On the vast expanse of Jiao Lake, golden sails dotted the shimmering surface like precious beads meticulously inlaid upon a flawless piece of jade. The tranquil waters mirrored the heavens above, where a few wispy clouds drifted lazily at the seamless junction of water and sky, creating a scene so picturesque it seemed to have been plucked from an ancient scroll painting or a timeless poem. Occasionally, a light boat would glide gracefully across the glassy surface, its gentle ripples carrying the distant echoes of rough yet melodious fisher songs. Along the shore, women gathered to wash clothes, their laughter and chatter mingling with the rhythmic splashes of water. Among them, there was always one who would suddenly blush and giggle, perhaps at a whispered jest or a stolen glance.
This serene body of water is known as Jiao Lake, a place of both natural beauty and legendary significance. Thirty-six miles to the northwest lies Fish-Clear Island, a mystical land that houses the renowned Fish-Clear Cave, one of the seventy-two blessed places revered across the world (Note 1). What makes this region particularly unique is the locals' peculiar fondness for gold. From their boats to their dwellings, everything is adorned with resplendent golden decorations, as if the very essence of the lake had imbued them with an insatiable love for the precious metal.
Jiao Lake is not only a haven of beauty but also a source of great wealth. The lake is rich in a special kind of golden dye, meticulously crafted from the silt at the lake's bottom through a laborious process of ninety-nine steps. This dye is so prized that it has become a symbol of the region's prosperity. There is a local saying that among the three great vats of Jiao Lake, the dye vat shines with a golden brilliance. The other two vats—the fish vat, heavy and full, and the silver vat, abundant and overflowing—speak to the thriving fishery and the wealth of the people who inhabit the area. Though these sayings may be rooted in folk tradition and carry a touch of rustic charm, they vividly capture the prosperous and vibrant life of those who call the shores of Jiao Lake home.
Adjacent to the lake lies Jiaohu Town, a bustling hub of commerce and activity. Most of the trade related to Jiao Lake is conducted here, and on any given day, the town is alive with the chatter of merchants and the clatter of goods. These days, however, the town is even more crowded than usual, teeming with people and brimming with excitement. The air is thick with anticipation, as if the entire town were preparing for the grandest of annual temple fairs, a testament to the enduring allure and prosperity of Jiao Lake and its people.
Just a hop, skip, and a jump from the town's edge, there's this lush forest that goes on for miles in every direction. The trees aren't super tall, but they're packed together and super green, making it a cool escape from the summer heat. The ground's covered in soft moss and wildflowers, and the air's filled with the chill vibes of birds chirping and leaves rustling.
This forest is called Wufeng Forest. Word has it that a nasty monster used to roam around in there, showing up at dusk and disappearing at dawn, scaring the pants off the townsfolk and their animals. The monster's reign of terror ended when a kind fairy from Yichong Cave in Jiaohu Lake stepped in, tamed the beast, and brought peace to the town for a hundred years. To show their thanks, every family in Jiaohu Town now worships the fairy's tablet, burning incense and making daily offerings. Wufeng Forest is considered off-limits, and over the years, it's only gotten thicker and more mysterious.
As the sun started to dip, casting long shadows, a bunch of scruffy teens approached the forest. Leading the pack was a boy around 14 or 15. His round face was all bruised up, his swollen eyes barely open, framed by thick eyebrows. Despite the beatdown, he was all smiles, like he was hiding the pain.
The kid was rocking a golden embroidered short coat and some golden-trimmed lantern pants with rolled-up hems. His clothes, once fancy, were now all torn and hanging loose on his small frame. A golden lucky bag hung from his chest, standing out against his otherwise messy look. It was clear he'd taken a serious beating, but he was still all cheerful and determined.
When they got to the forest's edge, the boy looked around, his eyes scanning with curiosity and determination. He signaled his buddies to follow, and with a quick 'whoosh,' he led the way into the woods. His steps were light and a bit shaky, not showing any martial arts skills, but he was pretty agile. The teens behind him exchanged worried looks, sighed together, and reluctantly followed, their faces full of concern and distress.
The sun was blazing right overhead, marking high noon. A bunch of teens strutted through the forest like they owned the place, their confidence showing in every step. After zigzagging through the woods, they finally reached the heart of it.
The center of the forest was something else. Unlike the thick bushes around it, this spot opened up into an oval meadow. Right in the middle was a hot spring, wrapped in a thin mist. The water was pitch black, looking like a giant green eye with a dark pupil, giving off a spooky vibe.
Just then, the lead guy let out a whoop. With a burst of energy, he jumped up, arms and legs flailing, and dove headfirst into the spring with a big splash.
Water flew everywhere. As he went under, the surface slowly calmed down, but the ripples kept going for a while.
Soon, bubbles started rising from the bottom, along with a gurgling sound. The mist above the water got thicker, turning from a light haze to a dark cloud. It billowed up, forming a black curtain that slowly spread towards the trees. The sunlight filtering through the leaves was suddenly blocked, making the area go dim...
The other teens didn't seem fazed, like they'd seen it all before. They lounged on the grass, busy with their games. Meanwhile, by the lake, a few fishermen were heading back from their morning work. Their fish baskets looked heavy, making their steps slow.
"Jia Sanzi, you really nailed it today," said a bearded guy, half-admiring, half-teasing. "That big black fish you caught must be seven or eight pounds, huh? When you get home, your wife'll clean it up nice and white for you. But I'm worried you might get too tired before you get to enjoy it. Better let me help out before someone else steps in. Ha ha... Ha ha."
"Hey, Huzi, don't just point fingers at me," Jia Sanzi shot back with a grin. "Those white crabs you got from your traps weren't exactly a small catch, were they? Looks like we both hit the jackpot today."
Well, let's be real, nothing in this world is perfect, right? Jia San's wife was kinda famous around town for her hot temper, and let's just say people had to tiptoe around her. Jia San, who's usually the boss in most situations, found himself kinda weak and not as energetic as you'd expect from a guy like him. So, yeah, he had a hard time keeping up with his wife in the bedroom, which really hit his ego hard.
Before she tied the knot with Jia San, the lady wasn't exactly from a high-class background. She was actually a pretty well-known courtesan in the county, famous for her looks and charm. But then, she got into some trouble with a local gang leader and had to make a quick escape to Jiaohu Town. She was so scared and tired that she ended up getting sick right outside some stranger's house.
Turns out, that house belonged to Jia San. He took care of her, and she was so touched by his kindness that she agreed to marry him. But even after getting married, she didn't really change her ways. Jia San couldn't keep up with her in the bedroom, and she started flirting with the local bad boys right in front of him. The fishermen in town loved to make fun of Jia San about it, which just added to his embarrassment.
As they kept walking and chatting, they finally reached the edge of the Black Wind Forest. After walking for about half an incense stick's time, they were almost there.
They took a few steps down the narrow path, turned right, and boom, they were on the main road to town. Suddenly, the bearded guy shouted, "Hey, look!"
Everyone turned their heads, and there, in the middle of the dark forest, a thick mist started to rise. A creepy black gas came out of the forest, along with a cold, spooky breeze, rolling towards them.
They all went pale in a flash, heads down, and bolted down the trail like crazy. Luckily, nothing went down. Even when they hit the main road, they still didn't dare to look back. It wasn't until they'd run a few hundred meters and were almost at the bustling market that the bearded dude finally turned around, scanning the area with a freaked-out look. He let out a big sigh and said, "Weird stuff's been going down in the Black Wind Forest lately. I hope it's not those demons coming back to life. We gotta burn some good incense for the immortal when we get back."
A few folks nearby chimed in loudly, said their goodbyes, and hightailed it home. But they didn't notice that at the far end of the market, an old Taoist was staring hard at the distant woods, mumbling to himself, making some hand gestures, and then shaking his head as he walked off.
In the Wu Feng Forest
After a while, the hot spring went through another weird change. The bubbles on the surface got thicker and thicker, and the whole thing looked like it was boiling. Then, a small whirlpool popped up in the middle. The mist that had just spread out rushed back in a flash, swirling into the whirlpool. As the mist cleared, the forest was bathed in sunlight again, looking totally different from before.
After a bit, the young guy who'd jumped into the water slowly floated up. The skin showing through his ripped clothes was now bright red, but all his wounds were gone. Only then could you see his delicate little face, with a charming smile still hanging at the corners of his mouth.
Then, outta nowhere, a gush of crystal-clear spring water shot up from the depths, like it was being pulled by some invisible force. It felt like these huge, gentle hands just popped outta the water, cradling the young dude real careful-like and lifting him up like he was light as a feather. Those hands, all warm and cozy, carried him through the air and plopped him down soft on the grassy shore. The guy, still kinda out of it, closed his eyes and let out this long, satisfied "ahhh," his breath coming out with a little "puff." He stretched out, feeling all the tension just melt away, and this look of pure bliss washed over his face. Then, real slow, he opened his eyes, those dark, expressive peepers darting around with this spark of smarts and mischief. His face lit up with this sly, almost cheeky grin, like he'd just stumbled on some secret only he knew.
"Teenager, teenager, c'mere, c'mere," the voice called again, soft but kinda pushy.
The group of teens nearby, totally wiped from their earlier shenanigans, had zonked out in this messy pile, their heads all tangled up in each other's limbs. The sound of the voice kinda woke 'em up, and they blinked sleepily, their eyes all heavy as they tried to figure out where they were. Slowly, they started to move, all sluggish-like as they shook off the last bits of sleep. Among 'em, the tallest kid, who'd been lying at the edge of the group, pushed himself up and kinda shuffled over, his steps a bit wobbly but kinda deliberate.
"Xiao Chen, you callin' me?" the kid asked, his voice soft and kinda unsure. He was tall and skinny, his frame almost too thin for his height, and his head seemed kinda big for his body. His moves were slow and kinda careful, and there was this gentleness about him that you could almost feel. He walked with this little wobble, like he was still trying to find his balance, but there was this quiet determination in his step.
"Yeah, check out this outfit. What am I gonna do?" the young guy, Xiao Chen, replied, tugging at the tattered bits of his clothes. He tried to look all sad, but the corners of his mouth twitched, giving away the amusement in his eyes. The "rags" hung loose on him, a total contrast to the energy he was giving off.
"This is the new dress my mom made me," he went on, his voice kinda fake-sad. "She said I should wear it when I go to the Pan family. Now it's all messed up. I'm totally gonna get it when I get home." The kid, who seemed to have bad eyesight, leaned his big head forward, squinting as he checked out the ruined clothes. His face fell, and he let out this sigh, his expression matching the sadness in Xiao Chen's words.
These teens were pretty well-known in town, their rep as the local troublemakers kinda preceding them. The one with the big smile, Lu Chen, was the son of a simple fisherman. Even though he came from a modest background, Lu Chen was a force to be reckoned with—smart, quick-witted, and always ready with a clever comeback. But his mischievous streak had been there since he was a kid, and it had only gotten stronger over time.
When Lu Chen was just seven, tragedy hit his family. His dad, a seasoned fisherman, had been out on the lake one day when he got grabbed by this evil fish spirit that was lurking in the depths. The spirit, this dark and nasty creature, dragged him under, leaving no trace. Even though a Taoist from the nearby Fish-Clear Cave managed to take down the spirit, it was too late to save Lu Chen's dad. The loss left a deep scar on the family, but it also lit this fire in Lu Chen, this determination to never let something like that happen to the people he cared about again.
After his dad passed away unexpectedly, the family was left in the hands of his mom and two older sisters. These three ladies, totally swamped with their duties, couldn't keep a leash on the little troublemaker. So, he ended up roaming the neighborhood, wreaking havoc wherever he went. One day, he'd smash the oil jar of the neighbor to the west, and the next, he'd snatch the hen from the neighbor to the east, plucking its feathers and breaking its legs. The peace of the neighborhood was constantly shattered by his wild antics.
As he got older, his run-ins got worse, and he started getting into daily scraps with the local toughs. But being young and not so strong, he often came out on the losing side.
Still, this guy had a fighting spirit that just wouldn't quit. The more he got beat, the more he wanted payback, and his determination only grew stronger with each loss.
No one knows exactly when he stumbled upon this weird spot. He found out that the spring water had this amazing power to heal wounds. With this new trick up his sleeve, Lu Chen went even more off the rails. He felt all antsy if he didn't get into a few fights every day. Strangely, after soaking in the spring water a lot, his body got more nimble. Slowly but surely, he started losing less and even started winning some one-on-ones.
This spring water is really something else, like it's got a mind of its own and knows who's boss. It only works its magic when Lu Chen dips into it. For anyone else, the water's ice-cold and totally unbearable.
The few teens tagging along were the gang buddies Lu Chen had made in town. The tallest one, Ye Qing, came from a well-off family that ran a big restaurant and dealt in fish. Their wealth got him the nickname "Young Master Qing" among his pals, which pretty much replaced his real name.
Around Jiaohu, it's pretty normal for folks to tie the knot super young. Take Ye Qing, a 15-year-old from a well-off family, who's got a bunch of matchmakers all over her trying to set her up. Locals call it "pān jiā" when you go on a blind date, which is a big deal around here. But here's the kicker: how on earth did Lu Chen end up wearing and ruining someone else's brand-new outfit like that?
"Ha ha, later on, we'll just swap clothes. Then you can pin it on Huang Laizi," Lu Chen said, winking at her like it was no big deal.
"You make it sound so easy. This dress, my mom said, is worth a fortune. How can we just brush it off? You know how my mom is, right?" Ye Qing's face turned serious, her eyes filling with tears that were about to spill.
"Alright, alright. Look, we taught that yellow jerk a lesson. My kick at least put him out of commission for a few days. And you, Tao, did pretty good too. That stick of yours..." Lu Chen, seeing things were getting tense, quickly changed the subject, his voice lively as he talked about the earlier fight with obvious excitement.
Ye Qing pursed her lips and muttered, "So what? In the end, you still got beat up pretty bad..." But then she stopped, thinking that if it weren't for Lu Chen standing up to those thugs, she would've been hit too. She felt embarrassed and sighed, "Forget it. I'll take the blame when I get back. I'll just say I was chased by a mad dog for an hour and fell into the ravine..."
Lu Chen's face lit up like a Christmas tree, and he jumped to his feet, slinging an arm around his buddy's shoulder. "Once I become that Fish Clear Cave Immortal's disciple and learn some killer moves," he said with a cocky grin, "I'll totally teach those jerks a lesson they won't forget. This little hiccup? Just part of the training, no biggie."
Ye Qing kept his mouth shut, but inside, he was rolling his eyes. "Ever since you hit ten," he thought to himself, "you've been yapping about becoming some sky-soaring immortal's apprentice. But guess what? Still waiting to see any proof of that."
After changing into clean clothes, the gang headed downtown, their laughter and jokes filling the streets. Eventually, they split up, each heading home to call it a day.
Ye Qing's mom, a penny-pincher to the core, was super careful with money. When she saw the state of his new clothes, her heart sank. No surprise, Ye Qing got an earful and was grounded to his room. He wasn't let out until dinner, when he was told to eat alone at their family restaurant.
The Ye family's place, called Drunken Immortal Tower, was at the east end of town, right next to the busy market. Known for its awesome fisherman-style dishes cooked by Ye Qing's dad, the restaurant had a solid rep in the neighborhood. With the town packed with visitors these days, business was booming like never before.
So, this restaurant's got this cool three-story setup, each floor giving you a totally different vibe. The top floor's like this super fancy private dining spot, all decked out with classy decor and posh furniture. Up there, you get this awesome view of Jiao Lake, perfect for those special occasions. But heads up, it's gonna cost ya – prices are like 50% higher than the second floor. That's why it's usually pretty chill up there, unlike the second floor which is always hopping with people coming and going.
But today was totally different. The usually quiet downstairs was packed, and the normally calm upstairs was full too. The two waiters were running around like crazy, totally losing their cool in all the chaos. Meanwhile, Ye Qing's mom was at the counter, all smiles. When she saw Ye Qing walk in, she didn't even bother scolding him – she just waved him over to help out upstairs.
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