Longevity - Chapter 60

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 60: Honoring a Final Request
Gakjoasan

stood before him.
Jangseong stood by the riverbank, gazing at the roofs rising beyond the mountain ridge. The Hwaecheon Pill in his breast felt heavy against his chest.

Before meeting his master, he had never set foot beyond his hometown. But after Nayangja passed, he had walked thousands of li alone.
Hunted by bandits, bitten by vipers, fleeing the blades of martial artists. He had nearly died countless times, yet here he stood at last. In that, at least, he had not betrayed his master’s final wish.
The thought struck him, and his eyes burned. He lifted his sleeve, then let it fall. He hadn’t even met Nasyunja yet. Nothing was finished until the pill was in his hands.
He began by hauling the small boat moored at the riverbank into the tall grass. The waterlogged hull scraped through mud as he dragged it. Jangseong leaned back against the boat’s rail, his body nearly horizontal with effort.
The boat barely moved. After several more pulls, long grasses completely concealed the hull. He wiped his mud-caked hands on his clothes and stepped into the forest.
The main road lay just nearby, but he did not take it. Walking between the trees while keeping watch on the path, he made toward the mountain when the sound of hoofbeats approached rapidly from behind.

“Make way!”

Jangseong instinctively pressed himself behind a tree. A carriage bearing men in lavish robes rolled past, trailing dust. Behind it followed four Daoists in blue robes, riding hard.
One of them glanced at the Daoist ahead in a brown robe and laughed.

“I heard Daoist left earlier than the rest of us, yet here you are only now?”
“The inns below the mountain were all full. I spent half the night searching for a room.”
“We’ll count ourselves lucky if we can just pass the mountain gate by today.”

The horses faded into distance. Jangseong peered out from behind the tree. He had thought Daoists heading to Gakjoasan would wear the same robes, but their garments varied in color, sleeve shape, and crown style.

Shortly after, martial artists bearing swords passed in small groups. Some rode horses, others lounged on carts. He saw no disciples of Gaebang, yet he did not emerge onto the road. There was no guarantee that only Gaebang sought the Secret Manual.
After following the forest for over ten li more, the mountain opened suddenly before him. Jangseong halted.
Gakjoasan

was not a single peak. Five summits enclosed by walls spread widely before him, each crowned with a Daoist temple. He could not tell at a glance which one to seek.
Just then, a man carrying a bamboo basket emerged from a side path. Jangseong cautiously blocked his way.

“Pardon me, but might you tell me where the mountain gate of Gakjoasan

lies?”

The man gave Jangseong’s ragged clothes a once-over, then pointed south with his chin.

“Just follow where the people go. Today you couldn’t get lost even if you tried.”
“Thank you.”

The man asked nothing further and moved on with a shrug.
When Jangseong descended the southern slope, the man’s meaning became clear. Before a tall stone gate, a circular plaza was packed with carriages and palanquins, and along the forest’s edge, horses stood tied in long rows. Daoists receiving guests ushered one group into the mountain, then rushed at once to the next.
Jangseong concealed himself in the forest well away from the gate. To quiet his hunger, he dug up and chewed several aralia roots, when raised voices erupted at the gate.

“We’ve ridden for days to get here, and you tell us to turn back at the very entrance?”

Two middle-aged men were quarreling with a Daoist usher. One of them rummaged through his robes and sleeves, sweat beading on his brow.

“My traveling companion surely has it. Please, just call that person from inside.”
“I’ll need their name and affiliation first. Without verification, I cannot allow you entry.”
“You don’t recognize my face?”
“Do you know how many people have arrived today? If I let someone through without proof, I’ll be the one punished.”

While the two men blocked the way, guests behind them began voicing complaints. Other ushers hurried over and split the queue in two, allowing those with documents to pass first.
Jangseong chewed the bitter root in his mouth. The papers the guests withdrew were surely invitation permits or something equivalent. Even if he presented his letter, it was unlikely the usher at the gate would deliver it directly to Nasyunja.
He waited until the crowd thinned.
* * *
After the afternoon hour passed, fewer carriages entered the plaza. Jangseong emerged from the forest and walked toward the gate. When he was halfway there, a young Daoist stepped out from behind a roadside tree, smoothing his robes. As their eyes met, the Daoist coughed awkwardly and straightened his posture first.
Jangseong pretended not to see and pressed his palms together in greeting.

“Master Daoist, I wish to meet with Abbot Nasyunja.”
“Boundless Heaven. How does a young immortal know our Abbot Nasyunja?”
“I’ve brought something to deliver from a very distant place.”

The Young Daoist looked Jangseong up and down, then wore an uncomfortable expression.

“That won’t be possible today. We’re hosting the Shangqing Dharma Gathering this year

here at Gakjoasan.

Daoists from every school of Shangqing and sect leaders who came to observe the gathering fill the mountain. The Abbot has been greeting guests since dawn—he hardly has time to drink a single sip of water.”

Jangseong first confirmed that no one was passing nearby, then produced a silver coin.

“Just let me speak with him once. It’s truly urgent.”
“Please, don’t do this.”

The Daoist hid both hands behind his back.

“I’m not trying to obstruct you. If I escort you in now for this matter, I’ll be chased off the mountain before you ever reach the Abbot.”
“Then I’ll wait here. Please deliver my message when things settle down a bit.”
“The gathering doesn’t end today. It’s held once every three years and lasts for several days. During that time, ordinary visitors are barred from the mountain.”

Jangseong forced the silver coin into the Daoist’s hand and retreated toward the forest.

“I’ll wait until the gathering ends. Please tell him once you have a moment.”
“No, I’m telling you it’s absolutely impossible for several days!”

The Daoist followed after Jangseong with the coin in hand. As Jangseong continued deeper into the forest, the Daoist finally lowered his voice and called him back.

“Young immortal.”

Jangseong turned around.

“I can’t stop you from waiting. But the Sect Leader has ordered that no visitors be admitted during the gathering, so the rules must be respected.”
“I understand.”
“In particular, don’t go toward Dongsan. The ground outside the wall there is elevated—even a child could easily climb over. If you slip in without permission and get caught by a patrol Daoist, you’ll be dragged before the Abbot for interrogation and cast down the mountain immediately.”

Jangseong put on a startled expression.

“Such a place exists? I’ll absolutely not go there.”
“I’m not showing you the way. I’m clearly warning you.”

The Young Daoist tossed back the silver coin and headed toward the mountain gate. Jangseong picked up the coin that had fallen in the grass and tucked it into his robe.

“Master Daoist, thank you.”

The Daoist quickened his pace and waved his hand dismissively behind him.
* * *
It took an hour to find the Dongsan wall. Jangseong avoided the main road and circled around the mountainside. As he moved eastward along the wall, the outer ground grew higher, and soon he found a spot where he could reach the top of the wall with an outstretched hand.
He didn’t climb over immediately. Instead, he placed his Staff across his knees. When he pulled out the wooden stopper at the end, a Hwaecheon Pill sealed with beeswax emerged from inside. For something that had rolled thousands of leagues, it remained intact. He extracted a small gold ingot, a Yosangdan Pill, and another Hwaecheon Pill in turn, distributing them among the folds of his robe.
When he set down the now-empty Staff, his hand wouldn’t let go. He had leaned on it since the days when he couldn’t use his feet. Jangseong hesitated for a long while before standing it beside him once more.
Finally, he drew out the Letter from inside his robe.
Something felt wrong about the oiled paper beneath his fingertips. One edge was torn, and the sealing wax had vanished. Jangseong held his breath and opened the envelope.
The letter was damp. The ink had seeped through to the back.

“This won’t do.”

He unfolded the paper hastily, then forced his fingers to relax. If the damp sheet tore, his master’s final words would vanish with it. Fortunately, the characters remained legible.

‘Now that I have obtained another Pill, deliver it as before in my stead. My time has run out, but I have gathered all three and kept the old promise—no regrets. There are several children I have sheltered; I beg you to take them in.’

There was no signature.
Jangseong’s hand stilled at the final line. His master had known what would come after his death. Passing on the Pill was not the only request. He had meant to entrust the orphaned children to Nasyunja as well.
At Yagyongchong, Daoist Im had said there would be another Hwaecheon Pill there too. Only now did Jangseong understand why those words had lodged in his mind. According to the letter, his master had gathered three Pills over countless years, and Nasyunja was the one who would pass that treasure on to someone else.
To whom was it meant to be given?
Jangseong folded the letter carefully. There was no knowing such things yet. First, he had to keep his promise.
He placed the letter and Pill in the deepest fold of his robe, then pulled himself up onto the wall. Inside, only dense trees met his eyes—no path, no soul in sight.
Jangseong seized his Staff and vaulted over the edge.
He had no thought of escape. His purpose was to be caught by a patrol Daoist and dragged before the abbot. He cut through the forest and climbed onto a narrow path leading west.
Before long, two Daoists emerged ahead of him.

“Stop right there!”

One of them, hand on his sword hilt, charged forward.

“Which temple do you belong to? Show your Invitation Permit.”
“I don’t have one.”
“You don’t have one? How did you get in?”

Jangseong pointed eastward.

“I climbed over the wall.”

The two Daoists fell silent for a moment. Then one wrenched the Staff from Jangseong’s grip while the other twisted his arm behind his back.

“Climbing walls during the Dharma Gathering? Come along!”

Jangseong went without resistance. As they descended into the broad valley between the five peaks, temple halls and pavilions cascaded before them in overlapping tiers. Crowds moved constantly in and out of the largest temple at the center.
When Jangseong’s eyes drifted toward it, the Daoist gripping his arm tightened his hold.

“Stop gawking.”
“Are you taking me to the abbot?”
“First we need to know who you are.”

The Daoists shoved Jangseong into a side chamber hidden from public view.

“Stay put. I’ll report to the abbot and return.”

The door closed.
The room held nothing but a few straw mats. As the sun declined, darkness pooled in the windowless space. Jangseong sat before the door and pressed his palms against the letter and Pill in his robe, one after the other, confirming they remained.
Each time footsteps sounded outside, he lifted his head. When it was not who he waited for, the sound merely faded into distance.
After some time, several people stopped in the corridor.

“Greetings to the abbot.”

A low reply came, and the door opened.
A middle-aged Daoist in a robe of deep purple stepped inside. His face was broad and square, his nose and mouth prominent; fine embroidery adorned his robe. Jangseong rose quickly.

“Are you by chance Abbot Nasyunja?”
“I am.”

Nasyunja stood in the doorway, his gaze sweeping over Jangseong’s tattered garments and mud-stained hands.

“Tell me who you are and where you come from.”

Jangseong opened his mouth, then closed it again. Should he speak first of Nayangja’s name, or recount what he had endured? His thoughts tangled. Better to show the letter than explain at length.
He drew the envelope from his robe and offered it with both hands.
Nasyunja did not take it.

“Open it.”

Jangseong withdrew the letter from the envelope. As he extended it again, Nasyunja’s eyes narrowed.

“Unfold it.”

Jangseong carefully unfolded the damp paper so it wouldn’t tear. Only then did Nasyunja take the letter.
His expression remained cold through the first few lines. But as his gaze descended, the light in his eyes shifted. When he reached the final line, Nasyunja’s head snapped up.

“Where is the object?”

Jangseong immediately produced the Hwaecheon Pill.
Nasyunja snatched it, examining the wax seal and form. Only after turning it over several times did the rigid line of his mouth soften.
Jangseong exhaled as well. He had delivered both the letter and the pill. Now he need only ask for protection for his sworn brothers.
Nasyunja placed the pill in his breast.

“What else do you carry on your person?”
“A staff and flying daggers.”

Jangseong drew the flying dagger from his waist and presented it with the hilt forward.

“I have some gold and silver as well, and medicine—”

Nasyunja’s foot pushed against the floor.
When Jangseong raised his head, a blade was already crossing toward his chest.

“How dare a mere assassin presume to strike the leader!”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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