Volume One: Hidden in the Azure Abyss Chapter Six

By the time the two of them returned to Lotus River, it was almost time for lunch.

Jinli leaned back in a bamboo chair as Gengyuan asked, “What would you like to eat?”

“Will you make anything I want?”

Gengyuan nodded.

Jinli made no pretenses. “I don’t eat ginger, garlic, scallions, or carrots—anything else is fine. Cook as you please.”

Gengyuan went into the kitchen. Yunxiang handed over a cup of hot tea, and before long, Jinli realized Gengyuan had woken her—she hadn’t even noticed she'd drifted off to sleep.

She gazed at Gengyuan’s handsome face, never tiring of the view. Lazily, she smiled and reached out to wrap her arms around his neck. Gengyuan stiffened at first, then looked at her. The Beauty Gu was beginning to take effect.

“I’m so sleepy. I don’t want to eat anymore.”

“I made all your favorites—come, get up.”

“I want to eat you.”

The words slipped out before she could stop them. Gengyuan was stunned. “If you want fish, wait until tonight. We didn’t buy any this morning.”

Jinli burst into laughter at his earnestness. “You’re adorable. I like that.”

Gengyuan looked at her, feeling as though every gesture, every word overlapped with the figure in his memories.

But the young man knew well that the person before him was not, and never could be, the one he remembered.

Nor would he ever seek a substitute to ease his longing.

Jinli rose and sat at the dining table. The feast before her was truly sumptuous—since neither Yunxiang nor herself could cook, their meals were usually simple and unremarkable. But these dishes awakened her appetite.

“You made all this? You’re really talented.”

A faint smile touched Gengyuan’s lips. Jiang Ji, sitting proudly beside Yunxiang, said, “Indeed. Our Young Lord is much sought after in the South Sea. Years ago, when he came ashore to study, all the sea’s fairies were abuzz.”

Jinli listened to Jiang Ji’s storytelling, watching as Gengyuan ladled soup for her, and smiled. “Really? With so many beautiful immortals in the four seas, not a single one caught your Young Lord’s eye?”

“Our Young Lord was too focused on his cultivation to notice them. I remember once, a fairy claiming to be the sister of the West Sea’s Water Lord came seeking him, hoping to catch a glimpse of his beauty. Young Lord simply threw her straight out of the No-Boat Palace! She didn’t even dare complain to the West Sea King.”

Jinli couldn’t help but laugh, the table echoing with cheerful banter. So, a peaceful and delightful luncheon ended in laughter.

Looking at the memorial in her hand, Jinli turned to Yunxiang, who was refilling her tea. “Yunxiang, take good care of the Young Lord. I’ll be going to the Ninth Heaven for a while.”

“Of course, don’t worry, Lady Jin.”

Jinli transformed into a wisp of blue smoke and ascended to the Ninth Heaven. Amidst drifting clouds, she had just stepped into Jinhua Palace when she saw Sang Li coming out, his face grave, with Yun An following behind, equally somber.

“What’s happened?” she asked.

Sang Li replied, “A disciple from the Immortal Mountain came to report that evil spirits have been appearing more frequently in the mortal realm. They suspect it’s the work of the demon clan.”

“The demon clan? Isn’t the current Demon Lord diligent and upright? How could this be?”

“No one knows. Today, the Heavenly Lord summoned the Demon Lord to discuss the matter—it’s just finished.”

“And?”

“The Demon Lord denied any involvement. Perhaps it’s the work of followers of the former Demon God. No one can say for sure.”

After finishing, Sang Li’s brow was etched with exhaustion, but he still managed a smile for Jinli. “Ali, I may be busy in the coming days and unable to keep you company. Please forgive me.”

“No need for apologies. You are a prince of the Celestial Tribe; it’s natural you bear heavy responsibilities.”

After seeing Sang Li off, Yun An stepped forward and bowed. “My lady, forgive us. His Highness will be leaving soon for Demon Valley with the God of War to quell the unrest. The wild beasts in the mortal realm must be subdued by the Crown Prince himself. The Heavenly Lord has high hopes for him—I hope you’ll understand.”

Jinli gazed at the figure disappearing among the clouds and smiled gently. “It’s nothing. Stay by His Highness’s side and take good care of him.”

“Yes, my lady. I’ll take my leave now.”

As she left Jinhua Palace, she happened to meet the Celestial Tribe’s eldest prince, Beiting.

The Heavenly Lord was still in his prime, but rumors abounded that the tribe had no crown prince, and the Lord intended to choose one between the two brothers.

Jinli had met Beiting twice before. Though he was easy-going and joked with the immortal maidens and soldiers, his methods were ruthless—he was a true smiling tiger.

She couldn’t imagine what kind of heart lay beneath that genial smile.

“So, it’s the Lady Jin. Come to chat with my younger brother?” Beiting asked.

Jinli matched his tone, smiling. “Lord Sang Li just left. Didn’t you see him, Prince Beiting?”

He laughed. “Look at me—not paying attention. I suppose I’ll have to wait until next time.”

Jinli bid him farewell, but he stopped her. “I hear you recently took in a merman—quite a handsome one, too.”

“Prince Beiting’s sources reach even into my Lotus River—I must thank you for your efforts.”

His eyes flashed with surprise, then softened into a smile. He bowed. “Farewell, Lady Jin.”

Jinli watched him leave. His thoughts ran deep, and considering his mother was the Celestial Empress, it was easy to imagine the slights Sang Li must endure in the Celestial Palace.

As she drifted among the clouds, she gazed into the distance at the Celestial Sanctuary.

Eighty thousand years ago, when she was but a minor immortal, she had already heard of the Sanctuary’s renown. The Emperor once enthroned there was the lord of all six realms.

But he vanished, and ever since the Emperor’s departure, the Sanctuary had remained sealed. The dragon’s aura that once shone from its heights had faded, now hidden and dim among the clouds.

Jinli slowly approached the Sanctuary’s heavenly gates, straightening her sleeves before stepping inside. Once, this sacred place radiated immortal light—now, withered leaves lay in piles, dust and cobwebs gathering in the corners, bearing witness to its decline.

She brushed her fingers gently over the bricks and tiles, lifted her gaze to the Eight Directions Hall, and when she pushed the door, the great jade dragon throne stood empty. Yet, for a fleeting moment, it was as if she could still see that familiar figure seated there.

Unconsciously, she left the Eight Directions Hall and found herself at the Palace of Heavenly Vaults.

The three gilded characters glimmered boldly above. She had long heard that this was the residence of the Empress—a mere mortal, and, rumor had it, a sinner of the six realms.

She’d heard countless versions of the Emperor and mortal Empress’s love story, but never tired of them. Wandering through the Sanctuary, she had just exited the Southern Heavenly Gate when she encountered the Lord of Fate.

He bowed deeply. “Greetings, Lady Jin.”

She smiled. “No need for formalities.”

Noticing the scroll of fate he carried, she asked, “Have you just come from the Hall of Fate?”

He smiled softly and nodded. “By order of the Heavenly Lord, I deliver the daily scrolls.”

Jinli nodded and bade him go. She was just about to leave when he stopped her, a cryptic smile lingering on his lips. “Did you just come from that place? Forgive my impertinence, but that is a forbidden ground for the Celestial Tribe. For your own sake, you should not go there again.”

Jinli didn’t take his warning to heart. With a simple acknowledgment, she turned into mist and vanished.

“This is for the best—for Lady Jin, for the Emperor, for the entire Celestial Tribe,” Fate murmured, before heading toward the Celestial Palace.

By the time Jinli returned to Pear Blossom Valley, the sun was setting and the night market was just beginning.

The crowds greeted her respectfully. Smiling, Jinli’s attention was caught by a flower spirit’s stall, where intricately crafted lanterns hung—lotus, pear blossom, fish, rabbit, fox, and more. She approached. The vendor saw her and grinned. “Good evening, Lady Jin. Would you like a wishing lantern?”

“A wishing lantern? Isn’t that a mortal custom?”

“It is. I learned it while traveling in the mortal realm. They say it brings blessings.”

Jinli’s eyes settled on a lantern shaped like a koi, its tail gleaming with vibrant colors. “In the end, mortals pray to immortals for luck, but this is novel—I’ll take one.”

The vendor gladly handed it to her, and Jinli continued on her way.

Carrying the lantern, she smiled, imagining the little merman’s delight upon seeing it. The thought quickened her steps.

But as soon as she reached Lotus River, Yunxiang came running, flustered and tearful. “My lady, something’s wrong—terribly wrong!”

“What is it?”

Yunxiang was sobbing so hard she could barely breathe. “The Young Lord is missing!”

Jinli’s heart dropped, and the lantern slipped from her hand. “What happened?!”

“After you left, the Young Lord was worried and went out to look for you. He hasn’t come back. I asked around Pear Blossom Valley—they said they saw him taken away by a group of Celestial Tribe members.”

“The Celestial Tribe?!”

Yunxiang nodded. Jinli pondered why they would take Gengyuan. She hadn’t offended any of them, except perhaps Sang Li’s cousin.

She asked, “Where’s Jiang Ji?”

“He returned to the South Sea today.”

Jinli realized with a sinking feeling that without Jiang Ji at his side, if it really was that lovesick cousin again, things could turn out just like three hundred years ago.

That cousin’s obsession with Sang Li bordered on madness. Once, at a banquet in the West Sea, Sang Li had rescued a little flower spirit, and the cousin, out of petty jealousy, took the flower spirit away and tormented her.

By the time Jinli arrived, the little flower spirit was barely clinging to life and still remains in the mortal realm, enduring trials.

Yet, despite her cousin’s misdeeds, the Heavenly Lord always looked the other way. After all, that fool was a descendant of the Bai Ze, and after the ancient war between gods and demons, only her cousin’s line survived.

Unable to touch Jinli, the cousin instead targeted those around her, just to spite her.

Murderous resolve burning in her chest, Jinli stormed up to the Ninth Heaven and stopped at the gates of Sang Li’s Jinhua Palace. The guards saluted, but she did not move, her voice cold and sharp. “Where is Princess Wanjing?”

The guards exchanged wary glances. “The princess...”

“You know the consequences of lying to me.”

“Jinli! There’s no need to flaunt your strength at my cousin’s door!” came a shrill, haughty voice.

Jinli lifted her gaze slowly. Princess Wanjing stood resplendent in ornate clothes, chin held high in arrogance, but Jinli’s imposing presence made her falter.

Jinli spoke. “Is my merman with you?”

“...What are you talking about? What merman? Yours? You really are shameless, fickle and wanton as ever.”

A resounding slap echoed through the air, and a bright red handprint bloomed on Wanjing’s cheek. She stood there, stunned.

Jinli repeated, her tone steely, “Is my merman with you?”

Wanjing, furious and indignant, cried, “How dare you strike me?”

Then she sneered, “You know full well my cousin is enamored with you, and with an engagement between you, yet you shamelessly seduce others and even share a bed with them. You have no sense of propriety.”

“If that is so, Princess, your grievances should be with me, not with the innocent.”

“Innocent? Anyone who makes my cousin worry is guilty. Such lowly creatures from the lower realms—how dare they dream of becoming immortals! If they cause him pain, they deserve punishment.”

Jinli did not move, but her eyes blazed with fury. “Listen carefully. If anything happens to him, I will spare no one—whatever injury he suffers, I will repay you tenfold.”

At this, Wanjing blanched with terror. Last time, Jinli had only spared her for Sang Li’s sake. Otherwise, she’d be long gone.

“You… you wouldn’t dare!”

“Try me. See if I dare or not.”

Jinli approached, step by step. Intimidated by her aura, Wanjing retreated. Suddenly, she lashed out, but her feeble magic was nothing to Jinli. With a wave of her sleeve, Wanjing was sent sprawling.

“Where is he?” Jinli demanded, towering over her, her expression dark.

Wanjing stubbornly kept silent. Jinli’s patience was wearing thin. “Speak. I am not known for my patience.”

As she spoke, blue-violet flames flickered to life at her slender fingertips.

“In… in the Demon-Refining Tower.”