Unintended Immortality

The north wind blew snow across the land, the sharp howling piercing the ears.

Song You walked alongside the black horse, barely able to hear Doctor Cai over the wind. He glanced back at the two disciples trudging along with their heads lowered, bracing against the cold. Turning back, he continued speaking to the doctor, “Have you ever considered compiling your life’s work into a book, leaving a legacy for future generations to benefit from?”

“I have written a few books,” the doctor replied, “and they are already circulating in the world.”

“Are you referring to The Epidemic Treatise, The Herbal Treatise, The Pharmacopoeia, Canon of Acupuncture, and The Bone Treatise?” Song You asked.

“Oh?” The doctor was surprised. “You’ve heard of them?”

“I’ve read a bit,” Song You said with a nod.

Doctor Cai was the foremost medical expert of his time, and these books were considered cultural treasures, representing the pinnacle of medical knowledge in this era. Given that Song You had sought out Doctor Cai before, it was only natural that he had studied them.

Song You looked at the doctor. “But these treatises don’t seem to fully encompass your true mastery.”

“This…”

Doctor Cai hesitated from his seat on the horse, finally admitting, “It’s not that I’ve held anything back; it’s more that fate has played a trick on me, and it happened by coincidence.”

“Oh?” Song You’s interest was piqued, and he looked up at him.

“What do you mean?”

“I originally wrote another book, titled Doctor Cai’s Medical Canon. Although it is only a single volume, it encompasses all of my life’s knowledge,” Doctor Cai began. “All the other medical treatises I’ve authored are merely the surface; the deeper principles are all contained within this one book.

“If, in the future, someone were to truly grasp the contents of this book, they would understand the fundamentals of treating any epidemic. There would be no need to pray to the gods or endure the torment of plagues,” he said, his body swaying gently with the horse’s steps.

He let out a sigh. “But it seems that fate has not permitted this book to see the light of day—there have been countless obstacles along the way.”

“I’d like to hear the details,” Song You prompted.

“The first time I completed this book was fifteen years ago. It took me ten years, with many setbacks along the way. If it wasn’t being gnawed by mice, then it was being damaged by insects. I lost a great deal of time. After finishing it, however, a strong east wind tore through my thatched hut, followed by a torrential downpour that destroyed all the manuscripts in one night,” Doctor Cai recounted helplessly.

“I spent another five years rewriting the book, adding even more material this time. But then there was a landslide on Mount Beiqin. My disciples managed to pull me out safely, but the mud and rocks buried the entire hut, along with the manuscript, deep underground, now turned to mud and water.”

“It is a great blessing that you were unharmed,” Song You said.

“Indeed,” the doctor agreed. “After that, I moved to my current thatched hut and spent some time focusing on rewriting the book. I stayed close, traveling only around Angzhou. It took me three years to complete it again. But before I had the chance to disseminate the book, a group of thieves broke in. All the money and the manuscript disappeared without a trace.”

“That does sound like fate,” Song You said with a chuckle.

“Still, I did not lose heart,” Doctor Cai continued. “I started writing once more, this time having my disciples make additional copies as I went. However, I only managed to write about half before heading north. Currently, one copy is kept with the Snake Immortal, another I carry with me, and the last is stored with a disciple of mine, surnamed Chen, who runs a medical clinic in Changjing.” Ŕå₦ꝋＢĚȿ

“Are you referring to Dr. Chen of Jishi Hall on Changshou Street?”

“Oh? You even know about this?” Doctor Cai was surprised.

“Dr. Chen is a kind-hearted man who frequently offers free consultations. I heard of his reputation when I was in Changjing.”

“As long as he hasn’t strayed from my teachings, that’s good to hear.”

“Do you still have the manuscript with you, Doc?”

“I do, it’s still with me.”

“Then that’s good.”

Song You nodded, seemingly lost in thought.

As they continued walking, a city gradually came into view in the distance.

***

They had arrived at the commandery seat, Lingze County.

The group had already been staying here for several days.

The remaining doctors in the county had all gathered in a single room, covering their mouths and noses, staring at the patient lying on the sickbed.

This person had been afflicted by the plague for some time, and several days ago, had reached the critical sixth or seventh day. Now, more than ten days had passed. Not only had the patient not died, but their condition was visibly improving—they could even eat porridge.

One by one, the symptoms disappeared. The patient’s complexion regained its color, the bloodshot eyes cleared up, and their vitality returned. It was as if they had been brought back from the brink of death.

“Amazing!” The gathered doctors were astonished, their eyes wide in disbelief as they turned to look at Doctor Cai.

They were not only shocked but also filled with admiration and reverence.

In their eyes at this moment, Doctor Cai’s stature was perhaps even higher than that of the Great Emperor Chijin. If he so much as raised a hand, they would all gladly follow him.

The local officials, too, were exclaiming in surprise, bowing deeply in gratitude. Some offered congratulations; others expressed their heartfelt thanks.

Yet, Doctor Cai did not allow himself a moment of relief. He quickly stopped them from bowing, looking around, but did not see Song You.

He hurried outside, only to find the Daoist waiting for him at the door.

“Doc, you truly live up to your name—your medical skills are miraculous,” Song You said with a smile. “It seems the people of Gui Commandery may finally be saved.”

“Your contribution is immense, sir.”

“…”

Song You shook his head, unwilling to say more, and took a ceramic jar from the swordsman beside him.

“I have condensed my spiritual energy into these pills, saving a portion every day. This is all of it,” he said, handing the jar to Doctor Cai. “If it’s for a village, simply take a large vat of water and add three to five of these pills, then have everyone drink a bowl. For an entire city, throw the appropriate amount into the wells and cisterns.

“But you must warn others not to consume them secretly. If anyone is greedy for the spiritual energy within the pills and eats them without permission, it could be more harmful than beneficial. No one can predict what will happen to them.”

“This is…” Doctor Cai accepted the jar and peered inside. There were two types of pills, filling most of the jar. He looked back at Song You in surprise.

“Why are you giving me this, sir?”

“Now that you have found a treatment for the Demonic Plague, it’s up to you to spread it throughout the county. Healing the sick is not my strength; exorcizing demons is where my expertise lies,” Song You replied. “The root of the problem lies north of Hansu County, in the Snowy Plains. I leave the matters of Gui Commandery in your capable hands.”

“You’re going to the Snowy Plains to exorcize the demons?”

“The Snowy Plains are the source.”

Doctor Cai said nothing more.

The plague in Gui Commandery originated from the Snowy Plains, and its spread was likely due to the actions of the demons there. No matter how much he treated the sick, as long as the demons in the Snowy Plains remained, the plague would keep returning.

Even if they cured the Nine-Day Plague now, another epidemic—perhaps an Eight-Day or Ten-Day Plague—could emerge. Unless the plague-creating demons were eliminated, new outbreaks would continue to arise.

“Sigh…” Doctor Cai could only let out a sigh and asked, “When will you be leaving, sir?”

“Right now.”

Doctor Cai turned his head and saw that the swordsman was already leading the black horse over, while the chestnut-red horse walked alongside, both carrying packs on their backs. At their feet, the calico cat trotted along happily.

The doctor’s gaze grew complicated.

Though they had only spent a little over a month together, it had been far from an ordinary time.

Especially with the help Song You had provided.

“Your medical skills are unparalleled, and your virtue is exceptional. It’s been a great fortune for me to witness it firsthand. Our meeting was fate, but now it’s time for us to part,” Song You said. “Doc, there’s no need to feel sad. Though the world is vast, life is long. If fate allows, I believe we’ll meet again in Changjing.”

“If we do meet again, I must treat you to a proper cup of tea.”

“I have an old friend in Changjing who seems to have urgent matters to discuss with you. I believe we will cross paths once more.”

“May I ask who this old friend is, and what the matter concerns?”

“It’s a private matter of hers, so it wouldn’t be appropriate for me to say,” Song You replied with a smile. He continued bidding farewell to Doctor Cai, “Even if we never meet again, it doesn’t matter. Your name will be renowned throughout the land. No matter where I am, I’ll surely hear stories of your noble deeds in saving lives, and in a way, that is its own kind of reunion.”

He paused for a moment before adding, “After this, distributing the spiritual elixir and spreading the treatment method will require your continued effort. I will head to the Snowy Plains. We each have our own path to follow, but across a thousand miles, we share the same wind.”

“Of course, of course,” Doctor Cai nodded.

Doctor Cai nodded repeatedly in agreement and then said, “Indeed, you and I each have our own strengths. You head to the Snowy Plains to eliminate the demons, while I should focus on spreading the treatment in Gui Commandery. Yet without your help, how could I have come up with a solution so quickly?

“The success of this endeavor is just as much your doing as it is mine. Your name deserves to be remembered for this.”

“…”

Song You couldn’t help but smile slightly and replied, “The most I contributed was dispelling evil spirits and providing spiritual energy nourishment. Even without me, there would have been others. If no one else stepped in, in time even the gods of the Heavenly Palace would have intervened. Without me, you would still have overcome the Demonic Plague. But without you, Doc, it truly would not have been possible.”

He paused, then glanced at Doctor Cai with a knowing look. “As for the bodies, I imagine you had encountered more than just two even before meeting us, hadn’t you?”

“You see right through me,” Doctor Cai admitted, no longer needing to hide anything. He explained, “Magistrate Guan Jingyi of Wuxue once gave me permission to enter the quarantine morgue. And Constable Dong Chengwen of Yuluo escorted me on night digs to retrieve corpses.

“Miao Yuan and Hu Yuan, those two brave heroes, often dug up graves to obtain bodies as well. It was precisely because of these acts that they contracted the plague and died…”

“As I suspected.” Song You nodded, narrowing his eyes slightly.

Troubled times gave rise to scoundrels, but they also brought forth many righteous heroes.

These people should also be remembered by name, though given the nature of their actions, it might be best to describe it differently for the sake of appearances.

With this thought, Song You glanced at Doctor Cai.

The doctor had an otherworldly aura, more like an immortal than Immortal Yongyang himself, and even more like a true deity than many actual gods. However, ever since arriving in Gui Commandery, he had been overworked and severely sleep-deprived, making him look quite haggard.

After some consideration, Song You spoke again, “Doc, your medical skills are extraordinary, so I have no concerns about your health. Yet you’ve been exhausted for quite some time, and I fear you won’t find proper rest for a long while.

“Prolonged fatigue might harm your core essence. As we part ways today, I have nothing of great value to give, but I offer you a dose of spring spiritual energy. It is filled with boundless life force, excellent for nourishment. I hope it may be of some help to you.”

He opened his hand to reveal a small pill, bright green and quite charming in appearance.

“This is not a pill, nor does it have a physical form. It is, in fact, an illusion made manifest. It is different from the other pills in the jar; there’s no need for you to examine it, Doc—just swallow it directly.”

“Thank you, sir,” Doctor Cai said gratefully, taking the pill at once.

“With that, I take my leave.”

Song You bowed to him, wasting no time. He turned and departed immediately. The swordsman and the cat followed behind.

Doctor Cai held the bright green pill in his hand, watching their silhouettes fade into the distance, his heart filled with countless emotions.

Having walked with this man for over a month, he hadn’t thought much of it at the time—just that the Daoist possessed profound cultivation skills and an extraordinary disposition. But now, looking back, it felt much like his first encounter with the Snake Immortal on Mount Beiqin.

With his divine-level medical expertise, Doctor Cai could naturally discern a person’s vitality. He had noticed the remarkable spiritual energy the Daoist had dispersed along the way—just a small amount was enough to dispel the demonic arts afflicting the sick and invigorate the health of those yet unaffected by the plague. If there had been a bit more of it, it might have even extended their lives by several years.

Could it be anything less than the work of a divine immortal?

With Gui Commandery’s current isolation and lack of communication, it might take a long time before stories of the divine doctor and the Daoist traveling together began to spread. Perhaps decades from now, when these people had grown old and were sitting beneath the trees at the village entrance reminiscing about their lives, they would recall that great plague.

They’d remember the doctor and the Daoist, and only then would some realize that those few extra sips of water they’d taken back then had brought them endless benefits for the rest of their lives.

But that was a matter for years to come.

As the figures receded quickly into the distance, Doctor Cai seemed to awaken from his thoughts. He retracted his gaze and turned back inside the house.

Everyone inside was still waiting for him. And there was much yet to be done.

Perhaps long after, Song You would hear from afar the news that the plague in Hezhou had been eradicated. Or perhaps, much later still, word would reach Hezhou that the demon of the Snowy Plains had been vanquished. Either way, it was a matter for the distant future.

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