White tea legend

Chapter 244 The Chain of Nine Netherworlds
On the East China Sea, there are vast expanse of blue waves and dotted sails.

The morning glow reflects on the sea surface, the golden waves are sparkling, and the fishermen's songs are melodious.

Lu Yu and Bai Cha took a boat from the East China Sea to the mysterious Yushan Island.

The reason why Yushan Island is mysterious is that it is located in the territory of Changxi County, but is blocked by the ocean and has become a forgotten place for land residents.

Its mysterious name stems not only from its remote geographical location, but also from its unique cultural heritage. The life and customs of the islanders are unique and different from other places; ancient legends are widely circulated, but the authentic ones are difficult to find.

Due to the inconvenient transportation, few outsiders have set foot on the island, so the island's customs and customs have been able to maintain their original appearance without being intruded upon by the outside world.

Therefore, to the people of the Li Dynasty, Yushan Island was like a pearl hidden deep in the seabed. Although its light was restrained, it attracted endless imagination.

When Lu Yu and his wife landed on the island, they saw thousands of acres of grassland, rolling green waves, flocks of cattle and sheep, and low white clouds. It felt like they were in a fairyland.

There are also the sun, moon, stars and three lakes, like bright gems inlaid on the emerald green carpet.

The couple decided to build a separate property on the bank of Moon Lake as a place to live.

As a result, Lu Yu used his ingenuity and Bai Cha used his skills to create a small wooden house on the bank of Yue Lake.

Although this house is simple, it is quite original and blends in seamlessly with the surrounding scenery. There are several plum trees planted in front of the house, with sparse shadows slanting horizontally and a faint fragrance floating around; there are several clumps of bamboo planted behind the house, and when the wind blows, the sound is clear.

As night fell, the couple walked hand in hand by the lake.

The moonlight is like water, pouring on the lake, making the waves sparkling like thousands of silver snakes dancing on the water. They recite poems and compose poems here, play the piano and play chess, away from the hustle and bustle of the world, feeling relaxed and happy.

Bai Cha said with emotion: "I live here in seclusion with the officials. I only envy mandarin ducks but not immortals."

Lu Yu replied with a smile: "With a wife like this, where in the world is not home?"

A good night passed in this way.

dawn.

They traveled across thousands of acres of grassland, overlooking the Five Peaks Pencil in the distance, and observing the four waterfalls up close, enjoying the wonderful creation of nature.

Occasionally, they would meet the simple residents of the island, exchange knowledge with them, and teach them skills, and they were deeply loved by the islanders.

Such a leisurely day, I don’t know how much time has passed. Until one day, the sea breeze gradually picked up and the waves surged...

On this day, Lu Yu and Bai Cha were walking on the beach when they suddenly heard a urgent cry for help. They followed the sound and saw a fisherman being swept into the sea by the huge waves.

Bai Cha secretly used magic power to push Lu Yu into the sea. How could Lu Yu know about water? But with the magic power of white tea, the fisherman was rescued ashore.

The righteous deed of Lu Yu and his wife to save people soon spread on the island, and the fisherman's family actually sent a sea sheep to the cabin on the bank of Yue Lake as a thank you.

I thought there would be a roasted whole lamb meal.

But the lamb was docile, cute, and bleating. How could Lu Yu and his wife kill it? He actually raised it.

The goats on the island have been baptized by the sea breeze for a long time and have developed unique features. Its body shape is slightly smaller than that of land goats, but it is strong and strong and can withstand the hardships of wind, cold, dampness and weight.

The coat is thick and rough, like a rainproof cloak given by nature, resisting the frequent rains on the island. The hooves have also become extra hard due to years of trekking in rocky areas. Even when walking on steep mountain roads, they remain stable.

Eating habits also vary. Due to the sparse vegetation, island goats have to develop an omnivorous habit. In addition to grass and leaves, they will also eat seaweed, small shellfish and other gifts from the sea, which gives their meat a light salty aroma and is unique. Land goats, on the other hand, mostly live on grassland and have a single diet. Although their meat is tender, it is not as delicious as island goats.

In terms of grazing methods, island goats are more free-spirited. Since the island is sparsely populated, the goats tend to forage on their own and climb mountains and ridges without much human attention. This lifestyle makes the goats stronger and their disease resistance is also enhanced. In comparison, land goats are mostly kept in farmhouses. Although they are easy to manage, they lack space for movement and sometimes require artificial supplementation of feed, making it difficult to fully express their natural nature.

Therefore, the most obvious advantage of island goat is the unique flavor of its meat, which combines the essence of mountains and sea. It is delicious and deeply favored by diners.

Its strong physique and strong adaptability reduce breeding costs and become one of the important economic sources for island residents.

Lu Yu and Bai Cha couldn't eat the meat of the sea sheep, and they didn't rely on selling the sea sheep for money, so they raised it and became friends with the sea sheep.

This sea sheep also has a strange fate. It had a lucky encounter because of Lu Yu Baicha and his wife.

We have to start with the Tai hexagram in the "Book of Changes".

The Tai hexagram is one of the sixty-four hexagrams in the Book of Changes, symbolizing stability and harmony.

The code name of Tai hexagram is 7:0. The main hexagram is Qian hexagram, which symbolizes heaven, and the guest hexagram is Kun hexagram, which symbolizes earth. This hexagram shows the beautiful situation of the union of heaven and earth and the smooth flow of all things.

The basic meaning of Tai Gua is "smoothness", which represents the development of things in a harmonious state and reflects the following aspects:

One is the union of heaven and earth:
In the Tai hexagram, Qian is below and Kun is above. Qian is the sky and Kun is the earth, which symbolizes the decline of the weather and the rise of the earth's Qi. The Qi of heaven and earth blend and all things can grow and develop.

The second is the connection between monarch and minister:
At the social level, Tai Gua means that the monarch and his subjects are connected, the country is governed in an orderly manner, and the society is harmonious and stable.

The third is the Taoist Master of the Gentleman: Tai Gua also symbolizes the growth of the Tao of the Gentleman and the decline of the Tao of the Villain, which means that the social atmosphere is improving and the moral level is improving.

Fourth is the possibility of change:
Tai Gua shows the possibility of various changes in a stable situation, reminding people to make good use of the current harmonious situation to promote the development of things.

In addition, each line of the Tai hexagram has its own specific meaning. From the ninth day to the sixth day, they represent changes and development in different situations.

Through the interpretation of these lines, we can better understand the deep meaning of Tai Gua and guide practical actions accordingly.

Because of the Tai hexagram in the Book of Changes, an idiom was derived: Three Yang Kaitai.

The word sheep here is a homophone for "Yang".

Through the homophonic relationship between "sheep" and "yang", it conveys auspicious blessings for the New Year and a beautiful meaning of the harmony of yin and yang in nature.

In folklore, Qingyang, Hongyang and Baiyang represent the past, present and future respectively.

Therefore, "Three Yang Kai Tai" is not only a blessing for the New Year, but also a symbol of the recovery and vitality of all things.

The three Yangs are difficult to express, so the pattern often uses three sheep grazing in the sun to symbolize this auspicious meaning, reflecting people's yearning for a harmonious and prosperous life, as well as respect for the order of nature and the universe.

In the heavenly world, Ancestor Hongjun is an extraordinary existence. With his supernatural powers and wisdom that reach heaven and earth, he is known as the leader of the immortals.

He often sits on the top of Kunlun Mountain, overlooking all living things, and sometimes concentrates on divination to predict the mysteries of heaven and earth.

On this day, ancestor Hongjun was on the top of Kunlun Mountain, holding the Qiankun Bagua disk, trying to predict the general trend of the world. Suddenly, he frowned slightly and found that the hexagram "Three Yang Kaitai" was missing a corner, which symbolized that there would be disharmony between heaven and earth.

The ancestor knew something was wrong and decided to find the missing "one sheep" to restore the balance of heaven and earth.

The ancestor floated in the clouds and reached the East China Sea.

Lu Yu and Bai Cha were traveling among the pastures with their sea sheep.

That sea sheep was originally an ordinary sea sheep. After being raised by Lu Yu and Bai Cha for a few days, its appearance changed:
The fur all over the body is as blue as the sea, and the eyes are as deep as the hidden stars. Not only can it eat grass, but it can also control the waves. It looks like a spiritual beast.

Two people and a sheep were walking among the waves of grass when suddenly the sky was covered with dark clouds and a strong wind blew. Haiyang seemed to sense something and raised his head to look at the sky, with a strange light flashing in his eyes.

When Bai Cha saw this, his heart moved, and he said to Lu Yu: "My lord, this sheep is extraordinary, it may be able to fill the gap between heaven and earth."

Hearing this, Lu Yu pondered for a moment and nodded in agreement.

They decided to take Haiyang to the Kunlun Mountains to find Ancestor Hongjun and see if they could use Haiyang to complete the missing hexagram.

Ancestor Hongjun is currently in the clouds over the East China Sea.

White tea casts spells and delivers messages. Ancestor Hongjun landed on the pasture and looked at the sea sheep carefully. He found that this sheep was indeed extraordinary, and it was the key to completing the "Three Yang Kaitai" hexagram.

The ancestor immediately used his magical power to integrate the sea sheep into the hexagram. In an instant, the situation in the sky and the earth changed color, and auspicious auras surged from Kunlun Mountain to all directions, and everything was bathed in a harmonious light. The missing sheep finally returned to its place, and the disharmonious atmosphere between heaven and earth dissipated.

Ancestor Hongjun was deeply moved and said to Lu Yu and his wife: "What you have done has contributed to the heaven and earth. It is God's will that this sheep has been granted the status of god because of you."

After that, he gave Lu Yu and his wife an elixir to express his gratitude.

Without the sheep, there is less fun in raising sheep.

Just make a baby.

Spring nights are worth thousands of dollars.

In the middle of the night, the couple was sleeping hugging each other in the cabin, but they heard faint crying outside.

Who is crying?
The couple walked out of the cabin, followed the moon lake, and found another round lake.

The lake is as calm as a mirror, reflecting the bright starry sky, as if it embraces the Milky Way. The gentle evening breeze blew by, causing delicate ripples in the lake water, and the stars twinkling in it, like countless elves dancing.

The surrounding mountains are looming in the night, standing like guardians, adding a sense of mystery and solemnity to this beauty. The occasional chirping of insects and rustling of leaves added vitality to this quiet night.

But the crying coming from the lake was desolate and sad.

At this time, a line of green smoke rose in the moonlight, and the Earth God appeared and told the Baicha couple that this was Star Lake.

There is a real dragon living in Star Lake. He was imprisoned in the depths of Star Lake for violating the rules of heaven. He was originally the youngest son of Ao Guang, the Dragon King of the East China Sea, but because of a curious expedition, he disturbed a certain goddess who was bathing in Kunyu Mountain. As a result, he incurred the wrath of the Emperor of Heaven and was imprisoned here, frozen for thousands of years.

The cry of the Ninth Prince penetrated the ice at the bottom of the lake and echoed in the empty valley. This cry not only contains his desire for freedom, but also carries his dissatisfaction and resistance to fate.

He was bound by the Nine Nether Chains and could not break free. Every time he struggled, his pain doubled. His tears merged with the water of Xinghu, making the pool full of mystery and pathos.

The Lord of the Land told Lu Yu and Baicha couple about the deeds of the Ninth Prince:
Although imprisoned in Star Lake, the Ninth Prince did not forget to protect the islanders of Yushan Island. Although he lost his freedom, he still silently protected the land and the people.

Whenever the wind rises and a storm is about to hit Yushan Island, the Nine Princes will use all their strength to mobilize the lake water to form a barrier to withstand the storm and protect the crops on the island from destruction. At the same time, he will quietly guide the clear springs in the mountains to flow to the village, ensuring that the islanders have clear and sweet water to drink.

When there is no rain for a long time, the Nine Princes will also gather clouds and mist to bring drizzle to the thirsty land, nourishing the crops and restoring their vitality.

Whenever the villagers hold celebrations or sacrificial activities, the Nine Princes will also appear and bring blessings to people as auspicious symbols, allowing them to feel the protection and grace of the gods.

This is the place where the Ninth Prince is imprisoned, but he protects it like his home.

If you make mistakes, correct them. There is no greater good.

The reason why the Ninth Prince cried that night was because his mother was seriously ill and dying, but the Ninth Prince was not allowed to return to the Dragon Palace to take care of his mother, and he might not even be able to see his mother for the last time.

As Tu Tu Gong told the story, under the moonlight, the surface of Star Lake shone with strange light, and the crying sound came from the center of the lake, making it even more sad.

When Bai Cha and Lu Yu approached Star Lake, they were surprised to find a handsome young man wearing armor appearing on the water. He had the Nine Nether Chain tied to his body, his eyes were closed tightly, and tears slowly slid down his cheeks.

This young man is exactly what Tutu calls the Ninth Prince.

"Can the Immortal help me temporarily break away from the chain of Jiuyou and let me go back to the East China Sea to see my old mother off? Afterwards, I will return to Xinghu to be punished."

Bai Cha calculated carefully and told Lu Yu that the ninth prince's punishment had long expired, but the former goddess had already gone to Tianwaitian and no longer existed in the world. This Tianjun did not know about the punishment of the previous Tianjun. This is why the prince was trapped here, wasting his years in vain.

As long as the Nine Nether Chain is released, the Ninth Prince can regain his freedom.

Lu Yu relied on his memory of the ancient gods to guide Bai Cha and Tu Di to set up an altar by the Star Lake, invited the stars in the sky as witnesses, and began the unsealing ceremony.

As Bai Cha recited the spell, the water in the Star Lake began to rotate, forming a whirlpool. The Nine Nether Chains on the Ninth Prince began to loosen gradually, and finally turned into a ray of light and disappeared into the air.

The moment the Nine Nether Chains were completely lifted, the Ninth Prince's body was surrounded by a layer of golden light. He slowly opened his eyes, as if he was reborn.

He looked at Lu Yu and Bai Cha, his eyes full of gratitude and respect. He knew that without the help of this couple, he might never be able to escape the shackles of the Nine Netherworld Chain.

The Ninth Prince deeply thanked Lu Yu for the white tea and the land. Bai Cha gave the elixir given by Patriarch Hongjun to the Ninth Prince. The Ninth Prince thanked everyone and then flew to the East China Sea Dragon Palace, fearing that he would be late and not be able to see the Dragon Mother.

The Dragon King of the East China Sea is old, and this son has outstanding abilities and will be a good successor.

Lu Yubai Cha and Tu Tu thought so in their hearts.

I hope that mother and son will be reunited, safe and happy.