Volume Three: Blossoms on Twin Branches, Alone and Overburdened Chapter Five: The Chilly Pool of Emerald Waters

Zhuo Hua returned to his own bedchamber, as cold and desolate as ever. The gentle breeze outside, upon reaching this place, transformed into a biting chill. He gathered a few items necessary to unlock the Thousand Mechanism Jar, picked up the jade box atop the table, which still emitted an aura of coldness, and stepped out.

The Thousand Mechanism Jar lay within the icy pool beneath the Cloud Palace, an area forbidden to all. Formerly, only Zhuo Hua and Lan Ling had access; after Lan Ling’s departure, the pool had been sealed for countless years.

Zhuo Hua walked for half a day along mountain paths, pausing briefly beside the Everlasting Spring. The weather here in the Cloud Palace was capricious—though it was nearly the third month, the mountain trails remained shrouded in cold mist. After half a day’s journey, his garments were damp with moisture. Shaking his robe sleeves, he felt discomfort, so he activated the Qi Stabilizing Pearl to generate inner heat, warming himself until his clothes dried once more.

The winding paths of Emerald Peak were rarely trodden, for the area was remote and unrestricted to flight. Most who wished to admire the scenery, meditate, or engage in romance simply rode flying beasts or soared on their own qi straight to the summit. None, save Zhuo Hua, ascended step by step.

He walked carefully along the moss-laden, serpentine path of Emerald Peak, preferring to climb rather than fly, believing the mountain deserved at least that much respect.

Rounding a bend, a grand archway stood before him, bearing four elegant characters: “Sanctuary of Emerald Serenity.”

Zhuo Hua looked up at the graceful calligraphy overhead and closed his eyes for a moment. From his bosom, he drew a hexagonal white jade token and placed it in a matching recess on the right side of the archway. Channeling his qi, he pressed down. With a muffled rumble, the ground beneath his feet began to tremble. Soon, a wide opening appeared, growing until it could accommodate two people walking abreast, and then it stopped.

Peering down, Zhuo Hua saw stone steps descending into blackness, covered in moss and bearing the marks of ages, the stairway plunging deep out of sight.

He retrieved a lamp stone from his Infinite Bag, suspended it in the air with his qi. After checking his belongings, he began his descent.

Not long after, he stepped on a loose slab and heard a slow rumble behind him. Turning, he saw the opening above slowly closing, the light fading. With a final click, darkness enveloped the stairway, save for the faint glow of his lamp stone.

Zhuo Hua continued downward, recalling from past visits that it took half a day to ascend, but more than a day to descend. He unconsciously squeezed a pouch at his waist, which held over a dozen Sunstones, and felt somewhat reassured.

He disliked these zigzagging stone steps most, for they gave him the sense of retracing his steps. Holding the lamp stone in his right hand, his left always brushed against the wall, so his progress was slow.

Suddenly, his left hand sensed something unusual. Bringing the lamp stone closer, he saw the wall was covered in vines and moss, indistinguishable from any other part. Yet, Zhuo Hua knew a great secret hid here. He drew a sleeve sword, scraped at the wall, and soon several engraved words appeared: “Meeting place for the wooden-headed youth.” The handwriting matched that of the archway above.

Zhuo Hua smiled, raising the lamp stone. Not far overhead, a massive, pitch-black stone pillar loomed. Had he taken two more steps, he would have surely struck it.

He ducked his head to avoid the pillar, but inadvertently stepped into a hollow. When he pulled his foot free, his entire calf was smeared with mud.

He shook his head in resignation, inwardly chiding himself for his naivety. If she truly wished to tease him, how could he hope to escape? In that moment, he seemed to see her triumphant, clutching her sides with laughter, and to hear her cry out, “Oh my, my stomach hurts from laughing!”

Smiling wryly, Zhuo Hua pressed onward. Along the way, he dodged countless deadly traps, hidden arrows, poisonous insects, and choking mists, yet invariably ended up soiled by mud and dirty water.

He had no idea how long he walked, but finally, just as he neared collapse, he stepped down the last of the stone stairs.

Before him stood an enormous wall, ancient and dignified, strangely devoid of moss and vines, out of place amid the cave. On the wall hung a plaque with four graceful characters: “Within lies a world.”

Zhuo Hua steadied himself, sighed softly, and said, “At last, I’ve arrived.”

He placed the lamp stone on a nearby rock, set both palms into hand-shaped recesses on the wall, and recited: “Descendants of the Xuanhuang, endless vitality.”

Instantly, the earth shook and the wall slowly opened a narrow crevice, just wide enough for a single person. Zhuo Hua produced another lamp stone, shook it until it glowed. Holding the stone in one hand and his Infinite Bag in the other, he squeezed through the gap.

As he entered, the space seemed to sense his arrival. One by one, giant lamp stones lit up, illuminating the vast chamber. Compared to the pitch-black cave outside, this hall was a thousand times more expansive. The domed ceiling was adorned with murals of the Seven Sages of Xuanhuang, beautifully illuminated by a grand, exquisitely shaped lamp stone. Statues of the Seven Sages lined the pathway, each with a distinct yet kindly expression, gazing down upon Zhuo Hua. The floor was paved with tiles engraved with four divine birds, each piece meticulously arranged to the end.

The grandeur of the hall evoked a sense of boundless void, humbling and awe-inspiring. Zhuo Hua walked along the path, and to his right, not far away, a small waterfall cascaded from the lofty ceiling, crashing into the deep blue cold pool below, roaring as it fell. He reached the end of the path, leaned over to peer into the pool: deep and blue, its bottom unseen. Clearing his throat, Zhuo Hua called into the abyss, “Lord Python of the Cold Pool! Lord Python of the Cold Pool! I am Zhuo Hua—please come forth to meet me!”

After his call, Zhuo Hua leaned against a column to wait. Soon, enormous bubbles surfaced in the pool, and before long, a colossal python, coiled ten fathoms high, emerged atop a stone pillar inscribed with “Cold Pool of Emerald Waters.”

Once the python settled, Zhuo Hua approached the edge and shouted, “Lord Python, it’s been a while!”

The serpent stretched its massive head toward him, scrutinizing Zhuo Hua, and snorted coldly, filling the air with a pungent scent of blood.

With a thick, booming voice, Lord Python spoke: “Little Zhuo Hua, why have you come alone? Where’s that crazy girl?”

Zhuo Hua replied, “Please forgive me, Lord Python. Lan Ling has matters to attend to today and could not come to pay her respects. I beg your indulgence.”

Upon hearing this, the python flicked its huge tongue, and lazily prepared to dive back into the water. Zhuo Hua quickly called out, “Lord Python, wait!”

The serpent paused, its enormous head turning back. “You silly boy, you’re too dull—no fun at all. That crazy girl, now she’s fun.”

Zhuo Hua answered awkwardly, “I’ve come today to ask for your help once more, to retrieve the Thousand Mechanism Jar from the depths of the pool. The Cloud Palace has important use for it.”

Lord Python seemed utterly indifferent. “Without that crazy girl to play a few rounds with me today, I feel restless. That big jar—you fetch it yourself.” With that, the serpent plunged into the water.

Zhuo Hua called out helplessly, “Lord Python, how about I keep you company today?”

Suddenly, with a splash, the giant snake surfaced again before Zhuo Hua, drenching him with water.

The serpent rumbled, “You? Are you up to the task?”

Wiping the cold pool water from his face, Zhuo Hua replied, “You see, elder, I’m the only one here now. If I leave, who knows how long you’ll be bored. Why not let me entertain you for a while?”