Episode 50

  Insufficient and Chang'er continued on their journey for three more days before arriving at the foot of Jie Ling Mountain. Insufficient raised his eyes to take a look, and what he saw was a vast, dark wall that seemed to stretch up to the sky, with the mountain peak cut off like a knife, flat and even, its height unknown. The rocks on the mountain were all black, with protruding boulders that jutted out from the cliff face, their appearance ominous, looking like a gathering of evil spirits ready to pounce. The dark color of the mountain rocks seemed to shift and move, like a dark aura stirring above a giant sword. At the foot of the mountain, a small stream wound its way through, its water clear and cold, with white stones visible beneath the surface, and small fish swimming about in the shallows, playing among the aquatic plants, their movements carefree and peaceful. Yet, on this side of the riverbank, there was no sign of grass or trees, and in the river itself, there were no water plants along this shore, while on the other side, there were lush green trees and dense undergrowth. Seeing this strange sight, Insufficient felt a sense of great wonder in his heart.

  "Chang Er, this place is quite strange. Half of it is full of life and vitality, while the other half is dead and withered. I don't know how it ended up in such a strange state."

  "Insufficient elder brother, heaven and earth have unpredictable abilities, born from tiny beginnings, yet achieving boundless accomplishments, what about this small wonder, this small marvel!"

  Chang'e spoke calmly

  "Yes, 'Heaven and earth were born from a tiny spark, yet they have become boundless.' This saying is indeed in line with the Tao and in harmony with reason! I'm enlightened, I'm enlightened."

  Insufficient sincerity is shown on his face. Chang'er replied:

  "It's not enough, brother. Generally speaking, the wonders of creation can be understood by grasping one thing and then two, or even using one to infer three. However, the mysteries of heaven and earth are impossible to fully comprehend. Even immortals, spirits, and sages only catch a glimpse of the entrance! Where is there someone with great abilities who can enter the inner sanctum? Let's just go to Mount Shenglian."

  "Chang'e's words have come true!"

  The two of them walked towards the Holy Lotus Mountain while admiring the scenery along the way. Although it was a time of vibrant spring, there was still a hint of coldness in the air. Looking at the little girl's pale face, one might suspect that she couldn't withstand the chill. There was a shortcut that could have taken them directly to the Holy Lotus Mountain by crossing the stream, but instead they took a detour to a large town nearby.

  "Insufficient elder brother, how can you just cross the river and go far away?"

  "Chang'er, we're already close to the market town, no need to rush him! Why don't we go take a look around that town over there, maybe we can find something useful and convenient to buy."

  "What can be bought in the market cannot be obtained here, yet you insist on coming to this ordinary place?"

  "The market in the middle of Shenglian Mountain is built between temples, pavilions and nunneries. Incense and offerings are abundant, but daily necessities are hard to find. We can go to the town to buy these essential items!"

  "It's still not as thoughtful as Brother wants!"

  The two of them chatted idly, and before they knew it, they had arrived at the outskirts of the town. The town was about five miles in circumference, with thousands of households living within its high walls. Inside the town, there was a single street running east to west, lined with shops selling all sorts of goods. People from the countryside would come into town to buy what they needed, so it was bustling with people coming and going, not chaotic but also not deserted. The two of them strolled in, heading towards the crowded areas. Looking ahead, they saw a wooden building with a sign that read "Duan's Fabric Store", which had many female customers. Without hesitation, he pulled Yan'er inside. They saw that the wooden racks against the walls were filled with ready-made clothes, mostly for women. On the long wooden tables in the store, bolts of silk and satin fabrics were stacked up high, a dazzling array of colors. He carefully examined the women's clothing on the walls, each piece a vibrant and seductive color, and said to Yan'er:

  "Chang'er, is there anyone you have taken a liking to?"

  "What does brother want to do?"

  Chang'e asked in great surprise.

  "You and I dress like this and go to that Easy Repair Gate or be looked down upon by the people under that gate. Since we still have enough silver, why don't we each buy a set of clothes?"

  "These clothes are all too common and unbearable, I don't want them."

  "But how is that......"

  "Not enough, brother, let's just buy one set of men's clothing for the two of us."

  "Chang Er, as the saying goes 'people need clothes, Buddha needs gold', we are going to pay homage to the Human Mountain Gate, how can we show up in a shabby appearance and be looked down upon by others!"

  "It's not enough just listening to older brother."

  Then Chang'er carefully examined the fabrics on the shelves. After a while, she picked out a piece of snow-white silk and said to the shopkeeper who was facing the two female guests:

  "Shopkeeper, do you have good tailoring?"

  "Yes, yes, yes. Our family's master tailor here is the famous Master Zhou, known far and wide for making clothes for the county magistrate and his family."

  The shopkeeper saw that the girl was like a heavenly being, and he was so startled that his waist sank by half an inch. Several people in the store were shocked into standing still on the spot, staring at this goddess-like figure, forgetting their words.

  "Oh, Chang'er, how about we make a deal here?"

  "Hmm, I'm just afraid it won't be done well!"

  Chang'er hesitated.

  "Chang'er, I've never seen you afraid of anything, so why are you hesitating over a single piece of clothing?"

  "Insufficient elder brother, for a girl's family, clothes are the most important thing."

  "Oh, then we must be careful. Shopkeeper, we want to see your master."

  "Alright, please come in, both of you."

  Less than two people entered the inner room, an old man of short stature was standing on a chair hanging up a garment that had just been made.

  "Master Zhou, this young lady wants to make clothes, please be careful with her."

  That week, Master Da didn't even turn his head, let out a cold snort, and then there was no other sound. The shopkeeper was quite embarrassed, standing there saying to the two of them:

  "Wait for a moment, Master Zhou is busy, he..."

  "I'm not busy at all, I'm very free!"

  That week, Master Da said coldly.

  "Please, both of you sit down for a moment, I still have other guests outside."

  The shopkeeper hurriedly left.

  "Master Zhou, we..."

  "No need to say more, this is where the clothes are made. I'll do it for you..."

  That week, Master Da turned his head slowly and stared at the two people in front of him, then stood there speechless, shocked on the spot.

  "Ah! Forgive me for being rude!"

  Master Zhou suddenly said with a start.

  "Master Zhou, Miss Chang's younger sister wants a dress made and has asked you..."

  "I will do it immediately, I will do it immediately!"

  That week, Master Zhou glanced at Chang'er for a moment, then lowered his head and said:

  "Please come back in three days, fairy!"

  "Master, you haven't even taken our measurements yet, how can we... Oh, Master, isn't it that you're too busy? However, Master, the two of us really have urgent matters at hand and cannot be delayed! We are willing to add a few more silver coins..."

  Rarely had he seen such a person, so he hastily spoke.

  "You're such an unreasonable person! When did I say I was too busy? My tailoring only relies on my eyesight, not a ruler! This fairy maiden can come and pick it up in three days. As for you, you're so annoying, I won't bother to work for you! Please leave!"

  "Huh? This guy......"

  Insufficient to scold, speechless. Half a moment later, unable to say anything. That Qiner saw this, only covering her mouth and laughing. Insufficient anger came out, and together with Qiner, they bought a set of Confucian clothes and left the door. The tailor master in the inner house of the store lowered his head, and after half a cup of tea's time, he sighed softly to himself:

  "How strange! This little girl is only at the initial stage of her cultivation, but that girl can't see through it! I have been in the Tao for a long time and consider my spiritual powers to be extraordinary, yet I couldn't see its depth. How could this be? And besides, that girl is also my sister!"

  Buzhong and Chang'er found a cozy inn to stay in. For three days, Buzhong just sat in meditation, cultivating his body and spirit, without leaving the room. Chang'er, on the other hand, went out every day, wandering around the town. Three days later, Buzhong and Chang'er went to that shop, where they saw a tailor waiting quietly for them, but the owner of the shop was not there.

  "Old man, we've come for our clothes."

  Not enough to make an inquiry about.

  "I'm not blind either, the clothes are over there, you guys go try them on."

  Insufficient to see the situation, greatly surprised, how can this old man be so ill-tempered, one sentence is not right and he will scold people like this! But thinking about it, I held back my breath and said:

  "Chang'er, you go and try, I'll stay here and talk to this old man."

  "Who wants to talk to you, a silly little boy like this! Not as beautiful and matchless as Little Sister, sitting silently is like smiling at fresh flowers, feeling great. As for you, please leave, I still have guests to entertain!"

  "What's wrong with you, old man?"

  Insufficient was embarrassed and stuttered. That Qiner covered her small mouth and smiled as she went in to try on clothes. Insufficient was annoyed and bored, so he walked into the inner room, where several paintings were posted on the wall, and some clothes were hung between them. Insufficient looked at those paintings, which were just flowers, birds, mountains, and stones, and there was nothing unusual about them at first glance. However, the atmosphere of several paintings was similar, with only a broken mountain stone in the painting, a thin bird on the stone, its wings and feathers incomplete, but its head held high, with an unyielding light in its eyes. Insufficient's face showed a thoughtful expression, and he gradually walked into a elegant room. In the center of the room was a desk, with all four treasures of the study on it, including a piece of Xuan paper opened up, with only one dot of ink at the starting point. It seemed that someone had just picked up the brush but had no ideas. Insufficient glanced at a painting in the corner of the wall, thought for a moment, and wrote on the Xuan paper:

  "The river winds its way afar, mountains stretch far and wide"

  The sun shines brightly between the white clouds.

  A slender stone stands by the water's edge.

  A lonely bird with slanted eyes.

  The old man's intoxication is not yet satiated

  Bare-chested, he summons his friends in haste.

  The young grandson brought his wife over.

  Is there still wine left?