Zhang Xiao stood atop a mountain peak, gazing down in a daze at the magnificent landscape below.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" Zhang Chengdao pointed at two distant peaks. "Those are Dragon Mountain and Tiger Mountain."
Zhang Xiao looked in the direction his father indicated.
Seen from afar, the two peaks stood facing each other, shaped like the Tiger and Dragon.
Dragon Mountain consisted of several connected peaks, towering and undulating. The dragon's head was majestic, its brow and eyes distinct, its whiskers and horns lifelike, as though it were about to soar into the clouds.
Tiger Mountain's tail rose high while its head dipped low, its forelegs crouched against the ground, poised to spring at the dragon.
Zhang Chengdao looked delighted too. On his last trip back to the country, he hadn't returned to Dragon-Tiger Mountain, but had gone straight to the capital to join the fighting. After finally resolving that matter,
he had heard that his son had slain a snake demon and been hospitalized, so he and his wife had hurried back.
Thinking about it, it had been quite a few years.
He enthusiastically introduced the scenery to Zhang Xiao:
"'Crimson clouds embrace the bright moon; brilliant stars emerge between the clouds.' That describes the colorful clouds in the sky, 'red as rich cinnabar, radiant as rosy clouds.'
"Our Dragon-Tiger Mountain also has Danxia landforms.
"Ninety-nine peaks, twenty-four rock formations, one hundred and eight natural and cultural attractions, and over twenty sacred wells, alchemical pools, flowing springs, and cascading waterfalls.
"The clear, lovely, gracefully winding Luxi River runs through it from south to north.
"It strings together jewels such as Shangqing Palace, the Celestial Masters' Mansion, Dragon-Tiger Mountain, and Immortal Water Rock.
"..."
"Hang on, Dad. Why does that sound like you're reciting something?"
"Oh, that's the promotional copy