Volume Two: Mountains and Rivers Stretch On, No Path Ahead Chapter Sixteen: Stealing Fish

The following day, Zhuo Hua arrived at the Yushui Bridge by the Bosuo River. He extended his right hand; a surge of energy flowed from his palm, tracing an elegant arc in the air before plunging into the water. Soon after, a large sphere of water rose to the surface, containing within it a splendid koi. With a subtle motion, Zhuo Hua withdrew his energy, and the water sphere drifted gently toward him.

At first, the koi was bewildered, dashing back and forth within the sphere. But upon seeing Zhuo Hua’s face up close, it settled down and spoke, “My lord calls, and this humble fish is anxious.”

Zhuo Hua pressed his lips together, then replied, “Little fish, do not be afraid. There’s something I cannot attend to myself. I need to borrow your body for a time.”

The fish was no longer frightened, though a hint of hesitation remained in its voice. “It is my good fortune to ease my lord’s burdens. But I have only five hundred years of cultivation—barely enough to speak. I wonder if my body could be of any real use.”

“You’ll know soon enough,” Zhuo Hua said, keeping his intentions secret for now. He produced a newly crafted Cangyue Pearl from his infinite pouch at his waist, ready to recite the incantation, when suddenly a woman’s voice sounded behind him.

“Help me transform this one, too. What’s the point in going alone? With company, we can look after each other!” Qin Ying emerged playfully from behind a phoenix tree, holding an identical water sphere in her hands, inside which another little koi darted about in delight.

“Well, well, Jinmuhan! Fishing for koi in the Bosuo River without permission is a violation of the heavenly laws—and spying on your superior is an even greater offense!” Zhuo Hua pretended to scold her sternly.

Qin Ying covered her mouth, stifling a laugh, and nudged her water sphere toward Zhuo Hua. “No harm done. As long as you tell me why you’re fishing, I’ll accept any punishment.”

Zhuo Hua feigned composure. “I intended to keep the fish in my chambers. Must I really report such a thing to you?”

Qin Ying raised her eyebrows, her tone light with curiosity. “What are you doing with that Cangyue Pearl? Is it good for more than healing—can it raise fish and shrimp too? That’s new to me.”

Zhuo Hua could no longer keep a straight face and was forced to admit the truth. “You’re impossible. I’m worried Lan Sheng might not be able to handle this alone—the matter is grave—so I thought to transform koi into human form, possess them, and follow the party to Nanyan Continent. But what are you doing here?”

Qin Ying shook the water sphere in her hand with a mischievous grin. “As soon as you mentioned Lan Sheng’s mission to Nanyan, I knew you wouldn’t rest easy and would find a way to go, though you couldn’t do so openly. The safest plan would be to take on a fish’s form and go along. So, before you even arrived, I caught my fish and just waited for you to bring out the Cangyue Pearl.” She laughed, clearly pleased with her cleverness.

Zhuo Hua found it impossible to be angry with her, but he still grew serious. “This journey is no small matter—the road ahead is fraught with uncertainty. When I possess a body, my power is halved. You’ve only recovered a fraction of your strength. If anything goes awry, not only will the koi avatars perish, but your true body could also be harmed, your life force further damaged. Have you truly thought this through?”

Qin Ying sobered, answering earnestly. “Zhuo Hua, you know me. Once I’ve set my mind to something, I’ll see it through without worrying about the consequences. Besides, at night my consciousness will return to my body here atop the clouds for cultivation—it won’t interfere with anything important.”

Zhuo Hua wanted to argue further, but her pleading expression softened his heart and he agreed.

Thus, Zhuo Hua and Qin Ying together lifted the water spheres into the air. With a wave of their energy, the water dispersed, and the two koi opened their mouths wide midair, tails thrashing. Zhuo Hua cast the Cangyue Pearl aloft, formed a hand seal, and recited, “Cangyue Pearl, awaken their wisdom.” The pearl shone brilliantly, its pure white light enveloping both koi. The fish ceased struggling, their bodies growing and elongating, gradually taking on human shape. Soon, as the light faded, a man and a woman stood before them.

Qin Ying quickly draped the garments she had prepared over the two, then turned grandly to Zhuo Hua and said, “Well, what’s the next act? Please, my lord, let’s see your plan.” She grinned, revealing two sharp little canines.

Zhuo Hua rapped her on the head and laughed. “Who’s acting here? This is clearly… this is…” But words escaped him, so he simply waved his hand and said, “Come, let’s go see Lan Sheng off first.”

So, bantering and laughing, the two made their way to the gates of Yuntian, where a crowd had already gathered to bid Lan Sheng and his party farewell. Lin Bai had been watching the direction of Lingjue Palace. When he caught sight of Zhuo Hua and company on the pathway, he excitedly patted Lan Sheng’s shoulder. “Hey! My lord is here! Look! See, I told you—there’s no way he wouldn’t come to send you off.”

Lan Sheng, who’d been downcast and silent, now looked up to see Zhuo Hua and the others, and his face broke into a smile. “Welcome, my lord! I thought you’d forgotten the day of my departure!”

Zhuo Hua waved his hand, feigning disbelief. “How could I forget? It’s only that Palace Master Qin selected two personal guards for you, and we were delayed en route.”

He shot Qin Ying a look, urging her to pick up the conversation, but she replied unhurriedly, “I don’t recall selecting any guards. All I remember is the Lantern Festival…”

Sensing trouble, Zhuo Hua quickly interjected, “Ah! What she means is, you missed this year’s Lantern Festival—such a pity. When you return victorious, we’ll celebrate together.” As he spoke, he shot Qin Ying a glare; she replied with a dramatic roll of her eyes.

The mood grew somber. Old Jiao broke the silence, “Lan Sheng, see how much my lord cares for you? When I went out on missions, I never had bodyguards. Work hard, boy.” He laughed, giving Lan Sheng’s back a hearty slap.

Lan Sheng, overwhelmed by the honor, bowed deeply to Zhuo Hua. “Your favor is more than I deserve. I’ll do all I can to root out the remnants of the Sun Worship Sect and expose the Shadow Helm Army.”

Zhuo Hua, eyes fixed sternly on Qin Ying, replied, “You are so respectful and sensible—surely a pillar of the future. Don’t be like some young ladies who grow arrogant from favor and disregard all propriety.”

Qin Ying bristled, about to retort, but Old Jiao quickly tugged her sleeve, urging her to stop. She glanced at Lin Bai, huffed, and let it go.

Old Jiao wiped the sweat from his brow, thinking to himself how difficult this was.

Yao Bogong, seeing the group fall silent, turned to the bewildered Lan Sheng and said, “Brother Lan, I’ve brought two brothers from Azure Dragon Palace to help you in your campaign. If we fall short in any way, let me apologize in advance.”

Lan Sheng quickly returned the courtesy. “Not at all! To have the aid of the celestial palaces is a great fortune. This campaign is sure to be a success.”

Zhuo Hua, seeing the hour was late, spoke. “Lan Sheng, the journey to Nanyan will be arduous. Don’t rush in recklessly. Old Yao is prudent and thorough; consult with him often.”

Lan Sheng and Old Yao bowed in unison. Zhuo Hua stepped aside, presenting the two behind him. “These two are the guards chosen by me and Palace Master Qin. They will ensure your safety.”

Lan Sheng thanked him, then asked the man and woman their names. The pair looked at each other, then at Zhuo Hua and Qin Ying. Only now did Zhuo Hua realize that, lost in conversation, they hadn’t named the two.

Zhuo Hua was about to make up names when Zhuo Yun cried out from the crowd, “Ah Hong, Ah Bai, what are you doing here?”

Zhuo Hua frowned at such names, but found himself amused. He interrupted, “Whatever you were called before, from this day forth, you’ll be Tian Ming and Lan Shan.”