When Han Ye woke up, he found himself lying on a wide bed. There was no such treatment in the Underworld. It seemed he wasn't dead yet. Han Ye got up and looked around. The room was luxuriously decorated, with tables, chairs, and counters made of various colored jade. Even the bed he slept on was adorned with crystals, carved with ancient beast-faced patterns. Not to mention the exquisite craftsmanship, it was extremely precious in the Mortal Realm. Who could afford such decoration?
Full of questions, Han Ye pushed open the door. A cool, pleasant fragrance wafted towards him, and he could faintly hear the sound of a woman humming a song, very elegant and pleasant. Following the singing, Han Ye walked out of the room and discovered that this was truly a wondrous world: the entire courtyard was submerged underwater! Perhaps influenced by some Profound Spirit, within a twenty-mu domain, the river water was pushed to the outside, flowing like a pot lid covering the entire courtyard. Sunlight intertwined with the flowing water, making one feel as if in a clear blue sky. It turned out that this was not the Underworld at all, but rather an Immortal Mansion.
Han Ye looked at the magnificent scenery, his heart feeling relaxed, and then he observed the courtyard. There were many houses in the courtyard. The largest one facing the main entrance was the living room. On either side were six rooms each. The innermost room on each side was the master bedroom and study, respectively. In the center of the courtyard were aquatic plants and fragrant flowers, with small paths and stone tables and chairs amidst the grass. The celestial singing also came from that patch of grass.
Han Ye walked through the grass, which was as tall as a person, and saw the woman humming inside. The woman had her back to Han Ye, wearing a water-blue cloud robe, her delicate shoulders slightly exposed. Her fair jade skin was astonishing. A pearl and silver hairpin adorned her hair, which was tied up with spring water and cascaded to her waist. Her neck was graceful and slender, her skin like white jade, her shoulders seemingly carved, her waist as if bound with silk. She was petite and elegant, her long hair unbound, appearing otherworldly and immortal. Just her back view made Han Ye somewhat mesmerized. Such a woman could only exist in heaven, rarely found on earth.
While Han Ye was lost in thought, the woman ahead, still with her back to him, spoke in a voice like silver bells, "Awake?"
"Yes." Han Ye looked at the enchanting figure and cautiously cupped his hands, "Thank you, Miss, for saving my life."
"Miss? Hehe." The graceful woman smiled sweetly and slowly turned around. Blue light reflected on her breathtakingly beautiful face, with eyebrows like crescent moons, and eyes like crystal and glaze. Her red lips were captivating, her flicking eyelashes alluring. Her radiance surpassed autumn chrysanthemums, her flourishing beauty like a spring pine. The woman held a flower basket in her left hand and a few fresh flowers in her right, letting the breeze lift strands of dark hair from her chest as she smiled, "Mortal, I have been a wife for hundreds of years, how can I be a 'Miss'?"
Han Ye was startled and looked at this strange underwater realm. He asked, "Where is this place?"
"This is the mansion of my husband and myself." After introducing herself, the woman suddenly remembered the reason Han Ye was here and said apologetically, "Forgive me, I haven't introduced myself. I am the Luoshen of the Luo River, named "Mifēi①". My husband is the River God of the Luo River, named "Feng Yi". My husband and I were walking along the riverbed earlier and accidentally caused the river to surge. Then we saw you fall into the water, and I rushed to save you."
"I apologize for the trouble I caused you." Luoshen? River God? These were all figures from mythology! To be honest, in his many years of traveling the martial world, Han Ye had encountered some hungry ghosts and minor demons, but this was his first time encountering an immortal. It seemed that falling into the water was a blessing in disguise for Han Ye. Han Ye chuckled self-deprecatingly, "To be rescued by an immortal, I truly have great fortune."
He remembered that he was just a mortal, and they had no obligation to save him when he fell into the water, yet they still did! Even more surprising was that the Luoshen apologized to him in person! He was truly overwhelmed with gratitude. With this in mind, Han Ye cupped his fists respectfully to Mifēi, "Thank you, Great Immortal, for saving me!"
Mifēi smiled faintly, "We are but minor celestial beings with little magic, scarcely worth mentioning. By the way, what is your name, young brother?"
Han Ye replied truthfully, "My surname is Han, my given name is Ye, my courtesy name is Weiyang. My late father..."
"Han Ye Weiyang...?" Mifēi interrupted him, her voice deepening, "That name sounds so sorrowful. Why did your father give you such a name?"
Han Ye hesitated for a moment and then said, "My father heard others say that the name should be reversed, so he gave me this name, hoping I would be upright and my achievements would be as brilliant as the sun. But it's laughable, I am not a person of good fortune. Both my parents and Master are no longer alive, and my younger sister has gone to a remote immortal mountain to cultivate. Now, I am all alone, roaming the four seas."
Mifēi looked at him with pity, "Do you plan to live like this forever?"
Han Ye shook his head, "I don't know... I think, after I avenge my family and repay my debts of gratitude, perhaps I will go to Shushan to live with my sister for the rest of my life."
Mifēi sighed, "I don't know if I should say this, but living like this, you must be very tired."
Han Ye looked up at the swirling light at the bottom of the water, wondering if he should tell Mifēi so much about his past. Could this "Mifēi" be trusted? After all, he was on the verge of death, and they saved him. If they wanted to harm him, they could have done so long ago. Moreover, judging from his current surroundings and the events that had transpired, Mifēi seemed to be telling the truth; she was indeed an immortal.
Han Ye had always thought that immortals should be aloof and unapproachable. He hadn't expected Mifēi to be like a confidante, more like a big sister. Since she was like a confidante, it wouldn't hurt to pour out his heart. Han Ye said with ease, "Why should one person's misfortune be imposed on others? Everyone knows Shushan is the foremost of the Thirty-Six Grotto-Heavens, a leader in the immortal path. It's a good thing my sister is cultivating there peacefully, why should she be entangled in this chaotic mortal world..."
As he spoke, he unconsciously thought of the person he had known since childhood, a hint of regret appearing on his face. But the regret was fleeting. He murmured, "And Yunmeng, as long as I know she's well at Clanging Sword Hall, that's enough for me."
"Yunmeng?" Mifēi asked, "Who is she?"
Han Ye said sadly, "Her name is Situ Yunmeng. We grew up together, and we once made a Pledge of eternal love. I carried a deep-seated hatred, and I wanted to take her with me..." As he spoke, he touched the jade pendant in his robe with emotion, "Unfortunately, she didn't accept my Master. We argued, and I hurt her too deeply. For the past eight years, I haven't seen her face to face. Perhaps by the time I avenge my family and repay my master's kindness, she will have forgotten me..."
Mifēi didn't rush to console Han Ye but said, "Let's not talk about this for now. I'll take you to meet my husband."
Mifēi said, and then, holding her flower basket, walked elegantly towards the main hall. After a few steps, she turned back to Han Ye and added, "Come."
Han Ye heard this, put away his sadness, and followed closely.
Following the winding path, through the dense grass, turning and twisting, the main hall finally appeared before them. Mifēi entered first. Han Ye stood outside the main hall and looked in. The hall was magnificent, filled with jade and crystal furnishings, truly resembling an immortal's dwelling. In the center of the hall sat a handsome man, who appeared to be under thirty, with handsome brows and starry eyes, silver-white hair, dressed in a green robe, emanating a watery fragrance. He glanced at Mifēi and said softly, "Wife, have you picked enough flowers?"
Mifēi replied, "Not yet, but I wanted to bring this mortal to see you first." The man said, "Alright." Han Ye could feel the caring and permissive gaze and attitude of the man towards Mifēi from afar, unlike the common men of this era who would scold their wives if they didn't handle things properly. Seeing Han Ye still standing outside, the man called out loudly, "Brother Weiyang, there's no need to stand outside, please come in."
The man's speech also surprised Han Ye with its politeness. Han Ye was slightly taken aback and carefully stepped into the main hall, cupping his hands, "Strange, I haven't introduced myself to you yet, senior. How do you know my courtesy name?"
The man and Mifēi exchanged glances, then both laughed. The man said cheerfully, "I am the River God of the Luo River, named Feng Yi. In my River God's mansion, I can hear the voices of every blade of grass and every tree."
Seeing Han Ye's astonished expression, Feng Yi added somewhat guiltily, "I recently went on a trip near Flower Rain Valley and somehow fell ill. Although my life is not in danger, I felt unwell. So, my wife often mashed flowers into a paste for me to consume, and my illness gradually improved. Yesterday, she accompanied me for a walk along the Luo River bed. She is the Luoshen, and I am the River God. If we're not careful, the river can surge, and thus I harmed you."
After speaking, he asked Han Ye with concern, "How do you feel now?"
Han Ye smiled faintly, "Thanks to the care of both of you, I'm much better."
He thought, since even immortals are so polite, how could he not be? So he sincerely wished, "Brother Feng Yi, your concern is so great. I only hope that Brother Feng Yi can recover soon."
Han Ye's polite words further impressed Feng Yi. He stood up from his jade throne and slowly walked to Han Ye, patting him on the shoulder and smiling, "Brother Weiyang, you certainly know how to speak. Well, I harmed you by making you fall into the water, and I must compensate you."
"Tell me, what do you want?"
Feng Yi initially thought Han Ye would ask for rare treasures or divine weapons. To his surprise, Han Ye merely touched his empty wine pouch and asked cheerfully, "Do you have any wine?"
Feng Yi and Mifēi looked at each other and smiled. Mifēi said, "My husband has always loved drinking. He used to get very drunk, but now he has settled down. However, we still have quite a bit of aged wine stored in the mansion."
"As long as there's wine, I only need wine!" Han Ye's spirits lifted a bit upon hearing this. He had narrowly escaped death, yet he didn't complain. He was offered compensation, yet he was not greedy. Mifēi and Feng Yi liked Han Ye more and more. So, Feng Yi decided to host a banquet, had Mifēi cook, and invited Han Ye for a meal and drinks. The dishes were not entirely aquatic; perhaps they had obtained them from land. Han Ye tasted the dishes while thinking about when the wine would arrive. Then he saw Mifēi carrying a platter with a pot of exquisite wine and a jade goblet, her hands slender like willow branches, her figure as light as rippling water, walking gracefully towards the two men. Entering the hall without a sound, her silken slippers barely stirring the dust. Han Ye looked at the items on Mifēi's platter and asked Feng Yi, "Brother Feng Yi, what wine is that?"
Feng Yi smiled and pointed at the jade pot, "This is the immortal brew I love the most, called 'Drunken Immortal Drink'. Mortals can hardly get this wine; only immortals can enjoy it to their heart's content."
In his life, besides mortal wines, Han Ye had never tasted an immortal brew. How could he not be excited? His eyes were shining! Han Ye stared at the "Drunken Immortal Drink", swallowed, and cupped his fists gratefully to Feng Yi, "Brother Feng Yi! Thank you so much!"
Thinking that although he had gone through some hardship, he was about to taste immortal wine. Han Ye didn't know what else to say. He was afraid that if he spoke too much, Feng Yi might not like it and suddenly take the Drunken Immortal Drink away! Feng Yi smiled at Han Ye and then lovingly said to Mifēi, "Wife, please place the wine on the table. You've worked hard."
Mifēi placed the platter on the table, sat gracefully beside Feng Yi, who took Mifēi's hand in one and gestured towards the wine on the platter with the other, saying to Han Ye, "Try it."
Han Ye had been eager to try it and no longer stood on ceremony. He poured the Drunken Immortal Drink into the wine cup. The fine wine flowed from the spout. Soon, the entire main hall was filled with a fresh and elegant aroma. The fragrance entered his nostrils, lingering in his chest and abdomen. Even before drinking, his cheeks were already flushed red; he was intoxicated by the wine before it even touched his lips! Indeed, it was an immortal brew.
Han Ye was extremely excited, his hands holding the jade goblet trembling slightly. He took a small sip of the Drunken Immortal Drink. Instantly, a cool sensation spread from his mouth to his stomach. It wasn't strong liquor, but it felt like a waterfall cascading down his throat. Han Ye closed his eyes, feeling an endless coolness spreading within him, his body feeling as light as an immortal's, and the wine's aftertaste lingering in his mouth. He had never been so entranced. Even drinking dozens of jars of mortal wine wouldn't give him this feeling of his spirit leaving his body and soaring upwards. He remained with his eyes closed, savoring it for the duration of a cup of tea, and finally opened his bright, clear eyes, exclaiming, "Good wine, truly good wine!"
Feng Yi, seeing that he had found a connoisseur, was delighted. "Brother Weiyang, since you like it, drink more. You can even take some with you. I don't drink much anymore anyway."
"Is that true?" Han Ye's brows relaxed. He took out the wine pouch from his waist and said to Feng Yi, "Could you help me fill this wine pouch?"
Mifēi looked at the wine pouch and said to Han Ye word by word, "Zhulong..."
Han Ye listened, puzzled. Feng Yi saw his bewilderment and said, "Don't you know what this thing in your hand is?"
Seeing Han Ye shake his head, Feng Yi continued, "This kind of pouch is made from the shed scales of the Dragon that Holds Candles when it ascended. It is strong and durable. Most importantly, it contains a universe within. It can hold a lot of things, but the disadvantage is that if you put too many things in it, it becomes troublesome to retrieve them. It's good for storing wine, capable of holding several thousand jin without a problem."
Han Ye looked at the Zhulong Wine Pouch for a while and asked Feng Yi in disbelief, "Can it really hold several thousand jin of wine?"
Feng Yi anticipated that Han Ye might not believe him. He placed his hand on Mifēi's arm and said gently, "Wife, please bring the Drunken Immortal Drink over."
Han Ye was about to see how Mifēi would bring the Drunken Immortal Drink when he saw Mifēi nod slightly, still sitting there. With one hand forming a lotus gesture, she pointed towards the entrance of the main hall. Her fingertips emitted a shimmering blue light. After a moment, he heard a sound from outside the door. Han Ye turned to look and saw hundreds of snake-like streams of water flying in from outside. The "snakes" swept through the hall, stirring up a refreshing wine aroma. It turned out Mifēi was summoning the wine from the wine jars using her spiritual power.
The streams of wine swirled and danced in the hall for a while. Mifēi concentrated and said to Han Ye, "Young brother, now, open the lid."
Han Ye opened the Zhulong Wine Pouch. Instantly, a "snake" about twenty feet long drilled into the wine pouch. In a moment, it was all injected into the pouch. Then, more "snakes" rushed into the wine pouch one after another, and the pouch gradually swelled.
Even after carrying so much wine, the pouch only became slightly heavier. Han Ye closed the lid in astonishment, shook it by his ear, and heard a faint sloshing sound, as if it wasn't full yet.
"How about that?" Feng Yi laughed, "Am I not telling the truth? This Zhulong Wine Pouch truly contains a universe within. The wine I've given you is enough for you to drink for a year."
Han Ye said calmly, "I never thought I carried such a magical item on me..."
"More than that," Feng Yi gazed at Han Ye and said, "You have something else on you that is even more magical, and it doesn't seem to be from the mortal world."
Han Ye was stunned at first, then chuckled, "Brother Feng Yi has discerning eyes. I guess you're talking about this, right?"
As Han Ye spoke, he took out the jade pendant from his chest and presented it to Feng Yi. "Hmm..." Feng Yi carefully examined the floral patterns on the white jade pendant and was suddenly shocked, saying solemnly, "Tsk, tsk, tsk! This is an item from the divine realm. The spiritual energy contained within is unfathomable. Among the Nine Immortals, I am considered a Spirit Immortal, but I have never encountered such a peculiar jade pendant..."
He then looked at Han Ye, frowning, and asked, "Who gave you such a mysterious jade pendant?"
Actually, Feng Yi and Mifēi felt an inexplicable sense of closeness to Han Ye for a reason. After all, Han Ye possessed Xuan Yuan True Qi, making him a cultivator of the immortal path. More importantly, the jade pendant on Han Ye's chest was also not something found in the mortal world. As Earth Immortals, Feng Yi and Mifēi had every reason to be concerned about Han Ye's background and the origin of the jade pendant.
However, when Feng Yi asked who gave him the jade pendant, Han Ye fell silent. Because it was a token of love given to him by Situ Yunmeng!
"Situ Yunmeng..." Thinking of her, with whom he had made a promise on Green Mountain in his youth, Han Ye felt a pang of sadness, his chest feeling empty. It had been fine earlier today. But seeing Feng Yi treating Mifēi with such respect and affection made Han Ye uncomfortable.
Han Ye thought: If I had this immortal residence, I could give Situ Yunmeng a home. If I were as handsome and elegant as Brother Feng Yi. If I had Brother Feng Yi's mighty spiritual power and abilities. I should properly go and apologize to Situ Yunmeng, tell her I treated her badly! I should be as respectful and harmonious with her as Brother Feng Yi and Senior Mifēi are!
But reality was so cruel. He had nothing! Han Ye felt dejected, closed his clear eyes, and sighed, "It was given by Situ Yunmeng...!"
"Oh. I heard you mention her earlier." Feng Yi nodded understandingly, then seriously said to Han Ye, "Brother Weiyang, she gave you this precious jade pendant because she hoped it would protect you for your entire life, just as she would."
Why would Feng Yi think that? Han Ye was initially skeptical. But he thought, what ordinary mortals say, he could disregard. Feng Yi was an immortal! Would Feng Yi deliberately lie to him? Thinking to himself, Han Ye was struck dumb. Indeed, for the past eight years, whenever he was in danger or felt uneasy, the jade pendant on his chest would emit a faint glow, watching over him, just like that young girl on Green Mountain, gentle yet stubborn, never leaving his side!
Han Ye clutched the jade pendant on his chest, thinking: "Yunmeng, could it be? You have never changed? Could it be? Even in my current state, you are still waiting for me to find you?"
Han Ye shook his head gently, he dared not believe it. Because in his eyes, his words and actions eight years ago were equivalent to personally burying their relationship.
Even if Situ Yunmeng had changed and no longer remembered their vow, he wouldn't blame her. He could only blame himself for his youthful ignorance and lack of appreciation.
Mifēi saw Han Ye lost in confusion and struck while the iron was hot, "Do you think immortal couples never argue? Quarrels are commonplace. You argued with her, did she retort?"
Because the memories were vivid, Han Ye recalled everything that had happened in the past eight years. He said, "She didn't retort. She only cursed me once at the end."
Feng Yi and Mifēi exchanged glances. Mifēi quickly asked Han Ye, "Did you win the argument, but lose a soulmate? Was it worth it?"
Han Ye pondered for a moment and finally said with shame, "It was not worth it... Not worth it at all!"
Feng Yi further enlightened him, "Brother Weiyang, you are too foolish! You felt she couldn't accept your Master, but did you ever ask why she couldn't accept your Master? Did you clarify why you insisted she accept your Master?"
Han Ye felt immensely guilty and let out a long sigh, turning his head aside and cupping his fists, "I... I was wrong! I was wrong!!"
Mifēi smiled, "You should say this to her, what's the use of saying it to us?"
Feng Yi continued to enlighten him, "You carry so much hatred and must also repay your master's kindness. Without help from others, it is very difficult to accomplish this alone. Therefore, these eight years have been in vain."
He added, "Brother Weiyang, you don't know, after my wife and I got married, she still had someone else in her heart. At that time, I was very angry and treated her poorly, drinking and indulging every day. Later, I gradually realized that our marriage in this Luo River was also a form of fate. 'A hundred years of cultivation to share a boat ride, a thousand years of cultivation to share a bed.' Therefore, we have been getting along very harmoniously all these years."
"But..." Han Ye frowned slightly and sighed, "I treated her so poorly! Even if she changed her heart, I wouldn't blame her! And, even if she didn't change her heart, I was unwilling to let her suffer with me!"
"Not so, not so." Feng Yi pondered for a moment, then looked up, "From beginning to end, it was only your own thoughts. You were trapped in unnecessary self-pity... But have you ever asked her what she truly wanted?"
... "Alright."
"Then let's continue the game of you taking me with you, A Ye!"
...
The words of Situ Yunmeng from her childhood echoed in Han Ye's heart. He suddenly realized: Perhaps, Situ Yunmeng didn't want safety, nor did she want to remain untainted by the world's mud. She merely wanted to be by his side!
A word to wake the dreamer! Han Ye stared blankly at the two of them, slammed the table, and said with disappointment, "Hearing your words is like enlightenment, Weiyang... I have learned."
With that, Han Ye cupped his fists to thank Feng Yi and Mifēi, then stood up and said, "You two, I think I must take my leave!"
As Han Ye was about to leave, Feng Yi called out, "Wait."
He took a ring from his finger and handed it to Han Ye. "It seems you are in a hurry to reunite with your beloved, and it's inconvenient for us to ask you to stay. Well, this ring was a magic artifact that my wife and I cultivated together. It contains a lot of water spiritual energy. I hope you will accept it."
Han Ye examined the ring. The jade material seemed like flowing water. When he took it from Feng Yi, he could feel a faint coolness emanating from it. "With it, you can easily swim out of the riverbed; by stroking it, you can conjure clear water. If you encounter someone who recognizes water spiritual energy, its functions will be even more numerous. There is no time to list them all here."
Han Ye was unexpectedly touched by the couple from the Luo River's warmth and said, cupping his fists, "Thank you for your care. I have nothing to repay you with!"
"You're welcome," Mifēi smiled, "It's fate that we met at the bottom of the river, and you have these immortal artifacts and treasures on you. These things are usually not used, so it's only right to give them to those who are fated."
Feng Yi and Mifēi thought the same. But more than that, he had a premonition that Situ Yunmeng, the one who gave Han Ye the jade pendant, must have an extraordinary background.
So Feng Yi encouraged Han Ye, "Go, have some confidence in yourself!"
Han Ye nodded solemnly, gathered his belongings, waved goodbye to the Luoshen and River God behind him, then swam out of the Luo River bed, embarking on his journey to Clanging Sword Hall...
Notes:
① "Mifēi" and "Feng Yi" – Luoshen Mifēi became famous through Cao Zhi's "Ode to the Luoshen". However, the Luoshen Mifēi and River God Feng Yi in this text are more inspired by Qu Yuan's "Songs of Chu - Nine Songs - River God", depicting the love affair between the Luoshen and the River God. As for other legends such as "Hou Yi shot the River God" and "blind in the left eye," they are not mentioned in this text.