Chapter Seven: A Reunion Without Recognition

Ten Years Later, Chang’an Town, Fire God Festival.

Chang’an Town is an ancient settlement with a history spanning thousands of years. Located in the southwestern region of the Divine Land, it serves as a crucial north-south passageway between the Shu Mountain Immortal Sect and the southwestern wilderness. The town features three main streets running north to south, while to the east flows a roaring river cascading down from the distant snowy peaks of Shu Mountain. Chang’an Street is perpetually bustling and noisy, crowded with travelers coming and going, lending the town an air of vibrant prosperity. Inns, taverns, and street shops line the streets, filled with the continuous clamor of merchants hawking their wares.

In the relatively secluded northeastern part of Chang’an Town, near the Ruo River, stands the town’s most renowned medical clinic, the “Herbal Hall.” At the front are consulting rooms and herbal shops, while the rear houses the living quarters. Behind these lies a vast courtyard where extensive medicinal herbs are cultivated.

The clinic opens for consultations only on the fifth, fifteenth, and twenty-fifth days of each month. It is said that the clinic’s proprietor is a middle-aged woman who permanently conceals her face behind a veil, rarely seen by others, making her quite mysterious and seldom available for consultations.

However, the proprietor’s young daughter often sees patients. Though still a child, she is said to be extraordinarily beautiful and has inherited her mother’s exceptional medical skills.

Besides practicing medicine, the clinic also sells herbs to the public, including many rare varieties, making it the most famous medical establishment for travelers coming from all directions.

On this day, the annual Fire God Festival fills Chang’an Street with a teeming crowd. Lanterns and decorations adorn every corner, and the streets are packed with people, creating a lively and festive atmosphere.

Legend holds that this day marks the birthday of the ancient Fire God. Every household lights floral lanterns at their doorsteps to invite the Fire God’s good fortune into their homes. Young men and women don masks and parade through the streets, admiring the lantern displays. Those whose hearts align often exchange gifts secretly, pledging lifelong devotion and sealing bonds of enduring love.

In the back room of the Herbal Hall, a weary woman sat quietly on a chair. She appeared to have just returned from outside and was removing a black veil to reveal a delicate, pale, and strikingly beautiful face.

Though barely in her thirties, her large, watery eyes were clouded with sorrow and worry, and her complexion was startlingly pale. She clutched her chest repeatedly, as if in great pain.

Restless and uneasy, she kept glancing toward the door and asked the elderly man standing respectfully by her side, “Uncle Wang, how long has Mingyue been out? Why hasn’t she returned yet?”

Uncle Wang replied respectfully, “Auntie, the young lady said since today is the Fire God Festival, she wanted to go out and enjoy herself for a while. She assured me she would take good care of herself, so please don’t worry.”

Uncle Wang scrutinized Auntie Ming’s pale face, noting she had been out for over ten days and now appeared particularly fragile and breathless. Concerned, he asked, “Auntie, are you alright? Has something happened?”

Auntie Ming had come to Chang’an Town ten years ago, leading the villagers of Baihua Village to seek refuge.

That night, she fled with the villagers, enduring over half a month of arduous travel before finally settling in Chang’an Town.

By some means, she persuaded the town’s mayor to sell her a large estate at a low price. She retained the small courtyard housing the clinic but gave away the rest of the vast property freely to the villagers of Baihua Village. Additionally, every family received generous settlement funds to start small businesses. Gradually, the Baihua villagers established themselves in Chang’an Town.

To the villagers, Auntie Ming was not only incredibly capable but also their benefactor. They often sought her counsel for matters big and small.

Uncle Wang and his grandson Wuer, who lived by themselves, later came to work at Auntie Ming’s clinic, with Wuer also learning the art of medicine and herbalism to earn a living.

Suddenly standing and then sitting back down, Auntie Ming said after a long pause, “Uncle Wang, send Wuer to look for her. The streets are overcrowded today; I hope nothing untoward has happened.”

Quickly, Uncle Wang called Wuer over and instructed him to find Mingyue. Mingyue was not her original name; she was once called Xiao’er. After moving to Chang’an Town, Auntie Ming renamed her “Mingyue,” meaning “Bright Moon,” giving her this formal name.

Uncle Wang suspected that Auntie Ming had changed names to evade enemies in pursuit and thus did not press further.

Auntie Ming paused again and said, “Uncle Wang, if I am no longer here in the future, please watch over Mingyue for me until she is married...”

Startled, Uncle Wang replied earnestly, “Auntie Ming... I have always regarded Mingyue as my own. I will never let you down. But what exactly has happened to you?”

Auntie Ming waved her hand sadly and said, “The moon waxes and wanes, and people experience joy and sorrow. I do not know when, but I feel my time is drawing near...”

Tears welled in Uncle Wang’s eyes uncontrollably, his hands trembling as he said, “You are well now; why speak such resolute words?”

The streets of Chang’an were filled with a sea of people, various colorful lanterns hung everywhere. At the center stood a stage where actors performed lively operas, the audience surrounding it in layers, their cheers and applause creating a festive clamor.

A slender boy of about twelve or thirteen struggled through the crowd. He wore a half-mask of the Fire God, covering his nose and above, revealing his snow-white skin, translucent chin, and rosy lips. His long neck gleamed like polished jade under the lights.

His hat was askew from the throng. Holding two skewers of candied hawthorn, he bit into one and muttered, “They’ve been performing the same play for years; it’s really boring. I’d rather go watch the fireworks by the riverside in the southern part of town.” Saying this, he hurried toward the town’s southern riverbank.

Soon the fireworks would begin, and many people were heading that way.

Ahead, the boy spotted a tall youth dressed in white walking slowly in that direction. Amidst the crowd, his snowy white robes fluttered in the evening breeze, exuding an elegant and noble air.

Mingyue could not help but exclaim inwardly, “Such grace!”

She stepped forward and tapped the white-robed youth on the shoulder, saying, “Brother, are you going south to watch the fireworks? Hurry or you’ll miss them.”

The man turned his head, revealing a face partially concealed by a silver mask.

The mask covered everything above his lips, revealing sensual, pale lips and flawless skin. His eyes behind the mask gleamed with a sharp light.

In the dim glow, the slender boy admired the white robes and flowing black hair that danced in the wind, sensing an aura of refinement and unparalleled elegance.

The man’s deep eyes studied the boy. Seeing he was small, barely reaching his chest, slender and dressed in light blue with a festive Fire God mask showing only rosy lips sweetly eating candied hawthorn, he replied, “I’m just wandering about. Little brother, please carry on as you wish.”

The boy eagerly bit the hawthorn and introduced, “You don’t sound like you’re from Chang’an. Our town has many delicious foods! Travelers always try the braised salmon at Chang’an Restaurant, the secret roasted wild duck at Wansheng Tavern, and the ham asparagus at Baili Inn. These three dishes are famous and exquisite—you must try them when you have the chance.”

The white-robed man looked at the boy again, a soft laugh escaping beneath the silver mask. He found the boy’s animated enthusiasm when speaking of food quite endearing and his warmth genuine. He nodded, “Thank you, little brother, for the kind recommendation.”

“The candied hawthorn here is also superb. Try some,” the boy offered another skewer. His small hand was slender and fair, revealing a wrist as translucent and flawless as jade.

The boy smiled, looking up at him expectantly.

Under the hopeful gaze, the white-robed youth took the bright red skewer and bit into it. The sweet and sour taste was indeed delicious.

Suddenly, he recalled a little girl once feeding him candied hawthorn, her hopeful eyes asking, “Brother Jiu, is it good?” Ten years later, returning to that place, he found it deserted, unable to find her again.

He looked at the small boy before him, momentarily lost in thought.

“Is it good?” the boy asked cheerfully, flashing a row of white teeth. “This candied hawthorn shop has been around for decades; it’s an old establishment. Travelers always bring some back with them. The osmanthus cakes here are also excellent—you must try those, too.”

The white-robed youth nodded, “Indeed, quite delicious.”

The boy’s smile deepened into a beautiful curve.

Suddenly, the sound of firecrackers exploded overhead, mingling with the crowd’s cheers.

They both looked up to see countless colorful fireworks bursting into the sky, blooming into flowers of various shapes and brilliant hues, illuminating the heavens with extraordinary beauty.

“Someday, I will fly higher than all of you,” the boy shouted joyfully, cupping his hands around his mouth toward the dazzling sky.

The white-robed youth glanced sideways to see the slender boy leaping and shrieking with excitement like a joyful little bird.

The boy turned to him with a bright smile and said, “Every year, Chang’an holds fireworks. I love watching the Phoenix Dance Among the Nine Heavens the most. It looks so beautiful, spreading its wings. I wish people had wings too, so we could fly wherever we want.”

“Do you like to fly?” the youth asked softly.

The boy’s eyes gleamed with admiration. “Yes! I heard the Shu Mountain Immortal Sect members can fly. I want to cultivate at Shu Mountain too, but my mother won’t let me leave Chang’an.”

The youth spoke quietly, “Next year is the Shu Mountain Immortal Sect’s once-in-ten-years recruitment ceremony. Little brother, you might want to try.”

The boy’s eyes lit up. “Really? If I get a chance, I’ll definitely go watch.” Then he pointed excitedly at a phoenix-shaped firework spreading its wings in the sky. “Look! The phoenix is flying. So beautiful!”

They fell silent, gazing upward at the sky filled with fireworks.

After a short while, the fireworks ended. The bustling crowd surged toward them. They stepped aside into a quiet alley to avoid the throng.

The boy scratched his head with a hint of regret, “I really want to experience what it’s like to fly.”

“Do you truly want to fly?” the youth asked.

The boy nodded eagerly.

After pondering, the youth suddenly produced a gleaming sword. The sword began to enlarge before them. He helped the boy stand upon it.

The boy exclaimed excitedly, “You... you can also fly on a sword? Are you taking me flying?”

The white-robed youth nodded, forming a hand seal. Together, they soared above the sparsely populated hills behind the town.

Nervously clutching the youth’s sleeve, the boy shouted joyfully into the wind, “Yay, I’m finally flying! I’m so happy!”

The youth glanced at the delighted boy, a faint smile touching his lips. Behind the boy’s mask, his eyes sparkled like radiant stars, leaving a deep impression on the youth.

After flying several circles, they landed at a quiet, deserted street corner.

The boy smiled brightly. “Thank you for flying with me. I’m so happy today. I should head back now. There are some ruffians here, so be careful. It’s getting late; you should rest early.”

The youth nodded and watched as the boy walked toward the east side of Chang’an Town. The boy went a long way before turning back to wave farewell.

The youth followed from a distance until he saw the boy enter a building. Above the door hung a sign: “Herbal Hall.” It appeared to be a medical clinic.