Volume Two, Chapter Nineteen: The Five-Barbel Carp

As soon as they left Banyue Mound, Moyan started mumbling about getting the Divine Turtle to fly to Peach Marsh. The Divine Turtle wore a thoroughly reluctant look, but before anyone could urge him on, he suddenly changed his mind and shot off at breakneck speed.

“Hmph!” Hanyu couldn’t help but snort.

No sooner had they arrived over Peach Marsh than the three golden toads came up to meet them—as dutiful as ever, it seemed.

“What monsters dare trespass here?” The three golden toads brandished their steel tridents.

“Don’t you know any other lines?” Meiniang asked sympathetically.

“Other lines?” The three golden toads looked at one another in confusion.

“Is the Carefree Immortal here?” Moyan asked hurriedly.

“He’s here! But let us report your arrival first, and then you can—” They didn’t even finish before the Divine Turtle dove headlong toward the ground.

“Hey, hey… You… you dare intrude…” The three golden toads stammered in panic.

At that moment, a shadow streaked over the earth; Carefree had already appeared before the Divine Turtle.

“All right! You three, withdraw!” Carefree impatiently waved his wings. The golden toads pouted and immediately retreated behind him, watching from afar.

“Immortal Guiyuan pays his respects!” the Divine Turtle couldn’t wait to introduce himself.

“Immortal Guiyuan?!” Carefree hurriedly looked around.

“Me! Me! I’m Immortal Guiyuan! From now on, just call me Guiyuan!” The Divine Turtle rushed up to Carefree’s side, his neck flushed red from holding back.

“Immortal, here’s the treat I promised you!” Moyan quickly handed over a cloth bag.

“Oh? What’s the treat?” Carefree turned eagerly to Moyan.

“Five-Colored Fruit, you must know it!” Moyan said, winking.

“You little lass, thank you! I haven’t had this in years!” Carefree’s voice trembled with excitement.

“Hey…” The Divine Turtle tried to interrupt, but Carefree ignored him completely.

“We have urgent business, we can’t chat!” Moyan, fearing the turtle would lose his temper, quickly hopped back onto his shell.

“What urgent business?” Carefree asked.

“There’s news of Master—though we don’t know if it’s true—so we’re going to check it out!” Yibing explained.

“Oh, that’s all? I thought… Never mind, off you go!” Carefree waved his wings impatiently.

“Wait! Take this!” Carefree suddenly called after Yibing, plucking a feather from his tail.

“This?”

“Just take it!” Before he finished, Carefree took off, the three golden toads pulling faces and following close behind.

Everyone could feel the turtle’s shell rising and falling rapidly.

“Brother Gui, let’s go, let’s go!” Fat Girl also sensed something was wrong.

The Divine Turtle let out a heavy sigh and finally took to the air.

Sure enough, after leaving Peach Marsh, the Divine Turtle fell silent. The chatterbox of before didn’t utter a word for dozens of miles, no matter how Hanyu and Meiniang tried to needle him. This left everyone uneasy.

“Brother Turtle, why aren’t you talking?” Moyan finally couldn’t hold back.

“Are you angry with Carefree Immortal?”

“Hey, what’s going on?” Hanyu grew anxious.

Moyan scratched her head, as if recalling something. She reached into her bundle and pulled out a cloth bag.

“Oh well, if he won’t talk, forget it! We’ll just have to split the Five-Colored Fruits among ourselves!” Moyan said helplessly as she distributed them.

“No!” The Divine Turtle immediately halted mid-air.

“You made such a fuss, sulking in silence, all for this? You jealous turtle!” Meiniang scolded.

“Nonsense! I was just thinking about how to find Yibing’s master!” The Divine Turtle stubbornly retorted.

“Brother Turtle, I gave you much more than Carefree Immortal. If you don’t eat them, they’ll soon spoil…” Moyan said regretfully.

“I’ll eat! Who said I wouldn’t! Don’t hand out any more!” The Divine Turtle twisted his neck in agitation.

“Hand them all out!” Hanyu deliberately shouted.

“All right, all right, I’ll wait till we land to give you more!” Moyan said with a bright smile. Still, she gave everyone one fruit.

“Fine, we’ll talk when we land!” The Divine Turtle hurriedly resumed flying.

The Five-Colored Fruits, about the size of quail eggs and shaped like little pumpkins, each had five segments in five different colors. They had no scent, but tasted sweet, making one feel refreshed and clear-headed. According to Moyan, the fruits not only replenish energy and strengthen the body, but also repel cold and ward off evil.

Suddenly, a three-way fork appeared below, and Yibing slapped the turtle’s shell.

“Brother Turtle, the forest over there—let’s go take a look, shall we?”

“What now?” The Divine Turtle grumbled, but still flew toward the forest.

“Do you remember this place? Where you were injured!” Yibing looked nervously at Hanyu.

“Tch! I don’t remember!” Hanyu said, though inside he knew the truth.

No sooner had the turtle landed than Yibing rolled off and dashed to the forest’s edge, shouting, “Mofeng! Mofeng! Are you here?”

For a long while, only echoes replied.

“He might not be here!” Hanyu muttered.

“Brother Turtle, could you circle the area, see if you spot him?” Yibing pleaded.

The Divine Turtle, savoring the Five-Colored Fruit, looked disgruntled. He turned to Moyan and asked, “Is Mofeng your brother?”

“What? I don’t know anyone named Mofeng!” Moyan shook her head vigorously.

“He’s the little black rabbit who helped us before. I gave him the name Mofeng!” Yibing explained, reaching for a fruit. The Divine Turtle immediately snatched the bag.

“Just one!” Yibing swallowed, eyeing the bag as the turtle pressed it tight with his forelegs.

“All right, all right, I’ll stop! But could you at least circle the area?” Yibing scrambled back on the turtle’s shell.

The Divine Turtle said no more. Carefully, he handed the bag to Moyan, who whispered, “Don’t worry, I’ll watch it!” Only then did the turtle relax, his eyes brimming with gratitude.

They circled the forest five or six times. Both Yibing and Fat Girl called out, but there was still no sign of life. The Divine Turtle, however, was thoughtful, expanding his search to cover a twenty-mile radius around the fork before finally glaring back at Yibing.

“Enough! We’ll try again on the way back!” Yibing said, his face full of disappointment.

“Do you have business with him?” Fat Girl asked curiously.

“He helped me. I promised to bring him back to Banyue Mound!”

“Oh, I see!” Fat Girl glanced at Hanyu.

“He’s no kin of mine!” Hanyu’s ears twitched.

Hongkun closed his eyes in pain. Though he was used to such things, the thought of taking in another black rabbit truly would turn Banyue Mound into an animal sanctuary.

In the distance, a great river came into view. The water was calm, sandbanks dotted with gulls, bright-scaled fish gliding beneath the surface, lush greenery lining the banks. The once raging Yellow River had become gentle waves.

“Brother Turtle, let’s descend now, so we’re not seen!” Hongkun urged. With so many people riding on a turtle, they would surely startle the locals.

The Divine Turtle circled and dove toward a patch of woods, landing in a clearing.

“Give me two more!” Eagerly, the Divine Turtle called out before he could even shrink himself. Moyan quickly fed him two more.

“Follow this road and you’ll reach Mengjin Crossing!” Hongkun had already scouted the route from above.

Within the time it takes to burn a stick of incense, they arrived at the crossing. Though small, it was bustling with people coming and going. To avoid drawing attention, Hongkun repeatedly reminded Hanyu and Meiniang to stay hidden in their pockets. Though they were unwilling, they complied.

The group split up to gather information, but by afternoon, after searching every crossing, they found nothing. Not only were there no leads on the Five-Whiskered Carp, there wasn’t even anyone who’d heard of it. Had their uncle’s news been false?

Just as everyone was at a loss, Fat Girl came running back with a stack of pancakes.

“Everyone, eat up! They’re still hot!” she said, passing them around.

“What now?” Biyi turned to Hongkun, not even accepting the pancake Fat Girl proffered. Fat Girl awkwardly withdrew her hand.

“We haven’t eaten all day, let’s eat first!” Hongkun quickly took a pancake and broke half off for Biyi.

“Brother Kun, the pancake seller said there are fishermen on the other bank. Why don’t we go and have a look?” Fat Girl suddenly suggested.

“Oh? Right! We’ve only checked this side—maybe it’s over there! Let’s go now!” Hongkun set off at once, the others hurrying after.

Nearby, a few small boats were moored—boats they’d already visited. These little boats couldn’t even fit Yibing and Fat Girl, let alone all of them. Fortunately, as they spoke, a larger fishing boat drifted over.

“Boatman, are you heading back across?” Hongkun called out when he saw a dark, weathered old fisherman standing at the bow.

The old fisherman sized them up without replying. The two young fishermen at the stern also frowned as they peered at the group.

“Boatman, could you take us across?” Hongkun asked again.

“What are you going across for?” The old fisherman replied gruffly, his voice hoarse.

“We heard that Five-Whiskered Carp have been caught nearby. We’ve asked around here all day but no one knows anything, so we want to try the other side!” Hongkun explained.

“Five-whiskered? Why are you asking about that?” The fisherman seemed interested.

“To be honest, I love keeping fish. When I see rare breeds, I want to buy them for my pond!”

“I see!” The old fisherman’s eyes glinted. He lowered his voice, “There is one, but it’s expensive. I don’t know if…”

“Money’s not a problem! But I need to see it first!” Hongkun could barely contain his joy; everyone’s spirits lifted.

“The fish is on the other bank! I’ve got some business to take care of now, won’t be back till tonight. If you want to see it, I’ll take you over then, how about that?” The fisherman swallowed.

“That’s fine. When should we come?” Hongkun asked, anxious but helpless.

“Before midnight!” The old fisherman glanced at the sky.

“Alright! My surname is Hong, may I ask yours?” Hongkun replied.

“Heh, nothing fancy, just call me Chang!” the old fisherman laughed.

They had planned to find an inn across the river, but now had to stay on this side. Luckily, there was an inn nearby.

After dinner, Hongkun couldn’t wait and went to the crossing. Lights flickered on the fishing boat, where only the two young fishermen busied themselves tidying up. Hongkun didn’t disturb them, but sat with everyone on the riverbank, enjoying the night view and waiting nervously.

As midnight approached, the old fisherman finally appeared at the dock, swaying as he walked, reeking of wine. Jin Guishan scowled.

“Heh, got held up, they insisted I drink!” The old fisherman explained sheepishly when he saw their faces.

“With the river wind, it’s good to have a drink!” Hongkun quickly stood up to smooth things over.

“Yes, yes, board the boat!” The old fisherman mumbled, heading for the fishing boat. Hongkun waved, and the group followed.

As they neared the gangplank, Hanyu suddenly looked at the Divine Turtle and said, “You won’t fall asleep again, will you? Now that you’re Immortal Guiyuan, if anything happens, don’t be the first to run!”

“What are you talking about!” The Divine Turtle stiffened his neck angrily. Hanyu glared, saying nothing.

“I won’t sleep! I won’t! Don’t worry!” The Divine Turtle said, stifling a yawn.

As soon as they boarded, the old fisherman showed them into the cabin. Though the breeze blew through from bow to stern, it was still better than nothing.

“It’s windy on the river, rest inside for now!” he said, heading aft to the rudder. The two young fishermen busied themselves, one raising the anchor, the other with the pole.

The boat sailed smoothly, reaching midstream in no time. Suddenly, the boat stopped. Hongkun looked up to see the old fisherman grab something at his feet and toss it into the river with a splash.

“Boatman…” Hongkun started to ask, but another splash interrupted him.

“Oh no!” Hanyu cried at the same time—the Divine Turtle had vanished.

A flash of guilt crossed the old fisherman’s face. He turned and dove into the water. The two young fishermen followed instantly.

In the blink of an eye, a chill wind arose; a giant whirlpool formed around the boat. The vessel spun like a dried leaf, and before anyone could steady themselves, the whirlpool sucked the entire boat under, dragging it swiftly toward the riverbed.