The Mortal Realm
The palace was in chaos.
The old eunuch, dressed in his usual violet robes, was shouting at the top of his lungs.
"Hurry up, all of you! The Spring Banquet is near—we must have everything ready!"
"Yes, sir!"
As soon as he left, whispers filled the hall.
"Is Princess Mei Lin really coming to the banquet?"
"She rarely shows up at these kinds of events, especially the devil princess..."
"Shh! How can you speak so carelessly about her?"
"Everyone calls her that. Why shouldn't I?"
"Princess Mei Lin is the emperor's favorite niece!"
A maid holding a cloth entered the group and murmured.
"You don't know anything. Even though she's beloved and beautiful, six months ago, on her way to the temple, she mysteriously fell off a cliff."
"It took days to find her. And when they finally did… there were two large wounds on her back that wouldn't heal. She hasn't spoken a word since."
"People started calling her the Devil Princess because of those scars. Some even say she acts like a wild animal now."
"Just a few months ago, she walked into the Judiciary Court and beat Mr. Huang nearly to death. Turns out he'd been cheating on his wife… and plotting to kill her."
"She even wrote down the address of his mistress and gave it to his wife."
"I heard she once stripped a merchant naked and tied him to a pillar."
The maid shivered.
"She's ruthless."
"You have no idea. I saw it with my own eyes—Lord Cheng was going to take a young concubine, and she beat him so badly he couldn't get out of bed for months."
"Still, the emperor dotes on her. They say he's even sent her clothes to wear so she'll look her best at the Spring Banquet."
The moment the grand eunuch reappeared, they all scattered to resume their work.
....
Tavern of Mo Dan
....
Moonlight shimmered through the tavern window as a soft breeze drifted in. A clay wine jug swung in a delicate hand.
The sounds of singing and instruments inside the tavern blended with the warmth of the air, giving her a strange sense of calm.
A group of young men barged in, talking loudly.
"Today I'm going to find that lowly brat and teach her a lesson."
She glanced at the source of the voice. A young man—still boyish, yet clearly from nobility. His clothes were finer than the others, and they treated him with deference.
"How dare she mess up my grandmother's plans?"
Remembering the old woman she saw at court earlier, she realized he must be her grandson. After every court hearing, someone always came looking to mess with her.
"Go! Find her, now!"
She tilted the wine jug and let it pour—straight onto the young man's head.
After this short passage of time, humans had become like small playthings to her—something that could amuse her for a moment.
"Who did that?!"
Rested her chin on her palm and looked down at him.
One of his servants stepped forward. "Master, that's her! That's the one!"
Smiled, raising her hand lazily toward him.
"Well, well... looks like today's my lucky day. Get her!"
Stood from her seat and tipped over the large wine jug at them—but they were faster than she expected.
She had nothing to defend herself with—except more wine jugs. She threw one at the noble boy, and it struck him squarely on the head. He collapsed, unconscious.
His servants rushed to him. She seized the chance to run.
She kicked open the window and jumped, tossing a gold coin to the tavern keeper on her way out.
The keeper knew her well—she came here often, always alone and always silent.
"She went that way! Don't let her escape!"
The servants rushed out into the crowd, searching for her.
She ran as fast as she could. This time, she'd messed up—badly. These men had tracked her down too quickly.
Her eyes widened when she saw the dead-end alley ahead.
"That's it, we've got her!"
one servant yelled.
Her blood was pumping wildly, but she grinned. It had been a long time since she felt this thrill.
She stepped on a protruding stone and leapt up the wall. As she saw them coming, she tore ceramic tiles from the rooftop and hurled them down at them.
Jumping back down into the courtyard, she searched for a hiding spot.
She was disoriented—this wasn't her home courtyard. She couldn't just sneak in anywhere.
Suddenly, a hand grabbed her and pulled her between two massive stones.
The rocks were stacked tightly, like a hidden sanctuary within a secluded courtyard.
A hand clamped over her mouth to stop her from screaming.
Bai Lian's warm breath fogged in the cold air, visible like tiny clouds.
They were pressed close in the narrow gap between the stones. Though she tried to keep distance, she couldn't help but smell the faint scent of jasmine tea from the man beside her.
She glanced at the emotional aura surrounding him. A mortal. But the look in his eyes—it had a strange, almost magical pull that made her want to keep looking.
Voices outside.
"Where'd she go?"
A servant delivering food to Fei Ji screamed upon seeing them. The dish shattered.
Guards rushed in. A quick scuffle broke out.
Bai Lian still struggled in Fei Ji's grip, but he wasn't letting go.
"Easy, little wildcat," he whispered. "I'm not here to hurt you."
Moonlight glinted in Fei Ji's eyes. Their frozen hands were still tangled together.
Crickets chirped from a corner of the courtyard.
No aura. She guessed he wasn't mortal either.
As the noise faded, and everyone left, the courtyard grew silent.
Once she was sure it was safe, pushed Fei Ji's hand away and slipped out from between the stones.
A servant froze upon seeing them emerge together, then quickly fled.
Bai Lian headed for the wall to climb over, but Fei Ji grabbed her ankle, and she fell.
"No thank-you for your rescuer?"
She gave him a blank stare and tried to climb again.
Fei Ji had just wanted to play around for a while, as always. But this girl wasn't like the others. She was more like a wild cat—one that refused to be owned or grateful.
He grabbed her by the collar and tugged.
"There's a door, you know."
He pulled her with him.
"What's your name? Did you get hurt?"
If he had one strength, it was his sharp sense of smell—something he inherited from his mother.
The thick scent of blood coming from her made him even more curious.
But she ignored him and walked out into the crowded street.
He had spent a thousand years in the mortal realm… but he'd never met a girl like her.
Not even a "thank you."
He smiled and walked up, spinning in front of her.
He leaned down and looked into her eyes.
"What's your name?"
Again, no reply.
She was skilled at ignoring people—but he didn't know how to break through that wall.
He leaned closer.
"Your eyes are like the ocean. And I'm a thirsty man who hasn't seen water in ages. Can I drown in them?"
She looked furious.
"Disgusting bastard. Even kids don't fall for lines like that anymore."
But she couldn't say it aloud. All she could do was glare and stay silent.
"You're beautiful. What family are you from?"
With a sharp scowl, she kept walking. She bought a wine jug and left the busy market.
"The moment I saw you, I knew you had to be mine." He leaned in again, his voice pleading. "Will you marry me?"
He tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear.
"If you just talk to me, I know I'll fall in love with your voi—"
Before he could finish, she smashed the wine jug over his head.
Eyes shut, she took a deep breath and walked away.
She didn't have the patience for anyone—especially smooth-talking men chasing after women. Her silence was a hell she couldn't escape.
She weaved through the crowd until she heard her servant calling.
It was unclear how far he'd run to find her.
"Princess! I finally found you!"
Panting and exhausted, he braced himself on his knees.
"The lord wishes to speak with you."
In six months in the mortal world, she'd only seen him twice. Though he was the father of this body, he barely acknowledged her.
She didn't connect with anyone—not humans, not spirits.
All she felt was anger and hatred.
...
The Bilu Sea
...
Each step she took on the water made flowers bloom beneath her feet, sending soft ripples across the lake.
She strolled toward the palace.
Zhang Yong looked as anxious as ever, frowning as he listened to his servants' reports.
Ever since his daughter fell ill, he hadn't been the same. Nothing seemed to matter unless she was well again.
Crystal pearls hung from the trees, chiming softly as he touched them.
A man in white robes approached him gracefully.
"Greetings, Your Majesty."
"Tell me you bring good news!"
The man smiled calmly and handed him a blue pill.
"These are the mortal auras I've collected over the past few months."
Zhang Yong smiled with relief.
"I can't thank you enough. Ask for anything—you shall have it."
The man bowed. His soft voice echoed in the palace.
"Just the princess Ming's recovery is enough for me."
Zhang Yong nodded with gratitude.
"Still, if you need anything later, don't hesitate to ask."
Though they weren't like father and son, Zhang Yong and Li Yuan had built a deep connection over the years—as master and disciple.
If only Li Yuan had confessed his feelings to his daughter, perhaps their bond would be something more by
now. But each time the thought arose, he backed away, full of regret.
He was a coward—and at least in that, he was honest with himself.
Now, it was too late to regret anything, Anyway, he had to accept the situation as it was and endure watching her suffer.