I became an immortal in the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 3: Willing to Follow the Immortals and Learn the Dao of Immortality
Jiang She is climbing a mountain with Li Bai.

The mountain path is lined with large bamboo groves, which are even greener after a recent heavy rain, and the air is fresh. Mount Lumen is not high, only a couple hundred feet high, so the walk along the mountain path is not far.

Occasionally, one or two deer would disappear into the woods, showing no fear upon seeing the two people.

Jiang She withdrew his gaze.

Li Bai carried a sword on his back, dressed in white, looking like a wandering knight.

He was very knowledgeable and had a good memory: "Legend has it that during the Later Han Dynasty, Emperor Guangwu toured Xiangzhou and dreamed of a mountain god, which was two deer. Later, he ordered the Marquis of Xiangyang to build a shrine on the mountain, which became the Deer Gate Temple."

"These deer live in the forest, and over time, they have acquired a kind of spiritual energy and are not afraid of people."

Have you ever heard of the mountain gods of Mount Lumen? I wonder if they are two deer.

The Marquis of Xiangyang, named Xi Yu, shared a dream with Emperor Guangwu of Han, Liu Xiu, about a mountain god, and was thus granted a marquisate. This earthly conferment of a marquisate, followed by Pang Degong's reclusion, adds an even more mystical aura to this beautiful and spiritually significant place.

It was for this reason that Meng Haoran went into seclusion on Mount Lumen and became friends with Li Bai, who was traveling around.

As they approached the summit, Li Bai sized up his companions.

This man, who looked to be about the same age as him, possessed a leisurely and relaxed demeanor, and his breathing was even, which was quite rare. This time, he could see clearly that the misty rain was falling on the two of them.

Li Bai's own clothes were already damp and wet.

The other person, however, was dry.

How does one keep their clothes dry from the rain?
Jiang She naturally noticed Li Bai's undeniable gaze.

Suddenly, a thought struck him, and he asked with amusement:

"Young master, you have been probing me for a long time. Do you wish to inquire about matters concerning immortals and gods?"

Li Bai readily admitted, asking, "I see that there isn't a drop of rain on your body. Is this some kind of Taoist practice? I've never heard of it before."

"It doesn't count as their Taoist practices."

"It's just a dust-repelling spell I cast; rain-soaked clothes are hard to wash."

He created a method simply because rainwater would wet his clothes and he found it troublesome to wash them.
What a leisurely and carefree spirit!

Li Bai was always strong and healthy. He had been learning swordsmanship since childhood. Even after walking such a long mountain road, his breathing remained steady. Some people had even offered to teach him swordsmanship and guide him to the path of Taoism.

"Is it possible for someone like me to learn this kind of method?"

"can."

He spoke casually, but as soon as he said this, the bamboo groves on both sides rustled and seemed to sway in the breeze. Li Bai slowed his pace as he walked along the mountain path, and his tone carried a hint of respect.

"May I ask what you need...?"

Before he could finish speaking, Jiang She suddenly looked into the distance.

A breeze arises naturally in the bamboo grove.

A slight, inconspicuous breeze stirred, and Li Bai, somewhat bewildered and unsure of what was happening, simply looked up with Jiang She.

"We have a guest."

Behind the bamboo grove, a pale deer stepped down from the meadow, its movements divine and sacred.

This old deer possesses divine qualities; any mortal who sees it will immediately exclaim that it is a divine deer. If an official were to see such a sacred creature, he would surely proclaim it an auspicious omen and present it to the emperor.

Old Deer walked up to the two of them.

Facing the river, it bent its front hooves and bowed.

Spoken words:

"I am the mountain god of Mount Lumen. Thank you for the incense stick!"

"You are too kind, Mountain God."

Just then, Jiang She encountered the mountain god and asked, "I have heard that during the Jin Dynasty, there was a man named Pang Degong who encountered an immortal. Was that the work of the mountain god?"

The mountain god was lifted up by an unseen force, and it recalled the past.

"Six or seven hundred years ago, there was an old man who studied Taoism with the little god. He spoke with extraordinary manners and should be the Pang Degong that you mentioned."

"and then?"

He passed away at the age of 120.

Li Bai glanced at him sideways.

It is rare for a person to live to seventy, yet Pang Degong lived to be one hundred and twenty years old. If the people in the court knew this, they would probably think he was a true immortal.

Jiang She nodded.

"I see. I've heard that the mountain gods of Mount Lumen are two white deer. I wonder where the other one is?"

The mountain god replied, "My time is up, my magic is waning, and I have already passed away. I must thank you for offering me a stick of incense, sir, to extend my life by ten years." Li Bai listened intently.

Jiang Langjun lit incense in front of him. The incense was brought by them, and it was just sticks that Yuan Danqiu had personally twisted. There was nothing magical about it.

Just a stick of incense.

It can actually extend the lifespan of the mountain god by ten years?

If word got out, the threshold would probably be worn down by high-ranking officials and nobles. Qin Shi Huang conquered the six kingdoms and ruled the world, but in the end, all he sought was immortality.

Jiang She sighed, looking at the old deer withered and frail.

“I offer incense simply to thank you for sheltering me from the rain. The mountain god protects our village and deserves our offerings; there’s no need for further formalities.”

"The mountain god specifically called me over; it's probably not just to express his gratitude. Is there something important he needs to discuss?"

The elderly White Deer Mountain God bowed in respect.

"I can't hide it from you, sir. I have a request to make of you—"

"There is a family surnamed Lu at the foot of the mountain. Their ancestors saved the life of the little god, and the little god promised to take care of their descendants."

“These days, the eldest son of that family has somehow gotten into trouble with something evil, and his personality has changed drastically. He keeps thinking about selling his land to make money and seek wealth. He has already sold most of his family’s property.”

"The Lu family offered incense and begged for help. I noticed that his face was pale, so I performed a ritual to exorcise the evil spirits, but it was ineffective."

"We hope that you will set things right."

The White Deer Mountain God sighed and bowed. It did not want to ask anyone for help, but it had no other choice and could only place its hopes on this passing gentleman.

Suddenly, the earth broke open, and a blade of grass, indistinguishable from wild grass, sprouted from it, tied with a red rope, trying to push its way out of the ground, its roots faintly visible. Li Bai found it intriguing and examined it closely, wondering what kind of wondrous method this was. Then, the mountain god lightly stepped on the ground, and a plump, white ginseng emerged from the earth, resembling a human figure, with facial features vaguely discernible.

Jiang She's gaze showed no greed; such a valuable ginseng was right in front of him, yet he had no intention of taking it.

“This ginseng has grown for eight hundred years and has now become a spirit. When it grew, the world was still ruled by the Han Dynasty, which is extremely rare.”

"Let it continue to grow."

"The scenery is beautiful in April. I can go down the mountain for a spring outing. Why should I be so polite to the mountain god?"

The White Deer Mountain God was then lifted up by a force and stood up again.

The wild grass tied with a red string on the ground was pressed back down by an invisible hand and buried in the soil.

There's no reason to make someone come all this way for nothing. Judging from his temperament, he seems to be someone who doesn't care much about material things, which makes things difficult.

The old deer mountain god's white beard trembled slightly:

"It is I who have troubled you, sir. I have received your incense offerings and gained ten years of life. I have also troubled you to do so much for me. I am deeply grateful and will never forget your kindness."

"It is springtime now, and the mountain is full of wild produce. They are not anything valuable, but I would like to give you some as a token of my appreciation."

"I hope you will accept this, sir!"

As the myth of White Deer Mountain fades away.

After the rain, the mountains were lush and green, with ripe wild berries, tender tea buds, spring bamboo shoots dripping with dew, and river fish thawing in the mountain streams... Several red-billed, yellow-bellied birds fluttered their wings and carried the fish over, while behind them, a dwarf deer offered tender tea buds and leaves, and a tiger carried a fish and placed it on the grass. The mountain beasts seemed to understand human nature.

The wild azaleas in the mountains, following the words of the mountain god, grew luxuriantly, revealing their stamens and unfolding their purplish-red buds.

It is a magnificent sight, resembling a rosy cloud.

Li Bai was taken aback; as far as the eye could see, the mountain flowers were like embroidered brocade.

The onlookers were awestruck and their spirits were shaken.

What he saw that day shattered all his previous beliefs. He realized that there really were gods in the world, and that he could meet enlightened masters. There were ginseng roots that were eight hundred years old, mountain beasts that seemed to understand human nature, and strange flowers that bloomed all over the mountain in just a few breaths.

The mountain god bowed and retreated step by step.

In the vast expanse of heaven and earth, only a soft verse remained, a gift from the mountain god of Mount Lumen:
"I have nothing to offer but a year of spring."

Spring rain has freshened the mountains, and verdant mists float in the air.

Only two people remained on the mountaintop.

Jiang She looked down at the mountain delicacies. The old mountain god left before he could refuse. The tea leaves and bamboo shoots were fine, but the live fish left behind were still jumping around on the ground, full of energy.

He was troubled.

Li Bai carried a long sword on his back.

With solemn expression, he respectfully performed the disciple's salute.

"Disciple Li Bai is willing to follow the immortal to learn the Dao and pursue immortality, without any regrets!"

(End of this chapter)