ENG
With a sharp sword, Loong's Light it is called,
Fishing alone in the bitterness, nothing caught.
The hidden loong waits to soar the sky,
Infallen to the dust, its fame will fly.
The boundless Bitter Lake, the Buddha's ferry saves only the willing. Without the willingness, nothing can be done. Cyan Loong, fishing alone on Turtle General's back, is one such case.
When Cyan Loong arrived in the New West seeking refuge, he briefly encountered Yellowbrow. Disliking Yellowbrow's teachings on the path to bliss, which he deemed utter nonsense, he knew better than to offend him if he wished to stay in his domain. Thus, he claimed his intention to fish in the Bitter Lake. If he could catch a living thing, it would signify his bond with ultimate bliss, granting him the right to remain in the blessed land undisturbed.
Yellowbrow knew this was merely a stalling tactic but found the idea amusing and agreed to it, with one condition: once the fishing rod was cast, it could not be moved, so as the fisher. If he moves, it would prove that Cyan Loong had ulterior motives and was deceitful, and he would be immediately captured and sent to the dungeon.
Cyan Loong readily agreed and kept his word. He transformed his Loong Light Sword into a hookless fishing rod, sat on the turtle's back, and did not move again.
Every day, the lesser guais would come to the turtle's back to check on him, expecting that he would not last long in the cold and hunger. But each time they came, they only saw the snow accumulating thicker and thicker on his body until it completely covered him. The guais could not understand why he would endure such hardship when a simple bow, or a bit of minor contribution to Yellowbrow could earn him a comfortable life.
Ah, there truly are people in this world who would rather endure a thousand hardships than abandon their lofty aspirations. They carry a world of their own in their hearts, unmoved by their circumstances.
This story takes place at the Bitter Lake in the New West. The lake is tied to a test about willingness: the Buddha's ferry will only save those who are truly willing. Cyan Loong has come here seeking refuge and meets Yellowbrow, who leads the area and teaches a path to bliss that Cyan Loong dislikes. Cyan Loong decides to pretend he wants to fish in the lake. He says that if he can catch a living thing while fishing, that will prove he has a bond with ultimate bliss and deserve to remain in the blessed land.
Yellowbrow thinks Cyan Loong is stalling, but he agrees to the fishing idea with a strict condition. Once Cyan Loong casts his fishing rod, neither the rod nor he himself may move. If Cyan Loong moves, Yellowbrow will take that as proof of deceit and have him captured and sent to the dungeon. The rule is meant to force a clear demonstration of sincerity or to catch a liar.
Cyan Loong accepts the condition and keeps his word. He changes his Loong Light Sword into a fishing rod without a hook, sits on the back of the Turtle General, casts the rod, and stays perfectly still. He does not adjust the rod or leave his post after casting.
Every day, lesser guais come to check on him expecting him to fail from the cold and hunger. Instead they find him still, with snow piling up on his body until he is entirely covered. The guais are confused because they think a small favor or slight compromise to Yellowbrow would win Cyan Loong a comfortable life, instead of enduring so much hardship.
The story ends by highlighting what his choice shows: some people will endure severe hardships rather than give up their high aims or inner commitments. Cyan Loong’s stillness and the snow covering him make clear that he carried his own conviction and was not moved by the promise of comfort or by others’ incomprehension.