Chapter Nineteen: The Old Turtle of the Yangtze River

After a fruitless search in the mountains, Liaochen found himself once more by the banks of the Yangtze River. Though he had cast a Water Repelling Spell, his swimming skills were sorely lacking, and he dared not venture into the river’s depths. Fortunately, he was acquainted with a turtle—a turtle that had lived for a thousand years. As a native of the Yangtze, the turtle could not possibly be unaware of Liaochen’s arrival. Liaochen came bearing a fated opportunity; it was only a matter of when the turtle would seize it. Otherwise, he might have to wait another thousand years, and the old turtle would never shed his shell.

Liaochen transformed a sturdy tree into a small, leaf-like fishing boat, donning a raincoat and, amidst the drizzling mist, became a solitary old fisherman, ready to drift down the river. Yet the monkey and fox stubbornly refused to board. The monkey, a mountain dweller, naturally feared the water. But what was the fox afraid of? After much persuasion and assurances of safety, Liaochen forcibly tossed them into the cabin, ignoring their pitiful wails. He set sail, awaiting the turtle’s appearance.

On rainy days, fishermen seldom venture onto the river, for small boats cannot withstand the wind and waves. Unless driven by necessity or greed, who would gamble with their life? The boat floated downstream and soon arrived at the place where Liaochen had once been rescued. He suddenly gazed toward the southern bank, where the faint outline of a small village appeared through the misty rain. Were the Zhang sisters still there? Had they married? Did they fare well in their in-laws’ homes? Was their mother-in-law kind? Did their husbands cherish them?

Lost in thought, Liaochen’s reverie was interrupted by a large black shape drifting toward his boat. As it drew closer, he recognized the massive shell of a turtle, nearly ten feet across.

“Friend Turtle, won’t you come aboard for a chat? I have fine wine to entertain old acquaintances,” Liaochen called, glancing back at the riverbank.

“You humans are cunning indeed. You’ve plotted against me, burdening me with needless karma, and now you want me to come see you?” The giant turtle vanished beside the boat, replaced by a burly man of seven feet, strong and robust, with a pronounced hunch on his back—surely the stubborn turtle shell.

Liaochen chuckled, not denying his scheming. “You were released here by humans, so you owe the Zhang family a debt of karma. Surely you know who old Zhang was. Otherwise, with your abilities, how could you be caught in a fisherman’s net?”

“Haha, nothing escapes you, friend!” Seeing that Liaochen knew everything, the turtle dropped the matter. He glanced toward the fox and monkey, huddled together in fright inside the cabin. “How strange—fox and monkey, embracing each other. You, friend, are free of the prejudices of those old orthodox priests. Quite rare indeed.” Having cultivated for a millennium, the old turtle instantly recognized their origins. Seeing Liaochen keep them close, his impression of him improved greatly.

Liaochen smiled wryly. “These two are terrified by your aura. Once you leave, they’ll surely resume their quarrel.” He tossed aside his fishing rod and entered the cabin. With a gesture, a small wooden table and two stools appeared inside, set with wine and fresh fruit, clearly prepared in advance.

“This wine is from the little monkey’s private stash, pilfered by him and myself. When he returns, he’ll surely face the monkey tribe’s reproach. The fruit is wild, from Wudang Mountain, a rare delicacy. Please, friend, have a taste.” Liaochen poured two cups of Monkey Wine, offering one to his guest as he sat.

“Excellent wine—none like this in the water,” the old turtle exclaimed after a sip. He turned serious. “May I ask what brings you here, friend?”

Liaochen sipped his wine. “Three years ago, during a great battle, I lost a peachwood sword handed down by my patriarch. I thought it was lost in Jingmen Mountain, but my search there was in vain. So I’ve come to the Yangtze to look for it. I’m unfamiliar with the ways of the river, so I ask your help.”

“A peachwood sword? Could it have drifted out to sea?” The old turtle hedged.

Liaochen smiled inwardly. “This old turtle must know something.” He sighed. “This sword was forged from a heavenly peach branch, infused with the essence of the Nine Heavens’ purple lightning, and bears the mark of Patriarch Lü Chunyang. Heavier than gold or iron, it sinks immediately in water, never to float away. You jest, friend.”

He fixed his gaze on the slightly guilty turtle. “The sword contains celestial thunder and the patriarch’s seal. Only a disciple of our sect can wield it. Even with great magical power, anyone who tries to forcibly use it will surely be discovered by the patriarch in Heaven. Then... well,” Liaochen finished, using his patriarch’s reputation to intimidate the old turtle. The turtle’s expression changed. “Since it’s an heirloom, it cannot be lost. I know these waters well. Let me ask around among the river’s aquatic folk. Perhaps I can find something.”

Liaochen smiled. “Thank you, friend. If you bring me news, I will reward you generously.”

The turtle hastily replied, “I wouldn’t dare! I’ll inquire right away. Please wait for my message!” With that, he prepared to leave. Liaochen called out, “Wait, I have another question.”

The turtle paused. “What is it?”

Liaochen hesitated. “Do you recall the Zhang sisters who released you?”

The turtle nodded. “I remember. I’ve kept an eye on them. But these past two years, they haven’t come to the river. I suppose they married.”

Liaochen nodded. “Thank you for telling me.” Only then did he let the turtle go. As soon as the turtle departed, the fox and monkey relaxed, returning immediately to their old rivalry, glaring at each other as before, with no trace of their earlier camaraderie.

“A boat of friendship can capsize in an instant,” Liaochen mused, standing on the bow and gazing toward the riverbank. Through the mist, the village was faintly visible. Yet what had become of the Zhang sisters?

He wished to divine their fate, but fortune-telling would diminish his blessings and longevity, and he did not wish to add further karma. After some thought, he transformed into an old busker, a monkey perched on his shoulder and a fox cradled in his arms, leaving the boat for the village where the Zhang sisters had lived.

Upon reaching the cottage where he once stayed, he found it abandoned. Shocked, Liaochen hurried next door to ask the Zhangs’ neighbor, “Old man, I’m a wandering entertainer, with some history with the Zhang family. Years ago, they lent me money and helped me. Later, I went north, and only recently returned to repay their kindness, but I find their house empty. I feel uneasy. Could you tell me where they moved?”

The neighbor eyed Liaochen curiously. His appearance and manner did not suggest a troublemaker, especially with a monkey on his shoulder and a fox in his arms. Perhaps he really was a performer, living hand to mouth. Though puzzled by the connection between the Zhangs and a busker, he answered, “It’s a tragedy! Once a harmonious family, but after rescuing an ingrate, things went downhill. That person received their kindness but, unwilling to bear the stigma of marrying in, left without a word. Who knows why? The Zhangs argued fiercely over it. The eldest returned and arranged a marriage for the second sister, but the third disagreed. The family was torn apart, and Old Zhang became ill from anger. Misfortune! The second sister, unable to resist, married into a family notorious for tormenting daughters-in-law. Afterward, villagers said she was utterly worn down. When the Zhangs confronted them, they were beaten. Old Zhang, always frail, died after a quarrel with his eldest. Soon after, the old mother passed. The third sister, armed with a knife for revenge, ended up in the authorities’ hands. Now, who knows if the sisters are alive or dead? What a mess!”

Liaochen felt a chill, his whole body cold. He had never imagined such tragedy. If he had stayed, would things have turned out differently?

He thanked the neighbor hurriedly, cradled the fox and took the monkey, feeling as though a thousand-pound stone pressed upon his heart, and walked out of the village in a daze.