Long Fei's boots crunched against the gravel path as he ascended the legendary mountain, the air thinning with every step. It had taken him days to reach this point—battling through treacherous terrain, navigating a dense forest, and evading wild beasts that roamed the mountain. Now, he was nearing his destination: the summit.
The Imperial Physician had told him about this mountain. Decades ago, a long drought had plagued the land until an enchantress and a demon appeared in the village. Shortly after they left, the rains came, and wisteria bloomed across the mountain overnight. It was said that no one had ever reached the top without being thwarted by its traps.
But on rare occasions, if one stood close enough to the summit, the wind would carry the enchantress's melodic voice, lifting the spirits of anyone nearby. Many who suffered from mental burdens camped near the base, hoping for a moment of peace.
He had heard the rumors, but now that he was here, the reality was far more intricate than he imagined. He'd faced many challenges as part of the army, but these traps were relentless, true work of a genius. As he rounded a bend, an eerie silence hung in the air. The wind, usually howling across the mountain, had ceased, like the calm before a storm.
Before he could take another step, the ground beneath him shifted. A flash of light gleamed from the rocks ahead. Instinctively, he leaped back, narrowly avoiding a series of blades that shot out from the cliffside. The hairs on the back of his neck stood on end. He could sense a predator watching.
Taking a deep breath, he pressed forward, now more cautious. These traps were brilliant, but he was no fool. He had trained daily in the army for the past few years, building strength in body, mind and spirit.
Under the moonlight, he continued his climb, evading hidden snares, pits, and deadly pitfalls. Each trap tested his reflexes and ingenuity, and he found a way around them every time, impressing even himself with his resourcefulness.
As he reached a narrow pass between two jagged cliffs, he heard a click.
Instinct screamed at him to jump back, but it was too late. The ground beneath him caved in. He plunged into a pit, the walls steep and slick with no footholds to cling to. He tested the edges, but they were smooth, designed to ensure no escape once someone fell in.
From above, a gale of laughter echoed down. "Be careful of the snakes. See you tomorrow."
Long Fei looked up, seeing a figure leap across the top. The moonlight revealed a glint of silver-blue hair. He sighed and listened closely for any sign of serpents. A subtle hiss sounded. He slid a dagger from his boot and impaled the snake. A few more jumped at the sound, and he swiftly sliced their heads off before settling in for a sleepless night.
Splash! Cold water drenched him, jolting him awake.
"Rise and shine!" came the mocking voice from above.
He flicked the water from his face, slowly stood, and brushed the dust from his robes. "I'm impressed," he said, looking up at the figure above. "Your traps are formidable. It's been a while since I've been caught."
A heavy silence followed, and then a voice broke it. "Master...?"
Long Fei squinted, trying to make out the mysterious figure. "I doubt we've met. Could you kindly help me out of here?"
There was a brief pause before the voice responded with a lightness that barely masked amusement. "Sure, I'll throw something down."
He adjusted his robes, expecting a rope to drop down. Instead, a sharp clang rang out. Before he could react, a cage sprang open beneath him. The bottom gripped his legs, dragging him up out of the pit with a thud and dumping him onto the ground. It was the most undignified thing that had ever happened to him.
"I just cleaned you up, and now you're all dirty again," the voice teased, though a note of satisfaction lingered beneath the words.
Long Fei coughed, waving away a cloud of dust as he recovered from the shock. His robes were more disheveled than before. He wiped his face with his sleeve, trying to regain composure.
Smack! A wet cloth hit his face. He pulled it off with a startled breath. When he looked up, he was met with a new yet strangely familiar face—intense deep sea-blue eyes stared back at him.
"Thank the oceans, you've found us!" she exclaimed, her voice trembling with relief. She threw her arms around him in a tight, unexpected hug.
His back stiffened, hands hovering, unsure where to place them. Slowly, one hand reached for her silver-blue hair and patted it lightly. Why did this feel like he was patting his pet? Why does this feel so familiar? He had never seen her before in his life. This doesn't make sense...
"I never forgot, you said you would find me, and here you are," she whispered. For some reason, he found himself hushing her. It was as though his actions were muscle memory.
He hesitated, drawing back slightly as confusion flickered in his eyes. "I think you may have mistaken me for somebody else…" He usually wouldn't let any female touch him, but he couldn't explain why he had such patience with her.
Her arms loosened, and she slowly released him, pulling back just enough for him to see her face.
"I'm honored to meet you, Enchantress."
She flicked her hair back, a playful smile tugging at her lips. "Yes, of course, revel in my beauty. Wait... do you even remember my name?"
He shook his head, his brows furrowing. "This is the first time I've met you."
"But you named me... I'll give you a hint, you said I was named after the moon..."
She had azure-colored skin and silver-blue hair. This was the first time he'd ever seen such a creature, yet a wave of guilt gnawed at him as he shook his head.
Her smile faltered as she scrunched her nose. "Oh, for Ocean's sake! You don't remember me, do you?" She threw her hands to the heavens.
His confusion deepened. "I'm sorry, but I don't."
"You named me Ling Yue. It means I'm clever and have the spirit of the Moon." She puffed out her chest and tilted her chin up. She glanced at him as though expecting him to say something, but he did not know what to say.
Ling Yue's shoulders slumped, and she muttered under her breath, "Damn Amnesia Elixir…"
"Amnesia Elixir?" he echoed, trying to keep the frustration from creeping into his voice.
"Yes. The divine elixir you must take before you jump into the Divine Portal to be reincarnated in the Mortal Realm." She raised a brow, scratching her chin. "Let's try this. Umm... who do you love the most?"
Long Fei hesitated, the question striking a chord deep within him. It should be safe to be honest, as she would not know about royal matters. He cleared his throat. His voice came out steady, despite the rising discomfort. "My mother, of course. She's the famous Zhen Hua." He beamed with pride.
Ling Yue's eyes widened, and she let out a mortified gasp, pulling her hair. "Zhen Hua, is your mother? What was Fate thinking?" she exclaimed, stepping back. He flinched at her reaction. This was the first time anyone had responded badly to his mother's name.
She grumbled, her hand coming to rest on her hip, the other in a tight fist shaking at the heavens. "Oh, I'm so going to punch Fate in the face the next time I'm in the Celestial Realm. Don't worry, Master. We'll get through this."
She grabbed his hands. "I can't wait to show you to Shui Yi."