ExclusiveTraditional Chinese Tales：Gazing at the Immortal Cliff
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Gazing at the Immortal Cliff
During the Northern Song Dynasty, there was a steep cliff towering over the river in Guangxi, which was called “Wang Xian Yan” (meaning Gazing at the Immortal Cliff). Directly across the river from this cliff was a place called “Wang Xian Pu” (meaning Gazing at the Immortal Store), where used to live an old veteran named Rao Jun. Rao, fond of drinking, was known for being straightforward, open and loyal. He had little savings and lived quite a poor life.
Department of Production, Jing Di Academy
Northern Song Dynasty
There was a steep cliff towering over the river in Guangxi, which was called Wang Xianyan, meaning Gazing at the Immortal Cliff.
Directly across the river from this cliff was a place called Wang Xianpo, meaning Gazing at the Immortal Store,
where used to live an old veteran named Rao Chun.
Rao, fond of drinking, was known for being straightforward, open and loyal. He had little savings and lived quite a poor life.
During the Xuan He period, 1119-1125 AD, a touring Taoist passed by the Gazing at the Immortal Store.
After becoming heavily drunk, he stayed at Rao's home. That night, the Taoist vomited and made the bed dirty.
Then he woke up Rao and ordered him, hey, give me your bed to sleep on. Without any complaint, Rao gave his bed to the Taoist.
In the middle of the night, while Rao was sleeping soundly, he was suddenly awakened by the Taoist again.
The Taoist said, I'm starving, go get me a chicken to eat. Without refusal, Rao got up, killed his own crowing rooster and cooked it for the Taoist.
Early the next morning, the Taoist told Rao that he was about to leave. Then he wrote a poem to Rao.
Rao Jun, Rao Jun, listen to me. There is no cold or heat in the immortal land that is nearby. I'll tell you all about it and you shall stop here. Don't fall in love with the superficial life and refuse to go.
Rao Jun bowed to thank the Taoist.
As he looked up, the Taoist had risen up in the air and miraculously flown across the river in the blink of an eye.
The Taoist sat still atop the gazing at the immortal cliff, smiling down at Rao.
At this moment, Rao suddenly realized that the Taoist was an immortal. He shouted, Master, why don't you take me? But the Taoist just continued to smile at him without a word.
In order to chase the Taoist, Rao no longer cared that he was the poor swimmer and jumped into the roaring waves of the river, intending to swim across the river and climb up to the cliff.
By this time, Rao's neighbors had been awakened. They were all astounded by the miracle of the Taoist and Rao's brave plunge into the river.
Some good swimmers jumped into the river to rescue Rao. However, the river's torrent was too strong and fast. It soon engulfed Rao Jun.
Just as Rao was about to be drowned in the river, the Taoist suddenly leaped off from the cliff, flew down to grab Rao by his hair and raised him up.
Then both of them ascended on clouds to the cliff top and gradually disappeared. Later, it was said that Rao's family saw him return to bid them farewell.
He told them that the Taoist was actually Lu Dongbin, one of the famous eight immortals, and Rao himself had been saved by the Taoist and transferred to an immortal land, so no need to worry about him.
Rao truly proved himself worthy of being saved by an immortal. Without knowing the true identity of the Taoist, Rao sincerely took good care of the old man.
Didn't make the slightest complaints, nor did he ask for any benefits in return. After realizing the Taoist was an immortal, Rao was willing to risk his life to follow him.
Rao's spirit is truly admirable.