Volume Two: The Transience of Kunlun Chapter Sixty-One

"Why hasn't this person woken up yet?"
"Hey, keep your voice down. Falling from the sky like that—could he already be dead?"
"Let me take a look."
"Oh my, he's still alive, he's still breathing."

When the rat spirit Xiao Ze opened his eyes, he saw the radiant face of a young girl, but he could do nothing, nor could he speak; it was as if, within the Kunlun Realm of Mortal Life, he was merely an observer. He began to regret ever having stolen the Kunlun Divine Mirror.

The noisy chatter roused Jinli. She slowly opened her eyes, and was met by four pairs of bright, watery eyes and green skin—it was frogs. Instantly, Jinli was so frightened that she retreated several steps, which in turn startled the two frog spirits.

"Don't... don't come any closer..."
The two frog spirits exchanged glances. Just then, the sky above them radiated golden light. Holy brilliance descended in front of Jinli, and a slender figure appeared, robed in celestial garments, blue sashes fluttering gently in the breeze. The two frog spirits, upon seeing him, fled in a panic.

He was cloaked in holy light, his appearance jade-like and golden, as if a deity had descended to earth. His presence was commanding, and the divine mark on his forehead made it impossible to meet his gaze.

"Are you alright?"
Jinli looked at him, her dark pupils deep and luminous—these were exceptionally beautiful eyes, with a hint of peach blossom to them.

"I'm... alright."
Upon hearing she was unharmed, his lips curved into a gentle smile, his eyes crinkling slightly. "That's good. Hurry home, this place is not safe—not somewhere a young girl should wander."

With those words, he vanished in a flash of golden light, leaving only a trace lingering at the edge of the clouds.

She had glimpsed a god.

Afterwards, she found herself in the heart of a forest, surveying her surroundings: tall trees, massive stones, green grass, wildflowers, and the distant song of birds—a tranquil, timeless peace.

Where was this place? Who was she?

Yet she felt no panic, no unease. Instead, she looked down at her clothes—a robe of red embroidered with gold, blood staining her hands. Was she injured?

She found a stick for support and, guided by instinct, began to walk step by step down the mountain.

Wild cranes soared overhead, the clouds seemingly within reach.

She paused beside a river, gazing at her reflection.

It was a strikingly beautiful face.

"I'm quite pretty," she said with a smile, her features suddenly more animated.

"Hey, where are you headed? Let me give you a lift."

She turned around, but saw no one—only the tall wild crane before her. She was surprised. "Are you... speaking to me?"

The crane called out, "Yes, wherever you're going, I'll take you."

So Jinli climbed onto the crane's back. Its feathers were smooth and soft, a pleasant sensation.

The crane spread its wings and took flight. Jinli quickly wrapped her arms around its neck.

"Off we go."

Girl and crane soared through seas of clouds, crossed lofty mountains, and skimmed clear rivers.

After a long journey, the crane set her down before a wooden cottage. She stroked its head, smiling. "Thank you. Farewell."

The crane nodded and flew away.

Jinli stood before the wide-open door, calling inside, "Is anyone there?"

No one answered. She called again, "Excuse me, is anyone here? May I come in?"

Silence.

She carefully stepped into the small courtyard, which was enclosed by a fence. All around, snow-white pear trees bloomed. She asked again, "Is anyone here?"

But looking at the empty interior, the dust and cobwebs on the tables, it was clear the residents had departed long ago.

Jinli tilted her head at the slanted plaque above the door, which read: Solitary Abode.

Solitary? Did it mean her?

Though she did not know where she was, who she herself was, or even if she had a name, the presence of flowers, trees, water, and fruit suggested it was safe, at least for now. She tugged at her cumbersome robe, opened the cabinet, and found a few pieces of clothing and two quilts left behind—someone must have left in haste.

She tidied up, took off her outer robe, washed the clothes and bedding, and hung them to dry in the bright weather. She cleaned her new home, sweeping away dust and cobwebs.

An hour later, the Solitary Abode looked brand new, as if returned to its former glory. She was quite satisfied. She gazed into her jade mirror, carefully wiping away the blood from her face. Thankfully, she was not injured—but whose blood was it?

Though questions crowded her mind, she looked at her reflection and spoke softly, "I don't know who you are, but... you are truly beautiful."

She nodded in satisfaction and began planning what she would need.

She clearly heard voices speaking.

"Ah, someone is living in the Solitary Abode again."
"Yes, and she's a mortal."
"But she's so lovely."
"Indeed."

She looked up to the two emerald birds perched in the pear trees and smiled. "Do you know where I can find books, or food, around here?"

"Books? What are books?"
"They are... things you look at."

The two birds chattered, debating. At that moment, a squirrel piped up, "Follow the river downstream. When you see peach blossoms and city walls, there, you may find what you seek. There are people who look just like you."

Before Jinli could thank them, the squirrel and birds vanished.

She looked up at the sky—it was still early—so she took her little bamboo basket and followed the river in search of the city.

Peach Blossom City.

True to its name, peach trees surrounded the city, as if it were hidden within a sea of blossoms. Jinli wore a simple white dress, her long hair half-tied with a plain ribbon, yet her beauty could not be concealed.

She drew the gaze of many passersby.

Though few people were around, there were stalls selling goods. She traded the ornaments and hairpins she wore for food, then departed.

Though these people looked just like her, everything still felt too sudden, too strange. She could not fit in.

She decided it was better to return.

She found herself missing her Solitary Abode.

By the time she returned, the sun was setting. She sat by the door, watching the distant sun sink beneath the horizon.

Another day had passed.

But that night brought a storm of thunder and lightning. The sky rumbled as if the heavens might be torn asunder. Jinli curled up alone under her quilt, trembling with fear, convinced the thunder might split her tiny home apart. She was terrified.

The thunder ceased only at dawn, but gentle rain continued outside. Jinli rose, dressed, opened the door, and saw the pear blossoms had been battered down.

White petals soaked in the mud.

As she turned to go back inside, she saw, at the curling edge of the clouds, shadowy figures—people locked in fierce combat. She thought perhaps she was imagining things.

But the light convinced her otherwise.

She hurried out to watch.

At the break of dawn, she saw a figure clad in dark armor, a blue sash at his waist, holding a dark sword. The ribbon on his hair crown fluttered, giving him an imposing air. He turned and waved his hand, golden light entwined with blue, and those black shadows stood no chance against him.

It was the same person who had appeared in the forest.

He was still strikingly heroic, emerging from the mist with a gentle glow, cloaked in clouds.

Jinli hid behind a tree, watching him, her eyes shining.

He must be a god.

When the shadows vanished, he departed as well. Jinli chased after him, but could never catch up.

She was certain in her heart—he was a god.

Day broke, the sky glowed with dawn, washed clean and blue.

She sat alone in a chair, lost in thought, her mind filled with his image.

Even the squirrel and emerald birds could not bear to watch. The squirrel, clutching a pine nut, climbed onto the nearby table and asked, "You've been staring at that pear tree all morning. What's so fascinating about it?"

Jinli shook her head, her eyes dreamy with longing. "You wouldn't understand. That man is like the purest pear blossom—like snow, like stars, like the most beautiful thing in this world."

"I don't get it," said the squirrel, "but to me, the most beautiful thing in the world is a pine nut."

The emerald bird chimed in, "The best thing in this world is having endless green caterpillars to eat."

"You two will never understand," Jinli said.

The squirrel shrugged. "Last night's battle really scared me."

"Luckily I wasn't here last night, or I would have been startled too," the emerald bird said, pecking at crumbs on the table.

Jinli asked curiously, "Battle? What battle?"

"Demons came to disturb the mortal realm, but luckily the celestial lord subdued them."

"Demons?"

The emerald bird chirped, "Those demons feed on mortals. You should be careful."

Jinli was startled. "Are you joking?"

"Joking? Never," the bird replied, then flew away. The squirrel, seeing the bird leave, waved its tail. "It's getting late, I'm off too."

"Don't go, stay and chat a while," Jinli pleaded.

She propped her head in her hands, gazing around. She was a little afraid of those demons, so she quickly ran back inside.

As long as she was indoors, everything felt safe.