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The Immortal Without Flying Back to Chang'an and His Moon
墨書 Inktalez
"I am Li Bai."
It is indeed Li Bai!
Silver Saddle on a White Horse, dashing like a shooting star.
The moon of the Poetry World, a superstar in Literary History, his brilliance is beyond what even a meteor could describe. The vast galaxy shines, and Li Bai along with his poetry resembles a dazzling Meteor Shower.
All beings gaze in awe, paying homage to this genius.
And at this moment, he stands before you.
Dressed in a white robe, with a long sword by his side, he embodies the essence of a refreshing wanderer. His Eagle Eyes are bright and piercing, exuding an air of grandeur and freedom, a celestial figure that captivates all who behold him.
At this time, Li Bai is still young, firmly believing that he will soar like the Kunpeng. Carrying treasures worth thousands, he wields his sword and leaves his homeland, journeying far from Shu, heading eastward to explore Chang'an.
The legend of Li Bai begins at this moment.
Before he could pen the famous poem "Crossing Jingmen to Bid Farewell," he encounters you, descending from the heavens.
A swordsman, a Mad Scholar.
"You are Li Bai." It is a statement of certainty; yes, without a doubt, the person before you is indeed the renowned Qing Lian Ju Shi, Li Bai, whose name will echo through the ages.
The one who made Strongman remove his shoes, who had the favored concubine grind ink for him, and whose poetry led emperors to grant him gold and release him from confinement—this Immortal Poet, Li Bai.
In all of Chinese history, there has only been one such person.
You recited the lines that were about to spill from your heart:
“…The mountains fade into the plains, the river flows into the vast wilderness, beneath the moon, a mirror flies in the sky, clouds rise to form a sea tower…”
“Are you a person from the future?”
Li Bai listened to your self-introduction, marveling at the notion that you hailed from an era devoid of immortals, where one could effortlessly embrace the heavens without riding clouds.
Damn that plane crash that sent you back to the Tang Dynasty.
Yet, how fortunate it was that you could meet Li Bai!
Couldn’t you also leave your name in history like Wang Lun—
No, all you wanted was to be friends with Li Bai. Who cared about historical fame? You wanted to meet Huaisu Monk, to know the Poet Sage Du Fu, to be acquainted with the renowned Meng Fuzi, and to share drinks with He Zhizhang, who traded his golden turtle for wine.
You longed to see if Wang Wei, the Poet Buddha, was truly a handsome man and to explore the poetry within his paintings and the artistry within his verses.
“Friend, has Li’s long-held wish been fulfilled…”
You grabbed Li Bai's hand and ran through the bustling streets. In the vibrant city of Yangzhou during the third month of spring, you spent all your money on a pleasure boat, reveling in sheer delight.
You couldn’t compose poetry; instead, you watched with eyes from over a thousand years later as Li Bai mingled and sang with others.
“Qing Lian Ju Shi, Exiled Immortal, thirty springs hidden in taverns.”
"With a stroke of my pen, I shake the Five Mountains; when the poem is complete, I laugh proudly over the vast ocean."
"No, Li Shier, we are still far from it! Your fortune lies ahead!" You chuckle with him, contemplating whether to trick him into visiting the Yellow Crane Tower to admire Cui Hao's masterpiece.
Would that hasten the birth of "Ascending the Phoenix Terrace in Jinling"?
Yet, you also cherish "A Dream of Wandering to the Heavenly Lady" and "The Roads of Shu are Difficult," appreciating his leisurely pursuits in seeking immortality and indulging in life's pleasures.
"Li, perform a dance for your young friend!" The cold light glimmers from Li Bai's sword, while the moonlight shimmers like frost in Yangzhou.
Li Bai possesses a hint of nomadic blood; when he dances, there’s an added wildness and flamboyance. This is Li Bai—upon seeing him, you would never doubt his identity.
There has only been one Li Bai in history.
Many modern readers enjoy the thrill of Wen Chao Gong's works, but how could you ever hope to outshine Li Bai by mere imitation?
This is Li Bai we are talking about!
If one claims that talent is measured by eight dou, then Li Bai has been generously gifted an extra eight dou by Wenquxing and Tai Bai Jin Xing.
"Clear water brings forth lotus flowers, naturally free from embellishment."
"With a hearty laugh, I stride out the door; how could we be mere weeds?"
"I was born with talent that must be of use; even if I squander all my wealth, it will return to me."
"How can one bend their brow and serve the powerful, preventing me from smiling freely?"
"My young friend, which poem by Li do people admire the most?"
He widened his eyes, his gaze sharp as he posed this question that had been on his mind.
You smiled and told him he probably wouldn't believe it, but it was his "Quiet Night Thoughts."
"Moonlight before my bed, I suspect it's frost on the ground. I raise my head to gaze at the bright moon, and lower it to think of my hometown."
The path of greatness is simple; among the myriad emotions in the world, only homesickness is the most profound.
You could see that he truly did not believe you.
At this moment, Li Bai was young and impetuous, looking forward to a future where he would surely achieve great things, serving the emperor in the court and realizing his political ideals.
He would later create more magnificent poems, leaving behind a treasure trove of spiritual wealth for future generations.
But at this moment, he was still a fledgling Li Bai.
"Li Bai, you will be very famous in the future!" As you climbed Tianmu Mountain, panting for breath—mostly you were out of breath while Li Bai beside you seemed unfazed.
He disregarded everything and reached out to grasp the clouds, clearly standing on a high cliff—"Li knows."
You laughed heartily, thinking to yourself, no wonder he is Li Bai.
You are about to leave, crossing countless rivers and mountains, with that donkey following closely behind. At this moment, you encounter nothing.
No Taoist priests, no immortals.
Li Bai is already forty years old.
The imperial decree that would make him famous throughout the land has finally arrived!
He is summoned to the palace and appointed as a Hanlin Academy Attendant.
You furrow your brows slightly; everything is unfolding as it did in the past. This is fate, isn't it?
The future stems from every past.
Li Bai cannot refuse the summons.
Look at him, overjoyed, saying he wants to take you to see the sights of Chang'an, boasting about the city's exquisite delicacies, and telling you he will show you the peonies of Chang'an and the paintings of Wu Daozi.
You smile but say nothing.
Yet Li Bai seems to understand everything; he is a great poet, incredibly perceptive.
"My young friend, are you going to leave me?"
"You and I met in humble beginnings. Li knows that wealth and honor are but fleeting like water, yet in Tai Bai's heart remains a deep chasm."
"How about we meet in Yangzhou ten years from now? You must wait for me, my young friend."
You wanted to say "yes," but history would not allow it.
You opened your mouth and silently uttered, "Take care."
Not ten years had passed, but merely three.
Li Bai fell gravely ill, packed his belongings, and left Chang'an, arriving in Yangzhou, where you had agreed to meet.
The peonies of Chang'an were opulent yet easily withered; the capital's feng shui could not sustain the soul of this bright moon.
In March once more, the peach blossoms blazed, and the willows swayed gently.
Once again, there were painted boats drifting on the misty waves, with talented scholars and beautiful women aboard.
Li Bai still wore a white robe, but unlike before, he was now granted gold by the Sovereign and released from confinement. Countless people sought his company, hoping to treat him to a meal, with requests lining up from the bow to the stern of the boat.
No one could make him dance a Hu Xuan under the moonlight anymore.
"My young friend..."
"The road is difficult and full of detours; where are we now? There will be a time when the wind will break the waves; I will set my sails to cross the vast sea... My young friend, Li Bai has arrived."
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