Granny Huang didn’t quite understand what was going on, but trusting Xi Mufu, she followed without hesitation.
The reservoir was next to the farm, surrounded by a small forest. Without guidance from a small animal, it would have been difficult to find Huahua.
“That old cat is so pitiful… I think it hasn’t eaten or drunk anything; it’s about to die.” When they arrived at the reservoir, Xi Mufu heard a sparrow chirping in a tree branch. “It almost got caught and eaten by a wild cat before. It helped me back then. Maybe I should get it some bugs to eat?”
Another sparrow replied, “It’s refusing food on purpose; you can’t help it.”
“I still want to help it!” The sparrow flapped its wings and flew into the forest, likely toward Huahua’s hiding spot.
Xi Mufu couldn’t help but marvel at the gratitude shared among animals.
“Let’s go this way.” Following the direction the sparrow flew, she helped Granny Huang pursue it.
Ji Jiu followed behind at a calm pace, not intervening. He did not meddle in human karma; he only acted if the safety of the Six Realms was threatened.
After about ten minutes, Xi Mufu saw the sparrow stop under a large tree.
The sparrow, perceptive as ever, had already noticed the humans following. Recognizing Granny Huang as Huahua’s owner, it didn’t avoid them. Instead, it flapped its wings and chirped, “Hurry! Save the old cat!”
Xi Mufu spotted the weak tabby cat under the tree roots and whispered, “There it is!”
Granny Huang stepped forward quickly, scooped up Huahua, and tears streamed down her face. “Huahua!”
Huahua was too weak to move. It didn’t run from Granny Huang, but it seemed reluctant for her to see it, its cloudy eyes showing a hint of resistance. “No…”
On the way there, Xi Mufu had explained Huahua’s situation to Granny Huang. Understanding the cat’s feelings, Granny Huang gently stroked its back. “If you had left me all alone, I would’ve been heartbroken. You’ve been with me for over ten years—just like one of my children.”
Huahua clearly understood. Its front paws rested on Granny Huang’s arm, and it gradually calmed down.
Granny Huang knew the cat was willing to go home with her. Tears still glimmered in her eyes, but she said happily, “Come on, let’s go home!”
At the very moment Granny Huang turned to leave, Xi Mufu saw a streak of golden light fall on her.
She froze, instinctively glancing at Ji Jiu.
Ji Jiu: “That’s merit.”
Xi Mufu’s eyes widened. So helping Granny Huang find Huahua could generate merit too?
“All things have spirits,” Ji Jiu said, giving only four words.
Xi Mufu’s heart trembled, and from that moment on, she developed a deeper reverence for all living beings.
What she didn’t realize was that the reason she could see the golden merit light was because she had stepped into the realm of Taoist practice.
Ji Jiu knew this, of course, but he said nothing—many things needed to be felt and understood by her personally.
On the way back, Granny Huang grew a little tired. Xi Mufu thought for a moment and offered, “Shall I carry Huahua?”
Granny Huang looked at the cat. Seeing that it didn’t resist, she handed it over.
Xi Mufu held Huahua securely in her arms.
Huahua recognized her scent and didn’t struggle.
Xi Mufu’s heart softened even more. She gently stroked the cat’s head, lowering her eyelids and whispering softly to it.
Ji Jiu glanced at her and smiled.
The three of them, with the cat, returned to town. Xi Mufu accompanied Granny Huang back to her yard.
Granny Huang’s family had already arranged for a local veterinarian to wait at the gate. As soon as they entered, the vet attended to Huahua, stabilizing its condition for the time being.
Of course, Huahua was indeed old and nearing the natural end of life. But with Granny Huang by its side, Huahua would be content, and Granny Huang would have no regrets.
“Xi Mufu, today we really owe you so much,” Granny Huang said, clasping her hands in gratitude.
It was just after dinner, a time when many neighbors strolled the streets. Hearing about Xi Mufu helping find Huahua, they were full of amazement.
“Xi Mufu’s talent is amazing! I think she’s even more remarkable than her grandfather!” Granny Huang kept praising her.
Xi Mufu: “…”
I’m not! I didn’t do it!
It’s all thanks to the [Listening Ring]!
Honestly, she hadn’t expected the item to work this way. Initially, it was meant to assist with her planting skill. The rice hadn’t reacted at all—but it had helped locate Huahua. Truly miraculous.
But Granny Huang insisted Xi Mufu’s fortune-telling skill was amazing, praising her nonstop, even calling her a “semi-immortal.”
Xi Mufu: “…”
She really wasn’t!
No one heard her inner protests. Thanks to Granny Huang’s praise, within a few days, the town’s residents affectionately began calling her “Little Semi-Immortal,” fully believing in her abilities.
Xi Mufu: …So tiring. Enough already!
When Shan Qu learned of this, he smiled and said, “You were always our Taoist genius. ‘Little Semi-Immortal’ is so cute.”
Xi Mufu: “…”
Comforting me well, next time don’t.
Ji Jiu, quietly sipping tea nearby, noticed her rare speechless expression and a faint smile flickered in his eyes.
“Do you want to learn physiognomy? Ge Wu and I have some experience in that. If you want, we can teach you,” said one of the Longhu Mountain elders, smiling.
He was being modest; as elders of Longhu Mountain and Maoshan, their abilities were well-known.
Of course, Xi Mufu wanted to learn. Ever since encountering the otherworldly guests and Taoist practice, it was like a door to a new world had opened. She was naturally drawn to mysterious arts like physiognomy.
Even if she learned it, she hoped to remain low-profile—she didn’t want neighbors calling her “Little Semi-Immortal” anymore.
Unfortunately, things didn’t go as she hoped. Town residents spread her “reputation,” and people actually came to seek her help—not just for lost pets, but even missing children.
That evening, Sister Wang from a neighboring household ran hurriedly to the incense shop. “Xi Mufu! Xi Mufu! My son is missing! Please help me see if he was taken by traffickers!”
Her son, Xiaofeng, was six years old and just started first grade. At noon, he went out. She assumed he went to a friend’s house in the front street. But after calling, she realized he hadn’t gone there and panicked.
Neighbors immediately gathered when they heard about potential traffickers.
Xi Mufu wanted to say she couldn’t tell the future—but she happened to be wearing the [Listening Ring] and heard the family dog circling nearby:
“It’s not traffickers. Xiaofeng wanted KFC at noon. His mom wouldn’t let him and scolded him a bit, so he ran to his grandma’s house in the countryside.”
Xi Mufu: “…”
So that’s what happened.
“You scolded him earlier, right?” she asked cautiously.
Sister Wang was stunned, then excitedly grabbed her sleeve. “Yes! I scolded him at noon! You even knew that?!”
Her expression said plainly: “You really are a diviner!”
Xi Mufu: “…”