He smiled without speaking, but suddenly recalled the scenes from years past: the bitterness after loss, the joy of regaining what he had gained, the fear of losing it again, and the loneliness after being separated from her forever. Looking at the girl now, her smile as radiant as a flower in the swaying lamplight, just as he had hoped, smiling at him, frowning at him, he was instantly overwhelmed with an unreal sense of happiness. So he stopped teasing her, took her hand, and softly said, "Then go back to sleep now."
"No, you can't just brush me off like that. Don't think you can get rid of me with an excuse like going to sleep!"
"Since we're going out tomorrow, shouldn't we get some rest earlier tonight?"
"Uh? Does that mean you agree?"
He smiled and said, "How could I refuse Ah Fu's birthday wish?"
"Can I have one more wish?"
"..."
The old friend that the young girl from Wenchang wanted to visit was naturally Jun Wei, the current leader of the Junyu Cult. Fearing Jun Wei wouldn't recognize her, she deliberately changed back to her original appearance, except without the scar on her face. She had originally intended to use magic to create an identical scar on her face, but the Emperor coldly remarked, "If he doesn't recognize you without this scar, then it's better not to visit this old friend," so she had no choice but to give up.
It was March, and the trees on the mountain had just sprouted green buds. Looking out, Junyu Mountain was a light green, dotted with wildflowers, which was very beautiful. The two did not ride the clouds, but walked hand in hand in the mountains, stopping and starting. It was almost noon before they arrived at the gate of Junyu Temple.
The mountain gate of Junyu Sect is very grand, with a platform about ten zhang square, a white marble archway, and a spiral stone staircase behind it. In the distance, there are many halls, which are magnificent. The figures of disciples in blue and white robes can be vaguely seen. It is likely that Junwei used his novel writing skills for recruitment and publicity, and has tricked many disciples into joining the sect over the years.
From a distance, they saw Junwei standing with an elderly man in blue robes and white hair, seemingly chatting. Excited, the young girl Wenchang shook off the Emperor's hand and rushed over. Mu Yan frowned slightly, said nothing, and simply followed, stopping a short distance away, watching her and Junwei exchange pleasantries with a calm expression.
"Junwei! Long time no see, how are you?" After saying this opening line, the little girl from Wenchang was not surprised to see Junwei's astonished and incredulous expression. So she patted his shoulder triumphantly, "I knew you would have this look when you saw me. I'm not dead, you didn't expect that, did you? But don't be afraid, I'm not a ghost, I'm an immortal. Although it sounds a bit like bragging, it's true!"
After saying that, he looked Junwei up and down again, then patted Junwei's shoulder with endless emotion, "Master Jun's medicine won't kill you, but he certainly has a knack for health preservation. Look at you, after so long, you haven't changed much, and you even seem younger than before. I'm so jealous—"
“That’s my grandson, you’re looking for me!” The old man coughed, interrupting her.
Wen Chang turned around and looked at the old man in blue with a blank expression. The old man was excited and there was a tear in his eye: "A-Fu! It really is you... I always had a feeling that you were not dead. My feeling was not wrong. You are really still alive!"
"You are..." The young girl from Wenchang was a little confused, but the Emperor behind her gently reminded her, "You are the one you need to see."
"Junwei? How come you look older than your father?"
Junwei's face stiffened, and he said resentfully, "You've been dead for almost forty years, how can I not be old?"
"So long..." She looked at his aged face and snow-white hair with surprise. From his indignant expression, she could vaguely see the shadow of the white-clad boy from back then. Her face immediately showed a trace of sadness, and she called out timidly, "Junwei."
He pulled her into his arms and held her tightly. "You really didn't die! Ah Fu!"
The Emperor coughed awkwardly. Junwei released Afu and turned his gaze to the handsome man in front of him, whose robes were flowing. This man, who should have been sleeping in the royal mausoleum with Afu, was still elegant and dignified. After a slight hesitation, he showed a relieved expression, "You are also an immortal?"
The Emperor smiled and nodded.
“That’s good,” Junwei nodded, seemingly sighing, “You two can be together again.”
Because of the sudden age gap, the two seemed somewhat awkward and reserved. After chatting about their lives since they last met, they fell silent. Later, at Junwei's suggestion, they went to visit Master Jun's grave on the back mountain. Master Jun had passed away more than ten years ago, and not far away was Xiao Huang's grave, the grass on it already lush and green. Afu bowed before Master Jun's grave and pulled some weeds from Xiao Huang's grave. She thought sadly whether Junwei remembered to cook some roast chicken for Xiao Huang during festivals, and whether Xiao Huang was fat or thin in the afterlife. Seeing her sorrowful expression, Muyan gently took her hand and comforted her, "Birth, aging, sickness, and death are the natural order. Even immortals cannot escape death if they cannot overcome their tribulations. You don't need to worry too much."
"Mu Yan," she said softly after a moment of silence, "during the days I was gone, did you come to see me often?"
After a moment's hesitation, he nodded slightly.
"You must have been very sad back then..."
He was speechless for a moment, only holding her hand tightly. She didn't need to know how he had survived those long seven years. Fortunately, they had a long, long life ahead of them. They would be together forever, until the end of time. He would accompany her through every calamity and continue to stay by her side. If not, he would perish with her.
As they parted, Junwei carried a square bundle in his hand, a hint of sadness on his face. "Afu, you know, my dream has always been to be a novelist, not a sect leader." He said, handing the bundle over. "I don't know when we'll meet again, maybe..." He paused, then continued, "I'll keep this as a souvenir for you."
"Junwei, do you want to become an immortal?" The question that had been lingering in his heart all day finally came out.
"Become an immortal?"
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