Immortal Life Is So Boring

The underworld spirits naturally dared not offend this Immortal Lord Shangchen. Although they were all immortals, the difference in rank was as vast as heaven and earth. Bai Wuchang knew him because, starting from Shangchen’s fifth reincarnation, he had always been the one assigned to arrange it. Fortunately, aside from indulging in the game of random reincarnation to stave off boredom, this Immortal Lord did nothing else. As a result, though his antics gave everyone in the underworld a headache, they could only greet him politely each time, relieved as soon as he was sent on his way.

Bai Wuchang felt he must have been plagued by bad luck recently. Otherwise, how could there be yet another troublesome immortal just after he had dealt with seven unexpected cases? It seemed he truly needed to pay a visit to Lord Yandi to rid himself of this misfortune.

“We’ve known each other for hundreds, no, even thousands of years. How is it that you haven’t changed at all?” Immortal Lord Shangchen’s tone was still gentle, but somehow his words stung.

Bai Wuchang could only think to himself, “I am a ghost immortal. Not to mention hundreds or thousands of years, even tens of thousands wouldn’t change me.”

Still, as long as Immortal Lord Shangchen didn’t take offense, things would pass smoothly enough. Bai Wuchang put on a slightly exasperated expression. “Immortal Lord, I am a ghost immortal. No matter how many times you see me, I’ll always look like this. I can’t change.” He paused, then tried tentatively, “Are you here for another reincarnation?”

Shangchen sighed. “It’s all so meaningless. This is my ninety-ninth time, but I still haven’t felt what I’m searching for. Nine is the number of supremacy, and yet, after ninety-nine reincarnations, I have gained nothing of what I truly desire. The immortal life is so dull, so pointless. This time, I don’t wish to go. Reincarnation after reincarnation—each is much the same as the last, with nothing new. It’s so tedious. Truly, an immortal life is nothing but boredom.”

Hearing him lament the ennui of immortality twice in a row, Bai Wuchang almost felt his own will falter. He shivered, quickly regaining his composure. Truly worthy of being the foremost Immortal Lord—even a sigh from him could shake one’s heart.

On second thought, Bai Wuchang found himself a bit speechless. So all these reincarnations were just Shangchen’s way of seeking novelty? Indeed, he played the game better than anyone.

Bai Wuchang’s eyes brightened. “So, Immortal Lord, are you planning to return to the Immortal Realm?” If there were a narrator, it would surely say: “Go, please, do hurry and go.”

But Shangchen waved his hand. “No, I plan to stay here and observe the lives of these wandering souls. Perhaps by watching their lifetimes, I can gain some insight.”

After all, there was little point in returning to the Immortal Realm. It was better to remain here and see what interesting stories these mortal souls might have to offer.

“You’re an Immortal Lord, and you still seek insight?” Bai Wuchang well knew that the rank of Immortal Lord was second only to the Supreme Immortal Emperor. There could be only one Immortal Emperor; all others were Immortal Lords.

Shangchen waved his hand dismissively. “Tens of thousands of years spent cultivating—truthfully, it’s mostly boredom. That’s why I took to reincarnating over and over, seeking something to liven up my immortal existence. But I found that even reincarnation brought no true excitement. So now I want to try something else: to be an observer, to watch others’ lives and see if that makes things more interesting for me.”

“Something interesting in immortal life…” Bai Wuchang thought Shangchen’s words sounded remarkably modern. After ninety-nine reincarnations, he truly had picked up some of the latest expressions.

At that moment, a man clad in an olive-green military uniform approached. His gaze was somewhat vacant, but his whole body radiated a golden light—the light of accumulated virtue.

Bai Wuchang, upon seeing his face, was momentarily taken aback. “Immortal Lord Shangchen, look at that man. He seems to resemble you somewhat. Could he be your descendant?”

Shangchen glanced at Bai Wuchang. “I may have reincarnated ninety-nine times, but I’ve never married. Where would I have descendants?”

He looked at the man. Though the newcomer’s expression was still dazed, it could not obscure his natural handsomeness and commanding presence. He did look somewhat like Shangchen, but where Shangchen exuded an otherworldly, elusive aura befitting an Immortal Lord, this man was strikingly heroic and upright, radiating integrity.

Bai Wuchang had only been making small talk. He pulled out the Book of Life and Death to check. “Immortal Lord, this man is named Yu Shangchen. ‘Yu’ as in feather, ‘Shang’ as in above, ‘Chen’ as in the character under a roof. His name sounds similar to yours, though the characters are different—perhaps it’s fate.

“He is from the Yu family in the imperial capital, a family of warriors whose existence is devoted to protecting the Great Hua. Yu Shangchen was a rare military genius. This time, he led five men into the most dangerous territory on a mission. He sacrificed himself to save his comrades. Born in 1964, died in 1993, at the age of twenty-nine.”

Suddenly, Shangchen felt a stirring in his heart. For reasons he couldn’t quite explain, he wished to speak with Yu Shangchen. He touched Yu Shangchen lightly on the forehead, and the daze cleared from Yu’s eyes. He looked around, noting the line of souls ahead, all queuing numbly, and the bridge not far away with “Bridge of Helplessness” written upon it. He seemed surprised. “I’m dead?”

Bai Wuchang nodded. “As things stand, yes. You died saving your comrades.”

Yu Shangchen eyed Bai Wuchang in his white robes. “And you are?”

“My real name hasn’t been spoken in ages. Among humans, I’m known as Bai Wuchang. It’s merely my job title, but you may as well call me that,” Bai replied, seeing no need for further explanation.

Yu Shangchen nodded. “Comrade Bai, are my comrades safe?”

“Perfectly safe. You gave your life for them. Except for you, all are unharmed,” Bai Wuchang answered solemnly.

“That’s good.” Yu Shangchen breathed a sigh of relief. “So, where do I report now?”

His straightforward questions were unique, but undeniably, Yu Shangchen adapted quickly to the reality of the underworld.

At that moment, Immortal Lord Shangchen asked, “Are you not saddened by your own death?”

Yu Shangchen replied earnestly, “At first, I was a little sad. But I have two older brothers, so my parents won’t be left without descendants. Even if all of us were to die, since we sacrificed ourselves for the Great Hua, my parents also served the nation in their youth, and the state will care for them in their old age. Though I feel reluctant to leave them, I am not worried about their future. Besides, I gave my life for my beliefs, and I am satisfied.”

“What is your belief?” Shangchen was curious—perhaps more curious than he had ever been—about how a person could give up everything, even life itself, for the sake of belief. For the first time, Immortal Lord Shangchen found himself truly intrigued by the world Yu Shangchen came from.