After bidding farewell to the old and young dragon gods, Xing Yan, Xueyi, and Qiong Rong made their way slowly along the river. As he walked, a sudden thought struck Xing Yan, and he found it rather amusing: in barely two years, he had actually formed such a friendship with the Poyang dragon gods whom his neighbors and fellow villagers worshipped in trembling awe. They had become so close. Ordinarily, he thought little of it, but stepping back to consider it now, he found the whole affair truly wondrous.
He had now learned roughly where the missing water spirit was from the old Dragon Lord, but he was in no hurry to head there.
Over these few short days, Xing Yan and the two girls at his side had endured several terrifying ordeals, almost parting forever in life and death. Though they had finally emerged from danger unscathed, the experiences had left deep impressions on their hearts. Thus, after leaving Tongzhou at the Yangtze Estuary, he traveled slowly with Qiong Rong and Xueyi along the northern bank, admiring the scenery without haste. After two or three days, they reached Yangzhou, that lovely place west of the bamboo so often celebrated in classic songs and lyrics. This time, Xing Yan had resolved to take Qiong Rong and Xueyi sightseeing properly in the city, as a small recompense for all the hardships and dangers they had faced while following him.
This was the first time any of them had visited Yangzhou. They had traveled westward all the way, and as they neared the eastern gate, they made a special trip to the Child-Giving Goddess Temple outside the eastern outskirts to offer their respects.
On her last visit, the Dragon Lady Lingyi had tampered with this temple, smashing the goddess's gilded statue to