En Lai folded his broad white sleeves across his chest. As he turned his face away from the disciple, so did his long curtain of brilliant red hair. He casted his gaze toward the window behind the enormous bed, with trembling lashes. Typical of the shifu to be stoic but awkward around the little crybaby. The bright lanterns around the large room caused his shadow to quiver like a wavering flame, ready to go out at any time.

Shifu… Bowing her head, Mei Ying felt like falling apart at the seams. Regardless, she kept kneeling on the cold tiled floor. Her mind was in disarray. I…

Do you have any regrets? En Lai asked. He already knew everything that had transpired. You did not follow the Spring God to the Heaven realm. Instead, you turned your back on that path and walked into the chaos. Now all that you are left with is either death or using your power for the two strongest realms.

The Heaven Immortal’s porcelain face turned frigid. You followed...the Demon King.

No, I don’t have any regrets. While saying this, Mei Ying raised her lucent autumn-tinted eyes.

En Lai asked again, Then, why are you crying?

Though I believe that I have made the right choice, it is one filled with pain… Wiping away her tears with a sleeve, the huntress added, ...the pain of leaving others behind. She lowered her arm and swallowed. Because I cannot drag them down with me. If I tell them, they may get involved and get hurt or even get…

...killed. The shifu finished, meeting her gaze. He looked down once more, hesitantly. It was no fault of his student that Shaman Hua was killed, but, of course, she blamed herself. The old lady knew about the risk. His copper brows narrowed. You…

Mei Ying waited, still kneeling.

Get up. With hands behind his back, En Lai sighed. Onto your feet.

The little disciple obeyed and did just that.

It was precisely because the Heaven Immortal knew everything that he went on, awkwardly, You have not changed at all… Even with her travels, new adventures, and new faces--the flower does not wilt nor alter her colors...

His eyes shone vividly. There was a soft light of endearment in them as though he was looking at a sad moment of time, stolen and lost forever. Then, breaking out of that daze, the man walked around the bed and stood in front of the window, facing it.

En Lai went on, Well...why did you follow the Demon King?

There was bitterness behind the man’s words, leaving Mei Ying curious. She followed to where he stood. Shifu… Whether En Lai liked Jian Yu or not, it would not change her mind about her friend. Jian Jian has a good heart. All these stories from the main cultivation world and from Cheng Xiu Village are fal--

Already, En Lai was ruffling up the crown of his long, beautiful hair in frustration. He averted his attention to the disciple, Does that change anything?!

Mei Ying was speechless, shocked by her shifu’s flaring temper.

The other continued on, As soon as Jian Yu was thrown out of the Heaven realm, that person was better off, reincarnating! It does not change the facts of him taking the throne of Demon King and cutting the Netherworld off from the Heaven realm’s reign! The man clenched his jaw. And you--haven’t you thought about the faintest possibility that even if it was true about his heartless behavior, it was probably hundreds of years ago, and that was still him?!

By now, the Heaven Immortal was shaking in rage. Why are you still this way?!

A couple waves of strange expressions pass over his face. The shifu massaged his temple with one hand. ...Mei Ying… You...

Despite the heat of the other’s anger, Mei Ying chimed in, Shifu, I have no regrets in following Jian Jian. He cares for me deeply, and, though there is much that I do not know, his actions have shown me that I should believe in him. Seeing that the other was listening, she added, Since meeting Jian Jian and fighting that wicked Heaven Immortal, I realized...that Shaman Hua’s message to me was not the identity of her murderer.

Then, why did she write ‘Demon King’ to you? asked En Lai.

She was telling me who could help me. Mei Ying answered, firmly. Her eyes were glowing in gold, amber, and muted red. Shifu, you have taught me that there are two paths to the Dao. I have walked the straight and narrow one in the way of the Heaven realm’s--but Jian Jian walked the chaotic one and still made it! Jian Jian was my destiny!

The shifu refused to hear anymore and rotated around, showing the back of his flowing, white robe to the disciple.

I was fated to meet Jian Yu! Not fight him! Even though En Lai was ignoring her, Mei Ying needed to get her point across to him. This is what I believe!

Stop it... The other’s voice shook. Mei Ying!

Shifu, you’re only telling me to stop because…

Stop this! When the red-haired Immortal whipped around, tears had dripped down his smooth jade cheeks and over the bottom of his beautiful face. Stop this! I won’t go through this whole cycle with you again!

Mei Ying’s eyes widened. Never in all her years did the master ever shed a single tear. The huntress’ entire being stiffened as the cold gust of wind blew through her long, black locks and bangs. It was so immense with her hair blown back, one could clearly see the vivid crimson floral mark on Mei Ying’s forehead.

Whenever En Lai had to show up in public for the Song clan, he had always remained poised and expressionless. Whenever he was with the little disciple, he was always strict, angry, or stubborn. Though the Immortal grew a bit more lenient with Shaman Hua around, he stayed cold and hard to approach at times, quiet, and even wary.

It reminded the huntress of the night from thirteen years ago, when she first met the little demon boy called Yue Liang...

Haven’t you thought about how hard I tried to help you? asked the shifu, covering his face with both hands. Instead, you always want to follow the other and throw everything away to go down that path…again and again. And for what?

To follow what I think is right. Mei Ying replied, feeling more sure of herself. She’s different from before. She was no longer the same little girl from that night. This is what I think. This is what I want.

For years, the huntress had always listened to the voices around her. However, whenever she dared to speak about what she wanted or felt, it was always shot down. Whenever she wanted to go against the currents, most of the Song clan was quick to turn their backs on her. It no longer mattered what Mei Ying did, almost everyone only thought of her as a tool to regain their footing in the main cultivation world. She was only useful if she did what they thought was ‘right’ even though her face was tear-stained and her heart was ripped out.

Maybe this is why I was cursed by the Heaven realm. Without thinking, Mei Ying shared that thought with the shifu. You said Jian Yu was thrown out of Heaven and that he was better off, reincarnating… But I did that, didn’t I? And it did not change anything, and nothing got better for me.

As En Lai lowered his hands, his face had blanched over with trembling lips. There was no going back.

One can do everything right, follow the straight and narrow path of the Heaven realm’s way to the very fingertips, and still, they could be thrown out to die. Mei Ying took a step forward. She then asked the question that En Lai feared most: Shifu, am I...the Ninth Flower Immortal?

In the Heaven realm, the Twelve Flower Immortals are the largest group to serve the Heavenly Court while guided by Spring God and the Flower Goddess. Each Flower Immortal represented, oversaw, and specialized in the creation of their assigned lunar month’s flower. With the Ninth’s position still vacant, there was no Immortal who could effectively manifest chrysanthemums for the Mortal realm.

There was no response.

Mei Ying did not know how to feel about the situation; yet, the disciple went on, If so, I want to remember everything. That is why I am going to Qiu Tian Valley. The other remained silent. I will not ask you to stay. You and Shuang are celestial beings after all.

She noticed that the man did not meet her gaze. I must have died a horrific death...judging from your expression. From that, you must have suffered a lot…

Before Mei Ying could say the next words--En Lai flashed before her face and pressed his index finger against the floral birthmark of her forehead. The crest glowed so radiantly, that the entire vast room engulfed in red light.

Fangzhou. The Heaven Immortal’s voice was reluctant.

The huntress was immobilized in her spot, given that her meridian points had locked themselves by the shifu’s power. She tried to speak. Nothing.

What’s happening?!

Then, I can longer stop you...old friend. En Lai stepped back. His lips slowly shifted, tugging up at both ends into a bittersweet smile. Seven-hundred-seventy-seven years. And still, you have not changed.

Mei Ying finally disobeyed the old person again. She was no longer willing to listen. One way or another, the maiden was going to find out.

In the meantime, the huntress’ vision blurred. Her meridian points were free to circulate qi, but…

Who...is Jian Jian? She asked. Her mind was spinning.

It is not for me to tell you. En Lai replied, softly. But I will tell you this: Even when you escaped from Cheng Xiu Village, no demon, ghost, or walking corpse approached you until you joined those senior hunters… If I was not there, who was?

At once, the young woman knew the answer.

Shifu… What Mei Ying remembered next--was the cool floor and seeing the white boots of En Lai backing away. Where…

I will see you at Qiu Tian Valley with Shuang… The man’s voice began to fade. Old friend...

In an instant, a wild burst of colorful images flooded the huntress’ sight. This…!

All the memories that Mei Ying had perceived to be ‘childhood nightmares’ came rushing back, once sealed away by the Heaven Immortal and Shaman Hua. It was too intense, causing the young woman to break out into sweats. She was unsure if her eyes were opened or closed as it appeared that these memories had surrounded her into hundreds of tiles.

Then, darkness came.

❁❁❁

“...Young Miss!”

Gradually, Mei Ying’s eyelids fluttered open. Her head was resting on the embroidered pillow. She had been tucked neatly into the large silk bed and under the cream-colored covering by someone. The huntress quickly scrambled to sit up--only to come face-to-face with a familiar...and unfamiliar face.

“Did you hear what I was saying?!” asked the other, loudly.

“Xiao…” Rubbing one eye, the young woman squinted in the bright sunlight as a result of the stranger pulling aside the bundles of red bed curtains. Mei Ying stopped to blink. “Xiao...Li?”

No. That’s not Xiao Li.

Standing before her was a teenage girl with fair, snow-like skin and a long, white braided-ponytail. She too donned an all-black outer robe and sash-belt like Xiao Li. But, instead of a scowl and moody eyes, this person wore a smile and warm expression. In fact, unlike Mei Ying’s friend, the girl was trembling...in joy?

Come to think of it, Xiao Li seemed like a cautious puppy whereas this one was a kitten, purring for attention. Not only that, the huntress could not recall a time when Xiao Li ever smiled...

“Nope!” Bowing her head, the adolescent stepped back to give her respect. “Young Miss, the one who had accompanied His Highness was my brother!” Raising her eyes, the girl exclaimed, “This servant is Xiao Dan! Pleased to meet you!”

Mei Ying blinked. “Xiao...Dan…” Oh. That name… Xiao Li had mentioned her during the Qixi Festival. Wait… “Ah, so, you two are...”

“That’s right!” Smiling from ear to ear, the girl nodded. “Xiao Li and Xiao Dan are identical twins!”

Not a moment had passed when Xiao Dan walked closer and around the bed, studying the other’s face.

“Ah…” She stopped to knit her white brows together, staring and staring...until she was pleased, breaking out another smile. “Yes, your forehead is quite clear, no moles, no scars…” The twin paused, crossing her wide black sleeves. “A small nose though; so, you lack wealth, indeed…”

She’s really chatty...unlike her brother. Mei Ying thought--

“But you’re just as beautiful as I had thought!” blurted the beaming servant.

“Th-Thank you...” The heat of Mei Ying’s neck gradually rose to her face.

“Here.” Then, the servant backed away and picked up a bundle of folded white squares from a nearby chest. “His Highness instructed that I am to give you an all-white attire for you to wear if you want. What do you think?”

Mei Ying tilted her head, examining each piece as Xiao Dan carefully unfolded them.

“I don’t know…” It had been too long since the huntress last wore a hanfu dress.

“Why do you like dressing up like a man...if you don’t mind me asking?”

“When I turned ten, a male cousin from the Song clan...tried to lift my dress up for all the other boys to see. I rarely wore one.” Mei Ying explained. “Next thing I knew--he had a broken neck, fingers, and legs. He was bedridden for months. My Shifu apologized profusely for me, but truth be told, we both did not feel bad for that person.”

Xiao Dan held up the next piece of white garment and exclaimed,“Young Miss was too soft on him!”

“Does justice and cruelty always have to go hand-in-hand?” Mei Ying inquired. “After all, he brought shame to himself and his parents. His peers even witnessed everything and told their families.”

“And you never wore a dress again?”

The huntress looked down and forced out a weak laugh. “And...I never wore one again.”

Behind the garment, the servant pressed her red lips together.

❁❁❁

It was not long when the maiden trailed after Xiao Dan, walking around a corner. Their slippers never left the bright red carpet, placed in the very center of the great hall. At every two arms’ length, there was a stationed armored guard with a stoic face, dark with solemnity, and a shining glaive at hand. Quietly, they each stood tall and straight against the massive walls and extensive red tapestries. Nevertheless, all the guards were ready for combat at any given moment.

“Young Miss!”

He had awaited Mei Ying and the servant for some time.

Standing in the middle of the hall was none other than Yong Nian, the Fourth Official. He had quickly recovered from last night’s incident as shown by him loitering around with legs attached.

The young man winked toward the huntress. “I believe that we got off on the wrong foot--”

“Yes...” Mei Ying cut him off, resisting the strong urge to roll her eyes. She then deadpanned, “...and, for you, quite literally.”

Yong Nian became still. Now that the other was closer, he stared at Mei Ying with large, bright eyes.

The young woman was adorned in a long, ice-white hanfu dress that appeared to float above clouds of the Heaven realm. She wore a long matching outer robe which sparkled like stars and early morning dew drops. Unlike the simple half-hair bun and tuinga hair pin from yesterday, the crown of Mei Ying’s black hair had been parted into perfect loops with silver decorations of leaves and crimson flowers. On her white earlobes dangled long, dainty jewelries. Around her neck was also that mysterious silver hoop with engraved flowers and various other motifs, the same one that she wore with her cultivator attire.

Unknown to Mei Ying, she resembled the perfect image of a celestial maiden and looked out of place in the Netherworld.

“Number Four, why aren’t you in your Hall of Punishment like the other Netherworld Officials?” asked the servant girl, standing in front of Mei Ying. “Leave us or I’ll cry for His Highness!”

Does Yong Nian hold a grudge against me for what happened yesterday? The huntress began to feel uneasy. She did not want to have negative feelings between her and the people who served Jian Yu at all.

“Haha… Please don’t.” pleaded the young man, placing his palms together in a prayer. He then began to close the distance between him and the two, strolling nonchalantly. “Xiao Dan, you’re smiling but you’re just as mean as your brother.”

“You’re smiling too but that doesn’t mean you have good intentions!” refuted Xiao Dan. “Stay away from the Young Miss.”

With one hand in front of her, a brilliant glaive emanated from the air. Then, holding onto the elongated weapon with its sheeny blade-tip, the teenage girl spun it around and readied herself into position. “Step back...Number Four!”

Alarmed by how quickly this escalated, Mei Ying tugged at Xiao Dan’s black sleeve. “Stop! Let’s listen to what he has to say...”

Aiya, are teenagers really this unpredictable?!

Xiao Dan was resolute, frowning. “Young Miss…”

Quickly, the huntress stood between the two. “Please…” She turned to Yong Nian. “If you return to your Hall of Punishment, we both can turn around and go on our way.”

That was when Mei Ying realized that while the armored guards did not interact with the women earlier, some of them had stepped into the hall due to the conflict...

As a result, there were numerous witnesses to Xiao Dan’s challenge to Yong Nian.

One guard held a hand up. He carefully spoke, “Fourth Official, Little Dan, please…”

Unexpectedly, there was a pivot of someone’s foot, already springing into motion.