The interior of the hut was vastly different from the depilated exterior. Everything from the floor to the walls was made of white marble. The beams and roof were top quality rosewood, so were the frames of the screen that divided the place into rooms. It looked like one of those rooms she had seen in the period dramas of her previous life.
The room she had entered looked like a study. There were rows upon rows of bookshelves filled with books. From the titles on the spine, there were medical books as well as books on military tactics and cultivation. She also saw some books on poisons and spirit beasts. She could only see about two shelves clearly while the rest of the shelves were covered by a white mist.
In the middle of the study was a table with an inkstone and brushes as well as a few scrolls on top of it. There was incense burning nearby. Opposite the desk was an open wall. Li Ling saw an open courtyard beyond it and on the other side was another room with an open wall facing towards her.
In the other room, she saw a man dressed in a pale blue, almost white outfit. He had long black hair and a white headband across his forehead. He had tea warming by him in a pale green crystal jade pot. With one arm on the armrest and another holding a crystal jade cup which he occasionally sipped from, he looked like a fantasy come true.
Li Ling was so entranced by his elegant actions that when grey eyes met hers, her heart skipped a beat. Her mind cleared just in time to see the man wave his hand. She felt herself being lifted by a gust of wind. She floated from the study she was in and was deposited in front of the man.
"Little lass, how did you come here?", the man asked.
His voice was like a serenade but, Li Ling could sense the icy undertone. His eyes staring into hers were also cold, though he appeared aloof. He sipped his tea leisurely.
"I fell asleep and then I was here.", she replied.
The man set his teacup down.
"What's your name?"
"Song Li Ling", she said.
"Your real name.", he said, stressing on 'real'.
He knew her soul was different. But, how?
"Don't burden that little brain. I have been in this mental space for almost a millennia. Though I've not been able to leave this place, I know what's happening in the outside world. I was here when Song Li Ling was born and the fact that she was never able to set foot here is proof that you're not her.", he said, his eyes warning her to not lie.
So, she told him the truth.
"My name is Luna. I found myself in this body after I died in my own world. In my previous life, I was an assassin and a master of poison."
He appeared unaffected but, Li Ling could see she had sparked some interest.
"What have you learned about this world?", he asked.
"This world seems to be an ancient version of my own. The relationships I had in my previous life are the same here, the only difference is the names. However, instead of technology, this world seems to have magic. I don't have any knowledge of geography or customs here."
Li Ling pursed her lips.
"If mister could enlighten me..."
The man's lip twitched.
"Then let me tell you more.", he started.
"This 'world' is the Yuzhou continent. It is divided into four kingdoms, three lands, four realms, and two temples. You are currently in the capital of Xianshan Kingdom called Xianhai. We are located in the Southeast of the continent. The current emperor is Xian Li Zheng who has thirteen children; eight sons and five daughters. The third prince Xian Li Wei is the crown prince. In this kingdom, there is a good balance between scholars, military personnel, and alchemists. Xianshan kingdom is divided into 10 provinces. Each known for their silks, weapons, beast tamers, and the like. We also have access to a significant portion of the beast forest that lies to the West.
A few hundred miles on the other side of the beast forest is the land of the barbarians; Mubei. The current king is Ehmet Kherratt. He has five children; four sons and a daughter, the sixth child is on its way. His first son Tsenyant Kherratt is the crown prince. The land is divided into seven according to clans, three of which are in the desert part of the kingdom. Ehmet Kherratt's land Shiramay is the current capital. The kingdom is well known for its strong beasts and slave warrior system.
On the Southwest of the continent is the Qizhou kingdom. Their emperor is Qi Jin Kun. He has three daughters. His first daughter Qi Ying is the crown princess. Their capital Jinhua is the center of trade. All the main ports that import and export materials from the Western kingdoms and islands are part of Qizhou. All the prominent families are merchants, traders, or deal in selling information.
Beyond Qizhou are the beast mountain range and Glory peak valley which are part of the Beast land, one of the three lands of the continent. They house the most ferocious beasts and cultivating ancestors as well as the Demon Lord.
In the North is the snow kingdom Nanchen. It is matriarchal and has an Empress called Nan Feng Yi. Out of her nine daughters, the fifth is her favorite; crown princess Nan Xue. They mainly deal with the leather and ice trade and are known for their immunity against toxins.
The land of elementals is part of the beast forest spread across the central area of the continent. -The four elements - air, water, earth, fire- occupy individual parts of the forested area. The demonic wasteland is actually a deep trench that runs on the Northwest of the continent. It is surrounded by rugged terrain and blizzards that last through every season.
The two temples are the temples of Light and Darkness. No one knows their location but, they exist to maintain the balance between Good and Evil. The three realms are the human realm; where we currently are, the spirit realm; home to the spirits of all beings, the Gods realm; home of the gods and the other realm; a place of the unknown."
Li Ling absorbed the new information provided by the man.
"Can mister tell me about this space we are in?", she asked, her curiosity piqued.
"This place is for the sole use of my disciple and heir. I will not provide information to an irrelevant person."
The man got up and went to stand by the open wall. While he looked aloof when lying down, standing he looked imposing. He was so tall, Li Ling barely reached his knees.
She knew he was trying to get her to accept her fate.
She kowtowed.
"Master, please teach this disciple."