After a long and tiring journey of visiting various villages Jiu Xian finally reached his destination, the Clear Water village.
His face now had grown a rough patch of beard, his robes worn out and dirty but his eyes held a lusture they didn't have before. He took in the view of the village in awe before him.
The village looked unlike anything he had ever seen or imagined. It laid cradled in the middle of a very large lake.
Every house was built of polished timber, their walls and roofs the warm hues of aged cedar, balanced atop sturdy wooden platforms that rose just above the still clear water. Thick beams of oak anchored these platforms deep into the lakebed, like nature and craft woven together in silent harmony.
From where he stood, the village appeared to float — walkways and homes drifting upon the glassy surface, connected by narrow bridges and winding wooden paths. In the cool morning mist, the reflection of these houses shimmered like faint ink sketches upon clear silk.
All around the lake, lotus flowers bloomed in endless seas of pink and white, their broad leaves making 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 seemed to carry a hint of their sweet fragrance.
Canopies of embroidered cloth shaded the dwellings and walkways, fluttering like silent banners in the soft wind. Beneath them, the villagers could be seen fishing.
Small wooden boats — sleek and quiet — drifted between the platforms.
Children playing on the shore, trying to catch the dragonflies or chasing each other with carefree joy, their bright cries echoing through the village.
He didn't know much immortality or cultivation but he was sure that this must be how immortal dwellings should look like.
The sweet fragrance of lotuses grew stronger as he walked closer to the shore. Each step increasing his awe as saw the beauty of the village. Promising himself to etch this scene in his mind forever he soon reached the shore of the lake.
He found a young woman plucking the petals of a white lotus one by one and murmuring something softly. Her brown hair reaching her neck, her green eyes looking somehwat lost. She donned a simple white robe.
"Hey there, sorry to interrupt but can you guide me to the village chief?" Jiu Xian asked.
"He remembers me... he remembers me not... he forgot me.... he didn't..." The woman in the white robe lost in her own world didn't seem to hear him.
"Hey, can you hear me?"
When the woman still didn't seem to notice him. He shouted.
"HEY!!"
"Eek! You startled me. Why did you yell at me? Couldn't you have called out to me like a normal person." The woman dropped the lotus as she stood up in shock.
Jiu Xian's face turned dark.
"I did call you like a normal person,multiple times at that but you seemed lost in your own world. Anyway, can you tell me the way to the village chief's house?" The woman blushed in embarrassment.
"Oh Isee, Sorry! I was busy thinking. Anyway why does a beggar like you want to visit the village chief? Are you a thief?" The woman pointed towards his ragged clother and dirty face. Her eyes narrowing in suspicion.
This time it was Jiu Xian's turn to blush in embarrassment as blood rushed to his face turning it red.
"I'm no beggar and certainly no thief. I'm Jiu Xian from Crouching Fish village. I have been traveling from village to village in search of spiritual herbs.
"And well as for why I look like this. I was forced to fight some bandits who tried to rob and kill me." Jiu Xian defended himself as he answered her with an aggrieved smile.
"Really? What poor luck! Follow me, I will take you to meet the chief" she said.
Jiu Xian walked closely behind her as she led the way.
"You know Jiu Xian, when was the last time you took a bath? I think you should take one and change into some nice clothes before you meet her." She said pinching her nose exaggeratedly and distracting herself from him and she laughed beautifully right after.
Jiu Xian lifted his arm to smell his armpit and nearly gagged.
Walking on the narrow bridges laid across the lake like a spider web, they reached the woman's house where she led him to the guest room and brought a bucket filled with water and some toiletries.
After taking a long deserved and needed bath he took out the only other robe he had left and donned it.
"So when are you taking me to meet the village chief.. um miss?"
"Yao Qing. Seriously how can you follow me to my house and not even care to know my name? Didn't anyone teach you not to not to follow strangers?" Yao Qing teased him followed by her signature sonorous laughter.
"..."
"Now follow me. I informed the chief and she agreed to meet you" She grabbed his hand and led him through the many bridges to the center of the lake.
What greeted him was a large house shaped like a lotus, wooden frame covered by pink and white hardened clay. Standing on an even larger lotus wood platform, the house was decorated with beautiful lotus embroidered banners.
An old woman with thin white hair and a long staff in her hand welcomed them as they entered inside the house.
"Hmm. You look different from how Qing'er described you. You look quite handsome. Say how about I set you up with my granddaughter." She said.
"Well I appreciate the offer but I will have to decline. I have a promise with someone to meet them and before that is done I don't think I am ready to commit to anyone." He said, his voice quivering.
"Oh! I LOVE me a love story with complications! I would love to know the details but I know that you wouldn't be inclined to sharing them.
"So tell me young man how may I be of service to you?"
"Well..." he explained his need for information about spirit herbs or some other spirit resources.
"Oh! I don't know about other resources but I think you already found your spirit herb" said the old woman pointing her staff towards Yao Qing.
"What?" He quickly looked towards Yao Qing.
"Baibai, Just because my name means spirit herb that doesn't mean you can tease me about it every chance you get" Yao Qing protested, her cheek puffing in defiance.
"..."
"..."
"Sorry Qing'er Can't an old lady even joke around anymore? As for you, young man I don't think I can help you much.
"Come on don't look so sad. I said I can't help you much, but I think I know someone who can"
"Really!?" Jiu Xian shouted.
"Yes young man. You see there's a cabin on a hill near some distance from here. My mother told me about a witch that lives there. She's been alive for many years that people call her the immortal witch."
"Wait!!! The story about the immortal witch is real? I thought it was something made up for children to scare them." Yao Qing asked.
"Oh she's as real as the cute doll you hug when you sleep." She teased and watched as the young man started at Yao Qing with judging eyes and the latter blushed hiding her face behind her hands.
She then proceeded to tell the young man about the path to take there, things to look out for, the landmarks and so on.
By the time they left Baibai's house it was already evening.
"You are leaving now?"
"Yes I don't want to waste time nor do I want to impose on you anymore than I alreay have."
"No you are not imposing on anyone. I think you should sleep at my house tonight so you are well rested for your adventure tomorrow. " Yao Qing said, her green eyes gleaming as she said adventure.
"Uh! Thanks then, I will take you up on that offer then."
Yao Qing took Jiu Xian around the village to show him her village after thier conversation.
As the two roamed the village they develpedsome sort of friendshipeven thoughthey didn't know each other before yesterday.
...
The evening soon changed into night, Jiu Xian took a sip from the wine gourd which he had refilled at the Clear Water village's brewery earlier as he gazed at the moon with longing.
"What are you looking so sad for?" A wild Yao Qing appeared from behind him, startling him.
"Hmm... nothing much just remembering the past and worrying about the future "
Yao Qing sat beside him maintaining an appropriate distance.
"The past huh. Care to share that drink with me?" She asked as she extended her hand toward his gourd.
"Sure"
As the two drank together and chatted they learned more about each other.
"You know, I had a friend who ran away to explore the world and find immortality immortal two years back. He always said that this place was too small for him. For us. I also wanted to go with him.
"I have always wanted to go on adventures but I had to take care of my sick parents and I was content with that. But now that they are gone I don't know what to do." Yao Qing said, tears rolling down her face.
Hearing her story made Jiu Xian remember his own story. Without saying a word he hugged her gentlely and patted her back, careful not to cross any line as they both cried.
He didn't know if it was because of the alcohol or if his wounded heart was trying to seek solace.
He opened up to her and told her about his own circumstances.
That night the full moon shone brightly as two wounded people shared thier wounds and bond over thier tragic past.