Eight Immortals: A New Tale

Having partaken in wine, the Eight Immortals set forth to cross the sea. Iron-Crutch Li cast his staff into the waters and stood atop it; Lyu Dongbin rode his flying sword; Immortal Maiden He drifted along upon a lotus bloom. Without need of any boat, they could venture wherever they pleased. As for us, we climbed onto the back of our little goat and said to it, "Take us up to the heavens!" Understanding our words, the little goat bounded three times in place, kicked off with its hind hooves, and shot straight into the sky with a swift whoosh. We gripped its fur tight as we weaved through the white clouds like swimmers in an azure sea. Looking down, the ocean was far, far below, and the great ships looked no bigger than tiny ants. Before long, rain began to fall. The clouds sank lower and lower until we plunged straight into the sea. A patrol of crustacean guards bristling with tridents rose from the depths, shouting at us, "By order of the Dragon King, no mortal shall cross this sea!" Before we could utter a single word, the little goat took offense. Taking a deep breath until its belly puffed round as a drum, it let out a mighty "Baaah!", lowered its horns, and charged, sending the whole troop of crab and shrimp guards flying in all directions! Still eager for more mischief, the little goat kicked at a cloud with its hind hooves, sending it tumbling squarely onto the Dragon King's head. Furious, the Dragon King charged straight toward us, but with another brisk kick, the little goat carried us soaring right out of the water! The Eight Immortals conjured their magic, assembling river stones into a long bridge ahead of us. The little goat broke into a wild gallop across the stones, its hooves clattering clip-clop, clip-clop, running even faster than a bird in flight. As the Dragon King gave chase from behind, the little goat whipped its head around, snatched the Dragon King's trident in its teeth, flipped it onto its back, and bolted forward with the prize. The Dragon King wailed from behind, "Hey, my trident!" But the little goat never once looked back, bleating merrily as it bounded ahead. Suddenly, a thick white mist rose before us, cloaking everything in sight. Out of the haze emerged a grand vessel, its prow carved in the shape of a plump fish and adorned with a gleaming row of lanterns: the Eight Immortals had come to guide our way! Following closely behind the ship, we watched the fog gently roll away to reveal a majestic mountain. Pavilions and grand towers rose in graceful tiers, celestial cranes called in delight, and ethereal music drifted softly on the breeze. The Eight Immortals stood smiling at the mountain pass, waiting to welcome us and telling us that this was none other than Mount Penglai. We joined the grand banquet of the immortals, feasting on wondrous celestial fruits and delicacies we had never seen before, while our little goat received a trough piled high with divine herbs, happily rolling about in pure delight!