Yet in my old and declining years, to see an old friend return suffices to comfort my life.
Now I record this story to caution the world—amidst the vast mortal realm, hidden mysteries, only the friendship of friends endures through the ages.
"..."
Xu Qing widened his eyes, incomprehensibly looking at the last autobiography written by Guo Dongyang.
Chatting isn't nonsense, adaptation isn't fabrication; is this how an autobiography is written?
The crucial point is that Guo Dongyang actually made up some truths amid his fabrications.
Xu Qing was speechless for a while.
Beside him, Guo Baolin saw Xu Qing close the book and remarked with a smile, "Master sees the gentleman as a confidant, earlier when I saw the elder finish this piece, I thought it was truly the case. As it turns out, it seems Master just misses his old friend so dearly, that's why he wrote it so mystically."
Xu Qing looked at the fat man before him, now disguised as a middle-aged man, completely unlike how Guo Dongyang's travelogue described him in his youth, which explained the fat man's thoughts.
"In this world, where are there any immortals or ghosts? I am merely favored by your master. Ultimately, you and I are mortal. But your master said one thing right, the world changes, only the friendship of friends remains forever in the heart and endures through the ages."
"Enough, let's not dwell on this. Take me to see your master."
Xu Qing got up and followed Guo Baolin, traversing the path, until he arrived at Guo Dongyang's lodging, where he saw the old man lying on a chair, covered by a thin blanket.
He waved to signal Guo Baolin to leave, but the latter acted as if he did not see it.
It seemed this fat man still did not trust him, the stranger.
Xu Qing's brows raised slightly, his fingers flicked, and a wisp of ethereal energy silently infiltrated Guo Baolin's body.
The next moment, with a thud, the fat man collapsed on the ground and began snoring.
When the courtyard was devoid of any others, Xu Qing pondered for a moment, then reached out to his face, restoring his original appearance.
"Brother Dongyang, long time no see."
A Yellow Bud Pill entered his belly, Guo Dongyang woke up weakly, and upon seeing Xu Qing's youthful face, his cloudy eyes suddenly widened.
"Brother Xu? It truly is Brother Xu!"
"Could it be the dream I had that day was truly a message from Brother Xu?"
Xu Qing smiled and said, "What you think about by day becomes what you dream of at night. I don't have the magic to send dreams."
Upon hearing this, Guo Dongyang did not feel disappointed. He loved tales and legends throughout his life but rarely experienced them personally.
Previously, he acted on his own, fabricating an autobiography to deceive posterity, merely to fulfill a long-cherished wish.
Who would have thought, fabrication wasn't just rambling, and his former friend was indeed exceptional!
In the undisturbed courtyard, friends of different generations freely shared their thoughts, laughing and chatting.
As the moonlight shone, Guo Dongyang suddenly stood up and went to his disciple.
At this time, Guo Baolin was still sleeping soundly on the blanket.
Guo Dongyang fumbled for a while and took a key from his disciple, then went to his residence to retrieve the original version of Dongyang's Travelogue locked in the iron cabinet.
"Brother Xu, my disciple has a good nature, but he suffered too many setbacks in his youth, seeing much of the warmth and coldness of human relationships, which fostered his distrust of others, relying only on himself."
"Even this travelogue, he doesn't want to show it to outsiders."
Xu Qing laughed, "This travelogue, to him, is a tool for his livelihood. These stories are enough for him to tell for a lifetime, and if well preserved, generation after generation need not worry about sustenance."
Guo Dongyang shook his head and said, "The best of things won't last long, as soon as there's an unworthy descendant, all will become nothing."
"Moreover, storytelling is not merely dependent on written tales; he has missed the essence for the trivial! If there's anything truly worth treasuring, it's actually within himself."
"A foundation in storytelling can't compare to this treasure?"
Guo Dongyang shook his head again and then handed the retrieved travelogue to Xu Qing.
"This travelogue in others' hands may not be passed down, but if in Brother Xu's hand, even if it can't be passed to future generations, it won't be lost."
Guo Dongyang paused and continued, "Even if Brother Xu doesn't have the appearance of an immortal or extraordinary skills, this travelogue I intended to give Brother Xu anyway."
"After all, among the confidant friends I've known, besides the elder brother who went to become an official, only Brother Xu remains in this world..."
"..."
Xu Qing was speechless. Once people reach a certain age, those around them inevitably leave one after another, which is a natural change, not something human strength can alter.
That day, as daylight broke.
Guo Baolin slowly awoke, opened his eyes, first bewildered, then suddenly remembering something, he rushed to his master's quarters.
Upon entering the room, he saw his master with a blank expression, asking as soon as he saw him:
"Who are you? Where is this place? Who am I? Why am I here?"
"..."
Guo Baolin was about to speak when he suddenly noticed a letter pressed under a paperweight on the table.
He opened it and saw his master's handwriting, stating that Dongyang's Travelogue had been given to Mr. Xu.
Wu Zhiyuan aided the king throughout, achieving great success, was granted the title Wencheng Duke, serving as Shangshu Pu She, and took charge of decision-making at the center; Wu Wencai governed the local area, making Jingzhou stable, having served as Jingzhou Pacification Commissioner and Lingnan Leader, and afterwards assumed the role of Assistant Minister upon returning to the capital and was conferred the title of Elder Jingcheng, managing crucial matters.
Now, the Wu Family brothers serve as officials in the same court, both holding high positions, truly a family producing double talents!