Unintended Immortality

“It’s such a relief that you’re both safe!” Xu Mu exclaimed. Then, with a sudden look of guilt, he added, “When I saw the fire on the mountain last night, I wanted to go up and check, but I’d already come down the mountain. First, I thought there wouldn’t be much I could do, and second… I know this will sound unbelievable, but I encountered a passing procession of ghosts.”

“It’s the thought that counts, Mr. Xu.”

“No, really! I encountered a whole line of ghosts, at least dozens, moving southward from the north,” Xu Mu said earnestly, fearing they wouldn’t believe him. “They even noticed me! I don’t know if it was luck or their strict discipline, but they didn’t trouble me...”

“Mr. Xu, you are a dutiful son and a good-hearted person—perhaps even ghosts wouldn’t wish to bother you.”

“If that’s true, then why is my mother…?”

“Let me have a look.”

“Yes, yes… Please,” Xu Mu replied, gesturing to invite them inside.

Housing in Zhijiang County was nothing like the crowded accommodations of the capital. The Xu family, though not wealthy, had a modest courtyard within the town.

The courtyard, however, was more like those of rural farmers, encircled by a low earthen wall with a few vegetable patches inside. The main rooms were sturdier than village dwellings but lacked the refinement seen in the capitals of Changjing or Yidu.

As they walked, Xu Mu continued, “Last night, on my way back, I saw the flames on the mountain burning steadily. I couldn’t understand how it started… What could have sparked it?”

“All the buildings at the temple were wooden; they’d catch fire easily. Once ignited, it’d be difficult to extinguish.”

“What about the temple master of Leiqing Temple? Did he make it out?”

“I wouldn’t know if he escaped the fire or not.”

“On my way back, I did run into the two young disciples from the temple. They were fleeing in a panic, though,” Xu Mu said, his worry showing. “When I tried to ask them about you and the temple master, they wouldn’t answer. I’m not sure if they, too, encountered the ghostly procession or if something else happened.”

Pausing, he added, “I noticed they were carrying quite a bit of silver as well. Since the temple master was bedridden, I can't help but be concerned.”

“Mr. Xu, you’re truly a kind-hearted man,” Song You replied, his tone as sincere as ever. “As for the temple master—whether he survives is up to fate. It’ll depend on his fortune.”

“Indeed...” Xu Mu nodded, clearly inclined to believe in such matters, letting out a long sigh. “The temple master at Leiqing Temple has real skills. Over the years, even though he charged high fees and loved to collect wealth, I’ve heard he genuinely did some good deeds for the people nearby. He should be alright.”

Song You simply smiled without commenting further.

The two horses were tethered in the courtyard; the swordsman's black horse needed to be tied, while the jujube-red horse stood quietly without restraint.

Xu Mu led Song You to his elderly mother’s room.

From the doorway, Song You saw Xu Mu’s mother—her hair fully white, looking frail and elderly—as she sat quietly on the edge of the bed, staring at the floor without moving. There seemed nothing outwardly unusual about her.

The room had the distinct scent of age.

“She’s calm at the moment. But she has these strange episodes, sometimes talking to herself or making odd gestures a few times each day,” Xu Mu explained with a somewhat embarrassed smile. “The rest of the time, she’s either normal or, like now, sitting silently, completely still. She was gesturing about this afternoon.”

Seeing his mother sitting there quietly, Xu Mu added, “No rush, sir. I’ll have some food prepared first. You can eat and rest here tonight, and I’ll let you know when she has another one of those episodes.”

Song You took a deep breath, faintly sensing an air of death in the room, but he said nothing, instead bowing politely to Xu Mu. “I won’t decline your hospitality, then. Thank you for the trouble.”

“No trouble at all, sir—you’re here to help; how could it be a disturbance?”

Song You smiled at Xu Mu’s words and added, “My companion and I aren’t picky—we’re used to eating and sleeping in the open. No need for anything fancy; an ordinary meal and a simple place to sleep will be more than enough. Anything more, and we’d feel undeserving.”

“Not to worry, sir! It’s no trouble at all.”

Xu Mu led Song You into the main hall, invited them to sit, and called for his wife to start cooking. Then, he headed out to buy some meat and wine.

During this time, faint murmurs came from his mother’s room, the familiar sound of an elderly person talking to themselves. This piqued the curiosity of Lady Calico, who trotted over to the door and sat there, staring intently as if trying to understand. Song You, however, simply turned his head briefly to listen. Then, after a moment’s thought, he resumed his calm composure.

When Xu Mu returned, bringing with him both meat and freshly brewed wine, the room had quieted down again. Song You didn’t mention the earlier sounds; he continued conversing with Xu Mu as usual.

The north was poorer than the south, and last year’s harvest had been poor. While Xu Mu’s family wasn’t impoverished, they couldn’t often afford lavish meals. But his wife was a capable homemaker, and she managed to whip up an impressive meal on short notice.

The first peas of the season had just ripened, fresh and tender. His wife used them in a stir-fry with preserved meat, then placed cooked rice over the top and let it steam through, resulting in a flavorful dish similar to “konggan rice[1].” The meat Xu Mu had bought was used for a soup with meatballs, accompanied by a side of greens—its aroma filled the kitchen as it was prepared.

When the meal was ready, Xu Mu's wife first brought a bowl to Xu Mu's mother’s room, where she stayed to look after her, leaving him to entertain their guests.

The home-brewed wine, still young and cloudy, was served in rough bowls.

“Forgive our simple, local brew. It can’t compare to the fine wines of Changjing, but I hope you’ll find it adequate,” Xu Mu said.

“We are mere passersby of Changjing,” Song You replied, smiling.

“Even coarse wine can make you drunk.”

“Meow...”

“As long as both of you and our feline guest don’t mind. Tomorrow, I’ll invite my older brother to join us, too. He lives here in town and is also very friendly and welcoming to guests and visitors. It’s too late today; I’ll call him over tomorrow. We’ll host you properly then,” Xu Mu said, encouraging everyone to start eating. “Our meal may be modest, but the meatball soup and pea rice—these are my mother’s favorites.”

“In that case, make sure she enjoys plenty,” Song You said with a nod.

“Ha, no need to worry about that...”

Under the warm glow of oil lamps, everyone enjoyed the meal and drinks heartily.

During the meal, Xu Mu's mother had another brief spell of rambling, prompting Song You to check in, though he quietly returned to his seat without comment. The swordsman, with a high tolerance for alcohol, drank freely without showing a hint of drunkenness.

Xu Mu, a bit tipsy after dinner, forgot to ask Song You if he’d observed anything unusual and instead retreated to his room, quickly falling into a deep sleep.

Afterward, Xu Mu's wife prepared a guest room, laying out clean bedding. Song You, Lady Calico, and the swordsman settled in for the night at Xu Mu's home. Xu Mu's elderly mother, however, was restless throughout the night.

Xu Mu's wife was both afraid of disturbing their guests and wary of any unseen spirits. She was worried about her mother-in-law’s well-being, so she tried her best to comfort her. In the stillness of the night, all sounds from the elderly woman’s room drifted clearly into the ears of Song You and Lady Calico.

Every time a noise stirred from that direction, Lady Calico would wriggle out of the blankets. She would crane her neck to stare toward the source, her boundless curiosity on full display.

The next morning, Xu Mu's wife prepared a pot of meat porridge likely intended for the elderly lady, which Song You and his companions gratefully enjoyed as well.

After their meal, Xu Mu's mother had another episode. She was speaking to herself, making strange gestures. Xu Mu and his wife took turns trying to comfort her, yet their expressions revealed growing unease.

The old woman muttered as if to an invisible presence, searching for clothes as if to dress someone, or gathering rice grains despite having just eaten.

Just as Xu Mu was about to turn and ask the Daoist whether his mother was being disturbed by minor ghosts or under some form of possession, he saw that the Daoist and the swordsman had already packed their belongings and were standing quietly behind him, ready to leave.

“I was just about to bid you both farewell.”

“You’re leaving so soon, sir?” Xu Mu asked.

“Rest assured,” Song You replied, standing calmly with his jujube-red horse at his side. Its reins were loose yet the horse remained still behind him. Lady Calico, seated at his feet, was gently licking her paws. “I observed Madam both last night and this morning; no minor ghosts came to disturb her, nor is there any trace of evil energy upon her. All her strange behaviors are, in fact, quite ordinary.”

“Then it must be...” Xu Mu was momentarily taken aback.

“It's merely that she has aged, nearing the end of her days. Her mind becomes clouded, and she’s in a daze,” Song You explained patiently, glancing toward Xu Mu's mother. “Your mother has endured hardship, yet she was fortunate to have devoted children to care for her. To reach this age without major illness is truly rare.”

“Near... Near the end?” Xu Mu stammered, a stunned look on his face.

“Exactly.”

“Then... Then why does she talk nonsense, greeting people who aren’t there?” he asked, voice trembling.

“Her mind wanders,” Song You replied gently, repeating himself. “In old age, people tend to dwell on the past, memories of loved ones coming to the surface. In her heart, she believes she sees those she once knew. Sometimes, she can't even remember their names—though it’s not truly forgotten, just buried deep.”

“And now...” Xu Mu looked again at his mother, confusion filling his face.

“You might not understand her words, but I could make out a little,” Song You explained. “It seems she still worries, recalling the hardships she endured to raise her children, fearing they may go hungry or cold. The memories are deeply ingrained.”

He shook his head thoughtfully. “I am knowledgeable in this matter. Our meeting is fated, and you’ve treated me kindly with good food and hospitality, so I won't deceive you. This is the truth. Seek out others if you will, but unless they are mere charlatans, they’ll confirm the same.”

Xu Mu's face softened, and memories surfaced—his mother's sacrifices to raise him and his siblings, her unwavering care through hard times. He turned to see her, gazing absently and sorting through clothes with her movements fragile yet intent, and felt a lump rise in his throat. He opened his mouth to argue, but the words failed him.

He knew enough to distinguish truth from superstition.

“Having eaten two meals at your table and spent a night here, yet unable to provide much assistance, I feel I owe you an apology,” Song You said, observing Xu Mu's mother with her nearly pure silver hair and neat attire. “But I must tell you that, in my estimation, her time is near—within three days at most.”

He continued, with a calmness that made it seem less sorrowful, “A peaceful, painless passing from natural causes has always been a rare blessing. There’s no need for deep grief; simply offer her the food she loves, and if you can, gather your distant siblings to be with her. That will be enough.”

Xu Mu stared blankly, his eyes already red-rimmed. Beside him, his wife covered her face, softly weeping.

Song You gave them a respectful bow, expressing his thanks before quietly taking his leave, guiding the calico cat and his jujube-red horse out of the Xu household.

1. Konggan rice is a traditional rice cooking method where partially cooked rice is piled, ventilated with chopstick holes, and slow-cooked to form a light crust at the bottom. ☜