In an emergency Nian Yue was brought back to heaven. Her body soaked in blood, a condition no one expected. And heaven immediately broke into cold meetings. Judgments thrown here and there. Fortunately Nian Yue was kept away from the formalities and was brought for an immediate healing at cloud realm under the care of goddess of herbs and health, Goddess Qingyin.
The cloud realm, as in Jupiter—the second biggest paradise of the celestial system, was famous for its attractive visuals and the celestials that reside there. The gods and goddesses of fire, water, thunder, air and one bound with earth and herbs. Palaces and streets were always covered in cloudy fog. A true reflection of what heaven looks like when a mortal dreams about it. However, being a paradise which had an unstable core, the weather of the star was intense with no accuracy to when it would rain or when the thunder would start roaring but to a relief all this chaos was in the lower part of the star. The palaces, court and residence of the celestials were in the upper part of the star where these elements were in much more control. This drawback in fact adds to the star’s unique beauty.
In between the chaos of the lower part that could swallow even the loudest scream, the peace in the upper part of the star was unmistakable, contrasting its own natural behavior. After the charm star-venus celestials loved visiting the glorious cloud realm for spiritual peace. However, aside from this, there was one more speciality in the cloud realm distinct from its glory of attracting the celestials—the herbs, medicine and cure.
This star owned a gem named goddess Qingyin, the celestial excelling in health and care. Be it mortals or gods themselves, everyone needed care and healing and when they did, they were taken to the cloud realm for peaceful healing in the meantime. Mostly, celestials from the martial hall were a regular at the palace of the herb goddess but it was not uncommon for one goddess to be there once in a while. The Guang princess.
Nian Yue’s eyes fluttered open. Her eyelids were heavy with exhaustion. Her vision was blurry. She had just woken up from her unconsciousness. When she regained her senses, she didn't move, she only stared at the ceiling of the room with blank eyes until goddess Qingyin noticed that she was, in fact, awake.
“Princess Yue, you're awake. How are you feeling?” Goddess Qingyin asked with a light hearted smile and then a quick lean towards Nian Yue, “Uh-uh don't,” she pushed Nian Yue to lay back down when the princess tried to sit up. “Your spiritual energy is low. You have already spent way too many manas during your mission and then in healing. You need to take care of yourself.” she said with soft eyes and a patient tone of voice.
“...” Nian Yue understood it. She could feel the instability in her spiritual levels. Her source for spiritual mana gain was also limited due to her status which was seen as anything but divine between the mortals. The misconception led her to have a small amount of following. The prayers being done only when someone passes away, to grant them safe passage to next life, may the goddess be worshipped for that purpose only. She felt the exhaustion and weariness into her bones, to the point it took her a bit of time and stability to even speak out. “Was I injured?” she asked.
“Internal bleeding and a couple of broken bones. The mana spent on you is half amends from the golden hall, so you need not worry.” Qingyin replied.
“..Thank you” Nian Yue says solemnly.
“Things aside, you tell me,” Goddess Qingyin held out two of her fingers in front of Nain Yue with an innocent grin and asked, “How many fingers are these?”
“....” Nian Yue simply deadpanned the goddess. “With great lord’s grace I have not gone blind yet.”
Goddess Qingyin laughed and put her hand back down. “I'm aware. However a person with body shock sometimes does not react to any type of emotion at least not as quickly as you did. Truly, you have created a resistance to..” She did not think it's necessary to complete this sentence, so she let it hang in the air and moved to a more important topic. “Well, you will need at least a few hours to fully recover from the physical injuries. But I suggest you stay here for at least a day and focus on healing, both physical and mental.”
“No need. I'll be fine in a few hours as you said.” Nian Yue’s eyes fluttered close in a calm sweep of her eyelashes brushing against the upper part of her cheeks, resting the burning sensation of her eyes before they fluttered open once again. The silver orbs of hers were glistening. Something came in her mind and she turned her head towards goddess Qingyin and asked. “May I call someone?”
Goddess Qingyin blinked. “Certainly. This chamber is yours to use until you feel alright to walk out again.” She replied.
Nian Yue nodded. Her eyes fluttered close once again. The white Huadian charm—a graceful crescent moon symbol between her brows came to life with a golden glow, connecting her to the spiritual transmission arrangement.
“Lord An Xu.” Nian Yue called out.
Spiritual transmission arrangement was a form of formless communication between the divine beings or simply a more inclusive term, the supernatural beings. To connect with the desired person they must obtain their consent, consciously or non continuously. Once the permission was given, they were capable of connecting with the other through the spiritual transmission arrangement without needing to be in front of them. This specifically works between beings containing some kind of spiritual energy, cultivation or Qi, to enter through the frequency.
Apart from the shared spiritual energy, when the divine or tainted Qi flow one sided—a god or a ghost—both have different ways to connect with such entities, most namely; mortals. One must be of enough good deeds to be able to hear a god. If they do, they are blessed, chosen one or simply divine themselves. While ghosts, they trick one into traps, to come into contact with a curse, object or evil eyes and when the victim falls for them, they become bound to hear the evil until the evil takes possession of them. Simply, if a celestial reaches out, one is blessed. If a ghost does the same they are cursed; trapped.
“Goddess. I have the analysis ready. Would you like to see them?” a voice came from the other side of the transmission line.
“Lord An Xu, how reliable…” Nian Yue massaged her temple with her index and forefinger. She did not know whether this quick response was because the literary god was exceptionally free at the moment or simply felt pity for her. “I'm glad I have your help. Will you be able to bring them to the Palace of Lady of health.. personally? I'm here in her care.”
“Of course. I'll be on my way in a moment.” Lord An Xu replied and Nian Yue thanked him before they split away from the spiritual transmission line. In a moment meant after being released from all the formalities he must have to confirm during the formal meeting at royal court.
The royal court, namely the second biggest court after the golden hall, was owned by the star with sharp judgment rings, that was the Saturn. Judgment was in their blood, from birth to their birth chart, if not the most rude people in the whole celestial system. Let's not say it. Nian Yue could wait for the literary god to finish his business.
~~~
“Goddess Yue.” A firm voice called out. Nian Yue turned her head towards the source of voice. The literary god An Xu stood steady at the door, waiting for the goddess to notice. When she did the god took his steps forward and approached the goddess by the bed.
“Lord An Xu, please have a seat.” Nian Yue said.
Lord An Xu nodded and silently sat down. He had a few scrolls and a bundle of papers in his arms. “Goddess Yue, that–”
“No need. I know the Royal court is lively today.” Nian Yue replied with sarcasm.
Lord An Xu pursed his lips and dare not comment further. He decided to return to the main subject. “The summary of three deaths in Yincu village last night, along with an investigation surrounding the area after your return.” He handed Nian Yue a specific scroll while holding the remaining items firmly in his arms.
Nian Yue fell silent. She gripped the scroll tightly in her hands and dared not open it. She only stared at the white material. Hesitant and unsure. “These.. How did they die?” she asked slowly.
“Self homicide. They jumped off the cliff with their own choice it seems,” Lord An Xu replied.
“Why?” Nian Yue asked blankly.
“Madess, regret and uncontainable grief.” Lord An Xu replied back and then fell silent as Nian Yue did.
“....”
This is your fault!!
Murderer!
Murderer!!
“Stay Away!” The old lady from the village snapped.
Nian Yue’s breath hitched. She hunched forward, one of her hands flew to support her throbbing forehead. Seeing her state, the literary god tensed.
“Goddess, should I call—”
Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.
Before Lord An Xu could finish, Nian Yue cut off his words with a, “No need.. I'm okay.”
“How will you handle complex cases if hearing about three people doing a self sacrifice puts you in such a state.” Goddess Mei Wu walked in, unannounced. Her pace was steady and careless, seeming rather bored with half lidded eyes.
Nian Yue could feel her headache worsening. And she cried internally; Are you always following me like a bad omen??
“It's not like you had anything to do with what these three people did. Or.. did you?” Mei Wu said, emphasizing the last few words. A moment of silence settled in the room before Mei Wu let out a melodious laugh, waving a dismissive hand. “Don't worry, don't worry! I believe you more than anyone, I do! You little thing has nothing to do with this disaster, I know.” She finally gazed at Nian Yue, eyes crinkling at the corners. “But the whole celestial system thinks otherwise.”
“Goddess Mei Wu.” Lord An Xu greeted or rather interrupted with a polite bow. “You here? Weren't you in the meeting at Royal Court?”
Mei Wu sighed heavily and took a seat beside Lord An Xu, even when nobody asked her to. “The meeting was never ending. They were repeating the same topic again and again. What a waste of time.”
“What did you mean by thinking otherwise?” Nian Yue asked, out of the ordinary, for her to be interrupting someone between their conversation. She was desperate.
Mei Wu tilted her head and leaned back. “It means the Royal court thinks the three deaths were because of your negligence, or worse, because of you.” She let out a sigh, closing her eyes and crossing her leg over another. “What did you even expect? You were there, covered in mortal filthy blood. It's obvious they think like that.”
Nian Yue stayed silent and composed, opposite of what Mei Wu expected. Mei Wu took it as a challenge. “Don't believe me? Let me show you.”
Mei Wu had a beautiful golden ring in her middle finger. The gem in the middle of the ring was shiny, reflective like a glass or a droplet of fresh water. She gently circled the ring to face towards her palm as she stretched her hand out. The peony flower symbol between her brows whirled to life with golden glow—no less than a luxurious show of her spiritual capacities. In a few seconds, a reflection started forming over her palm. Small golden particles ran down, feature light, as the view of the Royal court appeared before their eyes upon the reflection over Mei Wu’s palm.
What Mei Wu used was called Spiritual transmission reflection. It was no different than spiritual transmission communication itself. The only difference there was, one could see any event visually using a reflective vessel. It could be mutual or one-sided depending on the carrier’s influence and spiritual abilities—the ability to perceive time and the event and have the permission to cast it on spiritual curtains.
For Spiritual transmission reflection there must be a vessel to carry out the dual connecting line. The vessel was often a mirror or a glassy surface. However it was not limited to those objects. If an object was capable of forming an image on its own, it was adequate enough to be used. Such as water bodies, polished metal or even jewelleries.
“Goddess, You are not supposed to expose the meetings like that to anyone, anywhere.” Lord An Xu suggested with a low, hesitating voice. He could only remind, the consequences were not in his hands.
“Come on. Nian Yue is free to join the meeting anytime. In fact she was supposed to be there. I'm not exposing anything.” Mei Wu dismissed with a flick of her wrist towards the literary god.
“....” said Lord An Xu.
“Pure negligence! Pure NEGLIGENCE! It was done before! It is being done again! I have suggested, Guang Princess was incapable of handling this matter! She.. she will make it worse!!” One of the celestials sitting across the large hall slammed the table in front of him and roared, “Why don't you trust me!!”
“Calm down, we trust you!” Another celestial besides the first one sighed and massaged his forehead. “The emperor is surprisingly gentle with an inexperienced goddess like her for no reason. She sure is from Guang lineage, but it does not give her power over everything. She will not do whatever she wants to do without a care of rules. That might work in her home, not here.”
“Right!? She is just a kid! What does she know about the sensitivity of this subject? This matter is not a play pretend,” said a third celestial present far but at the table, shaking his head disapprovingly.
Calling a century old goddess, a kid must be a language only celestials from the judgment star had known. But talking in a way, all of them were at least over five centuries or more, quite experienced themselves. Rather than calling her a kid they could say inexperienced. But again when the mouth runs, the brain is often shut down.
“Three deaths already, what's next? Why don't the emperor call back the Guang princess and let martial gods handle it?”
“He still won’t!?”
“Lord.. save this system.”
Unnecessary comments were thrown back and forth. Some were panicking. Some were angry. Others stayed silent, waiting for their turn to scream. As Mei Wu described before, most of the arguments were repeated. This was the meeting they wanted Nian Yue to join.
Mei Wu snickered and snapped her fingers shut and the reflection shattered. She innocently tilted her head and opened her arms. “Such hurtful comments. tsk tsk tsk. Do you want a hug sweetheart?”
“Get out.” Nian Yue snapped.
Mei Wu chuckled. Her lips curled to a satisfactory smile. She pulled back and crossed her arms over her chest. “Such an attitude.” She shook her head and dusted her robes. “The real world is hurtful. Hide behind an elder until you're ready to fly.” She got up from her seat and turned around to leave. “Well then. Take care.” And then she left.
Lord An Xu was still present but less than present. He seemed awkward in his place. Another minute would be an act of offence if he stayed and it seems like neither Nian Yue wanted him there dwelling on it. “Lord An Xu. My apology. I'll handle it myself afterwards.” Nian Yue said.
Lord An Xu only glanced once at the goddess before nodding affirmatively. “Of course.” He placed the remaining bundle of scrolls and papers on the table beside Nian Yue’s bed, shared a simple courtesy with the goddess and left.
Nian Yue’s eyes dropped. Her eyebrows frowned. She did not know what she was feeling. Looking outside the window she could see thickening mist and passing gentle clouds. She pulled her knees together, hugging them close to her chest and resting her chin over the mounds.
“Goddess Nian Yue. Do I have permission to enter?”
Another voice interrupted the perfect silence but this time Nian Yue wasn't repulsed by the voice. She swiftly turned her head towards the sound, almost excited and saw Han Junyao standing at the entrance of the room. Her shoulders relaxed and she exhaled a calming breath. “Biao-Ge..” There was a whine in her tone.
Han Junyao snickered. He approached Nian Yue and gave her head a gentle caress. He then sat down on one of the empty chairs beside Nian Yue's bed and started unpacking the little packages he had bought with himself. “Ge bring you Yuanxiao.” He happily presented the treat in front of Nian Yue. In a perfectly crafted wooden bowl, there were a couple of white chewy balls dipped in a thick white liquid. A sweet, chewy treat for the hard times.
“...” Nain Yue eyed those for a moment before glancing at her brother. “These without the festival?” she said.
“There's nothing your Ge can’t get.” Han Junyao praised himself and then laughed it off. “Heaven has everything. Besides, you don't need the festival to eat these.”
Nian Yue gratefully took them. Her cheeks were a little rosy. “Mn. Thank you.” Maneuvering the bowl in her hands, she took a small bite. Her eyes were full of warmth.
Han Junyao watched Nian Yue eat with equal happiness. His eyes softened. He huffed and busied himself into opening the other packages, even though he knew they won't be touched over what Nian Yue had currently. “You know Yue? Ge was in the Royal court just now.” he said.
“Oh?” Nian Yue sounded uninterested.
“They were talking rubbish. Anything. So many comments yet not a single one had anything to offer that would actually solve the problem.” Han Junyao said. “You know then what I said?” Nian Yue gazed at Han Junyao from the corner of her eyes, still nibbling at the chewy item. Taking the little gesture as a sign, Han Junyao continued, “I said, If they have so many problems with my little sister, why don't they descend and capture that ghost themselves. Suddenly their big mouths ceased to exist.”
“Ge, so brave.” Nain Yue praised insincerely and then they both laughed at the absurd talk they just had. Before Nian Yue suddenly fell silent. She had that gloomy expression once again and Han Junyao did not appreciate it.
He moved to sit beside Nian Yue and pulled her into a tender hug. In return Nian Yue did not reject it. “It's alright. It wasn't your fault. Don't listen to just anyone.”
“Do you also believe I shouldn't have gone there?” Nian Yue asked. Her voice was muffled by Han Junyao’s robe.
At that Han Junyao fell silent. And Nian Yue had her answer. She slowly tried to pull away but felt Junyao’s grip tightening around her. “Did not even hear my response and already decided for yourself? Never have I thought you shouldn't have.. yesterday.. that terrified me.”
“I'm fine..” Nian Yue reassured him.
“Of course. I know you're fine and that you will be fine. But you, not calling for help, sometimes scares me.” Han Junyao gently let go of Nian Yue. “If not me, you could call anyone from heaven. But do.”
Nian Yue’s eyes trailed off with half guilt and half repulsiveness. And It did not take Han Junyao any moment before he pinched one of Nian Yue’s cheeks. “Promise?”
“Yes I will-” Nian Yue said finally, only then did Han Junyao let her go.
“Better.” He let out a sigh of relief. As he pulled back, his eyes trailed off, unfocused as if listening to someone. He then nodded suddenly. “Yue, Ge might need to go now. Finish that and get some rest. Okay?” He said at last, ruffling Nian Yue’s hair. He hastily picked up his sword that he left on the other chair.
Nian Yue nodded, “Take care.” As she watched Han Junyao leave the room. So many people came and went at the expense of an hour. This was the utmost interaction she could handle in a day. She tried to lay back and relax but her eyes caught the sight of the untouched scrolls left behind by lord An Xu.
She did not wait. She immediately put the bowl down and switched it with the scrolls. She opened them one by one. Her eyes trailing, character to character, reading the contents of the report. Soon, her expressions dropped. She could not find what she was looking for. She made another round just to make sure. Nothing.
It only meant one thing, they did not find it. Or it was never there. The blood. The black liquid beside that tree, that trapped her in that horrible vision. It was never there to begin with.
____ ____ ____
Character Names
[青音 (Qīngyīn) — “Resonance of Vitality”]
Titles
[哥 (Gē) — Elder Brother]
Extra Information
[花钿 (Huā diàn) — “A makeup worn often on the forehead or between the brows by both male and females”]
[氣/气 (Qì) — “Circulating life force, properties of energy source, the inner soul”]
[元宵 (Yuánxiāo) — “Traditional Chinese sweet”]
To be continued:-
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