Zhang Xi bowed his head and said, "I haven't seen the young master for three months. Now it's the chill of early spring, and the young master has always been frail. As an old servant, I am worried, so I came to check on him."
Zhang Yan laughed effortlessly and said, "We cultivators feast on the wind and drink the dew, immune to cold and heat. Uncle Xi, you need not worry."
Uncle Xi looked at Zhang Yan with a fleeting expression, as if he had something he wanted to say but hesitated.
"Uncle Xi, you came at just the right time. Stay here tonight and share with me some amusing tales from the foot of the mountain. Cangwu Mountain has many beautiful sights; another day, bring some provisions when you go down with the merchants," Zhang Yan said warmly. He could see that Uncle Xi had other motives for coming up the mountain, but Zhang Yan, being composed and reserved, wasn't in any hurry to inquire, simply speaking with pleasantries.
Just as Zhang Yan was about to head inside, Uncle Xi suddenly grabbed his sleeve and said, "Ah, young master, as your old servant, there's something I must say."
Zhang Yan turned back, his expression gentle, and said, "Uncle Xi, you raised me since I was young. Speak freely; there's no need for restraint."
Uncle Xi heaved several sighs and said, "Young master, you've been on Cangwu Mountain for three years. If you count carefully, how many have truly become immortals and achieved the Dao in this time? Your late grandfather, once the Yunzhou Governor, and your father, before his passing, had high hopes for you. They wished for you to honor the family name. You should be studying for the imperial exams, not wasting your prime years on this mountain!"
Zhang Yan, however, only laughed heartily. He took a few steps forward and stood still at one point, extending a finger to point above the wall of the cavern. "Uncle Xi, look at this. There's a poem inscribed up here that has accompanied me these three years, yet I've never understood it. But upon seeing it today, I find it perfectly resonates with my heart."
Uncle Xi was surprised that Zhang Yan had suddenly veered the topic to poetry. However, since the young master had taken interest in verse, Uncle Xi naturally encouraged it. As someone who had studied poetry and books himself, he moved closer and looked up. He noticed the poem was dated to the Early Yongping era, knowing this meant it was written one hundred thirty-three years ago. Yet the engravings seemed deeply etched into the stone, more vivid than if carved anew.
He read aloud slowly, "Bones in the Golden Hall, buried beneath yellow mud. A half cup of murky wine, offered to lords long gone. Awake from today's ephemeral dream, ask of the immortal, not of sorrow…"
Zhang Yan sighed deeply and exclaimed, "'Awake from today's ephemeral dream, ask of the immortal, not of sorrow.' Well said! Truly well said! Uncle Xi, you see, this is precisely the reflection of my heart."
Heaven does not abandon people—rebirth offers a second chance. In this life, the path to the Great Dao stretches open before him. How could he squander heaven's gift to retreat into worldly riches and honors?
Uncle Xi shook his head despondently. The young master had read too much of fantastical tales about immortals and monsters, poisoned deeply by these notions. How could anyone believe such ethereal and fleeting pursuits? He sighed, "Young master, your aptitude isn't high. Cultivation is beyond your reach. Why suffer like this..."
"My aptitude isn't high?"
Zhang Yan's originally calm demeanor shifted slightly. His brows furrowed lightly as he said, "Uncle Xi, where did you hear such a thing?"
Uncle Xi was startled, as if realizing he had misspoken, and immediately shrank back, too afraid to respond.
Zhang Yan's gaze sharpened momentarily, then he sighed and said, "When you came here, what did the Zhou Family People say to you?"
Uncle Xi replied without thinking, "The Zhou Family People said..."
Before he could finish, his face drained of color, realizing he had accidentally let something slip. His lips trembled for a moment before he fell to his knees with a thud, clutching Zhang Yan's robe, sobbing, "Young master, the Zhou Family People found me and said they knew you were cultivating here. They told me to persuade you to come down the mountain, or else you'll face the Zhou Family's harsh measures. Young master, the Zhou Family is powerful; we cannot afford to provoke them."
So it had finally come to this—the Zhou Family had indeed found him.
Zhang Yan's eyes flashed with a gleam of clarity as he shook his head. "Uncle Xi, you've been deceived. If the Zhou Family knew my whereabouts, why would they still need you to act? Wouldn't it be unnecessary?"
"What?" Uncle Xi froze. "Young master, are you saying the Zhou Family doesn't know you're here?"
Zhang Yan sneered coldly. "They likely suspected I was in Cangwu Mountain earlier, but this place isn't their backyard. Searching for me takes some effort. Yet now that you've come, finding me will be all too easy for them."
"Ah?"
"Haha, well, someone has indeed grown a bit wiser after spending years on this mountain," came a sudden laugh from the doorway.
A striking young man in a white lan shan robe strode inside. His eyes were narrow and sharp, his nose straight and strong, his lips thin and taut, and his brows carried an air of innate arrogance.
He scrutinized Zhang Yan with his piercing gaze and broke into a sudden smile, saying, "Brother-in-law, seeking immortality is fraught with countless perils and trials. With your talents, your achievements will always be limited. My elder sister is there to protect you, ensuring a life of peace and wealth. Why persist on this mountain amidst cold dew and wild grass? Return home, care for your parents with diligence, and enjoy the life of a mortal. Wouldn't that be much more carefree?"
Before Zhang Yan could respond, the young man chuckled again, continuing, "Although you've ascended the mountain privately this time, the family understands you've been influenced by others. They won't hold it against you. Hurry back with me." Though his words seemed to coax, his tone carried an unmistakable air of command.