Dragon King

was that you that called me just now

yes it was i answered the man i have an earnest request to make to you do you think you can grant it to me if it is in my power to do so i will answered hidesato but first tell me who you are i am the dragon king of the lake and my home is in these waters, just under this bridge.

And what is it that you have to ask of me? said Hidesato.

I want you to kill my mortal enemy, the centipede, who lives on the mountain beyond.

And the dragon king pointed to a high peak on the opposite shore of the lake.

I have lived now for many years in this lake, and I have a large family of children and grandchildren.

for some time past we have lived in terror for a monster centipede has discovered our home and night after night it comes and carries off one of my family i am powerless to save them if it goes on much longer like this not only shall i lose all of my children but i myself must fall a victim to the monster i am therefore very unhappy and in my extremity i determined to ask the help of a human being for many days with this intention i have waited on the bridge in the shape of a horrible serpent dragon that you saw in the hope that some strong brave men would come along but all who came this way as soon as they saw me were terrified and ran away as fast as they could you are the first man i have found able to look at me without fear so i knew at once that you were a man of great courage i beg you to have pity upon me will you not help me and kill my enemy the centipede hirisato felt very sorry for the dragon king on hearing his story and readily promised to do what he could to help him the warrior asked where the centipede lived so that he may attack the creature at once the dragon king replied that its home was on the mountain mikami but that as it came every night at a certain hour to the palace of the lake it would be better to wait till then so hirisato was conducted to the palace of the dragon king under the bridge strange to say as he followed his host downwards the water parted to let them pass and his clothes did not feel damp as he passed through the flood never had hide sato seen anything so beautiful as this palace built of white marble beneath the lake he had often heard of the sea-king's palace at the bottom of the sea where all the servants and retainers were salt-water fishes but here was a magnificent building in the heart of lake the dainty goldfishes red carp and silvery trout waited upon the dragon king and his guests hirisato was astonished at the feast that was spread for him the dishes were crystallized lotus leaves and flowers and the chopsticks were of the rarest ebony as soon as they sat down the sliding doors opened and ten lovely goldfish dancers came out and behind them followed ten red carp musicians with the koto and the shamisen thus the hours flew by till midnight and the beautiful music and the dancing had banished all thoughts of the centipede The Dragon King was about to pledge the warrior in a fresh cup of wine, when the palace was suddenly shaken by a tramp.

Tramp! As if a mighty army had begun to march not far away.

was that you that called me just now

yes it was i answered the man i have an earnest request to make to you do you think you can grant it to me if it is in my power to do so i will answered hidesato but first tell me who you are i am the dragon king of the lake and my home is in these waters just under this bridge and what is it that you have to ask of me said hirisato i want you to kill my mortal enemy the centipede who lives on the mountain beyond and the dragon king pointed to a high peak on the opposite shore of the lake i have lived now for many years in this lake and i have a large family of children and grandchildren for some time past we have lived in terror for a monster centipede has discovered our home and night after night it comes and carries off one of my family i am powerless to save them if it goes on much longer like this not only shall i lose all of my children but i myself must fall a victim to the monster i am therefore very unhappy and in my extremity i determined to ask the help of a human being for many days with this intention i have waited on the bridge in the shape of a horrible serpent dragon that you saw in the hope that some strong brave men would come along but all who came this way as soon as they saw me were terrified and ran away as fast as they could you are the first man i have found able to look at me without fear so i knew at once that you were a man of great courage i beg you to have pity upon me will you not help me and kill my enemy the centipede hirisato felt very sorry for the dragon king on hearing his story and readily promised to do what he could to help him the warrior asked where the centipede lived so that he may attack the creature at once the dragon king replied that its home was on the mountain mikami but that as it came every night at a certain hour to the palace of the lake it would be better to wait till then so hidesata was conducted to the palace of the dragon king under the bridge strange to say as he followed his host downwards the water parted to let them pass and his clothes did not feel damp as he passed through the flood never had hide sato seen anything so beautiful as this palace built of white marble beneath the lake he had often heard of the sea-king's palace at the bottom of the sea where all the servants and retainers were salt-water fishes but here was a magnificent building in the heart of lake the dainty goldfishes red carp and silvery trout waited upon the dragon king and his guests hirisato was astonished at the feast that was spread for him the dishes were crystallized lotus leaves and flowers and the chopsticks were of the rarest ebony as soon as they sat down the sliding doors opened and ten lovely goldfish dancers came out and behind them followed ten red carp musicians with the koto and the shamisen thus the hours flew by till midnight and the beautiful music and the dancing had banished all thoughts of the centipede The Dragon King was about to pledge the warrior in a fresh cup of wine when the palace was suddenly shaken by a tramp.

Tramp! As if a mighty army had begun to march not far away.

Hidesato and his host both rose to their feet and rushed to the balcony, and the warrior saw on the opposite mountain two great balls of glowing fire coming nearer and nearer.

The Dragon King stood by the warrior's side, trembling with fear.

the centipede the centipede those two balls of fire are its eyes it is coming for its prey now is the time to kill it Hidesato looked where his host pointed, and in the dim light of the starlit evening, behind the two balls of fire, he saw the long body of an enormous centipede winding round the mountains, and the light in its hundred feet glowed like so many distant lanterns moving slowly towards the shore.

Hidesato showed not the least sign of fear.

He tried to calm the dragon king.

was that you that called me just now

yes it was i answered the man i have an earnest request to make to you do you think you can grant it to me if it is in my power to do so i will answered hidesato but first tell me who you are i am the dragon king of the lake and my home is in these waters just under this bridge and what is it that you have to ask of me said hirisato i want you to kill my mortal enemy the centipede who lives on the mountain beyond and the dragon king pointed to a high peak on the opposite shore of the lake i have lived now for many years in this lake and i have a large family of children and grandchildren for some time past we have lived in terror for a monster centipede has discovered our home and night after night it comes and carries off one of my family i am powerless to save them if it goes on much longer like this not only shall i lose all of my children but i myself must fall a victim to the monster i am therefore very unhappy and in my extremity i determined to ask the help of a human being for many days with this intention i have waited on the bridge in the shape of a horrible serpent dragon that you saw in the hope that some strong brave men would come along but all who came this way as soon as they saw me were terrified and ran away as fast as they could you are the first man i have found able to look at me without fear so i knew at once that you were a man of great courage i beg you to have pity upon me will you not help me and kill my enemy the centipede hirisato felt very sorry for the dragon king on hearing his story and readily promised to do what he could to help him the warrior asked where the centipede lived so that he may attack the creature at once the dragon king replied that its home was on the mountain mikami but that as it came every night at a certain hour to the palace of the lake it would be better to wait till then so hidesato was conducted to the palace of the dragon king under the bridge strange to say as he followed his host downwards the water parted to let them pass and his clothes did not feel damp as he passed through the flood never had hidesato seen anything so beautiful as this palace built of white marble beneath the lake he had often heard of the sea-king's palace at the bottom of the sea where all the servants and retainers were salt-water fishes but here was a magnificent building in the heart of lake the dainty goldfishes red carp and silvery trout waited upon the dragon king and his guests hirisato was astonished at the feast that was spread for him the dishes were crystallized lotus leaves and flowers and the chopsticks were of the rarest ebony as soon as they sat down the sliding doors opened and ten lovely goldfish dancers came out and behind them followed ten red carp musicians with the koto and the shamisen thus the hours flew by till midnight and the beautiful music and the dancing had banished all thoughts of the centipede The Dragon King was about to pledge the warrior in a fresh cup of wine, when the palace was suddenly shaken by a tramp.

Tramp! As if a mighty army had begun to march not far away.

Hidesato and his host both rose to their feet and rushed to the balcony, and the warrior saw on the opposite mountain two great balls of glowing fire coming nearer and nearer.

The Dragon King stood by the warrior's side, trembling with fear.

the centipede the centipede those two balls of fire are its eyes it is coming for its prey now is the time to kill it Hidesato looked where his host pointed, and in the dim light of the starlit evening, behind the two balls of fire, he saw the long body of an enormous centipede winding round the mountains, and the light in its hundred feet glowed like so many distant lanterns moving slowly towards the shore.

Hidesato showed not the least sign of fear.

He tried to calm the dragon king.

Mm.

Right? Um, because, um, he, Changsheng, literally says to the Dragon King, you have been trying so hard to not be attached to any, you know, faction and that is so that you don't get hurt.

What you don't realize is the benefits of making friends and that at this moment when you need it most.

your friends are there to like come and help and support you and like stand behind you and give you that support.

End of chapter 8

CHAPTER IV The Jellyfish Takes a Journey by Grace James once upon a time the jelly-fish was a very handsome fellow his form was beautiful and round as a full moon he had glittering scales and fins and a tail as other fishes have but he had more than these he had little feet as well so that he could walk upon the land as well as swim in the sea he was merry and he was gay he was beloved and trusted of the dragon king in spite of all this his grandmother always said that he would come to a bad end because he would not mind his books at school she was right it all came about in this wise the dragon king was but lately wed when the young lady dragon his wife fell very sick she took to her bed and stayed there and wise folk in dragon land shook their heads and said her last day was at hand doctors came from far and near and they dosed her and they bled her but no good at all could they do her the poor young thing nor recover her of her sickness the dragon king was beside himself heart's desire he said to his pale bride i would give my life for you little good would it do to me she answered howbeit if you will fetch me a monkey's liver i will eat it and live a monkey's liver cried the dragon king a monkey's liver you talk wildly o light of mine eyes how shall i find a monkey's liver know you not sweet one that monkeys dwell in the trees of the forest whilst we are in the deep sea tears ran down the dragon queen's lovely countenance if i do not have the monkey's liver i shall die she said then the dragon went forth and called to him the jellyfish the queen must have a monkey's liver he said to cure her of her sickness what will she do with the monkey's liver asked the jelly fish why she will eat it said the dragon king oh said the jelly fish now said the king you must go and fetch me a live monkey i have heard that they dwell in the tall trees of the forest therefore swim quickly o jelly fish and bring a monkey with you back again how will i get the monkey to come back with me said the jelly fish tell him of all the beauties and pleasures of dragon land tell him he will be happy here and that he may play with mermaids all the day long well said the jelly fish i will tell him that Off set the jellyfish, and he swam and he swam, till at last he reached the shore where grew the tall trees of the forest, and showed enough there was a monkey sitting in the branches of a persimmon tree, eating persimmons.

"'The very thing,' said the jellyfish to himself, "'I am in luck.' "'Noble monkey,' he said, "'will you come to Dragonland with me?' how should i get there said the monkey only sit on my back said the jelly fish and i will take you there you will have no trouble at all why should i go there after all said the monkey i am very well off as i am ah said the jellyfish it's plain that you know little of all the beauties and pleasures of dragon land there you will be happy as the day is long you will win great riches and honor besides you may play with the mermaid from morn till eve i will come said the monkey and he slipped down from the persimmon tree and jumped on the jellyfish's back When the two of them were about half-way over to Dragonland, the jellyfish laughed.

Now, jellyfish, why do you laugh? I laugh for joy, said the jellyfish.

When you come to Dragonland, my master, the Dragon King, will get your liver and give it to my mistress, the Dragon Queen, to eat, and then she will recover from her sickness.

my liver said the monkey why of course said the jelly-fish alas and alack cried the monkey i am grieved indeed but if it's my liver you are wanting i haven't it with me to tell you the truth it weighs pretty heavy so i just took it out and hung it up a branch of that permissive tree where you found me quick quick let's go back for it back they went and the monkey was up in the persimmon tree in a twinkling mercy me i don't see it at all he said where can i have mislaid it i should not be surprised if some rascal has stolen it he said Now if the jellyfish had minded his books at school, would he have been hoodwinked by the monkey? You may believe not, but his grandmother always said he would come to a bad end.

I shall be some time finding it, said the monkey.

Sayonara.

But first, tell me who you are.

I am the dragon king of the lake, and my home is in these waters just under this bridge.

And what is it you have to ask of me, said Hidesato.

I want you to kill my mortal enemy, the centipede, who lives on the mountain beyond.

And the dragon king pointed to a high peak on the opposite shore of the lake.

I have lived now for many years in this lake, and I have a large family of children and grandchildren.

For some time past we have lived in terror, for a monster centipede has discovered our home, and night after night it comes and carries off one of my family.

You are the first man I have found able to look at me without fear, so I knew at once that you were a man of great courage.

And the third path ends in a cave on the mountain of low who, and the fourth in an Island of the Eastern sea.

And in this cave dwells the seventh daughter of the dragon King of the Eastern sea who guards his pearls and his treasure.

Yeah.

I chose the story immediately upon reading that sentence.

Um, they're like, yeah, better not.

I think you need at least six more generations in your family before the dragons will forget about this.

So, uh, another man who comes from Canton, Losi Chun, uh, with his two brothers, uh, And he said that his ancestors had been related to the dragon king.

Oh, that's a good thing, right? Yeah.

End of chapter 8

CHAPTER IV The Jellyfish Takes a Journey by Grace James once upon a time the jelly-fish was a very handsome fellow his form was beautiful and round as a full moon he had glittering scales and fins and a tail as other fishes have but he had more than these he had little feet as well so that he could walk upon the land as well as swim in the sea he was merry and he was gay he was beloved and trusted of the dragon king in spite of all this his grandmother always said that he would come to a bad end because he would not mind his books at school she was right it all came about in this wise the dragon king was but lately wed when the young lady dragon his wife fell very sick she took to her bed and stayed there and wise folk in dragon land shook their heads and said her last day was at hand doctors came from far and near and they dosed her and they bled her but no good at all could they do her the poor young thing nor recover her of her sickness the dragon king was beside himself heart's desire he said to his pale bride i would give my life for you Little good would it do to me, she answered.

Howbeit, if you will fetch me a monkey's liver, I will

eat it and live.

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a monkey's liver cried the dragon king a monkey's liver you talk wildly o light of mine eyes how shall i find a monkey's liver no you not sweet one that monkeys dwell in the trees of the forest whilst we are in the deep sea tears ran down the dragon queen's lovely countenance if i do not have the monkey's liver i shall die she said then the dragon went forth and called to him the jellyfish the queen must have a monkey's liver he said to cure her of her sickness what will she do with the monkey's liver asked the jelly fish why she will eat it said the dragon king oh said the jelly fish now said the king you must go and fetch me a live monkey i have heard that they dwell in the tall trees of the forest therefore swim quickly o jelly fish and bring a monkey with you back again how will i get the monkey to come back with me said the jelly fish tell him of all the beauties and pleasures of dragon land tell him he will be happy here and that he may play with mermaids all the day long well said the jelly fish i will tell him that Off set the jellyfish, and he swam and he swam, till at last he reached the shore where grew the tall trees of the forest, and showed enough there was a monkey sitting in the branches of a persimmon tree, eating persimmons.

The very thing, said the jellyfish to himself, I am in luck.