Chapter 20: Dragon Roar Lake

Martial Disciple, Martial Student, Martial Warrior, Martial Master, Innate Martial Master, Grandmaster, Martial Lord, Martial Sage, Human Immortal.

The hierarchy of martial cultivation was clearly delineated. Though martial experts lacked the mystical abilities of those who practiced the Dao, they possessed strengths of their own. Martial cultivators trained their bodies rather than their souls, so their physical forms became formidable, their blood and energy as forceful as a raging wolf's smoke, their vitality boiling like hot oil—particularly lethal to spirits of yin. Daoist cultivators typically neglected the body; thus, if a martial expert drew near, their demise was almost certain.

Unless a Daoist reached the Ghost Immortal realm, they remained bound to reincarnation. Death would put an end to all things. Each system of cultivation had its own wonders; as to which was stronger or weaker, that depended on the individual.

Xu Xuan had, at present, trained his martial path to the Bone-Forging stage—also known as the Realm Without Boundaries. The next step was to break through to the Divine Strength Realm and become a Martial Master. To achieve this swiftly, one needed to accumulate primal yang energy; before reaching this threshold, one must not lose their purity. Otherwise, advancing would require far more time and effort.

After a leisurely conversation between man and fox, Xu Xuan learned of the Fox King's cultivation. The Fox King had trained for more than five centuries, encountered many fortuitous events, and had reached the Core-Condensing stage—just a step away from becoming a Ghost Immortal.

After the banquet, Xu Xuan, aware of the urgency, recalled that he had other matters to attend to in West Mountain. With Old Black Cloud's wedding procession yet to arrive, he intended to settle his remaining affairs first, so he could focus solely on dealing with Old Black Cloud.

At dawn the next day, Xu Xuan left the cave and made his way toward Dragon Roar Pool in West Mountain. The scenery was rather pleasant; autumn had only just begun, and mist coiled over the mountains. A winding path led to the depths, passing right by Dragon Roar Pool. This path had been cleared by woodcutters for easier access to the mountain.

Xu Xuan walked along the mountain trail, carrying a case on his back and a yellow-skinned gourd at his waist, enjoying the scenery as he pressed on toward Dragon Roar Pool.

“Young master, do you really intend to deal with that black carp demon at Dragon Roar Pool?” Zhao Jinqian’s soft, gentle voice came from within the yellow gourd.

“Of course. If I’ve promised to help someone, how can I go back on my word?”

“Young master is truly a man of honor, keeping his promises and upholding his word. I admire you deeply.”

“Haha, no need for flattery. Once I’ve slain that black carp demon, I’ll treat you to some braised giant black carp.”

“…”

Zhao Jinqian was momentarily speechless. The young master was admirable in all respects—except, perhaps, for his gluttony.

It seemed that once they returned, she would have to practice her culinary skills more diligently. To win a man’s heart, one must first conquer his appetite.

The ancient proverb did not deceive her!

Seeing Zhao Jinqian fall silent, Xu Xuan chuckled and said, “Since we’ve time to spare, let me tell you a story.”

“Young master can tell stories? Then I must certainly listen.”

At the mention of a story, Zhao Jinqian’s interest was immediately piqued.

“There once was a scholar named Ning Caichen, who passed by Lanruo Temple…”

As he strolled along the quiet mountain path, Xu Xuan began his tale. He knew the story of Ning Caichen and Nie Xiaoqian by heart. A scholar and a ghostly maiden—it was not so different from Xu Xuan and Zhao Jinqian.

Inside the yellow gourd, Zhao Jinqian listened quietly. The story struck a chord within her, evoking a strange sense of empathy, though her circumstances were not quite the same.

“In the end, Nie Xiaoqian was reincarnated, and Ning Caichen became the top scholar of his time.”

There were many versions of the tale, but the one Xu Xuan recounted followed the film adaptation.

“Is that the end?”

“Yes, that’s all.”

“Alas! The paths of the living and the dead diverge, and in the end, they could not be together.”

A trace of sadness and melancholy lingered in Zhao Jinqian’s voice.

“Haha, Nie Xiaoqian was a lonely ghost, so she had to be reincarnated. But you, Jinqian, are different. If you cultivate well, one day you can attain immortality and choose your own destiny.”

At those words, Zhao Jinqian perked up immediately.

“What do you mean, young master? Is there a hidden meaning? If I succeed in my cultivation, could I marry him? I must give him a son—and a daughter too…”

Inside the gourd, Zhao Jinqian’s cheeks flushed as her mind wandered into endless fantasies.

As they neared Dragon Roar Pool, the morning mist still hung thick in the ravines, and from afar, the sound of mountain songs could be heard. Drawing closer, Xu Xuan saw a woodcutter ahead, axe in hand and a bundle of firewood on his back.

The woodcutter was dark-skinned, appeared to be in his fifties, slightly hunched, and his face bore the marks of time.

“Good sir, may I ask how far it is to Dragon Roar Pool from here?” Xu Xuan stepped forward, cupping his fists in greeting.

“Young scholar, if you’re traveling through West Mountain for leisure, you’d best avoid Dragon Roar Pool. That place has been strange lately,” the old woodcutter replied, his expression turning grave at the mention of Dragon Roar Pool.

“What’s happened there? Please, tell me.”

“Lately, folks have often heard crying at the pool—truly heartrending wails. I’ve heard it myself, and it chills the blood. Some who passed by saw a young man in red, his body covered in wounds, crying in misery. But as they drew near, he vanished into thin air—a haunting, no doubt. There have also been animal corpses floating in the pool. We all take the long way around now, for fear of trouble.”

The old man spoke earnestly, and the fear in his eyes was genuine.

“Have you reported this to the Demon Suppression Office?”

“We did long ago. Officials came to investigate, but found nothing. So the matter was dropped.”

This was, after all, deep in West Mountain. Encounters with mountain spirits and monsters weren’t unheard of. As long as no one died, the authorities couldn’t be bothered.

Hearing of the haunting, Xu Xuan was certain the black carp demon was behind it.

“Do not worry, good sir. I am Xu Xuan, a scholar from Wuliu County. I will resolve this haunting and restore your peace.”

“Young scholar, don’t be reckless. This is no task for an ordinary man.”

“I thank you for your concern. If you have no pressing matters, wait here for me. Within the hour, I’ll treat you to some fish.”

With that, Xu Xuan pressed on toward the pool. The old woodcutter wanted to dissuade him further, but seeing Xu Xuan’s determination, he could only give up. Kind-hearted but cautious, he hurried down the mountain to gather the villagers, so they could all go to Dragon Roar Pool together. If Xu Xuan truly met with misfortune, at least they could recover his body and prevent it from being left to the wild.

Xu Xuan continued along the mountain path for another three or four miles, until in the distance he saw a secluded pool and heard the faint sound of water. A mountain stream tumbled over a cliff into the pool below, the cascades striking the rocks with a thunderous roar—truly evocative of a dragon’s cry.

As Xu Xuan drew near, he saw beneath the waterfall a figure in red, crouched and sobbing. The sight of a weeping red-robed youth—just as the woodcutter had described—proved the tale true.