"Soon you will stand at a crossroad. Choose carefully."
"Walk the right path and you will change the world, choose the wrong one - you will be the fool walking the mortal world."
Whoosh!
The man vanished into thin air, like the reflection of moon over rippling lake.
'What?'
He stared long, his breathing erratic.
He could have asked the old man's help, but he had dismissed him like every other person in that village. A lunatic, he had thought.
He smiled bitterly. What could he do now that the man was gone? The journey must continue. One way or another— he would find the herbs.
He carved a path through the forest for days, avoiding any detours, Jiu Xian walked without stop, for the tree shade became his home and the chirping bird- his only friends.
The deeper he ventured, the more dangerous the forest became. He even encountered some bandits, all fleeing from the same place, Nanzhou.
Some life endangering battles later, he finally reached his destination—Lotus Lake Village.
A rough beard now shadowed his face. His robes were worn and travel-stained, yet his eyes held the same sharpness—the quiet resolve that had been there before leaving the village.
He stopped.
Before him lay a sight beyond anything he had imagined.
A village cradled within the heart of a vast lake.
Every house was built of polished timber, their walls and roofs glowing in warm hues of aged cedar, all resting atop sturdy wooden platforms that rose just above the still, clear water. Thick oak beams anchored these platforms deep into the lakebed, as though nature and craftsmanship had woven themselves together in quiet harmony.
From where he stood, the village seemed to float— homes and walkways drifting across the glassy surface, connected by narrow bridges and winding wooden paths. In the cool morning mist, their reflections shimmered like faint ink paintings brushed upon clear silk.
Lotus flowers bloomed in endless seas of pink and white. Their broad leaves stirred gentle ripples as dragonflies danced above them. In the light of dawn, petals unfurled like tiny lanterns against the blue sheen of water, and even the breeze carried a trace of their sweet fragrance.
Embroidered canopies shaded the walkways and dwellings, fluttering like silent banners in the soft wind. Beneath them, the villagers fished quietly while sleek wooden boats drifted between the platforms. On the distant shore, children chased the dragonflies, their bright laughter echoing across the water.
Jiu Xian knew little of immortality or cultivation, but he was certain of one thing — this must be what the dwellings of immortals looked like.
The sweet fragrance of lotuses grew stronger as Jiu Xian approached the shore. With every step, his awe deepened. Promising himself he would remember this sight forever, he soon reached the water's edge.
There, young woman sat, plucking the petals from a white lotus one by one, murmuring softly to herself.
Her brown hair fell to her neck, and her green eyes looked distant, almost lost. She wore a simple white robe.
"Excuse me," Jiu Xian said politely. "Could you guide me to the village chief?"
"He remembers me... he forgot me..." The woman mumbled, seemingly unaware of his presence.
"Hello?"
No response.
"Hey!"
"Eek!" She jumped, dropping the lotus. "You startled me! Why are you yelling? Why not ask me normally?"
Jiu Xian's expression darkened.
"I did. Several times. You were just lost in your own world..."
He sighed.
"I don't have time for this. Can you tell me where the village chief lives?"
The woman's ears flushed red.
"Oh... I see. Sorry. I was distracted." She scanned him up and down. "But why would a beggar like you want to see the village chief? Are you a thief?"
She pointed at his worn robes and travel-stained face, her eyes narrowing.
Jiu Xian's cheek turned pink, heat rushing to his face.
"I'm no beggar... and certainly no thief. I'm Jiu Xian from Crouching Fish village. I've been travelling from village to village in search of spirit herbs."
He gave her an awkward smile.
"As for how I look... I had to fight off some bandits who tried to rob and kill me."
"Really? That's terrible luck." She paused, tilting her head. "I will believe you. Follow me. I will take you to meet the chief."
Jiu Xian followed closely behind as she led the way.
As she walked, her curiosity piqued, she felt like she had to know more about him.
'He's just like me'
Her instincts screamed.
"You know, Jiu Xian... when was the last time you had a bath?" She pinched her nose dramatically.
"Maybe you should wash up and change into something decent before meeting her." She laughed lightly, her voice bright as a bell.
Jiu Xian lifted his arm and cautiously sniffed. He nearly gagged.
"Hehehe~"
In silence, they walked along the narrow bridges that crisscrossed the lake like a spider's web until they reached the woman's home. She led him to a guest room and soon returned with a bucket of water and fresh washing supplies.
After taking a long-overdue bath, Jiu Xian changed into the only spare robe he had left.
"So... when are you taking me to meet the village chief, um... miss?"
"Yao Qing," she said, arching a brow.
"You followed me all the way to my house and didn't even bother to ask my name? Didn't anyone teach you not to follow strangers? Hehehe~"
"..."
"Come on," she said, grabbing his hand. "I informed the chief. She agreed to meet you."
She led him across the web of narrow bridges toward the center of the lake.
A grand house rose from the water, shaped like blooming lotus welcomed them. Its wooden frame was coated in smooth pink and white clay, resting atop an enormous lotus-shaped platform. Banners embroidered with lotus motifs fluttered gently in the breeze.
An elderly woman with thin white hair and a long staff stood at the entrance, welcoming them as stepped inside.
"Hm. You look different from how Qing'er described you. Quite handsome, in fact.
"Are you single? How about I set you up with my granddaughter?" The old woman smiled slyly.
"Huh?!" Jiu Xian jaw dropped, his voice trembling slightly, "I'm afraid I will have to decline. I have already promised my future to someone, and until that promise is fulfilled or I die trying, I'm will not give my heart to anyone else."
"Oh ho! I do love me a complicated love story," she laughed. "I'd ask for the details, but I suspect you wouldn't share them."
She tapped her staff lightly. "So then, young man how may I help you?"
Jiu Xian explained his search for spirit herbs and cultivation resources.
"Oh? I don't know about other resources" the old woman said, pointing her staff toward Yao Qing, "but it seems you've already found your spirit herb~" Her demeanour turned playful.
"What?" Jiu Xian turned quickly.
"Baibai!" Yao Qing protested, cheeks puffed. "Please stop. My name might mean spirit herb but that doesn't mean you get to tease me every chance you get."
"..."
The old woman chuckled.
"Can't an old lady joke anymore?"
Then she turned serious. "As for your request, young man... I can't help you much."
Jiu Xian's expression fell.
"But," she continued, "I do know someone who might."
"Really?!"
"Yes. There's a cabin on a hill not far from here. My mother spoke of a woman who lives there-- one who's been alive so long that people call her Immortal Witch."
"Wait— that story's real?" Yao Qing asked. "I thought it was just something told to scare children."
"Oh she's as real as doll you still hug in your sleep. Hohoho!"
Jiu Xian blinked at Yao Qing, who immediately blushed and covered her face while the old woman laughed heartily.
Afterward, she carefully described the path— landmarks, danger, and the safest route to take.
"Have you ever heard of Spring of Immortality?" Jiu Xian asked.
"Oho? Sorry, young man. I don't recall hearing that term in my lifetime."
By the time they left the village chief's house, the sky had already darkened.
"You're leaving now?" Yao Qing asked.
"Yes. I don't want to waste time... and I wouldn't want to impose on you any more than I already have."
"You are not imposing at all." Her green eyes lit up. "You should sleep at my house tonight. Rest well before your adventure tomorrow."
Jiu Xian was about to refuse, but his sleepless and tired body begged him to take a break.
"Uh... thank you. Then I'll accept your offer."
Yao Qing led Jiu Xian around the village, showing him the walkways, the fishing platforms, and the lantern-lit bridges stretching across the lake.
As they wandered beneath the evening lights, the two found themselves talking easily. Though they had only met recently, a quiet sense of friendship began to take root in their hearts.
...
The evening deepened into night.
Jiu Xian took a sip from the wine gourd he had refilled at the Lotus Lake Village's brewery earlier and gazed at the moon, his eyes distant.
"Why do you look so sad?" Yao Qing's voice came from behind him, startling him.
"Just remembering the past... and worrying about the future."
She sat beside him, leaving a clear distance between them.
"The past, huh?" she gave a small smile, "Care to share that drink with me?"
"Sure"
They passed the gourd back and forth, talking quietly beneath the moonlight, learning more about one and another.
"You know," Yao Qing said softly, "I had a friend who left two years ago to explore the world and seek immortality. He always said this place was too small— for him, for us. I wanted to go with him."
She lowered her gaze.
"I always dreamed of adventures, but I had to stay and care for my sick parents. I was content with that... But now that they are gone, I feel lost."
Her story stirred Jiu Xian's own pain.
After a moment of hesitation, he gently put an arm around her shoulders and patted her back-- Careful, restrained, offering comfort, nothing more.
He wasn't sure if it was the wine or his wounded heart seeking solace, but he began to speak of his own past.
That night, beneath the bright full moon, in the thread of Liberty, two fibers brushed against each other, sharing their burdens— forming a bond that would never be broken.