“Father!”

Clenching his jaw, it was the Third Prince who spoke up rather loudly. Like his mother, Jun Jie had long, light hair that was as golden as the sun itself. His eyes reddened at the rims. “Are you proposing that the Ninth Flower Immortal here…”

Jun Jie was about to rise from his chair, only to have his silver sleeve snatched by the other brother. “Big Brother!”

From the corner of her eye, Mei Ying caught the young Su Yin’s lips frowning.

“No need to add oil to the fire, Brother.” said the Heavenly Crown Prince, dressed in his finest golden robe. Slowly, he retreated his hand away from the other’s sleeve. The handsome person nearly resembled a younger duplicate of his father. “Calm yourself.”

Then, the Heavenly Crown Prince turned to Jun Jie and coolly added, “Father hopes that the Ninth Flower Immortal will invent an elixir that retains his Immortality since time has eroded his cultivated core. Theoretically, that medicine should come from her inherited powers as a half-dragon and half-Flower Immortal.”

He glanced toward the Heavenly Emperor, who remained focused on the pale-faced Shen Nong and his daughters. “Is that right, Father?”

Mei Ying peeked at the other sister, Xi Feng. Her eyes had never strayed from the speaker.

“Yes, Wang Lei.” The other answered, nodding to his son’s question. “An indestructible vessel is needed to maintain my Immortality...and to ensure that my empire will go on for thousands upon thousands of years more.”

His golden eyes seemed to drill into the Medicine God’s head. “Does Shen Nong understand his role in this now? You will show your daughter how to create a basic magical elixir and oversee her project to fruition. Then, you will present the potion to me, your Heavenly Emperor.”

Thunder growled from overhead. Standing alongside her father, Mei Ying peered into the high translucent ceiling that seemingly governed those below it. Up there, she saw that the once-blue skies churned into smoke. A white flash filled the dark heavens, followed by the roar of thunder once more.

Still, the Medicine God did not respond. He curled up his large hands into tight fists.

“Think of this as compensation!” Beaming, the Heavenly Empress said, “When the second dragon prince was named as heir and leader of the dragon people, who would have known that such an icy young man would fall for the former Ninth Flower Immortal? After they married, the ice dragon persuaded his wife to help him lead a revolution against His Highness and the royal family of the Heaven realm to take back the Dragon Kingdom. Everyone should know the tale, including you, Mei Yi--”

Suddenly, just as a formidable thunder tore throughout the throne room, many of the lofty pillars shook. The floor underneath everyone shuddered violently. From below, one could see through the sky-ceiling that lightning had ruptured the stormy clouds. It was as though the Heaven realm itself had a life of its own despite the inhabitants’ command.

Both the Heavenly Emperor and his beloved flinched; however, the two recomposed their cool demeanors.

“Mother.” Wang Lei uttered. The Crown Prince’s curt response was enough to further suppress the Heavenly Empress. All the while, his soft golden eyes rested upon the young woman in front of him, with the bottom half of her lovely face concealed by a red veil. “Mind yourself.”

Mei Ying glanced down at the floor’s mirror-like reflection of herself.

While the royal family had the choice to summon only the Medicine God and the Ninth Flower Immortal, they did not. For His Highness to order the entire family’s presence was definitely an ominous message.

“I made myself clear,” said the Heavenly Emperor. “Return to me in three day’s time, Shen Nong.”

“Yes, Your Highness.” The Medicine God did not meet Mei Ying’s gaze. Trembling, the father bowed his head toward the almighty ruler.

Not once did anyone ask Mei Ying about what she thought or whether she agreed to the arrangement. It was as though she was already not part of the living.

❁❁❁

There was only quietude in the large carriage, coated with spring leaves with vines of wheels, as the qilins pulled the vehicle across the raining heavens. The fish-scaled creatures chimed to one another, galloping through the air with their deer-like hooves. Yet again, white veins filled the surroundings like rhythmic warnings. The outpour of raindrops pattered against the flowing curtains, gold beads, and cold green jade windows.

Inside sat the Medicine God and Xi Feng, both of whom sat opposite of Mei Ying and the young Su Yin. The family of four could not speak to one another, each person reflecting on what had happened in the throne room.

“Mei Ying…” The Medicine God leaned forward and buried his aging face into his large hands. “This father is quite useless… I am sorry.”

Again, the roll of wrathful thunder was on its way, just outside of the carriage doors.

“Father, are you really going to have her create this outrageous elixir?!” Xi Feng asked, slamming a fist against the cushioned seat.

“Do not apologize if you do not intend to turn down his request.” Mei Ying laid her head against the back of the feather-stuffed carriage seat.

As the Flower Immortal closed her eyes, everyone else held their breaths. They all stopped stirring, watching her chest heave in and out.

In the same tired, monotonous voice, Mei Ying continued, “It is no wonder why all the celestial maidens in the fairytales...go down to the Mortal realm. If I was a mortal, would I really need to live everyday in fear of displeasing someone and even sacrificing my morals, my everything, to keep my head?”

It would be nice, living day by day in a small village like in the fairytales that Mei Ying had read about. There, she would grow fruits, vegetables, and medicinal herbs in the back courtyard. In the spring, the Flower Immortal would dig up roots and bamboo with the other mortals. In the fall, she would harvest chrysanthemums and sell them as medicinal tea. She would live as far away as she could from the clutches of a foolish king or pompous emperor. Who would care about the rich and poor...especially if the village is filled with people who are all the same? Just simple mortals living and working in peace and contentment.

That would have been a good life.

“I…” The Medicine God bit his lip, feeling completely helpless.

“Mei Ying!” Xi Feng snapped.

“Am I wrong?!” Opening her eyes, Mei Ying seethed hotly. She sat up, only for the other to grab the red lapels of her robe. “Eventually, when Father gives him that elixir, he will demand that I be handed over!”

“Please, let’s not fight!” Amongst the bubbling chaos, the frail Su Yin pleaded with her siblings. “L-Let’s just try to figure out what we should do…”

Unexpectedly--the two older sisters began to struggle against one another. Xi Feng was stubborn with her iron grasp on the other’s red collars. She was about to yank Mei Ying forward. In a blur, the younger’s right hand severed Xi Feng’s clutch, causing Xi Feng to let go and lurch back into her seat.

“Stop!” Su Yin screamed. “Stop it, you two!”

Once more, the two young women were at it again. One biological daughter. The other being an adoptee. One was a full-blooded Heaven Immortal. The other was only half.

“Xi Feng!” The father shouted. “Mei Ying!”

Again, the red and lavender sleeves crossed. A pair of wrists were locked in place as each person stared down the other. Then, at the same time, Mei Ying and Xi Feng seized hold of each others’ lapels. Their hands were shaking.

If swords were allowed in the Pearl Lotus Palace, the fight would have escalated out in the cold rain and beyond.

While rain and thunder raged on outside of the leaf carriage, Xi Feng, who was fuming before, grew quiet.

Upon closer inspection, Mei Ying realized how red the edges of Xi Feng’s eyes were. Had she and the sister not latch onto each other’s collars...the Flower Immortal would not have known.

“I get it.” croaked Xi Feng.

Oh, how large those clear teardrops were… One even streamed down from the corner of the woman’s fierce eyes. The older maiden’s red lips trembled whereas the younger continued to stare in awe.

“Like mountain water and blue flames...we’ve always fought from childhood up till now.” Xi Feng swallowed as another large tear slipped down her cheek, “I understand that you have always been angry at the Heaven realm for how your life as a Heaven Immortal turned out.”

The purple-robed woman kept clutching against the silk fabric in her iron grasp. Her face, though so stern before, softened almost instantly. “You are always causing trouble, running around, lashing out, and always talking about leaving the Heaven realm… But, Mei Ying, don’t you ever think about how much you mean to us? Don’t you think about what we can’t do...without you?”

A pair of tears sprung up in Xi Feng’s angry eyes. “You are the surviving daughter of Prince Xue Jun and Chun Hua. Yes, you are half-dragon and half-flower. However, you are also my sister! You are our sister!”

At this, even the young Su Yin began to sniffle.

The oldest sister went on, “You are also the daughter of Shen Nong the Medicine God! You are the leader of the Five Blessings! Bing Wen and Wei Sheng are now gods but they still want your guidance and reassurance! Chong Lin is cowardly but he always comes back for you! And I…”

Xi Feng could no longer hold herself back, sniffling as well. “I yell at you a lot because I care about you! I-I know that many Heaven Immortals and gods treat you badly! I just wanted them to see that you’re as good as them! B-But if you die, if you disappear, what am I...supposed to do without you?! I’m always scared, but, Mei Ying, you are the only one who inspires me to be brave and embrace myself for who I am!”

“You’re so quick to throw your life away for others just as you’re so quick to run away!” Between the crying and sniffles, the woman struggled to continue, “Yes, we’re all scared...that His Highness will make you disappear too, okay?! We know! But if you are struggling, just let us stand by your side! Surely, he will change his mind! Let us kneel with you! Let us weather through the storm together!”

❁❁❁

‘...Let us kneel with you! Let us weather through the storm together!’ As those last words echo through the maiden’s mind, her honey-tinted pupils contracted.

Gripping against Mei Ying’s white collars was a stern jade-white hand. As the wind blew against her black hair and forehead, the young woman looked up at the other whose hard eyes did not waver one bit. Those burning irises were too familiar.

While walking among Feng Cheng’s wandering dead, the huntress abruptly found herself being spun around on her feet. Soon, she came face-to-face with a stony-faced but beautiful woman, draped in all-lavender. The celestial maiden’s outer robe billowed against the frigid air current, and, as her bangs lifted from her golden eyes, the stranger stiffened at Mei Ying’s perplexed gaze.

“Young Miss!” The adolescent Netherworld Official darted in between the two women, tearing the stranger’s clutch away from Mei Ying’s white robe. “Stay back!”

Shao Qing raised his lean muscular arm to bar the huntress from taking another step. The black tattoo markings around his skin began to swarm, wrapping more ink around and around like snakes. He gritted his teeth.

“Who are you?!” asked the young Third Official. He narrowed his brows. “State your business with the Young Miss, the highly esteemed guest of our Highness!”

“You...are really...” Though she appeared initially angry, shock gradually took hold of the purple-robed woman. It was like a ghost had possessed her. Yes, the auras matched. The soul was intact. “Mei Ying!”

So, the huntress was a shadow of someone whom she had known long, long ago… During the martial arts tournament, the stranger had thought that it was a cruel joke that fate had played on her. But seeing the maiden’s true form with her own eyes… That person was right! Even the faces were the same!

But, why, even in this lifetime...!

“Such a pretty lady should not go around, starting trouble with others.” intruded another voice.

“Yong Nian.” Mei Ying watched the other Netherworld Official nonchalantly stand beside her. He tucked the red scarf in, further securing it around his neck. “What are you doing here?”

“Oh, I was just happened to be closeby--”

“He skipped work again.” stated Shao Qing.

“Aiyo! Let me finish, will you?!”

In a flash, metal winked, followed by the hurling hiss of wind.

Right away, Yong Nian leaned back while never losing his graceful footing. The shining edge nearly nicked his nose and only snipped off a few hairs from his high ponytail. With a backflip, the young man skidded back against the dirt for more distance.

“Xia Qi...” Thanks to Shao Qing, Mei Ying had ducked the cut as the teenager had forced them both to fall flat on the ground. She had accidentally let the name slip out without thinking.

The huntress clamped her mouth shut. No, she is not Xia Qi... This woman and the senior huntress look alike...but…

Blood-chilling screams filled the air as crowds of ghosts, lower-ranked demons, and walking corpses hurried to flee the area. The purple-robed woman scoffed, dragging the blade against the pavement. Slowly, she walked across the huge bridge, not caring for the ghosts falling over one another to get away from what could be lethal.

From behind the stranger, Mei Ying could still hear, “Soup… Get your Soup of Forgetfulness, everyone…” Only the old woman remained on the bridge, carefully filling her wooden ladle with the cloudy, hot liquid from the giant clay pot. By and by, the silver-haired elder poured the soup into a small bowl and set it aside on a nearby table. “Soup… Get your Soup of Forgetfulness…”

“Little Sister, did you forget who I am?” The gorgeous woman’s soft face twisted as she sneered.

Mei Ying could not help, watching the other’s lavender sleeves flap against the wind.

'I’m always scared...' As tears rolled down her chin, the older sister cried out, '...but, Mei Ying, you are the only one who inspires me to be brave and embrace myself for who I am!'

Remembering the hazy vision, the huntress rose to her feet. With Shao Qing behind her, she replied, “You are Xi Feng.”

When the name rolled off her tongue, the other’s expression darkened more.

Instead of love and warmth, there was hatred...and maybe some insanity in the mix.

Ah, why is there guilt inside Mei Ying's heart? The soul of who used to be a Heaven Immortal...was filled with such immense regrets.

“Mei Ying, unlike nearly eight hundred years ago, the Bridge of Forgetfulness has become the only neutral ground that allowed both Heaven realm inhabitants and Netherworld beings to stand on.” Xi Feng clenched her teeth, pointing the sword at the other. “That person whom you helped--really bit the hand that fed him!”

Xi Feng... The huntress pursed her red lips together. How did we become this way? What happened?

Mei Ying then pointed to herself and managed a smile. “Someone whom I helped…? The elder behind you is Old Meng Pao, the one who makes everyone drink the Soup of Forgetfulness before they reincarnate. How am I supposed to remember every person’s name and face from the past six lifetimes?”

Xi Feng gnashed her teeth and took a step forward.

Mei Ying reached for the snow-white scabbard at her hip and grabbed the hilt, awakening Fa Guang from its slumber. There was a click of metal, trailed by a clear ring.

Then, out of nowhere, a purple spark crackled between the women. However, a golden flash swiftly canceled it out.

Staggering back, the huntress held the vibrating Fa Guang. Blood spurted out from between her red lips. She fell down to one knee. That was too close. Mei Ying closed her eyes, quickly feeling the bridge reel under her feet.

“YOUNG MISS!” The teenager dropped his glaive, which had been sliced in half by the strange woman. Averting his attention to the mortal, Shao Qing's knees shook. His eyes grew large.

Third Official had failed to block the enemy's hit. In turn, the mortal had used her divine weapon, one that was blessed by the Heaven realm, to deflect the enemy's blade before it could hurt him. He had never faced a Heaven Immortal before. Not in his one thousand years of servitude to the Netherworld.

And then, there are mortals. Their lives are fleeting like fireflies. Their flesh is soft as flowers. Their existence is too easy to disperse. Their light could even be snuffed out with a demon's breath.

“SHAO QING!” Though Yong Nian's shout alerted the the adolescent, the luminous purple spark was already closing upon Shao Qing's black outer robe. “MOVE OUT OF THE WAY!” The speed that it had traveled toward his chest was unbelievable.

Another blink of his eye, and, already, Shao Qing found himself rolling against the pavement and dirt. When he came to a stop, he was lying against the expansive bridge's end. His ears were screaming. Somehow, like a doll, he had flown over to the opposite side. Now, the demon was too far away from Mei Ying.

Where is...Yong Nian? The adolescent did not know what to do.

For a few seconds, the young Third Official could no longer hear Yong Nian, saved for Xi Feng's ghostly words: “Finally. I can bring you back home.”

Then, another voice, a low but furious tone, chimed in, “Xi Feng!”

“Wang Lei.” answered the other.

While the demon on his back, trying to keep his tired eyes opened, Shao Qing realized that he could no longer feel his right arm. His entire body felt as though it was on fire, burning so immensely until there only lingered numbness.

Carefully, Shao Qing raised his head to see who the golden figure was, standing over him with the white-robed maiden in his arms. All the teenager could make out was the long, shimmering golden robe that seemed so light, the slightest breeze rippled through the attire which created a majestic flair--fit for only royalty.

When the young Third Official peeked up toward the huntress, she seemed to have lost consciousness, as the gold-robed person carried her effortlessly. It was a young man, donned in shimmering golden. His back was turned to Shao Qing who could only look in a dazed state. Around the person's long ponytail was a golden tuinga hairpin, decorated by sea emeralds, star-shining diamonds, and blood rubies.

That...is not His Highness. Shao Qing thought, blinking. Why are two people...from the Heaven realm here?