I am a living immortal.

Lin Yiyang's eyes were filled with the zither, music, and the world, but not the woman. The woman, on the other hand, was the exact opposite. Her eyes could only hold one person, nothing else. How tragic.

"So he's in love with you?"

“That’s probably it.”

"You don't love him, so fate plays tricks on you?" said the old goat.

"Not really." Lin Yiyang seemed to be recalling, memories starting to surface from the bottom, scenes appearing before his eyes. He slowly said, "Her name is Xiaowan. In fact, the one who knew her well wasn't me, but Lin Yiyang, the master I was talking about."

"Their acquaintance was merely an accident. Xiaowan was a lady from a wealthy family, but she was tired of the strict rules of obedience and virtue in the secluded mansion. She longed for the outside world. One day, she took some jewelry and money and ran away."

"But how could a young lady know the dangers of the world? Even if she was clever and knew how to disguise herself, such disguises would be like jokes in a storybook. A person's clothing may change, but habitual movements and subconscious tone and demeanor formed over decades will never change. All of this is visible to those who are watching."

"Although the deep courtyard blocks freedom, it also blocks wind and rain."

"She was being targeted. Luckily, she wasn't stupid. She smeared some dirt on her face when she ran away. Someone thought she was just a maid who had stolen something, so they didn't want to get involved and only stole her money."

“It was only when we were eating that we realized something was wrong and were beaten again.”

"He had hit his head while running away, and the soot and blood had formed scabs on his face, making him look even more like a little beggar. He hid in the alley and sobbed softly, which scared the people around him."

"It was only my master who couldn't bear to take her home, and it caused such a joke."

"Knowing it was my daughter, I told her to go home on her own. However, the girl was very stubborn and insisted on staying."

"That's not right?" The old goat felt that something was wrong with the development of the matter.

“She likes you, right?”

"Yes. That's how unpredictable things are. Even though they've been together for a long time, they haven't developed the slightest bit of affection, calling each other brother and sister. That was until my master was beaten to death. Being too kind can sometimes be a sin."

The old goat didn't ask how he was beaten to death, and Lin Yiyang obviously didn't want to say more.

"Then I took my master's place. I didn't intend to let the girl know. She had spent enough time in the fields and it was time for her to go back. But fate played such a trick on me that even I couldn't understand it. Even though we had a similar face, she developed different feelings for me."

"The falling flowers have feelings, but the flowing water is ruthless."

"Don't you think it's fate?"

"What's the ending?" asked the old goat.

"The ending? A lady from a wealthy family always has to get married. After enough fun and drama, the family sent someone to take her away. I knew she was sad, but I didn't try to keep her. This painting was left behind when she left. It was given to her by the wealthy family along with silver. I don't know who created it."

"It was their way of telling me they knew where she was all along."

The old goat glanced at Lin Yiyang and saw that his tone was quite calm, as if this wasn't his personal experience. Perhaps he hadn't paid attention, or perhaps it was the passage of time, but he didn't show any expression at the moment.

“Then why are you hanging on?”

"Reminiscing about the past, seeing another person through the painting. Actually, back then, Lin Yiyang didn't have any special feelings for that person. You know what? Unfortunately, there are no ifs."

There was something else behind the words, and the old goat could still hear some different meaning.

"Come on, I'll take you somewhere else."

The two walked forward. Actually, the painting wasn't hung in a prominent place, but was just one of many paintings in the corridor. If the person in the painting hadn't looked somewhat like Lin Yiyang, he wouldn't have asked.

Outside was a lush forest, with occasional clouds drifting by, blowing the many paintings in the corridor. The old goat looked back, it seemed that his experience was extraordinary.

Just one of these paintings has such a story, not to mention the dozens of paintings in this corridor. These paintings depict figures and landscapes. If Lin Yiyang didn't speak, and others didn't ask, how many ups and downs would have happened? It's unknown.

Being indifferent to others doesn't mean being heartless. Time clicks onward, and when you look back, there are always one or two things that can stir up ripples in your quiet heart that you don't even understand.

Lin Yiyang wasn't as carefree as he sounded, otherwise these portraits wouldn't be hanging in the corridor. When the paper yellowed, like the memories deep in my heart, time wrought upon it.

Just like what Lin Yiyang himself said, seeing the object reminds me of the person.

If the old goat didn't ask, and Lin Yiyang didn't say anything, then it would just pass. Someday, someone like the old goat would point to a different painting and casually ask, retelling that forgotten memory as a story.

What a weird old sheep, thought the old goat.

Walking through the corridors, we came to a series of pavilions. There was one pavilion every few corridors, and apart from a perpetual lamp, there was nothing else in it, so it was more decorative than practical.

“The corridor wasn’t your idea, was it?”

Lin Yiyang walked forward and replied, "Not really. When I first built this palace, I traveled a long way and hired dozens of famous craftsmen to design it. But once it was actually built, I realized it was just too flashy and impractical."

"For example, this corridor and this pavilion have good intentions, as they provide a place for people to rest while walking along the long corridor. But when it comes to actual use, not to mention that I am not a frequent visitor, even some ordinary people in the Zhongling Mountains would not need to rest along these roads. So, the ornamental function is greater than the practical use."

"People?" asked the old goat curiously.

"You're not supporting anyone, are you?"

The old goat suddenly looked at Lin Yiyang with a strange look. "I didn't expect you to be this kind of goat. You really can't judge a person by appearance." He looked so honest, yet he actually did such a thing.

"Don't do it in front of me. I understand, but if you dance in front of me, I'll take action." The old goat had clearly misunderstood, thinking he was keeping humans captive. After all, this wasn't uncommon among the demon race. While there were many alternatives in the Zhongling Mountains, it wasn't uncommon to try something new now and then.

As for monsters eating people, that is even more common.

It's a wonder monsters don't eat humans. What's the big deal about monsters eating humans? Humans do eat humans, but they're much more vicious than monsters, sucking the marrow out of bones. The old goat didn't care, but after all, being around someone as morally upright as Su Mu had made it a habit. If someone appeared before him, he'd still attack. It wasn't about good or evil, it was just habit.