DRAGON LONGZE FALLS IN LOVE (BOST ORIGINAL STORY, 2026- PART 1)

Dragon Longze, habitually penalized by Heaven for his recalcitrant transgressions (indiscretions, offenses) had once been reborn as a mortal female snake in the forsaken part of the Lake Taho, away from any human habitation. 

01 - LONGZE - REBORN AS WHITE SNAKE

Incredibly, this white snake spirit, possessing extraordinary intelligence and odd characteristics, had strayed from usual serpent behaviour to favorably alter her chances of survival, by timely attaching itself to an itinerant (roving, nomadic) recluse immortal Haskell (name meaning cauldron of God), who had chosen to dwell for a brief time at the periphery of a hill, some ways off lake Taho. He’d stayed for the purposes of finding a very rare, specific golden plant that manifested once in hundred years, at precise month, at a fissure (crack, crevice) of one of several caverns (cave) that existed in the densest part of the ascending forest.    

During his brief stay in an abandoned, ramshackle wooden hut, the Immortal Haskell had one day while exploring the interior of one of those deep grotto’s, chanced on the mortal white snake Longze who was at the time in her early teens. To his amazement and immense relief, Immortal Haskell soon realized that he could well understand this white snake, as the serpent adapting human vernacular could now communicate with him (mentally, cerebrally) in his head. That’s when Haskell learned the name of the serpent being Longze. Moreover, Longze remarkably comprehending (grasping) his quest (mission), generously, without being asked, happily volunteered to assist Haskell in (finding and) procuring the rare golden plant that would have been otherwise impossible to obtain. As they silently conversed, Haskell noting white snake’s unusual aura (force), irregular characteristics and high intelligence, very much intrigued, he’d albeit reluctantly, agreed to take her home with him.

02- IMMORTAL HASKELL ENCOUNTERS LONGZE(14)jp

Subsequently, Longze the white snake became his pupil; hence, Longze learned some useful spells (incantations)and healing potions, as she additionally, diligently practiced Taoist magical arts with her unyielding tenacity and thirst for knowledge and, her secret innate yearning to become an immortal. The search for the rare golden plant, meanwhile, without let up had persisted, till one day, they long at last chanced on it; Longze’s assistance proved indispensable in attaining it, earning her Haskell’s everlasting gratitude. He was impatient to (depart and) resume his journey, however, out of deference (regard, favour) for her, he agreed to stayed on just a little while longer.  

03- LONGZE HELPS KASKELL TO RETRIEVE THE GOLDEN PLANT (30)JP

Luck was with Longze on that ordinary cloudless day, when at mid-afternoon scavenging for some craved, edible food, her eye fortuitously caught, off to the side, the glint of the miniature flagon half buried in the dirt, at the edge of a cluster of low bushes. She managed to pry the flask loose (retrieving it), then using her fangs, pushed out the cork; she discovered that within it were the two immortality pills that her master Haskell had carelessly discarded.  Longze recognizing the value of such a find, had at once swallowed them and was instantly transformed and gained 500 years’ worth of magical powers; hence, this also enabled Longze to shift (transmute, turn) into a human female form.

Excitement stirred in her chest as she gazed at her two feet, then at her hands and also, realized now in her human form she could better communicate with the Immortal Haskell. She walked over to the nearby small pond and kneeling, with disbelieving eyes, regarded (stared, examined) her facial features in the still waters: an image that  was breathtakingly beautiful in appearance, the shimmering, long golden blond hair (with highlights) cascading down her shoulders framing a face with skin as flawless and pale as the most exquisite porcelain, with high cheekbones, rosy lips and, brilliant blue eyes, that stared back at her.

04- LONGZE AS A GIRL

It goes without saying, she had no clothes but understanding something about human propriety (modesty, decency), she hastened to the hut, and finding it empty, quickly rampaged through Haskell’s luggage. She knew he had an extra light grey shirt and black trousers (slacks) stored there. The shirt was oversize and long enough that it (draped her form and) reached below her knees; it fit her more like a dress (especially when she tied a chord around her waist), so she did not bother wearing (putting on) the trousers.

Bursting joy enveloping her chest, heart wildly palpitating (racing), her excitement barely contained, she sat in the chair by the hearth, folded her hands demurely on her lap and then waited to surprise him.

05-IMMORTAL HASKELL RETURNS

After dusk, when the mountain was mantled in darkness, the Immortal Haskell opened the door of the cabin and stepped in; grasping (understanding) at once what had happened, a dark shadow descended on his features and his eyes flamed with fury.

He did not care that she was breathtakingly beautiful, he was instead  incensed, infuriated by this breach; furthermore, he now feared certain repercussions from Heaven, for he had three days prior, through divination, learned about the white snake’s innate form (mass, body, intrinsic core, essence) , that she was a celestial dragon; furthermore, he’d learned of her conviction (sentence, due punishment) and, because of his (Immortal’s) presence, Longze’s currently altered impending (future) fate.

The damage, however, was irreversible, and so after his stern reprimand, he abruptly severed all ties with Longze (white snake). He turned a tacit (silent) deft ear to all her explanative and sincere apologies.  He with a stone heart and grave, stern countenance (mien) simply gathered (grabbed) his few belongings and picked up the rare golden plant (preserved in a container), then opening the door, with a huff, he stepped outside, instantly disappearing into the darkness.

Downhearted Longze, collapsing on the chair, buried her face in her palms and shed many tears; in truth, she was not clear on what she had done wrong. Her pure heart did not understand Immortal Haskell’s fury, his explosive rage. She called out to her master and repeated out loud her sincere repentance (regret, sorrow) till her voice was hoarse, hoping he would somehow hear her apologies and her entreaties (pleas).

06- LONGZE DOWNHEARTED (19)JP

Night deepened and as the (flames died down) logs in the hearth (fireplace) burned to cinders (embers, ashes), the cabin was then cast (enveloped) in pitch darkness; still she did not stir and waited till dawn for his return. Her instincts screamed at her that he was gone for good, to accept this fact, admit defeat and move on; in that short time however, she’d gotten used to having someone about, now loneliness gnawed at her innards. Feeling forlorn (abandoned, lost) and miserable, she in resignation lowered her head and willed her body to transform (revert) back to her prior serpent form.

Subsequent three weeks, she’d remained at the wooden cabin, usually curled up in the corner, rarely moving, rarely doing anything at all; and each day she’d hoped Haskell would relent and, forgiving her, return, but he never did.

07- MUSKRAT SPIRIT (1)JP

At lower terrain (topography, land, ground) from where wooden cabin was, at that thin fringe (marginal) shoreline of the lake meanwhile there dwelled (resided) a nasty Muskrat spirit who also aspired to immortality.  When Longze finally resumed her usual routine, and frequented the shore, one fatalistic day she’d encountered the muskrat.  Sensing her unusual aura, he had turned on the charm and befriended Longze, though in truth, he was a false friend; a narcissist, he only sought to utilize, or if possible, steal her perceived powers.  When in her innocence, Longze confessed to him one afternoon, about her regrettable past transgression, her swallowing the discarded longevity pills that had enabled her present unique powers but at a dire cost, he had feigned sympathy and consoled her; but from that day thereon, he’d harboured a deep-seated resentment (bitterness) and intense envy (jealousy) for the deemed fortunate white snake, absurdly blaming her for all his subsequent tribulations.

08-MUSKRAT SPIRIT (2)JP

One day, in a further away segment of the shoreline, during her brief respite under the tree, before her intended crossing of the bridge that led to a sprawling (straggling) marketplace, Longze happened to (note) observe a local ruffian who had just caught himself a green snake. With a malicious grin he first tormented the poor creature, the lout then quickly tiring of it, drew out a stiletto (dagger) from inside his boot and poised to slice out its gallbladder to perhaps sell it.

09-TERRIFIED GREEN SNAKE

The terrified, poor green snake squirmed, she sobbed and intermittently (sporadically) cried out for help, but all was in vain; her situation increasingly dire, raising her head, teary eyed she still relentlessly (unwaveringly) pleaded for mercy to the deaf ears of the passers by.

Intense ire and deep sympathy both flooding her heart, Longze at once transformed self into a young lady and, walking across the bridge, with stoic demeanor, fearlessly accosted the tough guy (ruffian, lout). Congenial greetings(address) quickly dispensed with, she offered to buy the green snake alive, intact, therefore saving the green snake from fate worse than death and from being sliced open alive.

Noting the impish (roguish), baleful calculation in his eyes, to bode no argument she at once withdrew a gold coin from her small pouch, and held it out, allowing him to get a good look before determinedly plumping it on the crate in front of him.  

The ruffian’s eyes for a time instead, greedily eyed her pouch, then looked about him; however, sighting the approaching constable few feet away, he aborted his sinister aim and quickly snatched the gold coin, “Done.”

As he handed the tightly wrapped up green snake back to her, he venomously snickered (wickedly snorted), “Sure, you don’t want it carved?”

Longze did not respond, she simply left the (ugly cad) brute. She wanted to get as far away from this cruel man and release the tight bonds binding the green snake, sensing her distress and unwarranted suffering.  As her steps quickly led away, even though her back was to him, she could still intuit (feel, sense) the lurking menacing threat, the malevolent calculation reeling in rogue’s brain. Fortunately, the constable happened to be there, curtailing his baleful aim.

10- GOLD COIN

Now the green snake was in actuality a fairy, who’d been permanently exiled (driven away) from the forest for a breach and was at present, serving her sentence. Her punishment would end in two months time, meanwhile, she was rendered quite vulnerable as a helpless green snake and unable to transform into her true form. She would have died a miserable death had it not been for Longze; hence, the grateful green serpent, when she was released from the bonds and carefully placed on a soft cloth on the table, jutted (stuck out) her head and profusely thanked her saviour.

The green serpent had endured so terribly in the course of these last months in the mortal realm that, trauma and duress had not only caused her to have partial amnesia, but as well, intense phobia of all creatures whether it be human (hominoid) or quadruped (animal).  Consequently, she had remained at first quite inhibited (retracted, withdrawn) for several days; meanwhile, as the little serpent could not recollect her personal name, she asked Longze to give her one, and both finally settled on the name Brenda.

Subsequent weeks, Longze took very good care of Brenda and she, experiencing firsthand Longze’s consistently compassionate and diligent care, her multitude endearing characteristics and most amazing, pure heart: seated by the hearth one day, she suddenly looked up and blurted out her heart’s desire to be Longze’s sworn younger sister.  

Longze was delighted at this prospect, for she was in fact lonely, and thence on the spot acceding, they performed the ceremony that bonded them as kin.

 

(END OF PART I)