Witch Hunter: Goujian Sword

January 28, 2023

Lantern lights illuminated two small boats drifting along the calm waters of the Yangtze River at night.

A new moon floated halfway above. Stars shone brightly, decorating the sky.

"Brother, how did you manage to defeat the Witch and ride that big black crocodile as a boat? Is the Witch still alive?"

Qing asked innocently, eyes full of curiosity as he stared at Sizhu standing behind the limbless Witch.

"I was by the riverbank yesterday afternoon, thinking about how to cross to the other side. Then this big crocodile and the Witch appeared from the forest and attacked me. I hit them both with my staff and turned them into my boat."

Qing exclaimed in awe. His face showed great interest. It was the first time he had heard about a Witch and a magical creature being beaten and defeated so easily. The fear that had filled his heart moments before quickly vanished.

That brother is so cool! He's handsome and strong too. Why did he come out from the forbidden forest?

Meanwhile, Qing's father shuddered at Sizhu's story. That meant Sizhu was very powerful and dangerous. Once again, he prayed to the gods that Sizhu was not a bad person.

"So cool! What's your name, brother? My name's Qing Fei! My father, my little sister, and I live in a village quite close to the forbidden forest."

Seeing Qing's enthusiastic expression, Sizhu felt something he had never felt before — the joy of being admired by someone. It was unfamiliar to him, but he didn't dislike it.

"Sizhu."

"Sizhu? That's a cool name. Does it mean 'bamboo of death'? Father said sî can mean death and zhú means bamboo."

"A person's name can mean different things, Qing'er. It's rude to interpret someone's name like that."

Qing chuckled, scratching his back head even though it didn't itch.

"But that name sounds cool, father. Qing Fei is cool too, but Sizhu is way cooler."

Sizhu felt a bit amused watching the little boy's antics. Qing looked cheerful and always smiled happily, even though Sizhu's appearance could be considered frightening.

Someone can lose their fear when other feelings overpower it.

"Qing… Want to try riding on the back of this crocodile?"

Unconsciously, Sizhu offered Qing to climb onto his mount's back. He smiled faintly at Qing.

"Wow, can I?"

Sizhu nodded once.

"Father." Qing gave pleading signals with a pitiful face.

Qing's father looked back and forth between Sizhu and Qing. Seeing Sizhu's gaze showing no ill intent, he finally nodded in approval.

Qing almost jumped onto the boat out of excitement. He immediately tried to climb the back of the large black crocodile walking alongside the boat being rowed by his father.

"Be careful, the crocodile's skin is a bit slippery."

Just as it was said, Qing almost slipped and fell into the river. But Sizhu's hand was faster, catching Qing's shirt before he fell.

"Eh, thank you, Brother Sizhu." Qing quickly balanced his feet so he wouldn't slip on the crocodile's back.

He stood, holding onto Sizhu's pants. His mouth opened wide. This experience was far more valuable than any days he had lived before.

Qing laughed happily. "I never dreamed I'd ride on the back of a giant crocodile like this."

"Want to try controlling the black crocodile?" Sizhu offered. He stood sideways, showing the limbless Witch's head.

"C-can I? What if the Witch attacks later?"

Qing tried to suppress his enthusiasm by thinking about the risks first. He knew he wasn't as strong as Sizhu, who could make the Witch obey him. If the Witch attacked, he would die immediately.

Sizhu nodded. "Don't worry, that Witch won't dare to mess with you. Even if he did, his head would be severed first."

Qing laughed awkwardly. That was a little scary.

"All right..."

Qing's heart pounded loudly. For the first time, he touched a Witch. Although once human, now in Qing's eyes, the Witch was a monster. He would hold no sympathy for that killer and man-eater.

His hand slowly touched the crown of the limbless Witch's head. It felt cold, almost like touching a living corpse.

Sizhu behind Qing watched closely. He would act if he sensed even a hint of malice from the limbless Witch.

Damn human! After cutting off my legs and treating me like a boat's rudder, now he lets a little kid control me? Heh, let him try, he won't be able to control me.

The limbless Witch grinned slightly. He gathered something in his mouth.

"How do I tell him to move faster, Brother Sizhu?"

"Pull the Witch's hair hard."

"Like this?"

Little Qing tugged hard on the limbless Witch's hair. In his mind, the Witch laughed at the child's tug, which didn't feel anything compared to Sizhu's pulls.

Hahaha, weak little kid! There's no way he can control me! Doesn't feel a thing!

Qing tried again, this time with both hands and more strength.

"Hngggg!!!"

He strained with all his might to pull the limbless Witch's hair.

Hahahaha! Weak brat. Let me scare him a bit.

Just as the limbless Witch intended to open his mouth and stick out his terrifyingly toothed tongue and something gross, Sizhu's threatening gaze in front of him made him stop.

Sizhu's look warned he would kill him if he didn't speed up the crocodile so Qing could enjoy the success of his effort.

"Hhiii!"

The limbless Witch shook his head then nodded quickly. Then the black crocodile swam faster than the sampan being rowed by Qing's father.

"Wow! I can control it!" Qing was delighted that his hair-pulling made the crocodile swim faster than before. He was even two steps ahead of his father's boat.

Sizhu crossed his arms over his chest. He also felt a little happiness contagious from Qing's joyful smile.

"That kid… He's completely unaware."

Qing's father shook his head at his son's and Sizhu's behavior. But he smiled in relief because it turned out Sizhu was a good person.

The smile vanished immediately when he saw Qing fall into the river ten steps ahead.

"Qing'er!"

He panicked and rowed as fast as he could to approach the black crocodile Sizhu was riding moments ago. But the young man also plunged into the dark waters of the Yangtze.

"Young man!"

What happened? Where did they disappear?

Qing's father anxiously watched Sizhu dive into the water.

Sizhu swam chasing a fish with human hands that forcibly dragged Qing underwater.

Earlier, Sizhu had been careless, not noticing the river's ripples change from normal waves. Then something under the black crocodile grabbed Qing's leg into the dark Yangtze River.

Realizing it was something like a fish, Sizhu immediately chased after Qing being pulled into the river.

The big hand-fish was now chased by Sizhu swimming fast five steps behind it. Sizhu opened his eyes while swimming to not lose track of the big hand-fish.

His eyes were accustomed to darkness underwater, but only up to five steps. Beyond that, he would lose sight of the big hand-fish.

Qing reflexively held his breath as he felt his body plunged and dragged underwater. He tried to scream Sizhu's name but knew he couldn't. He then stretched his hand backward, seeking help from Sizhu who was swimming after him.

That kid will drown if I'm late to save him! I must swim faster than that big hand-fish!

Sizhu then spun his wooden staff right and left, which he had held since the start underwater.

The rapidly spinning staff like a turbine, combined with his swimming speed, finally allowed him to catch up with the big hand-fish.

He extended his hand forward, trying to grab Qing's limp hand dragged underwater. The boy lost his air just as Sizhu caught his hand.

Blur!

Sizhu and Qing managed to swim up to the surface gasping for air.

Qing coughed out water on Sizhu's shoulder. He was saved, but the enemy was still around them.

The big hand-fish swam circling Sizhu and Qing floating calmly on the Yangtze's surface.

Sizhu and Qing were alert, watching each other's backs carefully, monitoring their surroundings.

"Qing! Hold my neck tight! If you don't, that fish will drag you again!"

Qing immediately wrapped his arms around Sizhu's neck from behind.

Sizhu's green eyes observed the calm river ripples reflecting the moonlight.

From the surface, the big hand-fish is invisible. But the enemy swims beneath the water. It will attack from below!

Sizhu suddenly twisted his body into the water without warning, then spun again to strike the big fish's hand just about to touch Sizhu's leg.

Sizhu then floated back to the surface with coughing Qing choking on water. He was unprepared for Sizhu's sudden twist underwater.

Sizhu's staff strike underwater caused the fish's hand to bleed. Red blood floated around Sizhu and Qing.

"Moi! Moi! Moi!"

Hearing the eerie sound, Sizhu and Qing turned toward the source.

On the riverbank, among bushes surrounding Sizhu and Qing, stood many big hand-fish.

One of the wounded fish struggled to climb onto the riverbank.

Sizhu quickly counted the number of big hand-fish surrounding them and started noisily saying, "Moi! Moi!"

He saw one that looked different from the others. That fish had a human face and two legs.

Clearly, that was the leader of the big hand-fish surrounding Sizhu and Qing. He was…

"A Witch!"

***