It was autumn in the Mortal Realm, and the maple leaves painted the mountains red and gold, carrying on the breeze a coolness along with promises of change. That year, mortals eagerly awaited the Festival of Blessings for the God of Water, an event that, according to the elders, marked the beginning of a new era of harmony between the heavens and the seas.
The newly ascended God of Water, Liu Weishan, had already been given an official courtesy name: "Jinlan Shuiyi," meaning "Elegance of Brocaded Waves." This title, bestowed by the Heavenly Emperor himself, symbolized not only his sovereignty over the waters but also his harmonious connection with the delicacy and strength that the seas represented.
In the Heavenly Palace, the Emperor, with his powerful yet serene voice, issued a decree:
"Inform the mortals of the new Guardian of the Eternal Waters, Liu Weishan. Let them celebrate his ascension, and let him bestow his blessings. The calm seas shall be his gift to those who honor the heavens."
This proclamation brought relief to the villages that had suffered for years from maritime disasters. When the former God of Water lost his divinity and mysteriously disappeared, the balance was disrupted. Storms swept the coasts, furious waves destroyed ships and ports, and the sea became a constant threat.
On the eve of the festival, countless fishermen and families gathered before the altars, offering gifts such as fresh fish, exotic fruits, and bowls of water drawn from the purest springs. It was said that at dawn, their nets would be full, and the seas calm for about three years, thanks to the blessings of the new God of Water. Meanwhile, Liu Weishan remained in his residence at the Plum Blossom Palace. Beside him was Mei Xuanling, holding an ancient scroll containing some of the techniques of the former God of Water.
Liu Weishan unrolled the scroll with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension. As his eyes skimmed the content, a weight grew in his chest. He had been there for months, studying the laws of the Dao and training arduously. Some techniques he had mastered, others he had refined, and some, through his natural brilliance, he had transformed into something entirely new. However, what he saw in the scroll was different. It contained the techniques, philosophies, and even some poems left behind by the former God of Water — complex and vast, like the ocean he was destined to govern. Doubts filled his mind: Could he truly master it all?
One poem caught his attention with its simplicity, yet it was dense and profound:
"Beneath the infinite sky, rivers flow to the sea, each drop carries the memory of a thousand eras. In the ocean's depths sleep secrets that seed the strong, and the wind whispers: balance is not force but softness."
Mei Xuanling simply smiled and left him alone, as she had done throughout these months.
Liu Weishan huffed, letting the scroll fall onto the gleaming wooden floor of the hall, whose columns rose like spears piercing the heavens. The delicate and precise calligraphy seemed to mock his patience. Philosophy, discipline, devotion — these were the words dominating his existence in the Celestial Realm. And yet, none of them resonated with his restless heart.
"How do they expect me to grasp what even the sages of the Mortal Realm cannot fully comprehend?" he muttered, crossing his arms and staring at the ceiling adorned with paintings of the ancient gods.
The young immortal knew his words would not escape the attentive ears of Mei Xuanling, whose presence seemed to envelop every corner of that palace like a mist. She was the guardian of his soul and the overseer of his steps, a figure of wisdom and grace whose patience rivaled only the serenity of an unblemished lake. Yet Liu Weishan felt trapped, like a caged phoenix unable to soar beyond the confines of his gilded prison.
He sighed deeply, realizing his thoughts had wandered beyond the celestial mountains that shielded the Immortal Realm. And, as if the universe were responding to his yearning for escape, a sound of laughter and murmurs reached his ears. It was distant, almost imperceptible, but certainly unusual — something that called him away from the rigidity of his existence.
Curious, Liu Weishan followed the sound, walking lightly through corridors that seemed endless. He knew the celestial guards protecting his small residence were always vigilant, but something within him urged him to press on. And so, he came upon the Hall of Eternal Reflections, a place long sealed off to most immortals.
Pushing open the massive doors, Liu Weishan was met with a scene of splendor: an immense crystal-clear pool reflecting the brilliance of the stars, surrounded by golden lotuses floating on its surface. At the center of the hall stood an unusual stone occupying a place of honor. Upon it rested a small fox, as serene as a mountain under a veil of snow. Its body was draped in monk's robes, simple yet impeccably clean, made of a fabric that seemed to weave the very light of the moon. The fox's long tail swayed gently, to a rhythm only it could perceive.
Its small lips curved into a slight smile, but it was impossible to discern whether it carried compassion, challenge, or some riddle that no one could ever solve. The fox did not move. It remained there, commanding the hall with its quiet presence, a diminutive figure wielding the authority of an emperor in humble garb. Those who knew it would always recognize its greeting: "Those who seek me come from afar; those who find me never forget."
"Ah, such a restless young soul!" said the fox, laughing with a voice both playful and brimming with wisdom. "You must be Liu Weishan, the ward of the austere Mei Xuanling. Tell me, boy, what brings you here?"
Liu Weishan hesitated, yet the presence of the old fox was curiously comforting.
That feeling of rebellion was growing inside him. "I'll show him." It was as if Yao Qing's slight provocation had ignited something within Liu, something he could no longer ignore. And if the fox thought he was just a boy, someone easy to deceive, he was about to prove him wrong.
Liu walked to the edge of the Starry Pool, feeling the gentle breeze caress his face and ruffle his hair in the wind. He lifted the hem of his usual blue-and-white robe slightly and touched the water with the tips of his fingers. Surprisingly, the water was warm, almost welcoming. But what truly held him back wasn't the temperature — it was the fear spreading through his body. Fear of being ridiculed, or perhaps even failing at something so simple. Yet, he couldn't yield to his apprehension. He couldn't let fear paralyze him, especially now that he had something to prove.
"Take a deep breath," he told himself. And then, with a soft exhale, he leapt into the air, his figure floating as if it were a feather, his movements graceful and fluid, a reflection of the waters he mastered. But before his feet could touch the pool's surface, the air around him shifted.
Liu Weishan felt a presence. The familiarity of it made him stop mid-air, suspended for a moment as though time had slowed. He glanced toward the pool's edge and saw Mei Xuanling standing there, one hand on her forehead, her gaze lost on the horizon. Her expression was one of disappointment, but not anger. It was the expression of a concerned mother — composed yet clearly disheartened.
"Liu Weishan…" she began, her voice soft but filled with an unbreakable calm. She shook her head, almost regretfully, as if she had foreseen what would happen. Seeing Mei Xuanling in her maternal stance made Liu hesitate, the adrenaline from his challenge dissipating in a sigh.
Mei Xuanling observed him with a look that blended mild reproach and sincere concern. She knew Liu Weishan was impulsive. His typically fearless and courageous attitude often led to small mischiefs that occasionally escalated into significant problems.
"Do you really think you should continue with this?" she asked, her voice deep and measured. "Is there nothing else on your mind besides this? If something goes wrong, I will be the one to deal with the consequences."
Liu Weishan sighed. He already knew this was a losing battle. When Mei Xuanling decided to intervene, there wasn't much he could do. He knew she cared for him, but he also recognized that his independence was something he would have to earn. Still, at that moment, her words felt like invisible chains, tethering him to a greater responsibility.
Even so, he couldn't entirely rid himself of his rebellious nature. The urge to challenge authority — even when the authority in question was a powerful goddess — remained in his heart. Yet, he also knew that, no matter how much he wanted to defy the current, he wasn't alone in this Celestial Realm. Mei Xuanling, as harsh as her words might be, was his guide. And he knew she had her reasons for worrying.
Maybe I shouldn't defy her like this, he thought, feeling a mix of guilt and contradiction. But that was how he saw himself — a boy born from a new beginning, yet haunted by the echoes of a past he couldn't fully understand.
He looked at Mei Xuanling, his gaze softer now but with a hint of defiance in his eyes. "I just wanted to break free from the monotony," he said, finally touching the ground again. "I'm no longer a mere mortal. I have to prove that to myself." His voice was calm yet resolute, as if the words carried newfound weight.
Mei Xuanling merely sighed, her gaze less severe than before. She could sense what he was trying to do. Young Liu Weishan was undoubtedly still discovering himself, still trying to understand who he was, even at the peak of his newfound power. But what she feared was that he might become so consumed by his personal challenges that he would lose himself — and that she could not allow.
"I know," she murmured. "But remember, you are Jinlan Shuiyi now… The path of power is not just a pursuit of strength. True strength lies in self-control and wisdom."
Liu Weishan, as proud of his youth and determination as he was, knew there was truth in her words. He was no longer a mere mortal, but the path he would choose to realize his true essence remained to be revealed.
With a wave of her hand, Mei Xuanling calmed the wind she had used to halt Liu's descent, her previously gentle expression turning more austere. She turned to Yao Qing, her eyes blazing like flames ready to consume everything in their path.
"Yao Qing," she said, her voice cold and unyielding as ice, "don't be foolish. If you toy with young master Jinlan Shuiyi like this again, you will face the consequences of your actions. And I am not one to turn a blind eye to your mistakes. Do it again, and you will be confined to this palace for another hundred years, forbidden from setting foot in the Mortal Realm or the Celestial Court. Do you understand?"
Yao Qing, usually impervious to pressure, swallowed hard and immediately prostrated himself, his forehead touching the ground in respect. The fox, who often radiated confidence and cunning, now seemed diminished before Mei Xuanling's commanding presence. An ancient and shrewd being like him was not accustomed to such humiliation.
"Forgive me, my lady," he said reverently, though there was a faint shadow of discomfort in his tone. "It was not my intention to trouble young Liu Weishan. I ask for your forgiveness and also for the young master's. I will not repeat such an act."
Mei Xuanling regarded him with an intensity that seemed to pierce his soul. Despite his ancient nature, she could see that Yao Qing lacked the understanding required to care for this young man. He saw him as a mere pawn of the celestial beings, but he didn't grasp the depth of the responsibilities involved. Mei Xuanling sighed, her gaze softening only slightly but remaining firm.
"You need to understand, Yao Qing," she said patiently, "this young man is not like the others. He is not a mere mortal you can manipulate for amusement. Liu Weishan has a crucial role to play, one far beyond what any of us can imagine. And as an ancient yao, you should be wiser. You cannot treat this boy with disregard." She paused, the silence between them growing heavier before she added: "You will play an important role in his life as well. A role you do not yet comprehend but will, in time."
Yao Qing rose slowly, still maintaining his respectful posture. What she said went beyond the simple mischief he had tried to stir. A crucial role? He frowned but dared not question her. He sensed that Mei Xuanling did not speak lightly. There was something more, something about Liu Weishan that he had yet to understand but would eventually learn to respect.
"I understand," Yao Qing said, his voice now softer. "I will not repeat my mistakes and will observe the young master more closely."
Mei Xuanling nodded, a serene glow returning to her eyes. "I hope you do, old trickster."
Liu Weishan, who had silently listened to the exchange between Mei Xuanling and Yao Qing, finally took a deep breath and stepped forward. He felt a tinge of anxiety but also a sense of relief. The tension between the two adults was beginning to dissipate, and with it, part of his own unease. He felt that, even in his immaturity, he wasn't entirely alone on this new path before him.
"I… will try to be more responsible," he said suddenly, with a slightly forced smile directed at Mei Xuanling. She looked at him and smiled softly, knowing that, while he was stubborn and impulsive, the truth behind his words was sincere.
Mei Xuanling didn't reply with words, only with a gesture. She approached him, placing her hand gently on his shoulder, her presence radiating calm like a lighthouse in the ocean.
"Responsibility comes with time, Liu Weishan. Don't worry. You'll learn with each step."
To be continued…