Strange Tales Reimagined

The strange occurrences in Ghost King Lake continued for half a year. In the first two months, the rumors were rampant, but as time passed and no one dared to fish in the lake, naturally, all talk of oddities faded away, and the matter gradually settled down.

Yet, though the commotion had died, whenever someone mentioned Ghost King Lake, the residents nearby would avoid the subject as if it were a taboo.

One afternoon, beneath a blazing sun, Zhou Qing, dressed in a red robe, walked along a forest path several miles from Ghost King Lake, one hand clasped behind his back and the other holding a stalk of sugarcane, which he bit into leisurely.

After strolling for a while, he spotted a tea stall by the roadside. Having just eaten sugarcane and feeling his hand sticky, he stepped into the stall and ordered two bowls of clear tea.

Inside the tea stall, there were five young men, all between their twenties and thirties. Their attire was identical—light blue long Taoist robes with large universe pouches hanging at their waists. It was obvious at a glance they were disciples of some cultivation sect.

Zhou Qing glanced briefly at them but paid little mind. When the stall owner brought over the tea, Zhou Qing used one bowl to rinse his hands and the other to take a sip.

The tea was slightly bitter at first, but after swallowing, a subtle sweetness lingered in the mouth. Though it was far from the finest tea, to enjoy such a cup in this place was more than sufficient.

As Zhou Qing was savoring his tea, he overheard the conversation of the y