Chapter 7, Poyang Lake

Elder Peng smiled faintly and continued to recite: "The moonlight flows over the river and sky for thousands of miles, looking back at the ornate window, stirring familial sorrow. A tree of old plum adds a strange appearance, thirty years of dust and dreams awaken in Hengzhou."

"Not long." Elder Peng said

Several years ago, Daoist Jia was the abbot of the Baiyun Temple of the Quanzhen Sect in the capital, possessing profound and inscrutable Daoist skills. His true identity has always remained a mystery, unknown to others

Poyang Lake stretches nearly 200 kilometers from north to south, approximately several dozen kilometers wide from east to west, covering an area of over 3,000 square kilometers, with an average water depth of more than 10 meters, making it the largest freshwater lake in China

Elder Peng stood at the stern of the boat, gently rowing, and softly recited: "The immortal breeze sows the seeds of Penglai, nurturing sixty trees on Zhongshan. No worldly dust shall invade the jade-like bones, a wisp of icy soul supports the graceful spring."

Elder Peng spoke up, saying: "Two guardians, I have brought 'Ling Ge and Ling Jie' here."

Slowly, Daoist Jia began to speak, "I had previously made an agreement with Elder Peng that if we capture the two ghosts, Feng and Liu, we would exchange..."

On the steep stone wall, there are the two characters "Mian Yun" written by Song Mi Fu and several elegant and free-spirited large characters inscribed by a Qing dynasty person, "Ling Bo Di Yi, Jin Wa Wu Shuang." Turning past the ancient cypress forest, a dilapidated temple comes into view, with yellow temple walls and a plaque under the eaves inscribed with "Putuo Temple." It is said that during the reign of Empress Wu Zetian of the Tang dynasty, General Xu Jingye, after failing in a rebellion in Yangzhou, shaved his head to become a monk and lived in seclusion here.

Mo Mo..." Shen Caihua said with sadness

When reaching the mountain top, a round red sun has risen from the misty expanse of the vast blue waves. Looking north towards the Yangtze River, it resembles a jade belt encircling Poyang Lake. To the west, the majestic Mount Kuang appears, shrouded in an ethereal mist. The smoke and waves stretch endlessly, with the blue waves reflecting the shadows of sails, creating a scene of boundless sky and water.

"Is Mei Gu a woman?" Shen Caihua asked

With a splash, a large, dark catfish leaped out of the lake, soaring over the bow of the small boat, and with a "plop," fell back into the water, splashing droplets all over the young talent.

Elder Peng ascended the stone steps, and from behind the mottled pillars in the temple, two individuals emerged silently. Both were dressed in black Zhongshan suits, appeared to be in their thirties, had dark skin, and their eyes had a yellowish tint, unlike those of the local people.

The two individuals nodded slightly, and then their gaze rested on Daoist Jia.

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The small boat docked at the only entrance on the north side of Shoe Mountain, known as "One Day Gate," beside the stone steps, and everyone abandoned the boat to disembark.

How long has it been? The accent of the other guardian is sharp and unpleasant to the ears

Daoist Jia, wearing sunglasses and dressed in black robes, stood expressionless in front of the courtyard of Putuo Temple, holding a bamboo staff and grasping a small blue grasshopper in his hand

It may take a few days, I suppose," Elder Peng pondered.

"I don't know," Elder Peng shook his head and said, "Perhaps it is a fairy"

"Qia Guo Su Ba, Ya Zha Geng Bu, Za Gu Er Gu Mu, and Su Luo Ma Bao, the child has already mentioned two kinds of medicine, which is quite impressive," the guardian exclaimed in a deep voice.

Elder Peng, moved by the scenery, remarked: "In the 'Records of the Search for Spirits' from the Jin Dynasty, there is an account of a merchant who, while passing by Xie Mountain by boat, encountered a young and beautiful girl. She asked him if he was going to Hukou City and requested that he buy her a pair of shoes. The merchant, keeping his word, bought the shoes in Hukou City and, on his return journey, stopped his boat at Xie Mountain. However, he did not see the girl, so he placed the shoes in a bamboo box, a square bamboo container, and set it before the statue in the temple at the mountain's peak. Just as he was about to set sail again, a large catfish suddenly leaped into the cabin from the water. Upon opening the fish, he found the book and knife he had forgotten in the box inside its belly."

"Daoist Priest Jia, the protector mentioned in Tibetan, translates to 'Tushi', which refers to the jellyfish snow lotus, cordyceps, saffron, and rhodiola, the unique 'Four Treasures of the Tibetan Flag' found in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. These are excellent for preserving pregnancy," Elder Peng explained

"Hmph..." Daoist Jia did not deny it.

The bright moon hangs in the sky, the lake water appears a vast expanse of white, a gentle breeze stirs, and the waves are calm

Daoist Jia sat on a wooden stool, sniffing the air, and said to Elder Peng, "What kind of herb has such a strong smell?"

In the belly of Daoist Jia," Elder Peng replied

"Elder Peng, where are they?" one of the guardians asked in a deep voice, his enunciation stiff.

Gazing at the boat oar shattering the reflection of the bright moon on the river surface, he sighed deeply and said, "This is the 'Plum Blossom Poem' by my ancestor Peng Yulin, composed for Mei Gu. Such infatuation evokes deep nostalgia and is hard for future generations to forget"

"The Northern Dipper dispels calamities, the Xuan and Huang open the sun, celestial spirits manifest, illuminating all directions, the Seven Qi are registered, clearly arranged in the Purple Chamber, safeguarding the body and prolonging life. Meng Zhang oversees the soldiers, the divine light holds clarity, the Five Beasts surround, the Seven Stars protect the body, swift as the law commands..." After completely swallowing it, Daoist Jia recited the Northern Dipper Seven Stars incantation aloud.

"There is no need to speak plainly," the protector gestured to stop Daoist Jia's words, "as long as the two ghosts of maple and willow within the Daoist's belly successfully give birth to the spiritual fetus, the promise will naturally be fulfilled"

It seems that the Benziao sect truly regards itself as a pregnant woman in its nurturing practices... Daoist Priest Jia thought indignantly.

This island has one side high and the other low, resembling a giant shoe floating on the azure waves from a distance, hence it is also known as "Shoe Mountain." It rises approximately 70 meters above the lake surface and stretches over a hundred meters in length. A single peak stands tall, steep, and beautiful, and in ancient times, it was referred to as the "Little Penglai Fairyland." The mountain is adorned with sturdy pines and lush green trees, and hidden within the forest are the Putuo Temple from the Tang Dynasty and a seven-story brick pagoda. During the Ming Dynasty, Chen Yunde and others praised it in poetry, saying: "Who carved the blue hibiscus, uniquely inserting it into Peng Lake. It evenly divides the clouds of the Five Elders, drawing water from the Nine Rivers in the distance. The sun and moon share their rise and fall, while smoke and mist flow and shift with each other. Great strength blocks the raging waves, beginning and ending in harmony with the heavens."

The guardian nodded and said, "Come in, the 'meat mother' needs to recuperate." After saying this, the two guardians turned and walked towards the temple.

As one ascends along the mountain path, the shrubs provide shade, the green grass flourishes, and the rocky outcrops are rugged.

Jia Daozhang stood facing north, seized a wine bottle, and drank it all in one go. Immediately, his eyelids drooped, and a green energy from his liver emerged from his left eye, transforming into a green dragon that stood to his left. He then envisioned white energy from his lungs flowing out of his nostrils, morphing into a white tiger that stood to his right. Next, he imagined red energy from his heart escaping through his mouth, taking the form of a firebird, entirely crimson, circling above his head with flapping wings for protection. He then thought of black energy from his kidneys, which exited through his left ear, transforming behind him into a turtle, with a spirit snake coiled upon its shell. ... He again envisioned red energy from his heart escaping through his mouth, becoming a firebird, entirely crimson, circling above his head with flapping wings for protection. He then thought of black energy from his kidneys, which exited through his left ear, transforming behind him into a turtle, with a spirit snake coiled upon its shell. ... He then envisioned a yellow energy emerging from his navel, transforming into a lion-like creature, guarding in front of him ... Finally, he lifted the grass basket that was placed on the stone table, reached out to catch the spirit brother, and swallowed it whole ... ... He finally lifted the grass basket that was placed on the stone table, reached out to catch the spirit brother, and swallowed it whole ... ...

At dawn, the surface of the lake gradually became clearer, revealing an island in the center of the lake.

Elder Peng smiled faintly and said: "In those years, Peng Yulin was merely a down-and-out scholar, wandering the rivers and lakes, making a living by selling calligraphy and paintings. He fell deeply in love at first sight with Miss Mei Gu from the family of a gentleman in Hukou. However, feeling the disparity in their social status, he believed it difficult to match her, so he suppressed his feelings and sought refuge in Zeng Guofan's Xiang Army Navy, intending to return to propose after achieving success. Seven years later, Peng Yulin had risen to the rank of general, commanding the Xiang Army Navy. He personally visited Hukou to seek her hand in marriage, only to find that Mei Gu had fallen ill from longing for him since he joined the army, and had recently passed away. She left behind a handkerchief embroidered with plum blossoms, with a red stamen stained with Mei Gu's last breath... That handkerchief left a deep impression on Peng Yulin. From then on, the general fought in battles across the south and north, carrying that handkerchief with him wherever he went, and he remained unmarried for the rest of his life."

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What is "meat mother"?" Shen Caihua curiously interjected.

The sharp gazes of the two individuals swiftly swept over, and Shen Caihua felt a chill run through his entire body

"What about that sister?" asked Xiao Caihua

When will the delivery take place? the guardian asked again

It is truly touching... Dudu sighed repeatedly

"Alright, we can set off now," said Daoist Jia, waving his hands. "However, I need to go to the restroom first." With that, he turned and left.

During the years that Shen Caihua lived in Nanshan Village, although he was usually taciturn, he possessed an excellent memory. Being around Han Sheng, he absorbed a great deal of knowledge and noted down many peculiar medical prescriptions, which made it easy for him to identify the medicinal materials among them

Daoist Jia let out a cold laugh and said, "Elder Peng is indeed a highly enlightened monk, yet he is able to compose such poignant verses. Could it be that he has once experienced a love that is deeply etched in his heart?"

"The Great Solitary Mountain has arrived," Elder Peng informed everyone

Upon entering the temple, two guardians ignited a pile of pine branches and firewood, atop which was placed a large earthenware pot simmering away. Inside the pot, a blood-red broth bubbled vigorously, and the air was filled with a rich, earthy aroma of plant roots.

In the concealed area of the enormous stone crevice by the river at Shizhong Mountain, a wooden boat was tied. Elder Peng untied the rope and led Shen Caihua and Daoist Jia onto the boat, then they navigated around the cliff and rowed through the night towards Poyang Lake.

There is saffron and cordyceps, but I do not know about anything else. Shen Caihua leaned over to the earthen jar and said softly