Chapter 27: The Fish Does Not Belong to This World

Qianjin Pavilion.

“Master, this sheep’s stomach really reeks. Oh, the smell.” Qingfeng pinched his nose and complained to Liu Bansian.

“Stop whining and get to work. Knead it well to make it soft and elastic. We only have this afternoon to get ready, and there’s more to do later.” Liu Bansian’s desk was cluttered with yellow talisman papers, which he was inscribing with cinnabar.

“Master, what exactly is that fish? Most folks’ fish come from water, but this thing came from underground?”

“That fish does not belong to this world.”

“Like a dragon or a phoenix?”

“From what I saw in last night’s encounter, it’s not nearly as powerful as those beasts—nothing like a dragon. It can’t fly, has no magical powers to speak of, it only attacks people with its steel jaws.” Liu Bansian absentmindedly touched the button on his arm, scraped by the underground fish’s steel fangs.

“Master, I’m not so sure about that. You struggled all night to drive it off and still got injured. Why go back tonight?”

“Last night was just reconnaissance. We weren’t prepared! The fish hasn’t gone far, and who knows how many there are. If we let it run wild in this realm, it will surely bring disaster to humanity.”

“But keeping the peace isn’t just our family’s responsibility, is it? Why not go with others?” Qingfeng worried for his master, though he didn’t know how to say it.

“This thing isn’t even a proper demon. If I can’t handle it, and my fellow disciples find out, I’d be a laughingstock! Enough talk—get to work!”

Qingfeng quickly changed the subject. “Master, we’re almost out of captured fireflies. What should we do?”

“How many are left?” Liu Bansian glanced at the jar, which indeed held no more than a few dozen.

“That’s all. Maybe we could make do?”

Liu Bansian rolled his eyes. “Nonsense! Daoist arts are not about making do. As soon as it gets dark, go up the back hill and catch more. We’ll need them tonight.”

“Okay.” Qingfeng shut his mouth and focused on kneading the sheep’s stomach.

Meanwhile, Qin Xiaomo and Jidou peered into Qianjin Pavilion from outside, trying to get a glimpse inside.

“Qianjin Pavilion? Is this the place?” Jidou wore a look of utter confusion.

“I think… it must be.” Qin Xiaomo wasn’t sure either.

From the outside, it looked like a run-down 1980s shopping street, with only a handful of shops open for business. The rest were ten-yuan barbers, two-yuan variety stores, and a small restaurant selling wontons and buns. Qianjin Pavilion was at the very end of the street, the cheapest spot due to its secluded location and poor lighting. Liu Bansian had signed a ten-year lease for it.

The name “Qianjin Pavilion” sounded more like a house of pleasure than a Daoist’s abode. To save electricity, Liu Bansian rarely turned the lights on during the day, so it was nearly impossible to see anything inside from the street. The two women had been peering in for a while, and it was only by chance that Qingfeng, glancing up, noticed them first.

“Master, it’s those two ladies.”

Liu Bansian looked up as well. “They’re quick to arrive. Go invite them in.”

“Yes, Master.” Qingfeng put down the sheep’s stomach, washed the smell from his hands with soap, and went out to greet the guests.

Qin Xiaomo and Jidou entered, greeting Liu Bansian politely but nervously. Knowing he had been to the sinkhole at midnight, neither knew how to begin, so they sat quietly, exchanging anxious glances.

Liu Bansian broke the silence. “You’ve come because of the creature that appeared in the sinkhole, haven’t you?”

“Yes!” Both nodded vigorously. Qin Xiaomo, having seen the surveillance footage, knew this Daoist was no charlatan, and said respectfully, “To be honest, Master, we came after watching last night’s security footage near the sinkhole.”

Jidou asked cautiously, “Master, may I ask, what exactly is that thing?”

“What good does knowing do you?” Liu Bansian kept working, drawing talismans one after another.

“Recently, some strange things have happened to me. I want to ask: is that creature a fish with steel fangs, saw-like teeth, a dark purple-black body, and three legs on each side?” Qin Xiaomo nervously gripped her sleeve. If it wasn’t the underground fish, she wouldn’t feel so much pressure. But if it was, she knew she was inextricably involved.

At her description, Liu Bansian abruptly stopped his brush and stared at Qin Xiaomo, then glanced at her wrist. “Miss, before I answer your question, tell me—are you wearing something you shouldn’t be?”

“Something I shouldn’t be wearing?” Qin Xiaomo glanced down at herself, puzzled.

Without a word, Liu Bansian pointed to her left wrist. Qin Xiaomo followed his gaze, suddenly startled. Could the Golden Serpent truly be on her? She stared wide-eyed at Liu Bansian, and after a moment, haltingly pointed at her wrist. “Master… you mean, the snake? Here?”

Liu Bansian nodded slowly, his eyes never leaving her wrist.

“What snake? There’s nothing there!” Jidou looked as well, but Qin Xiaomo’s wrist was bare.

“Come here.” Liu Bansian beckoned Qin Xiaomo to the Eight Immortals table. When she stood before him, he traced something in the air above her forehead and muttered incantations she couldn’t understand. Then, with a word: “Reveal!”

In the blink of an eye, Qin Xiaomo’s vision changed. Behind the porcelain statue of Guanyin, the Three Pure Ones floated cross-legged in midair, surrounded by dazzling golden light. The peachwood sword that had hung on the wall now emanated a blue, icy aura like a legendary blade. Shocked, she looked down at her left wrist—there it was: a golden serpent bracelet, its two green eyes gleaming. If that wasn’t the Golden Serpent, what was?

“All this… is real? How can it be?” Qin Xiaomo could hardly believe it. What she’d thought a game or a joke had appeared in her own life, striking her like a blow to the head and leaving her mind blank.

“Now can you tell me the origin of the Golden Serpent?” Liu Bansian was calm, as if accustomed to the uncanny.

Jidou, seeing Qin Xiaomo in a daze, quickly helped her to a chair and offered her a glass of water, letting her gather herself.

After half an hour, once Qin Xiaomo had come to terms with the truth, she recounted everything, including how the white-bearded immortal in the black hole had given her the serpent bracelet.

Liu Bansian fell into deep thought, frowning and silent. The more he pondered, the more anxious Qin Xiaomo became, worried she had brought disaster upon them and, worse, that she wouldn’t be able to resolve it.

At length, Liu Bansian seemed to reach a conclusion. “This isn’t something a layperson like you could have influenced. The unusual celestial phenomena some days ago must have been the result of a weakened spatial barrier, likely maliciously breached.”

“Master, does that mean… this isn’t my fault?” Qin Xiaomo leaned in anxiously.

“This isn’t something a girl with no spiritual cultivation could cause. What puzzles me is—why you?” Liu Bansian gazed at the Golden Serpent.

“I don’t understand,” Qin Xiaomo said, bewildered. “Why me?”

“Not just anyone can possess the Golden Serpent. Whoever gave it to you must hold a status no lower than the Three Pure Ones themselves.” Liu Bansian glanced up and saluted the Three Pure Ones.

“Master, what should she do now?” Jidou asked.

“Come back after tonight’s business is settled. Then we’ll discuss it in detail.”

“Master, how long before my vision returns to normal?” Qin Xiaomo pointed to her eyes.

“It’ll be back after the rooster crows tomorrow morning,” Liu Bansian replied, continuing to draw talismans.

“So what should we do now?” Qin Xiaomo was at a loss.

“Later, you and Jidou can go with Qingfeng to catch fireflies. We’ll need them to deal with the underground fish tonight. Don’t worry about anything else for now.”

Liu Bansian’s calm demeanor gave Qin Xiaomo much-needed reassurance. Her panic subsided; she now had someone to rely on and a way forward. She gladly accepted the task Liu Bansian assigned her.