Chapter 122
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After crossing the river and heading north, they entered the territory of Northern Zhou. The continuous spring rains had finally come to a stop.
On a muddy path winding through desolate hills, an old donkey carried a reclining scholar on its back, happily trotting in small steps. As it climbed a gentle slope, sunlight broke through the gaps in the clouds. Lu Liangsheng squinted slightly and raised the [Classic of Mountains and Seas] to shield his eyes.
He still felt a tinge of regret over not encountering the giant fish of the river that day. It was not unusual for spirits and monsters to be born within the great waterways. According to the old boatman, he had seen such a creature in his youth—perhaps wounded in battle against a cultivator, left with fatal injuries, and eventually sank to the riverbed, where it was devoured by fish and shrimp.
As for that cultivator—this world has never lacked their kind. If he did not perish, his cultivation by now might be beyond reckoning.
As for the creature that had lain in ambush beneath the river last night, attempting to deceive and consume men—it was merely a green crab that had barely awakened its spiritual consciousness. It cast fish onto the boat, just as men cast bait into the water to catch fish.
“That green crab was suffused with a baleful aura. Wherever it passed, the waters turned dark. Who knows how many have drowned in that Qinglan River over the years, their corpses nourishing it, thus making it so ferocious. Fortunately, it had not fully developed intelligence and did not know any demonic arts. Still, it lends credence to the theories in this book…”
The [Classic of Mountains and Seas] in the scholar’s hands had turned to the final page, where a rudimentary illustration of a river was drawn. At the river’s bottom lay a great crab, gazing upward at a small boat on the surface.
Beside it, there were words that read:
“In the roaring rivers, the dragon reigns supreme, followed by the flood dragon… Shrimp and crabs rank the lowest. Feeding day after day on the corpses that sink to the bottom, they slowly develop spiritual awareness. Yet the resentment within them intensifies, making their nature savage and violent. Those who consume them are not exempt from symptoms of spasms and madness.”
The old donkey had already crested the hill, its hooves clip-clopping as it trotted cheerfully beneath the shade of the trees. Lu Liangsheng lowered the book, sat upright across the saddle, and let out a yawn.
“Master, weren’t we supposed to take the official road? How did we end up in the wilderness?”
From the compartment behind the bookshelf, a small door creaked open. The Toad Daoist had changed into a short-sleeved floral robe, stretched lazily under the morning sun—and then, like Lu Liangsheng, paused in surprise.
“This damned donkey!”
The donkey tilted its head slightly and snorted, then continued its merry trot.
Before long, they descended the slope and paused to rest beside a river. The toad undid the rope, leapt from the bookshelf, and stood upon a patch of green rock, casting his gaze around. Then he unrolled a small scroll from his back, sat down, and began carefully measuring something on it with his round, webbed fingers.
“No matter. If we follow this muddy trail and circle behind the mountain, then keep heading forward, we’ll return to the main road after another twenty li or so, heading east.”
Lu Liangsheng was squatting by the stream, gargling loudly and spitting between the cracks of the stones. He turned his face slightly.
“Master, are you sure about that?”
“Hmph! When has your Master ever deceived you?”
As he said this, the Toad Daoist’s mouth twitched slightly. He let out another humph, rolled up the map scroll, and tucked it behind his back. Folding his webbed arms, he gazed out at the morning mist drifting through the distant mountains and forests, then gave a dry cough.
“…This land of Northern Zhou—your Master once roamed it freely for many years. Mountains and rivers alike were beneath my feet. What place here would I not know? How could I possibly lose my way over such a short distance?”
“Toad Master is bragging again.” Honglian’s voice came from within the painting scroll. She had been recovering well over the past few days.
The Toad Daoist leapt down from the green rock, whistled to summon the old donkey, and climbed back up into the compartment along the rope.
“Whether it’s boasting or not, you’ll see soon enough. When the time comes, this old man shall collect a proper apology from you, little ghost girl.”
Splash, splash…
Wringing out his towel, Lu Liangsheng listened to his Master’s exchange with Honglian. He washed his face, inhaled the crisp scent of stream water, then exhaled a deep breath of turbid air.
“Master, how far are we from Qi Mountain?”
“Hard to say.”
The Toad Daoist sat at the edge of the compartment, legs dangling, kicking back and forth as he looked toward his approaching disciple.
“You haven’t learned how to ride the clouds or shrink the earth into inches. At the quickest, five or six days. At the slowest, ten days to half a month.”
Over yonder, Lu Liangsheng led the old donkey back onto the muddy trail. At his waist, the dull-colored gourd with black patterns swayed back and forth as he stepped into the bamboo forest ahead. Verdant stalks stretched far into the distance. The wind rustled through them, sending leaves fluttering down onto man and beast alike.
As they moved forward, Lu Liangsheng’s steps suddenly paused for a moment. Something seemed to come to mind, but he continued walking and asked aloud:
“Master, you said your cave-dwelling is in Qi Mountain, and it holds many wondrous pills and elixirs. If I gave some to my parents and younger sister, would they be able to begin cultivating?”
“Impossible.”
In the small compartment, the Toad Daoist crossed his stubby legs and flicked away a bamboo leaf that had drifted in.
“Not everyone can embark on the path of cultivation. You know this well. But to prolong the lives of your parents and sister—that is within reach. As it happens, your Master has a fair stock of such medicines in my abode.”
He paused for a moment.
“Hmm… Might just be enough for three pills.”
Well!
Lu Liangsheng froze for a second, then broke into a laugh. He instinctively reached for his gourd, only to remember that it had long since run dry.
Still not quite used to being without wine.
“Master, time to hit the road—hold on tight!”
According to the geography his Master described, once they passed through the mountain forest ahead, they would reach an official road. Normally, heading north from there would lead into Ning Prefecture, with about seven to eight hundred li left until Qi Mountain. Along the way, they would sometimes glimpse mountain villages and rural towns. But after a long stretch of travel, their view was once more filled with desolate hills and wild terrain.
“Master, I think we’ve taken the wrong road.”
“Impossible! Back in my day, this old man roamed the Three Mountains and Five Sacred Peaks…”
By afternoon, the western clouds were tinged with a dusky yellow when they finally reached a stretch of official road. In the distance, fields could be seen lining either side. Lu Liangsheng led the donkey forward by its reins. Up ahead, a farmer had just climbed onto the ridge between the fields, carrying a hoe on his shoulder.
“Excuse me, elder—may I trouble you for directions?”
Hearing the voice, the farmer, who looked to be over fifty, turned to see a young scholar in tattered robes standing by the roadside with a donkey in tow.
The old farmer chuckled and set his hoe down beside his feet, wiping the sweat from his brow.
“Judging by your accent, young sir, you must be from the Southern Chen Dynasty?”
Lu Liangsheng was briefly taken aback, but replied politely,
“Indeed, I am a native of Fushui County in Southern Chen. How did you tell?”
Most farmers lived simple, quiet lives—rarely leaving their village or their few mu of land. Even traveling merchants coming and going from the north rarely lingered in such small places.
“No offense meant, young master. It’s just that aside from the odd trader passing through from the north, folk from the south are a rare sight around here. As it happens, a few others came by earlier today asking for directions too, so I thought to ask.”
“I see.”
Lu Liangsheng exchanged a few pleasantries with the old man, then asked about his intended destination.
“Chao Ning Prefecture? Mount Qi?”
The old farmer shook his head and dared not speak carelessly.
“Never heard of either, I’m afraid. But not far from here is Shunyuan County, young master, you could try asking there.”
Following the direction the farmer pointed to, Lu Liangsheng cupped his hands in thanks, then led the old donkey away. The beast chewed lazily at the grass by the roadside as they walked. After about half a stick of incense’s time, the silhouette of a county city appeared faintly in the distance.
The setting sun dyed the western clouds red.
The city walls were made of rammed earth, not especially tall, and riddled with holes from ground bees. In some spots, the surface had crumbled into pits and recesses. At the city gate, soldiers of Northern Zhou lounged lazily—one yawned wide as he watched four scholars loitering near the entrance, glancing around curiously with book racks slung over their backs.
“So this is Shunyuan County?” “Mm. Looks a bit run-down, doesn’t it?”
“A remote little county—it’s to be expected. Besides, we four have come to visit Master Wang and pursue our studies. No need to fuss over a mere county.”
“Elder Brother is right, you are right.”
“Gate’s closing!”
One of the gate guards, seeing the hour growing late, called out and waved his comrades back inside. Just as they were about to shut the gate, a lone scholar rushed in, leading an old donkey behind him. After dismounting, he cupped his hands and bowed politely.
“Apologies! Almost missed it.”
“It’s fine, no trouble.”
Even soldiers won’t raise their hands against a smiling face—especially not when the newcomer looked like a frail, ragged scholar. The guards didn’t bother to ask many questions.
“Thank you, gentlemen.”
Lu Liangsheng expressed his thanks while walking over to one of the guards who seemed approachable. He asked:
“Brother, may I trouble you to ask—how do I get to Chao Ning Prefecture?”
“Chao Ning Prefecture?”
The soldier froze for a moment, then exchanged glances with his companions before chuckling aloud.
“You scholars really go wandering about without knowing the roads, huh? This place is under the jurisdiction of Tai’en Prefecture. If you want to get to Chao Ning Prefecture, you’ll have to pass through here first—it’s at least a two- or three-day journey. It’s getting late, too. Best find an inn in town and rest for the night. Set out again early tomorrow.”
“Uh…”
Lu Liangsheng stood there, stunned, a sinking feeling in his gut. Judging by the map’s markings, and the point where they’d landed ashore, they had not only veered off course but had wandered dozens of li in the wrong direction.
“Master… what do you say to this?”
Cough…
From the small compartment came the sound of several dry coughs. The toad looked off to the side, deliberately avoiding his disciple’s eyes.
“Mm… perhaps your master has gotten on in years. Memory must’ve slipped…”
