Choices and Consequences

High Goddess

Present day.... Peach Tree Grove

The silence that fell in the group was broken by a heavy sigh from Zhe Yan. "I am sure that Xiao Wu is fine and will be back soon." Three pairs of eyes turned to look at Zhe Yan. "I am worried because it's already four months since she disappeared. A normal mortal trial should only last a mortal lifetime which is just over two months." Empress Bai Meili answered Zhe Yan. Worry etched in her beautiful face. Bai Zhi put his arm around his wife pulling her to his side to rest her head on his chest. "Chǒng'ér, Zhe Yan is right. If something bad had happened to Xiao Wu, we would have seen a sign in the sky. Besides, her star is still bright in the sky. She is okay." Although his eyes on Zhe Yan reflects the worry that his wife just voiced, Bai Zhi chose to keep his worry to himself. Bai Zhen mused that Bai Qian would be the only high goddess in their world when she passed her trial.

" Diē (father) are you going to handover the throne to Xiao Wu when she comes back from her trial as planned? And will you be informing the celestial palace of her ascension?" Bai Zhen asked, looking at his father. "We will discuss this when Xiao Wu is back. Her coronation as the Queen of Qing Qiu is expected but I will let her decide on whether she wants to inform Lord Pua of her ascension."

An almost imperceptible change in the atmosphere had the four seated around the small table by the Jade Lake stop their conversation. Ears honing on the complete silence that descended in the grove. The cacophony of sounds from the birds, sprites, butterflies and other animals that live in the grove have gone. The eerie silence brought goosebumps on their flesh. The falling peach blossom petals have slowed down so much that they look suspended in the air. Zhe Yan looked at Bai Zhi, Meili and Zhen Zhen. His eyes conveyed a warning. They need to be ready for whatever it is that's coming.

Bai Zhen who is facing the Jade Lake was the first to notice the multicoloured light that suddenly appeared on its surface. He pulled the hem of Zhe Yan robe to catch his attention and inclined his head towards the lake. All four of them stared fascinated at the light and the whirlpool that is slowly expanding in the middle of the lake. The light intensified and a mirror like image of a pitch black night with a full moon and multicoloured stars emerged. A lone figure is walking the path towards them dressed in obsidian full battle armour. The armour glimmered like water is rippling in its surface. The figure stepped out of the mirror, took off the black mask that covered half of its face and High Goddess Bai Qian of Qing Qiu greeted her family "Wǒ huíláile! (I am back)."

Kunlun Mountain

Mo Yuan opened his eyes to the sound of birds and the smell of jasmine that wafted through the window of his chamber that faced the east of Kunlun mountain. From his bed he can see the muted bronze, orange and yellow of dawn along with the mist covered lower valleys. He threw the blanket off his naked body, sat and swung his legs to the floor. He walked  to the adjoining bathing chamber and took a quick bath. Drying himself with a towel. He walked back to his chamber and opened his wardrobe. He chose an azure blue outer robe and his usual white inner robe. He knows that his first disciple Die Feng will be along soon with his morning tea and to discuss the day's lessons.

Mo Yuan opened the twinship link with Ye Hua to check if he is awake. Ye Hua told him he was awake and will be out to join them for breakfast. Three soft knocks in his chamber door signalled Die Feng's arrival. Die Feng opened the door at his shifu's call to enter. "Good morning Shifu." Die Feng greeted Mo Yuan before placing the tea in Mo Yuan's writing table then kneeling in front of it. Mo Yuan seated himself and picked up the class schedule that Die Feng had prepared. He picked up the cup of tea that Die Feng poured before asking for the sword practice to be moved in the afternoon.  He wants Ye Hua to demonstrate a new sword move that they've practiced to the disciples.

Breakfast was the same rambunctious affair. The disciples enjoyed the camaraderie that permeates when they are all together. Zi Lan started a contest on who gets the last piece of Zongzi with Ling Yu and Zhangsu. Chopsticks were wielded like swords before Changsan sneaked in and magically lifted it to his plate with an innocent look on his face. The three protagonists wore an identical look of surprise on their faces before sighing in defeat. No one dare cross their second senior. They are all afraid of being banned from their next dinner.

Mo Yuan and Ye Hua looked on the antics of the disciples with amusement. Mo Yuan turned to Ye Hua and asked him to follow him to his study. They have a missive to discuss.

Mo Yuan and Ye Hua are seated across each other in Mo Yuan's desk. Silently Mo Yuan handed the missive to Ye Hua. "Read this and tell me what you think." Ye Hua opened the scroll and his expressive face looked puzzled then troubled. "A Prophecy Dàgē?"