Compared to his twin sister, Xiao Li wielded a tough exterior of frowns despite having a soft and even-tempered interior. Xiao Dan, though, wore a gentle layer of smiles while struggling to contain her hot nature and chaos. Despite these contradictions, the twins actually work well as complementary forces if one thinks about it.

“But...Your Highness!” The high voice startled Mei Ying from her thoughts like a splash of water. Xiao Dan stomped her feet like a spoiled child. “He said…!”

“You are a notorious hazard to the public. Please apologize to the merchant and pay him ten times the original amount.” To the pouting girl, Jian Yu shook his head like a father expressing disappointment. He tapped a finger against his white jade ring and fished out a silk brocade bag from its magical storage space. “If Xiao Li were here with you, he would make excuses for you. It is why I can’t have you two in the same place all the time.”

Even Mei Ying had to agree with Jian Yu. She sighed.

While the black-robed girl sulked, she caught the black pouch from Jian Yu when he tossed it to her.

“Why don’t I take care of the situation here?” The older demon stood by his king, with his huge arms across the loose robe lapels and bare chest. “Your Highness should take the Young Miss to see around Feng Cheng.”

Xiao Dan’s head shot up, causing her long braided-ponytail to bounce. “Wait! This matter won’t even take that long!”

Mei Ying could not see what kind of face Hong Rui made as he turned away from her, but it was enough to shut the teenager’s mouth. Whirling around, First Official met the huntress’ eye again. He smiled innocently.

“Xiao Dan and I will help clean up the mess as well.” Slowly, he rolled up his black and gold sleeves. As the merchant thanked him, Hong Rui nodded to Jian Yu. “We will catch up with you two later through the spiritual communication channel.”

The huntress attempted to read the atmosphere between the two men. However, it did not help that Jian Yu grew quiet, and she could not discern the passing emotions across his brows and lips.

Mei Ying began, rather sheepishly, “Hong Rui… Perhaps, it would speed things up if Jian Jian and I both stayed here too.”

“You should not.” The demon’s smile went rigid.

Aiyo! It did not make sense that First Official appeared content whereas his voice sounded firm and irritated!

Perplexed by this, the young woman cocked her head and fanned herself with the fan. It created a pleasant breeze that blew against her long, broad white sleeves and the silver beads that hung from her hair decorations. “Can’t you two just use magic...”

Oh. Mei Ying paused. Maybe this is a good thing…? Her white fan froze in mid-air. Once I start training, it may be a while before I can talk to Jian Jian alone. After all, he is the Demon King, and he too will be busy. Considering that possibility, the huntress went silent. Quickly, she tucked the fan away in one of her sleeves.

Soon, Mei Ying looked up. Xiao Dan was standing nearby, already staring at the pale white band of jade around her right finger and its tiny crimson engravings. The servant then locked gaze with her, with confusion.

In return, the fair maiden flashed a warm smile at Xiao Dan.

Behind her, unknownst to Mei Ying though, a group of low-ranking demons walked by--only to stop in their tracks and ogle upon her lengthy black hair and floral scent. They whispered to one another, pointing at her long, snow-white outer robe of lustrous embroidery and hidden figure.

“Then, let me know when you two are done here.” Jian Yu said, stepping over to his friend’s side. He tugged onto the huntress’ white sleeve before glancing toward the cluster of leering bystanders. Immediately, they jolted and sped far, far away. “Shall we go?”

Mei Ying nodded cheerily.

“Thank you, Your Highness! Thank you!” praised the poor merchant. He scrambled to stand in front of the pile of rubble and dust. “You are too generous to this lowly subject!”

“Haha! No need to mention it!” The red-robed person beamed. Like the wind, Jian Yu’s impish nature came and went as it wished. “Forgive this one’s neglect of their people. Feel free to scold these two if needed, sir.”

“No need to apologize! This is more than just enough!”

As the pair walked away, Xiao Dan rushed over to the white-robed maiden, calling, “Young Miss!”

While the other’s back was turned to her, the servant skidded to a stop. “I…” She pressed her red lips together and fidgeted with the end of her white braid. “I have something for you!”

Right away, silver beads and bells tinkled. Even when Mei Ying gradually rotated to look the servant’s way, she was striking to the public.

As demons and ghosts passed by, they tried to not gawk at the celestial-like person whose smile was too radiant. Her lucid honey-autumn eyes were also too mesmerizing. However, Mei Ying had not seen herself in a hanfu dress for many years. Therefore, she was unaware of the stares and fleeting whispers.

A rain of red maple leaves fluttered down and around the gentle huntress, who waited for the other to continue speaking.

“Here.” Pushing a small silk-covered box onto Mei Ying’s hands, Xiao Dan quickly hushed out, “Please open the gift when you two are out and about.”

"Thank you." The huntress averted her gaze to Jian Yu, who stood closeby.

He gestured for Mei Ying to accept the present, which was given to the young man to carry it in one arm. Next, he offered his other sleeve to the maiden, who grabbed onto it.

And away the two went.

❁❁❁

As the young woman and her friend strolled by themselves, Mei Ying quickly noticed a dazzling body of water that expanded across quite a distance. A fan of tall green grass fringed along the far left roadside as well. It was not long when soft sounds of splashes reached her ear. Mei Ying tugged at Jian Yu’s broad sleeve and, without stopping to talk, pulled the Demon King along toward the noise.

Up ahead was a short wooden dock, and sitting on the edge was an elderly man in gray, coarse clothing. His pants were tattered. The same was for his gold straw hat. He had sat back, holding onto a wooden oar with another in his lap.

About four paddles of distance away was a long wooden boat, spinning over the dark river.

“Were you trying to get the boat back?” asked Mei Ying.

A weak, croaked voice answered, “Yes, Young Miss…” The old boatman sighed, “But this uncle is too tired now…”

Behind Mei Ying, her handsome friend chuckled lightly and called out, “Ah, if it isn’t Uncle Dong Hai! You are back here again to catch more spiritual fish!”

Without turning to look, the elder held up an oar for the young man to see. “Yes, greetings, Your Highness…and, no, this one doesn't need any joss papers from you.” The boatman laughed dryly and put the paddle down. “I had forgotten that celebrations tend to scare the spiritual fish away.”

Shaking his head, Jian Yu smirked. He glanced at Mei Ying, who jerked her chin to the lonely boat that continued to float away on the river. The young man nodded.

“Well, then…”

Swiftly, Jian Yu dashed through the wooden dock, each step being as light as feathers. Following his lead were a burst of floating red orbs of lights. Some proceeded to attach themselves to the sides of the boat without stirring the balance. Like a regal flaming bird, Jian Yu landed inside the craft. The entire vessel was still as though nothing had happened. The young man flapped a wide crimson sleeve, turning the boat completely around. Before the old boatman could move, the transport was already drifting its way back to the dock with its smiling savior.

“Thank you, Your Highness.” Slowly, the boatman jumped onto his feet and turned to face Mei Ying and Jian Yu. He cupped his hands together to show respect and lowered his head. “Thank you.”

Mei Ying stared at the humble person. “Uncle Dong Hai…” She could not help but feel soft toward the boatman, who smiled with the gray folded cloth over his eyelids.

The blind elder stiffened. “However, I sense that my distress has broken a beautiful day for you two.”

“No, no!” Though flushed, Mei Ying laughed to ward off the embarrassment. “Haha… We were just taking a walk in Feng Cheng until our friends finished their business…”

“Ah, so, a Young Miss was taking a pleasant stroll with His Highness?”

That...sounded strange, coming from the boatman. It almost appeared as though he was teasing Mei Ying and her friend.

The young woman could not deny nor refute anything.

“Well, the Heaven Immortal has made good timing to visit His Highness.” continued the elderly man, gesturing to the lake. “Today is a special day where you two should take my boat out to the water and enjoy the gorgeous scenery as you pass through Feng Cheng. It is the least that this old person can do for your kindness.”

The blind boatman bent down to grab both paddles from the wooden dock floor. “His Highness has fixed up the Netherworld since the former stepped down. The Flaming Forest makes sure to contain the evil doers, even if it means trapping all of us. Bless the mighty incantation...”

He stood tall again and smiled at the lovely maiden. “Young Miss, rest assured that you are with a loyal and righteous person.”

❁❁❁

At first glance, the dark-hued river of occasional crimson streaks, gold rings, and lavender whirls seemed small. By and by, Mei Ying slowly realized that the body of water swept through the stretches alongside Feng Cheng, the Netherworld’s capitol, and probably even further beyond what her eyes could see. It was then that the young woman remembered a significant detail about this realm. She blinked and saw that all around her and Jian Yu was a firmly cramped red boundary as though it were to prevent someone from falling out of the boat…

“Are...we floating on the Netherworld’s famous River of Forgetness?” Once Mei Ying asked this, her handsome friend began to laugh. Even the floating orbs of red light, the ‘fireflies’, seemed to as well. “Oh, I see that Jian Jian is making fun of me!”

“Hahaha! For someone who has followed and read the works of the Heaven realm path, of course, I would think that you recognize San Sheng Shi over to our left--the magical rock that showcases one’s Three Lives. Only that could be found in the River of Forgetness.”

There was nothing extraordinary about the large boulder, which was slightly eroded on one side. As the vessel passed by, Mei Ying felt an itch from her hand. There was an urge to touch San Sheng Shi for the tale often says that once someone makes contact with the rock, the person will know everything about their past life, present life, and next life.

“Are you not a bit curious?” asked Jian Yu.

Withdrawing her hand, the maiden turned to the young man, who sat across from her in the boat. It did not feel that much time had passed; however, the light had faded immensely from the eternal sunset skies, leaving behind a dark sea of lavender and indigo ink.

As if to aid Mei Ying’s sight, the scattered red fireflies kept lingering around her, keeping the darkness away.

She mustered a weak smile. I...do not know where to start with this…

“No, but…” Mei Ying’s heart started racing like the thundering drums that she heard from the secluded distance. Her hands became hot. Why am I so nervous, ah? “After everything that has happened and meeting those from the Heaven realm, I think...that I now know a bit about my first life, about when I was a Heaven Immortal.”

A crisp autumn breeze whipped through the wide river, causing Mei Ying’s pristine white outer robe to billow and spread like delicate moonlight. Jian Yu listened. It was subtle but those bright, red-jewel eyes glowed ever so more slightly.

“Jian Jian had long known about this, did he?” Meeting her friend’s gaze, the huntress fumbled with her white sleeves. The trailing beads and bells from her formal hairstyle rocked back and forth from the cool draft. “You knew that this one was truly ignorant; yet, you did not once force me to follow you. Instead, you followed me. Even when facing the Spring God, you allowed me to make my choice...unlike him and his ultimatum.”

“I always knew who you were.” It was a fairly brief but gentle response.

“Then, you were also familiar with the former Ninth Flower Immortal?”

There was a flow of silence, saved for the soft water that guided the craft that Mei Ying and Jian Yu rode on.

Gradually, from below, a substantial mass of red flower-shaped lanterns wafted toward the pair’s way. Each and every one of the lanterns were filled with a crimson-and-gold light from the tiny wax candles. As the thousands of floating beacons filled the entire river pathway, several bumped against the barrier around the boat; thus, stopping the vessel from moving altogether.

This… Mei Ying’s brows lifted. Her eyes brimmed with the flares of near countless crimson flowers, all of which were shaped like chrysanthemums. The symbol of the Ninth Flower Immortal of the great Twelve. Subservient to the Flower Goddess as well as the Spring God himself.

Overall, the sight of innumerous radiating objects and the magnificent reflections that decorated the water surface was too dream-like. The scenery that surrounded Mei Ying and Jian Yu was so overwhelming and bewitching that she had to pinch herself and see if she was awake… How beautiful!

“No.” The young man no longer smiled, with the glow dissipating from his pupils. A grimness blossomed between Jian Yu’s brows and red lips. “When you were the Ninth Flower Immortal, I had not yet achieved Immortality.”

His answer was puzzling.

“Anyway, I believe that Xiao Dan told you the old, forgotten fairytale called The Orphan and the Cursed Heaven Immortal.” Jian Yu stated, quietly.

Mei Ying corrected him, “Actually, she started to but stopped… When I asked for her to continue, Xiao Dan suggested that I should ask you.”

“Haha…” With eyes on the sailing lanterns, the young man managed a small smile. He gripped onto both sides of the silk gift box that was on his lap. “Of course…”

“When Xiao Dan stopped telling the story, she left at where the orphan peeked behind the tree that he had slept in…and saw the celestial maiden dancing in the meadow at daylight.”

Mei Ying felt the somber air from her friend as the evening breeze slightly ruffled his long hair, ribbon, and intricate red outer robe. Even with just the tender light from floating lanterns, Jian Yu’s fine look did not falter. His anguish was felt. Though he was the Demon King, the huntress saw through his striking appearance for the humanity that still laid within.

Suddenly, whether it was a coincidence or miracle, Mei Ying sniffed the air. Oh, the sweet scent was teeming from the wrapped present that her friend was holding onto!

Noting this, Jian Yu handed the silk box to the young woman, who quickly unwrapped the silk brocade fabric from it. Carefully, Mei Ying lifted the cover from the container.

There it was.

In the box was a pair of freshly baked, round, and snow-white pastries. One breath, and, already, anyone could smell the sweet red bean paste from inside the familiar crystal cakes, the syrup, and hot oil from baking them. It was nearly a dream; yet, here is Mei Ying’s favorite type of moon cakes!

“Crystal cake…” She was too eager, picking one up with a handkerchief for Jian Yu. As soon as he took it, Mei Ying said, “Shaped like the moon, covered with sugary gems, small like a flower, and soft as the heart…” The young woman grabbed the other for herself and put the box down on the vessel’s wooden floor. “How did Xiao Dan know that this is my favorite dessert?”

“She does not.”

Taking a glance at her friend’s face, Mei Ying bit her lip. What a mysterious response. “Is that so?” Then, recalling what they were previously discussing, the huntress hurried to say, “Oh! Jian Jian, I apologize for changing the topic, ah!”

“If Mei Ying does not mind, while you enjoy your pastry, I can continue the tale of the Orphan and the Cursed Heaven Immortal.”

The young woman nodded, already biting into the small, round cake and admiring the full view of thousands of floating flower-shaped lanterns. With their clouds of red-and-gold flames, the attractive beacons set the whole night sky and River of Forgetfulness ablaze.

Jian Yu chuckled softly and began:

He knew he should not...but the orphan peeked behind the tree.

There on the meadow was a beautiful celestial maiden! She was dressed in her finest silk robes and sash, dancing around and around in the grass and trickling stream. Wherever her white feet touched, flowers sprung out with dew drops falling off their sweet petals and leaves.

Having descended from the Heavenly realm, this young woman was none other than…the Ninth Flower Immortal, otherwise known by her family and loved ones as...Mei Ying.

Hearing this, the white-robed woman froze and slowly swallowed down the bit of sweet cake. Her shining, autumn-tinted eyes raised toward Jian Yu’s humorous but sorrowful expression. Memory fragments flooded her mind. Mei Ying’s chest tightened.