The magnificent ship sailed further and further across the painted ocean. The tiny golden island, however, seemed to get no closer. The Magistrate, growing impatient, stomped his foot on the deck. ‘Faster, boy, faster!’ he bellowed at Li, who was still standing by the painted sea. ‘Make this ship go faster! The gold awaits!’
Li smiled a knowing smile. This was exactly what he had planned. He picked up his silver-wood brush once more. With a few quick, swirling strokes, he painted the wind. He painted great gusts of it, invisible but powerful, pushing against the white sails of the Magistrate’s ship. The leaves of the enchanted trees whispered secrets to one another: ‘Wisk, wisk, wisk.’
Suddenly, the painted wind came to life! A strong, invisible breeze filled the sails of the Magistrate’s ship, making it surge forward through the waves. The ship picked up speed, rushing towards the distant horizon. The Magistrate, startled at first, soon clapped his hands with delight.