INE Chapter 121: Mountains and Rivers

After that day, Sanhua disappeared again for quite a long time.

Gu Baiyi guessed that Sanhua had probably gone traveling through the mortal realm.

She must have visited many places, mountains, fields of flowers, forests, oceans, and looked upon the crimson sun and the vast skies. She went to see the "mortal world." a strange and unfamiliar place to her.

Several years passed. Sanhua didn’t return, but Feng Lan came looking for Gu Baiyi.

He looked haggard, and it wasn’t until he’d downed three cups of tea in Gu Baiyi’s residence that he finally calmed down. In a low voice, he said, “My father’s gone mad.”

Feng Lan’s father was, of course, the Sect Master of the Divine Sect. So if anyone in the world could lose their mind, it certainly shouldn’t be him.

Unless the Divine Sect itself was about to fall.

But that wasn’t likely. Even a thousand years from now, the Divine Sect would still be one of the Four Great Sects.

Gu Baiyi poured Feng Lan a fourth cup of tea and said lazily, “Senior Brother Feng jests. The Sect Master is hale and hearty, sharp-eyed and clear-minded. Just yesterday, I heard he was in high spirits, and drank twelve jars of peach blossom wine. What madness could there be in that?”

Feng Lan set down his teacup and replied flatly, “To force me into marriage, he made me look at one hundred and thirty portraits in a single day. That alone would be bearable, but he insisted I choose one. If I didn’t, he said he would cut all ties with me, not even meet me in the afterlife.”

Gu Baiyi couldn’t help laughing. “So, in other words, even in the afterlife, the Sect Master will still acknowledge you.”

Feng Lan shook his head with a sigh. “Junior Sister, please don’t make fun of me. You know I’ve always been devoted to the Dao. I’ve no interest whatsoever in worldly romance and never have.”

“Perhaps you could open your heart to the Sect Master. He might come to understand.”

Feng Lan replied vaguely, “If my father could understand, he wouldn’t have done something so extreme. I have no way out. Everyone in the sect sides with him. They can’t wait for me to get married tomorrow.”

Gu Baiyi mused, “So it seems Senior Brother Feng has found himself riding a tiger, he can’t get off now. Marriage is inevitable.”

“Exactly. But I truly don’t want to delay another girl’s life.”

Feng Lan looked at Gu Baiyi with hopeful eyes. “Junior Sister Gu, only you can save me now.”

It had been ages since Gu Baiyi last heard someone call her “Junior Sister Gu.” She was stunned for a moment, then narrowed her eyes. “Alright, Senior Brother. How do you want me to save you?”

...

The next day, Feng Lan, the young sect master of the Divine Sect, got married.

To call it a wedding, though, would be generous. Everything was done as simply as possible, the bride didn’t even wear a red veil.

Everyone watched as the newlyweds bowed to each other expressionlessly, their perfunctory attitude making it clear they were treating this like just another sect mission.

Some guessed the bride simply couldn’t be bothered with the veil.

After all, you put it on just to take it off again, not really worth the trouble, when you thought about it.

This wedding was shockingly casual. Brazenly so.

Old Master Feng wasn’t exactly pleased, but since his son was clearly satisfied, he didn’t press the matter.

He was just glad that the Feng bloodline, carried on by a single branch, now had hope of continuing.

After the ceremony, Gu Baiyi sat in the bridal chamber and raised her wine cup to Feng Lan. “Congratulations, Senior Brother Feng. Your wish has finally come true. The Feng family line will soon end.”

Feng Lan’s face didn’t change. He raised his cup in return. “Thank you. Same to you.”

With that, he picked up his sword and walked out the door, heading for the back mountain to focus on his sword cultivation.

Gu Baiyi smiled helplessly and was just about to take off her wedding robe when a rustling sound came from the window.

She frowned slightly.

It was already November, where would there be leaves rustling?

Especially in the Divine Sect, where only peach blossom trees were planted. The peach blossoms had long since fallen. Even if leaves remained, they wouldn’t make that loud of a sound.

Gu Baiyi got up and opened the window.

Looking outside, she realized she wasn’t the only one who had heard it.

Dusk was falling. All across the Divine Sect, disciples were holding glazed lanterns, peering out from their windows.

“What’s that golden patch over there? It’s so pretty.”

“If I’m not mistaken, those are parasol trees. A huge grove of parasol trees. Did the Sect Master have them planted?”

“Nonsense. Today’s the Young Master’s wedding day. I saw the Sect Master happily drink ten whole jars of wine. He’s long since passed out, no way he ordered anyone to plant trees.”

Standing by the window, Gu Baiyi looked at the field of golden parasol trees and suddenly thought of someone.

Creating a grove like this out of thin air... only one person could have done that.

The Divine Sect’s disciples marveled for a while, but soon began to close their windows, intending to return to their own affairs.

Just then, a phoenix cry rang out from the sky.

Then another, and another. Dozens, echoing through the clouds.

The piercing cries reverberated overhead.

The citizens of Xuanji City came out of their homes to look. The cold spring atop Bixue Peak rippled with waves.

Azure-feathered phoenixes circled above the parasol grove, their tails shimmering with emerald light.

They cried out joyfully, soaring into the golden trees and perching among the golden leaves.

Everyone hurried to throw open their windows again, stunned as they watched divine birds descend into the Divine Sect.

Everyone knew phoenixes only roosted in places where spiritual energy was at its richest.

Though the Mountain Peak wasn’t a barren place, it wasn’t nearly blessed enough to attract phoenixes.

So... was the Divine Sect about to become stronger?

Gu Baiyi descended the stairs and walked toward the place where the phoenixes circled.

She stood quietly beneath the parasol trees and saw someone through the brilliant golden light.

Moonlight spilled across the ground like water. A phoenix nestled obediently at Sanhua’s feet.

Sanhua had raised a hand and was pricking her finger with a silver needle, letting blood drip onto the land of the Divine Sect.

Her blood soaked into the soil, carrying the chill fragrance of pear blossoms.

Cool and ethereal, it reached straight into the soul.

After several drops, Sanhua turned and saw Gu Baiyi standing there.

The night was deep. Fireflies flitted among the parasol leaves.

They sparkled like crushed gemstones, floating dreamily around Gu Baiyi, making her red wedding robes blaze even more brightly.

Sanhua looked at her calmly and said, “It’s been a while.”

Gu Baiyi slowly relaxed her clenched fingers and nodded slightly.

Sanhua patted the phoenix’s head and said lightly, “Over the years, I visited the ‘mortal world’ you spoke of. I went to many places and saw many sights.”

Gu Baiyi asked, “And what did the True Immortal see?”

“I saw snowstorms along the riverbanks, and sandstorms in the northern deserts. I saw all the joys and sorrows of mortal life. But I felt no sense of belonging, only boredom.”

Sanhua continued, “Still, I am the guardian of this world. People revere me as a True Immortal. So I should do something for them. Wherever I went, I let my blood drip into the land, bestowing it with abundant spiritual energy.”

“This is my gift to the mortal world. It’s something you taught me, reciprocity.”

Gu Baiyi didn’t speak for a long time.

Only when the fireflies drifted into the grass did she softly say, “But, True Immortal, you’ve already given me a gift. You owe me nothing. There was no need to conjure these parasol trees, or summon these phoenixes.”

Sanhua replied, “I’m not repaying you for anything. I simply heard you were getting married today. By your customs, I should give you a wedding gift.”

“I didn’t have anything else to give. But I knew you liked phoenixes, so I created the parasol trees.”

That much was true.

Phoenixes only perch on parasol trees and drink from sweet springs. Creating the trees had been a logical choice.

But Gu Baiyi hadn’t expected that the trees on the mountain peak, and the divine birds, were there because of her.

She gave a soft, astonished laugh and said, “True Immortal, I’m not really married to Feng Lan.”

Sanhua frowned slightly. “If it wasn’t sincere, why get married at all?”

Gu Baiyi explained the circumstances behind her and Feng Lan’s sham wedding.

When she finished, she smiled. “I was seriously injured back then. Feng Lan brought me back to the Divine Sect and saved my life. He’s not just my benefactor, he’s also my friend. That’s why I helped him.”

Sanhua seemed thoughtful, then asked another question: “What is a ‘friend’?”

Gu Baiyi thought for a moment, then said slowly, “I haven’t had many friends in my life, so I don’t have a deep understanding of friendship. I used to read story books where friends were either kindred spirits or companions willing to die for each other. It made it seem like that’s what friendship should be.”

“But now I think, perhaps true friendship doesn’t require seeing each other every day. Just being able to speak a few heartfelt words every now and then, that’s already more than enough.”

Sanhua’s brows finally relaxed.

She seemed to understand now why Gu Baiyi didn’t appear as a mosaic in her eyes anymore.

After thinking it through, she said to Gu Baiyi, “So that means we’re friends.”

“…”

“True Immortal, actually… maybe we’re not just friends.”

Sanhua’s brows furrowed again. “If we’re not friends, then what are we?”

Gu Baiyi looked at her and said softly, “True Immortal, perhaps what I feel for you goes deeper than friendship. What I desire is also more than what one would ask of a friend.”

Sanhua asked, “Deeper than friendship, desiring more, what kind of feeling is that?”

“I think… perhaps it’s admiration. Maybe it’s love.”

Sanhua’s expression didn’t change, because she didn’t know what “love” meant. She had no concept of what that feeling was supposed to be.

When she looked at mountains, they were just mountains. When she looked at water, it was just water.

To her, all things in the world were fleeting reflections. She neither lingered on them nor felt anything extra toward them.

Because she possessed endless life, she preferred things that endured, unlike all the ephemeral things in this world.

Like the flowing passage of time. Like the creator who had made her and all things.

Unlike withering flowers and drying rivers, they never decayed. They would never die.

And most importantly, 

They were devoid of emotions. That made them safe.

Sanhua spoke to Gu Baiyi with honesty: “I don’t think emotions are of any use. They only bring misfortune. So I have no need for anyone to like me, and I will never fall in love with anyone.”

“I view all beings in this world the same. Everything here will eventually fade into ruin.”

Gu Baiyi looked at her. “Everything will fade, that’s true. But before it does, are emotions really meaningless?”

“The Administrator said emotions are meaningless.”

Gu Baiyi shook her head. “Just because the Administrator says something doesn’t mean it’s right. They don’t speak for everyone.”

Sanhua frowned. “But the Administrator created me… and created all the realms.”

“Who are they?”

“Different realms call her by different names. In your world, she’s called… the Heavenly Dao.”

“The Heavenly Dao?”

Gu Baiyi’s brows furrowed.

She hadn’t expected Sanhua to be a creation of the Heavenly Dao.

But the Divine Sect wasn’t acting as its enforcer anymore. It didn’t seem to have any connection to the Heavenly Dao at all.

So what exactly is the Heavenly Dao? And why did it want her dead?

Lost in thought, Gu Baiyi let something slip without realizing it, until it was too late to take it back.

Sanhua, who had nearly forgotten her mission to kill Gu Baiyi, suddenly remembered it again thanks to that remark.

Her expression grew subtly complicated.

“The Administrator may want to eliminate you because you’re a flaw from the future, an anomaly in this timeline. Your presence could disrupt the natural order. But as one of the Guardians, I don’t fully understand the Administrator’s will.”

Sanhua paused, then continued, “The Administrator usually only lets 01 handle these things. She’s a much stronger Guardian than I am, faster, more efficient, and entirely without mercy. She will be the next Administrator.”

Gu Baiyi had always thought Sanhua was already powerful enough. She hadn’t expected there to be someone even stronger. She couldn’t help but ask, “Is that Guardian also a True Immortal?”

“You could say that.”

But what Sanhua was really thinking was: What kind of immortals are we, really? In another world’s terms, we’d be nothing but corporate drones.

And not even paid ones, just overworked and underappreciated.

She added, “The Administrator created 01 first, then me. So 01 has been working longer than I have, and she’s more experienced.”

She forgot that Gu Baiyi probably wouldn’t understand her strange vocabulary. With sincere admiration, she said, “Compared to me, always slacking off, 01 is clearly an excellent employee.”

Gu Baiyi didn’t quite understand the words, but she could tell Sanhua probably wasn’t saying anything flattering about herself.

After a pause, Sanhua switched to more familiar terms. “In your world’s way of speaking, 01 has lived far longer than I have. You could say she’s my elder sister.”

“Before I began my mission, she came here with me once to survey the terrain. She even showed herself in front of some cultivators.”

“They called her… let me think…”

Sanhua furrowed her brows, thinking for a while, then said slowly, “They called her Minghua.”

…

After that, Sanhua disappeared for several more years.

Gu Baiyi knew what she was waiting for.

Sanhua knew she couldn’t bring herself to do it, so she gave up. She would wait until Gu Baiyi died naturally, then take her soul and complete the Administrator’s command.

That was fine too. Gu Baiyi could wait. No matter how many years it took, it didn’t matter.

After the old master of the Divine Sect ascended, Feng Lan took over as sect leader.

Without the old man to keep him in check, Feng Lan became increasingly reckless. He brought back a few children from the mountains and claimed they were his own.

Of course, no one in the sect was blind, they could all see those children looked nothing like him.

Their noses, eyes, and mouths bore no resemblance to Feng Lan at all.

Everyone knew he was talking nonsense, but no one said anything.

After all, the old sect leader was gone. The Divine Sect now belonged to Feng Lan.

One of the children he named Feng Huai.

When Gu Baiyi looked at Feng Huai’s face and saw how diligently he practiced swordsmanship, she couldn’t help but feel he looked like a replica of Feng He.

She suspected Feng Huai was probably Feng He’s grandfather.

If that were the case, then technically, even if only in name, Feng He would have to call her Ancestor, wouldn’t he?

“…”

That was kind of amusing, actually.

One day, Gu Baiyi was walking down a path carpeted in fallen phoenix tree leaves, holding a scroll in her hands.

The leaves drifted slowly from the branches above. A blue luan perched atop the canopy, dipping its head to sip dew from a leaf.

Gu Baiyi gazed at the golden flutter of leaves filling the sky. She took a purple flute from her waist and began to play Jinse.

The soft rustle of leaves joined the music of the flute as they swirled and tumbled through the autumn air.

As the final note faded, Gu Baiyi lowered her flute and smiled at the figure approaching through the parasol tree grove. “Immortal Sanhua." she said warmly, “it’s been a long time.”

Sanhua walked slowly over fallen leaves, dressed in a sheer silk robe. She looked just the same as she had all those years ago.

Her eyes fixed on Gu Baiyi’s face. Though she was no longer as youthful and radiant as when they first met, her gaze was still clear as spring water.

Only after a long moment did Sanhua nod slightly. “It has been a long time.”

Gu Baiyi put away her flute, still smiling. “Where has the True Immortal been all these years?”

“I went to see the mortal world.”

Gu Baiyi looked a bit puzzled and asked gently, “But you visited the mortal world a few years ago. Why go again?”

Sanhua replied calmly, “Last time, I didn’t pay much attention to human emotions. This time, I observed them closely, their love and hatred. I saw passionate lovers entangled in endless turmoil, and I saw others suffer countless hardships only to finally end up together.”

“And what did you think?” Gu Baiyi asked.

“I found it all dull." Sanhua said flatly. “Because in the end, they all die. And even if they don’t, once the affection fades, they part ways.”

Her tone was detached, almost brisk. “Besides these things, I’ve seen them play out in every world. There’s nothing new.”

Gu Baiyi chuckled lightly. “It’s no matter. For someone like the True Immortal, time is infinite. You’ll have countless chances to find something novel.”

Sanhua shook her head. “Sometimes, endless time is not a blessing.”

“What do you mean by that?”

Sanhua thought of the place mortals called a paradise beyond the world. But in truth, it was empty, nothing but a colossal clocktower.

A clocktower that stood eternal and unyielding.

“Because eternal life also means eternal loneliness.”

She looked at Gu Baiyi and said, “The Administrator created 01 to maintain the order of time. That’s why 01 is just like her, powerful and indifferent. Later, when she created me, it was out of boredom. So she allowed me to be idle, wandering from world to world.”

Gu Baiyi couldn’t help but laugh at the word “wandering.”

She had never imagined anyone would describe themselves that way. Nor had she thought that even the Heavenly Way itself could feel… bored.

Sanhua’s tone was still calm. “The Administrator has lived for countless millennia. She possesses endless life, but I think she’s long since grown weary. She’s probably been hoping to find someone to take her place. But that someone would be 01, not me.”

Gu Baiyi smiled. “You don’t want to become the Administrator?”

“No.”

Sanhua’s voice was even. “I’ve never wanted that. And besides, 01 is better suited, she’s stronger, and more dedicated.”

A thought suddenly occurred to Gu Baiyi. “What if the Administrator actually wants you to take her place?”

“Then she must be insane." Sanhua said, shaking her head. “Besides, she only entrusted important matters to 01. I’m just responsible for handling minor disruptions in space-time.”

Gu Baiyi smiled again. “I think I understand where you come from now. But what brings you back to Divine Sect?”

Sanhua looked at her quietly and said, “At first, I gazed upon the mountains and rivers and found them uninteresting. I turned to the mortal world, but it was the same. Then I observed all living things, their joys and sorrows, and found it repetitive, uninspired.”

“I’ve spent years in the cultivation realm, and the only thing I remember clearly is that grove of peach blossoms. I thought they were beautiful.”

“And then I realized, I was wrong.”

“Oh?” Gu Baiyi asked. “Wrong in what way?”

Sanhua spoke slowly. “I thought that I loved the peach blossoms because they were part of this land, these mountains and rivers. So I went to explore the land.”

“But even after seeing all its vastness, nothing stirred my heart.”

“Later, you said perhaps I should look upon the mortal world. So I did. And still, I found it lacking.”

“In the end, I finally understood, perhaps I never truly loved the mountains, rivers, or peach blossoms. I was just chasing that fleeting feeling I had when I first saw them.”

Sanhua looked into Gu Baiyi’s eyes and smiled softly. “And now I understand. What I was searching for all along wasn’t the peach blossoms, it was you.”

Gu Baiyi was momentarily stunned. Then she asked, “So… that’s why you came back?”

Sanhua nodded. “Yes. I came back for you. I want to ask you, will you come with me to see the mountains and rivers?”

Truthfully, Gu Baiyi had no reason to say no. So she nodded.

But Sanhua’s next action went far beyond what she’d expected.

Sanhua had stopped smiling. Her face was calm, expressionless.

Then, without warning, she reached out, cupped Gu Baiyi’s face, and pressed her lips to hers.

Gu Baiyi froze completely.

Her emotions weren’t quite joy, they were far more complex.

After all, Sanhua’s gaze was still cool and distant. Judging by her demeanor, she probably didn’t even view the gesture as a kiss.

But then Gu Baiyi hesitated.

Because Sanhua deepened the kiss, biting Gu Baiyi’s lip and drawing blood.

…

Gu Baiyi stared at Sanhua’s long, dark lashes and that unmatched face. For a moment, it felt as if a thousand cold plum blossoms were falling all around her.

Her fingers, icy and trembling, reached up to touch Sanhua’s dark hair.

They slid gently through the strands, trailing a ticklish softness.

Then they moved lower, to feel the warmth of Sanhua’s neck.

And finally, Gu Baiyi responded to the kiss, lips parting, breath tangling with hers.

The kiss wasn’t exactly gentle.

Gu Baiyi inadvertently bit Sanhua’s lip in return, tasting a trace of blood.

Fragrant and intoxicating, it lingered between them. A strange hunger stirred in her, an urge to claim Sanhua’s breath and drink deeper.

But just as she was about to lose herself entirely, 

Sanhua pulled away, suddenly and ruthlessly.

The softness vanished. Gu Baiyi snapped back to reality, staring in stunned silence at Sanhua’s composed expression.

For a moment, she couldn’t understand what Sanhua truly wanted.

Sanhua raised a hand, calmly wiping the blood and silver thread from her lips. “You’ve tasted my blood." she said. “It will let you live a little longer.”

“I didn’t mean to take advantage of you. I just wanted you to stay with me a little longer, to walk a few more roads, and see a few more landscapes.”

At that, Sanhua remembered the endless nights of the past, lonely and cold.

Her voice softened. For the first time, she spoke in a tone that almost sounded like a plea:

“Will you?”