Unintended Immortality

Chapter 172: Rainbow After the Rain

“In Changjing City...”

“What’s the problem?”

“If it were half a year ago, even with the heavy yang energy in the city, it wouldn’t have been much trouble for me to make a trip inside. But recently, I’ve heard that the City God of Changjing has gone mad, patrolling every day, hunting demons and ghosts. Though I possess some skill in concealing my whereabouts, the City God is particularly adept at finding and summoning spirits.”

The scholar ghost appeared troubled. “Moreover, I’ve stolen things in the city before, so I’m rather hesitant to return.”

“My name is Song You,” the Daoist repeated. “If you are stopped by the martial officers of the City God’s temple, just give them my name, and you should be able to get out of trouble.”

“...” The scholar ghost was startled once more, quickly bowing in panic.

“I understand!”

“Thank you in advance for your help.”

“Don’t mention it.”

“Please take care of yourself, and proceed cautiously. If you encounter any danger, prioritize your own safety.”

“Farewell...”

The Daoist bowed to him, and the scholar ghost bowed in return.

Moments later, the scholar ghost transformed into a wisp of green smoke, slipping through a hole in the window and vanishing into the night.

The Daoist glanced outside. The world beyond was still shrouded in darkness, though dawn was approaching.

He gently stroked the cat beside him. Instead of continuing to meditate, he lay down, a few thoughts lingering in his mind. Slowly, with his eyes closed, he drifted into sleep.

The calico cat curled back into a ball, covering its head with its paws, and squinted its eyes to return to its slumber.

Then, the oil lamp in the room flickered out.

“Cock-a-doodle-doo...” With the rooster’s crow, the day began to break.

The calico cat was the first to raise its head. The sky outside had turned a deep blue. As the rooster crowed a few more times, the cat rubbed its eyes. Unable to contain its curiosity, it leaped onto the window, staring out.

The day grew brighter, but the sky remained dim and cloudy. It had started to rain outside.

Perhaps because the Daoist had returned late the previous night and cultivated until midnight, he hadn't gotten enough rest and ended up sleeping well into the day.

“What time is it?”

“Hmm?”

“What time is it, Lady Calico?”

“It's daytime!”

“...” The Daoist shook his head and let it go.

Sitting up in bed, he wiped his face and straightened his clothes. Getting out of bed, he put on his shoes and walked outside. All he could hear was the sound of rain, a gentle and steady patter.

When he opened the door, he saw that the rain was coming down quite heavily.

His steps came to a halt at the entrance. He could only take one more step forward; any more and he would step beyond the shelter of the thatched roof. The ground had already become thoroughly soaked, and water kept splashing over. The dirt at the doorway had turned into wet mud.

The Daoist looked up at the sky, thinking that the rain probably wouldn’t last much longer.

There were several zhang between where he stood and the main hall.

After a brief moment of hesitation, he turned back and strapped on his bundle. He then took the long box in one hand and scooped up the groggy cat in the other before he locked the door and made his way across the courtyard. Stepping on the stone slabs, he quickly crossed the yard and reached the main hall.

Inside, there was only one person eating. It was none other than Heroine Wu.

She held a bowl in her hands and glanced back at him, then called out to the innkeeper, “Your other guest is awake. Could you bring another bowl of porridge, please?”

“Coming right up!”

Song You nodded to her and sat down at the same table.

The innkeeper soon arrived with their meal. A bowl of wild vegetable porridge, a boiled egg, and a spoonful of pickles on top—this was the simple breakfast offered by the inn.

“Take your time. If the porridge or pickles aren't enough, just let me know, and I'll bring more,” the innkeeper said.

“Thank you,” the Daoist softly replied and took the egg. He tapped it on the table to crack it and began peeling it slowly.

“Rrrrrr...” A soft rolling sound came from the table. Looking up, he saw the other boiled egg rolling over toward him.

The Daoist raised his gaze to glance at the woman across from him. She simply nodded toward the calico cat with her chin.

“Thank you,” the Daoist said once more.

The woman remained silent, holding the bottom of her bowl in one hand while using chopsticks to shovel food with the other. Her eyes were fixed on the rain outside. Once the innkeeper had walked away, she finally spoke.

“What was that noise coming from your room last night?”

“Is this okay?”

“Very good.”

The Daoist stood next to the horse, casually took the bowl of water, and walked into a spot where the sunlight shone directly. He found the right angle, and under the watchful eyes of everyone, bowed his head to take a sip before spraying the water out.

“Pfft...” A fine mist of water sprayed out from his mouth.

Immediately, a ray of rainbow light appeared in the sunlight.

“...!” The siblings were astonished.

As they watched the visible mist dance and fall, a short, curved rainbow hung in the air. They both found it incredibly magical.

“Is this magic?”

“No.”

“Then is it a trick?”

“It can be called a trick, but it’s not exactly that either.”

As the mist settled to the ground, the rainbow gradually faded and disappeared. The Daoist handed the bowl back to them, smiling as he said to the siblings, “You can try too! Just follow my example. As long as the water you spray is fine and plentiful enough, you’ll be able to see a rainbow.”

“We can do it too?”

“Of course.”

“...”

The sister, still skeptical, took a sip from the bowl. It made her cheeks puff up, and her mouth became small and moist, rosy red. After taking a deep breath, she opened her mouth to spray out the water. “Pfft...”

“Why didn’t it work?”

“Try again.”

“Pfft...”

“I did it!”

The two children immediately burst into joy. Not only them, but even the grown woman beside them found it amusing.

The children began to play, taking turns. Sometimes they succeeded, and other times they didn’t, spraying out little rainbows that would disappear moments later.

Before long, the bowl of water was empty. Seeing this, the siblings finally reacted.

The sister quickly turned around, bowing repeatedly to the Daoist beside her. “Thank you, Daoist elder!”

The brother immediately followed suit and bowed. “Thank you, Daoist elder!”

The woman sitting on the horse raised an eyebrow. “Aren’t you going to thank me?”

“Thank you, heroine!”

“Are you happy now?”

“Yes, of course!”

“Me too!”

“What a pity it’s fake...” the brother said with a hint of regret.

Hearing this, the Daoist turned to the little boy and asked, “Why do you say this rainbow is fake?”

“Because a real one is bigger, lasts longer, and hangs in the sky,” the boy replied. “My mother said we can make wishes on it, just like with shooting stars. Every time we make a wish, my father will come back.”

“I see,” the Daoist nodded, smiling.

The sister, being more considerate than her brother, worried the Daoist might feel upset. So, she quickly added, “But we’re still grateful, Daoist elder!”

“You're welcome.” The Daoist withdrew his gaze and didn’t say anything else.

He simply stepped forward.

The siblings stood by the wall watching them, and the sister's voice rang out, “Daoist elder, heroine, please take care. If you come again, stay at our home.”

“Sure.”

“Thank you...”

The heroine on horseback and the Daoist slowly walked away.

The siblings, holding their empty bowls and about to head home, suddenly heard the Daoist’s voice from afar. “Please look behind you.”

Upon hearing this, the siblings quickly turned around, and a rainbow stretched across the sky.