Chen Changsheng traveled north, heading towards the Mortal World.

On the journey, he encountered no particular people or events; travel went relatively smoothly.

“How much longer do we have to fly?”

“Soon. Are you eager to be sold?” 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

“Lihua isn’t scared. Mo Yu will come to save me.”

“If I sell Mo Yu too, later, he won’t be able to save you.”

“Mo Yu is very strong.”

“Then I shall sell him to someone even stronger.”

“That’s not fair! You’re cheating.”

“Haha…”

“Always laughing.”

After bantering back and forth with the Tabby Cat for the whole way, Chen Changsheng finally spotted the coastline of the Mortal World.

Surveying the view, he could just make out numerous fishing boats docked at the coastal harbor, with fishermen casting nets near the shore.

Finding an empty spot to land,

Chen Changsheng then planned to get some wine nearby.

The Tabby Cat tried to sneak away, only to be scooped back up by Chen Changsheng.

Angry, it shut its mouth again.

“Keep close, or I’ll roast you.”

“You’re so mean.”

The Tabby Cat gave a soft snort and trotted along behind Chen Changsheng.

Before long, Chen Changsheng arrived at a small fishing village.

The village held a distinct smell of saltwater—a fragrance unique to seaside fishing communities.

There were no places selling wine in the fishing village, so Chen Changsheng approached a fisherman’s house, hoping to buy some.

“Don’t use silver, just drink up! It’s because you’re an outsider that it seems awkward. Here, asking for a bowl of wine or water is common sense, we don’t mind sharing a little.”

The very hospitable fisherman poured Chen Changsheng half a kilogram of wine.

Chen Changsheng thanked him repeatedly and sat down to chat.

“I thought it must be hard work making a living from the sea, so I should pay.”

“That’s just the life we’re born into. Nothing to fear.”

The fisherman then asked: “And you? What brings you all the way out here?”

“Just passing through.”

“That’s unusual! We’re pretty remote. How do you pass through here by chance?”

The fisherman chuckled: “You’re probably like the others, come looking for Clamshell Ladies, right?”

“Clamshell Ladies?”

Chen Changsheng stroked the cat as curiosity stirred.

“I knew it!”

The fisherman explained: “Ever since Brother Jin wrote that story, well-off folks often come down to our shores. Personally, I think there’s no such thing as Clamshell Ladies. It’s all made-up.”

“Brother Jin?”

“Yeah. Elders call him Jin the Third. Us younger ones just call him Brother Jin.”

Chen Changsheng found the name familiar. After thinking for a moment, it came to him.

Back then, Third Master Jin had supposedly traveled south to these shores to harvest pearls. He’d heard about this from Cao Fa, many years ago.

“This Brother Jin… He doesn’t live around here anymore, does he?”

“He left many years ago…”

The fisherman said: “I used to play with him all the time then. I might’ve been younger, but I was better at digging for pearls than him. He’d often follow us around, and we’d teach him. After dinner, he’d tell us stories—tales about gods and ghosts—wonderful fun.”

He let out a soft sigh. “We looked forward to hearing his stories every single day. After he left, no more stories. We missed him for a long time.”

Smiling warmly, the fisherman took a swig of wine.

Though it was the season of Huai Xu (early summer), by late afternoon the sea wind carried a biting chill. A gulp of wine always warmed a person up.

Chen Changsheng asked: “Has he ever returned since then?”

“Once.”

The fisherman began to continue, then paused. “Do you know Brother Jin?”

Chen Changsheng said: “Many years ago, I knew someone called Third Master Jin. He used to visit my storytelling sessions. After the wars started, I heard he went south with the merchant caravans to dig for pearls. Might be the same person!”

“Ah!”

The fisherman slapped his thigh. “That’s him! He once mentioned coming from some place called Qingshan City! Said people called him Third Master Jin back then—sounded grand. We thought he was just bragging.”

“Seems it’s the same person.”

“He was really a ‘Master’?”

“Long ago, yes. Later he met some hard times.”

“I also thought something like that. Some things about him did seem like someone grown up well-off.”

“Hah.” The fisherman asked again: “How has Brother Jin been these past years?”

Chen Changsheng said: “He never went back to Qingshan City later, so I haven’t heard news. But he should be alright. He often sent letters back, filled with stories of his travels—sighting mountains and rivers, seeking Immortals and ancient traces—a pretty free life.”

“He always did say he’d go looking for ghosts and Immortals. Ha! Seems he really did.”

The Tabby Cat lifted its head to look at Chen Changsheng, seemingly asking who these men were talking about.

A friend of Good Human Chen’s?

He has friends?

Chen Changsheng and the fisherman chatted idly. Because of Third Master Jin, their conversation flowed easily.

As a nod to Third Master Jin, Chen Changsheng also accepted some bits of dried fish from the fisherman. The man insisted, so Chen Changsheng reluctantly took them.

There were two bundles.

“Could you deliver this extra bundle to Brother Jin? Sure, we haven’t seen him in years, but we still remember all the stories he told us way back. The dried fish ain’t worth much, doesn’t weigh much either. Shouldn’t trouble you.”

The fisherman scratched his head sheepishly.

Chen Changsheng said: “I honestly don’t know where he is now. But if I run into him, I promise to hand it over.”

“Ah, good! If you don’t find him, it’s alright. Just eat it yourself.”

Chen Changsheng suggested: “What about a letter? Third Master Jin has connections in Qingshan City. If I miss him, I can leave the letter with an old friend there.”

“Uh… I can’t write…”

Chen Changsheng smiled: “No matter. I can write it down for you.”

“But that’s trouble.” The fisherman thought, then said: “Just a message will do.”

“Hmm…”

“Say this: Fish are plenty this year, pearls too. Everyone gets enough to eat. We’re all doing well.”

“That’s all?”

“That’s it.”

Chen Changsheng memorized the words. He responded: “If I meet Third Master Jin, I will pass your message. Oh, I almost forgot to ask: Your name, brother? So Third Master Jin knows who sent it.”

“Ah, troublesome…”

The fisherman pondered briefly. “Just tell him it was Black Mutt. He won’t know my name, only called me that.”

“I’ll remember.”

“Heh.”

The fisherman grinned. “Tell him not to worry over us.”

As dusk approached, Chen Changsheng bid farewell to the fisherman. He carried a new bundle now—filled with the fisherman’s own dried fish, good for staving off hunger.

Only when no one else was around,

did the Tabby Cat speak up: “Did you know that man very well?”

“Nope, just met him today.”

“Then why did he chat so much with you? Why give you stuff?”

“How to put it…” Chen Changsheng thought for a moment, smiling. “Let’s just say fate brought it.”

The Tabby Cat blinked, not really understanding.

Its gaze suddenly landed on Chen Changsheng’s bundle. “That…”

“Hmm?”

“Scent from your bundle smells really good.”

“Yeah.”

“…”

“Lihua wants some.”

“Nope.”

“Fine then! Hmph.”