One day, in the Eastern Mountains of Zichuan County, he brought out the finest food, offered it to Er Qing, and prayed over it before letting it go. Er Qing left but returned a short while later, coiling around the bamboo box. The tamer waved it away, saying, “Go now. No feast lasts forever. From this day on, you will live deep in the mountains and valleys. Someday you may even become a divine dragon. How can you remain confined to a bamboo box?” Only then did Er Qing leave. The tamer watched it disappear into the distance.
Yet soon after, Er Qing returned, and despite the tamer's attempts to shoo it away, it refused to leave, instead nudging the bamboo box with its head. Inside, Xiao Qing stirred restlessly. Realizing what was happening, the tamer said, “You wish to say goodbye to Xiao Qing, don’t you?” He opened the box, and Xiao Qing darted out. The two snakes entwined their necks, flicking their tongues as if speaking to each other. After a while, they slithered away together. The tamer thought Xiao Qing might not return, but before long, Xiao Qing came back alone and settled into the box.
From then on, the tamer sought another snake to train but could never find one as suitable. Meanwhile, Xiao Qing grew larger, eventually becoming unsuitable for performances. Later, the tamer found a new snake that was obedient but lacked Xiao Qing's brilliance. By then, Xiao Qing had grown as thick as a child’s arm.
In the years following its release, Er Qing was frequently seen in the mountains by woodcutters. Over time, it grew several feet long and as thick as a bowl. It began chasing people, and travelers warned one another to avoid the areas where it appeared.
One day, the snake tamer happened to pass through that region. Suddenly, a massive snake shot out like a gust of wind. Terrified, the snake tamer turned and ran, but the snake pursued him even more aggressively. When he glanced back, he saw that it was almost upon him. To his shock, he noticed a distinct red mark on its head. Only then did he realize that this snake was Er Qing.
Dropping his burden, he called out, “Er Qing! Er Qing!” At the sound of its name, the snake immediately stopped, raising its head and remaining still for a long moment. Then, with a powerful leap, it coiled itself around the snake tamer, just as it used to during performances. Although the snake seemed to mean no harm, its massive body was so heavy and constricting that the tamer fell to the ground, crying out and begging it to release him. Er Qing loosened its grip and let him go.
The snake then began nudging the bamboo box with its head. Understanding its intention, the tamer opened the box and released Xiao Qing. As soon as the two snakes saw each other, they entwined tightly, coiling together as though bonded by honey, and didn’t separate for a long time.
The snake tamer sighed and addressed Xiao Qing: “I’ve long wanted to say goodbye to you. Now you have a companion.” Turning to Er Qing, he said, “Xiao Qing was brought to me by you, and now you can take it away. Let me give you one piece of advice: In the deep mountains, there is no lack of food or drink. Do not disturb passing travelers, lest you provoke the wrath of Heaven and suffer its punishment.”
The two snakes bowed their heads as if accepting his words. Then, they suddenly darted away, with the larger snake leading and the smaller one following. Wherever they passed, the trees and grass parted, bending to either side. The snake tamer stood watching them until they vanished from sight. After that, peace returned to the area, and travelers could once again pass through undisturbed. No one knew where the two snakes had gone.
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