As the rain dissipated and the clouds cleared, the dark night finally passed, and the first light of dawn crept quietly into the mortal world.
On the Great Bamboo Peak of the Azure Ethereal Conclave, tranquility still reigned. The disciples, though diligent, would not rise so early. Outside the Tranquil Hall, droplets of last night’s rain still clung to the eaves, dripping intermittently onto the ground below. The distant bamboo grove remained as green and verdant as ever, and from afar, a misty veil, like gossamer, gently swayed within the grove.
The door of the Tranquil Hall was open as usual, with a yellow drape unfurled beside the pillars, fluttering gently. The long lamp in front of the statues of the Three Pure Ones burned steadily in the morning light.
A cool, slightly chilly breeze blew from afar, brushing past the buildings and making a gentle circle around the Tranquil Hall before continuing on its way. In the wind, the clear, melodious chirping of birds could be heard, the only sound in the quiet morning.
This was a serene scene, an immortal realm, where countless mornings had passed untainted by the mundane world. But this particular morning was different, marked by an unusual and discordant presence.
A figure, soaked to the bone, knelt at the entrance of the Tranquil Hall, his head buried deep in his arms, touching the ground. The soil around him was dampened by the water that dripped from his body, and more droplets continued to seep and slide off his clothes.
Six feet away, on the stone steps of the Tranquil Hall, the lifeless body of Tian Yisu lay quietly. Though devoid of life, he appeared peaceful, with no sign of pain on his face, as if death was not a significant matter to him.
Tian Yisu’s hands were clasped over his chest, and his clothing had been neatly arranged. However, there were wet marks on his garments, though less than the figure kneeling on the steps. There were also mud stains, evidence of a hurried attempt to clean them, but they remained visible.
The cool morning breeze continued to blow, brushing over the Great Bamboo Peak and the eaves of the Tranquil Hall. Sensing the chill, Gui Li’s body shivered slightly. Though weak, he remained motionless, his head bowed deeply before the hall.
Everything here was familiar to him—the buildings, the stone steps, even the soil beneath his knees, and the faint, unmistakable scent of the earth. How many times had he dreamed of returning to this place, to these mountains? Yet now, as he returned, his heart felt as cold as ashes.
Behind Gui Li, a long stretch of empty ground led to the kitchen, once a beloved haven for Zhang Xiaofan. Ten years had passed, and the wooden door of the kitchen, though marked with a few more scars, seemed unchanged.
The door creaked open, and Xiao Hui, the monkey, bounded in, surveying the kitchen with familiarity. Everything inside, from the table and chairs to the stove and cookware, remained in their original places. Xiao Hui leaped onto the central table and turned to look to the right.
Sure enough, in the corner of the kitchen, a large pile of dry hay served as a bed for Da Huang, the yellow dog, who was sleeping soundly, occasionally emitting a soft snore. Xiao Hui scratched his head, glanced at the door, then back at Da Huang, hesitating.
At that moment, Da Huang, who had been sleeping with his ears drooping, suddenly perked up, his ears standing straight. He moved his head, opened his eyes, and saw the familiar figure on the table. Startled, Da Huang sprang to his feet, tail wagging, and barked excitedly. He bounded over, paws on the edge of the table, eyes full of joy, and began to lick Xiao Hui’s face.
Xiao Hui grinned, seemingly infected by Da Huang’s enthusiasm, and hugged Da Huang’s head, stroking his shiny fur. After a playful scuffle, Xiao Hui pointed outside, and Da Huang, not quite understanding, followed him out.
Outside, Da Huang saw the figure kneeling before the Tranquil Hall. Recognizing it, he barked excitedly and ran over, tail wagging. As he approached, he noticed the body of Tian Yisu lying on the steps. His excitement waned, and he sniffed around, nuzzling Tian Yisu’s face with a low whine.
Xiao Hui slipped off Da Huang’s back and went to Gui Li’s side, patting his head and looking around. Then he sat down, close to Gui Li.
Da Huang slowly walked over, climbed the steps, and examined Tian Yisu. He sniffed Tian Yisu’s body, then curled up beside him, still gazing at his face, as if hoping he would wake up.
The cool morning breeze, carrying the night’s chill, swept through. Gui Li shivered again but remained motionless, kneeling before the Tranquil Hall.
“Ah!”
A sharp cry broke the silence as Su Ru awoke from a dream, drenched in sweat. Her hair disheveled, her face pale, she sat up slowly, having fallen asleep on the table.
She opened the window, and the morning light flooded in, chasing away the shadows. After a moment, she smiled wryly, pulled a small round mirror toward her, and looked at her reflection. Despite her weary appearance, her beauty still radiated.
Looking at herself, she sighed, set the mirror down, and walked to the window, opening it wide. The morning light filled the room, and Su Ru stretched, feeling the cool breeze on her face.
She stepped outside, thinking of the disciples and their sleep. Deciding to let them rest, she walked towards the Tranquil Hall.
The winding corridor extended before her, with the rustling of the bamboo in the wind. She noticed the faded paint on the railing and remembered the last time they repainted the Tranquil Hall. The corridor had been with her through many years, and she decided to have it repainted when Tian Yisu returned.
She also remembered the two swords carved on the bamboo, a symbol of their new life together. She smiled, remembering how Tian Yisu had teased her about the carving, and how she had pretended to be angry, causing him to panic.
Her mood lifted, and she inhaled the sweet air of the morning. She thought of Da Huang and decided to check on him in the kitchen. Walking along, she reached the Tranquil Hall.
A distant bell tolled, signaling the dawn and awakening the new day. The deep, resonant sound echoed through the mountains.
Su Ru’s heart skipped a beat. Before her, figures knelt or lay, and Da Huang, usually a late riser, was already there, looking dejected.
Hearing a noise, Da Huang’s ears perked up, and he turned to see Su Ru standing in the shadows. Her heart raced, and she felt short of breath. The figure lying on the steps was all too familiar, etched in her soul.
Her legs heavy, she walked closer, lips trembling. Da Huang, seeing her, wagged his tail briefly, then lowered his head, watching his master.
Approaching, she recognized Tian Yisu’s face. It was as if he were simply sleeping. Su Ru stumbled, nearly falling, but steadied herself. She touched Tian Yisu’s body, her hand pausing at his chest, trembling more intensely. Tears streamed down her face, falling onto Tian Yisu’s.
Da Huang whined softly, nudging her leg. She looked at the figure kneeling before the hall, the gray-furred monkey beside him. She whispered, “Is that… Xiao Fan?”
Gui Li’s body trembled, and he murmured, “It’s… disciple… Teacher…”
Su Ru smiled sadly, “You don’t need to kneel. Stand up.”
He remained prostrate, whispering, “I deserve to die… I failed to protect the master…”
Su Ru lifted Tian Yisu’s upper body, cradling him. Her voice hollow and desolate, she said, “Stand up. You can’t tell me what happened if you stay there.”
Gui Li rose, his head hanging. He looked at Su Ru, still composed despite the sorrow. Her hair fluttered in the breeze as she pressed her cheek to Tian Yisu’s face.
“You’ve come home,” Su Ru said, her last words to him.
Suddenly, Gui Li felt a surge of blood, and his vision went black. The tension in his mind snapped, and he collapsed, unconscious.
In his fading consciousness, he felt a burning heat and a coldness within. Distant cries of alarm and weeping filled the air, and footsteps converged on the Tranquil Hall.
“Teacher… Teacher…”
His last thought, a silent scream, and then darkness enveloped him.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage