I served as Li Bai's page.

When we returned from the restaurant, it was already late at night. After washing up, we went back to our room and slept soundly until dawn.

The next morning, we said goodbye to Sister Qinglan and her family and boarded a carriage to head to the South Gate Wharf. When we arrived at the wharf, several friends were already waiting there to see Li Bai off.

Cen Xun led us to a small boat, and after some bargaining, the boatman agreed to take us to Chuzhou.

We boarded a small boat, and Li Bai bid a reluctant farewell to his friends. The boat then passed through the South Gate Canal and headed towards the Hangou Canal.

Upon entering the Hangou Canal, one sees that the river is almost still. Unlike sailing on the Yangtze River, where one can use the current, sailing on this river relies solely on the boatman's rowing.

Li Bai and Cen Xun stood at the bow of the boat, admiring the scenery on both banks. I walked over to the boatman and said, "Brother, let me help you row."

"Young man, you don't need to help me now. You can come help me later. That section has a steep slope and a strong current. We're going against the current, which is very strenuous."

I sat back in the cabin, looked out at the shore, and silently bid farewell to this bustling metropolis.

After a three-day, two-night journey, we arrived at the northern section of the Hangou Canal. Looking out over the canal, the terrain gradually rises, and the water flows from top to bottom, rushing towards the small boat.

I went to the boatman's boat and helped him row forward, often taking three steps forward and two steps back.

I called out, "Young Master, Young Master Cen, come quickly and help us! We're going against the current!"

Li Bai and Cen Xun walked over and said, "We don't know how either, what should we do?"

"It's alright, one of you help the boatman, and the other helps me. Just follow along however much we exert ourselves."

With everyone working together, we overcame the most difficult section of the Hangou Canal.

After nearly five days of travel, we finally arrived at the confluence of the Chuzhou Hangou Canal and the Huai River.

After the boat docked, the three of us disembarked, and the boatman turned the boat around and headed back the way we came.

I shouted, "Brother, aren't you going to take a rest?"

"No, going back is easy; it's with the current, not much effort at all."

The three of us lingered at the Mokou Ferry for a while. Li Bai said, "Let's go and stroll around Silla Ward, where the Silla expatriates live."

I was surprised and said, "Young Master, you actually know there's a gathering place for foreigners here."

"Fool, didn't you see so many foreigners and foreign ships in Yangzhou? The Silla people make a living by shipbuilding and shipping. This is where they live in our country. There are some in Yangzhou too, but I didn't take you to see them," Li Bai explained.

The three of us arrived at Silla Ward, a bustling market town teeming with Silla people. Remarkably, their women didn't bind their feet and walked freely in the streets like men. Near the riverbank, many newly built and repaired boats were on display. Several shops even had signs advertising boat rentals.

We arrived at a boat rental shop, and a short but muscular man came out. Cen Xun stepped forward and asked, "Can your boat go to Yingyang?"

"Of course, but it will be more expensive if meals are included."

"When can we set off?" Cen Xun asked.

"You can set off anytime, depending on your needs. All the food is ready; just pack up and go," said Brother Xinluo.

Cen Xun turned around and discussed it with Li Bai, and they decided to rent this man's boat.

I was really excited, because we hadn't ridden in a boat rowed by foreigners on our entire journey.

After discussing it, we decided to set off that afternoon. At noon, the three of us found a restaurant on the street and ate something. The taste of the Silla people was indeed different from that of the Han Chinese; it was less oily and not spicy. We ate a little and then walked towards the boat moored on the riverbank.

Silla truly lived up to its reputation as a nation that thrived on shipping; their shipbuilding industry was more advanced than that of the Han Chinese. As we boarded the passenger ship, the interior decorations, the piers, and the design of the hull immediately gave us a sense of comfort.

"Everyone, sit tight. We'll be a bit bumpy when we first enter the Huai River, but we'll be past it in a bit," Brother Xinluo reminded them.

The three of us sat in the cabin, seemingly without feeling anything, and then we entered the Huai River. Brother Silla was indeed an excellent sailor.

The boat sailed on the Huai River during the day and moored on its banks at night. After a few days, it entered the Ying River, the largest tributary of the Huai River. This river, which originates from the southern foot of Mount Song, has three sources: left, middle, and right. It never dries up, especially the right source, Pearl Spring, which has a constant temperature throughout the year, around 15 degrees Celsius.

We traveled on the Ying River, and the plains on both banks gradually turned into hills. It was half a month later when we arrived at Ziyun Mountain on the western foot of Songshan Mountain in Yingyang.

Looking out, the towering cliffs of Ziyun Mountain are as straight and upright as if cut by a knife. A narrow path leads directly to the top of the mountain. On both sides of the path are either cliffs or deep valleys and streams, making people feel that there is danger everywhere.

"Young Master, the mountain is so steep and the road is so narrow, I'm a little scared." I held onto Li Bai's hand tightly.

"You're afraid sometimes too? Look straight ahead, don't look to the sides, and you won't be afraid," Li Bai said.

As we were talking, Cen Xun had already walked quite a distance, constantly urging us, "Hurry up, it's getting dark, and it'll be even harder to climb the mountain."

Li Bai grabbed my hand and quickened his pace, saying as we walked, "We must reach the summit before sunset."

I stared straight ahead at the back of Li Bai's head, almost running, and as the sun began to set behind the mountains, we finally reached the summit. The terrain at the top was flat and open, with a stone gate and walls.

"Was there ever a king who ruled this mountain? And why did he build such a high gate and walls?" I asked.

"These were not built to seize the mountain and become kings, but to escape the chaos of war. Therefore, this place is also called Anpo Mountain," Li Bai replied.

I walked through the village gate and headed towards the summit. When I reached the top, I stepped onto it and suddenly heard a thumping sound, which startled me. I quickly grabbed Li Bai's hand tightly.

Li Bai and Cen Xun burst into laughter when they saw my appearance.

Li Bai said, "Yuehua, you didn't do your homework this time. The ground you stepped on is hollow like a drum, which is why it made a thumping sound. People also call this place Lingshan (Sacred Mountain)."

"You are all so knowledgeable; if you don't explain it to me, how can a mere page understand?"

"Now let me give you a rundown. There are many caves on Ziyun Mountain, probably more than fifty in total, and each cave has a fascinating legend," Cen Xun said.

Just then, a Taoist priest walked in from outside the mountain village gate. He looked at the three of us and said, "Are you three guests here to visit Ziyun Mountain, or are you looking for someone? We need to find a place to stay as soon as possible; it's getting dark, and it's very dangerous to go down the mountain."

I looked at the mountaintop and saw only the stone walls of the village gate, but no houses.

I asked Cen Xun, "Didn't you say there were dozens of holes? I haven't seen any."

"Fool, these caves are all hidden in the mountains," Li Bai said.

Li Bai stepped forward and asked the Taoist priest, "Excuse me, Taoist priest, which cave does Yuan Danqiu reside in?"

"Brother Yuan Danqiu lives in Ziyun Cave. It's halfway down the hill from the back slope. You should hurry down, it's getting dark soon," the Taoist said.

"Thank you, Daoist Master. We'll go find him right away," Li Bai said, clasping his hands in a fist salute.

The three of us walked down the path behind the mountaintop, and soon we reached the halfway point. It was already dark when we saw a light flickering on and off in a recessed rock.