Elder Rong showed no surprise, handing Yue Ling the bulging medicine sack. "Carry this and leave immediately through the side valley path. Get past the Nine Peaks Ridge across our border." Hesitating only a moment, Yue Ling realized opportunity knocked fatefully and bowed in teary thanks before fleeing recklessly into the unknown.
Hope bloomed wildly during her headlong rush. Banishment could not defeat true love. She raced towards her destiny with Wei Zheng, no doubts hindering her now.
The next ten days of Yue Ling's journey stretched her perseverance to its very limits. Unaccustomed to outdoor survival, she roamed the wilderness relying solely on scattered directions recalled from Elder Rong's tales to approximate a route to where Wei Zheng supposedly settled.
Bandits and demonic beasts alike prowled the forested slopes. Wearying fear of encountering them alone only amplified painful longing for Wei Zheng. But even bloodied feet and screaming muscles could not deter Yue Ling's dogged determination. Each step carried her closer to Wei Zheng. That sole thought sustained her when it felt her heart might collapse instead.
Late afternoon on the eleventh day, Yue Ling limped a final agonizing mile into a small remote village nestled at the base of towering cliffs. Hardly able to stand, she still instantly recognized the tall straight figure exiting a tavern across the way, outline seared into her soul.
All remaining strength poured into a stumbling run towards him. Crying his name hoarsely, uncontrolled tears blurred her vision. Strong arms catching her quaking body felt like finding heaven after timeless hells. Wei Zheng's shocked questions hardly registered through dizzying relief at finally, finally touching him again.
Gradually his worried voice permeated the fog enveloping her. "Little one, what happened? Why are you here alone?" Piecing together her gasping explanation, his sharp features twisted with self-recrimination. "This is all my fault, I should never have...please forgive me!" Cradling her dirt-streaked face desperately between rough palms, haunted shadows dulled his gaze. "You should not have sacrificed your future thus."
Clutching him equally tight, Yue Ling vehemently shook her head. "My path lies only with you. I'll cultivate here if needed!" Wei Zheng stared searchingly before capitulating with a groan, crushing her tight against him.
"Stubborn beloved," he murmured fervently into her hair. "I vow to never be separated from your side again." His strong hands gentled then, brushing lingering tears from her face until Yue Ling calmed. As moonlight etched the humble village scene though, an unshakable sense of rightness washed through them. No ornate sect hall could ever match this simple home they built together.
Tucking Yue Ling's exhausted form protectively close, Wei Zheng carried her into the tavern where curious villagers peeked to see thesource of the earlier dramatic reunion. Their kindnesswrapped comfortingly around Yue Ling however as she slumberedpeacefully at last to the steady cadence of her beloved's heartbeat. Myriads of tomorrows awaited them under the same stars.
A new life blossomed for Yue Ling over the following year. Humble compared to the Ancient Immortal Sect but profoundly joyful with Wei Zheng's steadfast companionship.
By day, Yue Ling gathered herbs while Wei Zheng hunted fierce beasts troubling nearby villages. They cultivated together at dawn and dusk. At night, Wei Zheng told wondrous stories of his journeys before exile. And in moments between, loving warmth cocooned them against lingering winter chill while village children clamored eagerly for her sweet rice balls.
When summer arrived, they journeyed to Great Forest City so Yue Ling could experience the annual Phoenix Festival. Dressed in shimmering silks, brilliant fireworks above paled next to the adoration in Wei Zheng's eyes as he twirled her delightedly through rainbow hued crowds.
Autumn's bountiful harvest saw them drinking rice wine long into the night while neighbors sang traditional working songs. Yue Ling surreptitiously tucked blooming love poems into Wei Zheng's sleeve when he wasn't looking, heart overflowing with quiet bliss.
As winter storms raged, their cozy cottage harbored its own heat and merriment. Chuckling at Yue Ling's dramatic reenactments of childhood mishaps, Wei Zheng playfully tossed her into deep snow piles before kissing frozen cheeks and nose affectionately. Each dawn afterwards felt crisper and brighter than the last.
Years passed serenely thus until nearly a decade elapsed since the fateful exile. Yue Ling could hardly recall sect politics or cultivation goals from that past life. Present joy eclipsed all else. Even when occasional illnesses hit nearby, her medicinal knowledge easily cured all while Wei Zheng stood steady as ever at her side.
When autumn chill crept in that tenth year however, an abnormal fatigue clung to Yue Ling no matter how much she rested. Stomach unsettled frequently as well and appetites vanished. At Wei Zheng's loving insistence, the village healer examined her while he anxiously paced outside.
Emerging finally, the wizened woman grinned knowingly. "No illness here, just a little one growing happily!"
Wei Zheng's stunned expression melted into wonderstruck laughter and tears. Sweeping Yue Ling exuberantly off her feet, he swore, "We will be the best parents ever!" Heart full to overflowing, Yue Ling vowed the same. This new chapter was fated perfection.
Joyful anticipation at the prospect of their child bloomed through the cold snowy months. Yue Ling diligently fortified her body and spirit with nourishing cultivation while Wei Zheng tended her every minor need with devoted care.
Spring breezes finally stirred new life everywhere into action. Tracing the pronounced curve of her belly lovingly, Yue Ling commented one golden afternoon, "If a daughter, I wish to name her Xia Hua. If a son, Ming Ye."
Face tender, Wei Zheng drew her close. "Wonderful names for the most blessed child ever." He pressed gentle kisses to her smiling lips as wispy clouds drifted idyllic above their future.
Summer winds scattered the delicate petals of Xia Hua blooming gloriously everywhere. Yue Ling chose the loveliest to tuck into envelopes for village children or float in bowls as auspicious blessings. Life's intrinsic cycles felt clearer and more beautiful with a tiny heartbeat dependent within her.
Wei Zheng's touches grew exponentially more reverent night after night until Yue Ling glowed ethereal in her changing body. "My goddess who chose this mortal path beside me," he whispered adoringly against her neck. Unhurried passion bound them ever closer through long heated hours towards crescendos sweeter than previous ecstasy.
Deeper autumn hues filled the forests when pangs SIGNALING the little one's impending arrival finally rippled through Yue Ling one chilly dawn. Wei Zheng immediately gathered thick blankets and ironed water amid her steady breaths, refusing to allow worry crease his face.
Many intense hours afterwards, shrill hearty cries greeted the parents' first tender gazes. The tiny scrunched features unmistakably resembled Wei Zheng's strong visage. Chuckling through joyful tears, Yue Ling declared "Ming Ye he is then!" Cradling them closer still, Wei Zheng silently swore to shield his new family beyond even his own life.
Outside, crisp air heralded winter's advent. But nested warm within love's glow, the small family basked untroubled in harmonious bliss.
Five springs bloomed brilliant verdant outside while little Ming Ye grew just as vibrantly within their loving cottage. His endless curiosity constantly overflowed with endless questions about everything under heaven. Childish laughter gurgled frequently around toothy grins. Chubby hands planted rice seedlings clumsily alongside Yue Ling and Wei Zheng in the fields.
Ming Ye's boundless energy left Yue Ling perpetually breathless keeping up though she wouldn't trade his bright smiles illuminating their days for anything. Even nighttime's sporadic kicking did not perturb her as Ming Ye snuggled between his exhausted but contented parents.
Wei Zheng taught Ming Ye rudimentary characters with animated stories and patient encouragement. He proudly mentioned once that Ming Ye's spiritual senses hinted at excellent qualifications. But dedicated cultivation was still far in the child's future. For now they simply enjoyed idyllic moments nourishing his body and mind equally.
Years trickled by unhurried. Under his parents' attentive nurturing, Ming Ye matured steadily compassionate like Yue Ling yet decisive like Wei Zheng, whose lingering sadness permanently lifted watching his son grow tall and strong.
Soon Ming Ye reached adulthood by mortal standards, his spiritual senses quickly catching up as well. When he confided hesitant ambitions to roam wider than their little village provided, Wei Zheng and Yue Ling gave their blessing freely despite wistful reluctance parting temporarily from their pride and joy.
They inaugurated Ming Ye's departure with a lavish banquet.