The majestic and beautiful building made of snow-white jade was surrounded by several rows of walls made of multi-colored jasper. Formidable towers rose above the walls. A wonderful ear of rice grew near the palace. It was twelve meters high and five girths thick. There was a garden around the ear of corn. To the west of him grew trees with jade leaves and pearl fruits. Wonderful Luan birds nested in the lush crowns of these trees. Their combs were similar to those of a rooster, and their feathers were all the colors of the rainbow. Their singing resembled the gentle sounds of bells. The Jade Emperor liked these birds so much that he placed their image on his chariot and
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To the east of the ear of corn stood the only langan tree in the world, on which jade fruits of the greatest value grew. They were similar in shape and color to pearls. This tree was guarded by the three-headed spirit Lizhu.
His heads were alternately awake, and his eyes emitted a bright light, so that on the darkest night Lizhu even saw a piece of fluff flying past.
To the south of the ear of corn, a lush crown spread out a tree, the leaves and branches of which were dark red in color. An eagle, a poisonous snake and a six-headed dragon lived on it. And on the roots lay the shapeless monster Shizhou - sighted flesh. (We will talk about it in more detail in the chapter “What did they eat on Kunlun.”)
On the north side there were turquoise, jasper, pearl and black jade trees. There was a tree of immortality right there. Anyone who ate its fruit lived forever. And from under the ground there came a spring called Liquan - Sweet Spring.
The jade sovereign Huang Di descended to his earthly palace along a heavenly staircase, surrounded by a retinue of gods and spirits. He was met by the governing spirit Luu. He had a human face, clawed paws and a tiger's body, and nine tails continuously beat on the ground. First of all, Luu handed the lord a yellow robe, and then reported that all the treasures were in place, the palace utensils were in order. Then Huang Di went into the garden. There he contemplated the wonderful fruits, listened to the singing of the Luan birds, sitting by a quietly murmuring stream.
When Huang Di was in a very good mood, he flew from Kunlun to the northeast to the mountain near the Acacia River. There were wonderful gardens there. They were so high that they seemed to float in the clouds. These gardens were guarded by the spirit of Yingzhao - a winged horse with a human face and a striped skin like a tiger. He flew over the gardens with a loud neigh, but when Huang Di appeared, he hid in the bushes. After all, nothing should have stopped the jade sovereign from reflecting on the fate of the universe. And when Huang Di’s mood became simply wonderful, he went to the secret palace on Mount Qingyao. This residence was invisible to people. She was guarded by the spirit Ulo with the face of a man and the body of a spotted leopard. Like all leopards, he walked softly and silently. His presence was revealed only by the melodic sounds of “jing-dong” from his gold and jade earrings. Huang Di sat near the wide window and admired the women, of whom there were always many in the groves at the foot of Mount Qingyao. In the groves there was a duck-like bird. Her body was covered with green feathers, and her tail was red. Women who managed to taste the meat of this bird gave birth to beautiful and strong sons. In addition, there grew grass with a multifaceted stem and yellow flowers, in place of which red berries appeared in the fall. Huang Di watched and admired how they immediately transformed. women, having tasted these berries: wrinkles smoothed out, cheeks blushed, teeth sparkled white, the smile became joyful, the waist became thin. These were berries that prolong youth.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru