Volume Two: A Fleeting Life on Kunlun Chapter Seventy-One

But how could she have known that, as he kissed her, he was already struggling to restrain himself, silently reciting the Heart-Cleansing Mantra over and over, suppressing his own desires time and again?

He held the young girl in his arms until he heard the steady rhythm of her breathing. Only then did he gently lift her and carry her away.

When Tianyu awoke again, before her eyes was a curtain of pale moon-white gauze.

She parted the sparkling bead curtain and peeked out. The garden was exquisitely beautiful; fairies in celestial robes, their hair coiled high atop their heads, were laughing and chatting as they watered the plants. Everyone was busy with their tasks.

As soon as they saw Tianyu, they all stopped and bowed respectfully, greeting her: “Greetings, Fairy.”

Tianyu had witnessed such scenes in the Demon Palace before. She smiled, “No need for such formality. Please, rise.”

“We must. Paying respects is the rule of Junhua Palace,” one fairy of remarkable bearing answered politely.

“Sister, may I be so bold as to ask: whose residence is this Junhua Palace?” Tianyu inquired.

“Fairy, this is the residence of the Ninefold Mystic Lord.”

The Ninefold Mystic Lord—Jingye.

Tianyu continued, “Sisters, may I ask, where am I living now...?”

“This is the Celestial Vault Hall.”

Tianyu nodded.

Since she remained still, the other fairies did likewise. She took a few steps, saying, “You all may return to your duties. I’ll stroll around on my own.”

Once she finished, the fairies bowed in perfect order and returned to their work.

Judging by their respectful demeanor, it seemed the rules of Junhua Palace were indeed strict.

She wandered about on her own. The flowers, trees, and grasses all shimmered with spiritual light. Bathed in the abundant spiritual energy of the garden, it was the perfect place for cultivation. Gazing upon the sacred domain, Tianyu felt all the more determined not to disgrace Jingye. Jingye was a god-lord; she had to work even harder to cultivate, to ascend and become an immortal as soon as possible.

She sat cross-legged and began to regulate her breath.

“Who is she? The Ninefold Mystic Lord actually let her stay in the Celestial Vault Palace?”

“Nothing but a lowly sprite with feeble spiritual power, barely there at all—perhaps the Lord simply took pity on her.”

Two fairies, their hair coiffed high, were pruning the shrubbery, unaware that their conversation drifted word for word into Tianyu’s ears.

Tianyu opened her eyes, glancing back at the towering tree behind her. Thankfully, the tree concealed her from view; otherwise, she’d have no way to step forward and explain herself.

Even if she couldn’t clarify things, she still needed to get along with them, so as not to trouble Jingye.

Emerging from behind the tree, she smiled brightly, “My name is Tianyu, after Mount Tianyu. I’m not a sprite—I am... a cultivator.”

Her sudden appearance startled the two fairies, who dropped to their knees, begging forgiveness. Though Tianyu’s spiritual power was not as strong as theirs, she had been personally brought back by the Ninefold Mystic Lord—they dared not take her lightly.

Tianyu quickly helped them up. “No need to be like this, sisters. What you said isn’t entirely wrong. I’ll need to rely on you both in the future.”

Only then did the two fairies rise, exchanging worried glances.

“What are your names, sisters?” Tianyu asked.

The double-bun fairy replied, “I am Yun Yi, and this is Xi Nian.”

The single-bun fairy bowed.

Tianyu smiled, then asked, “Sisters, do you know where the Ninefold Mystic Lord has gone?”

Yun Yi answered, “By the time of day, the Lord should be drilling troops at the training grounds.”

“Drilling troops?” Tianyu echoed.

Xi Nian nodded. “Lately, the demon army’s incursions have been rampant. It’s understandable the Lord would be training the troops.”

Tianyu nodded.

A youthful smile lingered on her face. She would work hard too, and help Jingye as much as she could.

Fairies were truly ethereal—every gesture radiated immortal grace.

“You two are so beautiful,” Tianyu said.

No woman dislikes being told she is beautiful—not even a fairy.

Yun Yi and Xi Nian laughed, and just like that, the three of them grew much closer.

“Sisters, could you tell me, what rules does Junhua Palace have?” Tianyu asked.

Yun Yi spoke with assurance, “Because the Lord often leads troops into battle, all rules in Junhua Palace follow military law—very strict. The strong may not bully the weak, nor may one grow arrogant from favor, nor disparage another. These are the basics.”

Xi Nian added, “The Lord values peace and quiet. Once he returns, no one is allowed in Junhua Palace except the Star Lord of Destiny.”

As the two spoke, Tianyu’s brows slowly knit together. Since when had Jingye acquired so many peculiar habits?

At noon, Yun Yi and Xi Nian left for their meal, leaving Tianyu uncertain if she should stay.

She lay atop a tree in the garden—the tree was tall and hidden, shielding her from view and granting her some privacy.

When Jingye returned to Junhua Palace, the first thing he did was go to the Celestial Vault Hall, wondering if Tianyu would be afraid upon waking.

But the hall was empty.

“Lord, it’s time for your meal,” the Star Lord of Destiny reminded him, cradling a scroll.

“She’s gone.”

“Who? Isn’t it always like this in Junhua Palace?” the Star Lord replied.

Then suddenly he recalled the gossip he’d heard that morning: the soldiers at the Southern Heavenly Gate said the Lord had brought a girl into Junhua Palace last night.

He’d thought it was just a rumor. But seeing the Lord’s reaction—it was true.

The Lord, who never cared for women, was actually hiding a beauty away.

When Jingye found Tianyu asleep in the tree hollow, he couldn’t help but laugh and sigh.

Why was she hiding in the tree hollow? Had the fairies bullied her?

The Star Lord watched as the Lord carefully gathered her up, his gentle manner utterly unlike the decisive general on the battlefield. He’d just been drilling soldiers, and now he was all tenderness.

He was curious to see which fairy had transformed the dignified Ninefold Mystic Lord into such a man.

When Tianyu awoke, the first thing she saw was Jingye. She quietly wrapped her arms around his neck, enveloped in the faint scent of cedar.

“You’re awake?”

His gentle voice was as clear as a mountain spring. She murmured a soft “mm,” only to find Jingye holding her even tighter.

“Now that you’re awake, let’s eat.”

As soon as Tianyu’s feet touched the ground, she saw a round-faced immortal with scholarly air, dressed in a gray robe, smiling at her.

Startled, she watched as the Star Lord of Destiny quickly bowed. “I am the Star Lord of Destiny. May I ask your name, fairy?”

“My name is Tianyu,” she answered, bowing in return as he had.

The Ninefold Mystic Lord smiled at her, but when he turned to the Star Lord, his face became serious and cold.

“Star Lord, see me after lunch.”

The Star Lord was about to say something, but seeing the looks on Tianyu and the young lord’s faces, he instantly understood, bowed, and withdrew.

It was true: falling in love had changed the Lord a great deal. Someone else would surely be heartbroken.

During her day in Junhua Palace, Jingye told her that war was imminent, and he might neglect her for the next few days.

The girl’s bright eyes were clear and determined, and with Jingye’s help, she finally broke through to the Foundation Establishment stage, her immortal marrow slowly forming.

But during what should have been peaceful days, Yun Yi arrived with news: the Saintess Yousu had awakened from her injuries.

Tianyu sipped her tea and asked, “How did the Saintess Yousu get hurt?”

Yun Yi, arranging fresh flowers into a vase, replied, “The Saintess exhausted her powers to save the Lord. She’s now in seclusion, recovering.”

To save Jingye?

Tianyu remembered Yun Mu’s words from before; it seemed the Saintess Yousu would not be easy to handle.

Yun Yi saw the shadow in Tianyu’s eyes and quickly added, “But the Lord has no feelings for her. You needn’t worry.”

Tianyu smiled, but said nothing.

She truly feared that Jingye and the Saintess Yousu might be involved. If that were the case, the Saintess—a demigod, the daughter of Jingye’s comrade-in-arms—would surpass her in both status and strength. If things soured between them, Jingye would be caught in the middle. She didn’t want to trouble him, so all she could do was cultivate all the harder.

One day, as she was practicing in the garden, the Star Lord arrived.

“Greetings, fairy.”

Tianyu knew the Star Lord was usually with Jingye. Now that he had come alone, she couldn’t help but ask, “Did Jingye not return with you?”

The Star Lord hesitated before smiling warmly, “Do not worry, fairy. Matters in the camp remain unresolved. The Lord is handling them himself, but he specifically asked me to tell you to eat first, not to wait for him.”

Before Tianyu could say more, the Star Lord bowed and left.

Since the Saintess Yousu awoke, Jingye came home less and less for meals. True, with war looming, he had to keep up morale and stay in the camp—Tianyu would not have doubted him, but the matter with the Saintess made her uneasy.

For the first time, she felt she was being unreasonable, but she couldn’t let her suspicions cloud her trust in Jingye. He belonged to the world, not just to her.

“Jingye, I made your favorite peach blossom soup. Come, have a taste.”

The Ninefold Mystic Lord, stern-faced in silver armor, was studying a scroll. Upon hearing Yousu Wen’s voice, he did not even look up. “No need. Your injuries have not healed. Rest.”

Yousu Wen’s gentle eyes were like a moonlit fairy’s.

Her flowing shawl brushed against Jingye’s hand. He frowned and put the hand aside.

“If you hadn’t gone to such lengths to find me the world’s rarest treasures for my recovery, how could I have awakened so soon?”

“…As long as you’re happy.”

His abrupt words were simple, but carried a trace of warmth and favoritism.

Tianyu clutched the gauze at her waist, crumpling the moon-white fabric in her hands.

Her eyes brimmed with grievance and sorrow.

So, all the treasures and wonders of the world, traversed across the six realms, were to build a place for the Saintess Yousu to heal.

Searching for her had only been a matter of convenience.

She walked despondently along the celestial paths of the Sacred Domain. Passing immortals paused to bow to her.

At night, she hugged her knees, sitting in the long corridor watching the stars.

The grand, white gates never revealed the figure she longed to see.

One night, two nights, three—until on the fourth morning, she woke up in the Celestial Vault Hall.

She thought Jingye had brought her back, but it turned out Yun Yi and Xi Nian had carried her in together.

She hadn’t seen Jingye for a long time.

Her cultivation, too, was steadily weakening.

Noticing her melancholy, Yun Yi and Xi Nian suggested she visit the Jade Pool to see the lotuses.

The elegant blossoms and their subtle fragrance brightened Tianyu’s eyes once more.

She finally understood: if Jingye didn’t come to find her, she could seek him out herself.

With that thought, she asked Xi Nian, “Sister Xi Nian, do you know where the Lord is?”

“He should be with the God of War, Tang Jiu, discussing the upcoming campaign routes.”

Tang Jiu, the God of War.

As soon as she turned, she bumped into someone.

The scent of lotus.

Tianyu quickly apologized, “I’m sorry.”

“It’s nothing,” came a gentle voice, clear as a spring.

It made one long to glimpse her face.

Indeed, a touch of celestial adornment graced her brow, beneath distant-mountain brows shone a pair of bright, clear eyes. Tea-colored pupils set off against fair, cool skin—her beauty was understated yet ethereal.

A constant smile touched her lips.

Her hair was styled in a lofty cloud-bun, a pale-pink veil draped over her shoulders, her immortal dress flowing.

Every gesture radiated the air of divinity.

She was truly beautiful.

“You are a rare sight, fairy. May I ask who you are?” the woman inquired.

Tianyu hurried to answer, “My name is Tianyu.”

Yousu Wen smiled. “I am Yousu Wen. We finally meet. Did I hurt you when we collided?”

She hadn’t expected the famed Saintess Yousu to be so lovely—every glance and every word brimmed with charm and elegance.

She spoke with gentle warmth, but as for her and Jingye…

Yun Yi leaned over and whispered, “According to rank, you ought to bow to the Saintess Yousu.”

Startled, Tianyu hastily performed a clumsy bow, her awkwardness drawing snickers from the fairies behind Yousu Wen.

Her face flushed with embarrassment.

Yousu Wen glanced over and issued a cold warning, “Have you all forgotten the rules?”

The laughing fairies immediately dropped to their knees, pleading for mercy.

Yousu Wen continued, “You were not laughing at me.”

The fairies quickly kowtowed to Tianyu, begging her forgiveness.

Tianyu was astonished—was the Sacred Domain so strict?

“It’s all right. Get up,” she said.

One fairy glanced nervously at Yousu Wen, who said, “What? Are the words of Fairy Tianyu not enough?”

Only then did the fairy scramble to her feet, bowing and thanking her profusely.

Yousu Wen turned to take Tianyu’s hand, smiling gently, like an elder sister.

“You all listen: if I ever hear a word of disrespect toward Fairy Tianyu in the Sacred Domain again, go confess your guilt at Night’s End immediately. Is that clear?”

“Yes,” came the reply.

Looking at the gentle and kindly fairy before her, Tianyu’s doubts and grievances melted away.

Perhaps the rumors were wrong; she really was a wonderful person, and truly a match for Jingye.

Yousu Wen led Tianyu back to her palace.

The Moon-Gazing Palace.

Once she had dismissed the other fairies, Yousu Wen’s expression turned grave as she asked, “Have you encountered difficulties in cultivation lately?”

How did she know?

When Tianyu didn’t answer, Yousu Wen produced a brocade box containing a white pill.

“This is a Heart-Cleansing Pill. Take it, and it will purge the impurities from your body, smoothing your breath and aiding your cultivation.”

“No need, Saintess. I don’t want to trouble you.”

Yousu Wen only smiled. “Please accept it. Here in the Sacred Domain, we are all sisters. Good sisters help and support one another.”

Tianyu smiled.

“Then thank you, Saintess.”

“No need for thanks. Cultivation is difficult for mortals, but with perseverance, one will surely ascend.”

“Then I’ll borrow your good wishes, Saintess.”

Leaving the Moon-Gazing Palace, she ran into Jingye.

He did not appear the least bit surprised, only glanced at Tianyu and asked, “What brings you here? Is something the matter?”

She hadn’t seen Jingye in so long that her longing turned to an embrace. She hugged his waist tightly.

He had grown thinner; his waist was much slimmer.

“What is it?” he asked.

Tianyu said nothing, just listened to his heartbeat, finally feeling a peace she had never known.

At least for this moment, Jingye belonged to her. No one could take him away.

Jingye stroked her head and gently put his arms around her.

“I missed you.”