Lan He and Song Futan stepped forward and bowed to the old immortal, “Great Immortal Bai? Are you Great Immortal Bai?”
From that gesture and tone alone, Lan He was 200% sure this elder’s surname was Bai. He even thought he didn’t need to wear a mask earlier since this person probably wouldn’t even glance at him.
Great Immortal Bai nodded silently, naturally without uttering a word.
“Did Hu 79 and Bai Wu explain our purpose to you?” Lan He asked.
Still, Great Immortal Bai said nothing.
Lan He: “…”
He slowly looked toward Hu 79 and Bai Wu.
Hu 79 shrugged as if to say: don’t think that just because someone from the Bai family has lived a long life, they’d be less introverted. On the contrary, precisely because they’ve lived so long—think about it, back in those days, even in the capital, how many people lived on one street or in one village?
Great Immortal Bai had been secluded in the mountains for a long time—not only because he needed to focus on cultivation and prepare for ascension at any moment, but also because he couldn’t adapt to modern society.
Hu 79 discreetly explained: “Great Immortal Bai is the eldest elder of the Bai family now. A century ago, he retreated to the mountains, cut off from worldly affairs, and wasn’t accustomed to this kind of communication. This time, I specifically brought Bai Wu with me to invite him. For him to come at all is already quite a gesture!”
“Thank you for your effort, Great Immortal.” Lan He started to understand. “You went straight to Great Immortal Bai first? Doesn’t the Hu family have elders?”
And bringing Bai Wu? That was a very clear intent. However, in theory, the Hu family should have more ascended immortals and stronger cultivators.
“Of course, we have elders. The steward of Zijing City, Hu Supervisor, is still around… but,” Hu 79 explained, “perhaps you don’t know… among Hu, Huang, Bai, and Liu, why is Liu at the bottom despite being the most combative?”
Hmm, that’s true. The Bai family shouldn’t be better at combat than the Liu family.
Lan He said, “Isn’t it because their cultivation is more difficult? I’ve heard that shedding skin and hibernation are major hurdles.”
The Liu family wasn’t as despairing as the Bai family, but life was still tough, and they couldn’t avoid hardships. That’s why their numbers weren’t as large as the Hu and Huang families.
“That’s one reason!” Hu 79 said. “The second reason is that immature members of the Liu family are countered by the Bai family—Bai family members can devour Liu family members!”
“What the—” Lan He thought to himself. He really needed to watch more nature documentaries; otherwise, he wouldn’t even know which family to ask for help. “So, the Bai family is the Liu family’s nemesis.”
He glanced at the “veteran assassin’s” back. Great Immortal Bai seemed to sense his gaze and shrank slightly.
Lan He: “…”
Bai Wu said weakly, “But once they’ve grown, the Liu family can also eat Bai family members. It’s just… a bit painful.”
Song Futan, in his usual calm yet sharp tone, added, “I doubt any creature finds eating Bai family members painless.”
Bai Wu: “…”
Lan He laughed heartily.
So, the Bai family had eliminated quite a few undeveloped Liu family members, making them natural enemies in the wild. Among immortals, they weren’t quite mortal foes, but at equal levels, the Bai family did have an edge in dealing with the Liu family due to their experience and inherent advantage.
That’s why Hu 79 had targeted them from the start.
As for how she managed to bring Great Immortal Bai out so quickly—given that most immortals of this generation, like Lord Liu of the Beiding Temple, were focused on secluded cultivation and avoided worldly affairs—that had to do with Bai Wu.
Hu 79 whispered, “Great Immortal Bai originally said that Bai Wu represented the hope for the Bai family’s revival—not only had he achieved cultivation himself, but he also found a way for future generations to overcome obstacles. Since Bai Wu’s family sought his help, he was willing to send a talisman but couldn’t leave the mountains. Later, we told him that Bai Wu could now ride the subway and described the rush-hour crowds. He was so shocked that he kept calling Bai Wu the light of the Bai family and decided to personally come out to support him.”
Lan He: “…”
He almost burst out laughing. No wonder things went so smoothly! Normally, when seeking help from a senior master, wouldn’t you have to go through countless trials? But here, the master had already been moved by Bai Wu’s trials and might even empathize deeply.
Only a senior from the Bai family could relate; other families didn’t have the same circumstances as the Bai family.
“Well then, you can talk to Great Immortal Bai. He does have some understanding of that Liu immortal,” Hu 79 said.
However, after she finished, Great Immortal Bai still didn’t speak.
“Oh, I almost forgot,” Hu 79 said with mock seriousness, “Great Immortal Bai prefers to communicate through incense.”
Great Immortal Bai let out a heavy sigh. Ah, those were the good old days when the world was much more accommodating to them.
It seemed that Bai Wu was indeed one of the stronger members of the Bai family, having been shaped somewhat by the times due to being born later. Lan He lit three sticks of incense as an offering. Among the Bai family, it was customary to use incense to convey messages. Depending on how the incense burned—reverse flames, angry flames, ominous flames, lotus flames, and so on—one could interpret the intentions of the immortals.
The introverted Bai family had elevated this practice into an art form.
As soon as the incense was lit, the flames flared, and the smoke formed the detailed shape of a snake, complete with a crown on its head.
Lan He: “…”
… A true artist.
“This… this is the Liu immortal?” Lan He asked.
The snake’s head nodded in affirmation, and the smoke formed the number “13” beside it.
Lan He deduced, “The snake is ranked thirteenth?”
Through this visual “conversation,” Lan He played along, marveling at Great Immortal Bai’s storytelling ability. He almost wanted to compliment the elder’s skill in “storyboarding.”
With Great Immortal Bai’s excellent visual communication, combined with Bai Wu’s explanations, Lan He gained a general understanding.
Great Immortal Bai indeed knew the origin of this Liu immortal. Born after him, this Liu was called Liu 13. He had once lived by the moat and received incense offerings from nearby residents. He was a cousin of Lord Liu of Beiding Temple, thus holding significant status. He was a black snake.
The saying “a thousand-year-old black snake, a ten-thousand-year-old white snake” didn’t literally mean they had lived that long. Black and white snakes were simply considered more mystical among the Liu family.
The Liu family, divided into the branches Liu, Chang, and Mang, derived their surname from an ancient mythical creature—the nine-headed, human-faced green serpent Xiangliu. It was said to be their ancestor.
Liu 13 had gone into seclusion for cultivation long ago. Great Immortal Bai wasn’t familiar with him—though to be fair, Great Immortal Bai wasn’t really familiar with anyone. He had no idea why Liu 13 had recently begun causing trouble.
However, Great Immortal Bai did understand Liu 13’s abilities. Based on Hu 79’s description, Liu 13 had likely shed his skin several more times by now, making it impossible to consume him. The Liu family’s methods were harsh, so setting up a formation to trap him would be the most effective solution. The plan was to lure Liu 13 out and trap him within a formation.
But setting up such a formation couldn’t be done by Great Immortal Bai alone.
“We have many practitioners. Do we still need immortals to arrange the formation?” Lan He asked. Upon receiving confirmation that mortals could assist, he felt relieved. Otherwise, finding enough elders from the four great families would have been a challenge.
“Then we’ll have to trouble Great Immortal Bai,” Lan He said, noting how the elder seemed to tremble with every step. Of course, it was hard to tell whether this was due to physical or psychological reasons.
Great Immortal Bai used incense to convey the main points, finally speaking his second sentence since their meeting: “You seem to be a living Wuchang.”
“Great Immortal, sharp as always,” Lan He replied, feeling there was no need to hide in front of such an elder. It was similar to the feeling he had with the monk. “I work in the mortal world and take on Wuchang duties part-time.”
If not for facing the corner, Great Immortal Bai might have seemed like a concerned elder. “Oh? What’s your job?”
“I act,” Lan He replied. “It’s similar to traditional opera—performing for an audience.”
Great Immortal Bai was silent for a moment. “So, people watch you, and you get paid?”
Lan He: “…That’s one way to put it.”
Hu 79 raised her hand. “Lots of people watch! His box office numbers are incredibly high!” She enthusiastically listed off statistics, even more detailed than Lan He himself knew.
Great Immortal Bai was incredulous. “So many people (pay to) watch you?”
Lan He: “Yes.”
Great Immortal Bai took a sharp breath. “A strong figure in the mortal world—terrifying indeed!” No wonder Bai Wu had progressed so quickly; he was clearly following an extraordinary master.
Lan He: “…”
…
Great Immortal Bai agreed to help out of respect for Lan He. To him, Bai Wu was now part of Lan He’s family, creating a connection between Lan He and the Bai family.
However, the confrontation couldn’t happen immediately. To arrange the formation, Great Immortal Bai needed specific materials, such as specially crafted cinnabar, talismans, and magical artifacts. The timing also had to align with a specific “living” hour, known as “active Zi.”
In nature, the solstices and Zi-Wu hours (midnight and noon) are considered dead hours. Active Zi-Wu is specific to an individual and refers to the moments when their yang energy peaks (Zi) or yin energy begins to rise (Wu).
Each of the 24 hours in a day could potentially be an active Zi-Wu for someone.
Since snakes are cold and yin creatures, Great Immortal Bai had to identify Liu 13’s active Zi hour. This wasn’t a simple task and required careful, covert calculation.
Lan He’s swift progress even startled Master Budong. The monk had also been inquiring and seeking the incense heads of the four great families. One of those incense heads had also considered seeking help from the Bai family, but they simply couldn’t match Lan He’s efficiency and quality.
After all, there was only one Bai Wu.
Master Budong warmly welcomed Great Immortal Bai, offering his guidance with great respect. Additionally, he formally addressed the various speculating practitioners, dispelling rumors about dragon-seeking. He clarified that he was building a bridge to suppress spiritual disturbances and had encountered trouble from the Liu immortal, urging everyone not to cause him further headaches.
Even with the monk’s explanation, some believed it, while others didn’t. A few clueless ones even asked if the snake pretending to be a dragon might actually be on the verge of transforming—perhaps growing legs or turning into a flood dragon. Could they invest in advance?
After all, the Liu immortal’s disturbance had indeed caused continuous heavy rain in the capital, making people wonder.
In such weather, whether it was netizens speculating or rumors being spread, some people began to suggest that the recent rainfall might be due to a “flood dragon walking.”
“Flood dragon walking” refers to a flood dragon enduring tribulations to transform into a dragon, intentionally causing flooding to follow the water to the sea.
A flood dragon could evolve from a snake, eel, fish, or other creatures. The path from a flood dragon to a dragon was riddled with countless challenges.
Currently, some low-lying areas, including subway stations, have already been affected by water accumulation. While not yet a full-fledged flood, the theory sparked curiosity and lively discussions online, though it wasn’t widely believed.
Lan He heard about these conversations on set, but people treated it as lighthearted gossip. Rather than spreading rumors about a dragon appearing in the capital, they were just using it as a story to chat about.
During his break, Lan He sat watching a drama on his phone.
Song Futan got into the car and noticed Lan He’s screen. “Is this… a family drama?” It didn’t seem like Lan He’s usual taste.
“Oh, yeah, just something to watch. Yu Mengmeng and the others recommended it,” Lan He said. It was the show they’d previously mentioned—a single mother raising children. Surprisingly, the pacing was quite good, and Lan He found himself deeply engaged, unable to stop watching.
Song Futan, who hadn’t seen it either, sat down to watch. Just then, the show’s daughter was throwing a tantrum. The neighbor, who seemed interested in the mother, had merely shown a kind gesture, and the daughter was already screaming, rolling on the floor, and shouting the neighbor’s name.
Song Futan: “…”
Lan He: “…”
Lan He sighed, “This is what it’s like…”
And it didn’t stop there. Just as the daughter’s tantrum ended, the eldest son returned to steal money and then ran off.
Old Bai entered humming “Come Home Often” and greeted them, “Hey, good news! We found another item the Great Immortal needed.”
Lan He, in his frustration, reached out and looped an invisible soul-binding chain around Old Bai’s neck, pulling it tight. “Why are you so unfilial?!”
Old Bai stuck out his tongue. “Ack! Ack!”
His eyes nearly popped out of his head, utterly confused and despairing.
It was bad enough to be restrained with a soul-binding chain, but he hadn’t even done anything today! He came in with good news and hadn’t even asked for money—why was he being treated like this?
Song Futan untangled the chain and patted Lan He reassuringly. “It’s okay. He’s him, and Old Bai is Old Bai.”
Old Bai: “Who… is *he*?!”
Lan He paused the drama and gradually calmed down. “No one. Thanks for your hard work. Has the item been delivered?”
“It’s with the Great Immortal now,” Old Bai said. “I asked if his other calculations were complete, but he wouldn’t answer. The Great Immortal is too aloof!”
Very few people knew the Great Immortal’s true identity and Old Bai couldn’t discern it either. All he knew was that he was an elder from the Bai family, and his reclusive demeanor certainly lived up to the title of a worldly sage. From start to finish, the Great Immortal had only uttered a single “hmph” and hadn’t even glanced his way.
Lan He twitched his mouth. “Yes, very aloof.”
Indeed, Lan He still didn’t know what the Great Immortal looked like.
He glanced at Song Futan, concerned about the progress on the other end despite being on set.
Song Futan called Master Budong, who answered, “We’re only missing a theatrical troupe. The requirements are quite specific and somewhat dangerous, so we’re still deliberating.”
“Theatrical troupe?” Lan He asked. “What do you mean?”
He almost thought it was a similarly named ingredient, wondering why it wasn’t listed among the items the Great Immortal required.
“It’s to lure out Liu 13,” the monk explained. “This bait was only just suggested by the Great Immortal.” Great Immortal Bai was cautious and unwilling to share the plan with too many people, fearing potential mishaps.
In the past few days, the Great Immortal has been staying on their side, hiding his figure. Occasionally, one could glimpse a snow-white hedgehog, its spines gleaming with a silvery light.
Old Bai suddenly realized, “I know this! Liu Immortals are often reincarnated cultivators who fell due to anger in their previous lives.” When it came to matters of the underworld, Old Bai naturally understood. It was precisely because of this that the disciples of the Liu Immortals were born to endure the suffering of shedding their skin.
“After these Liu Immortals grow stronger, some of them might recall bits and pieces of their past lives. Even if they don’t, their anger persists, as does their greed for love. So, it’s said that their mysterious seclusion is mostly to cultivate their determination. If they form bonds with humans, their cultivation will be ruined. You see, there’s ‘The Legend of the White Snake’ in the human world, and it’s quite similar to that White Snake.”
Old Bai said, “In the past when plays were performed in the mortal world, if there were romantic plots, the Liu Immortals loved to watch them. It’s their nature. So, the Great Immortal is clever; he invited someone to perform a play, and naturally, Liu 13 was drawn out.”
Master Budong nodded, “Exactly. Great Immortal Bai said that Liu 13 used to linger around the moat to hear the performances in the palace, all from famous actors. So, his taste is quite refined. We thought, finding a suitable actor was difficult enough, and we must protect them as well.”
“Wait… are you saying… this Liu 13 likes watching romantic plots?” Lan He was still caught up in that detail.
Old Bai: “Yes, the more affectionate, the better.”
Lan He: “……”
Lan He thought of the gloomy, irritable, boastful, and strong snake spirit, unable to fall in love due to cultivation rules, satisfying himself with romantic dramas every day. He might even gush like a drama fan saying, “So sweet, I’m dying!” For a moment, he was speechless.
Wait, no, maybe that’s why he’s so irritable and loves fighting…?
After a long while, Lan He slowly said, “Then you don’t necessarily need Kunqu Opera or Peking Opera actors. Why not set up a screen and play a TV drama? After all, he mainly wants to watch romance.”
Old Bai and the monk were momentarily stunned.
Old Bai: “That’s possible??”
Lan He: “You said the more affectionate, the better. He’s just after the plot, not the art of opera. TV dramas are all about good acting.”
Old Bai: “…That’s true.”
One was a bachelor ghost, and the other a monk. Hearing this suggestion from the reclusive Great Immortal didn’t strike them as odd at all. Instead, they started pondering whether any opera actors fit Liu 13’s taste.
But now that Lan He mentioned it, both felt he had a point.
The monk immediately said, “I’ll go ask around…”
And then he left.
…
The monk gathered his fellow monks and shared the new idea.
“Hey, I actually thought of this long ago… I just didn’t dare say it. I thought it had to be opera.”
“This is a good idea! Anyway, the opera skills might not be up to par, and it’s risky. Let’s try TV dramas.”
“We were misled by the Great Immortal! That old man has been reclusive for too long.”
“……”
The monk nodded, “I’ll borrow some projection equipment. But, does anyone know which drama is particularly ‘sweet’? The Great Immortal said Liu 13’s taste is quite sticky.”
Among the group were monks, Taoists, shrine keepers, and geomancers. Some were even married. But when it came to sweet dramas, this was a tough ask.
Scratching their heads, they each mentioned romance dramas they’d heard of and debated which had the sweetest plot based on their understanding. The scene was oddly heartwarming.
Luckily, one shrine keeper remembered something and said, “I’ve got it! The drama *Timeless Dreams* was performed by the tourism ambassador of Miaogan Mountain. Daoist Jiang He, remember? You were even mistaken for bowing to him once. My granddaughter mentioned it. She said this is the sweetest drama of the year!”
“Oh, right, that Lan He. My daughter likes him too. She was just talking about how the Golden Lily Awards are coming up and hoping he wins.”
“I think I’ve heard of this drama too. And I think Lan He’s a decent actor. Although his values differ from ours, he does his job well.”
“Then let’s go with *Timeless Dreams*?”
Everyone looked at the monk.
The Taoist scratched his head, “Master, what do you think? They say it’s very sweet.”
The old monk, as if meditating, said, “…Amitabha, let’s… let’s go with this drama!”
Author’s Note:
Great Immortal Bai: This person’s profession is terrifying!