Chapter 2: Heart Returns to the Heavenly Mountains

Year 1045 of the Mortal Realm, fifth month, Kunlun's Northern Mountain, Tea Heart Pavilion.

The Tea Heart Pavilion was the private quarters of Xueze, daughter of Yu Qianye, the head of the Kunlun Sect. It occupied a prime spot in the northern mountains of Kunlun, blessed with exceptional geomancy and the finest vistas of the mortal world. The courtyard was filled with lush grasses and flowering trees, the inner rooms lined with books and exquisite paintings.

The Kunlun Sect had claimed one corner of the Kunlun mountain range, establishing itself as one of the most renowned martial schools in the world. The summit of the northern mountain was lofty and remote, its cold clarity accessible only to the sect leader and a select few; even Xueze often remained secluded in her chambers. Ordinary folk did not know her name, and even Kunlun disciples had never seen her face, so she became something of a mysterious figure in idle conversations.

The mountains were steep and high, the air pure and chill. Outside lay breathtaking scenery; inside, a modest and tranquil courtyard. The Tea Heart Pavilion was refined and elegant, simply furnished yet distinctive in its own way, markedly different from the ornate boudoirs elsewhere. All of this was arranged by the young woman now standing at the window, reading a letter.

If the wind were an onlooker, it would see her: brows as delicate as willow leaves, clear bright eyes like luminous pearls—open, they were lively and spirited, limpid as water; closed, her lashes were thick and fine, enchanting in their beauty. Her nose was narrow and high-bridged, her lips like soft clouds or tender blossoms—unaltered by rouge, yet naturally rosy and moist with dew. Her skin was fair and tender, her attire simple and soft, her bearing both graceful and elegant—worthy of praise as the bright moon or pristine snow.

A gentle breeze laden with the scent of flowers brushed her cheek, lifting the dark hair over her shoulder. Her pink dress fluttered, sleeves flowing, yet the letter in her hand did not stir. For it was a letter from her master, sent from Tianshan, untouched by the ordinary winds of the world.

The pavilion door opened quietly. A graceful, noble-looking woman in violet entered, pausing behind the screen to observe the girl at the window. She saw a figure of delicate beauty, simply dressed, tranquil as a painted figure—her face in profile, yet already revealing extraordinary charm and poise. Noticing the girl’s pensive expression and the letter in her hand, the woman’s brows drew together in slight displeasure.

Hearing footsteps draw nearer, the girl turned and greeted her sweetly, “Mother.”

This young woman was none other than Xueze, mistress of the pavilion, and the newcomer her mother, Xiao Qinglian.

“Xueze, what are you thinking about?” the woman in violet asked, moving straight to the tea table to brew fresh tea.

“I was thinking of Master Qiangui,” Xueze replied, tucking the letter away in a wooden box inside the cabinet—a box filled with all her correspondence with her master.

Xiao Qinglian did not say more; she recognized Master Qiangui’s letter at a glance. The paper bore snow-bamboo motifs and was impervious to the mortal wind—a stationery unique to the Venerable Qiangui. She could guess at the letter’s contents, but chose not to mention it.

A cool breeze from outside swept the fragrance of sandalwood and cypress tea through the room. Xueze inhaled gently, sensing her father had brought back new tea from distant lands.

“Mother! Has father returned?” Xueze asked with a smile.

“He has. He’s brought new tea again. Tonight is an auspicious night; a banquet will be held at the East Pavilion. Will you come with me?” Xiao Qinglian’s voice was gentle, her gaze lingering fondly on her daughter.

To see her once was to take her for a beauty; to see her twice, a rare jewel. The more Xiao Qinglian looked upon her daughter, the more delighted she became.

“Everyone will surely be present—I dislike crowds. Please go without me. I wish to write back to Master,” Xueze replied.

“It isn’t the whole sect. There will only be a few scholars and warriors, and some guests from the Central Plains.”

“That only makes me less willing. I have no taste for feasts and drinking,” Xueze said softly.

“Xueze, you can’t remain behind closed doors all day. You hardly know anyone on this mountain, and you’re too strict with yourself about staying in your quarters,” her mother chided gently.

Xueze smiled faintly. “It’s not about rules—I simply don’t want to go out. Even those in this courtyard treat me with exaggerated respect, let alone the other disciples. I dislike excessive ceremony and custom.”

“Well, aren’t you always thinking of Tianshan? Tonight’s guests hail from Beihua; you could seek news from them.”

“You mean the rumors about Beihua slandering Tianshan and ruining its reputation? Such matters require inside sources to know the truth. I’ve heard all the public talk a thousand times; I need not hear more. The guests from Beihua will surely avoid the topic. Best not to ask, and Mother, you needn’t worry.”

“So in the end, you still won’t attend? Is replying to your master so urgent?”

“Yes, Master and I have much to discuss these days. Please let me stay here tonight,” Xueze insisted.

Xiao Qinglian nodded, though with some irritation in her heart. She did not wish for Xueze to become too entwined with Tianshan. Reminiscing for a moment, she felt a pang of sorrow and soon took her leave, saying little.

In remembering the past, Xiao Qinglian could not suppress her possessive longing. She did not want her daughter to follow the same painful path she had once walked.

Xueze stepped out onto the veranda, watching her mother’s departing figure, and sensed the change in her mood. She understood her mother’s wishes, but she was determined to heed her master. With that, she summoned Lianzi.

With a wave of her sleeve, a red lotus seed flew forth, landing and transforming into a lively, mischievous young girl who now stood before Xueze.

The girl was dressed in simple, thin red attire, her spirit bright and energetic. Her hair was smooth, two braids resting behind her shoulders, adorned only with a twin lotus blossom. Her face was fair and charming, her eyes accented with slender red lines at the corners, lending her a vivid, striking beauty.

Lianzi was a twin-flowered red lotus Xueze had once saved. Grateful, Lianzi became her constant companion.

“So you mean to return to Tianshan?” Lianzi asked in surprise after hearing Xueze’s thoughts. “Last night’s dream made you so resolute? It seems you can’t let it go.”

Xueze hesitated, then sighed, “Perhaps I’m overthinking. Still, dreams and reality are sometimes connected. I must go back and see for myself.”

“You’ve always missed Tianshan, but lately it’s become an obsession. I feel as if some invisible force is calling you,” Lianzi mused, biting her finger. “Is it that you can’t bear to see Tianshan in trouble?”

Xueze nodded, handing the letter from her master to Lianzi. “See for yourself. I can’t stand by and do nothing, nor do I wish to go against my master’s wishes. It’s been ten years—I miss my master, I miss the scenery. These feelings run deep. Besides, as a disciple of Tianshan, what am I doing lingering in Kunlun?”

“If Venerable Qiangui wants you back, why not say so directly? Why write things like, ‘The martial world lies with Kunlun and Xihai, governance with Beihua, and mysteries with Tianshan’?” Lianzi muttered.

“You’re supposed to know what I don’t—how can you not understand such plain words? In the world, the renowned sects are Kunlun and Xihai Mansion; Beihua rules the Central Plains, and Tianshan is the holiest of mysterious lands. My master writes thus to urge me to return and seek guidance,” Xueze explained.

Whenever faced with uncertainty, Xueze sought Lianzi’s counsel. Though Lianzi seemed forever a playful spirit, she had grown up in the Orchid Heart Pavilion and knew far more of the mortal world than Xueze.

“Lianzi owes her new life to you, and where you are uncertain, it is for me to know and protect you. What you understand, I need not,” Lianzi replied, treating Xueze as her entire world—sometimes as mistress and servant, sometimes as sisters.

“Well, I don’t know how to return smoothly. Can you advise me?” Xueze asked.

“Oh! That’s easy enough, but the problem is Lady Qinglian is here,” Lianzi whispered.

Xueze sighed, aware that her mother did not want her to return to her master’s side.

Her mother had once been a Tianshan celestial maiden—a guardian of the divine realm, forbidden to love mortals. Yet, she and Yu Qianye had overcome all obstacles to be together. Tianshan had been left without a guardian maiden ever since; the position remained vacant. Having become the wife of Kunlun’s leader, Xiao Qinglian still held her post as Celestial Master in Tianshan. She didn’t wish Xueze to return because she didn’t want her beloved daughter to become the next Snow Domain Maiden.

In those years, Xiao Qinglian had suffered greatly for her choice, nearly dying in childbirth with Xueze. Thus, Xueze had been raised by Master Qiangui until she was eight, before returning to Kunlun.

“Don’t be sad. I have a way!” Lianzi, seeing Xueze lost in thought, quickly offered a plan.

“Tell me!” Xueze’s smile bloomed bright as a white rose.

Lianzi paced the room, ensuring no one was near, then leaned close to Xueze’s ear and whispered her suggestion, mysterious and conspiratorial.

“How did you think of such an idea?” Xueze asked, surprised.

“Because Lady Qinglian is too hard to fool—this is the only way! The only one who can approach her is the sect leader.”

Xueze considered this with a trace of doubt. “But will Father help me?”

“Of course. The sect leader treasures Lady Qinglian, but he cherishes you no less,” Lianzi replied.

After much deliberation, Xueze decided to follow Lianzi’s plan and prepared to escape with her during the banquet at the East Pavilion that very night.