Chapter 34: Duke Du's Well

After withdrawing his hand from the bluestone by the well, Du Yuan recalled the matter of the demon python and spoke:

"There is one more thing; I ask you all to listen carefully."

"Speak your mind, Daoist! We are all listening!" the kneeling townspeople shouted back in earnest, their hearts fully won over.

Du Yuan gestured in the direction from which he had come and said, "It concerns the remains of that demon python. You must all remember: although that creature may appear extraordinary, you must absolutely not touch it."

Hearing this, some of the people grew anxious. "But Daoist, we have already dragged it back! And we have been near it for so long!"

Du Yuan looked closely at the person who spoke, and after confirming there was nothing amiss, he smiled. "It is no matter, no matter. Merely being near it is of no consequence. What I mean is, you must not think of it as some divine or mystical object and be tempted to take its scales or flesh home with you."

"That monster is saturated with evil energy. While it was alive, it kept its nature in check to avoid detection, but now that it is dead, it can no longer do so. Aside from its demon core—a treasure that has seized the fortune of heaven and earth and can be used for your own benefit—nothing else must be touched."

"You must cremate it as soon as possible!"

He looked up at the sky and added, "The hour of noon has passed, and the weather is not looking favorable. Let us do this: tomorrow, when the sun is at its brightest, you must drag it into the full glare of the sun to be burned."

Du Yuan had considered whether the rest of the creature could be put to good use, like the demon core—perhaps by fashioning its scales into armor. However, after careful deliberation, he felt it was inappropriate. Everything other than the demon core struck him as inherently malevolent. He could not bring harm to the people for his own gain. Even if he could use his own abilities to test it, Du Yuan preferred to avoid risks whenever possible. After deep thought, he concluded that burning it outright was the safest course of action.

Du Yuan’s words now held more weight in Qing County than an imperial edict. The people agreed instantly, and some immediately set off to procure kerosene and find a site for the cremation.

Seeing that the people had taken his words to heart, Du Yuan bowed to them. "In that case, it is time for me to take my leave."

There was nothing left to do in Qing County; it was time to set off for the next place. He could not rush to the capital just yet. He had not yet fathomed the true depth of the currents in this world, and it was better to be cautious in a place as significant as the capital.

But a provincial capital? Perhaps it was time to test the waters. Du Yuan felt that with the gratitude of a whole county’s people behind him, he should be capable of venturing into a provincial capital. Moreover, judging by Qian Youcai’s performance, it seemed that manifestations of supernatural power were not widespread there either.

At the very least, families of prominence at the level of the Qian clan remained ignorant of such things. Therefore, radiating influence from the provincial capital outward seemed like a sound strategy.

Faced with Du Yuan’s sudden departure, the people on the bluestone street fell silent for a moment, before surging forward like waves pushed by the wind.

An elderly man with white hair, trembling as he leaned on his cane, stepped forward, his clouded eyes shimmering with moisture. "Daoist, why must you leave so soon? We haven't even erected a longevity tablet for you at the Guanyin Temple yet..."

The people around him joined in the plea: "That is right, please stay a little longer, Daoist!"

"At least let us set up a tablet for you before you go!"

The people genuinely wished for Du Yuan to stay a few more days. Looking at their expectant faces, Du Yuan waved his hand and smiled. "I must hurry to other places to save those in suffering."

The words "save those in suffering" struck the hearts of the crowd like a morning bell. The noisy throng that had just pressed forward instantly fell silent. After a moment of melancholy, someone bowed, and then another—farmers in straw hats, women with hair coiled in buns, children with their hair in braids—a sea of dark figures bowed in a display of profound reverence upon the bluestone.

The wind swept through the empty streets, carrying with it the unspoken pleas of the people, their soft sobs echoing the desire for him to stay. It was a moment of absolute silence, and one that far exceeded Du Yuan’s expectations.

After a brief moment of being struck dumb, Du Yuan straightened his robes with a solemn expression and bowed back to the people.

In the profound silence, a man’s voice broke the stillness: "Daoist, drink one more bowl of Qing County water before you go!"

A man had drawn a bowl of clear water from the well, holding the wide-rimmed porcelain bowl steady with his calloused hands. In his haste, it was the only thing he could think of to express his gratitude.

The surrounding people chimed in, "Daoist, drink a bowl of Qing County water before you leave!"

Looking at the earnest faces of the people, Du Yuan did not hesitate to take the wide-rimmed porcelain bowl. The water was rough, yet it tasted exceptionally sweet. After drinking it in one draught, Du Yuan announced in a clear voice, "My friends, I bid you farewell!"

The crowd on the bluestone street parted like a receding tide, thousands of gazes fixed upon his upright figure. As he walked away with his hands behind his back, a youth in the crowd suddenly shouted at the top of his lungs:

"Daoist, stay your step! We still do not know your name!"

The crowd was instantly jolted awake—indeed, they did not even know his name!

The traveler’s footsteps paused slightly before the city gate. After a long moment, the spring breeze carried the answer they sought:

"I am Du Yuan!"

***

"Du Yuan. The Daoist is named Du Yuan?"

Magistrate Fang of the county government listened to the reports from his bailiffs and looked at the townspeople who had specially rushed to the yamen.

"Yes, my lord. The Daoist said his name is Du Yuan."

Magistrate Fang nodded slightly, then turned to the people outside the yamen. "Good people of our county, I intend to erect a monument by the well in the Daoist’s honor. Are you willing to contribute your wealth and labor to this endeavor?"

"We are willing! We are willing!"

"My family happens to have a piece of high-quality bluestone we can offer."

"My family has been stone carvers for generations; I am willing to carve the inscription!"

"I have strength, I can help!"

"I can provide money and grain. I can provide even more—just please, let me help!"

The people responded with overwhelming enthusiasm to Magistrate Fang’s proposal. From the suggestion to the execution, they did not even wait for the following noon to burn the demon’s remains; they had already erected the stone monument by the well and refurbished the wellhead, making it even more elegant and refined.

Looking at the rapidly completed monument, the stone carver turned to Magistrate Fang, who was there to inspect the work. "Magistrate, what do you think? Is it time for you to inscribe it?"

Normally, the monument would be carved before being erected, but everyone felt that this matter could not wait. Thus, they had set the stone first and would carve the inscription later.

"No rush. Let me think on it."

The crowd held their breath, waiting for the Magistrate's choice. A moment later, Magistrate Fang’s eyes brightened as he stepped forward and wrote three large characters on the stone: "Well of Master Du!"

Upon seeing this, everyone cheered in approval.

"Well of Master Du! Wonderful, wonderful! This is the immortal well the Daoist gifted us—it is only fitting that it bears his name!"