Volume Two, Chapter Eight: Dragonfly, Dragonfly

“Were you waiting for me?” Just as he was about to drift off to sleep, the voice of Daoist Xifeng came from behind him.

“Uncle Master, Hanyu and the others...” Yibing jumped up immediately.

“It’s fate!” Daoist Xifeng said as he pressed a hand over Yibing’s chubby mouth, not allowing him to say another word.

“Oh...” Yibing nodded, clearly unwilling.

At noon, Hanyu and Meiniang still refused to let Yibing enter. They only let him leave the carrots and grapes outside the door, urging him to hurry back. Helpless, Yibing could only run to check on Red Qin. Her head still poked out of the cage; though there was no sign of improvement, at least she wasn’t getting any worse, which gave him some comfort.

Come evening, Yibing went over again, but this time he couldn’t even get into the small courtyard. For reasons unknown, Hanyu and Meiniang had locked the gate early. Stretching his neck, Yibing called out twice, but no one responded. After lingering for a while, restless and anxious, he could only leave.

Early the next morning, before Yibing reached the pond, he heard the excited chatter of the divine tortoise from afar. Dashing over, he saw Hanyu and Meiniang crouched by the pond. The burden that had weighed on his heart finally eased. Perhaps having been pent up for days, the divine tortoise was now the one instigating trouble—clearly spoiling for a fight.

“How are you?” Yibing asked apologetically.

“We’re fine!” Meiniang quickly turned to answer.

“Any changes?” Yibing pressed.

“Changes? You’re lucky we’re even alive!” Hanyu immediately hopped over, startling Yibing so much he retreated a step.

“Don’t listen to her nonsense. But truly, nothing’s changed,” Meiniang quickly cut in.

“Oh...” Yibing surveyed the two nervously. They did look unchanged.

Seizing a break at noon, Yibing hurried to give Red Qin a new cage. The old one had been utterly ruined by her; it was unfit for a bird, let alone pleasing to the eye. To prevent another biting incident, Yibing placed the two cages mouth to mouth, letting Red Qin crawl through on her own. He’d expected resistance, but to his surprise, she obediently clambered into the new cage.

Time turned, and half a month passed in a blink. Hanyu and Meiniang remained completely unchanged. He had hoped that after eating the seeds of the Hell Lotus, they would at least regain human form, but after many attempts, both failed. Red Qin, however, did show some improvement: though she still lost feathers, she was much livelier, and could now eat a little. So the Hell Lotus seeds weren’t entirely useless—but why had they brought no benefit to Hanyu and Meiniang? Yibing considered seeking advice from his uncle master, but remembering those words, “It is fate,” he quickly dismissed the thought. Realizing that no harm was already a blessing, he decided not to dwell on any hoped-for gains.

Ever since Biyi arrived at Banyue Mound, Yibing’s cultivation had grown more diligent. He was always first to begin, last to leave. Though Biyi still kept her distance, she no longer showed the aversion of before. Uncle Master’s instruction was methodical, and the scriptures he’d once been forced to memorize by his master now gradually became clear and understood. Mastery begat transformation, and Yibing’s Daoist skills improved markedly. Yet, while most people’s appetites diminished with progress, his only grew larger!

One morning, hunger woke Yibing early. As he got up, he faintly heard a buzzing outside the door. Assuming it was just insects, he quickly opened it—only for a dark shape to crash into his arms and tumble at his feet.

“A bamboo dragonfly!” Yibing recognized it at once.

At first, he’d pined daily for the arrival of this bamboo dragonfly. Though Uncle Master said one was enough, Yibing still worried. After all, Senior Brother Jin had promised to send word if all was well, yet so many days had passed with no sign of the bamboo dragonfly—was Fat Girl not safe yet? But Brother Tortoise had assured him all was well; perhaps Senior Brother Jin was simply too busy, or planning a visit in person, and so hadn’t sent the bamboo dragonfly as a messenger. Still, he hadn’t expected it to turn up today!

Yibing hurriedly picked it up. There were no markings, no attached notes, but clear signs of having been scorched by fire. What did this mean? Was Fat Girl in trouble or not? If it was a message of safety, there should be a note—yet there was nothing, and it had been burned. Fearing he’d missed something, Yibing rushed into the sunlight for a closer look, but there really was no information at all. Anxious, he ran to the pond.

At such an early hour, everyone was surprised to see Yibing. Unless there was something unusual, he never came this early—he was always off cultivating with Senior Sister Biyi.

“Oh, is your Senior Sister Biyi not here today?” Hanyu asked mockingly.

“Senior Brother Jin’s bamboo dragonfly came!” Yibing ignored her and blurted out.

“What did it say?” Seeing his panic, Hanyu immediately grew serious.

“Nothing at all.”

“Nothing? No writing on it? No hidden wax pellets?”

“Nothing! Look for yourselves!” As he spoke, Yibing placed the bamboo dragonfly on the ground.

Hanyu and the others crowded around. The rabbit, the fox, and the tortoise lined up, circling the bamboo dragonfly three times one way, then three times the other.

“It’s been burned...”

“Mm...”

“It was demon fire!”

“How can you tell?”

“Of course I know! Celestial fire burns fierce and leaves clear marks, while demon fire is softer, with scorch marks of uneven depth.”

“Hmph, you’re a demon, you’d know.”

“And aren’t you one too?”

“I’m half-demon!”

“Pfft!”

“So, does this mean something’s happened?” Yibing couldn’t help but ask.

“If this were a message of safety, there would be a note. But not only is there nothing, it’s been burned by demon fire. I think it’s a call for help!” Hanyu’s ears stood straight as she spoke.

“I’ll go find Uncle Master!” Yibing grabbed the bamboo dragonfly and dashed to the main hall.

Daoist Xifeng was of the same opinion. The burn marks were clearly the work of a demon. Yet with the skills of Master Tai Miao, ordinary demons should not pose a threat. Still, the bamboo dragonfly did seem to carry a plea for help.

“Uncle Master, I want to go to the Mistcloud Sect to take a look! Senior Brother Jin and the others have helped me; I can’t just sit by and do nothing!” Yibing pleaded anxiously.

“Hongkun, Chengyan, Biyi, you three go with Yibing,” Daoist Xifeng nodded.

“Yes, Uncle Master!” Hongkun stepped forward at once.

“Yes!” Chengyan replied expressionlessly.

“Master...” Biyi looked hesitant.

“Master, let Senior Sister look after you! I want to go!” Moxian suddenly clung to Daoist Xifeng’s arm.

“You?”

“Yes, Master, I’ve never left your side before! Let me go with Senior Sister Chengyan and gain some experience!”

“You just want to go have fun!” Daoist Xifeng feigned sternness. Moxian stuck out her tongue mischievously.

“Fine! But Kun, remember—your main task is to investigate, avoid conflict where possible. If anything is amiss, report back immediately and I will come in person.” Daoist Xifeng’s tone was grave. Moxian winked at Biyi on the sly, while Yibing’s heart sank—he loathed Moxian for this.

“If it’s a demon that can threaten Master Tai Miao, you are no match for it. Remember that!” Fearing Hongkun might not understand, Daoist Xifeng repeated himself.

“Yes, Uncle Master, I understand. But how should we...?” Hongkun asked.

“Take this sack, but do not open it. If you encounter danger, speak into the sack and then open it—the wind inside will carry the message to me at once.”

“An underworld wind?”

“Yes. Demons won’t notice it.”

“Uncle Master, you are truly wise!”

“Hmm, since when did you become so flattering?” Daoist Xifeng frowned. Hongkun blushed in embarrassment.

“Chubby, listen to your seniors on the road, don’t cause trouble!” Daoist Xifeng said meaningfully.

“Yes, Uncle Master!” Yibing bowed deeply. He sneaked a glance at Biyi, only to see her looking away.

When packing, Yibing stopped by the pond to inform Hanyu and Meiniang. No sooner had he spoken than the place erupted. Hanyu and Meiniang insisted on coming along, saying they were stifled at Banyue Mound and needed some fresh air, and demanded to bring the divine tortoise too. On hearing this, the tortoise immediately tried to flee into the pond, only to be pinned by Meiniang’s paw.

“But you two...” Yibing hesitated.

“We can’t help in other ways, but sneaking in to scout is still within our power!” Hanyu glared fiercely at Yibing.

With no alternative, Yibing relented. But at departure, the three began to quarrel. Yibing wanted to carry Brother Tortoise in his arms, but Hanyu and Meiniang protested—why should only the tortoise be carried, and not them? Both still weak from their injuries, walking was hard for them!

“You two insist on coming, yet say you can’t walk?” Yibing thought, but dared not speak.

So, Yibing fetched two sacks, one for Hanyu and one for Meiniang, and carried them both on his back. Still unsatisfied, they insisted Brother Tortoise be carried too, wedged between them. Yibing, unable to argue, obliged.

When the group came to bid farewell in the main hall, everyone was amused by Yibing’s three bulging sacks.

“Uncle Master...” Yibing said awkwardly.

“Don’t let Chubby down,” Daoist Xifeng said calmly.

“Yes!” Hanyu and Meiniang replied in unison, fearful that Daoist Xifeng might forbid them from going.

Before leaving the mound, Yibing pulled Hongpeng aside, asking him to look after Red Qin. Hongpeng readily agreed, repeatedly reminding Yibing to heed Senior Brother Hongkun’s instructions.

Once outside Banyue Mound, Hanyu and Meiniang began to chatter incessantly. Hongkun and Chengyan said not a word, brows furrowed, but did not rebuke them. Moxian, a natural chatterbox, quickly joined them, teaming up with Hanyu and Meiniang to tease the divine tortoise. Yet, for some reason, the tortoise was in high spirits, happily bantering with them.

“Where is the Mistcloud Sect?” After traveling ten miles, Moxian finally asked.

Everyone looked at each other, then turned to Yibing.

“I remember Senior Brother Jin said it was at Jiuxi Mountain...” Yibing answered nervously.

“How do we get to Jiuxi Mountain?” Hongkun frowned.

“I don’t know! I...” Yibing dared not meet his gaze. In his haste, he’d forgotten the most crucial detail.

“If you don’t know, how are we supposed to get there?” Hongkun was nearly beside himself with anger.

“Should we go back and ask Master?” Moxian whispered.

Instantly, silence fell.

“Didn’t Senior Brother Jin give you a bamboo dragonfly too?” Hanyu suddenly broke the silence.

“That’s right, can’t it guide us?” Meiniang chimed in.

“It can lead the way?” Moxian looked at Yibing curiously.

“If Brother Jin’s dragonfly can bring you messages, yours should be able to return one,” Hongkun said, walking over. Yibing quickly produced the bamboo dragonfly Jin Guishan had given him.

“But what’s the incantation? Did he ever tell you?” Hongkun asked, eyeing Yibing.

“No... nothing...” Yibing racked his brains but recalled nothing.

“Let’s try! Let’s try!” Hanyu called, then shouted, “Set out!”

“Mistcloud Peak!”

“Jin Guishan!”

“Return!”

“Fat Girl!”

They shouted every command they could think of until their voices were hoarse, but the bamboo dragonfly didn’t budge.

“Oh, forget it, let’s just find someone to ask!” Moxian couldn’t bear it any longer.

But there was neither village nor traveler in sight. They had no choice but to press on. As luck would have it, after two miles they came upon a fork in the road.

“Oh no...” Yibing’s face turned green.

“Ay! We don’t even know the way and just keep wandering—let’s just go back!” The normally silent tortoise suddenly spoke up.

At that moment, the bamboo dragonfly in Yibing’s hand took flight. It hovered for a moment, then darted off toward the western road.

“Hurry, follow it!” Hongkun called, dashing after.

“What did you just say?” Hanyu, bouncing along on Yibing’s back, questioned the tortoise.

“I said, we don’t know the way, just wandering around—let’s go back!” The tortoise had barely finished when the bamboo dragonfly sped up.

“So that’s it—‘let’s go back!’” Hanyu repeated, and the bamboo dragonfly flew even faster.

“Hey, stop talking!” Hongkun was now panting as he ran.

“All right, all right, I won’t say another word...” Hanyu nearly let it slip again.