The layer of clouds and mist outside the hall grew thicker after Jiang Xu entered, eventually concealing the celestial palace entirely. From a distance, it appeared as nothing more than a massive cluster of clouds.
The furnishings inside the hall were all of the highest quality, steeped in ancient elegance and profound charm. In the center of the hall, an incense burner glowed as blue smoke rose steadily toward the ceiling beams. Further ahead stood a massive mirror, shimmering like water or mist, its surface flowing with a life of its own in a thin, ethereal layer.
Jiang Xu approached and looked at the flowing “mirror surface.” He reached out to touch it, and his finger sank directly into the mirror. The water mirror flickered with a faint light. He quickly pulled his hand back, only to see the mist-like substance begin to swirl like a vortex. He stared at it until he felt as if his entire being was being drawn in. His body felt weightless, and he was suddenly enveloped by gentle ripples of water. When he opened his eyes again, he was no longer in the palace.
He rubbed his eyes. His surroundings were a void of endless, faint white. There was not a single blade of grass or tree; it was as if he were the only person left between heaven and earth.
As Jiang Xu moved slightly, the sound of rippling water came from beneath his feet. He looked down in a daze and saw that he was not standing on solid ground, but seemed to be floating atop a water surface that reflected his shadow.
“What is this?” He knelt down and reached out to touch it. As his slender finger met the water, it submerged into a slight chill. He pulled his finger out quickly but saw no trace of moisture. He frowned in confusion. “It really is water. How magical.”
Jiang Xu stood up and stepped on the water’s surface. Looking at the ripples, a strange sense of playfulness suddenly welled up within him. He couldn’t resist stomping a few more times, watching the ripples spread outward in perfect circles. A smile involuntarily curled onto his lips.
“You’re certainly having fun,” a cold voice rang out. Jiang Xu snapped his head up, but he saw no one.
The voice seemed to echo, sounding as if it were coming from all directions. He frowned, tension rising. “Who’s there?”
The voice did not speak again, but the quiet water beneath his feet seemed to stir. Jiang Xu looked down and met the eyes of the face in the crystal-clear water—a face identical to his own. Those eyes rippled along with the water, but suddenly, the corners of the eyes curved. He watched helplessly as that face suddenly broke into a very faint smile.
Jiang Xu took a half-step back, instinctively touching the corners of his own mouth. Did I just smile? Cautiously, he looked down again. He raised his arms and moved his hands, but his reflection beneath him did not follow his movements.
“What’s going on!” Jiang Xu panted. “Has this thing gained a soul of its own?”
The vast expanse of white suddenly shifted. The water beneath his feet began to move, gushing upward silently. Jiang Xu shielded his face. The next moment, the world spun, and after a bout of dizziness, he found himself in a filthy little alleyway.
It was pitch black here, with only occasional slivers of light filtering in from the alley’s entrance. Jiang Xu rubbed his head and opened his eyes, only to freeze in shock. He thrust his hands out in front of him, seeing a pair of dirty, skeletal hands—clearly the hands of a child!
Jiang Xu scrambled up from the ground. A sharp pain in his calf stung his senses. He leaned against the wall and looked down at his left leg. The skin, which should have been soft and fair for a child, was now a mess of bruises. Just below the knee, a gash several inches long was jagged across his skin; the blood had already scabbed over into a dark purple-red mark that looked gruesome on such a thin leg.
He couldn’t help but curse under his breath. Looking at the coarse cloth clothes he was wearing, his brow furrowed deeply. The clothes were filthy, tattered, and very thin. The air was biting cold—clearly not the season for such light clothing. Had he transmigrated into the body of some poor little orphan again?
The wound on his leg looked old, but because it hadn’t been properly cleaned or dressed, it still hadn’t healed. Jiang Xu forced himself to tear a strip of cloth from his clothes and gritted his teeth as he bent over to wrap the wound.
He looked up to survey his surroundings. The alley was old and silent. It seemed to have rained not long ago; the ground was covered in soaked, rotting mud that gave off a foul stench. Jiang Xu covered his nose, recalling what had happened. He had entered the mirror in the great hall, and then that strange space had brought him here.
That’s right! His reflection had moved!
Could it be that the “other him” had sent him here?
Jiang Xu shook his head, looking at the environment. “Regardless, getting out of here is the first priority.”
He limped out of the alley. Suddenly, brilliant lights flooded his vision. The air was filled with the clamor of voices; various lanterns lined the long street, and shadows of people moved in an endless stream.
Leaning against a wall, Jiang Xu stared at the lively scene in a daze, only to be shoved from the side a moment later. He fell hard to the ground.
“A little beggar like you thinks he’s worthy of looking at the Lantern Festival lights?” It was a childish voice, but the words were full of malice. Jiang Xu looked up and saw a chubby little boy. He held a lantern in one hand and wore clothes made of fine silk, topped with a small cloak. His round face was framed by the white fur collar of the cloak, and his hair was tied up high—clearly the young master of a wealthy family.
That fall had aggravated his wound again. Jiang Xu stood up, hissing through his teeth. He looked at the brat in front of him and let out a short laugh. “Hey kid, where are your parents?”
“What are you laughing at!” The young master glared at him, puzzled. “What do you care if my parents are here or not!”
Jiang Xu brushed the dirt off his clothes. Looking at the boy’s apple-like cheeks, his eyes darted around. “You called me a ‘little beggar’ just now. Do I not have a name?”
“You beg and pick through trash every day; what else should I call you but a beggar!” The young master looked as festive as a New Year’s painting doll, but his words were venomous. Jiang Xu raised an eyebrow, thinking that as an adult, tricking a brat would be child’s play. He smiled, putting on a mysterious air. “I’m not picking through trash. I’m looking for treasure.” As soon as he said it, he covered his mouth, turned to leave, and muttered, “Why should I tell you? I’m going to go see my treasure now.”
The young master’s round eyes darted back and forth. He frowned and called out, “You’re lying! There’s no such thing as treasure!”
Jiang Xu shrugged without looking back. “Right, right, there’s no treasure. Even if there was, I wouldn’t show you anyway.”
He had barely walked ten meters from the alley entrance when the little fatty caught up and grabbed him. “No! I want to see!”
Jiang Xu smiled. “Why should I show you? Something that good—you’d definitely steal it if you saw it. I’m not willing.”
“I’ll give you money! We’ll… we’ll trade!” After all, he was just a child of a few years who loved novelty. Jiang Xu cleared his throat, pretending to be hesitant. “But my treasure is better than your money. I still don’t want to show you.”
The young master frowned in deep thought for a long time, then took out a pouch from his waist and opened it in front of Jiang Xu. “Hey, Jiang Xu, is this enough? And I won’t call you a little beggar anymore; I’ll call you by your name. You just have to let me take one look.”
Jiang Xu froze. This child is also named Jiang Xu? How was that possible? He pressed his lips together. Where exactly was this place, and who was this child?
The young master grew impatient. “Are you going to show me or not?”
He snapped back to reality. Looking at the silver coins in the pouch, he smirked and snatched it. “Deal.” As for the matter of having the same name, he would look into that later.
The two children walked down the crowded street—one dressed in riches, the other in rags—attracting many glances. Jiang Xu didn’t care; he was currently eating a piping hot roasted sweet potato, finally warming his frozen hands.
“Where exactly is the treasure?” The young master’s brow was knit tight. Watching him bite into the sweet potato, the boy swallowed his spit. “You wouldn’t be lying to me, would you?”
Jiang Xu blew out a breath of hot air and glanced at him. “How about you answer a few questions for me first?”
The young master looked at him suspiciously but nodded. “Ask quickly! When you’re done, show me the treasure!”
Jiang Xu smiled. “Alright. Tell me, where is my home, and where is yours?” He had to find a way to ditch this brat, but he couldn’t just leave a child alone on the street; he had to send him back.
The young master didn’t catch on and answered blankly, “My house is just up ahead, but I don’t know where yours is.”
Jiang Xu nodded, finished the sweet potato, and grabbed the boy’s hand. “Let’s go.”
Thinking he was about to see the treasure, the young master followed him excitedly without question—until they arrived at the front of his own manor. He stood there, panting in a daze.
“This… isn’t this my house?”
Jiang Xu nodded, looking at the grand gates and the guards standing outside. He checked his exit, spotting a small corner; he had noted earlier that turning that corner led to another street.
“Alright, I’m relieved now that I’ve sent you home.” He shook his head and patted the young master’s head. Looking at the boy’s bewildered face, he spoke in the tone of an adult: “In the future, never trust a stranger’s words.” With that, he yelled at the top of his lungs, “Your young master is back!!”
Then he turned and bolted, darting around the corner and disappearing.
The young master finally realized he had been tricked. He froze for a few seconds before letting out a loud wail.
Seeing the young master had returned, the two guards excitedly picked him up and carried him into the manor.
Jiang Xu smiled as he weighed the heavy pouch in his hand, his eyes crinkling into slits. A gust of cold wind blew past, and he shivered.
Better go find a change of clothes first.
However, since today was the Lantern Festival, he wasn’t sure if the shops were still open.
He looked around. This street was still lively, with a large crowd gathered in the distance to solve lantern riddles. Jiang Xu sighed, hugging his arms. He figured finding a warm place to stay was the best move. Just as he started to walk, the voice of a woman rang out from behind him, sounding surprised.
“Jiang family boy, why are you still here? I just heard someone say that your grandmother seems to have fainted!”
Jiang Xu spun around abruptly. “What?!”