This chapter was written from Mo Yuan's perspective (as part of chapter 11-13)
When Sixteenth told me that the Celestial Clan's Crown Prince had come, I told him to invite Ye Hua to the back of the Mountain instead of waiting for me in the Grand Hall. This would be the first time we actually meet each other in person. I don't want to treat it as an official ceremony, one where he'd worship me as the God of War. I had long anticipated to meet my younger brother. I tried to conjure up a picture of him in my mind, from what seventeenth had told me. As far as she could tell, he was a serious young man with lots of burdens on his shoulders, a clever strategist, a great cook, and a doting father. But that was not what I really care about. He was raised almost single-handedly by the Sky Lord; I wonder what kind of person he became.
When Ye Hua showed up, I used the time when he and Seventeenth were greeting each other to observe his personality. He had the bearings of a great leader: confident, cautious and collected. At first, his cold and calculating eyes gave me a small jolt. Then, his rigid face softened visibly when he saw Seventeenth. I could almost feel affection and longing from those pair of eyes. Even I was a little unsettled by its intensity; I was relieved at the same time. He was not as apathetic as I thought he was at first glance. The indifferent and detached and - dare I say - almost hostile demeanor he acted toward me when I told him of our connection made me feel disconcerted. I didn't expected him to immediately warm up to me, but his frosty attitude pained me. What had that Ninth Heaven done to him?
Growing up, it was true that the Heavenly Father was always strict with me but he never failed to show his gentle side and affection. Under his tutelage, I learned to accept my responsibilities with dignity and graciousness; and not only because I was coerced into them. I wondered if it was the same for him. I tried to put him at ease and show him how much love and hope I had for him during all those years I nurtured him in this lotus pond, but it seemed none of it got to him. His face remained passive; save for some flickering eyes that betrayed his innermost thoughts.
When Seventeenth came back and acted just like her usual self - clinging to my arm and chattering - Ye Hua's piercing eyes almost burning a hole through me with its scalding intensity. His whole body was tense and poised as if he'd strike at any moment; his back was rigid. That made me realized with a sudden clarity that he was strongly jealous of the interactions between Seventeenth and me.
Seeds of doubt started to grow in my mind. Seventeenth once mentioned they were arranged to be married by the Sky Lord and her parents. Only a few months earlier, Ye Hua and she met each other for the first time. Then suddenly, he maneuvered himself and his son into her fox den and stayed for an entire month. What was his intention toward Seventeenth? Would a few fleeting months together warrant the amount of fervor I just witnessed? I glanced sideway at Seventeenth. I always knew that she was a little slow when it came to matters between men and women, but hadn't she perceived this level of fixation a bit peculiar? I knew people could fall in love at first sight but considering his temperament, I doubted that was how it happened.
As usual, I listened to the Sky Lord's flourishing compliment half-heartedly. It seemed he didn't changed much over the years. I couldn't care less what he did, but when he began to give Seventeenth tongue-lashing; I drew the line there. It seemed my prolonged absence made him forget who was the Master of Kunlun Mountain. It was not his place to reprimand those who belong to me; so I gave him a simple reminder. I almost wished he challenged my authority. He had been too complacent during his reign for far too long. He and his father got this position just because I didn't want to involve myself in mundane duties of the Lords.
I spied Ye Hua's almost imperceptible movement from the corner of my eye. I gave him a silent approval; at least he had courage and was decent enough to act in her interest. His obsession for Seventeenth was deep-rooted. The way he seethed at Li Jing when he grabbed Seventeenth's hands was truly startling. Young people often lost their heads when they were desperately in love, especially if it was their first love. Was that the case for my younger twin?
Li Jing's tidings about Qing Cang impending breakout came as no surprise, at least to me. I knew Seventeenth feared for myself and what I would do if the former Ghost Lord actually escaped. That fear and anger made her belligerent and momentarily revert to her former self once more. Even if she was acting rashly, I prefer seeing her like this: free and true to her feelings. I knew she was a ruling queen now; the position came with certain dignities and a measure of decorums. Still, I frowned at how reticent she had become at times.
Sometimes I can't help but think that I did that to her. What grievances had she suffered in my long absence that made her into the person she was these days. The thought of her digging her heart repeatedly to feed me the blood always agonized me. Not that I was not grateful for her sacrifice and devotion to me, but it was despairing that I was helpless to stop her from hurting herself. I never wanted her to suffer, not even for my sake.
After her adversed outburst, Seventeenth reverted back into herself. She absent-mindedly followed me all the way from the Grand Hall. This girl's befuddled habit really never changed, I shook my head fondly at her. She was so deep in thought that she failed to noticed our arrival at the Realm of Supreme Purity. At this point, her unceasing brooding began to worried me slightly. I decided she had had enough; so I took off my outer robe and prompted her help. That immediately snapped her out of her stupor. Her reaction didn't disappointed me in the least. She flushed crimson and practically fled from my presence. Those dreadful thoughts were forgotten at once. I knew it was rather immature of me but she was so cute when she was flustered. I wondered how she would react if I kissed her. Would she respond eagerly or shy away from my touch?
I began to collect my scattered thoughts and meditate to calm my mind. I had to retreat into seclusion as soon as I could to replenish my spiritual energy. The extra power boost Qing Cang got from Li Yuan's untimely death was worrisome. Though the convergence of energy inside the Bell of Eastern Emperor will not allow Qing Cang to fully regain his former strength, he was still a formidable opponent. And there was the Bell of Eastern Emperor itself to worry about.
Seventeenth said the Bell was damaged considerably the last time Qing Cang tried to break out. There were cracks on the surface and she had to use her own spiritual energy to repair them. That actually gave me an idea. Perhaps destroying the Bell would be a better solution. The Bell of Eastern Emperor was not indestructible. Yet it required a tremendous amount of power to completely dismantle it. If Qing Cang can't really be contained, I could wait until he blew a hole in the Bell's side to get out. The initial shattering would cause extensive damage to its composition and render it more susceptible to being wrenched apart. Now that Ye Hua was here, together we should be able to destroy it without either of us losing our lives.
I had no intention to die again. I had done all I could for the common people of four seas and eight realms. This time, I simply wish to spend the rest of my life with those I care about. I had not shared this resolution with Seventeenth yet. Would she be happy? We could live quietly together in Kunlun Mountain or roam the Mortal Realms or any other world. We could be free and far from any conflicts of all realms. I planned to take her away with me after the seclusion. We both need the time-off together to reacquaint ourselves. There were a lot of things I longed to hear from her. Seventy thousands of years was long even by our standards. I wished to know and understand how she came to be person she was today.
After thoroughly soaking and immersing myself in the divine spring, I felt rejuvenated The fact that I came up with a viable plan to deal with Qing Cang also lifted my mood. Now, it was time to find Seventeenth. I couldn't wait to see her thoroughly enjoy herself watching the sunset. It would also give us the chance to spend our time together without prying eyes. To my surprise, I found Seventeenth sitting dejectedly on the flight of steps. At closer look I saw her lips were badly bruised and her clothes were in disarray. She said she and Ye Hua had an argument earlier. Had Ye Hua completely lost his composture just because Seventeenth wished to end their supposed engagement? I can't help but frown at this unseeming conduct. Did I misjudge my brother's character?
An inkling feeling told me I was missing something important. The thought distracted my mind all the way back to Kunlun Mountain. Aside from trying to give her the comfort and support she needed; I decided not to meddle. This entanglement was just between the two of them; not something I can really interfere with. They had to decide what to do on their own. At least she didn't seem to be inclined towards his confession. I could only hope that in the end it would be me that she chooses to be with. I don't know what I would do if she prefered to be with Ye Hua. Without her love, the remaining of my life would be desolate; a life half empty. Even then I'll always guard her albeit from afar.
After my death and subsequent resurrection, only one thing in this world mattered to me. Seventeenth was the sole reason I came back. The day I woke up in Yanhua Cave, I told Zhe Yan half the truth: I never stopped trying to pull back bits and pieces of my fragmented spirit and patch them together. What I didn't tell him and Seventeenth was that there were times I was so exhausted and powerless to fight for my return that I just wanted to give up and be at peace in the abyss of nothingness
Yet in my mind's eye, Seventeenth's teary face haunted me so. It also reminded me why I was trying to do the impossible again. I would fulfill the promise I gave to her. And I was glad I succeeded. The thought of her continuing to harm herself for the unforeseeable future, had I not returned, unsettled me greatly. Yet, it also gave me the courage to express the long-buried affections I held for her. I was elated when she didn't reject me and seemed to slowly return those affections. If only I could have her by my side, then I'd be content with this second chance at life.
In the beginning, when I heard she was betrothed to my brother, I believed I was too late. It turned out I woke up just in time to secure my place in her heart. A little later and Ye Hua would have taken her forever away from my grasp. It was surreal that both of us would fall for the same woman. I remembered well how Seventeenth was fond of her Golden Lotus; playing and talking to it was her favorite pastime. I suspected it was fate that brought them together, just like it brought her to me nearly ninety thousand years ago.
Sixteenth told me that my brother came here again and asked specifically for Seventeenth. I was half hoping, half afraid of the aftermath of their meeting. Seventeenth confirmed that she had made it clear to Ye Hua that she held nothing but friendly regards for him. I felt the knot in my shoulder relax. I was ecstatic yet sad at the same time. Though I sincerely wished for my brother happiness, I refuse to give up Seventeenth. Save if she wanted to leave of her own volition, I'll never let go of her.
Myriads of thoughts ran through my mind as I played the Zither for her. I looked down at her sleeping face. She slept so peacefully. In her slumber, her features were perfect... full red dainty lips, long and soft eyelashes fanned out across her porcelain cheeks and cute little nose. Her hair, a long and dark mass of shining silk, was spread all over my leg. She looked so feminine, so enchanting.
I have waited patiently long enough for her to settle things with Ye Hua. Now I need to ascertain that she was willing to stay with me forever. Though she had voiced her wish to remain at Kunlun Mountain before, I wished to make my intention toward her clear. There would be no room for misunderstandings. I wanted her to realize it was only her that I wanted and she would be my bride - if she so wish.
I shouldn't have been surprised, Seventeenth turned the table on me in the end. She alluded to me that she'd only stay, if I was willing to marry her. I really wanted to laugh but was afraid she would take it the wrong way. I doubted anyone else across the four seas and eight realms would dare propose to me the way she just did. Her courage was always refreshing to me. And heaven forbid, the upturned, pouting face and mesmerizing eyes she kept on me were too much, I can't help but be tempted. I closed up the distance between us and brought our faces closer. She seemed to shudder every time I whispered near her ear. I took pleasure in that I could affect her so. I didn't go straight for her lips, even when I desperately wanted to taste them. Instead I brushed my lips lightly against her sensitive areas and watched how the touch elicited reactions from her.
When I finally kissed her, it was like gaining back another long-forgotten piece of my soul. I couldn't help but indulge in her soft yielding lips again and again. I relished her timid responses to my touches, perhaps a little too much for a devoted man of Taoism like me. I had a hard time pulling myself back, only she could evoke this kind of passion in me. When I asked if she had any objections to my proposal and she didn't refute me, my heart rejoiced. I sought to lavish her inviting lips with my affection again but she hid her face in my neck and refused to look up. Her maiden's shyness was indeed adorable. The happiness of finally securing her love made me overjoyed. This time I couldn't stop the laughter.
That night I laid my head on the palm of my hand, just watching her sleep. Somehow, it felt right and very familiar. It became my favorite distraction now, I admitted to myself with chagrin. I, Mo Yuan, was acting just like a young lad experiencing his first love. I watched as her chest rose with her gentle breaths. There was always something about her that made me want to take her into my arms and not let go. Even back in the beginning when I didn't understand why. I laid down beside her on the pillow and pulled her closer. My face was buried in her soft hair, breathing in the unique peach fragrant wafted from her. My arms held her loosely to me in complete contentment. It was the most peaceful sleep I had since coming back.
Note: Special thanks to Midorizawa who proofread this story for us and to loreinacadis0412 for your wonderful ideas. :))
#loreinacadis0412 : Made some changes to the story. Hope you like them. :) At least BQ/SS is alive. I doubted YH'd hit rock bottom like the last time. He just needs time and understanding to accept it and move on. After all, BQ is not really his SuSu.
#Hanazawa Yuuri : You're absolutely right. That's why we fall in love with Shifu. *sigh dreamily*
#Guest : OMG indeed. :)
Bai Zhi (enraged) : You! Cradle robber! Old cow eating young grass!
MY (deadpanned) : It's your own fault, giving the morsel to me...
*Just for amusement only*
#Kaz : Cry no more, he's getting the girl. :))
#SkylerKnight :: FF's system acted funny last week, no alert when updated, nor when sent PM. Old review also turned up out of nowhere. Will touch that part between YH-Riceball somewhere in the future. The boy'd cry then learn to live with it. At least, he is MY's nephew, all the more reason to visit Kunlun and be with BQ. :)