It was agreed that while Nian Yue delivered the message, Cai Ming Li and Zi Yin would be there to add the gleaming green stone to the pot of gold. It was obvious, the old man couldn't touch the pot and hence Zi Yin would be the one lending him a helping hand.

  Meanwhile in the village, the soft rays of dusk comforted those exhausted from their dutiful day. And then it was time to return to their homes to their families and seek some rest.

  While some people had the luxury of finishing work and returning to their homes, others did not possess such luxury. Their work was never ending. At the doorstep of the house, sweeping the stray leaves was a young girl in her late teens. She was focused on her task, relaxed and calm. Until a child approached her and said, “Qi Li Jie Jie, Qi Li Jie Jie, that lady over there is calling you.”

  Qi Li turned to the child and then followed the direction of his finger. A mysterious woman was standing in the distance under a tree. Her attire was white, full robes, not a single part of skin to be seen. Her face was covered by an equally white, thick silk veil. She didn't look in hurry, only stood there waiting patiently.

  “You should go home.” Qi Li gave a gentle pat to the child’s back. The kid seemed to puff his cheeks but did not disagree. He obediently took his leave and ran in the direction of his home.

  Qi Li placed her broom away and eyed the lady for a moment. When Qi Li moved, her steps were hesitant. Once she was near enough to the mysterious lady Qi Li tried to peek at the hidden face from underneath, curious as she murmured, “Can I help you?”

  The lady nodded and just as gracefully she pulled something out of her long flowy white sleeve. It was a leaf envelope. “This is for you.”

  Qi Li blinked and took hold of the envelope. “From who?” she asked.

  From under the veil, those pink lips curled into a gentle smile. “Someone who dearly cares about you.”

  Qi Li fell silent. Her eyes were filled with awe and disbelief as if she had seen something, someone could only dream of. The veil the mysterious woman wore fluttered, only for mere seconds. Qi Li had seen what the woman looked like. Her absolutely mesmerizing eyes and a blissful smile. Qi Li was dumbstruck. Her lips parted to speak but then her eyes betrayed her. The lady was no longer there. Wide eyed, Qi Li was forced to think—Had she looked away? Had she blinked? Had she hallucinated?? Because the lady had just disappeared out of thin air, as if she was never there to begin with.

  Maybe it was her, maybe it was the mere seconds that Qi Li lowered her head to take a proper look at the envelope. And now the lady was nowhere to be found.

  Qi Li searched frantically around the tree in hopes of finding the person. Yet, there was a belief in Qi Li’s heart, she wouldn't find that person ever again. And so she stopped. Her glistening eyes then landed on the strange envelope.

  ~~~

  “Oh my God! Oh my GOD!! What is this lord!” Qi Li was out of her mind as well as words when she saw the pot filled with gold, jewels and every precious item one could only collect over a period of their whole life.

  After an hour of digging under the tree the little leaf map described, Qi Li came to find this treasure beyond her expectation. The map was so well carved as if the one to carve it had spent their life reading every rook and canny of the area. And who could it be other than her late grandfather? The suspicion came when she read the words written at the end of the map, they were the words her grandfather often told her when he was still with her. That made it clear this gift was sent by him.

  Qi Li whipped around, distress ached on her face. “Grandpa!” she called out aimlessly. She did not know where to scream and where to call out. Was this even true? Was her grandfather still here?

  Between her aimless search she caught the sight of something extraordinary. A split second and a walk of an angel. She saw a bright silver shimmer follow the glimpse of white fluttering robes that disappeared behind the dense union of trees. Qi Li visibly tensed. Her eyes lit up with awe as a shiver ran down her spine. She did not know what to do, but her body did as she started crying. “Thank you! Thank you my goddess!”

  “Zi Yin! I'm going to smack you! What was that??” Coming a distance away Nian Yue finally had the time to cry out as she literally smacked Zi Yin in the arm and the latter only laughed in amusement.

  “Wasn’t she calling for you?” Zi Yin reasoned. She was the one who had pushed Nian Yue to meet the girl and why Nian Yue couldn't hide behind the tree in time.

  “Not me! Her grandpa!” Nian Yue wanted to smack Zi Yin once again.

  Between the giggles of the ghost and the angry squeals of the goddess, Cai Ming Li stood silent. His mind was filled with happy memories of his slipping past life. His untouchable soul became clear, distancing him from the worldly affairs he possessed before. Golden qi embraced from within him, making him feel light and free.

  Nian Yue was the first to notice the change. She turned to Cai Ming Li and said gently, “It's time.”

  ~~~

  “May great lord’s blessing be upon you and your new life,” Nian Yue wished as Cai Ming Li stepped inside the portal. Soon the rim of the portal shrunk until there remained nothing. Only then did Nian Yue let out a sigh of relief.

  Zi Yin stood behind, watching silently the cycle of end and the beginning. When Nian Yue turned to face her, the curve on her lips widened.

  “Now you,” Nian Yue said with a scowl on her face. Her hands flew to rest on her hips.

  “Now me what?” said Zi Yin, challenging Nian Yue with the same stance.

  “Do you really not know or are you still playing around?” Nian Yue’s eyes narrowed.

  “Playing? Boring game. I have something better to show you,” Zi Yin said.

  Before Nian Yue could even reply back, she was being dragged by Zi Yin. Her wrist grasped between the cold fingers, as Zi Yin led her to her favoured location.

  “Where are you going??” Nian Yue was concerned. She did not trust this ghost one bit. Her eyes shot around here and there with concern as they crossed a row of trees around the strange pathway, exiting the graveyard and towards a higher place of the forest. The place was specifically an escarpment right above the Lichuan village, giving a nice view of the whole village all together.

  “Lay low.” Zi Yin instructed as they peeked down at the lit area. The village was lit, drowning in lights as if a sudden festival had taken place.

  Nian Yue’s jaw dropped. “...What.. what.. What are they doing!!” Her voice was like a mouse’s squeak as she said that.

  Zi Yin grinned, “Worshipping.”

  The adult members of the village, men and women, were lined up in multiple rows. They were all kneeling to the ground and worshiping towards the face of the forest—a handmade altar was placed in front of them. In a way they were praying towards where Zi Yin and Nian Yue were. Some were sobbing, some made desperate wishes and others were just worshiping blindly for incoherent results.

  “Goddess! Oh Goddess! Thank you for showing my grandpa the way!”

  “Please give me a way to atone for my sins!”

  “May the goddess grant me with the same wealth!”

  “Thank you so much! Thank you for gracing our village with your presence!”

  “Celestials visited us! Our village is blessed!!”

  Multiple pots were filled with incense. Overwhelming offerings were bought upon the temporarily made altar. A white jade statue carved in hurry was placed on top. And just like that history was written. A tale for grandparents to tell their grandchildren. The start of a new festival.

  Nian Yue had mixed feelings. She did not know if she should be happy about this or cry in silence. Until her body had a sudden surge of warmth that ran from her feet up to her head that she forgot all her earlier emotions. Her finger tips lit up with golden light. An amount of spiritual strength and goodwill had made its way to Nian Yue.

  Nian Yue stared at her shining fingers for a moment before she felt another pair of eyes fixed on her. Zi Yin was staring at her and Nian Yue did not know if the other was making fun of her or simply feeling proud of herself, as this was the product of Zi Yin’s doing.

  “You have quite the following now,” Zi Yin commented.

  For some reason, Nian Yue did not like the comment. She turned around and leapt inside the forest, speeding away from the village. Zi Yin, with no other option had to go following Nian Yue from behind and that without a word.

  It might have fumed the one being followed.

  “Stop..” Nian Yue warned.

  The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

  “Mn?” said Zi Yin ignorantly.

  “....” Nian Yue had to let out the breath she was holding to calm her nerves. What could holding it in achieve anyway? “Give me a moment.”

  “I’m not interrupting your moment?” said Zi Yin.

  “....” said Nian Yue.

  “You did not like what I said?” Zi Yin guessed. “It's not wrong to have the following, is it? Shouldn't you be happy?”

  “The devotion of mortals is a blessing only if it's used to fuel our path. You won't know when it becomes a distraction. I have seen plenty of gods fall for temporary glory and destroy themselves. Besides, I’m not a goddess one should call for. I bring death. My presence and existence both are with death,” Nian Yue said seriously. Until she realized what type of words she had used when Zi Yin stared at her with a blank face. “...Don't mind that. Let’s help you. Come here.” Her eyebrows pinched together as she cursed herself internally before she stretched her arm out as if demanding the other to obey.

  “....” Zi Yin’s eyes landed on Nian Yue’s outstretched hand. And soon, her playful smile returned. She approached Nian Yue and bent her back slightly so that their faces were lined together—faces that were only inches apart. “Catch me if you can.” The purple sleeve fluttered in front of Nian Yue’s eyes as the figure swiftly passed by her side.

  Nian Yue turned around and hissed through her gritted teeth. “Come on, it's not funny!” She followed Zi Yin from behind like the tag they were playing before.

  In her way Nian Yue struggled as she got caught between low trees, the leaves blocking her view. What's up with ghosts and their obsession with places like these to run into. Meanwhile Zi Yin’s laughter echoed melodiously as she disappeared into the darkness, slipping from Nian Yue’s gaze.

  “Zi Yin!” Nian Yue called out but it was in vain. When her view cleared, unfortunately the ghost was nowhere to be seen. Her gaze tumbled here and there, searching for a direction. Suddenly a leaf came floating her way, an orange dry leaf. Naturally, one wouldn't pay much attention to such a thing but Nian Yue did. With a skilled hand she caught the leaf mid air. She hadn't paid attention to this little piece of nature for just any reason, there was something written on the little thing. The strokes were thick and black like ink but it wasn't ink. And Nian Yue knew whose handwriting it was.

  Let's play again tomorrow.

  “....”

  There was so much going on inside Nian Yue’s head when she read the message. Her mind was scattered with so many thoughts. However, a few words repeated themselves.

  As purple as the color of witches.

  Violaceous.. Venomous.. the lord.

  It could be a huge coincidence but it was a coincidence worth taking on accord. Nian Yue suspected it the moment she met this ghost. The ghost, a century old, had the knowledge of essence vessels and Po arrangement. The cold hands and magnificent purple eyes, all this couldn't be just any coincidence.

  ~~~

  A stray hand sneaked its way to Nian Yue’s head and she did not appreciate it. She immediately pulled away. Her initial expressions would have been of utter disgust and uh nothing changed even after knowing who it was.

  “Bless– Hey I'm just blessing you!”

  “Please don't bless me,” Nian Yue said with irritation. Exhaustion laced her voice. “How can I help you celestial fertility lord?”

  The said fertility lord let out a gentle laugh and took a seat beside Nian Yue. The spirit of a little rabbit was sitting on his lap. “You can call me Chao Mu An! Or lord Chao An? Really, there's no need for formality. We’re literally like co-partners with the measurement of our works!”

  Chao Mu An was the living embodiment of the beginning gate. The Venus lord. The lord who graced one with the blessings of a child. A nurturing nest where souls rested before finding their own homes. The souls that Nian Yue helped cross the reincarnation circle then reach Chao Mu An in a form free from any bond or attachment. They become his responsibility, his children to nurture and prepare for a new life.

  “I still think it would be great if we remain rather separate,” Nian Yue said dryly.

  “That hurts..” Chao Mu An had to be dramatic as he let out a tired sigh, while his hand worked in rhythm, caressing the back of the little animal.

  “You, in the Neptune literature hall? Did you lose your way?” Nian Yue asked as she prepared to dive back into the book she was reading.

  “Hey. Love gods could be practical too..” Chao Mu An was offended.

  “I never said they can't,” Nian Yue replied. “Can I help you get your favoured literature?”

  “Ahaha..” Chao Mu An let out a nervous laugh. He scratched the cheek that didn't itch. “I’ll find it myself. I just happened to spot you so I came to say hi,” he said happily.

  Nian Yue nodded and so Chao Mu An continued. “I know times are tough but how's your day going? Anything new?”

  Nian Yue let out a weary sigh and buried her face in her hands, her elbows supported on the table. “There's a ghost that has been too… tiring, mischievous, troublesome, annoying, disobedient,” and the list might have continued with the growing annoyance in Nian Yue’s tone if Chao Mu An hadn't interrupted her.

  “Aiyaah.. you seem to be having a really hard time. Here, have the bunny of happiness and rest.” Chao Mu An enthusiastically lifted the rabbit off his lap and wanted to hand it to Nian Yue but she immediately pulled away as the rabbit started kicking its feet in the air.

  “Keep it away,” said Nian Yue with a weird look on her face, as if she had seen something inappropriate.

  “haiyah! don't do that!” Chao Mu An scolded the rabbit like the natural parent he was and the animal immediately fell silent.

  “It's better you keep it to yourself..” Nian Yue said with a crooked smile.

  Chao Mu An let out a disappointed sigh and put the rabbit back on his lap before engaging into caressing the rabbit as usual. “This god can only offer goddess some blessings.”

  “Please don't..” said Nian Yue.

  By the time the two finished speaking another figure showed up to their table. “Princess Guang Yue. Greetings.”

  “Uh! Greetings, lord An Xu!” Chao Mu An said cheerfully.

  “Greetings, lord fertility,” An Xu said respectfully.

  “I shall give you some space. Bye bye~” Chao Mu An nodded at Nian Yue as he walked towards the huge assembly of bookshelves to keep himself busy.

  “Please take a seat,” Nian Yue said, pointing at the chair across her. The other politely took the seat offered to him.

  “Is there anything specific that the Princess has called me here for?” said An Xu.

  “Yes. Let's first start with the current update. How is the new troop of martial gods doing?” asked Nian Yue.

  “They have just reported back this morning. Everything is fine,” replied An Xu.

  “Hm,” Nian Yue nodded. “So..” She took a simple pause before she continued, “Is there any penalty for me?” Nian Yue said with a smile so sweet there were no emotions in it.

  “...” An Xu had his eyes bulge out when Nian Yue started the conversation like that. He immediately put a hand into his sleeve and pulled out the blue scroll, opening it almost frantically. He was sure there was nothing he had not already taken notes of but when Nian Yue pointed something like that, there had to be a double check at any time. “...Nothing. For now.”

  “Oh..” Nian Yue blinked. Her smile turned crooked perhaps with relief or maybe disbelief. “..I’m glad.”

  An Xu had to blink. “Is that all?”

  “Yeah. For now.” Then another pause and Nian Yue’s eyes had a flash. “You seem to avoid this place. Any reason?”

  “...Nothing of.. sort..” An Xu was nervous, uneasy by the flash in Nian Yue’s eyes. “I happened to be really occupied today. Why does the goddess think like that?”

  “Can I know what everybody seems to know except me?” Nian Yue said, firm in her stance.

  “What is.. goddess talking about?” An Xu was now visibly uncomfortable.

  “You know goddess Mei Wu is an idiot right?” Nian Yue added suddenly.

  “H-Hah..?”

  “My presence and your existence is a threat to heaven, why is that?” Nian Yue’s pale face looked ghostly. Her eyes bore into An Xu.

  “Goddess..”

  Nian Yue wouldn't stop. “Goddess Mei Wu has a short temper and severely lacks patience. From her I get to know there's indeed something that is being hidden from me. Lord An Xu.. I did not expect this from you.”

  “Yes, there's indeed something.” An Xu finally cracked. But behind that crack was the desperate plea to prove himself. “But goddess.. I'm bound. I can not,” his voice came out small. “However I promise you, when the time arrives, I will be the one enlightening you. Just, please.. not now.” His eyes were starting to glisten. He desperately tried to hide his face, even if it was just lowering it helplessly.

  “.....” Nian Yue nodded finally. “You can leave.”

  And it didn't have to be said again. An Xu was quick to pull himself together. The chair creaked loudly as it slid back when he got up. “My apology goddess.” and he left.

  Nian Yue was left behind, lost in her own thoughts, staring into nothingness.

  ~~~

  Walking out of the huge library, Nian Yue felt idle. Nothing in head, nor in her schedule for this morning. The perfect time when Nian Yue could feel the gentle breeze caressing her skin and nurturing her core.

  To break it all, a figure was enough—as he walked towards Nian Yue. One of the Saturn celestial, and to top that—a major one. Lord of fate, the writer of courage, luck and bad luck.

  The celestial wore a sore face as he advanced towards Nian Yue. Nian Yue’s body was tense as she took her steps as if she was walking on thin ice, hoping the god would spare her the mercy and let her go since lord An Xu did say, no penalty yet.

  “Goddess.” But it does not mean it couldn't happen now. “Take steps back. Quick.”

  Nian Yue knew something horrible awaited her in heaven. How could it not? With luck like that, as if it wanted to finish her at once. She squeezed her eyes and walked back a few steps until she was standing in front of the god of fate. “Greetings, lord–”

  “Now you remember the greetings? You kids nowadays have no respect for the elders. Are these your manners? Where are your ethics? Go recite the conduct of discipline and discourses sutras a hundred times as you realize your mistake,” The god scolded without a stop.

  Nian Yue stared at him scolding her, like she was some mindless creature. She couldn't believe that this was the first thing she was being scolded for. What about her breaking the heavenly rules? Changing the course of a major mortal timeline and setting a few new tales with her mistake.

  “Huft! What are you staring at?? Do you realize your mistake??”

  “Y-Yes.. I apologize,” Nian Yue said with her eyes blown wide in confusion.

  “Mn, good.” And then the god carried on, walking towards the library as if nothing had happened. The two helpers by his side struggled to keep up with his walk.

  Is that it? Nothing else?

  “This is a bad omen…” Nian Yue mumbled to herself.

  ____ ____ ____

  Character Names

  [琪丽 (Qí Lì) — “Beautiful as precious jade”]

  [巢慕安 (Cháo Mù ān) — “The Peaceful Nest One Yearns For”]

  To be continued:-

  —----------—