Mo Li certainly had a dark history “As everyone knows, the earliest high-yield grain varieties in our country were brought out of a northern small town by a certain Daoist surnamed Ning, who later sailed overseas in search of new varieties, bringing them back to the north... Unfortunately, to this day, we still don’t know… Continue reading Fish 359: Extra 9

The blue seas had turned into mulberry fields. If there’s a downside to living too long, it’s the moment of “parting.” The Feihe Mountain dragon vein was dead set against taking human form. The sparrow never wanted too much involvement with the mortal world, disliked its tangles and complexities, and was happy just lazing around… Continue reading Fish 358: Extra 8

You disgraced Shangyun Mountain The stone cave was pitch-dark, though a few steps away, there was daylight, yet it never managed to shine inside. Instead, thin wisps of gray-white mist drifted out from the cracks. In a moment, as if finding just the right spot, the mist swirled and settled. Slowly, a blob of milky-white… Continue reading Fish 357: Extra 7

Special Skill Meng Qi slowly realized that Pingzhou’s Zhushan County was a rather interesting place. It wasn’t just that its people liked to chat with the gods at the temples, but rather that its poverty seemed to be maintained at a strangely balanced level. It was truly poor; every household had little to spare, unable… Continue reading Fish 356: Extra 6

Sparrow Seeking Its Child The Feihe Mountain dragon vein did not like winter. In the freezing cold, the mountains suddenly became much lonelier. These were days best suited to sleep; venturing out was fraught with danger—for a bird as fat as itself, it normally didn’t show, as there was always food and comfort here, but… Continue reading Fish 355: Extra 5

Old Mr. Qin: I was too troubled In truth, the spiritual spring pool was not a good place for bathing. The water was particularly cold, and swimming just a few strokes would reach the rocks at the edge. Even though this pool was narrow at the top, wide and especially deep at the bottom, about… Continue reading Fish 354: Extra 4

Creating a mountain was not feasible, chiseling one was still possible In the dead of night, snowflakes drifted softly onto the rooftops. The wind was not strong. The night watchman yawned, shuffled to the door in his slippers, and peeked outside. The snow layer was thin; reassured, the watchman rubbed his hands and returned indoors.… Continue reading Fish 353: Extra 3

Qimao Mountain: Handed out lucky money The “divined” auspicious date was a little over two months away. It was an excellent day: the second of the second lunar month, when the dragon raises its head. Yet Xue Ting felt something was off—perhaps it was Qin Lu’s odd expression as he held the red paper with… Continue reading Fish 352: Extra 2

Xue Ting: I thought you were replaced. “My dear nephew, have you gone mad…” Xue Ting’s hand trembled, and the invitation slipped onto the writing desk. Magistrate Xue’s head was spinning, and Steward Li hurried to support him. Mo Li had felt awkward at first, but when the old Mr. Qin, who had come with… Continue reading Fish 351: Extra 1

Qin Lu: I’m old, can’t afford to drag it out Zhushan County. Tang Xiaotang got up early, and was sweeping snow in the courtyard. “Hey, Xiao Tang, you put that down.” Granny Ge hastily fixed her hair in a bun while lighting a fire and shouted, “The sky is gloomy, so it might keep snowing.… Continue reading Fish 350: Ask Your Conscience