little crow, is your business running smoothly?”

“Thank you for asking, it’s fine. Is there something you need?” I stepped back, pressing myself tightly against the wall, uncertain why he drew so near.

“Nothing much. I just wanted to ask if you’ve paid your protection fee,” he said with a smiling gaze.

I was momentarily stunned. “Protection fee?”

“Of course—the fee for my protection. Otherwise, how can you do business here at will?”

“This is your territory?”

“Certainly!”

“How much?”

“Not much—ten silver leaves.”

“What if I don’t need protection?” I thought, who knows if this is his territory.

He smiled, fixing his gaze on me. “Impossible. Do you think your bones are harder than the stone behind you?”

Something was amiss. I glanced at his hand—he had left a handprint in the blue stone wall.

A wise person submits to circumstance. Whether or not it was his turf, I had to pay.

“All right, once I pay, how will you protect me?” I asked.

“However I wish...” His gaze grew hazy, his tone nearly enchanting.

I handed him the silver. He took it, satisfied, about to leave...

“Wait,” I said.

“What is it—are you reluctant to let me go?” he said softly.

I swallowed, a bit embarrassed. “I...”

Before I could finish, he gave a wicked smile. “I don’t provide special protection.”

“What is special protection?” I asked.

“For instance, taking you to the place you want, seeing the famed High Immortal.”

“Oh, nothing so elaborate. I just want some fruit. Can you buy me a few frozen pears? My throat is dry and sore.”

The exquisite immortal’s face darkened; he snapped his fan shut. “You actually want me to run errands for you?”

“You said you’d protect me however you wished. Buying fruit isn’t a special request, is it?” I replied.

He laughed bitterly. “I meant I decide how to protect you, not you!”

“Oh. Then I’ve nothing else to ask,” I said.

He drew closer, lowering his voice. “Still, since I’m in a good mood today, I’ll make an exception.”

I thought, “So unreasonable—after paying protection, I still have to depend on his mood.”

Suddenly, he cast a spell, and with a whoosh, flung me out of Xuai Town. My heart nearly leapt out of my chest—this was even rougher than the fortune-teller’s toss!

I crashed into a tree, feeling as though my bones had scattered.

Furious, I wondered—what madness! Do powerful immortals always bully the weak? Was this a relay with the fortune-teller? Did they find tossing a bird amusing?

As I raged, a fruit fell from the tree into my lap... a pear! I was stunned—this was a pear tree! In the icy snow, fresh pears?

Looking around, I saw a valley, a sapphire-blue lake wreathed in immortal mist, and I had landed in a pear grove by the lakeshore.

The pear grove was extraordinary, with ancient trees over ten thousand years old. Some bore clusters of blossoms, like clouds or frost; others hung with fruit, pure and translucent.

I sniffed the pear in my lap—its fragrance seeped into my soul. I took a bite—crisp and sweet, melting like cheese, a spring of freshness flowing through my throat, lingering on my palate... I closed my eyes, savoring the cool fragrance... Opening them moments later, the pear was gone.

I thought, that exquisite immortal, though rough and erratic, kept his word.

Having finished the pear, I tried to use immortal arts to descend, but found my powers nearly useless; I couldn’t even revert to my true form!

“Did I damage my bones crashing into the branches?” I wondered, puzzled, but could only climb down manually. Moving my limbs, nothing seemed amiss.

Strolling by the lakeside in the pear grove, white petals drifted down like snowflakes. I caught a few in my palm, but before I could admire them, a breeze swept them into the lake, carrying them downstream... The petals floating with the current seemed timeless, drifting from antiquity into the future.

The scene reminded me of the palm techniques the fortune-teller had shown me—how fitting.

“If I can’t use immortal arts, why not exercise by the lake this early morning? Perhaps I’ll recover.” So thinking, I closed my eyes, bathed in the cool breeze, recalling the dance-like palm technique...

It began...

Suddenly, it seemed a day spent in empty mountains,
Whose home sends forth immortal fruit, sweet and clear,
Where does flowing water go, unknown,
From time immemorial, fragrance lingers.

I practiced the palm technique by the lake, each move graceful as wind, tranquil as water, pure as fragrance, distant as music...

At that moment, atop Kunlun’s peak above the clouds, a blue-robed immortal stood on the Cloud Viewing Terrace, hands clasped behind his back, gazing far away...

The breeze swept by, turning the sea of clouds to wisps of gauze. Through the thin clouds, the immortal gazed down at the valley’s pear grove, dimly seeing a figure practicing palm techniques by the lake.

It seemed a dream...

Watching, he suddenly started, then leapt urgently downward...

A dense cloud drifted by, obscuring his view. He passed through layer after layer of mist, landing gently by the lake.

The empty valley was silent, flowers and water drifting away... No figure, no dance, no palm technique...

Only stillness, save for a few birds startled from the woods, leaving behind a pear core they had nibbled...