Chapter 77: Return to the Mortal Realm

  A gentle breeze brings another summer. By the side of Chao Lake, a new rain has just fallen, the blue sky is washed clean, dotted with a few wisps of curved clouds reflected in the lake surface, the green willows on the shore hang down a few tender branches, and with the wind, they create beautiful ripples on the water surface, making the cloud shadows and sunlight shimmer lightly.

  Suddenly, a burst of laughter and noise came from afar, drifting along the small path outside the Shouyang City Gate. It broke the tranquility of the lake shore. Before long, a group of boys and girls appeared at the lakeside, chasing each other. The boy in the lead was dressed in brocade clothes, with a hint of arrogance between his eyebrows. He looked around, seemingly searching for something, and shouted loudly to the children surrounding him like stars gathering around the moon: "Where did that stinky girl Murong Suluan hide? Hmph, this time she doesn't have the county magistrate's wife backing her up. I must teach her a lesson! You guys, search around the lake for me! I saw her running in this direction, that stinky girl is definitely nearby!"

  All the children listened to him and responded in unison, splitting into groups of three or two to search for the nest by the lake.

  After a while, the forest by the lake returned to its tranquility, and those children also dispersed elsewhere. At this time, a clump of reeds under the lake embankment suddenly moved, and then a small head with a braid popped out from it.

  Mei crouched on a patch of wet mud by the lake, surrounded by reeds that towered above her head. She had been hiding there for hours, holding her breath, and now her legs felt numb and stiff. But the sound of Huang Tianba's voice was still ringing in her ears, making her dare not even rub her legs, let alone move. It wasn't until the group of children left that she hastily got up from her hiding place.

  The wind swept through the sparse woods by the lake, brushing against the reeds and rushing towards the vast expanse of water, creating a rustling sound. Mu Xuan patted her clothes and legs while taking deep breaths. Her late father had said that the reeds in Xi Hu Lake had a very fragrant scent, but only those who made a living by fishing on this lake could smell it. However, no matter how hard she sniffed, all she could smell was the grassy scent, nothing else. She gazed out at the lake and let out a deep sigh.

  She's only six years old, but she already understands the hardships of life. Since her father passed away, she and her mother have taken on the heavy burden of the family, but more than half of the little money they earn from selling glutinous rice balls in the city every day has to be handed over to the Huang family to repay debts, leaving only enough to barely fill their stomachs. The young master of the Huang family, relying on his father's debt before his death, always bullies her and her brother without restraint, and when she pushed him away in anger, he wouldn't let it go... Alas, I don't know if today they can still wait for the county lord's wife to take pity on them again, and maybe even reward them with a few taels of loose silver, so that at least her brother can have a meat meal. She thought, and sighed softly again.

  Muyan is hiding here on purpose. Last time, she was chased by Huang Tianba and a group of children to the lake shore, and accidentally fell into the lake. The children saw that they had caused trouble and immediately scattered, not caring that Muyan was still struggling in the water. If it wasn't for the county lord's wife who happened to be walking in the nearby woods and sent someone to rescue her, Muyan would have probably drowned at the bottom of the lake. Thinking back to the beautiful face she saw when she woke up that day, Muyan felt a surge of gratitude and admiration towards the lady. She was not only beautiful but also kind-hearted. If it were the county lord's family that they owed money to, they wouldn't have to hide from that stinky boy anymore...

  Just then, a faint rustling sound came from the woods behind her, as if someone was walking through the grass. Xun's heart skipped a beat, thinking that the beautiful lady had finally arrived. She hastily turned around, but was stunned into silence.

  Another gust of clear wind swept over the treetops, rustling through the fine grass, and lifted the dark hair of the person under the tree. The red hem of his garment fluttered gently in the breeze, and sunlight filtering through the leaves scattered like shattered jade across his crimson robe. His slender, gaunt figure was enveloped by a soft glow in this gust of wind, making him appear even more serene and beautiful.

  Mu Xuan stood stupidly in the wet mud, until her face turned bright red before she remembered that she had forgotten to breathe, and hastily took a big gasp of air. The young man turned his head and saw her disheveled appearance, the corners of his mouth slightly raised, revealing a hint of a smile, and he looked even more handsome, causing Mu Xuan to involuntarily choke, and suddenly burst into a fit of thunderous coughing.

  "Little sister, it's... alright?"

  Looking at the little girl in front of him with a red face and coughing continuously, Xuan Zhen was stunned for a moment, then quickly stepped forward and asked warmly. Since the war in the Huan Yin realm subsided, he decided to return to the human world to investigate the whereabouts of Wan You's daughter. However, through the Zun Shen altar, he arrived at Qiong Hua but learned that Yun Tianqing and Su Yu had left Kunlun Mountain together, their destination unknown. He was originally on his way to pursue Yun Tianqing's hometown when he came here to take a look, intending to quietly take a peek before leaving, but did not expect to be bumped into by a little girl of the human tribe, and even scared this child so much, at that moment, he felt slightly guilty.

  The girl raised her head and saw Xuan Zhen's exquisite and handsome face, which was even closer now. The blood color on her small face couldn't retreat any further, she quickly lowered her head and didn't dare to look again, softly saying: "It's...it's nothing."

  Xuan Zhen nodded, no longer asking questions, and turned his head to continue looking at the thing he had been staring at before. The end of his line of sight was that lush tree with dense branches and leaves, which nineteen years ago could only barely provide a patch of shade to block out the sun, but now it had expanded into a large area of shade. A few rays of light jumped through the leaves and landed on the huge white stone under the tree, the surface of which was smooth and fine, reflecting a faint layer of pale white light, looking somewhat unfamiliar.

  Nineteen years have passed, and it's still here...

  Xuan Zhen stepped forward, treading on the grass, and gently bowed his head to caress the white stone. A hint of melancholy floated between his eyebrows. Suddenly, he heard a rustling sound beside him, turned his head, and met a pair of clear, dark eyes - it was that little girl who blushed extremely easily.

  "Big, big brother, are you from Shouyang City?" Seeing Xuan Zhen turn his head, the girl's face turned red again, but this time she didn't lower her head to avoid him. Instead, she curiously asked another question and finally whispered to herself, "My mother and I sell dumplings in the city every day, but we've never seen you before."

  Xuan Zhen stared at her, suddenly thinking that many years ago, there was also a little girl who looked at him with such clear and transparent eyes, asking him many strange and curious questions. That little girl... how is she doing now?

  In a daze, the small bright red face in front of him seemed to overlap with another blurry smile in his memory. Xuan Zhen stared blankly and heard himself say in a low voice: "I... live near Tonglu."

  "Me too, my home is also by the side of Chao Lake, just at...just on a fishing boat at the end of the lake dike." The little girl heard him say this and suddenly laughed and clapped her hands, then tilted her head curiously and asked, "But I've never seen you big brother around this lake before?"

  Xuan Zhen's eyes stared at her swaying braid, muttering: "I haven't been back for a long time... a very long time."

  Yes, Shen Bailian, who was born in Chaohu and grew up in Chaohu, has not returned for 19 years.

  Nineteen years, for cultivators and demons, is just a fleeting moment in the span of a thousand years, but for mortals, it's an irretrievable period of youth, a long and lonely wait. And that person, she waited here for Shen so many years before reluctantly putting on her wedding dress. How many more years did she wait before giving up?

  Xuan Zhen stood stupidly in this small forest, looking around blankly. It was a sparse and dilapidated forest, without even a single beautiful view. Yet at that time, he considered it the most beautiful place on earth. Even this ordinary large stone became an unforgettable treasure in his memory due to his love for her. As for that person, what about those green shoes that fluttered around him even in his dreams? Were they still hidden in some dusty corner? What happened to the pair of straw dolls he made at her gentle request - were they broken, lost, or had she pressed them into a box?

  Past events are like tides, gently lapping at his heart. What was right yesterday is wrong today, and people and things have changed beyond recognition; even with a body full of Taoist principles and magical powers, there's no way to turn back the tide.

  The emotions that had been lingering for nineteen years returned to the bottom of his heart in one evening. However, at this moment, what else could he do besides feeling melancholy and regret?

  "Big brother..."

  In a daze, Xuan Zhen heard a clear and crisp call. When he came to his senses again, he found it was the fisherman's daughter. Her eyes, as pure as the water of Xi Hu, were filled with concern and astonishment, staring at him intently without blinking.

  The girl whispered: "Big brother, why are you crying?"

  Xuan Zhen stared at her in a daze, and it wasn't until after a while that he came back to his senses. Crying? Had he actually cried?

  He raised his palm to wipe his cheek, and as expected, it was cool and wet. Looking at the water stain on his finger, shining brightly in the sunlight, but more mocking than anything else. Did he, a demon, still have the right to cry?

  The rustling wind sound arose from the stone in front of the forest, drying up the tear stains, and bringing a rustling sound to the leaves at the top of the forest. A few strands of willow branches hung down beside him, just brushing against Xuan Zhen's shoulder. He turned his hand over, plucked off a leaf, paused for a moment, and then put it on his lips.

  Before long, a slender, delicate and lingering melody floated out from those pale lips.

  Mu Xuan stood in front of him, but she seemed a bit dazed. Looking at this handsome big brother sitting on the stone, with his feet scattered and his red clothes fluttering, her face quietly flushed again.

  It's just... a clear and melodious tune, so why does it make people feel uncomfortable in their hearts? Mu Xuan bit her lip, unable to help but sneak another glance at her big brother. Such a handsome person, what could be making him unhappy enough to bring tears to his eyes?

  Perhaps this tune stirred up the competitive spirit of the birds in the forest, and as the melody became more sonorous, the chirping sounds grew more lively. However, amidst the liveliness, it was hard to conceal the sorrowful emotions of the person playing the tune. The birds, however, were completely unaware of this and continued to flit about in a flurry on the branches.

  Muyan leaned in to listen, but gradually heard other noises, far away, as if someone was talking?

  She hastily walked a few steps away, looked back and saw that a horse carriage had indeed stopped at the side of the road outside the forest, its wooden wheels no longer turning. The curtain was lifted, revealing a snow-white slender hand and half of a jade-like face - could it be anyone else but the county magistrate's wife she had been thinking about?

  "Madam!"

  The next moment, the melody behind him came to an abrupt end.

  The author has something to say: Thank you Smiling (thank you for your encouragement, I will work hard), Years of wandering, beini1127, LuLu, Feng Ling, Jin Cheng, CJ's X Zi, Orange, Si Meng, City, One Drunken Nan Hui, Hand Wanting Sauce, Water Cloud, Su Mo., Scatterbrained Philo, Yi Shui Han, Yun Hai Piao Peng, Qin Jiu Yin's message~ Special thanks to Orange Jun's Lei Zi~~

  PPS. Recently writing the outline of the third volume, all kinds of entanglements, everyone has good ideas welcome to leave a message for Cao Cao.

  PPPS. I recommend listening to "Flowing Tears" by Wang Feng, I've been writing sad stories lately and this song really sets the mood ╮(￣▽￣";)╭. I also recommend "Three Years Later" and "I Forgot My Reason for Suicide" by Ashin, and "Seven Days of Car Accidents". After watching these, you'll realize that a certain someone is actually a big softie and won't be cruel at all, while Da Shixiong is really a child of the stars, he's truly stellar!

  PPPPS. Generally, the most important things are placed at the beginning and the end. So, first of all, I would like to thank a certain author who has been supporting me with their mediocre writing skills, dragging plotlines, and irregular updates. Lastly, I would like to apologize again for this week's delay caused by my struggles with the outline. Once the outline is complete, I will start daily updates, except during exam periods... m(＿＿)m