Volume One: Hidden in the Azure Abyss Chapter Sixteen

The shopkeeper stroked his beard and began to speak at length: “It is said that in the ancient times of primordial chaos, there was a mortal woman in this divine realm who fell in love with the Celestial Lord of the heavens. This woman possessed a beauty rarely seen across the ages, so dazzling that even lotus blossoms paled in comparison to her jade-like features. One day, she donned this very mask and crossed seas of clouds and crimson mist to arrive at the banks of the Weak Water River. Looking up, she saw the awe-inspiring Celestial Lord, sword in hand, driving back countless demons with heroic grace, standing proudly amid the clouds. In battle, the Celestial Lord always wore this golden mask, its dragon scales gleaming, and the starlit eyes behind it were etched into the mortal woman’s heart. From that moment, she loved this mysterious, powerful Celestial Lord.”

“No one knew where the mortal woman came from; only that she could speak with birds and beasts. She even studied immortal arts, hoping that one day she could ascend to the heavens and confess her feelings. Yet what she did not know was that the Celestial Lord had already fallen for her. He brought her to the nine heavens, but after that, she never saw him again. Day and night, she waited for him in his residence, unaware that the Emperor visited her in secret every night, unable to restrain his feelings yet not daring to let her know.”

“The mortal woman eventually believed the Celestial Lord did not care for her. After suffering humiliation in the nine heavens, her heart grew cold and she leaped from the Night Sky Abyss. When the Celestial Lord returned victorious, his beloved was gone. The wounds he had suffered on the battlefield drove him to madness. In his grief, the Celestial Lord created a substitute in her likeness and, holding it in his arms, leapt into the Weak Water.”

By the time the shopkeeper finished, night had quietly fallen.

Jinli turned to Geng Yuan and said, “Did you hear that? If you care for me, you must let me know. That mortal woman never heard the Celestial Lord say ‘I love you’—not even at the very end. You must never be like that.”

The shopkeeper chuckled and handed them the mask. “It’s just a tale, but I believe the two of you will endure together in true devotion.”

Geng Yuan clasped Jinli’s hand and smiled. “It’s only a story—how could you take it so seriously?”

Jinli laughed. As they turned to leave, a cool sensation crept into Jinli’s palm. She opened her hand, startled at first, then smiled radiantly and glanced back.

“Geng Yuan, look—it’s snowing.”

Geng Yuan looked up, and indeed, down drifted cotton-like snowflakes, settling on Jinli’s hair, shoulders, and palm like white petals. In that moment, the beauty gifted by heaven shone with a bright smile and sparkling eyes, exquisite amidst the falling snow—almost like a deity herself. Perhaps, to him, she was his deity.

The young man silently vowed in his heart that he would keep this goddess by his side, no matter the means.

A tremor ran through Geng Yuan’s heart. Striding forward, he raised an umbrella to shield her from the wind and snow. Flakes landed upon her eyelashes, which fluttered, each movement stirring his heart.

He smiled, his warm hand enveloping hers. Though both wore masks and could not see each other’s expressions, at that instant, Geng Yuan felt as though he could clearly read the love shining in the girl’s eyes.

All around them, passersby hurried home, leaving only the two of them gazing at each other in the snow, as if time itself had come to a halt.

Outside, fireworks blossomed in the sky, outshining even the stars—bursts and clusters of fleeting beauty, each imprinting itself on Jinli’s heart.

She watched a shivering figure selling goods atop a wall. The crowds thinned, yet that person remained, braving the thickening snow that threatened to bury her.

Jinli draped her own warm cloak over the woman and gave her money as well.

The beggar’s astonishment shifted to tears of joy.

“Thank you, thank you, thank you!”

“No need for thanks. It’s late, and I’ll take all your goods.”

“You’re truly a good person, like a deity descended to earth. Such kindness.”

Jinli spoke gently, “Grandmother, happy New Year.”

Geng Yuan came to her side, took off his fur-lined cloak, and draped it over her shoulders.

“Why buy so much? You won’t need it all.”

Jinli shook her head. “We can use it gradually—there are still so many people back in the valley. This way, the old woman can return home early and celebrate New Year’s with her family.” The girl breathed out softly, then added, “Someone is waiting for her.”

Geng Yuan gazed into Jinli’s luminous eyes, overflowing with warmth and compassion, and found himself unable to look away, drawn in without realizing it.

He touched his chest and wondered silently if this goddess who saved others could also save him.

When Jinli finished, she looked back at him, her eyes full of tenderness. “There is someone waiting for you, too.”

As she gazed at Geng Yuan, she resolved that one day she would purify the demonic energy within him. No matter if he was descended from the ancient merfolk, she would bring him home.

He belonged to the sea.

The young man’s eyes reddened slightly. His warm hands cradled her face, and he kissed her.

So close were they that they could hear each other’s heartbeats.

Hand in hand, the youth led her into the house. This was their first New Year together.

Jinli watched the fireworks, ate steaming desserts after dinner, fell asleep in Geng Yuan’s arms, and listened as he read her stories. Unknowingly, she drifted off.

Geng Yuan gently touched her face, smiling tenderly. Only at such times did she show this soft, obedient side.

He wished this moment could last a little longer—just a little longer.

He carefully lifted her, transformed into mist, and returned to Lotus River. The river shimmered with evening light and warmth. After tucking her into her room, Geng Yuan quietly left.

Upon returning from the mortal world, Jinli noticed Geng Yuan’s demonic energy growing stronger. She stayed up all night refining an elixir. Holding the medicine in her palm, she smiled: “With this, Geng Yuan can restore his immortal bones and walk the righteous path.”

In the end, the Crown Prince of the Nine Heavens was still appointed as heir, a decision that surprised the entire celestial realm. According to the Fate Keeper, even the Empress intervened.

But Jinli paid it no mind—it was only a spectacle to her.

A few days later, Jinli summoned Yunxiang early, “Yunxiang, where is the young lord?”

“He left early this morning and hasn’t returned yet.”

“He left?”

Yunxiang nodded.

Jinli put away the elixir. “Very well, I’ll give it to him later.”

Looking at the green fruits on the pear tree, she realized it was time to brew wine again.

“Ali.”

Jinli turned at the sound. Sang Li approached, holding a jug of wine and smiling.

“Lord Sang Li?”

“Things have settled lately, so I came for a chat.”

Jinli nodded. “Yunxiang, bring tea.”

As she sipped her tea, Jinli asked, “Is it really just for tea and talk? When did Lord Sang Li become so leisurely?”

Setting down his cup, Sang Li smiled, “As expected, nothing escapes you. Actually, I wanted to see how the Young Lord of the Southern Sea is faring.”

“He’s well. The demonic energy inside him has dissipated greatly. I want to help him restore his immortal bones.”

“Restore his immortal bones? Are you serious?”

Jinli nodded. “I know it’s difficult, but I want to try.”

To restore immortal bones is to defy fate itself.

Sang Li’s expression grew grave. “I hope you won’t go through with it. I worry that you—”

“Worry about what? What is there to fear? Geng Yuan can cultivate, and he can—”

“Do you know his true purpose?”

Jinli’s smile froze. “What do you mean?”

Sang Li was about to reply when Geng Yuan called out, “A Jin.”

Jinli looked up to see Geng Yuan walking toward her, smiling, flowers in one hand, fresh groceries in the other.

When he saw Sang Li, his gaze lowered slightly, filled with wariness and warning.

Jinli smiled and said to Sang Li, “It’s nearly dinner. Lord Sang Li, will you stay and eat with us?”

Before Sang Li could reply, Geng Yuan spoke first. “Forgive me, Your Highness, but I bought little today. Perhaps you shouldn’t join us for a meal.”

Sang Li remained as elegant as ever and turned to Jinli. “In that case, I simply must stay and sample the Young Lord’s cooking to see if it’s as delicious as you say.”

Geng Yuan’s eyes grew darker. Just then, Yun An arrived. “Your Highness, the Heavenly Lord requests your immediate presence in the main hall.”

Geng Yuan’s lips curled into a challenging, slightly gloating smile, his eyes clearly saying: After you, Crown Prince.

Sang Li shot him a look, then smiled at Jinli. “Ali, let’s talk another time.”

“All right.”

After Sang Li left, Geng Yuan saw the scroll on the table. Before Jinli could reach for it, he blocked her view, handing her the flowers and swiftly tucking the scroll away.

“A Jin, these are for you.”

Jinli accepted them, happiness blooming in her heart.

She smiled, then took Geng Yuan’s hand. “You haven’t forgotten about today’s spiritual cleansing, have you?”

“I haven’t.”

She was about to pull him away when Geng Yuan declined. “Let me cook first.”

Though Jinli felt a thousand doubts at his refusal, she did not allow herself to think ill of him.

That day, as Jinli was reading, Geng Yuan watched her intently and asked, “Why do you care so much for all living beings? They have nothing to do with you.”

Jinli smiled. “I used to think I was simply myself, Jinli, not some divine maiden. But later, I realized that saving others brought me joy. When I helped those in hardship, their smiles were pure and beautiful. I wanted to preserve that purity. Only then did I realize that the fate of all beings was bound to me from the moment I was born.”

The youth gazed at her smile, ripples spreading in his heart.

“If everything you cherish were to vanish, what would you do?”

“That will not happen. I will not allow it. I will protect everything I hold dear—including you.”

The girl’s clear eyes brimmed with laughter, yet in their depths, the boy saw the purest, moon-bright affection.

Half a month passed, and it was time to pick pears again.

Jinli stretched lazily. Though the heat was oppressive now, she knew the cold would follow soon after. She looked at the pear tree in the courtyard, its green fruits fresh and tempting. Although Yunxiang had already picked most of them to send to the wine-brewing immortal in the Western Wilderness, many still remained.

Yunxiang ran over excitedly. “My lady, everything is ready! The Young Lord will surely love it.”

Jinli nodded in satisfaction. Geng Yuan had been through so much, but recently the demonic energy within him had lessened, his wounds had healed, and even his merfolk tail was recovering—a cause for celebration.

Geng Yuan used to live in the Southern Sea as the adopted son of the former Sea Lord. If he returned now, he would face hostility before even arriving. It was safer to keep him in Lotus River for the time being.

She turned and saw Geng Yuan approaching, a faint smile on his lips.

“Young Lord.”

Geng Yuan smiled, took her hand, and they shared breakfast together.

But just after breakfast, Yunxiang came calling.

“What is it?”

Yunxiang’s face was solemn. “My lady, the Second Prince of the Southern Sea is injured—he is in Pear Blossom Valley right now.”