The swimming race in the novel:
Xiao Liu was like a beautiful butterfly falling into the silver water and disappearing into the depths. The waters rippled out from where he disappeared and when the biggest ripple disappeared was when Xiao Liu shot out from the water like a swimming dragon. His arms grabbed the neck of the condor and he asked “Can you swim? Want to race?” Xiang Liu scoffed.
Xiao Liu added “If you dare then don’t use your powers.” Xiang Liu raised his head to look at the moon. Xiao Liu continued “Scared? You can’t be? Nine Lives Demons Xiang Liu can’t be such a coward!” Xiang Liu finally looked directly at Xiao Liu “Seeing the way you are begging me, I’ll do it.”
“I begged you?”
“Didn’t you?”
Xiao Liu’s head was resting on the condor’s neck “Fine, consider it me begging you.”
Xiang Liu slowly took off his robe and jumped into the water. Xiao Liu swam towards the shore with all his might with Xiang Liu right beside him. The water in the lake was icy cold and Xiao Liu warmed up with each valiant push forward. He could forget everything and return to childhood when it was all so free, so relaxing, so happy. His only goal was to return to shore, so very simple.
After an hour Xiao Liu finally reached shore. Xiang Liu was sitting next to a roaring fire and his clothes were already dried. Xiao Liu climbed on land “You won, but….” he pulled out a fish from his sleeve “I caught a fish. Let’s cook it, I’m hungry.”
Xiao Liu started cooking the fish while Xiang Liu said “You grew up somewhere with a lot of water.”
“You say that for anyone who can swim?”
“Not just because you can swim, it’s that swimming brings you unfettered happiness. People seek familiar things that allow them to relax and feel the freedom and joy from childhood.”
Chapter 3