“Kneel!” It was a sharp-tongued order.

Immediately, the crimson-cladded maiden fell to her knees on the stone pavement. She bowed her head, with long, silky hair still streaming of chrysanthemum aroma. Her silver starlight earrings jingled, flapping back with the temperate breeze. Mei Ying did not flinch, pressing her red lips together.

Behind her, stood the eleven celestial maidens in their rainbow mesh of robes. “Flower Goddess!” They cried out in protest. “Please don’t… Number Nine is sorry!”

It was far too late.

The titanic gate doors, both made of the brightest moon stone material, magically shut behind the kneeling Mei Ying and the other Flower Immortals.

Her long lashes shivered. Still, the young woman did not dare utter a word of complaint.

Dark clouds caved into the once-clear blue skies, gathering above the regal goddess with blossom-woven braids that caressed close to the ground.

“Do you think...that just because you are the niece of the dragon prince…” Flower Goddess’ flowy dress stopped short of Mei Ying. “...you, Princess Mei Ying, are so easily forgiven?”

The peerless deity circled the silent Ninth Flower Immortal. White splintered the stormy airspace, and, out of thin air, the woman wove a long vine whip. It cracked against the stone ground, causing the other witnesses to flinch. Lightning broke through the skies again.

A roaring thunder, like an enraged dragon, could be heard in the distance.

Flower Goddess snapped, “You know what will happen if a human, especially a man, sees you!”

With a stone-cool face, the veiled disciple replied, “No mortal man has ever laid eyes on this one.”

Seething, the Flower Goddess added, “Ah, let us also talk about that sword dance at the Grand Chrysanthemum Festival! No weapons in the Xing Kong Hall of the Pearl Lotus Palace! That can be viewed as a treasonous act; yet, you pulled off that stunt despite what the Spring God and I have to say!”

“But the Heavenly Crown Prince and Third Prince both applauded my performance.”

“Mei...Ying…!” Flower Goddess halted in her footsteps, lifting the vine whip. “Out of all the traits that you’ve inherited, why did you also have to receive such a mouth from your foolish father?! Because of him…!”

“Flower Goddess!” Several voices pleaded.

One maiden even blurted out, “Flower Goddess must not speak ill of Spring God’s late younger brother or else…”

Some of the other young Flower Immortals tried to approach Mei Ying, but the red-robed maiden raised her chin. Her eyes were crystal clear. Her brows knitted together.

Swiftly, the Flower Immortal snapped to her right where the women went to stand. A gust of red floral petals streaked by, shoving the celestial maidens away. Startled, they let out a loud shrill of screams like flowers being flurried off to the far mountains.

Fortunately, the green scourge only missed the women by a hair’s length as it snapped against the white jade wall, creating a skin-jumping sensation for numerous ears.

A large fracture of six veins manifested against the enclosure. Chips of the stone wall dribbled down the side. White dust collapsed to the ground. The green leaves of nearby trees were stripped off clean.

“DO YOU WANT TO END UP LIKE YOUR PARENTS?!” The lavishly garbed goddess felt her grip against the vine shake. Her voice softened. “Don’t you ever think about how scared everyone must be for you…?” No answer. “Mei Ying! Think about your adoptive father!”

A flock of birds flapped their wings away from the Flower Goddess’ manor rooftop. The creatures cried as they disappeared into the dark skies.

Yet, the disciple remained silent, kneeling with her back straight.

Her red veil was cut, and, so, it fluttered to the ground, revealing her lovely face.

“Flower Goddess...” The other Flower Immortals murmured, having picked themselves up from the ground. Several maidens began to comb their lengthy hair. A few still kept brushing the dirt off from their long skirts. “Medicine God will certainly talk to Number Nine. Don’t cry…”

“Who’s crying, ah?!”

“Wait, don’t go! Please, you and little Ying can make up! Don’t go! Come back!”

A pair of feet pitter-pattered away, followed by so many more.

There was a gentle stroke of wind that pulled at Mei Ying’s curtain-sweeping black hair as she obediently knelt on the stone pavement. Alone.

“My, my, Mei Ying...” chided a light-toned voice. A red string trailed close to the celestial maiden. “You...really did it this time...again.”

“Did Wei Sheng come here to scold me?” Mei Ying did not glance at the teenager with long red hair when he squatted down next to her.

Wei Sheng was a pleasant sight to behold. He wore an all-white attire with gold edges. Around his waist was a matching red-and-gold sash with tassels. The front part of his hair was braided with a glistening string of pearls and gold stars.

He casually answered, “No, the others and I came by to check on you, but they sent me in first as the sacrifice when they heard the whip.”

In return, the young woman stifled a laugh. “Thank you.” Mei Ying turned to the adolescent with a grin. “This lowly one is honored that the newly crowned God of Fate shows such concern toward me…”

Quickly, the other lowered his eyes and continued to play with his red string. “Please, it is all because my cousin left after His Highness granted him permission to retire. Then, they made me take his place.” He looked up and cocked his head as if to recall a memory. “Right now, Xi Feng...is really angry at you. The same with Bing Wen.”

“What’s new? They are always mad at me about something. Chong Lin and you, though, probably understand me a bit better than them.” The Ninth Flower Immortal blinked. “Well, if those two are mad, then, Chong Lin…”

“No, Chong Lin came along with us, but when he heard that lady’s whip, he ran away.” Sitting down, the teenager scratched the back of his hair. “Like a master’s dog, he’ll be back. Besides, what are the Five Heavenly Blessings without their little leader? If there is no Mei Ying, we four would be scattered like the four winds.”

“You are exaggerating.”

“I’m not!” Wei Sheng tapped on the young woman’s crimson sleeve. Though he was young in appearance, the teenager was already behaving like a great grandfather. “Anyway, sit down! That lady is not here anymore!”

“Shifu wants me to kneel.” Mei Ying shrugged off the other’s hand. “I will not sit down just because my friend wants me to.” She returned to staring straight off into the distance ahead. She straightened up her back. Her chin was raised a bit. “But...you can join me if you want.”

The red-haired adolescent gaped. He did not know if he should admire the Flower Immortal for her high sense of integrity...or stupidity.

“So, it is true then…” Wei Sheng said, adjusting his sash and tassels. “You did go down to the Mortal realm before making your appearance at the Grand Chrysanthemum Festival.”

“I was just practicing my sword dance.”

“Did anyone really not see you?”

A corner of Mei Ying’s red lips tugged. While looking far away, she almost laughed. Of course, her friends probably overheard that as well. They must have been here this whole time…

Her honey-hued eyes gleamed. There was a low whisper, “There was...one person.”

As the floral petals spun around him, Wei Sheng’s golden eyes greatly widened like giant steamed buns. His hands tightened into fists.

Without looking at him, the celestial maiden simply replied, “He was only a child though.”

“Even worse, ah... That boy will grow up to be a man. He will have more time to think about you.”

“Why would he do that?”

Wei Sheng shook his head. “Aiya… Perhaps, another thousand years will do you some good. Then, you will understand.” There was a pause. “Maybe that mortal child already told some people about where he saw you, ah. He might even pray to the gods, which might…”

As the adolescent mumbled on, Mei Ying returned her gaze to Wei Sheng, only to find out that he had been kneeling alongside her. “Why...are you kneeling with me?”

Just then, a cool breeze rolled through the nearly empty courtyard with its sky-high stone walls and green-tiled rooftops.

“Because we are the Five Heavenly Blessings.” answered a deep, reluctant voice. “Besides, didn’t you say that if one wants to join you, they can?”

On Mei Ying’s other side, there was already Bing Wen on her other side, towering over the young woman’s small frame. Two more people were also on their knees.

A chuckle escaped through Mei Ying’s lips. “Bing Wen…”

Tilting her head, the Flower Immortal peeked over to see a frowning but beautiful maiden in her finest purple robe. She was nearly hidden by the warrior god’s tall figure and wide shoulders.

“Big Sister as well!” Beaming, Mei Ying was about to say more when the woman shot her a knife-piercing glare. “Ah…”

At the very end, on Xi Feng’s other side was also a meek young man lowering his head like he was offering it to a platter. His lips trembled. “Xi-Xi Feng, y-you are kneeling too, so why are you being so cold to Mei Ying?”

“So...Chong Lin did come back.”

Hearing this from the Flower Immortal, Chong Lin’s ears turned red. He pulled down his pale green sleeves, decorated by many swirling cloud designs. The crisp white lapels sparkled from the silver threads.

“Of course, he did! Where would we all put our faces if we didn’t show up and kneel alongside you?!” snapped Xi Feng. “In place of our father and sister, I need to beg here with you too!”

While Xi Feng was a ravishing beauty before, anger only further enhanced her bewitching charms. The younger maiden had always admired Xi Feng’s slightly slim, round face too and large bright, gold eyes. Then, there was the woman’s great wave of thick, black locks. Wavy like ocean currents and shiny as beryl. Donning a purple robe of embroidered flowers, Xi Feng also appeared graceful--unlike the younger adopted sister, brazen and free.

“You say that but it was your idea after all…” Bing Wen loudly stated, lifting his chin. He remained dressed in his emerald scaled armor with the flowing red cape. His hair was still perfectly in place, tied up in a tightly woven bun at the top of his crown. “Xi Feng.”

The Heaven Immortal huffed. “Well…” Her face began to grow hot. “I…”

At last, Mei Ying inflated her cheeks and sputtered out a laugh.

All four friends turned to look at her with such incredulous expressions as the Ninth Flower Immortal laughed and laughed. It was a sweet one, melodious even, as she released all of her worries and stress into the delightful sound of relief. Covering her mouth, the young woman tried to stop and, gradually, became quiet. She let down her pale hands.

The skies overhead had lightened up, eventually parting the gray clouds for the brilliant sun to shine down its rays.

Mei Ying, in her fluttering crimson robe, then smiled at those who knelt on either side of her: Wei Sheng, Bing Wen, Xi Feng, and Chong Lin. “...Thank you, everyone.”

❁❁❁

She almost fell forward.

Quickly, Mei Ying caught the half-eaten crystal cake in her handkerchief before it could fall to the boat floor. Her eyelids had grown heavy earlier, and there were flashes of scintillating colored images that permeated her mind.

What was that? The young woman’s cold crescent necklace, shining in silver, trembled. The silver hoop fell back against her pounding chest. Mei Ying’s heart could not stop racing. I saw four friends kneeling together for the sake of one...

From across the huntress, she caught Jian Yu’s red eyes resting over the bouncing water. With that in mind, Mei Ying felt her shoulders laxed. The heart began to slow down.

The handsome young man continued to narrate: And so, when the Flower Goddess returned to berate the Ninth Flower Immortal, she was surprised to see the five friends kneeling altogether in the courtyard. Two newly crowned gods and three talented Heaven Immortals. After much thought, Mei Ying was forgiven and granted permission to return home with Xi Feng, back to the adoptive father, Medicine God.

Word spread in the Heaven realm.

They were the Five Blessings, after all, known as the five brightest Heaven Immortals who were going to become gods. Now, to be known for their bold gesture of sticking together through the thick and thin...eyes and hearts envied not only of the five’s powers but also of the strengths of their connections.

The string of fate...seemed to be bountiful luck for Princess Mei Ying, niece of the Spring God.

Thousands of flower-shaped lanterns glided on the vast river, quietly spinning and going with the flow. The gold flames inside each crimson chrysanthemum never faltered, glowing brightly as ever.

As the wooden boat floated about, Jian Yu stared into the reflection of lanterns. A speck of red light gently landed on his shoulder. However…

Crickets began to sing alongside the river.

Taking another bite of the crystal cake, Mei Ying chewed and chewed. She noticed that her friend had stopped speaking. Curious, the huntress watched him glance back at the white pastry in his hand, wrapped in the handkerchief. The young man finally bit into it, tasting the sweet and soft red bean paste.

The huntress swallowed the bit of cake and looked upon the large luminous moon that greeted her. “Jian Jian can stop there.”

Feeling Jian Yu’s attention on her, Mei Ying slowly went on, “I...remember.”

The other went rigid as though he was bracing himself.

“Now, don’t be alarmed...but Shifu visited me last night.” stammered the maiden, playing with the silver chimes and beads of her hair ornament. “Don’t worry though. No matter what she...ah, he says, I, Mei Ying, will stay with you and fulfill my six-month Soul Bargain Contract.”

“So, he left you behind again?”

“Shifu, ah…” Well, despite what Mei Ying could say, it already sounded bad enough. “He is a Heaven Immortal, so...sometimes, he has important matters to attend to.”

Jian Yu opened his mouth to speak but closed it. He glanced away.

“Your shifu undid the suppression spell on your memories.” It was a statement since the young man already understood everything. “It seems that First Judge and your shifu both think that the Netherworld is the best refuge for now, a place for you to further hone your powers and sort out your memories before eventually facing the Heaven realm.”

It is fate. She cannot hide from Them forever.

Admiring the handsome person across from her, Mei Ying watched his eyelashes quiver a little. The young woman had long since made her decision. She would not fight Jian Yu.

Her friend then softly uttered, “I’m...sorry.”

‘I’m sorry!’

Mei Ying felt the pang coming from the corner of her forehead. She nearly lifted her free hand to press it. The maiden stopped herself.

Though she could not see the boy, his hoarse voice cracked before adding,‘I’m sorry, Princess. I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m…’ Sobs broke through. The Flower Immortal heard him recollect himself, trying to restrain his spilling emotions. ‘I’m sorry… Strike me with lightning, strike me with your wrath… Because of me, you… Because of my selfishness, because of me... I want you to hate me... I want you to curse at me… I want…’

With hands pressed together in prayer, the boy offered the red flower up to the huge, silver moon in the sky. His whole body was shaking all over. Tears stained his cheeks.

‘Gods, if you hear me, please! I’m sorry! I’m sorry! I’m sorry! I’m sorry! I’m sorry! I’m sorry! I’m sorry! I’m…’ Not knowing what else to do, the orphan kowtowed once more to the ground. It was too hard this time. A red trail of warm liquid dripped down his face. His small voice echoed into the darkness again. ‘Please…'

There was no one to answer his prayers. ‘I’m sorry…’

Mei Ying tilted her head this way and that.

Her memories were still rather messy like fragments in a box. Regardless, the edges of her eyes burned. The maiden sniffled, blinking back the warm tear that slipped through. Her chest grew heavy as though there was a boulder, waiting to drop into the abyss of night.

Perhaps, the soul is recalling what Mei Ying herself could not. Since hearing the fairytale, it was crying…

No, she...was crying.

“Don’t...be sorry.” The young woman studied her broad white sleeves of sheeny silk. “If it is not for the contract with First Judge, I probably would not be here, eating crystal cake with you.”

Maybe something terrible would have happen to her if she went with the gods.

“How do you feel about the four winds?” inquired Jian Yu.

“Regarding...my old friends though, it is by luck that I met all four in the Tian Shan Feng martial arts tournament. Even with Xi Feng possessing that girl’s body, I felt that they had shared a deep connection with each other and with me.” Mei Ying admitted.

Soon, the huntress managed a weak smile and showed her friend the small leftover cake. It was now half the size of her palm. She blinked back a warm tear.

Beaming, Mei Ying asked, “Aside from that, what better way to counteract the saltiness of tears than with the sweetness of smiles?”

Jian Yu stared at his friend’s small face.

By and by, the red-robed young man moved in. Pressing his thumb against the corner of Mei Ying's eye, he stopped at the cooling droplet.

His fingers are cold... The maiden realized this, watching Jian Yu lean toward her face. But his breath was warm, brushing against Mei Ying's cheek.

Withdrawing his hand, Jian Yu showed off a vermillion-red maple leaf for the maiden to see. He released the blade to fly away in the surrounding darkness.

"You're right." The young man smiled with gentle, shining eyes. He leaned back against the drifting boat's edge.

The distance between him and Mei Ying grew as they both averted their attention to the sailing flower-shaped lanterns. Each and every one of the crimson chrysanthemums bobbed up and down on the dark water, filled with gold flames.

“...Mei Ying has the sweetest smile then.” Jian Yu said before eating the rest of his crystal cake.

The huntress jolted. Huh?! The heat of her face grew worse.