Silver in the Sun

The sun filtered through the leaves overhead, casting a lacy gold pattern on the smooth white scales of the snake basking on the rocks. Near the source of the river was a large flat rock that protruded from a mass of tangled tree roots. This was the white snake's favourite spot. Almost every day she would come here to soak up the warm sun, and rest after cultivating. If anyone disturbed her, she could easily slither down the hole in the rock face, protected by the tree roots growing around it. Seldom did anyone disturb the tranquility of that spot, though. It was a rocky place, the water sandy and shallow; the townsfolk would usually go further downstream to catch fish or wash their clothes.

"Madame White, it's you again!"

The snake raised its head as the old woman waved at her cheerfully from below by the riverbed. She beamed, rummaging in her belt. "Ah, Madame White, I must thank you. The last time you left your skin for me, I brought it to Hulin and managed to sell it for three taels! More than enough to buy a new blanket and some medicine for my poor bones. Winter boots for Yuanzheng, and a new axe. Thank you for your generosity, Madame White; this old woman is grateful!"

She respectfully drew near to the snake and laid one shining tael down on the edge of the rock, where it sat winking dully in the sun. "Please accept my humble offering, a share of the money I made."

Hands clasped, she watched as the snake slowly unwound itself and drew nearer to the money, finally drawing its head around the tael and dragging it into its coils.

Pleased, Granny Hong smiled and made a shuffling bow. "I can't stay to chat with you today, Madame White. My brood hen just hatched some chicks and I've got to make sure that idiot dog doesn't kill any of them!" Her voice faded away as she slowly made her way up the bank.

The snake's dark eyes followed her until the old woman had disappeared over the edge of the hill. Bai materialized, turning the piece of silver thoughtfully over in her hand.

She turned swiftly as there was a rustling sound and a small green snake came wriggling out from the tree roots. "Qingqing. Spying on me again?" she said with a smile.

Xiaoqing appeared, tossing a lock of glossy black hair over her shoulder impatiently. "Sister, you clearly need to learn how to spend money! Do you know how many fried fishes and haw sticks that could buy? Or trinkets? A new dress would be nice. You've worn that white outfit for so long, don't you want to try on something else? Sister, let's go to town, I'm dying to have some fun, and since you forbade me from going by myself I haven't had any money of my own. Please?"

She draped herself over the rock, the better to peer at Bai's face. With an adroit motion she whisked the broad brimmed hat and veil out from behind her back. "See, I even have your hat, since you never go out without it, though for the life of me I can't understand why, with a face like yours. Come on, sister," as Bai said nothing. "You're happy to cultivate and stay in that damp cave every day but I'm dying of boredom. I tried and tried but I really can't focus my mind on cultivating the way you can. I think I need some snacks to aid my concentration. Please, please--" taking her hand and pulling it back and forth appealingly like a young child.

Bai unexpectedly laughed and snatched the hat neatly from her. "Very well. But only if we can get some wine."

Xiaoqing bounded up, clapping her hands. "Of course, of course! Let's go, right this instance! There's a festival on today and the market is sure to be extra lively."

The two snake spirits laughed as they leaped off the rock ledge and took off, robes streaming gaily in the wind.

The sounds of people's voices and the shouting of vendors filled the air as they approached the town. Colourful blankets and bolts of cloth fluttered in the wind, and candy sellers held out their glass-like wares, the spun sugar figures sparkling goldenly in the sun. Street performers and beggars tried to catch the attention of passerbys. As the two snake spirits disappeared into the crowd their steps grew slower and slower, fascinated by the sights surrounding them.

Xiaoqing tugged at Bai's elbow. "Sister, let's get some baked sweet potatoes! Don't they smell good?"

Bai looked narrowly at her. "That's enough food. You've eaten two fried fish and a whole plate of dumplings already, not to mention three fried dough sticks and a bowl of noodles. At this rate, the tael won't last long. How will you cultivate if you're so susceptible to greed?"

Xiaoqing glowered. "You're just being stingy. There's clearly so much money left from the tael still. It's not like I eat like this every day, either. We've been eating those little frogs and fishes in the pond for so long, I've been starving for something really tasty. Stop being so prim and stiff, will you? Can't we just have some fun?"

Her voice changed abruptly from petulant to coaxing, but from the corner of Bai's eye she saw Xiaoqing's hand dart forward.

Bai's slim white fingers closed firmly over the coins as Xiaoqing tried to snatch some. "That's enough, little green snake. You forget yourself. This greed and lack of self-control will be your undoing, no wonder you can't focus on cultivation. It's not like we spirits need food to survive; the higher you ascend, the less you rely on food. You must learn to curb your attraction to food in order to truly cultivate effectively." She folded the coins away inside her belt and turned back to her.

Xiaoqing's eyes glowered resentfully. "You're just a boring old snake spirit who doesn't know anything about enjoying life! Don't lecture me, I'm tired of sitting in your musty old cave all day--I'm going to have some fun today, whether or not you let me!"

She made a face at Bai and disappeared into the crowd with a flick of her sleeve.

Bai raised her eyebrows, startled. She paused, irresolutely, wondering if she should follow the impulsive Xiaoqing in case anything happened; then, her eyes hardening, she turned away.

"I never asked her to be my disciple--she's the one who begged me to teach her. I owe her nothing, and if she won't listen to me I have no duty to force her to." she murmured to herself. "Let her play until she's ready to come back. I have no wish to go about chasing her."

She drew her sleeves over her wrists and continued on her way through the crowd.