Grandma Huang didn’t understand what was happening, but trusting Xi Mufu completely, she followed without hesitation.
The reservoir was right next to the farm, where there stood a grove of trees. Without guidance from small animals, it would have been difficult to find Hua Hua.
“That old cat is so pitiful. I see it neither eating nor drinking, soon to die,” chirped a sparrow on a branch as Xi Mufu arrived at the reservoir. “Once, I was nearly caught and eaten by a wild cat, but it saved me. Should I go catch some insects for it to eat?”
Another sparrow replied, “It’s deliberately refusing food. You can’t help it.”
“But I must try!” The sparrow flapped its wings and flew deeper into the woods, likely heading toward Hua Hua’s hiding spot.
Xi Mufu couldn’t help but feel moved—even the bonds of gratitude between animals were touching.
“This way,” she said, supporting Grandma Huang as they followed the sparrow’s direction.
Ji Jiu followed them at a leisurely pace but showed no intention of intervening. He never interfered with mortal karma, only acting when the safety of the Six Realms was threatened.
After about ten minutes of walking, Xi Mufu saw the sparrow perched under a large tree.
The sparrow seemed quite perceptive, having noticed the humans following it earlier. It probably recognized Grandma Huang as Hua Hua’s owner, so instead of fleeing, it fluttered its wings and cried, “Hurry! Save the old cat!”
Xi Mufu had already spotted the weak tabby cat at the base of the tree and whispered, “There!”
Grandma Huang strode forward, scooped up the tabby cat, and tears streamed down her face. “Hua Hua!”
Hua Hua was too weak from hunger to move, so it didn’t run away upon seeing Grandma Huang. However, it seemed reluctant to let her see it in this state, its cloudy eyes showing a hint of resistance. “No…”
On the way, Xi Mufu had explained Hua Hua’s situation to Grandma Huang, who understood the cat’s feelings perfectly. She gently stroked its back and said, “I would only be heartbroken if you left me all alone. You’ve been my old companion for over ten years—you’re like my own child.”
Hua Hua clearly understood, resting its front paws on Grandma Huang’s arm and gradually calming down.
Seeing that Hua Hua was willing to return home with her, Grandma Huang, tears still glistening in her eyes, happily declared, “Let’s go home!”
The moment Grandma Huang turned to leave, Xi Mufu saw a strand of golden light descend upon her.
She froze in surprise and instinctively glanced at Ji Jiu.
Ji Jiu said, “It’s Merit.”
Xi Mufu’s eyes widened. So, helping Grandma Huang find Hua Hua could also earn Merit?
“All beings have spirits,” Ji Jiu offered only these four words.
A tremor passed through Xi Mufu’s heart, and from then on, she held all living creatures in greater reverence.
Unbeknownst to her, the reason she could see the golden light of Merit was that she had stepped into the Xuanmen.
Ji Jiu naturally knew this, but he didn’t elaborate. Many things required her to experience and comprehend on her own.
On the way back, Grandma Huang grew tired from walking. After a moment’s thought, Xi Mufu stepped forward and offered, “Shall I carry Hua Hua?”
Grandma Huang looked down at Hua Hua and, seeing the cat didn’t shy away, handed it over.
Xi Mufu held it securely in her arms.
Hua Hua was familiar with her scent and didn’t struggle.
Xi Mufu’s heart softened even more. She gently stroked the little cat’s head, her eyelids lowered as she whispered to it.
Ji Jiu glanced at her and smiled.
·
The trio and a cat returned to the town, with Xi Mufu accompanying Grandma Huang back to her courtyard.
Grandma Huang’s family had already arranged for the local pet veterinarian to wait at the gate. The moment they entered, the doctor administered treatment, temporarily stabilizing Hua Hua’s condition.
Of course, Hua Hua was indeed old and nearing the end of life’s journey. But with Grandma Huang by her side, Hua Hua must have felt content, and Grandma Huang would have no regrets.
“Xiao Fu, I truly owe it all to you today,” Grandma Huang grasped Xi Mufu’s hand, thanking her repeatedly.
It was just after dinner, during leisure hours, and many neighbors were strolling and chatting on the streets. Hearing about Xi Mufu’s help in finding Hua Hua, they marveled in amazement.
“Xiao Fu’s skills are extraordinary—I’d say she’s even more capable than her grandfather!” Grandma Huang praised her relentlessly.
Xi Mufu: “…”
I’m not, I didn’t!
It was all thanks to the Listening Ring!
To be honest, she hadn’t expected the props to be used this way. Initially, she only intended to assist with the Planting Skill, but unfortunately, the rice grains showed no response. Instead, it helped locate Hua Hua—truly miraculous.
But Grandma Huang insisted that Xi Mufu’s fortune-telling skills were remarkable and kept praising her, eventually even calling her ‘Half-Immortal.’
Xi Mufu: “…”
She really wasn’t!
Unfortunately, no one heard her inner cries. Through Grandma Huang’s promotion, within a few days, the townsfolk began affectionately calling her ‘Little Half-Immortal,’ firmly believing in her abilities.
Xi Mufu: …I’m exhausted, let it all end!
When Shan Qu learned of this, he smiled and said, “You’ve always been a genius of our Xuanmen. ‘Little Half-Immortal’ is such an endearing title.”
Xi Mufu: “…”
That was comforting—please don’t comfort me like that again.
Ji Jiu, quietly sipping tea nearby, noticed her rare expression of speechlessness and a flicker of amusement passed through his eyes.
“Would you like to learn Xiang Shu? Ge Wu and I have some experience in this area,” the Third Elder of Longhu Mountain said with a smile. “If you’re interested, we can teach you.”
His words were modest—as elders of Longhu Mountain and the Mao Shan Sect, his and Ge Wu Zhanglao’s abilities spoke for themselves.
Xi Mufu certainly wanted to learn. Ever since encountering visitors from other realms and coming into contact with Xuanmen, it felt like a new world had opened up to her. She was naturally drawn to such a mysterious art as Xiang Shu.
However, even if she mastered Xiang Shu, she hoped to keep a low profile. It would be best if the neighbors stopped calling her ‘Little Half-Immortal’ at every turn.
Unfortunately, things didn’t go as she wished. Not only did the townspeople spread her ‘reputation,’ but some actually came to her with problems. Beyond finding pets, there were even those asking her to help locate missing children.
·
One evening, Sister Wang from the neighborhood rushed to the entrance of the Incense Shop, shouting loudly, “Xiao Fu, Xiao Fu! My son is missing! Please help me divine whether he’s been taken by traffickers!”
Her son, Xiao Feng, was six years old and had just started first grade. He had left at noon, and she assumed he went to a classmate’s house on the front street. But when she called just now, she learned he never arrived, sending her into a panic.
Hearing about possible traffickers, nearby neighbors quickly gathered around.
Xi Mufu initially wanted to say she couldn’t tell fortunes, but she happened to be wearing the Listening Ring and heard Sister Wang’s pet dog circling nearby—
“Not a human trafficker at all. Xiao Feng wanted KFC for lunch, but his mother wouldn’t allow it and even scolded him a few times, so he ran off to his grandmother’s house in the countryside.”
Xi Mufu: “…”
So that’s what happened?
“Did you scold him during the day?” she tentatively asked.
Sister Wang froze for a moment, then excitedly grabbed her sleeve: “Yes, I yelled at him at noon. You can even calculate that?!”
Her face showed an expression that clearly said ‘you really are a fortune teller’.
Xi Mufu: “…”