A Love Beyond Time

An Enemy from the Past

2,000 years ago—Peony Pavilion, Celestial Kingdom

" Nǚ-Wa Niang-niang*, Lord Yu-Hu wishes for an audience with you." A young lady-in-waiting informed the dignified looking Goddess, resplendent in a gown of lavender and yellow. Nǚ-Wa—Mother Goddess and creator of mankind—placed her calligraphy brush back on the lacquered tray and consented to the request. As she felt the approaching presence, her insides clenched and she closed her eyes briefly to compose herself.

"The Celestial Fox Yu-Hu greets Nǚ-Wa Niang-niang." A low mellifluous voice, as cool and soothing as the spring water on snow-capped Mount Kunlun, drifted to the Goddess's ears as she opened her eyes to find the owner of that voice knelt on one knee before her.

Nearly 4 millennia had passed since their last meeting in Mount Kunlun when Yu-Hu was still in his original form. Nǚ-Wa scrutinised the Celestial Fox and frowned at his peerless empyreal beauty. Yu-Hu's human appearance was too uncannily identical to his true form and that deeply unsettled the Goddess

"Yu-Hu," The Goddess signed. "I see that you still have not mastered the art of shape-shifting despite your time with Chen-Xi in the Mortal Realm. Was he not a proficient teacher?"

Yu-Hu bowed his head. "In contrary, Chen-Xi was most sedulous in imparting the skills of shapeshifting to me. The issue lies with me, Niang-niang. I could not grasp the quintessence of the magic despite his repeated instructions." He lowered his lashes. "Maybe I was too stupid."

A soft feminine chuckle of amused disbelief greeted his last sentence.

"'Stupid' is the last trait that anyone would associate with you, my dear. I suppose your inability to shapeshift isn't your fault. After all, you are not truly a fox. Though, seeing that you'd acquired several foxy characteristics, I am glad that you still benefitted from your time with Chen-Xi."

Nǚ-Wa grew solemn as she levelled a narrow-eyed gaze at her visitor. She knew that there was a reason behind Yu-Hu's sudden visit. After all, the latter had not initiated any form of communication since his arrival at the Celestial Kingdom, and had even studiously avoided her during those rare times he attended court events. His actions greatly pained and saddened the Goddess, given how close they were in the past, and how much he had respected her.

She had so many things she wanted to say to him, but she did not know where to begin. So she started with the first thought that came to her mind.

"Why did you come to the Celestial Kingdom, Yu-Hu? You should have stayed away. You should have remained in the Mortal Realm to continue cultivating your powers. I had sent you there so that He won't be able to get to you."

Nǚ-Wa recalled her shock and despair when she received news during her confinement that Yu-Hu had set foot on the Celestial Kingdom and was made a Deity. Perhaps to the mortals and some immortals, the title spoke of extreme prestige and power; ironically, in reality, it was a symbol of submission and subjugation under the ruling Jade Emperor. And in Yu-Hu's case, the bestowal had a more sinister and suggestive overtone that turned the Goddess's stomach.

Yu-Hu remained silent as he met Nǚ-Wa's intense stare unflinchingly. Both immortals knew the questions were more rhetorical than interrogative as the unspoken answers were as clear as day within their hearts.

The Celestial Fox had taken those actions for her and the ancient beasts of Mount Kunlun, whom he had bonded deeply with and regarded as his family. The Jade Emperor had launched a brief but fierce and annihilating battle against the ancient immortal beings in the Kunlun region 3,500 years ago. Nǚ-Wa and a handful of beasts, the only survivors of the brutal event, were captured. Even the powerful Dragon clan—the mightiest family and ruler of the ancient immortal world—was eradicated.