Chapter Nine: The Rise and Fall of Liaochen’s Destiny

As it happened, Luchen had scarcely withdrawn the ancestral copper coin when it was discovered that the coin warding off evil spirits from the princess’s chamber door had vanished without a trace. This caused no small stir. The copper coin was said to be a gift from an immortal, famed for its efficacy. Its loss spelled trouble for many.

The princess, resting in her room with child, was at ease, nurturing her pregnancy. Hearing the commotion outside, she frowned and addressed her trusted nursemaid, “Nurse, go see what’s happening outside. Such disorder—has everyone forgotten their manners?” The nursemaid immediately obeyed, her heart ablaze, thinking, “Do they not know the princess is nurturing her child? What’s with this racket—what are they trying to do?”

The princess had been raised and cared for by this nursemaid, their bond closer than that of mother and daughter. Years spent serving the princess’s family had left the nurse’s own children distant; later, she followed her mistress into the Prince of Xing’s household, cementing her unique status.

The moment the nursemaid appeared at the chamber door, the noisy courtyard fell silent, with maids and servants kneeling across the ground.

“What’s going on? Such uproar—do you not know the princess needs peace for her pregnancy?” the nursemaid scolded.

A senior maid, trembling, stepped forward and replied softly, “Reporting to Madam, the copper coin warding off evil spirits from the princess’s door is missing. Everyone is unsettled, hence the commotion.” Clearly, she feared the princess learning of the incident.

“What?” The nursemaid turned and looked up, seeing that the copper coin once suspended by a red string was gone, only the lonely red string dangling in its place. Strangely, the string was not broken. The nursemaid’s face changed dramatically, her mind racing—should she report this to the princess? But the princess was months along; what if the shock harmed her? Gritting her teeth, the nursemaid declared, “All of you, get out! Do not speak of this, leave everything to the Prince and Princess. Any gossip will be punished severely—do you hear me?”

Without waiting for their responses, the nursemaid returned inside, composed herself, and reported to the princess, “Your Highness, it’s nothing serious. Just a little bird fell into the courtyard.”

The princess laughed, “A bird? Oh! Be sure not to harm it. If it’s hurt, call a doctor; if not, let it go. I must accumulate virtue for my eldest and for the child in my womb.” She patted her round belly, clearly full of anticipation for the child. The nursemaid replied, “Yes, I will instruct the staff accordingly. The Prince should be returning from seclusion soon—I will inquire about his plans.” The princess waved her hand, unconcerned, “Go on, nurse—return quickly.”

The Prince of Xing was nearly consumed by his quest for immortality, obsessed with Daoist cultivation and the search for eternal life. He had just emerged from secluded alchemy practice with Master Yin Yangzi of Qingyun Temple when he received the nursemaid’s request for an audience. The prince was surprised—why not send a eunuch or maid to report? Why trouble the princess’s loyal nursemaid herself?

“Your Highness, the copper coin warding off evil spirits from the princess’s door is missing.” The nursemaid’s words nearly made the prince leap up.

“What happened? When did it disappear? Was it stolen? Any clues?” The prince was furious.

“Your Highness, what’s strange is that the coin vanished in broad daylight. The whole courtyard was present, yet no one saw how it was lost. The red string was not broken. No one knows how the thief took it,” the nursemaid replied.

“Hm.” The prince calmed himself. His mansion was tightly guarded—who could enter and leave so freely in daylight? If such were possible... A cold sweat broke out on him.

“Summon Captain Lu and Chief Guard Zhang Da,” he ordered his attendant eunuch, recognizing the peculiarity of the situation.

“Nursemaid, please sit. I want to see who has the ability to come and go in the prince’s residence as they please.” The prince ordered a chair for her.

Soon, Captain Lu and Chief Guard Zhang Da arrived. Hearing the prince’s account, both sensed something was amiss.

“Reporting to Your Highness, the guards on duty today noticed nothing unusual,” Zhang Da began to sweat.

Captain Lu was silent for a long time, then suddenly seemed to recall something. “Your Highness, could it be that the copper coin was reclaimed? The five-year term mentioned at the time—today marks exactly five years.”

His words earned him Zhang Da’s immeasurable gratitude; drinking companions indeed. Yet Lu hadn’t even thought of Zhang as a friend.

“But even if there was a five-year term, there was also a five-year reunion promised. How could it be taken without notification?” The prince found Lu’s words plausible—he truly didn’t want to believe someone could make his guards invisible.

“Then we should ask the gate guards if they saw the immortal visit,” Lu suggested.

“Bring in today’s gate guard. I’ll question him myself,” the prince commanded.

The gate guard was brought in; no long questioning was needed for an answer. The guard who had received Luchen now knelt, sweat pouring down, and confessed, “I truly did not know that Daoist was an immortal, Your Highness. I notified the gate eunuch to report, but the immortal lingered at the gate, then said, ‘Fate is at an end, all is predetermined, the merit is fulfilled, no need to force things.’ Then he left. I thought he grew impatient waiting, so I did not insist.”

The prince was so vexed he hardly knew what to say. Could he blame the guard for failing to recognize a sage? Annoyed, he turned his anger on his chief eunuch: “Why did the gate eunuch not report? Does he think I don’t exist?” His words carried murderous intent.

The chief eunuch immediately prostrated himself, face pale, protesting, “I did not know, Your Highness! I was always in the alchemy room assisting your practice!”

“Bring me that wretch of a gate eunuch. I want to see who gave him the guts to conceal this!” The prince would not tolerate such lawlessness among his servants.

The chief eunuch, feeling reprieved, rushed out; self-preservation was all he cared for now, even if the gate eunuch was his own foster son or fellow villager.

When the chief eunuch brought the gate eunuch in, the boy’s face was drained of color, knowing he had no hope of survival. He knelt, tears streaming, lamenting—who could have foreseen the Daoist’s extraordinary identity?

Having heard everything, the prince’s anger faded. What use was his frustration? He waved his hand in annoyance. “Take this wretch away for punishment! Audacious beyond belief!” Then, turning to his chief eunuch, he said, “Your man caused trouble—you won’t escape blame. From today, retire to your home and rest. We’ve served together for decades; I’ll see you comfortably settled.” Ignoring the eunuch’s pleas, he ordered, “Captain Lu, find out if the immortal is still in Anlu. Chief Zhang, drive away Master Yin Yangzi and his disciples—I do not wish to see them again.” With that, the prince departed, full of regret. The opportunity for transcendence had been delivered to him, yet he missed it by a hair’s breadth. In the end, he lacked the destined affinity.

Meanwhile, Daoist Luchen had already settled hundreds of miles away in a remote mountain. The hunter there was an odd sort—not hunting, but tending to wounded animals. Over time, the mountain beasts learned that here was a good man and a haven; if hungry, they could find food. Some lazy, clever creatures even took up residence under Luchen’s cabin. Each morning, animals gathered outside—tigers, leopards, wolves, rabbits, and antelope mingled peacefully, an extraordinary sight. Before long, a woodcutter witnessed this miracle, his eyes nearly falling out in astonishment before he fled in panic.

Stories of a mountain spirit began to circulate in nearby villages.