"At the time I wrote this letter, it was just the beginning of autumn. The autumn wind outside was quite chilly, and I couldn't help but wonder if you've added more layers to your clothing. But then I thought, you're an immortal, and immortals seem to be unbothered by the cold, so there's really no need for you to add anything.
"However, when winter comes, do make sure to wear an extra layer; it's not a bother. Otherwise, I worry you might catch a cold.
"I actually have a lot to say to you, but as I sit here with my pen, I find myself unsure of where to begin. I really am quite the indecisive person.
"Are you eating well? Are you resting properly? I know that sometimes you get so absorbed in studying mechanisms that you forget to eat and sleep. It's fine every now and then, but if it goes on for too long, it can't be good. Even if you're an immortal, you still need to take care of your body.
"What are you doing right now? I wonder if by the time you read this, it will be winter or maybe even spring of the following year?
"To be honest, I don't think I'll make it through this winter. Please don't be sad for me; it's actually quite normal. I'm just a mortal, after all, and mortals have a lifespan. I've lived nearly two hundred years; it's time for me to go.
Upon reading this, Liu Yun paused.
She felt a complicated and strange mix of emotions within her.
Her heart felt empty, as if a piece was missing.
After a long silence, Liu Yun settled on how she felt in that moment.
Frustration.
It seemed that everything in the world had a way of making one feel annoyed.
Whether it was the chirping of birds on the treetops or the gentle breeze brushing past her ears.
"Do you remember when we first met? You saved me from freezing, brought me back to Guili Assembly, warmed me up, and fed me. Without you, there would be no life for General Yu Xie.
"I bet you don't remember. Who would remember such trivial things?
"If I were to ask you face to face, I guess you'd say you don't recall. Am I right? You can be a bit proud at times; honestly, there's nothing wrong with being a little more straightforward. But that pride is also part of your charm, so it's fine if you want to keep it up—heh.
{You're the one who's proud.}
"Please don't think I'm being long-winded; you must eat well and rest properly. Even if you're an immortal, your body isn't made of steel, right?"
{ I understand. I will eat well.}
"By the way, Gan Yu seems to really enjoy the winter bamboo shoots I cook. I've written down the recipe and attached it to the back of this letter, so you can try cooking it for her when you have time."
{ Gan Yu has mentioned it. I will cook it for her. }
"As I write this, a withered yellow maple leaf suddenly floats in through the window. I realize that if I were to write down everything I want to say, it might take dozens of sheets of paper, so I should probably not write so much. After all, many of these things I've already said in our daily interactions."
"Also, I've written letters to everyone and tucked them under the floorboards in the northeast corner of my room. I'll need your help to pass them on when the time comes."
"Furthermore, I've prepared a small gift for you, which is the item inside that rectangular box. Don't make a big deal about it, as I haven't prepared gifts for everyone."
"One more thing: you once said you wanted to see me use 'Cloud Cutter' to cut through the clouds, turning it into a true 'Cloud Cutter.' At the time, I said I didn't want to do that because your name has 'cloud ( Yun ) ' in it.
"You even said I was stubborn. But I'm not really stubborn; I just really love clouds. I truly do. So I didn't want to cut through them; instead, I wanted to hold onto them.
"Therefore, I want to try using the 'Cloud Cutter' you forged for me to preserve the clouds. That's the last thing I want to do in my life. Who knows, maybe if you look up right now, you'll see the clouds I've preserved.
Liu Yun looked up at the sky, watching the clouds roll by, but there was nothing there.
"Of course, the timing probably isn't that perfect."
"Thank you for saving me, thank you for bringing me back to Guili Assembly. I'm leaving now, but you must live well. Guili Assembly needs you."
"Liu Yun, goodbye."
The letter should have ended here, but there was one more line that seemed to be written at a different time, looking newer than the rest.
"I found a piece of green jade that I thought would suit you, so I'm sending it to you along with this letter."
Just then, a sudden gust of wind howled through the sky.
Bright white flashes of blade-like light streaked across, sharp and buzzing like thunder.
Liu Yun looked up again.
The clouds that had been drifting in the wind suddenly came to a standstill, as if held in place by some unseen force.
Liu Yun suddenly realized.
She wanted to soar into the sky, to pull back that person who had left without a word, but she felt an immense distance between her and him.
It was too late; she couldn't catch up.
Tears finally escaped her eyes, splattering onto the letter.
The wind in the sky calmed, and the clouds were no longer held in place.
Liu Yun knew she would never see Yu Xie again.
It was truly heartbreaking, wasn't it?
Many things they had promised to do together would never come to pass, and many words left unsaid would remain locked away in her heart.
The mechanism crane made for him would never be given.
After a long while, Liu Yun picked up the piece of green jade, examining it for a moment before putting it down and then taking the rectangular box, opening it.
Inside was a pair of red-framed glasses.
…
Spring arrived.
The night before the first day of spring, it snowed again in Guili Assembly.
This morning, the snow had just stopped.
The warm sun shone down after the storm, and the snow melted silently.
Morax stood by the window in the Guili Pavilion, gazing at the white snow outside, his eyes seemingly filled with thoughts of old friends.
Liu Yun was at the former General's residence, feeding the fish in the pond, while the goldfish plants swayed gently in the breeze.
Ge Chen listened to the melody from a music box and took out a letter she had yet to open, slowly unsealing it.
Gui Zhong completed the making of the Dust Cleansing Bell, ringing it gently. The sound was clear and melodious, like a heavenly tune.
Bonanus carefully tended to the clear hearts she had planted in her small flower patch in her backyard.
Indarias seemed unable to quit drinking, but she still hadn't gotten drunk.
Gan Yu tried making a pot of winter bamboo shoots, accidentally smearing a bit of coal dust on her face, but the dish didn't turn out well. She still missed the taste of someone else's cooking.
Xiao looked into the distance, remembering the times he had fought side by side with a comrade on the battlefield, the memories vivid.
Bosacius built another snowman, realizing he could still only make the most ordinary of snowmen, but this time, no one was around to give him an ordinary compliment.
Menogias designed a new outfit but put it away in a box without letting anyone wear it.
…
"What a meddlesome guy. You tell us to live well, but what about yourself?"
End of Arc 1
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