Chapter 218: White Lotus Sect, Golden Doll
Red clay small stove, Jiangzhou’s Duahua wine.
Liu Qingzhou and Yanbo Diaosou drank on their own, listening to the Tianzhu Monk talk about the people and customs of the Western Regions and India, and then listening to Buddhist chants, truly enjoying themselves.
However, both of them were thinking of Zhou Yan, and would occasionally glance out at the snowy wind outside the window.
Suddenly, the white curtain that seemed to hang between heaven and earth was pulled aside as if by a pair of hands, and Zhou Yan’s figure swept through the window, landing on the bench.
The moment he entered, his Internal Energy radiated outwards, having already shaken off the snow on his body, his grey robes unstained by white.
“As expected, you’re back as quickly as you left,” Yanbo Diaosou teased, pouring wine. “Brother Zhou, drink to warm yourself.”
Jiangxi is famous for its wine, and Duahua wine is one of them. The wine flowers piled up, and the aroma of wine wafted. Zhou Yan raised his wine bowl, “Bottoms up!”
Liu Qingzhou and Yanbo Diaosou joined him, and the three drank it all in one go.
“How did it go?” Liu Qingzhou asked.
“It was people from the Yellow River Gang and the Iron Palm Sect.”
The Hengshan Sect and the Iron Palm Sect were rivals, so Liu Qingzhou immediately said, “Brother Zhou, tell me in detail?”
“The Mongolian Imperial Envoy was heading south to Lin’an, wanting to form an alliance with the imperial court to attack the Jin Dynasty. Wanyan Honglie learned of this and hired people from the Yellow River Gang and the Iron Palm Sect to intercept him. It was supposed to be a certain death situation, but unexpectedly, because the sister of the Iron Palm Sect’s Gang Leader Qiu Qianren was married into the Valley of Unfeeling, Ouyang Feng, Qiu Qianren, and others all attended the banquet. This led to the reversal at the battle of the Yangtze River at the mouth of Poyang Lake.”
“Valley of Unfeeling? That’s an unusual name. Where is it?”
Yanbo Diaosou lived by Dongting Lake, but he loved fishing and claimed to know all the mountains, rivers, and lakes along the Yangtze River. Hearing the name Valley of Unfeeling was unfamiliar, he couldn’t help but ask.
“A few hundred miles north of Xiangyang, surrounded by mountains. The valley is full of strange flowers and exotic trees, truly a Peach Paradise.”
“There’s such a wondrous place? Brother Zhou, have you been there?”
Zhou Yan smiled, “Not only have I been there, but I’ve also had several encounters with the Valley Master of the Valley of Unfeeling.”
Liu Qingzhou and Yanbo Diaosou were very interested. The Fishing Old Man said, “Drinking wine in the snow is joyful. This kind of weather is perfect for drinking and storytelling. Brother Zhou, tell us slowly.”
“Alright.”
As they pushed cups and exchanged bowls, Zhou Yan concisely recounted his journey escorting goods to Jingzhou, his chance encounter with Qiu Qianchi, his subsequent encounter with Gongsun Zhi, Liang Xiaowu’s capture, and the scene of him breaking into the Valley of Unfeeling to rescue people.
During this time, he also interspersed some details about Qiu Qianchi leaving the valley and going to Cuya Mountain in Caizhou.
As the saying goes, “When wine is drunk, one responds to the snow of Yanshan; with soaring spirits, one travels the Jianghu.” A picture of sword light and shadow, and the Jianghu of escorts, suddenly unfolded in the minds of Liu Qingzhou and Yanbo Diaosou.
The Fishing Old Man raised his cup, “Brother Zhou, although you are an escort, you have a chivalrous heart. I regret not meeting you sooner. This old man admires you. Bottoms up.”
“You’re too kind.”
“Let’s drink together.”
The bowls clinked like pearls falling, the sound of wine celebrating the heroes.
Liu Qingzhou said, “Listening to Brother Zhou, Qiu Qianchi can be considered a heroine. Why did she marry a scoundrel like Gongsun Zhi?”
Yanbo Diaosou rolled his eyes, “The Iron Palm Sect is an enemy of the Hengshan Sect. Are you speaking up for their enemy?”
“One matter at a time.”
Zhou Yan said, “What is love in the world? How can outsiders know for sure.”
“That’s true.”
Liu Qingzhou said, “The High Monk is heading north, and he still has to pass through Xiangyang. I’ll go with him to see. Since Qiu Qianren is colluding with Wanyan Kang, he will surely be restless in Western Hunan. I’ll see what he does and if he does anything detrimental to the Hengshan Sect.”
Zhou Yan already had the idea of going to see, so he happily said, “Good!”
Liu Qingzhou said to Yanbo Diaosou, “When I return from Xiangyang, I’ll come to Dongting Lake to spar with you.”
“You can go to the Valley of Unfeeling, but can’t this old man?”
Zhou Yan chuckled. These two would not be satisfied until they became sworn brothers.
Plans can’t keep up with changes. After fishing for the Golden Doll and escorting the High Monk from India north, they passed through Xiangyang to investigate the Valley of Unfeeling. Since the Tianzhu Monk and the Golden Doll needed someone to look after them, Liang Xiaowu and the others were not in a hurry to return to Zhongdu, but traveled together.
The young escorts, runners, and others heard the news and were overjoyed.
The group stayed at the inn for four days. The wind and snow subsided, and the temperature immediately warmed up.
Yanbo Diaosou led Zhou Yan, Liu Qingzhou, and the Tianzhu Monk straight to Dragon and Tiger Mountain, about three hundred li from Poyang Lake.
…
Within Dragon and Tiger Mountain, purple-green mist, and the essence of green colors are beautiful in all seasons.
The sky was clear and bright, the mountains were uniquely shaped and the peaks were beautiful, with strange rocks intertwined, waterfalls cascading, and ancient trees reaching the sky. From a distance, it looked like clouds steaming and mist swirling, a mass of purple-green.
Coming from Poyang Lake, two days later, Zhou Yan, Liu Qingzhou, the Tianzhu Monk, and Yanbo Diaosou entered Dragon and Tiger Mountain. In the foreground, a waterfall like a white dragon rushed down between the twin peaks, with astonishing momentum. The sound of water echoed and roared.
Seeing this magnificent scene, the Tianzhu Monk asked, “How did Fishing Old Man know there was a Golden Doll here?”
Yanbo Diaosou was very proud and said, “Wherever there is a place with spiritual water, this old man has fished. Are there any more peculiar aquatic creatures than Golden Dolls? They are all things that have been caught by this old man’s hook, such as Qinling fine-scaled salmon, Liujiang flower moray eel, Yellow River bighead carp, Dali striped fish, and Shu region Taimen.”
Yanbo Diaosou listed more than ten kinds of aquatic treasures as if he were counting his family’s possessions.
Zhou Yan felt ashamed. With the knowledge accumulated from two lifetimes, he only knew one or two of what the other party said.
The sun hung high in the sky, and the temperature was at its best.
Yanbo Diaosou went to the edge of the pool and said, “Golden Dolls come in pairs. These creatures are smart and vigilant. With the slightest disturbance, they will hide among the rocks at the bottom of the water. It is extremely difficult to lure them to bite.”
“Good!” Zhou Yan smiled and nodded, asking Liang Xiaowu to bring a wooden bucket and instructing everyone to stay away.
Liang Xiaowu took the runners to a distant mountain forest to set up a thatched hut and hunt for food for lunch.
In front of Zhou Yan, Liu Qingzhou, and the others, Yanbo Diaosou put on the bait, cast the fishing rod, and the almost transparent fishing line went several zhang deep into the pool.
Zhou Yan and Liu Qingzhou held their breath, their eyes fixed on the clear pool. After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, they suddenly saw golden light flashing in the water. Yanbo Diaosou’s face showed joy, and suddenly the fishing rod bent sharply. A thing about a foot long emerged from the bottom of the pool, biting the fishing line. The creature was neither fish nor snake, entirely golden, and its appearance was very peculiar.
This is a Golden Doll, Zhou Yan thought curiously. Just then, another identical golden strange fish emerged from the water and bit the fishing line.
Yanbo Diaosou grunted, “Up!”
To this day, Zhou Yan doesn’t know what Yanbo Diaosou’s fishing rod is made of. It looks like a white ash rod, and it makes a metallic sound when struck, being extremely tough. With a loud bang, a streak of light exploded on the surface of the pool. The fishing rod shot out, and in Zhou Yan’s sight, two Golden Dolls left the water. Under the sunlight, they shone with golden light.
Zhou Yan happily reached for the wooden bucket when suddenly a furious shout came from the side of the pool.
“What kind of scoundrel dares to trespass into a forbidden area and steal sacred objects.”
“Bold thief!” the male voice fell, followed by a woman’s sharp cry.
Zhou Yan and Liu Qingzhou looked over and saw, from the bamboo forest on the side of the pool several zhang away, more than ten figures in clothes like white butterflies fluttering from the bamboo forest. Those women were dressed in white as pure as snow, with long white silk wrapped around their shoulders and arms. Their long sleeves seemed to carry the aura of clouds and mist, like celestial beings descending. The moment they landed, their skirts flickered, like white lotuses blooming.
Sword light burst from a woman’s hand like a flowing light, followed by two sections of bamboo poles whistling through the air. One section struck Yanbo Diaosou with a sharp whistling sound, and the other flew towards the fishing rod.
Since practicing the “Finger Flicking Divine Skill,” Zhou Yan always carried stones with him.
Guiding energy with intent took only an instant. Powerful Internal Force circulated and converged through the main meridians, gushing out from the “Yuji” and “Zhongchong” acupoints on his fingers. Driven by Internal Force, two stones made a sound like tearing silk as they shot towards the bamboo pole heading for the fishing rod.
Zhou Yan threw the stones before drawing his sword. With two “bang” sounds, the bamboo pole above the pool was hit by the stones and fell towards the water. He thrust his Qingfeng Sword into the bamboo tube, flicked his wrist, and the sword trembled, instantly dissipating the incoming force. He spun with a swift wind returning snow motion, thrusting his long sword forward. The bamboo pole that had been fitted onto the long sword was sent flying back with a “whoosh.”
“Good swordplay.” The approaching man actually exclaimed and punched towards the bamboo pole.
With a “bang,” the tough bamboo pole exploded, scattering bamboo fragments everywhere.
Yanbo Diaosou seized the opportunity to reel in his rod, and two Golden Dolls fell into the wooden bucket.
Only then did the three look at the man with extraordinary palm force.
He was about thirty years old, with a broad forehead, a wide face, a strong build, and an imposing demeanor.
Zhou Yan stared at him and asked Yanbo Diaosou in a low voice, “Old Brother, did you not encounter any trouble fishing here before?”
“No, they must be new residents.”
“So that’s how it is.”
Zhou Yan cupped his hands and looked at the man, “May I ask if you are the master of this place? We have offended you, and we sincerely apologize.”
The woman in white, as pure as snow, was arrogant. A woman’s sharp voice rang out, “Thieves dare to trespass into the sacred cult and steal sacred objects. Cut off one of your arms and get out of the forbidden area.”
Yanbo Diaosou, with his peculiar temper, sneered, “This old man has been fishing here for a long time. By rights, I am the master of this place. I shall forgive your offense. Little one, cut off your arm and scram.”
“Bold thief, how dare you offend the Holy Son.”
The man laughed heartily, “This Holy Son wants to see how capable the old man is to dare speak so boastfully.”
Zhou Yan thought to himself, the women in white were as pure as snow and arrogant. They claimed he trespassed into a sacred cult. This place was only a few hundred li from the White Lotus Sect’s water village on Poyang Lake. Could this man be the Holy Son of the White Lotus Sect, a disciple or descendant of Yu Huacheng?
He said, “Are you people from the White Lotus Sect?”
The man’s pupils contracted slightly and he said, “How do you know of our sect?”
Zhou Yan smiled, “If you occupy a mountain and rule as king, and spread your teachings, what’s strange about us knowing?”
“Is that so?”
Having spent several days together, Yanbo Diaosou and the Tianzhu Monk greatly admired his character. He thought of the High Monk being imprisoned by the White Lotus Sect and became enraged, “Hiding your head and tail, pretending to be a god and playing tricks.”
“Bold! Take your old life.”
In his vision, the White Lotus Sect’s Holy Son flew up like an eagle and falcon, his body descending gracefully. He lightly tapped the rock surface of the pool with his toes and suddenly swooped down.
The women in white followed like shadows, their postures graceful and beautiful.
