Chapter 325: Chapter 274: Lost in Peach Blossom Land
Looking again at the Reversing River beside him, Tao Wuli could confirm that he hadn’t taken the wrong path.
Or rather, it was impossible for him to take the wrong path; it wasn’t his first visit, how could he not recognize the way—follow the Reversing River ahead, turn three corners, dismount when you see the mountain, and go along the river passage inside, that’s Forget Sorrow Village. He’d nearly memorized this route.
But now... where did all these peach blossoms come from?
"It’s not exactly the season for peach trees to bloom, is it?"
Tao Wuli started scratching his head, feeling that something seemed a bit off.
But thinking back to the meal he had in Forget Sorrow Village, Tao Wuli was relieved. After all, there are still Immortals in Forget Sorrow Village. If an Immortal says so, even fish will lose their bones; making peach blossoms bloom out of season shouldn’t be difficult, right?
"This must be the work of an Immortal."
With this thought, Tao Wuli dismounted decisively and led his horse into the peach grove.
The grove was filled with the fragrance of flowers, with petals gently falling, creating a stunning scene. Even someone like Tao Wuli, who had seen the splendor of the imperial city of Jiankang, couldn’t help but marvel at the grandeur brought by the Immortal skills.
Who could bear to leave such beautiful scenery?
Tao Wuli didn’t want to leave, yet he somewhat wanted to leave.
The reason for wanting to leave was realizing he might be in the wrong place. The entrance in front of him wasn’t the low river passage he remembered but a crevice in the mountain, tall enough to fit a person. It looked like only one person could squeeze through sideways. Although more convenient than before, was this really the place he was seeking?
"Perhaps the Immortals made adjustments, thinking the old path was too difficult?"
Tao Wuli scratched his head once more and ultimately decided to trust.
After all, the old route, while hidden, was a bit too much, requiring one to lie in the river’s water to float along the Reversing River into Forget Sorrow Village. This is much better; although still narrow, at least one could walk in upright.
Thinking this way, perhaps it’s a good thing?
"You’ll have to stay here for now, and I’ll find a way to get you in later."
Saying this, Tao Wuli left his old horse outside.
The old horse neighed, seemingly reluctant, and Tao Wuli could only comfort the horse that had accompanied him for months, assuring it they would reunite soon. Naturally, there are other routes into Forget Sorrow Village, but they are secrets of the villagers he, as an outsider, couldn’t access yet. He had to rely on village help each time to bring the horse in.
But after this, it wouldn’t be so troublesome; he was about to become a member of Forget Sorrow Village himself. Surely thereafter, he could use normal paths.
But did he really have any pressing need to leave?
"Once settled this time, I probably won’t leave again."
With that thought, Tao Wuli squeezed through the crevice.
Just like the first time he came here, the passage started narrow, allowing him only to move sideways. Initially, Tao Wuli couldn’t understand why they didn’t widen the path a bit. Now he knew, it served as a deterring method against outsiders. Squeezing oneself into a dark crevice meant facing the fear of the unknown, not something everyone could do.
It was upon realizing this that Tao Wuli recorded it in his manuscript as a note of his thoughts.
Of course, the manuscript had nothing to do with him now.
After all, past things were gone, and he was no longer the Tao Wuli of old. He would stay in Forget Sorrow Village as a teacher or grow his favorite chrysanthemum tea. Just like the village’s name, once he arrived here, all worries and troubles would drift away from him.
"So, where is Forget Sorrow Village?"
Upon seeing the light, Tao Wuli observed everything before him, utterly astonished.
Flat open terrain, orderly houses, good fields, beautiful ponds, mulberry and bamboo plentiful, paths crisscrossing, with chickens and dogs playing. People walked to and fro, clothed much like the outside. Regardless of age, everyone wore a look of happiness on their face—anyone visiting a place like this would call it a paradise, a beautiful sanctuary as seen only in stories compared to the chaotic world outside.
But the problem is, this utopian land isn’t Wangyou Village.
"Where exactly is this place?"
Tao Wuli’s heart skipped inexplicably, prompting him to immediately want to leave.
But just then, the villagers noticed him.
The villagers warmly surrounded him, curiously sizing up this outsider, inviting him for a meal and a good chat—yet Tao Wuli recognized none of these people, having never seen them before. As for his friend Yang Gui from Forget Sorrow Village, not even a trace of him was to be seen.
"You’re looking for Yang Gui? You should’ve said so. Folks have gone to get him for you. Come, have a meal first."
Amidst the villagers’ warm urgings, Tao Wuli had no choice but to stay, feeling slightly relaxed after hearing his dear friend’s name. As they conversed, Tao Wuli learned these people had also hidden away to avoid the chaos, much like those in Forget Sorrow Village.
It seemed this could also be within a valley, previously unexplored by him. But the problem was... why did it all sound so familiar?
Tao Wuli furrowed his brows; this vaguely familiar sensation reminded him of something he had felt before.
"So where is my brother Yang Gui?"
"He’s coming, see?"
A few villagers pointed into the distance, where a tall man was approaching.
This made Tao Wuli’s face freeze.
What a joke. This was not the Yang Gui he knew. Yang Gui, who had once floated down the Reversing River with him, was of a similar build; how could he have floated back to the village if he were so tall?
"This isn’t Forget Sorrow Village!"
Tao Wuli suddenly stood up, finally realizing this after seeing the so-called Yang Gui.
"Where exactly is this! Who are you people!"
"Forget Sorrow Village? Where is that?"
The villagers looked puzzled.
"This is Taoyuan Village, we are here to avoid the war..."
"Taoyuan Village? Did you say this is Taoyuan Village?"
Tao Wuli’s eyes widened dramatically.
What a joke, that so-called Taoyuan Village was fabricated by him, a fictional place to exchange for money.
How could it possibly manifest before his eyes?
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