Chapter Twelve: Disguised as a Man, She Ascends the Immortal Mountain

I felt a constant dizziness, my body weak as I fell backward. When I awoke the next morning, I found myself in bed, unsure when I had gotten there. Reaching for my chest, I realized that there were indeed only two golden scales left.

“Putai, Putai, where are you?” My throat burned with pain. I coughed a few times and called out again.

Just then, the door creaked open and someone entered.

“Putai, is that you?” I asked.

“You’ve mistaken me, miss. Young Master Putai left last night.” A young girl stepped in, placing a tray of food on the table. She approached the bed, rummaged in her bosom, and handed me a white embroidered handkerchief. “Young Master Putai asked me to give this to you. He said, from now on, don’t let anyone touch the thing on your chest again.”

With that, the little maid’s cheeks flushed red.

I took the handkerchief, thanked her, and unfolded it. There, a message from him awaited my eyes:

I have left for some matters. I have already removed the fish scale for you and will keep it safe with me. If fate allows, we shall meet again.
—Putai

I frowned deeply. What was this all about? He left in such a hurry without even saying goodbye—truly infuriating. Annoyed, I beat my fists against the pillow beside me, only to feel something soft beneath my hands. Turning my head, I saw a brand-new set of men’s clothing laid out on the bed: a blue robe with black trim, surprisingly elegant.

I got out of bed and put on the outfit. It fit perfectly, neither too long nor short. Unable to contain my delight, I spun in front of the bronze mirror. Not bad at all. I gathered my hair and pinned it up with a wooden hairpin. In the mirror, a handsome young man’s face looked back at me.

I touched my left cheek, then my right. Remarkable. I had never imagined I could look so good in men’s attire.

After breakfast, I set out on my journey, hoping to reach the summit of Lingyun Mountain by noon. Even with the aid of magic, I was soon drenched in sweat, my blue robe clinging to me. Luckily, I had bound my chest with cloth and nothing betrayed my true form.

At last, by midday, I arrived at the foot of Lingyun Mountain. Looking up, I saw a host of cranes soaring and calling in the sky, circling above the mountain’s waist wreathed in clouds. Amid the verdant woods, clusters of crimson blossoms dotted the landscape, and all manner of exotic flowers bloomed in radiant splendor—a veritable paradise, truly a dwelling fit for immortals.

Mist still curled thickly before my eyes as I stepped across the green grass into a bamboo grove. A gentle breeze set the leaves rustling, dewdrops sliding from the blades to form a harmonious melody.

Birdsong echoed in the woods, streams gurgled and crisscrossed ahead. Delighted to find fresh water, I quickened my pace deeper into the forest.

Soon, a clear pond appeared before me, steam rising gently from its surface. I approached, knelt down, and tested the water—it was pleasantly warm, not scalding. Were it not for the fact that this was the path to seek a master, I might have stripped off my clothes and plunged in for a hot bath.

The pond was thick with lotus leaves, two seed pods nestled among them. Such heavenly fare should not go to waste. Moved by pity, I plucked them, scooping out the seeds, peeling and eating them. They were sweet and crisp, truly delicious.

“The taste really is extraordinary—lotus pods grown on a mountain of immortals are indeed different.”

I tucked some into my pocket, intending to nibble on the way up the mountain.

“Hey, young man, young man!” An elderly voice called from the bamboo grove. Curious, I turned to look.

“Young man, please wait!” An old man, leaning on a cane, was making his slow way toward me.

Only then did I realize I was dressed as a man. The “young man” he called out to must surely be me.