Chapter 16 – Coffin Tied With Red String (2)
"I'm afraid that you won't hold your promise after I leave and will transform into an evil dragon to hurt them," Old Blindman said. "That's why I used the Dragon-Binding Chain."
"When are you going to lock me up until?!" the tiny dragon demanded.
"Eight years later," Old Blindman said. "If you don't harm anyone, the chain will break automatically."
After Old Blindman said that, the small dragon couldn't argue anymore.
As the saying went, seeing was believing. Old Blindman's magical skills completely impressed Grandpa. Seeing that Old Blindman would probably leave since this matter was resolved, Grandpa fell to his knees before him. "Immortal, I won't beg you to take me as a disciple, but just let me follow you around. I can take care of you."
Old Blindman picked up the black baggage. "I wander my entire life without a home. How can I have you go through the hardships with me? Kid, I heard about your story from the villagers. You really are pitiful. I told them that you can guard the Dragon King temple. You don't have to worry about food and shelter anymore."
Old Blindman refused to have Grandpa go with him, but Grandpa had begged since childhood. He was completely shameless. He decided that whether Old Blindman agreed or not, he would just follow the man.
Finally, Old Blindman gave in. Turning, he said, "If you really want to follow me, help me do two things."
Grandpa was overjoyed. He was willing to do 100 things if he could stay with Old Blindman and learn those skills, let alone two things.
"Don't agree so quickly," Old Blindman said. "These two things may kill you."
Grandpa immediately claimed that he would even be willing to go into a sea of fire for the man.
Hearing that, Old Blindman nodded. "The first thing. Help me take a coffin out of the old well in Shilipu."
"What?" Grandpa was shocked.
"You still have time to turn back now."
"There���s a coffin in the old well?" Grandpa asked. "I've lived in Shilipu for so many years but never heard anyone talk about it."
"The Moongazing Eel is born from the coffin," Old Blindman said. "Not only does the well have a coffin, the corpse inside has matured too."
Grandpa obviously believed Old Blindman's words. Thinking of how there was a coffin in the well but everyone fought for the water from the well, he felt disgusted. Since Old Blindman said so, he just thought that the man wanted to help the villagers by taking the coffin out, so he agreed.
They returned to the entrance to Shilipu. Grandpa was a rural kid and often went to catch shrimp and turtles. He was a good swimmer and also had Old Blindman to give him confidence.
With one breath, he followed the chain and dove to the bottom of the well. In the distance, he saw that there really was a big black upended coffin. A tiny dragon was curled on the coffin. It was the Moongazing Eel that had just turned into a dragon.
The dragon's eyes flew open and rushed at Grandpa. Frightened, he immediately tried to swim back, but how could he be faster than that dragon in the water? The dragon wrapped around Grandpa like a huge snake and opened its maw to bite down.
Grandpa opened his mouth cry for help, but he was underwater! He choked on the water and his thoughts grew unclear. He could only sigh inwardly that his life was about to end.
Just as Grandpa thought hopelessly that he would die this time, he saw the dragon's mouth stop before it got to him. The huge lantern-like eyes stared at him with hatred but didn't come over. Grandpa didn't have time to think. He immediately swam to the surface and told Old Blindman about what happened.
"You're the one who gave it the title. You're the reason why it could turn from eel to dragon. If it killed you, it would've turned back into a Moongazing Eel. It doesn't want to let go of its dragon form, so it won't kill you. Take this string and tie it around the coffin. Remember, wrap it eight times toward you, then eight times the other way. Remember, towards you first." Old Blindman handed Grandpa a red string.
The string was very thin, like the chalk line that carpenters usually used. "That upturned coffin looks like any other coffin," Grandpa said, confused. "Can this thin red string really fish it out?"
"Don't worry," Old Blindman said. "I have my reasons."
Old Blindman was a magical Immortal to Grandpa. Since he said so, Grandpa followed his instructions without a doubt. The small dragon didn't stop him as he wrapped the red string around the coffin. It just stared coldly. Grandpa shuddered involuntarily because when the dragon looked at him as if he was a dead person!
Grandpa had no time to worry about how the dragon was looking at him. He quickly tied the string and started swimming. Just as he was about to leave the water, he suddenly heard something about how he was at the brink of death.
He couldn't hear clearly though and he'd held his breath for too long. He could only break out of the water and gasp for breath.