Chapter 601: The Water Demon of Lake Yun
There were many large lakes in Yunzhou, and not far outside Yundu City lay a vast body of water known as Lake Yun, stretching nearly three hundred li around. On the far side of the lake rose tall mountains, their steep cliffs reflected in the water.
The lakeside was lined with reeds and thatch, and during this season, they had just come into bloom, their feathery tops also mirrored in the lake's surface.
The Daoist walked slowly along the shore, bamboo staff in hand and a conical hat on his head. Behind him followed a dark red horse, and lying across its back was a little girl in a tri-colored outfit, eyes half-shut, dozing.
By his side walked a short, thin young man, who looked equally lacking in energy.
“Did you not sleep well last night, sir?” The Daoist turned his head and smiled at the guide. “Or were you out chasing mice too?”
At the mention of chasing mice, the little girl on the horse perked up and sat upright, casting a confused glance at him. She looked around but saw no mice, so she yawned and lazily lay back down.
“...I truly didn’t sleep well last night,” the guide muttered.
He wasn’t particularly afraid of the Daoist finding out that he had gone to retrieve the snake bones, skin, and gallbladder. After all, the Daoist himself had urged him to go. What he did fear was that the Daoist might know how much he had hesitated and wavered over it, and then laugh at him for it.
So he mumbled a vague reply and changed the subject, turning to the lake and saying, “Though I live in the city, I’ve heard a thing or two about the water demon in Lake Yun.”
“Oh?” said the Daoist.
“They say it’s a pitch-black fish, though some say it’s a dragon. It especially likes to come out on clear days, maybe because the reflections on the water are easier to see then. If a boat passes over and it spots the shadow, it’ll spit out jets of water to flip the boat. But for larger boats, it doesn’t have a way to deal with them.”
“Then today’s weather is perfect,” said Song You, glancing up at the sky.