English 
正體中文 
The Legend of Xinghua Ferry was a novel composed of three side stories, each of which deeply moved me. Within its pages, emotions such as bitterness, sorrow, betrayal, and compassion were intricately woven. Although the book was not lengthy, I found myself fully immersed in it, unable to pull away long after reading.
The story Charm of the Old Mansion recounts the encounter of two children and how they eventually became disciples of a reclusive master. The narrative began with the death of the girl Rongqing’s father, setting off a series of dramatic events. Though Rongqing appeared cold and indifferent on the surface, she was, in truth, a resilient and deeply loyal individual. Her composure in the face of adversity left a lasting impression.
One particular scene struck me with great force: a group of government officers brazenly broke into her home during her father’s funeral to seize the family’s assets. They even tied up Rongqing and interrogated her about the whereabouts of the priceless "Jadeite Cabbage." Despite the threats, Rongqing chose death over betrayal and remained silent. After the officers left, a young boy quietly snuck in to rescue her. To my astonishment, Rongqing, without hesitation, led this boy—whom she had only just met, to the secret chamber where the treasure was hidden. The most touching moment was when the boy took only the sword manual belonging to his family and returned the coveted "Jadeite Cabbage" to Rongqing without a trace of greed. People like him were truly rare gems in the world.
In the end, the appearance of Elder Tianfeng brought an end to the turmoil, and for the first time in years, Rongqing smiled. She and the boy exchanged a long gaze before walking away side by side. To meet someone with no ulterior motives in a time of crisis—what a rare and precious blessing that was.
The Sword Disciple was my personal favorite among the three. It told the story of a legendary swordsmith who had lived an extraordinary life. Orphaned as a child, he was taken in by the leader of the Swordsmith Alliance and was once seen as the heir apparent. He could have inherited the leadership and lived in glory, but everything changed when he entrusted his finest sword to the swordsman Shi Qingyun. After witnessing his senior sister and master attempt to assassinate Qingyun, he could no longer remain indifferent. He made the bold decision to stand up for what was right, escaping with Qingyun’s wife and child.
In a small town far from home, he lived under a false identity and toiled in silence, doing the most menial jobs just to care for this unrelated mother and child. He gave up a promising future and an enviable position to uphold justice and loyalty. Such courage and resolve—how many in the real world would truly be capable of such sacrifice?
Zheng Feng’s characters often revealed the most tender yet resilient aspects of humanity through their struggles and choices. Even in a world of chaos and bloodshed, there were still those who held fast to their principles for the sake of belief and loyalty. After finishing the stories, I couldn’t help but ask myself: if I were in their place, would I have the courage to become that kind of person?
