Chapter 1:
High in the gleaming palace, on the golden throne, a brooding dragon spirit sat resting his cheek on a clenched fist. He studied the unopened memorial before him - the fourth one in the past year - through cold, narrowed eyes. There was no need to read it for him to be aware of its contents.
"May your majesty please consider the proposal," the official urged with a bow.
Runyu, the Heavenly Emperor, looked upon the cowering officials in a frosty silence. Standing some distance aside, an anxious fox spirit dressed in red and white fiddled with his fan. "Yu'er, perhaps it's time to give some thought to the matter. For the sake of the six realms, a solution is imperative and should not be put off any longer," the Matchmaker pleaded with his nephew.
It had been 2000 years since Runyu ascended the throne. Yet to find a successor for the position of Night Immortal, Runyu painstakingly juggled the responsibilities of both the Heavenly Emperor and that of his old duties. He had a daily schedule meticulously planned down to the very seconds, and to this arrangement he had always been faithful. With his servant Kuanglu to keep him in check, it was like clockwork, with everything working perfectly as it should have.
However, the weight of these responsibilities had started to become more than he alone could bear in recent years. Aside from taking a toll on his health, the few, but inexcusable slip ups that had occurred under his charge was causing growing unrest amongst the citizens of the Six Realms.
The proud and unyielding dragon spirit had repeatedly rejected memorial after memorial imploring him to name a new Night Immortal, or more appallingly - to marry a Heavenly Empress to share his burdens, or take a consort who could bear him a successor.
After an icy silence that felt like centuries, his voice rang out across the great hall, causing the officials to shirk their bowed heads, hiding behind their still-clasped hands. "How many more times do I have to refuse your memorials for all of you to understand that I will not take a wife?"
Thousand year old memories came flooding back into Runyu's head. A day of celebration and happiness turned into one of catastrophe and heartbreak. A furious bride. A fragile groom mourning his last chance at love storming out of his life.
Runyu slammed his fist onto the table, the loud bang sending an echo of "Your majesty, calm down," through the frightened officials.
Suddenly, a young official gathered his courage and stepped out from the crowd. "Xiaode* greets your majesty," he bowed, then met Runyu's furious gaze unflinchingly. "The memorial submitted today neither requests for your majesty to name a successor nor take a wife. We implore for you to consider the new proposal before passing judgement."
Again, the Heavenly Emperor descended into a cold silence, holding the brave official's gaze for a few more moments. Then, he released a sign and reached for the memorial.
Official request for the Heavenly Emperor to summon Light Immortal, Juying* to the Empyreal Cloud Palace.
Night will be the default state of the Six Realms and Light Immortal Juying may assume the duty of bringing day. By engaging the assistance of the Light Immortal, the Heavenly Emperor will be freed from a significant portion of his daily obligations, such that he may focus on the other official matters of Heaven.
Runyu's grip on the memorial tightened. His fists were trembling, struggling to contain his building rage. He challenged, "Are you criticizing me for doing such a poor job of governing the Six Realms that I must engage the service of a mere child?"
The young official knelt down before the furious emperor, adopting a position of submissiveness, yet meeting his challenge evenly. "Xiaode wouldn't dare. Light Immortal Juying is virtuous and capable. Her parents sent her to live and train with Master Doumu before she even turned 100 years old. Although she is a few thousand years younger than your majesty, she is by no means an inexperienced child. She has been serving under the title of Light Immortal for the past 300 years, ever since the old one passed the responsibility down to her."
The Heavenly Emperor had yet to contest, and the young official, encouraged, took that as a good sign. "Seeing as your majesty is unwilling to marry and bear a successor, my fellow officials and I firmly believe that this is the next best solution. Engaging the assistance of the Light Immortal may temporarily relieve your majesty of a portion of your burdens, allowing you to remain in good health, as well as pacify the Six Realms."
"Wouldn't making night the default state of the six realms upset the natural balance?" The matchmaker asked, concerned. "Has anyone consulted Immortal Yuanji?" He was of course, referring to his friend and the very immortal in charge of the fate and destiny of mortal beings. The responsibility of calculating the cause and effect of major decisions made in the Heavenly Realm also fell to her.
Smiling, the young official responded, "Replying to the Matchmaker, we have, indeed, consulted Immortal Yuan Ji. She is currently waiting outside the Great Hall to report to his majesty."
"Summon her," Runyu commanded.
The doors opened and an immortal glided into the Great Hall. Her ebony black hair was styled in its usual beehive fashion, posing a stark contrast against her pale skin, her pristine white clothes and glittering accessories. "Immortal Yuanji greets your majesty," she breathed in her usual silky, glib manner.
Runyu waved off the formalities. "Speak, what is your opinion with regards to this proposal?"
"Replying to your majesty, according to my calculations, as long as you and the Light Immortal are able to cooperate, maintaining the current day/night cycle even after the transition, no significant harm will come to any of the Six Realms. Your majesty may be rest assured," Immortal Yuanji smiled. "Furthermore, back when your father, the old Night Immortal, ascended the throne, the position of Night Immortal was left vacant. A similar strategy was adopted by the old Light Immortal until you were able to take over the Night Immortal's duties."
"Oh, that's right!" The Matchmaker exclaimed excitedly. "Yu'er, doesn't this sound like a good suggestion? Why don't you quickly summon the Light Immortal so that she can get started as soon as possible?"
Runyu narrowed his eyes and everyone present in the Great Hall waited in bated breath for his decision. "Leave us, I'd like to discuss this matter alone with the Matchmaker."
"Yes, your majesty." Immortal Yuanji and the officials proclaimed in unison before hastily shuffling out of the Great Hall.
As soon as the doors shut behind the last official, Runyu whipped around to face his uncle, eyes flashing. "I don't like this idea."
A surge of despair rose within the Matchmaker, but he strived to maintain his composure. "Why, Yu'er?"
"Controlling night and day is no simple feat. The livelihoods of all living things in the six realms depend on it. The flowers, animals, mortals, demons, celestials - how can we entrust a duty as critical as this to a child?" Runyu seethed. "Besides, how can you feel comfortable with allowing a complete stranger to live among us?"
The Matchmaker paused for a moment, selecting his next words carefully. "I seem to recall some celestials sharing the same sentiments when you and Xufeng took a certain fairy up to heaven 2000 years ago."
A shadow seemed to flicker across Runyu's features. "Yes, and that is precisely the reason why I will never let it happen again," he responded darkly. "I have managed Heaven's affairs as well as my Night Immortal duties just fine ever since becoming the Heavenly Emperor. I don't need anyone's help. Does even my own uncle doubt my abilities?"
"It's not that I don't believe in you, Yu'er," the Matchmaker placated. "Who else in all of Heaven knows better than me how determined and able you are? However, it does not matter what I believe. The immortals and fairies are angry after you were two hours late to bringing night. The moon wasn't in the right place, which caused the tides to be in chaos. The altered periods of light and darkness affected the flowering of certain plants. There was widespread confusion and panic amongst nocturnal and diurnal creatures."
Runyu appeared to grow pale as the consequences of his failure stacked up against him. Clenching his jaw, his usually piercing gaze turned the slightest bit unfocused.
"You refuse to crown a Heavenly Empress and spurn the thought of taking a consort who can bear the next Night Immortal. Given your already-packed schedule, you are in no position to adopt and raise a child, much less train him for several thousands of years to take over your duties."
As difficult as it was for Runyu to accept the truth, even he had to admit that there was some sense to his uncle's words. He sat back down on the heavenly throne, noticing for the first time how vast the unoccupied space on his right was. A feeling of loneliness permeated through his flesh and crept deep into his bones. It had been a long time since he last realized the colossal weight that rested on his shoulders alone.
"Yu'er, as much as your uncle wishes that things were different, the fact still stands that we have no other choice. The only feasible option is for us to summon the Light Immortal."
The Matchmaker continued gently, "As the saying goes, one beam, no matter how big, cannot support an entire house on its own. Uncle knows that you are a good emperor who has the best interests of your people at heart. I know you will make the right choice."
The sigh that the Heavenly Emperor released was one of resignation, while the sigh that the Matchmaker heaved was one of relief.
"Pass along my command. Summon Light Immortal Juying to the Empyreal Cloud Palace."
Glossary:
Xiaode: Translates to "small one". Used to refer to oneself when talking to a superior.
Juying: Ju (炬) meaning "torch". Ying (映) meaning "reflect light".