The Shell Pouch
1022 Words
"Neither."
Yize answered decisively.
The river god nodded subtly, pleased to meet an honest young man.
"Strange, is this pure gold dagger not yours?"
The river god tested him again.
"No, I dropped a bronze dagger."
Yize replied.
The river god presented three daggers: gold, silver, and bronze. "You are truly honest. To reward your honesty, I will give you all three daggers."
Yize, however, was not overly excited; after all, he was not in need of money.
"No need, you are the river god, right? I only want my bronze dagger."
Yize said.
The old man nodded, "Yes, I am the river god of the thirty rivers in this area. Why don't you want the reward? I am curious."
"It is not pretentiousness. I am fortunate to meet you, river god, and would like to exchange your reward for a question."
"What question?"
"I was prophesied to die on my eighteenth birthday. Do you know how to lift this curse, river god?"
The river god pondered for a moment and said, "Poor young man, but I am sorry, I do not know. I am merely a catfish spirit turned river god, not a true deity. Only a real god can lift such a curse."
"I see, thank you for your honesty."
Yize lowered his head in disappointment.
Finally meeting a fairy-tale river god, only to learn he was not a real deity.
"Don't be disheartened, young man. With your honesty, a true deity will surely guide you to a solution."
Saying this, the river god retrieved a cloth pouch from the water, embroidered with a shell. "Take this shell pouch; it might be of use to you."
The river god tossed the pouch to Yize, then sank back into the river and disappeared.
Yize examined the pouch; it was made of purple cotton with a white shell embroidery. Opening it, he was amazed to find another space inside, about the size of two suitcases.
The shell pouch was a spatial bag, a rare and valuable item that could store precious items like money and jewels, keeping them safe.
Although the bag was small, Yize, nearly six feet tall, couldn't fit inside.
"Thank you, river god!"
Yize shouted towards the river.
Such space-storage treasures were rare and priceless, even royal families couldn't buy them easily.
Hearing Yize's shout, Knight Raymond and servant Charlie came over.
Yize recounted the story of dropping his dagger into the river and meeting the river god.
"Your Highness, you are so lucky to meet a river god right after leaving the palace! Many people never see a river god in their lifetime. I haven't."
Charlie regretted tending the fire and missing it.
Raymond added, "Charlie is right. I've only encountered a river god and a mountain god once, despite years of battling alongside the king."
"They are not true gods?"
Yize asked curiously.
"Strictly speaking, they are spirits guarding the mountains and rivers, not true deities. Generally, a five-star knight can defeat them."
Raymond explained.
Charlie, envious, continued, "Your Highness, did you say you dropped the gold dagger when the river god asked?"
Yize smiled, "Charlie, you are quite the money-grubber. I told the truth, so the river god offered both gold and silver daggers, but I declined. He then gave me a spatial pouch."
"A spatial pouch? That is a valuable treasure."
Raymond was surprised.
"But it doesn't hold much."
Yize handed the pouch to Raymond.
After examining it, Raymond said, "It is still impressive. This pouch cannot be bought, even for a hundred gold daggers."
Charlie's eyes widened, "Worth a hundred gold daggers?! Your Highness, you are incredible! You secured our travel expenses for years just after leaving. Did you refuse the gold and silver daggers on purpose? Brilliant!"
Yize shot a glance at the talkative Charlie, who immediately fell silent, "Sorry, Your Highness, I spoke out of turn."
Yize, accustomed to Charlie's talkativeness and imagination, said nothing, knowing Charlie was loyal and diligent.
"Go prepare the roast for dinner before it gets dark."
"Yes, Your Highness!"
The small Charlie saluted awkwardly, making the usually stern Raymond laugh.
"Charlie has been with me since childhood, so he sometimes jokes around."
Yize smiled at Raymond.
"Mostly because you, Your Highness, are approachable and kind."
Raymond replied.
Soon, the aroma of royal ham filled the riverbank.
Knowing Yize's pickiness with food, Queen Juliet had Charlie bring plenty of royal-grade ham, fearing he wouldn't enjoy outside food.
"Your Highness, please enjoy."
Charlie sliced the roast and placed it on fine porcelain plates from the distant Tang Kingdom, with silver utensils, a bib, and a small table for Yize to dine elegantly. "Do you need pre-dinner wine, Your Highness?"
Yize, sitting cross-legged, said, "Charlie, we are no longer in the palace. You can dispense with such formalities."
Yize thought it was fine to be picky about food but unnecessary to adhere to cumbersome rituals.
"Yes, Your Highness."
Charlie sliced more meat for Raymond, "Sir Raymond, this is for you."
"Thank you. Accompanying Prince Yize means I shall dine well."
Raymond laughed, as royal-grade ham was limited, even high-ranking ministers received only half a ham annually.
"Tomorrow we head to the Duchy of Eaton. Charlie, once in the city, find out the local delicacies. I crave fresh ingredients; eating ham every day won't do."
Yize instructed.
"Yes, Your Highness."
Even if Yize hadn't ordered, Charlie planned to. Years of serving Yize had made him familiar with his habits.
The next day, the weather suddenly turned cold. After a night in the tent, Yize felt uncomfortable, having been pampered in the palace.
Charlie prepared Yize's washing items and draped him in a blue fur cloak, massaging his shoulders, "Your Highness, the weather has changed. You must have slept poorly."
Yize smiled and nodded, "Charlie, your massage skills improve daily. When you come of age, I will give you 100 gold coins to marry a lovely girl and settle down."
"Your Highness, I gladly accept 100 gold coins, but I won't marry. I wish to stay in the palace serving you for life."
Charlie replied, preferring palace service to the hardships outside.
- Writer
