Pot in the Sky (For the Shouqiu Privy Councilor), Song dynasty: Cheng Bi
The sun stood in the Eastern Well, the round, luxuriant osmanthus shadow utterly bright and pure. The Fire Order at its height accorded with the nation's fortune; Heaven bestowed an extraordinary hero. Outstanding all his life, his gaze held the universe as nothing, his youthful hair now a thousand fathoms of snow. With laughter and conversation he commanded a garrison; why did the Chanyu's heart quake?
In his later years, his attainments in the Buddhist Land ran deep; worldly wealth and honor, the misty waters of the Five Lakes stretched wide. Who made his cherished hopes run counter to events? He must fulfill them completely, with achievements worthy of the Qilin. And what harm was there? The Immortal Register of everlasting life already lay in the Golden Palace. To restore and expand the Central Plains, they needed him to return and take charge of bringing all into harmony.
Thin mist half-veiled the peaks. The green mountains and lovely waters were beautiful everywhere, and walking among them felt like strolling through an immortal realm.
Little Lotus gradually calmed down, but Liu S sui grew somewhat nervous, because the South Pine Pavilion lay just ahead.
Outer-Sect Disciples sat cross-legged everywhere beneath the green pines among the cliffs, with white mist rising here and there. Looking at this familiar scene, he naturally recalled events from many years ago—back then, he too had cultivated diligently beneath these pines every day, before going to that little courtyard far from the clamor of the creek to make the bed, fold the quilts, and pour tea and water.
As he thought of those things, a sincere, nostalgic smile appeared on his face.
No one guarded the mountain gate. Only when they reached