Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction 1-2 | Page 238

Down the Red Dragon Well
Dulwich College Beijing, Soldati, Sophie - 10
A
s the wayfarers wandered in the winding streets of Pingyao, Ming Jiu, the wise cat, noticed they had
been walking in the endless alleys too long and it was getting late. “Master,” he addressed to
Medico Yong Tian “we are lost in the darkness. Let us go to this shop and ask our way.” “That is
an excellent proposal!” Medico agreed.
Once in the shop, the travelers were enchanted by its bizarre ambience: the shelves were filled with
ancient books, half-broken vases and odd-looking statues. The newcomers were greeted warmly by a
shopkeeper, Li Wen. Then Yong Tian spoke, “Good evening. We would kindly ask you to indicate us our
way, since your shop is the only open at this hour.” “Who are you?” demanded the shopkeeper. Hearing
this, Wang Li, the giant, declared, “We are the honorable travelers journeying to the West to retrieve the
precious figs from the Bodhi tree. Medico Yong Tian will make the panacea from them to treat people in
need. It’s important to pick the figs on December 8 th , otherwise they lose their magic powers.” “I will show
you the way, but first, rest in my courtyard while I fetch you a cup of herbal tea,” Li Wen offered. Wang
Li’s eyes lit up at the thought of indulging himself with the piping hot drink. “We would be most grateful,
but our horse can’t be left outside,” Ming Jiu interjected. “He can come inside too,” responded Li Wen. So,
they all proceeded into the courtyard.
While they waited under a willow tree for Li Wen to come back, Ming Jiu as always became
restless. He decided to explore and soon encountered a well. “Friends! Look what I’ve found!” he called
excitedly. As it was rare to find a well in a courtyard, everyone rushed to look. Ting Hua, the serpent, was
so curious that he slithered to the very edge … Suddenly, a gigantic, scaly paw with long claws emerged
from the depth of the well, grabbed Ting Hua and yanked him inside. Without thinking, his companions
dived after him (they were a team; they had vowed to protect each other!).
A while later, our heroes landed in an overgrown garden with intertwining trees and roses. Out of
nowhere, the Red Dragon appeared. “I’m Kong Ju, a dragon as fierce as ever!” he bellowed. “I have heard
that you, Yong Tian, are on a mission. But now your mission will come to an end and your death will
follow, since I’m going to sacrifice you.” He spewed fire. “I must be invincible, so that I can break out of
this cursed well. For that I need to hold a human heart.” The dragon cackled and continued, “I have chosen
you.” With that, Kong Ju flew down and grabbed the master before anyone had time to react.
“Quick, we need a plan!” urged Wang Li, decisive as always. After a few minutes of thinking,
Ming Jiu came up with an excellent idea, “I’m the wisest, I’ll summon the Wiseman of Pingyao and find out
how to defeat the monster.” With this, using one of his 108 amazing powers, the cat summoned the
Wiseman who disclosed him that the Red Dragon had escaped from a legendarium book and the only way
to defeat him was to shoot an arrow with Buddha’s blood directly in his heart. The blood could be found in
one place – Afterworld!
After a short discussion, it was decided that Ming Jiu and Wang Li would go to fetch the precious
blood. With this the cat followed by the giant leaped from cloud-to-cloud until they reached the River of
Death. “Are you ready?” breathed out Ming Jiu. “As I’ll ever be!” was the confident reply. They took a last
gulp of air and plunged into the murky waters.
The reason why this river was known as the River of Death was because it held the gate to the
Afterword which was exactly why the super-heroes were here. As they approached, they spotted the King
sitting on his throne and scanning a list. “What brings you to my Kingdom?” the sovereign boomed. Wang
Li, joined by Ming Jiu, explained their matter while the King listened attentively. He reflected for a while
before announcing, “I will grant you what you have begged for, but in exchange, you, Ming Jiu, must give
me one of your lives.” The cat hesitated for a short moment (he had only three out of nine lives left), but it
was his duty to save his master and he would do anything to rescue him. As soon as they received the
precious drops of blood they set off back to the garden where the others were waiting for them. Now it was
time for the second part of the plan.