Chapter 67: Those Who Understand Me Live Long

At the Divine Might Palace in the Heavenly Court, before the Dream-Guidance Instrument, after dispatching a dream message to Lan Ling'e, a disciple of the Immortal-Du Sect, for the second time, the golden-armored immortal official's consciousness returned from the instrument. He furiously grabbed a long spear and gritted his teeth, exclaiming, "He refuses to come! He even claims he's refining pills! Matchmaker, I'm going down to fetch him myself!"

The Matchmaker, startled, quickly stepped forward to intervene. Though he knew the immortal official was merely putting on a show—after all, even a small lineage of the Human School was still part of the Human School, and the Immortal-Du Sect would hardly regard two minor Heavenly Court immortals, let alone permit them to arrest someone—he was, nonetheless, the one seeking a favor. "Immortal official, you mustn't, you mustn't! Let's consider this matter carefully, take our time!" After the Matchmaker’s persistent dissuasion, the golden-armored immortal official finally 'subsided' his anger.

The Matchmaker inquired, "What did they say?" The immortal official replied, "His junior sister was very polite and showed complete deference. She explained that her senior brother was at a crucial stage of pill refinement and could not be distracted. She also asked what important business we had for her senior brother and requested that if it was urgent, we explain it to her instead."

"Oh dear..." The Matchmaker immediately found himself in a predicament. This matter could not be divulged casually; it concerned his reputation, and if word reached His Majesty, the Heavenly Emperor would certainly be displeased. The Matchmaker pondered for a few moments, then said, "Would it be possible to trouble you, immortal official, to contact his junior sister once more? This humble old man would be immensely grateful."

"Matchmaker, you're too kind; it's just a trifle!" The immortal official turned back towards the Dream-Guidance Instrument, but couldn't help but grimace. Each dream message significantly drained his primordial spirit power; a few more times, and he would surely collapse right there...

In the Immortal-Du Sect's alchemy lab, Li Changshou listened as his junior sister recounted the recent interaction, giving her a few instructions. Soon, Ling'e momentarily froze, then vaguely perceived a patch of mist. "Senior brother! They're here again!" "Go ahead," Li Changshou said, smiling and nodding. Ling'e closed her eyes and quickly entered the dream, while Li Changshou meticulously observed her condition.

She was simply asleep. There was no circulation of Dao charm, nor any other discernible movement. Li Changshou gently poked Ling'e’s arm, and she softly 'hmm-ed', as if suspended between sleep and wakefulness. 'The Heavenly Court truly lives up to its name as the institution established by the Heavenly Dao to govern the cosmos,' he mused. 'Dream messages must be facilitated by some Heavenly Dao treasure. How truly remarkable.'

As his immortal sense swept across Little Qiong Peak, Li Changshou fell into deep thought. The true orchestrator behind this might not merely be the Matchmaker. The Matchmaker, much like the golden-armored heavenly general, was likely just a pawn. The Tribulation of the Investiture of the Gods was still a distant future, and the Heavenly Court was only recently established, necessitating extreme caution even from the Jade Emperor. Thus, the Matchmaker, being his appointee, should also be a rather timid individual.

Presently, direct disciples of the three Great Sect Masters, upon ascending to the Heavenly Court, address the Jade Emperor as 'Martial Uncle Haotian' rather than 'Your Majesty,' and the Jade Emperor is obliged to treat second-generation Dao Sect disciples with utmost courtesy. The Human School possesses few direct lineages, yet they are backed by Grand Pure Laozi. Grand Supreme Elder Lord, the avatar of the Grand Pure Saint, already resides in the Heavenly Court's Tushita Palace, so the Jade Emperor would assuredly neither dare to scheme against the Human School nor possess any motive to do so.

Moreover, at this juncture, the Heavenly Court remains the Dao Sect's domain, with the Western Sect's influence yet to penetrate it. While the disciples of the Chan and Jie Sects are gradually growing estranged, they have not yet reached the point of open hostility. The Human School, having few direct lineages, has no conflicts with either the Chan or Jie Sects, making their involvement in any schemes highly improbable.

By process of elimination, the only entities capable, willing, and daring enough to meddle with the Human School would be the Human School itself. Could it be that a master within the Human School, finding its lineage too sparse, wishes to use the red strings of destiny to encourage internal proliferation among its various branches? This bears a striking resemblance to my own scheme of using love charms to facilitate procreation in a pair of rare spirit beasts...

Who is this master? Could it be Immortal Du'e, the acknowledged founding ancestor of the Immortal-Du Sect, who cultivates on Kunlun Mountain? Unlikely... As a nominal disciple of a Saint, this sect ancestor cultivated with great caution, had little presence, and would hardly dare to endure such karmic backlash. Merely having heard a Saint's sermon allows one to claim nominal discipleship.

After much deliberation, it dawned on him: the Human School Saint has only one direct disciple who possesses the leisure, power, influence, and audacity to permit the Matchmaker to subtly influence the Human School's spiritual atmosphere. That would be Grand Master Xuan Du! It is highly probable that he is the one.

However, this time, it was the Matchmaker who sought to send a dream message to him. Li Changshou connected this to his own past unusual sensations. The current situation suggested that his romantic destiny had likely been subtly tampered with by the Grand Master, prompting the Matchmaker to appear and mediate. 'I knew it,' he thought. 'How could Youqin Xuan'ya inexplicably develop feelings for me?'

Li Changshou raised an eyebrow, then felt a touch of bewilderment. If Youqin Xuan'ya’s affection for him was indeed orchestrated by the Matchmaker, why would it be specifically directed at him? Had he, perhaps, already caught the Grand Master's attention? He would need to skillfully extract information later.

As for matters of romance, his junior sister could serve as a convenient shield—a benefit he had noted when his master first took her in.

"The workings of the Heavenly Dao are truly unfathomable," Li Changshou sighed softly. "Vast is the Primordial World, and we are but ephemera." He continued to contemplate how to turn his passive situation into an active one. With his hands clasped behind his back, he awaited his junior sister's awakening, simultaneously beginning to activate the surrounding formations.

Since the Matchmaker dared not offend anyone, neither above nor below, and sought to approach him, the seemingly weakest party, to either exert influence or negotiate... what could he possibly gain from this situation? No, he mustn't force any schemes. It was best to act according to the circumstances, with the most desirable outcome being a peaceful resolution.

As a minor disciple of the Immortal-Du Sect, he had his own meticulously planned path and felt no need to cling to others' influence; he would only feel secure by maintaining the initiative. However, if he could forge a good relationship with the Matchmaker, it would greatly simplify arrangements for himself, his master, and his junior sister should they ascend to the Heavenly Court in the future. The Matchmaker, overseeing destinies, undoubtedly possessed extensive connections within the Heavenly Court.

This time, he could approach the situation by deliberately granting the Matchmaker a favor, ensuring the Matchmaker understood it was a calculated gesture, yet without revealing any underlying intentions. This certainly required meticulous handling.

A moment later, Ling'e awoke. After a brief pause for thought, she recounted to Li Changshou the message the Matchmaker, through the golden-armored heavenly general, wished her to convey to her senior brother: "The Matchmaker said that while he was recently inventorying the destiny clay figures, he carelessly bumped your senior brother's figure, causing it some damage. He is quite uneasy about this and wishes to meet with you, senior brother, to discuss the matter and ascertain if you've experienced any unusual symptoms."

Li Changshou instantly understood. The Matchmaker's demeanor suggested he wished to settle a karmic debt with him. In that case, the situation would be easily managed.

Ling'e, a little nervous, whispered, "Senior brother, are you alright? If the destiny clay figure is broken, does that mean you won't have any romantic fate in the future?" "I don't know," Li Changshou replied, shaking his head. "Never mind, I'll just meet with him." Regardless, the other party had sought him out, and their demeanor seemed sincere.

He simply needed to maintain his identity as a contemporary young disciple of the Immortal-Du Sect and act as the situation demanded. "Junior sister," he said, "please stand guard for me." "Okay!" Ling'e crisply responded, gracefully springing from the reclining chair, clutching several treasure pouches in her hand.

Li Changshou reclined on the chair, holding two paper figures in his palm, trying to relax his mind and slowly expand his consciousness. Sure enough, he gradually drifted into a misty dreamscape. Ahead, an immortal pavilion stood atop a mountain peak, and within it, a slender old man in a festive robe bowed to him, inviting him forward.

Li Changshou felt as if he stood upon a cloud. With a mere thought, he glided forward and saluted the old man. "Li Changshou, a disciple of the Immortal-Du Sect, greets you, senior." The Matchmaker revealed a smile of weary relief. "I’ve finally awaited your arrival. Please, no need for formalities. As this is merely a dream, I cannot offer proper hospitality. Do sit, and let us converse."

Li Changshou nodded with a smile. The two exchanged Daoist salutes and took their seats on opposite sides. They shared a knowing smile, each harboring their own assessments. The Matchmaker thought, 'This person seems quite agreeable.' What crossed Li Changshou's mind, however, was, 'This Matchmaker… his physique doesn't appear frail at all.'

"Senior, please tell me directly what this is about. This junior knows you are busy and wouldn't dare to delay you," Li Changshou said. "Ah, good," the Matchmaker replied, carefully choosing his words. "Ahem... In the past year or two, have you experienced any physical issues?"

Li Changshou chuckled, "It's just been a bit itchy, nothing serious." The Matchmaker immediately frowned, quickly asking, "Then... do you still feel a surging of yang energy, a stirring in your heart, an impulse...?" "That, this junior wouldn't know," Li Changshou replied.

"Please wait a moment," the Matchmaker said, casually summoning a potted Acacia Tree into his hand. "This is the spirit treasure Acacia Tree. I'll prick you with a branch and see if you feel anything." Li Changshou nodded cooperatively, yet his mind was racing. This dream realm was truly extraordinary. Upon closer thought, it seemed some ancient texts also recorded instances of 'objects being conveyed through dreams'...

An Acacia Tree branch extended towards Li Changshou, and he allowed it to prick him. Instantly, layers of romantic thoughts surged within his heart, and his breathing became slightly hurried. After a brief pause, the Matchmaker asked with concern, "Do you feel anything?" "Yes, I do..." Li Changshou inwardly smiled, feeling the innate yang energy within him surging, yet he feigned a frown. "But not much."

"This, this," the Matchmaker frowned, then offered a wry smile. "Let's try pricking you a few more times." Li Changshou, however, coughed and quickly declined. Another prick, and something serious might actually happen! "No worries, senior. I'll just go back and regulate myself. My junior sister is still by my side, so it's not very convenient."

The Matchmaker's face immediately fell into a worried frown. Li Changshou, after carefully considering his words, continued speaking with a smile...

***

Half an hour later, at the Heavenly Court, before the Dream-Guidance Instrument, the Matchmaker stirred and awoke. He couldn't help but stroke his beard with a smile, a surge of emotion in his heart. Feeling inside his sleeve, he found the storage ring was gone, and instantly felt a profound sense of relief. It was perfectly resolved. "What a truly excellent junior," he mused, "possessing the demeanor of a major sect disciple!"

"Ahem, ahem," the golden-armored divine general beside him stumbled slightly, quickly regaining his balance, and looked at the Matchmaker with a strained smile. Though he hadn't participated in the dream, it had been generated using his immortal power as its foundation. The dream object conveyance, in particular, had nearly depleted his primordial spirit power, especially after several consecutive dream messages prior to this one...

"Matchmaker, is everything settled?" "Many thanks, fellow Daoist, many thanks!" The Matchmaker produced a brocade box from his robes. "A small token of gratitude, merely a trifle." The immortal official, his face radiating righteousness, firmly refused. "Ah, we are not such immortals!" "I simply cannot allow you to assist me for nothing; this old man would truly feel uneasy," the Matchmaker insisted, accustomed to such pleasantries.

With one party feigning reluctance and the other persistently offering, the brocade box swiftly found its way into the immortal official's sleeve. The Matchmaker bowed deeply, bid farewell, and departed the Divine Might Palace. After seeing him off, the immortal official slumped onto the ground in front of the palace gates, letting out a long sigh of relief. He appeared visibly thinner than he had six months prior.

Meanwhile, the Matchmaker, his spirits considerably brightened, flew forward on a cloud with a contented smile. 'Changshou, what a truly excellent junior,' he thought. It was no wonder this Immortal-Du Sect disciple was so well-regarded; his character was impeccable. He respected elders, understood etiquette, and constantly considered the Matchmaker, even as a minor deity.

Most people who met him, the Matchmaker, couldn't utter three sentences without mentioning 'romantic destiny.' Yet, he had conversed with Changshou for so long without once hearing the word! This left the Matchmaker feeling incredibly comfortable. Changshou's phrase 'let nature take its course' was truly far more insightful than anything some Heavenly Generals on duty would say!

After all, isn't finding a good match in love ultimately about letting nature take its course? Changshou's consideration was incredibly thorough; he even proposed a joint oath to ease the old man’s mind. True, the junior’s oath contained a bit of verbose content, but upon closer examination, it was remarkably comprehensive, accounting for almost all conditions and eventualities.

Having sworn the Great Dao Oath, both parties agreed never to mention the damaged clay figure again. The Matchmaker would not interfere with Li Changshou’s romantic fate, and Li Changshou would not reveal this dream message to anyone. In truth, the Matchmaker had meticulously examined the clay figure upon his arrival; enveloped by the power of the Heavenly Dao, it was already undamaged, fully functional, and capable of generating and growing red strings. Initially, the Matchmaker had only been concerned...

He simply hadn't anticipated that the other party would be concerned about his own position as the Matchmaker, especially those few words that struck him right in the heart! Was his life easy? With no background and a modest cultivation, he had been placed in this role by His Majesty the Jade Emperor, obligated to manage external relations while serving both the Heavenly Court and the Heavenly Dao; he dared not provoke anyone holding a higher Heavenly Court office than him, nor those in lower positions but with superior cultivation. As for those with powerful backing, the Matchmaker dared even less to offend them. And to top it all, he served in the sensitive Hall of Destinies, where any selfish intent could easily result in being obliterated by the Purple Heaven Divine Lightning...

'Senior, you truly have endured much,' the Matchmaker thought, gazing up at the sky, hands clasped behind his back, his aged eyes filled with emotion. Ten thousand years as Matchmaker, his struggles were known only to him! And now, one more person understood him: Changshou! If possible, this Immortal-Du Sect disciple truly deserved to be a confidant!

Ah, yes, he had mentioned his master's story: Fellow Daoist Qiyuan, who, despite enduring countless hardships and facing widespread criticism, had with immense perseverance undergone spiritual release to become a Turbid Immortal. Changshou had used that story to encourage him, the beleaguered Matchmaker! In the future, if Fellow Daoist Qiyuan ever desired a leisurely position in the Heavenly Court, he would certainly do everything in his power to assist him! Those compensatory gifts he gave to young friend Changshou were truly negligible! His only regret was not having prepared more!

At the Immortal-Du Sect, on Little Qiong Peak, in the alchemy lab, Li Changshou awoke from his dream. He swiftly surveyed his surroundings and instantly noticed his junior sister standing three zhang away, her back turned to him, her cheeks visibly flushed. Li Changshou looked down at his own long robe... Hmm... It was hard to put into words.

Being pricked by the Acacia Tree in the dream was unavoidable; he was, after all, a normal male immortal who had not severed his emotional ties. Slowly rising, Li Changshou subtly adjusted his clothes, discreetly put away the ring that had inexplicably appeared in his hand, and said with a smile, "I'm awake."

"Se-senior brother," little Ling'e's shoulders trembled slightly. Not daring to turn her head, she stammered, "I-I'll go back first... I'll come back later!" With that, she fled on a cloud, not looking back, wisps of white smoke rising from her head. Li Changshou immediately chuckled, deactivating the surrounding formations for her, but couldn't help but inwardly scoff. 'Truly, a case of professing love for something yet being terrified by the reality.'