The sun had already started dipping below the horizon as Lin Mao made his way home. He walked aimlessly with his hands tucked into his pockets.
"Why did I get away with no punishment?"
Was it beauty? The captivating grace of Chu Ha that made the principal forget his duties?
Was it greed? His own desire to avoid trouble?
Or was it… lust? The powerful force that makes men forget their duties, actions, and justice for a mere glance or smile?
He laughed bitterly. "What a world we live in..."
If beauty can bend authority so easily, what chance do truth and honor stand in this world?
As he turned a corner, the distant chime of a temple bell echoed softly in the air. The world seemed to grow quieter, and he lifted his gaze to the orange sky.
"I wonder," he whispered.
"What if one day the tables turn? What if I am the one on the receiving end, crushed under someone else's power… or beauty?"
He laughed out loud, shaking the thought of.
"Listen to me," he said, grinning at his words. "Thinking like I am some philosopher or a tragic hero in a story…"
Suddenly, a blinding flash of light fell on his face. His heart skipped a beat as he squinted his eyes, reflexively turning away.
What the hell?
*BEEP BEEP*
A loud noise followed, and goosebumps formed on his skin as he realized the source of the noise. It was a massive bus with a loud horn that was coming at him at full speed.
Panic gripped him as he looked around frantically, and he realized he was standing in the middle of the road.
When did I walk into traffic?
"Wh-what the fuc—!"
*BAMMM!*
The impact sent his body flying backwards.
Time seemed to stretch, each moment dragging on as his thoughts fragmented, and his vision faded into a blurry haze.
Is this it? Just like this?
Where is beau....
And then…
Darkness.
*****
"Ahhh... What happened?" Lin Mao shouted as he suddenly stirred awake.
A sharp ache developed in his skull, and he winced, clutching his head with both hands. Slowly, he pushed himself upright, the world around him spinning for a moment before settling into focus.
The soft rustling of grass beneath his hands immediately caught his attention. He looked around and saw the towering trees that were unlike anything he had seen before.
"Where... where am I? Is this... heaven?"
His voice trembled with uncertainty as he stared at the otherworldly landscape. Everything seemed too vivid, too surreal.
Just then, a smooth, graceful voice shattered his thoughts.
"Lin Mao, your presence is required by the Master of the Pavilion. You are to proceed with the utmost urgency."
Lin Mao flinched and turned his head around. His breath caught in his throat as he saw the speaker.
Standing before him was a man of breathtaking beauty. His features were so perfect that it seemed almost inhuman.
He wore a flowing snow-white robe, and it resembled both hanfu and kimono from Earth. His long, black hair cascaded like silk, swaying gently with the breeze.
For a moment, Lin Mao could only stare, completely captivated by the vision before him.
"Heaven," he whispered. "This really is heaven."
The man raised an eyebrow, but his expression remained serene and unbothered by Lin Mao's gawking.
Then Lin Mao suddenly straightened and smacked his own cheeks.
"No!" he said, shaking his head. "I ain't gay… Control yourself, Lin Mao! Control yourself!"
The handsome man's calm exterior cracked slightly as a flicker of confusion passed over his perfect features.
"What?"
Lin Mao coughed awkwardly, scratching the back of his head.
"I mean… I'm alive, right? This isn't heaven? This isn't a dream."
The man remained silent for a moment before tilting his head.
"Follow me."
Without another word, he turned and began walking. His steps were impossibly graceful, and his robes flowed behind him like a river of silk.
Lin Mao hesitated, then hurried after him.
"Hey, wait a second! Who's the Master of the Pavilion? Where am I? And why does everything smell like... heaven?"
The man offered no answers, only a small smile as he led him deeper into the strange forest.
As they walked, Lin Mao's eyes widened with each step. The trees were shimmering under the sunlight like a jade, and the sounds of birds chirping only added to the mystical nature of the forest.
After walking for some time, they finally emerged into an open space.
Lin Mao stopped dead in his tracks, his mouth hanging open.
"Whoa…"
Before him stood a building of immense grandeur. Its architecture was straight out of the historical Chinese novels that he had devoured late into the night.
It was towering high, with countless floors that seemed to touch the sky. It was adorned with rich designs and curved roofs with corners that curled upward like a dragon's tail.
Its crimson pillars made the pavilion seem even more grandeur. Lanterns hung from the corners, their soft glow illuminating the patterns and marks etched into the wood.
Above the entrance, a massive plaque was displayed in bold, golden characters:
Sky Moon Pavilion
Lin Mao's eyes sparkled with excitement.
"It's… it's exactly like the ones from those Xianxia novels!"
He grinned like a child, barely containing his enthusiasm.
"Is this for real? Look at those roofs! And those carvings! This place… this place is incredible!"
His gaze swept across the courtyard. Smaller pavilions, each unique in design, were scattered as far as he could see. They were connected by narrow stone paths.
Streams of clear water flowed between them, and wooden bridges arched gracefully over them.
"It's like a whole village."