Chapter One
It'd been a quiet, normal day in the renowned peach blossom woods but Zhe Yan had the sudden feeling that the eerie silence was rather foreboding.
A draft, gentle and pleasant, wafted through the trees, rustling the countless leaves and delicate flowers perched on the slender branches from their stillness and making quite a number of them flutter their way down into the ground, the simple sight always wondrously calming to Zhe Yan’s attentive eyes.
His forest was remarkably empty these past few years, save from him and Bai Zhen. The latter was his perpetual guest and Zhe Yan, as always, genuinely didn't mind his company.
His other constants had been Bai Qian and Bai Fengjiu and while the former always pilfered her way through his exquisite wines, the latter simply followed her beloved Aunt like a docile, little fox until the need to create chaos strikes.
However, the young ones were happily married now and already had children of their own and great responsibilities were tying them down, almost never granting them an easy way out from their new dens.
Almost.
Nothing could really stop the nature of foxes from their wandering habits and the great Bai Clan of Qingqiu had always been carefree and marginally taciturn with profound family connections.
The sly foxes.
They were almost always found in his woods, these deities whose excuses to visit and stay for months and years reached a range of ridiculous proportions he wasn't always certain how he'd managed to cope.
Making him remember the one being who took a liking to this particular bunch and granted them blessings just before she went away.
An amused smirk took form on his lips as he leisurely sipped his wine.
An action that caught the attention of his current fishing companion however, and Bai Zhen inquired as he relaxed on his seat, his eyes fixed on the calm river in front of them, "What is that curl on your lips for, may I ask?"
Zhe Yan let out a soft snort, his voice knowing as he once again filled his cup with wine, “My thoughts go to your Aunt who doesn’t have anything else to do other than dawdle and wander in countless worlds and time to do her duties and cause mischief altogether."
Bai Zhen instantly perked up, earning him a pealing laugh from the ancient god for his evident enthusiasm on the current subject.
The younger High God feigned a glare, the subtle slant of his lips a telling sign, and prodded, “Do you have any recent news to share about Aunt that my family and I should know about?”
Zhe Yan let out a huff and dourly answered, “Up to this day I still wonder why you call her as such when you and your family are so familiar with me." His brows creased, looking pensive as he continued, "You and your siblings haven't even truly met her. As a matter of fact, Bai Zhi and Ma Rui had been the only ones to ever see her before she had to go away. This eagerness is peculiar."
"And I remember distinctly that we've also had this kind of conversation before. Several times, in fact," Bai Zhen retorted with a roll of his eyes, "Is this a sign that your memory has finally deteriorated, you old bird?"
Zhe Yan glared daggers at him.
But Bai Zhen remained unfazed and continued rather wittily, "We grew up with yours and Father's tales about her, so it's not really a wonder why we're all very eager. Everyone who knew her always talk about her with so much fondness we can't help but think she's wonderful and isn't that something, considering only three people knew of her existence?"
An impish look displayed on his youthful face when he added, "And you really can't blame us. You should have thought of that when you decided you to plant your prized trees near Qingqiu. With that said, are you finally going to admit that Aunt is much wiser and older than you?"
Zhe Yan snorted. "If this is your ploy to get me to confess anything, you're failing. Until she comes back and tells me all her secrets, this will always be an unresolved discussion. That woman had always been unexpectedly shy when it came to her age, which is something I would never understand since we're always so open about the years we have persevered and lived, but I suppose she never really outgrew that particular trait from her first world."
Bai Zhen gave him a few indulgent nods before asking, a cheeky grin plastered on his face, "Should I tell Father to start a betting pool about that then?"
Zhe Yan flicked his fingers on his forehead, startling the younger immortal. "It's not like there isn't one yet. Your Father had been the one to start the wager a couple of years after she was gone. Didn't you know about that?"
Bai Zhen pouted. "Clearly not." He released a mournful sigh and absentmindedly eyed his cup as he twirled it around his hands. "Still, I hope she visits us soon. I don't think she had the chance to stay in the Fox Den for a long period of time. Mother gets so wistful when she makes a remark about how she never got to see the entirety of the Den."
Zhe Yan hummed as he swept a lingering gaze around his woods. "Yes... She was very fond of Qingqiu, specifically with your family, but she preferred to stay here under my woods. She could’ve chosen to stay with the clans of the Heaven Kingdom, she'd definitely fit right there with how well she could play around with words when the mood strikes her, but she didn’t like their opulent way of living. Too much gold, she'd always say.”
He let out a low chuckle before tipping his cup into his mouth, saying right after, “She could’ve favored other clans as well, with how extremely well-travelled she was, but it was either she found them lacking or she found them too overbearing. Honestly, one could never know what went on inside that head of hers.”
Bai Zhen’s pout remained as he whined, really, “But why hadn't she stayed in Qingqiu? I recalled you saying she used to spend an awful amount of time in the Underworld and she didn't even deem to spend a single night there. There's some sort of favoritism involved, I tell you.”
“And I'll always tell you she has everything to do with Death and the Underworld, Zhen Zhen. Of course, it was practical she spent some time with that realm. Don’t be difficult now,” the Phoenix countered as he tried not to do something unbecoming in response to his companion’s petulance―like roll his eyes.
He gave his grumbling companion a perceptive look, remarking, “You’ve all become unruly and willful. Most of the times I blame your father for trying to impart such stories to you and your siblings.”
Bai Zhen looked at him drily and snarked, “You might as well blame yourself then, since you apparently forgot your part in all of this. How convenient of you to put all the blame on my Father."
“Bai Zhi took his tales a little too far. I might be ancient but I don't remember her being this mischievous,” he argued back before decidedly diverting the fox’s attention elsewhere. “Have I told you how beautiful she was, Zhen Zhen? No? Hmm... I don’t think I really told you how I met her, did I?”
The younger god shook his head.
Zhe Yan filled his cup with wine and did the same for Bai Zhen as he began recounting his story, “I was still a young phoenix back then and recently ascended into a High God. I was off gallivanting somewhere in the high mountains of some realm I don’t even remember anymore and I was standing off a steep cliff as I gazed around the vast expanse of barren land in front of me. At that time, whispers of great wars were already lurking everywhere and I knew it would take a very long time to win them. I remained hopeful however, that it'll eventually all come to pass and that I'll retire on some place peacefully.
I was not entirely thrilled to be a part of the approaching chaos but my duty kept me from straying and knew that everything I've done would be worth it in the end. All the same, I found that place lacking and was on the verge of flying myself over the clouds to find another place when she emerged.”
He turned to look at a wondrous-looking Bai Zhen and continued with a fond smile, “I've found a true friend in her so I've always considered that moment a significant one. A moment that started with a rift forming out of thin air that just grew longer and larger. It was a sight unlike anything I've ever seen before and my feet were stuck firm on the ground as I kept watching with wide eyes how the rift continued to open. Eventually, a slender arm came out of it and was followed by bare feet and uncovered legs. I belatedly realized it was a woman.
She was pale and very young-looking but I knew better than to think the same. She looked very fragile as well, her stature dainty and small as she finally stood just a few meters away from me, like the strong, turbulent winds up the cliff could knock her down without any effort. Her hair was black as a crow's feathers, her locks long and whipping about as the gust continued to pick up its strength. Her face was delicate and refined yet foreign and mysterious and so unlike the lavishness of those from the Nine Heavens,” he finished. His smile widened and with a hint of playfulness, he asked, “Do you know what her most remarkable feature is?”
Bai Zhen once again shook his head but paused halfway, a contemplative frown forming on his beautiful face. “Father said it was her eyes. It was why you gave her that name."
Zhe Yan nodded in agreement, pleased that his companion remembered such a detail from someone he’s never seen in his entire life. “That’s true but I have a feeling your father simply didn’t know how intense her gleaming orbs are."
Bai Zhen asked with a frown, “And why is that? Is there something unnatural about her eyes?”
Zhe Yan let out an amused laugh and downed the contents of his cup before pouring another. “You're making it sound like being unnatural is evil.” He swung his cup in front of him and checked for any faint movements of his fishing line before continuing, “Well, in a way it was unnatural…seeing as they were glowing the first time I saw her.”
The younger man gasped, his own eyes wide with marvel. “Truly?”
Zhe Yan animatedly nodded. “We all know about her green eyes but they do glow. I thought I was under a spell at first, especially when I didn’t see it happening again, but she came to visit me one day and she was just standing still in a middle of the clearing, staring at something I couldn't see."
“What did it look like, Zhe Yan?” Bai Zhen eagerly asked.
Zhe Yan responded with a blasé shrug. “Just as I told you. Her irises remained green but unlike their usual dimmer color, you know, like the shades of the foliage of your ever-growing trees, they displayed a sparkling hue of emerald and jade. It was a little beacon of light amidst the darkness of the night at that time.” He let out a deep sigh and laid his back against the rock behind him. “She knew I noticed, of course. Your Aunt knew a lot of things, both trivial and significant. She was truly omniscient, probably even more than Dijun, but don't tell anyone I said that."
“But why did it glow in the first place?”
Once again, the phoenix made another shrug before tucking a leg close to his chest and plopping an arm above his knee. “She said it was a visible sign of using greater powers. And a form of intimidation."
"Intimidation?" Bai Zhen parroted with a tilt of his head, curious.
Zhe Yan let out a disgruntled grunt. "I didn't fully understand it either but she was one of a kind, Zhen Zhen, and she could do anything if she was feeling particularly committed enough. She was a courageous and powerful woman, but she was also selfless and it never failed to frustrate us whenever she did things that could easily harm her. Your Father, Mother and I have been blessed to have her as a friend and we promised to never spill her secrets, even at the cost of our lives."
Bai Zhen gave a solemn nod, remembering what his parents had told him, and determinedly repeated, "Aunt will remain a secret of the family until she decides she wants the realms to know her." He then let out a chuckle and remarked, "Father did make a remark on how she was ever your rival. If only she could hear how you held her on such a high regard…"
Zhe Yan replied with a roguish grin, “She would certainly tease me about it before provoking me into participating in one of her silly contests." He gave him a jab on the side and expressed, "Your Aunt isn't a perfect being, you know, and since she missed out a lot on what has happened, she will definitely have something to say about the matters regarding your sister and niece."
“You just have to say that now,” Bai Zhen grumbled before letting out a despondent sigh and straightening up on his seat. "I don't even want to know how that will go. Perhaps I shall schedule a trip with Su Mo Ye to the mortal realm the day she decides to come back?"
Zhe Yan barked a laugh. "You don't even know when that will happen!" He gave him a few reassuring pats on the shoulder and added, still heavily amused, "And you don't have to make it sound so bad. Despite her strong opinions about everything, Lin Hua will always support you on where you're the happiest. She will rant about it at first, something she's quite good at, but give or take a few weeks, she'll be alright."
Bai Zhen let out a grunt before once again downing his cup of wine in one gulp.
A disapproving sound rose out from Zhe Yan’s mouth, his glower displaying the same sentiment. Just when he was about to chastise Bai Zhen into showing a little bit of respect for his wine, Zhe Yan saw something flicker a few paces behind the young immortal, an achingly familiar crevice forming out of nothing.
Zhe Yan quickly caught Bai Zhen’s attention and when he thought him slow, forcefully turned his companion around.
Bai Zhen let out a surprised yelp, an indignant scowl on his face. He began to turn around to face his older companion, intent on giving him a piece of his mind about manhandling, but Zhe Yan secured his head with his hands and pointedly gestured to the sight in front of them.
The ancient god had the pleasure of seeing Bai Zhen's mouth drop at the vision, the latter's eyes round with incredulity as his hands went slack, dropping his cup and spilling his exquisite wine.
Zhe Yan chuckled but leaned forward to whisper to his companion, his voice soft as he similarly trained his own gaze on the emerging lady, “I suppose we’ll have to see such an event much sooner rather than later, hmm?”
Bai Zhen remained stunned and speechless and Zhe Yan couldn't help but laughed out loud, feeling immensely entertained on finally catching Bai Zhen off guard.
Out of all the siblings, Bai Zhen got to be the first one to see Yun Lin Hua arrive and wasn’t this a magnificent sight to behold?
The young woman had completely surfaced from the emptiness, her feet still unadorned as she stepped foot on the bare soil littered with fallen leaves and flower petals.
Fortunately, she was clothed this time, though she clearly didn’t have any qualms trying to make herself more presentable, seeing as she was merely swathed in black, silk cloth that was securely tied on the appropriate places, the rest of the fabric making a trail behind her as she walked towards them, her untied and unadorned raven black hair simply flowing down her back, wild and untamed.
There was a broad smile stretched across her face, her emerald eyes displaying a familiar mischievous twinkle before directing her gaze to his companion, her smile weakening as a crease formed between her brows, her countenance curious and thoughtful.
His current companion didn't deter her however, because her stride never faltered and her voice remained pleasant and steady when she greeted him, "It's been a long time, Zhe Yan."
Zhe Yan sent Bai Zhen a humorous look before standing up and out of his dock, giving the woman a tight hug as he happily greeted back, “An exceedingly long time, Lin Hua! It's so good to see you again! I've been wondering when you were going to drop by!"
"Did you really?"
Zhe Yan enthusiastically nodded. "You've been gone for a very long time, you know. A lot of unbelievable things had happened while you were away."
“Were they fascinating at least?” she inquired with a sparkle on her eyes.
His lips curled into a smirk as he drawled, sounding cryptic, “Tremendously."
Her smile widened and she cheerfully replied, “Excellent! Let me hear it then!” But just as suddenly, she peeked her head to the side and regarded Bai Zhen with a questioning look. “Though I see you're currently occupied for the day. I should’ve sent a missive first before dropping in."
Zhe Yan gave her cheeks a playful pinch and teased, “Since when did you ever bother for such things?"
Lin Hua heatedly glowered and retorted, “I would’ve started right now, you ancient bird, considering the present company involved. Now let go of me!"
He ignored the scowling woman and pinched her even harder. “Well, that’s a new one. Where and when did you learn such restraint? Someone must've taught you. Who was it? I have to send them a gift!"
“No one!” Lin Hua exclaimed and swiped his hand away from her reddened cheek, rubbing the offended part as she continued to glare at the laughing immortal. She let out a lofty sniff and gestured her head to the other deity. "Well?"
Zhe Yan blinked innocently. "Well what?"
"Aren't you going to introduce us?"
Zhe Yan glanced at a still gawking Bai Zhen and carelessly replied, "But why should I? Zhen Zhen's old enough to do it by himself."
Lin Hua gave him a look.
Zhe Yan heaved out a sigh and feigned being doleful as he remarked with a stoop of his shoulders, "Oh, at least I tried. You're still impertinently impatient like always."
"Am not."
"I'm also not going to get into an argument with you this early, Lin Lin. Really, of all the childish things..." He cleared his throat as he sidled beside Bai Zhen, who had unknowingly stood up from his seat, and slung an arm across his shoulders. “Can you at least recognize this face?"
With furrowed eyebrows, Lin Hua crossed her arms across her chest as she uncertainly mumbled, "I don't think so?"
Zhe Yan wisely nodded. "That's because you've been gone for far too long. Not that I'm blaming you of course, nor am I insinuating something else. So!" he exclaimed as he saw her open her mouth to retort. "So, you might have witnessed Bai Zhi's momentous marriage to Ma Rui, but you obviously hadn't been here when she gave him five children. This, my dear friend, is Bai Zhen, their fourth son."
"Fourth!? Of how many children?!" Lin Hua exclaimed in surprise as she dropped her arms, letting out a soft and breathy 'Oh!' as she covered her mouth in wonder, her eyes unnervingly trained at the younger High God.
Bai Zhen adoringly fidgeted for a moment before he properly greeted the woman.
Lin Hua took a step closer and framed Bai Zhen’s face with her hands, peering at him for a little while before eventually saying, the beaming smile back on her lips. "Bai Zhen... What a handsome man. And the fourth son, Zhe Yan? Someone has been busy while I was away."
She let out a soft laugh that Zhe Yan echoed. Lin Hua withdrew her hands and genially added with a tilt of her head, “It is a pleasure to meet you, Bai Zhen. I’m Yun Lin Hua, but I suspect you already knew that.”
Zhe Yan chimed in her as he gave Bai Zhen a pat on the back, fondness heard from his voice, “Their children grew up with stories about you and your prowess so they’re reasonably acquainted with you even without meeting you."
Lin Hua let out a light snort, ignoring his quip. “He shouldn’t have."
Zhe Yan only shrugged, as if saying 'What can I do?'
She shook her head and insisted, "No, really... I didn't take part on anything grand nor am I exactly a member of any noteworthy clans. I didn't even deign to stay long after they got married and I've missed out so much."
Zhe Yan started with a sigh. "Lin Hua..."
Lin Hua was stubborn however, and maintained, "Really, Zhe Yan. I would have understood, you know. No matter how much you and Bai Zhi and Ma Rui insisted that I―"
Bai Zhen apparently didn't like where the conversation was going and hurriedly interjected, sounding very firm and unwavering, “But we've always considered you as a part of our family, Aunt Lin Hua, even when we haven't had the chance to meet you. My siblings and I have sorely missed you and I'm very happy now that you're back. Bai Zhen sincerely welcomes you home."
Zhe Yan blinked a few times, seeing Lin Hua do the same, before turning to look at Bai Zhen, mildly astonished by his assertiveness. An unusual obstinacy was displayed on the younger god's face, the kind of visage that Zhe Yan recognized but was seldomly seen.
Bai Zhen looked like he was preparing himself to counter whatever Lin Hua was going to ramble out next, but Lin Hua remained silent and continued to regard the young fox with an inscrutable countenance.
He'd been Lin Hua's friend for countless number of years and Zhe Yan was proud of himself for learning how to read her tells.
Zhe Yan genuinely hoped Bai Zhen could do what he, Bai Zhi and Ma Rui had been attempting to do for years.
It was true that the primordial high gods who had survived and had remained after the great wars were few in number. They had mostly taken to solitude and apathy, choosing not to involve with anything else other than their personal interests in their own realms, but Lin Hua had always been a different case.
She was neither a high goddess nor an immortal who needed to undergo any of their trials for ascension and cultivation and Lin Hua hadn't really been Lin Hua at first, only choosing to call herself by the name he'd been honoured to give her eons ago.
But she was a Mistress of a Higher Entity―a principal favorite of a few others, he remembered her quipping―and that simple information was a telling sign that she was someone powerful and equally godlike.
No matter the reason however, Lin Hua was here to incessantly stay, flitting about in different worlds and different times as to her liking and her responsibilities, a minor objective as she did about as she pleased.
Zhe Yan truly did consider her wise, experienced and knowledgeable but he eventually guessed, after several contemplations, that perhaps that was the reason why she withdrew from the world so much, further than him and the other ancient high gods. Most likely even further than Dong Hua himself.
She was neither cruel nor unjust and Zhe Yan knew every favor always has its price, especially tokens that came from her, and he had long thought that perhaps it was her way of paying for such fondness she had blessed with this unpretentious and delightful family he’d grown fond as well.
With that in thought, Zhe Yan sometimes wondered how she could live such a life.
It was definitely lonesome, no constant families and friends to look forward to returning to. Zhe Yan had his forest, his pride, and by extension, the Fox Clan, so he considered himself fortunate.
Lin Hua could have had them as well if she chose to but something was holding her back―reasons that didn’t have anything to do with his previous speculation―from making such connections and Zhe Yan still haven’t got a single clue on what it was no matter how discreetly he pried.
Nonetheless, his unsuccessful efforts weren’t great obstacles stopping him from becoming her constant friend no matter where she was. He'd made that promise a long time ago and he was intent to keep it.
On a much brighter side, despite this somber note that had taken a turn on this memorable day, it was fortuitous now that she’s back.
Especially when he could see that Bai Zhen’s unforeseen candour was starting to burrow their way through her walls, her cold demeanor slowly fading into fond resignation as the tight edges around her green eyes slowly softened, revealing its usual warmth back to its fullness.
It was a small change, but it was a change Bai Zhen started.
Lin Hua eventually reached out both hands and pinched Bai Zhen’s cheeks, a roguish grin plastered across her face as she quipped, “I can see that the unfortunate trio had taught you remarkably well, Bai Zhen. Are you trying to win some favors? As they would’ve told you, every favor requested has―”
“―has its own equal payment. I know better than to ask for personal favors, Aunt. I wouldn’t dare,” came his almost incomprehensible reply due to the smushing of cheeks, his face light and triumphant for overcoming a silent hurdle. There was a pause however, before the young fox cheekily added, “Well, not now anyway.”
She let out a pealing laugh. “This son has got a silver tongue, Zhe Yan! I’m totally impressed. It makes me wonder if the rest of his siblings have this remarkable ability."
Zhe Yan breathlessly chuckled, his absolute relief concealed under the humor coloring his voice as he replied, “You’ll just have to see them for yourself, though I’m glad this one has pleased you. See, Lin Hua? The newer generations aren’t completely inept. Just as long as you give them a chance to talk.”
He gestured to the dock and added, “Stay here and wait for me. I’m going to retrieve one of my prized wines for this significant occasion and Zhen Zhen and I will tell you stories of what has happened for the years you’ve been gone.” He paused and with a thoughtful regard to the scrap of fabric she considered as clothes, he distastefully murmured, "Might as well give you some of the dresses I've acquired for you over the years. Thank goodness you've finally discarded those masculine clothes…"
Zhe Yan didn’t need to turn around to know that Lin Hua was giving him a scowl, also knowing that Bai Zhen was sending his retreating back a terrified look as he made his way towards his hut.
He heard Lin Hua asking, “Tell me, Zhen Zhen… Do you have any sisters? Zhe Yan mentioned five children so there must be a sister in there somewhere…”
An auspicious day indeed.