The Scholar and the Dragon
My name is Li Xiuyuan, and I am a scholar who studies hard in the cold window. That year, when I went to Beijing to take the exam, I passed through a ruined temple, and a sudden storm forced me to stop and take refuge in the temple. That night, thunder and lightning, wind and rain, I sat alone under the broken Buddha statue, holding the scriptures in my hand, silently reciting the teachings of Confucius in my heart, trying to calm my fears.
At this moment, a thunderbolt split the night sky, and the entire ruined temple was shocked. I was so shocked that the scroll in my hand fell to the ground. Suddenly, a strange voice sounded in my ears: "Scholar, help me!"
I looked back, but I found nothing. Just when I thought I was hallucinating, the voice rang out again: "Here I am, at your feet." ”
I looked down and saw a creature shaped like a small snake curled up at my feet. It was scarred and dying. Somehow, I could understand it.
"Help me, I'm a dragon, and I'm in trouble. The little creature said in a faint voice.
I was scared, but the kindness in my heart drove me to lend a hand. I carefully picked it up and tucked it into my sleeve. At this moment, another blast of lightning fell, and the entire temple seemed to collapse.
"Quick, put me in your mouth, only then can I escape this fate. Jiaolong said eagerly.
Although I was afraid in my heart, for some reason, I had an inexplicable trust in this little dragon. So, I closed my eyes and put it in my mouth. At that moment, I felt a chill coming from my throat, and then I lost consciousness.
When I woke up, it was dawn. I looked around, but there was no sign of the little dragon. I touched my chest, and I felt a strange power flowing through my body. Since then, I have known that I am different from ordinary people.
A few years later, I got my wish and became an official. However, the officialdom is sinister, and I offended the powerful because of my impartiality and outspokenness, and I was framed and imprisoned, and I was beheaded after the autumn.
In prison, I thought my life was going to end like this. However, the night before the execution, I suddenly had a strange dream. In my dream, the little dragon came to my bed and said to me, "Benefactor, you saved my life back then, and now I have come to save you." ”
Early the next morning, I was escorted to the court. The sky was covered with dark clouds, and the crowd of onlookers was talking. Just as the executioner's knife was about to fall, the sky suddenly changed drastically, and a green dragon descended from the sky, rolling up a gust of wind, enveloping the entire Dharma field in darkness.
"Demon Dragon, dare to rob the Dharma Field in broad daylight!" shouted the warden in shock.
The green dragon ignored him, just gently rolled me up and placed me on its back. It was as if I was back to that stormy night, only this time, I was no longer afraid.
"Benefactor, hurry up!" Qinglong whispered, and then the clouds rose through the fog and disappeared into the sky.
Later, I heard that the whole capital was shaken that day, and the emperor was also horrified. And I, with Qinglong away from the land of right and wrong, began another journey of my life.
"Qinglong, why did you save me?" I asked in the clouds.
"Because you are my benefactor, you saved my life back then, how can I not save me when I die?" replied Qinglong.
I clutched the scales of the green dragon tightly, my heart filled with gratitude and awe. At that moment, I understood that there is an indescribable bond between humans and the creatures in the natural world.
"What's next for you?" Qinglong asked again.
I was silent for a moment, then said, "I don't know, maybe I'll continue my travels to see the vastness and beauty of this world." ”
"Alright, I'll take you somewhere. As he spoke, the green dragon carried me through the clouds to a valley with beautiful mountains and rivers.
"This is my home, you can settle here for a while. Qinglong said.
I looked at Qinglong gratefully, and my heart was full of anticipation and longing for the future. Since then, I have lived in this valley, living a secluded life with the company of the green dragon.
Day after day, year after year, I read and wrote in the valley, admired the flowers and the moon, and chatted with the green dragon. I gradually understood the true meaning of life and the way of harmonious coexistence between man and nature.
And that green dragon has also become an indispensable friend and companion in my life. Whenever I encounter difficulties or confusion, it always gives me guidance and encouragement. I know that this is a great gift from God, and it is also the most precious treasure of my life.
Time flies, time flies. Before I knew it, I had spent more than a dozen springs and autumns in the valley. On this day, Qinglong suddenly said to me: "Xiuyuan, your calamity is over, now is the time to leave this valley and pursue your own life." ”
I was silent for a long time after hearing this, and then bowed deeply to Qinglong: "Thank you for your companionship and protection over the years, I will always remember it." ”
Qinglong smiled slightly: "Go, Xiuyuan! Go and pursue your dreams and life! I will always be here and wait for you to come back." ”
So, I packed my bags and left the beautiful valley. When I reached the mouth of the valley, I couldn't help but look back, only to see the green dragon still standing in the clouds, watching me leave. At that moment, my heart was full of gratitude and reluctance, but I knew that life is like this, full of parting and reunion.
I continued my journey, walking through mountains and rivers, through forests and grasslands. I have met all kinds of people and things, and experienced countless ups and downs. But whenever and wherever I am, I think of the green dragon and the beautiful valley. They are like beacons in my heart, guiding me in the right direction.
When I returned to that valley many years later, the green dragon was still there waiting for me. We looked at each other and smiled as if nothing had changed. But I know that these years have made me more mature and stronger. And all thanks to the green dragon that saved my life.
"You're back to cultivate your fate!" Qinglong said with a smile, "How have you been doing all these years?"
"Very well!" I replied, "I have traveled to many places, met many people, and experienced many things. I felt like I was living all over again. ”
"That's good!" Qinglong nodded: "Your life is still a long way, and the future is still a long way to go." You have to move on to explore the mysteries and beauty of this world. ”
I held the front paws of the green dragon tightly and said gratefully, "Thank you, green dragon! It was you who gave me a second life and let me see the vastness and beauty of this world." I will continue to work hard to live up to your expectations!"
Since then, I have continued my travels, and the green dragon is still waiting for me in that beautiful valley. Whenever I encounter difficulties or confusion, I always think of its words and encouragement. I know that no matter where I go, no matter what difficulties I encounter, Qinglong will always be by my side, giving me strength and courage!
The scholar meets the dragon again
Many years later, I returned to the world, accustomed to seeing life and death parting, and looking down on fame and fortune. However, I never forgot the green dragon and the valley that once sheltered me. In the dead of night, I always think back to those days with the green dragon, those calm and wise dialogues.
On this day, I passed through a remote town and heard that the townspeople were talking about a strange thing. It is said that in a deep pool outside the town, there have been frequent visions in recent days, and the water surface is sparkling, and it seems that dragon-like creatures are churning in the water. My heart moved, could it be that the green dragon appeared?
I decided to go to the deep pool to find out. When I came to the edge of the pool, I saw that the water was clear and sparkling, but there was no trace of the green dragon. However, just as I was about to leave, the water suddenly fluctuated, and a huge dragon rose from the water, it was the green dragon who had saved me many years ago!
"Qinglong!" I exclaimed, my excitement palpable.
Qinglong turned his head to look at me when he heard the sound, and a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes: "Xiuyuan, I haven't seen you for many years, are you okay?"
"I'm fine!" I replied, "why are you here?"
Qinglong smiled slightly: "I am the spirit of heaven and earth, and it is my nature to travel around. This time I came here to settle a cause and effect. ”
"Cause and effect?" I asked curiously.
"Yes. Qinglong nodded, "Years ago, I owed a favor here, and now I am here to repay it. ”
As we spoke, we suddenly heard a commotion in the distance. It turned out that the residents of the town had heard that there was a vision in the deep pool and came to check it out. When they saw Qinglong and me, they were immediately shocked and knelt down on the ground.
"Lord Shenlong, please bless our town with good weather and abundant grains!" the mayor prayed sincerely.
Qinglong bowed slightly: "Don't worry, as long as you have good intentions and work hard, I will definitely bless your town with peace and prosperity." ”
After speaking, Qinglong turned to me and said, "Xiuyuan, you come with me." ”
I followed the green dragon into the air and came to a secluded valley. The mountains and rivers here are beautiful, the birds are singing and the flowers are fragrant, just like a fairyland on earth. Qinglong told me that this was the place where it cultivated back then, and it was also the place it had been guarding.
"Xiuyuan, do you know why I want to protect this place?" Qinglong asked suddenly.
I shook my head: "I'd like to hear about it." ”
The green dragon took a deep breath and began to tell the story of its past. It turned out that it had met an immortal when it was cultivating here many years ago. The immortal taught it many cultivation methods and instructed it to protect the peace of the place. In order to repay the kindness of the immortals, the green dragon has always guarded this valley and often appeared to help the people nearby.
"I see. I sighed, "Then you came here to settle the cause and effect with that immortal?"
Qinglong nodded: "Exactly. The immortal had been dead for many years, but he had left behind a last wish—that I would find someone destined to inherit his mantle. I searched for years without success until I met you. ”
I looked at Qinglong in astonishment: "I, how can I inherit the mantle of an immortal?"
Qinglong smiled: "Xiuyuan, you are kind-hearted, talented, and extremely perceptive, and you are the best candidate to inherit the mantle of immortals. ”
As he spoke, Qinglong spit out a crystal clear bead from his mouth and handed it to me: "This is a spirit bead left by the immortals, you can swallow it to inherit the mana and wisdom of the immortals." ”
I took the bead, and my heart was full of gratitude and awe. Under the guidance of the green dragon, I swallowed the spirit bead and immediately felt a powerful force surging into my body.
"Thank you Qinglong!" I said gratefully, "I will live up to the expectations of the immortals and you!"
Since then, I have been cultivating the Immortal Method under the guidance of Qinglong. As time went on, my mana grew stronger, and my wisdom grew. Together with Qinglong, I guarded that valley and helped the people in the vicinity solve various difficulties and problems.
However, the good times were short-lived, and one day an evil youkai broke into the valley and tried to take over the place. Qinglong and I joined forces and fought fiercely with it for three days and three nights, and finally defeated it and drove out the youkai. But we also spent a lot of mana and needed time to recover.
During that time, I had a more in-depth exchange of cultivation experience and life philosophy with Qinglong. We supported each other through that difficult time. Eventually, we managed to regain our mana and continue to guard the peace of the valley.
When I returned to the world many years later, I was already a master of the Dao. I have used my magic and wisdom to help countless people in need, and I have spread the teachings of the immortals and the spirit of the green dragon. And that green dragon has always been by my side and has become my closest comrade-in-arms and partner. We traveled all over the world together, slaying demons and eliminating demons, eliminating harm for the people, and it was a good story.