It struck him like a clap of thunder on level ground. Xie Lin had never imagined he would be wedded yet live as though widowed. His husband would respond only to the one who first held his heart. Logically they might still share their days with Xie Lin taking the lead and Yu Xuanhe yielding. But Xie Lin longed to be cherished and held dear. He could not bring himself to mount Yu Xuanhe nor could he picture such a scene.
He stood speechless and lost for words. Yu Xuanhe meanwhile felt a strange disquiet settle over him. Had his first truly not been Xie Lin? They had been pledged in marriage since childhood bound by a promise made before they could walk. Then who had been the one to receive his first gift? He searched his mind and found nothing all memory of tenderness and union was blank.
“What shall we do Xuanhe” The question had barely left his lips when Xie Lin sensed his misstep and feared discovery. If Yu Xuanhe grew curious and sought the truth he might learn who had ended Ji Youyou and then all would be undone. He quickly softened his tone. “Xuanhe do not let this trouble you it matters not. Tomorrow I shall seek the Medicine Immortal he will know what can be done.”
Yu Xuanhe gave a faint smile and found himself relieved. His path of cultivation called for abstinence after all and without Xie Lin’s longing pressing upon him he would face fewer distractions. “As you wish.”
“Ha ha we have finally escaped them.” The youth paused gasping for breath his chest heaving. Dragged at such breakneck speed Ji Youyou too felt dizzy and breathless she leaned forward panting heavily and looked about. They had come to a quiet secluded lane. “Thank you for saving me young hero” she said when she could speak.
He brushed back his hair with a clawed gauntlet and stood tall with easy confidence. “No thanks needed I do what is right and you looked as though you needed help so I stayed my hand.”
She smiled gently touched by his earnest youth. He stood only a little taller than she did and seemed scarcely older. Recalling tales of chivalry she bowed respectfully. “I do not know your name sir nor what favor I might offer in return but tell me and I shall not refuse.”
“I am Pei Yun you may call me Yun’er.” He folded his arms and considered her. “As for a reward…”
“Speak plainly young hero” she said earnestly. “I hold that kindness given must be repaid a thousandfold and whatever lies within my power I shall do.”
His eyes bright as starlight he leaned toward her. “Truly”
“Truly if it is within my reach.”
“Then let us be sister and brother sworn kin and you shall have no other brother but me.”
She smiled soft and fond at his innocence. “You have saved me and this is little to ask from this day forward I shall be your sister.” She glanced toward the fading light. “The day draws in and I must make my way home little brother.”
Pei Yun waved his gloved hand staying her. “Sister wait do not be in such haste.”
“Yes”
“If we are to be kin we must bind ourselves properly such is the custom among those who wander free. And think on it those men will not have given up so easily. If you return alone they may already be there lying in wait.”
Her breath caught for he spoke true. If Yu Xuanhe had sent them they would know where she lived and to go back now would be dangerous. “What am I to do” she murmured helplessly. “I have little money with me not enough for lodging.” She had carried only a single silver piece knowing a woman alone ought not bear riches.
Pei Yun struck his chest bold and reassuring. “Sister fear not I mean you no harm. Come to my home it is not grand but it is roomy and my brothers and sisters will rejoice to see you.”
“Brothers and sisters… What of your parents” Caution lingered for gratitude had not yet turned to full trust.
“I have known only the care of those who found me as an orphan” he said simply. “We belong to the Assembly of Heroes each one brave and true.”
It sounded like a fellowship of those who walked the path of chivalry she thought. And in truth if he had meant her harm he might have done so already. “Then I shall accept your offer little brother and thank you.” She smiled and agreed.
The dim light could not hide how her smile settled warm upon him his cheeks flushed and he looked away shy and flustered. “Good then come sister.” He paused and turned back drawing two yellow talismans from his sleeve. “Nearly forgot we shall not walk there. Hold this it is a Thousand-Li Talisman. Clasp it to your hand and when I speak the words we shall pass far away in an instant.”
She took the paper strange and vivid as in the tales she had seen and pressed it to her palm. A chant rose and a blinding light swallowed everything. When the brightness faded she stared in disbelief. What met her eyes was a desolate wasteland where sand and dust blotted out the sun and the air hung thick and heavy as churned mud. Shapes of swirling wind loomed like faceless ghosts. She shivered and turned cold with fear. Could Pei Yun be something other than human she wondered.
He felt her dread and touched her arm gently. “Sister do not be afraid my kin are good and kind. This place is harsh I know but…” He fell silent and a shadow crossed his face.
Her fear softened seeing his sorrow. “Why do you dwell here little brother No light reaches here and the wind is cruel.”
“I shall tell you all when we arrive” he said. “If you are frightened hold my hand.” He held out his clawed hand careful not to touch her skin as if he feared it might not be seemly. She thought him sweet as a young wolf pup seeking approval and placed her hand upon his glove. They walked on through the storm until at last a gate appeared before them lit by two golden lanterns. The doors were crimson and carved with fierce guardian beasts and so tall they seemed to touch the heavens.
He pushed open the gate and led her through to another world entirely. The space beyond was vast and wide yet the way they had come was gone leaving only darkness. The hall was laid out like an ancestral shrine with incense burning before a row of tablets and a great portrait hanging above. From where she stood she could not make out the figure’s face. Below sat or lay some tens of men and women their faces marked with sickness and sorrow. Cold dread crept over her.
“Do not fear” Pei Yun whispered. “These are my family and they are good.”
“Why do they look so”
“Come sit and our elder will explain.”
Before the shrine a man knelt with his back to them. “Yun’er you have returned.”
“I have and I have brought someone with me.”
Slowly the man turned his gaze sharp and searching rested on her a moment before softening. “You have a gentle heart Yun’er bring her forward.”
Pei Yun laid a mat upon the floor and they sat together. The man remained turned away but when Ji Youyou looked up she saw the portrait clearly. It showed a being of breathtaking beauty clad in robes of deep water-blue and green with a crown of feathers and a whisk in hand. Features soft as spring water and a single red mark upon the forehead yet eyes that held a quiet majesty and a distant allure that pulled at the heart. She had seen fair immortals before but none like this one who seemed to dwell within the very place where longing is born.
“Sister Sister our elder speaks to you.”
She started and blushed. “I beg your pardon… What was it he said”