The Immortal Diaries: The Seventh Part

Before I post the second part of the Undying Memoirs, first let me post the long-awaited seventh installment of the Immortal Diaries. These next few installments would be about the new immortals; those who have recently ascended to the highest level of cultivation after their long and tedious training under the Senior Immortals.

Presenting one of the first to ascend the Path under the guidance of Antares, here is the story of LiuBei, Immortal of the Flowing Rivers.

LiuBei, the Immortal of the Flowing Rivers

LiuBei was once considered the best chef in the Empire; his cooking unsurpassed by no one. He worked at the Imperial Palace as the Imperial Chef of the Empress herself but due to the fame and attention that he was getting from the Empress, some of his assistant cooks plotted against him and LiuBei was exiled from Dragon City for allegedly trying to poison the Empress’ dinner.

Traumatized and left with no other possession but the cooking utensils that he had brought with him to the Palace, LiuBei left Dragon City, leaving his bitter memories behind. He sought to refine his talents through traveling, heading to the farthest of towns and even working at several tea houses until he had enough yuan to continue his travels.

During his travels along the banks of the Carefree Pool, LiuBei was met with an unusual challenge. He had intended to camp out for the night in Yujia Forest and decided to fish for his dinner. But having waited all evening, he fell asleep halfway through the morning and did not even manage to make a single catch. For three days it went, as if Fate was playing a cruel trick on him: His travels would always culminate at places where fish would just be the only available source of food, and every time he would try to fish, no fish would dare approach his line.

“You’re doing it wrong.”

During his third night of fruitless fishing in the banks of Carefree Pool, LiuBei turned tiredly towards the direction of the voice. He was surprised to find a man standing beside him, watching his fishing prowess intently.

“For a man that is talented in the kitchens, you are an amateur at catching the very fish you cook.” The man said. “Here.”

He took the fishing rod from the awed LiuBei and cast the line in the water. Almost instantly three fishes struggled to grab the bait.

“Fishing is very much like cooking.” The man said. “To fish, one must have passion and devotion, similar to the way you act when you are facing your utensils and ingredients.”

As the man turned to go, the light of LiuBei’s campfire fell full on his face – it was the Immortal Antares.

“Y-You!” LiuBei cried out.

“Took you long enough to find out.” Antares replied calmly. “I can see in your eyes that you seek more than what the art of cooking can offer you.”

“I confess I cannot completely make others happy with just my talent.” LiuBei said. “But if someone would show me…”

Antares smiled.

“It’s your decision.”

Thus LiuBei followed Antares in his travels, and during this time, the Immortal taught him many things until he was ready to be shown the Path to Immortality.