Chapter Thirteen: Bright Moon Manor

On the day Luo Kun arrived at Gejia Village on Shazhou Island, he was unfortunately a few days late; his master, Gu Sicen, and the host, Ge Yunxiang, had gone out. Thus, he stayed at the Ge family home to await his master’s return.

The next day, Luo Kun, feeling bored, went out for a leisurely walk around the island. Ge Liu, the steward, soon found him and accompanied him to the water’s edge for a stroll. At that moment, a fishing boat emerged from the far side of Shazhou Island, with an old man and a youth aboard, evidently island fishermen. The old man cast a net into the water; when he tried to retrieve it halfway, it wouldn't budge, as if something beneath had snagged it. The youth called out, “Grandpa, wait a bit. Let me dive down and see what’s holding it.” With that, he stripped to his shorts and plunged into the water, disappearing from sight.

Luo Kun, amused by the fisherman’s methods, watched from the shore. After some time, there was no sign of movement in the water. The old man sat on the boat, yawning leisurely, showing no sign of concern. Luo Kun, however, began to worry, raising his hand to call out to the old man as a warning.

Just then, Ge Liu hurried over with a handful of bananas, gifted by a familiar acquaintance who had just arrived on the island. Seeing Luo Kun about to shout, he asked, “Young Master Luo, who are you calling to?” Luo Kun pointed to the fishing boat, “The youth on that boat dove in to check the net, but it's been a while with no movement. I wanted to remind the old man.” Ge Liu handed Luo Kun a banana, glanced at the old man, and laughed, “That’s the Mi family, grandfather and grandson. There's no need for concern.”

Luo Kun pressed, “The youth has been underwater for a long time; surely he’s at risk.” Ge Liu laughed, “You don't know, Young Master Luo, the Mi family are the only outsiders on this island. Our master always looks after them. The old man is known as Old Mi, and the youth is his grandson, Mi Qian. Mi Qian possesses a strange natural talent; he’s an expert swimmer. He can take water into his mouth, breathe it out through his nose, and exchange breaths underwater, much like fish. It’s quite marvelous. Not only can he stay under for this long, he could even sleep underwater for seven or eight days without harm. People call him the ‘Little Dragon King’; he’s famous throughout Dongting Lake!”

Luo Kun was astonished, “Such an extraordinary person!” He recalled the day before, when he saw a man with a horse-like face and pitted skin propelling a boat with his legs by the lakeside, and thought to himself, “Eight hundred miles of Dongting Lake, and so many hidden talents—my journey here has not been in vain.”

Just then, a splash broke the surface. Mi Qian surfaced, showing none of the usual signs of breathlessness, and held up a large tree branch, calling to the boat, “Grandpa, the net was caught on this branch.” Old Mi nodded, “I thought so.” Mi Qian threw away the branch, climbed aboard, and finished retrieving the net. Ge Liu noticed Luo Kun’s admiration and laughed, “As a disciple of Master Gu, you must be a man of chivalry yourself. If you wish to meet Mi Qian, I can arrange an introduction.”

Luo Kun was delighted, “Then I must trouble you, Steward Ge.” Ge Liu replied, “No need for formality.” He finished his banana, tossed the peel aside, wiped his mouth with his sleeve, and walked a few steps toward the fishing boat, calling, “Hey, Mi Qian, bring your boat to the shore!” The Mi family saw Ge Liu and the unfamiliar youth on the bank and wondered what was happening. Mi Qian responded, “Ah, Steward Ge, what can I do for you? The big carp you wanted yesterday—I’ve already sent it to your house.” Ge Liu replied, “I know about that. My master has a friend, a distinguished guest from outside the island—Young Master Luo here. He’s heard of your extraordinary skills in the water and wishes to meet you.” The Mi family quickly rowed their boat to shore, and Mi Qian jumped onto the bank.

Mi Qian gave a respectful salute, “I am Mi Qian, greetings, Brother Luo.” Luo Kun returned the gesture, “Just now I saw your feats underwater; truly remarkable!” Mi Qian, seeing Luo Kun was about his age and radiated extraordinary presence, was delighted, “Brother Luo flatters me. Today is a fortunate day; may I invite you to my humble home for some rice wine?” Luo Kun, pleased by Mi Qian’s enthusiasm, replied, “Thank you, Brother Mi; that would be most agreeable.”

Ge Liu quickly interjected, “Young Master Luo, you mustn’t wander off. If anything happens, I could not bear the responsibility.” Luo Kun laughed, “It’s fine; I’ll be back soon.” Seeing Luo Kun was determined, Ge Liu relented, “Young Master Luo is our master’s honored guest; Mi Qian, you must take good care and bring him back before nightfall.” Mi Qian assured him, “Rest easy, Steward; I understand.” Ge Liu said, “Then make haste.” Mi Qian joyfully led Luo Kun onto the fishing boat and set off, while Ge Liu watched for a moment, shook his head, and returned to the manor.

Upon boarding, Luo Kun greeted Old Mi, who was pleased, “Such a spirited lad! Surely a young noble.” Luo Kun chatted and laughed with the Mi family as the boat sped toward the far side of Shazhou Island. Upon arrival, they disembarked, and Mi Qian led Luo Kun to several bamboo cottages. Old Mi secured the boat, fetched two Dongting carp from the storeroom, and began preparing a meal.

The Mi family’s cottages, set on a high bank backed by green hills and facing the lake, were tranquil and elegant. Fishing nets hung drying in the courtyard, and a vegetable patch grew several lush greens. Mi Qian invited Luo Kun in, brought out a pot of tea, and the two sat to talk. Luo Kun sipped the tea and praised, “Such fine tea!” Mi Qian smiled, “This is Junshan Silver Needle, a famous local specialty.” Luo Kun nodded, “Famed things are indeed unique.”

Mi Qian asked, “Brother Luo, you seem to be from elsewhere. What brings you to Shazhou Island?” Luo Kun replied, “Mr. Ge Yunxiang of the island is an old friend of my master. I came as arranged to meet him, but both he and my master are out, so I must wait.” He added, “Yesterday, upon arriving, I waited for a boat by the lake. Though Dongting is famed for fish and rice, boats are scarce. Eventually, I boarded a ferry, but was robbed en route.” Mi Qian was alarmed, “Did you lose any valuables? How did you escape?” Luo Kun laughed, “Those water bandits were inept; I fended them off with a paddle.”

Mi Qian marveled, “So Brother Luo is skilled in martial arts—my respects!” Luo Kun smiled, “Just some self-defense; hardly worthy of the title.” He continued, “I realized afterward that Dongting Lake has been plagued by bandits, hence the scarcity of boats. You must know the situation well?” Mi Qian, impressed by Luo Kun’s prowess, spoke candidly, “In recent years, a gang of outlaws has emerged, likely a mix of local fishermen and criminals, committing murder and robbery across the lake. Not only are cargo and passenger boats few, even fishermen stay near shore, afraid to venture out. The authorities have tried to suppress them, but failed. The bandits are numerous, led by one called He Feiyan, whose movements are elusive; sometimes they gather to rob, sometimes disperse and hide among villages, making them hard to catch. They are a fierce lot.”

Luo Kun asked, “What kind of person is this chief, He Feiyan?” Mi Qian replied, “He is cunning, never committing crimes himself. It’s likely an alias; no one knows his true appearance. His men are ruthless—if met with resistance during a robbery, they kill without hesitation. Those who recognize the bandits and report them are found dead within days, so people dare not expose them.” Luo Kun said indignantly, “Such tyranny is vile! If only I’d captured one yesterday, I could’ve extracted information to root them out.” Mi Qian said, “They are crafty. Occasionally, victims have caught a few, but these are always temporary recruits who only know their leader is called He Feiyan, but nothing of the lair’s location.” Luo Kun remarked, “It seems these outlaws are shrewd; not easily dealt with.”

Old Mi then brought in a bowl of roasted carp, saying, “We have nothing else today; let me treat our young noble with lake carp. Tomorrow, Qian will catch some Dongting turtles for you to taste.” He brought out a jar of rice wine and several plates of vegetables. “Enjoy your meal with Qian; I’m tired and will rest. You young people talk.” Luo Kun thanked him, but Old Mi waved him off and departed.

Mi Qian and Luo Kun drank together, thoroughly enjoying themselves, their conversation flowing freely. Before they knew it, the wine and dishes were gone, and evening approached. Mi Qian wished to keep Luo Kun for the night, but Luo Kun, fearing his master might return and miss him, took his leave, intending to walk back to Gejia Village. Mi Qian insisted on escorting him by boat. Halfway, they met a boat sent by Steward Ge Liu to fetch Luo Kun, who switched vessels. Mi Qian promised to come early the next day for a turtle-catching outing and returned home. Back at the Ge residence, Luo Kun found his master still absent, greeted Ge Liu, and went to sleep, while Ge Liu grumbled about “not returning for dinner, but drinking bland wine at a fisherman’s home.”

Early the next morning, Mi Qian arrived promptly by boat. Seeing Mi Qian accompany Luo Kun, Ge Liu felt reassured and let them go. Luo Kun bade farewell and set off with Mi Qian. The vast expanse of Dongting Lake, connecting four rivers to the south and swallowing the Yangtze to the north, was a breathtaking scene, water and sky blending into endless waves, mesmerizing Luo Kun. The boat glided near the shore, with lush fields, grazing cattle, wind stirring rice, waterfowl gliding, distant sails, nearby lotus fragrance, leaping fish and flying birds—a paradise.

Standing at the prow, Luo Kun marveled at the beauty. Mi Qian dove into the water, returning with Dongting turtles or prized fish, delighting Luo Kun. Dongting turtles, fortune fish, and bream are the lake’s most renowned specialties, prized by chefs for their exquisite flavor. Mi Qian let the boat drift, caught enough, then returned to chat, sharing tales of the lake.

Luo Kun glanced up and spotted a large island surrounded by water and mountain peaks, its beauty striking. He asked, “Brother Mi, what place is that?” Mi Qian replied, “That’s Junshan, also called Xiangshan, with seventy-two peaks, bamboo groves, tea gardens, and many historic sites such as the Tomb of the Xiang Consorts and the ‘Mountain Seal’ of Qin Shi Huang.” Luo Kun said joyfully, “Such a place must be visited.” Mi Qian laughed, “Let’s enjoy it together, Brother Luo.”

As they neared the ferry landing, the water was dotted with boats, the shore bustling like a marketplace. Mi Qian found a space, tied up the boat, and called to an old man cooking on a boat nearby, “Uncle Liu, watch my boat a bit; I’m going ashore.” The old man, recognizing Mi Qian, smiled, “Ah, Little Dragon King! Don’t worry, I’ll keep an eye on it.” Mi Qian thanked him and led Luo Kun ashore. Many locals greeted Mi Qian warmly, prompting Luo Kun to remark, “Your reputation truly precedes you.” Mi Qian smiled, “It’s thanks to the villagers’ kindness.” They found a noodle shop, drank Biluochun tea, ate two bowls of noodles, and then wandered around.

Junshan’s bamboo was unlike any Luo Kun had seen, and he found it fascinating. Mi Qian explained, “Legend has it that Emperor Shun died on his southern tour, and his consorts E Huang and Nü Ying came here, weeping tears of blood onto the bamboo, staining it red.” Luo Kun laughed, “If their tears had flowed like springs, dyeing all the bamboo red, it’d be even more famous.” Mi Qian chuckled, “It’s just a legend. If that were true, Dongting Lake would be red as well.”

They visited the Tomb of the Xiang Consorts, its stone structure surrounded by bamboo, solemn and unique. Luo Kun sighed, “Such devoted women; Emperor Shun’s death was not in vain.” They also visited Liu Yi’s Well; Luo Kun recalled the tale of Liu Yi delivering a letter for the Dragon Maiden, and mused, “Life should be like Liu Yi’s—ascending to immortality!” Mi Qian, seeing Luo Kun’s mood turn contemplative, quickly led him elsewhere.

After more sightseeing, they found a tea house for rest. While drinking, Luo Kun glimpsed three men passing outside, one of whom was the burly bandit leader with a fork whom he’d encountered during the lake robbery. Luo Kun was startled, grabbed Mi Qian, and left the tea house. Mi Qian, puzzled, quickly tossed two coins for the tea and followed.

Outside, Mi Qian asked, “Brother Luo, why the rush?” Luo Kun hushed him and whispered, “Among those three is the water bandit leader I encountered on the lake. If we follow them, we might discover their lair and accomplices.” Mi Qian was shocked, “Are you sure? Let’s not mistake someone.” Luo Kun replied, “No mistake.” They quietly tailed the men.

The three left the crowd and headed into the mountains, Luo Kun and Mi Qian following cautiously at a distance. At a bamboo grove, the three stopped, looked around warily, prompting Mi Qian to worry they’d been spotted. Luo Kun pulled him aside, “They’re just nervous—thieves are always alert.” The three, seeing nothing amiss, entered the bamboo grove. Luo Kun and Mi Qian followed, tracking them along a winding path until the men reached some dilapidated bamboo huts. After another cautious look, the leader knocked three times on the bamboo door, and a response came from inside. The door opened, and they slipped inside.

Luo Kun and Mi Qian circled to the back, peering through a crack in the wall. Inside, besides the three they followed, were five more burly men. The leader, face full of menace, sat in a bamboo chair and greeted, “Liu Song, are you well?” Liu Song slumped in a chair, shaking his head, “Don’t mention it, Brother Di Biao. I nearly got caught on the lake the other day.” Di Biao asked, “I’ve heard about it. Did you find out where that kid went?” Liu Song replied, “Nothing escapes our brothers on Dongting Lake. He’s gone to Ge Yunxiang’s village on Shazhou Island.”

Outside, Luo Kun and Mi Qian were shocked to learn the bandits knew Luo Kun’s whereabouts. They exchanged worried glances and continued eavesdropping. Di Biao said angrily, “That old dog Ge Yunxiang again. We’ve followed Brother He’s orders, kept our distance, and left him alone, but he’s been investigating us, and recently brought in help. That kid you met must be someone he’s recruited.” Liu Song rubbed his sore arm, still shaken, “That kid was strong; my arm still hurts. If he weren’t staying with Ge Yunxiang, I’d have gathered the brothers and dealt with him.” Mi Qian smiled admiringly at Luo Kun, who pondered, “Ge Yunxiang seems to know He Feiyan, the bandit chief—what’s the connection?”

Liu Song then asked, “Did you call me here for a big job?” Di Biao replied, “Trouble is upon us; it’s not just business—it’s a matter of life and death.” Both Liu Song and the outsiders were startled, as Di Biao continued, “Three days ago, Ge Yunxiang and a stranger visited Brother He at Langyue Manor.”

Luo Kun was pleased, realizing the stranger was his master, Gu Sicen, but wondered, “Why would my master and Ge Yunxiang go to the bandits’ lair?” Mi Qian murmured, “Langyue Manor?” evidently surprised. Liu Song asked, “What happened at Langyue Manor?” Di Biao explained, “Brother He treated Ge Yunxiang with respect, but the old dog started interrogating, digging for answers. Though Brother He denied everything, he slipped up a few times.” Liu Song said angrily, “Why not just kill him?” Di Biao replied, “Ge Yunxiang dared to confront Brother He because the stranger backed him up.” Liu Song scoffed, “That man isn’t special; with Ge Yunxiang, they’re just two. What difference does it make?”

Di Biao’s face grew fearful, “You don’t know. The stranger claimed to be Gu, a friend of Ge Yunxiang. When Brother He tried to threaten them, the stranger pressed the four legs of the Eight Immortals table into the floor by half a foot with his palm, yet left no mark on the tabletop. His skill is extraordinary.” Liu Song was stunned, “Such power! He must be a martial arts master.”

Outside, Luo Kun smiled, “He Feiyan hasn’t seen my master’s true abilities yet, but this was enough to intimidate him.” Di Biao added, “Brother He, seeing Ge Yunxiang backed by a master, softened his tone and tried to conceal everything. They have a close relationship, exchanging gifts every year, but Ge Yunxiang caught wind of something and interrogated Brother He for three days. Brother He was cornered.” Liu Song suggested, “If direct confrontation fails, why not poison them?” Luo Kun and Mi Qian were startled.

Di Biao continued, “Brother He tried to cover up, but just yesterday, he slipped poison into their tea and food.” Luo Kun and Mi Qian nearly cried out in shock. Liu Song was pleased, “That’s more like it; it saves trouble.” Di Biao shook his head, “Brother He did it out of desperation, hoping to knock them out and silence them, but the two are still unharmed today.”

Luo Kun realized, “Of course! How could I forget my master is the famed King of Medicine—such tricks wouldn’t fool him.” He relaxed. Di Biao continued, “Brother He, seeing them unaffected, knew something was wrong, and sent word to gather the brothers. When they return to Shazhou Island, we’ll ambush them and eliminate the threat.” Luo Kun and Mi Qian were alarmed.

Liu Song asked, “If we don’t kill them, we’ll all perish. When will Ge and Gu leave Langyue Manor?” Di Biao replied, “Ge Yunxiang is sly; when Brother He couldn't cover up, he stopped questioning to avoid burning bridges and escape. He comforted Broth