The story begins with Zhou Chun and his disciple entering Zhiwei Inn for a meal. Suddenly, they noticed something hanging in the storeroom that caught their attention. Upon closer inspection, they realized it was the red lacquered gourd that the drunken Taoist used to carry his wine at the foot of Mount Emei. Looking around, they didn't see any trace of the Taoist. Initially, the two thought it might just be a coincidence, as there are many similar items in the world. So, they sat down, ordered some food and drinks, and began eating casually.
However, as Zhou Chun thought about it more, he found it increasingly strange and called the waiter over to ask, "That red gourd you have hanging in your shop—it's quite suitable for holding wine. Where did you get it?"
The waiter replied, "If you're asking about that gourd, it's not ours. Five days ago, a poor Taoist came in wearing tattered clothes, carrying that very gourd on his back. Although he looked poor, he could drink an enormous amount of wine—at least ten pounds a day, and he wouldn't stop until he was drunk. Once drunk, he would sleep, and upon waking, he'd drink again. At first, seeing how poor he looked, we suspected he was trying to scam us for free wine, but after seeing that he always paid in full and even took the gourd filled with wine when he left, we stopped doubting him. Each day, he bought at least fifty or sixty pounds of top-quality wine, making him one of our best customers. He didn't speak much except to ask for more wine, and he was very well-mannered, so we treated him with respect.
This morning, he finished his wine as usual and left with a large gourd full of wine. About two or three hours later, he returned with a common cotton robe under his arm and drank for nearly another hour. When he left, he said he hadn't brought enough money and would leave the gourd as collateral, promising that someone would come to pay his debt within two hours. Since he had bought over two or three hundred pounds of wine in the past few days—an amount we usually wouldn't sell in a month—we didn't dare offend him. Although we were willing to let him keep the account open, he insisted on leaving the gourd as a token, saying he never took advantage of anyone and had simply forgotten to bring enough money. We couldn't refuse, so we temporarily took the gourd. If you like it, I'm afraid I can't sell it to you, nor do I know where he got it."
As Zhou Chun listened, he pondered, then said to the waiter, "How much does the Taoist owe you in total? I'll pay off his tab." The waiter, thinking Zhou Chun was trying to get the gourd, replied, "The Taoist is a regular customer, and he won't owe us for long. There's no need for you to worry about it." Just as Yan'er was about to speak, Zhou Chun quickly signaled for him to stay quiet. Understanding the waiter's concern, Zhou Chun said, "Don't misunderstand. The Taoist is actually a friend of ours, and it's only right that I pay his bill. You can keep the gourd in your safekeeping, but don't let anyone else take it unless he comes for it himself."
Hearing Zhou Chun's words, the waiter realized his mistake. He had been worried that the Taoist might not pay his debt since they had been overly lenient with him, but now, with Zhou Chun's generous offer, he was reassured and gladly agreed. He combined Zhou Chun's and his disciple's bill, which totaled two taels, one qian, and five fen of silver.
Zhou Chun settled the tab, gave some extra money for wine, and then headed to Yan'er's house. Yan'er was about to ask about the Taoist, but Zhou Chun told him to hold his questions and urged him to move quickly. Soon, they arrived at Yan'er's home, where Yan'er's mother, Old Lady Zhao, was standing at the door, watching for them. Upon seeing his mother, Yan'er rushed into her arms, leaving Zhou Chun nodding in approval at the scene. Old Lady Zhao invited Zhou Chun inside. Although the house was modest, with just three earthen rooms, it was tidy. In front of the main hall stood a loom, with some unfinished fabric stretched across it. On the side, a lake-green cotton robe was draped over a chair, along with a large bundle that seemed to contain silver.
Yan'er pointed to the robe and said, "Master, isn't this the same robe you gave to the poor Taoist? How did it end up here?" Old Lady Zhao explained, "Earlier today, a Taoist came by and said that Mr. Zhou and Yan'er had been delayed on the road and that they were carrying a lot of silver, which was quite burdensome, so he had brought it here for safekeeping. I know Mr. Zhou is highly skilled in martial arts, and even Yan'er has some strength, so how could they possibly find a small amount of silver too burdensome to carry? I didn't want to accept it, but the Taoist produced this cotton robe as proof. I made this robe myself, and the stitches are still recognizable, so I reluctantly accepted it, though I was still suspicious. The Taoist said you would arrive soon, so I've been waiting at the door, and sure enough, you came shortly afterward."
Zhou Chun opened the bundle of silver and found over three hundred taels inside, along with a note that read: "From the Drunken Taoist, a gift to the virtuous widow and filial son." The handwriting was wild and free. Zhou Chun said to Yan'er, "See? I told you there are extraordinary people in this world. We traveled quite quickly, but this Taoist covered over two hundred miles in such a short time as if it were nothing. His martial arts skills are at least ten times better than ours. Fortunately, we treated him well at the foot of Mount Emei."
Old Lady Zhao, eager to understand, asked what had happened. Zhou Chun recounted their encounter with the Taoist from Mount Emei all the way to paying his tab at the inn. He then explained that he intended to take Yan'er with him and urged Old Lady Zhao to keep the silver without worry. Old Lady Zhao replied, "Though Yan'er is my only child, without you, sir, we would have starved to death long ago. He may be clever, but without a good teacher, it would all be in vain. You have both literary and martial talents, and I couldn't be more grateful that you're willing to take him with you for training."Zhou Chun thanked her.
That evening, Zhou Chun went to see Ma Xiang and gave him some instructions. The next day, they set off for Chengdu. Zhou Chun made a point to visit the inn again to seek out the Drunken Taoist, hoping to befriend such a remarkable figure, but neither the Taoist nor the gourd were there. He found the same waiter from the previous day and asked about the Taoist's whereabouts. The waiter replied, "The Taoist returned yesterday, looking as if he had some urgent matter. He came in, grabbed his precious gourd, and left. We told him that you had settled his tab, and he said he already knew. He told us to tell you, 'We'll meet in Chengdu,' and then he left. By the time I ran after him, he had already vanished."Realizing the Taoist was gone, Zhou Chun felt disappointed but had no choice but to continue the journey with Yan'er to Chengdu.
After several days of travel, they arrived at a place called Three Forks. The main road southwest led to Chengdu, while a smaller path westward also led to Chengdu, shortening the journey by over two hundred miles but requiring passage through numerous mountain ridges, making it a difficult route. Zhou Chun, having heard of the beautiful scenery in those mountains, was eager both to reach Chengdu quickly and to enjoy the landscape, so he and Yan'er took the smaller path.
After half a day of travel, they found themselves on a mountain trail. The mountain, called Yunling, was full of ancient towering trees and strange, jagged rocks, offering many spectacular sights. The two grew thirsty and sought some water to drink. Fortunately, they came across a small stream by the roadside, with clear water where fish could be seen swimming. They took out a wooden ladle and drank some of the refreshing spring water.By this time, the sun was setting behind the mountains. Fearing they would miss a place to stay the night, they hurried on their way.
As they were walking, they suddenly heard the cry of a crane. Zhou Chun said, "The other day at the foot of Mount Emei, we heard a crane cry twice, and today is the third time." After speaking, he looked up at the sky, but it was clear with no clouds, and there was no sign of the crane. Suddenly, Yan'er called out, "Teacher, over here!" Zhou Chun quickly looked over and saw a large crane standing on a huge rock by the roadside. Its head was crowned with bright red, its body pure white without a single dark feather, its golden eyes and iron beak striking, and its talons were like copper hooks. The crane was about eight or nine feet tall, grooming its feathers. Zhou Chun remarked, "A crane of this size is truly rare."
As he spoke, a green snake, about seven or eight feet long, suddenly darted out from beside the rock. The crane quickly pecked at the snake with its beak, but the snake moved too fast and had already slipped into a crevice in the rock, disappearing from sight. The crane's iron beak struck the rock, sending shards flying and sparks scattering. Suddenly enraged, the crane used both its feet and beak, pecking and clawing, until it shattered the rock, which was six or seven feet across. Seeing that it could no longer hide, the snake attempted to escape, but just as it poked its head out, the crane swiftly grabbed it with its beak. The snake coiled its body tightly around the crane's legs, refusing to let go. The crane, however, remained calm, pecked the snake's head off, and then, with its long beak, untangled the snake from its legs, cutting it into seventy or eighty pieces. With just a few pecks, the snake was devoured. The crane shook its feathers, let out a long cry, and flew into the sky, disappearing into the clouds in the blink of an eye.
By now, the evening mist had gathered, and the dusk was deepening. Zhou Chun hurried Yan'er along the road. After walking for about three more miles, it was nearing nightfall. Fortunately, they spotted a house by the roadside, so they approached and knocked on the door, hoping to stay the night. They knocked for a long time before someone inside responded, asking, "Where are you from?" Zhou Chun explained their situation. The person replied, "I am near the end of my life, and this place is extremely dangerous. If you wish to stay, go southwest for about five miles. There, you'll find a small thatched hut where Master Baiyun lives. You can ask her for shelter for the night. If she agrees, you might escape the danger." After saying this, there was no more sound from inside. Zhou Chun knocked again but received no further reply.
Being naturally curious, Zhou Chun told Yan'er to wait outside, saying, "Do not move unless I return." He then leaped over the wall. By now, the moon had risen, illuminating the courtyard as if it were a painting. Zhou Chun carefully surveyed the scene and saw a person lying on a vine bed in the courtyard. As Zhou Chun approached, the person said, "Why do you not listen? Leave quickly and stay far from me, or you will suffer greatly." Zhou Chun replied, "All people are friends within the four seas. Why are you suffering, and what danger exists here? Why not tell me? Perhaps I can lend you a hand. Why sit here waiting for death?" The person said, "Leave now! I have been poisoned by a demon. If you come within three feet of me, you will be infected. I have been struggling to survive for three days. Now I am starving. If you have any food, please give me some. The demon will find me sooner or later. I don't need to say more; your own life is in danger. If you hurry to find Master Baiyun, she may be able to help me. Tell her everything I have told you." The person grew weaker and was on the verge of death. Zhou Chun noticed that the person had seven bright red moles on their arm, clearly visible. Realizing this was not a safe place, Zhou Chun tossed some food to the person and immediately leaped back out.When he called for Yan'er, she was nowhere to be found.
To find out what happens next, stay tuned for the next chapter.