Immortal Travel of Longevity

Publish Time: 2026-07-16 14:32:00

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«Chapter 564: Difficult Thoughts

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Before nightfall, the dark clouds had already cleared away. When the sky dimmed, the bright moon and starlight came into view.

Lihua, having eaten his fill of fish, lay on the stone table and fell asleep.

Chen Changsheng rested his head on his arms, gazing at the endless firmament.

Sometimes he wondered if these stars were real or not.

In such a mysterious and profound world, could the sky above truly be real? Or was it as ancient tales described—a dome-like firmament covering a square earth, much like a giant cage.

As he stared, Chen Changsheng gradually frowned.

A ripple of irritation stirred within him.

Those twinkling stars seemed like countless eyes watching him, observing his every word and deed. They knew his thoughts and actions inside-out, silently warning him: Do not cross the line!

It felt like an invisible shield covering him, leaving him trapped.

“Good Human Chen…”

Lihua gave a yawn, still bleary-eyed and sluggish after waking briefly.

“Lihua feels dizzy.”

Chen Changsheng snapped back to reality and said, “It’s normal to feel dizzy right after waking. It’ll pass soon.”

Lihua scooted closer to Chen Changsheng. “The table is too cold.”

“Would you like to sleep on my lap?”

“Is that okay?”

“Of course.”

“Thank you, Good Human Chen.”

Lihua hopped onto Chen Changsheng and settled down.

Good Human Chen’s lap was much warmer than the stone table.

Chen Changsheng gently patted his back. “Rest well.”

“Isn’t Good Human Chen going to sleep?”

“I’m looking at the stars. I’ll sleep soon.”

“Are they pretty?”

“Decent.”

Lihua glanced upwards too. “It’s all dark and black. Can’t see a thing really.”

“…”

Chen Changsheng closed his eyes, chuckled, and shook his head as he patted him.

Lihua always managed to surprise him with his words.

Lihua tucked his tail beneath himself, then asked, “Does Good Human Chen like watching the stars?”

“Don’t particularly like it.”

“That means you don’t like them.”

“It’s not that I don’t like them either.”

“? ”

Lihua turned and looked at him questioningly.

Chen Changsheng explained, “I neither like them nor dislike them.”

Lihua pondered this, then concluded, “So complicated.”

Chen Changsheng smiled. “Impartial. Balanced. Compromising. This is The Golden Mean.”

“Golden thing.”

“The Golden Mean.”

“What’s that?”

Lihua didn’t understand such things.

Chen Changsheng said, “It’s a way of doing things. Or rather, a way of looking at things. Think of it as—don’t be too good, don’t be too bad. Clear?”

Lihua nodded vigorously. “Got it!”

“Lihua is clever.”

“Of course!”

Lihua then asked further, “Then, is Lihua good or bad?”

“Natural goodness.”

“But didn’t you say to be neither too good nor too bad?”

Chen Changsheng chuckled. “Being your best is desirable.”

“Mm…”

Again, Lihua became confused.

Chen Changsheng ruffled his fur. “Lihua still has much more to learn.”

“Mm, mm.”

Lihua nodded, though he wasn’t quite sure what to learn. He’d learn whatever he could, regardless.

Chen Changsheng responded, “Sleep now.”

“Okay~”

Lihua lay down and closed his eyes. Under the moonlight, his fur gleamed, looking especially lovely.

As he gently patted his back, Chen Changsheng’s thoughts turned to what should be done next.

Establishing the Underworld should naturally align with the Heavenly Dao.

But the essence was that the Underworld would inevitably fall under the Heavenly Dao’s gaze—nullifying its purpose for him.

That was why Manyue had been needed. Why creating a Miniature World had been crucial.

Now, however, his very objectives were likely exposed to the Heavenly Dao. So, what came next?

He had no confidence left. Should conflict with the Heavenly Dao truly arise, he questioned his odds of victory. Even if possible, they weren’t high.

For this moment, he felt lost—adrift on where to go or what path remained.

“Alas…”

A long sigh wafted across the courtyard.

Dozing fitfully, Lihua heard the sound. Mumbling, he offered sleep-soft advice.

“Mm… Mo Yu says, don’t sigh… It—it makes you grow old… Mm…”

Then, without another sound, true sleep claimed him.

Chen Changsheng smiled dryly. “Oh you…”

He shook his head. Quiet reflection followed, and he found wisdom nestled within Lihua’s sleepy observation.

Indeed—less sighing would be better.

Night deepened. The rustles, the hushes within the courtyard slowly stilled.

No more words broke the peace that night.

…

Early light filtered into the courtyard.

At dawn, a visitor already waited outside the gate. Hearing no stir inside, he remained silently on watch.

“Craaak…”

The creak of a door sounded.

Yawning, Ruyi stepped out, intending to head towards Uncle Chen’s compound. Instead, she spotted a figure stationed outside.

“Oh, you again?” Ruyi called.

Wang Xingsheng held a bowl of noodles as he bowed slightly. “Miss Ruyi.”

Ruyi tilted her head. “What brings you here at the gate?”

“My mother refined the noodle recipe further,” Wang Xingsheng answered sincerely. “She specifically sent me to present this bowl to Mr. Chen.”

Ruyi blinked, eyes appraising his offering. “Looks nice!”

“Though… only one bowl?”

Wang Xingsheng scrambled. “Uh, next time… Next time, I’ll bring some for you too, Miss.”

“Promise?” Ruyi smiled playfully.

“My word is my word.”

“I’ll hold you to it!”

Ruyi chuckled, then resumed. “Ah, hold on—you didn’t answer my earlier question. Why are you stuck outside? Why not go in?”

Wang Xingsheng spoke humbly. “Didn’t want to disturb the master’s rest.”

Ruyi sighed dramatically. “You… you’re way too upright! If Uncle Chen doesn’t wake at all, will you keep balancing that bowl? Noodles get awful cold fast.”

Wang Xingsheng opened his mouth. Words failed him.

Ruyi glanced at him, sighed louder, and stepped forward decisively. “Leave it to me.”

Commanding the gate, she gave its wooden latch a firm, confident rap-rap-rapping.

“Uncle Chen!! Wakey wakey!!”

Ruyi’s shout ignited movement within.

Lihua jolted awake instantly. He raced towards the noise, leaped gracefully… and expertly nudged the heavy bolt loose.

Clack.

Ruyi pushed the gate open, standing within… Yet Mr. Chen was nowhere to be seen.

“Ruyi…”

Lihua started eagerly… then froze mid-word. Behind Ruyi stood an unexpected stranger! The cat quickly snapped his jaw shut.

Wang Xingsheng blinked. Detecting something off, he voiced uncertainty. “Miss Ruyi, just now… Did…?”

Ruyi adopted instant, wide-eyed innocence. “Hmm? What happened?”

Wang Xingsheng’s hesitant gaze shifted towards the Tabby Cat hovering near the opening.

Had it been… a trick of his ears amidst drowsiness? Perhaps.

Dismissing the thought, he quickly concluded his own sleepy ears deceived him.

Ruyi moved further inside—sweeping glances left and right. Finally, she discovered Uncle Chen slumbering deeply upon a courtyard recliner.

She stared in disbelief. Surprise mingled with inner disbelief.

‘Uncle Chen? Not awake?’

Tick-tock what hour already? In any other dawn, Uncle Chen would be long risen, long lost to sunrise vigour long ago.

«Chapter 564: Difficult Thoughts

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