Dimensional Supermarket - Chapter 89

The sun shines, the sound of horse hooves echoes, and the wind rustles the flags.

Lin You wears a fitted riding outfit, the softness and youth of his past long gone. A scholar’s beard now adorns his face. He rides on horseback, behind him an endless stream of carriages, soldiers, and horses.

Midway along the journey, he suddenly yanks the reins and stops in the middle of the road.

The man wearing soft armor beside him also stops and whispers, “My lord, what is it? Is something wrong here?”

Lin You looks at the woods, purses his lips, and sighs helplessly. “Nothing.”

Sweet potatoes and potatoes have spread across the Daliang Dynasty, and there are no more starving people on the roads. He remembers rushing here after planting the first batch of sweet potatoes. Every step he took, he kowtowed three times, hoping he would get to see The Lord Immortal again.

However, when he arrives at the “supermarket,” almost exhausted, he finds that the land has turned back into part of the forest.

In the place where the supermarket once stood, more than a dozen towering trees have sprouted, as if they’ve always been there, never moved.

Time passes quickly, and now, if it weren’t for the things he brought back, Lin You would probably think the entire experience is just a dream.

The immortal comes and goes swiftly, yet mortals spend their whole lives unable to let go.

Every time he passes by this place, he cannot help but stop. Each time, he cannot help but go again, only to return in disappointment.

Lin You purses his lips. Finally, he can’t hold back. He turns to the people beside him and says, “You go ahead. I’ll catch up.”

The man beside him is about to stop him, but Lin You already rides his horse toward the country road.

The man has no choice but to tell his personal soldiers, “Watch over them!”

Then he urges his horse and speeds off.

Lin You dismounts at the end of the path. He expertly holds the rope and leads the horse forward. He hasn’t walked this road many times, but it’s deeply etched in his memory. Even with his eyes closed, he would never go the wrong way.

“My lord!” The man catches up with him, seeing Lin You leading the horse down the muddy path, not caring about the mud on his pants.

Lin You turns to look at him, and with a smile, says, “Since you’re here, let’s go together.”

The man asks, puzzled, “My lord, you always stop here when passing by. Is there some treasure here?”

Lin You smiles, “Treasure? Where would I find treasure? It’s just for peace of mind,” Lin You murmurs.

He’s always worried that if he doesn’t go and see, he’ll miss The Lord Immortal’s return. Only by seeing it for himself can he feel at ease.

The man doesn’t understand; he thinks Lin You has some ailment that can’t be shared with others, and that he has to enter this forest to feel better.

Times have changed. The Daliang Dynasty is still standing, but it can’t truly be said to be the same.

During the great drought, life is hard for the people. In many places, those who can’t survive rise up in rebellion.

Most don’t get far. What do farmers know of marching and warfare? Of provisions and logistics? They’re either pacified by the court or die in internal strife before gaining momentum.

But it’s chaos all the same. The emperor in the palace becomes a mere figurehead. Local officials stop sending tribute, closing their doors to rule like petty kings.

The grand general becomes the true power behind the throne. Officials now offer him more tribute than they ever do the emperor.

Lin You succeeds his father as the new governor of Anyang City.

It’s laughable to think he once believed he’d have to make great achievements or pass the imperial exams to hold office. Who would have thought that his father sends a heavy gift to the grand general and receives a single edict in return, instantly elevating his son—a commoner—to a high official post?

Perhaps to the grand general, the governor of a small city who neither enters the capital nor holds a court position is of little consequence.

Potatoes and sweet potatoes save lives, but they can’t save people’s hearts.

Farmers now grow these crops, but they’re not rich. Lin You sees children in the countryside eating dried sweet potatoes, their faces still pale and thin, though no longer starving.

Lin You has no choice. He prays to the gods countless times, hoping to see The Lord Immortal again.

The Lord Immortal is knowledgeable, understanding everything in the world. He has shown up once before and provided grain seeds to save lives—perhaps The Lord Immortal will show him another way forward.

Mortal power is limited. All that’s left is to beg the gods.

The man trails behind Lin You, convinced his superior is having another “episode.” Every time they pass here, he’s like this.

But the man dares not speak out—he isn’t foolish enough to question his superior. Lin You might appear calm, but once he makes up his mind, nothing can change it. Ten horses couldn’t pull him back.

If not, they wouldn’t have come all this way.

Originally, the task of suppressing bandits has nothing to do with them. But once Lin You finds out where the suppression will take place, he submits a memorial himself—he, a civil official, volunteering to lead troops against bandits? And the court actually agrees!

The man considers himself unlucky. Of all the places to be assigned, why Anyang? He is a martial examination champion—maybe not as valuable as a civil one, but still! Why end up in this backwater Anyang City?

The two walk for who knows how long. Sweat soaks them both. Seeing Lin You never complain, the man keeps his own discomfort to himself.

Finally, they reach a large tree, and Lin You stops abruptly. He frowns, as though sensing something amiss.

The man cautiously asks, “My lord?”

Lin You purses his lips and says, “Let’s go.”

He is afraid.

Afraid that he will see the same ten trees again.

As they pass the last patch of grass blocking the road, Lin You steps onto flat ground. The sunlight is blinding, and when he looks ahead, dizziness overtakes him.

It feels like a lifetime ago.

The square building is just as it has been all those years ago. The plaque is unchanged, still the same as he remembers.

The glass door is closed, but he can see the shelves inside, filled with a variety of goods, like a fairyland.

Lin You’s legs tremble.

He suddenly crouches down. For the first time in years, the sun feels unbearably hot on his skin.

He feels unbearably hot all over.

The man beside him is equally stunned by the sight. His mouth opens in disbelief, and he stammers, “What—what is this?”

The building seems hollowed out from a giant stone, something completely unfamiliar to him.

“This is The Lord Immortal’s residence…” Lin You supports his knees and stands up, his voice trembling with excitement. “This is called a supermarket! It’s The Lord Immortal’s home!”

The man watches Lin You stumble toward the building with the same enthusiasm as a child.

Even when he trips over a stone, he quickly picks himself up and continues running.

“Lord Immortal!” Lin You shouts, his voice small and faint.

He thinks he is shouting loudly, but to anyone else, it’s barely a whisper.

Lin You collapses onto the steps of the supermarket, but he doesn’t feel the pain. This is the place he has dreamed of, the one hope he clings to in his despair. He can’t save the world—but maybe The Lord Immortal can.

The people in the court are drunk on their own power, only concerned with their own luxuries and the tribute they receive from the lower classes. They don’t see the children being sold, nor do they care about the poverty that keeps so many fighting for scraps of food.

The world is in chaos, but they continue to live in their drunken stupor.

Lin You takes a deep breath and is about to get up when the glass door slowly opens.

He looks up, and there, standing in the doorway, is a familiar face.

Cao’er Niang, along with the other women, is carrying buckets of clothes that have yet to dry. They are preparing to hang them on the clothesline once more.

The last time Cao’er Niang saw Lin You is months ago. Though he has a beard now, she still recognizes him.

She isn’t frightened by him as she had been before. With a curious glance, she asks, “Why did you grow a beard? You look ten years older all of a sudden.”

Lin You opens his mouth and gives a smile that is neither fully happy nor sad. “Aunt Li, it’s not for no reason. It’s been twenty years since we last met.”

Cao’er Niang is stunned.

Lin You slowly stands up. He forgets there is someone behind him. His gaze stays fixed on Cao’er Niang’s face.

She looks even better than before, no longer timid or shrinking, carrying herself with quiet dignity and clarity of spirit.

Only that face.

Exactly the same as it was before.