Inside the dimly-lit Jinhua Palace was the heavenly realm's Crown Prince, Wang Jian, who was currently sat on a soft cushion in an upright lotus position. His cherry-blossom eyes were tightly closed while his broad chest moved up and down regularly along with his steady breathing, looked just as tranquil as a soft spring breeze.
After a few months of recuperation and cultivation, his whole body which was previously filled with lightning strike wounds had fully recovered and his ethereal visage had finally regained its colors. He no longer looked weak and powerless like when he was forced to withstand a hundred thunder strikes. Right this moment, his body was beginning to emit a majestic and imposing aura which was only possessed by the royal blood of Heavenly Realm.
Now, Jian was beyond ready to face his punishments as well as ready to fight back the string of fate which threw up a barrier between him and his beloved. He was beyond ready to claim back what belongs to him.
Wang Jian was the almighty Heavenly Crown Prince, someone who would inherit the throne of Celestial Palace in the future. Since his childhood, he always got what he wanted. Once Jian falls in love with something and wanted to possess it, he would do anything to have it. Now, that he had fallen head over heels for someone, though to get to her he had to face many obstacles and trials, he still willingly took upon himself the challenge and risked his own life. He was determined to completely make her his and was beyond ready to face the trials and tribulations in the seven lifetimes.
"Your Highness," Yuan Shao, one of Jian's most trusted subordinate, cupped his hand in front of his young master and continued on, "High Deity Siming is already waiting for Your Highness in Tianlu Hall. He said it's time for Your Highness to go to the Underworld and begin the trial."
Upon hearing Yuan Shao's report, Wang Jian inhaled a deep breath to fill his lungs with fresh air and let out a heavy sigh, as though he just released a weighty burden that pushed and suffocated the breath in his chest. Gently opening his eyelids, Jian's long eyelashes fluttered beautifuly—slowly revealed his deep, ink-colored iris.
"En." Uttered a low assent, Jian raised from his lotus position, flicked his sleeves, then strode toward the Tianlu Hall.
At the spacious and magnificent Tianlu Hall, Siming was leisurely sipping his tea and had started a little conversation with Yuan Shu, Yuan Shao's twin older brother who was also Wang Jian's right hand.
From the time he arrived at Tianlu Hall, Siming had tried with all his might to extract information regarding his best friend's woman from this Yuan Shu. Yet, no single word about her managed to slip from his lips. Every time Siming asked, Yuan Shu would only tightly seal his lips and shake his head, which truly made Siming nearly die young from curiosity.
Even though Siming was the God of Fate, he was no longer wrote any mortal's destiny for their journey in seven lifetimes. As a high deity, his responsibility was to prepare the trials and tribulations of immortals or gods. The one who was in charge to write the human's fate was his subordinates. And, by coincidence, Yue Shen's fate was created by his assistant who was very secretive!
Feeling curious to death, Siming decided to ask someone in Jinhua Palace who was relatively close to Wang Jian. However, arrived at the Jinhua Palace, no one wanted to share the news with him. Everyone has tightly sealed their lips and played deaf. Humph!
Admitting defeat, Siming could only shake his head and let out a heavy sigh. What a loyal subordinate, ah!
"Siming, you and your curiosity are indeed inseparable, ah!"
A deep, eargasm baritone voice rang out from the direction of Tianlu Hall's entrance—made Siming nearly choke on his tea. Patting his chest and coughing hard, Siming lifted his gaze toward the voice's source and was immediately greeted by Jian's towering stature.
Wang Jian entered the Tianlu Hall graciously and majestically, emitting a cold and untouchable aura throughout the room. His long, spotless-white silk hanfu fluttered along with the wind and the sun's rays were radiating from behind him—creating a glowing illusion which made his unparalleled ethereal visage look even more striking. This view undoubtedly would make countless immortals and all mortal women drool and struck by a nosebleed. Even Siming, who was also a man, couldn't help but praise the Heavenly Empress who gave birth to this drop-dead gorgeous immortal.
Standing in front of the dazed Siming, Jian frowned and knitted his sword-like eyebrows. "What? Knowing that your friend is punished by the Heavenly Emperor, you look down on this Prince and refuse to greet this Prince?"
Wang Jian's insinuation made Siming quickly regain his sense and collected his soul back. Laughing wryly, he raised from his seat and kowtowed before Jian.
"This lowly immortal didn't dare, didn't dare." With a playful tone, he continued on, emphasized his every word, "This lowly deity is greeting His Highness, the Crown Prince."
Jian cleared his throat awkwardly, flicked his sleeves, then sat on the nearby chair and poured himself some tea.
Siming—the god of fate, and Yanwang—the ruler of Netherworld, was Wang Jian's inner circle. The three have a great relationship from childhood and were practically joined at the hip to each other. They were very close, to the point never talk or greet each other in a formal way. Thus, hearing Siming teased him with his formal title made Wang Jian felt quite awkward.
"Before you take this Prince to the Netherworld, this Prince has something to ask you." Jian unsealed his cherry lips and sipped his tea in a graceful manner.
Siming followed Jian to sit down and inquired, "What does Your Highness want to know?"
As soon as his words slipped from his tongue, Siming felt a certain crown prince gave him a deathly glare. Thus, he quickly corrected his sentence, no longer dare to tease his currently-over-sensitive friend.
"Ahem! I mean, what do you want to know? Don't be so serious, you scare me to death, ah!"
Placing down his porcelain cup on the table, Jian spoke in a melancholy tone. "You're a deity who controlled the fate of mortals and immortals. So, tell me, where will fate bring her in this lifetime? Who is she in this lifetime? How old is she right now? Is she alright?"
Hearing Jian's barrage of questions, the chain of veins on Siming's head suddenly throbbed hard. Massaging his temple, Siming let out a helpless sigh.
"Wang Jian, mortal's fate is Heaven's number one secret. Even your Heavenly Imperial Father, the Jade Emperor himself, is not allowed to take a peek at the fate book, let alone you who was still a Crown Prince, ah!" Siming waved his hand and shook his head, "So, I can't answer those questions. No comment!"
Wang Jian only let out a deathly smirk upon hearing his friend's firm answer. The next moment, Jian's Xuan Yuan sword suddenly appeared on his pale arm—made Siming's eyes immediately grew round.
Curving his lips into a vicious smile, Jian spoke in a teasing tone, "Ah, so High Deity Siming is so secretive toward his good friend, ah. I see, I see..."
A cold gust suddenly crept along Siming's spine.
"Siming, you know that someday I will ascend the throne, right?" Jian spoke in a gentle tone. Yet, his voice able to make Siming shivered in fear. "That time, the power over all realms and immortals will end up in my palm. If I so wished, I could promote Yuan Shu or Yuan Shao to your position and demote you. I heard from Yanwang that Wangchuan River needs a new guard to control the mortals who will enter the reincarnation wheel—"
Siming gulped his saliva nervously and quickly cut off Jian's words. "No need, no need! Yuan Shu and Yuan Shao need to protect you all day and all night, how can they leave that position?"
Laughed wryly, Siming gestured to Jian to put down his hazardous Xuan Yuan sword and continued on, "I can't answer your questions, but I can help you to reach her in this lifetime." Sensing that Jian intended to lift his Xuan Yuan sword again, Siming quickly added nervously, "I mean, I will help you to reach her in every lifetime! That's right, that's right, I will make sure that you'll cross paths with her! I promise!"
Satisfied with Siming's promise, Jian stood abruptly and strode outside the Tianlu Hall.
"Good. Let's go!"
Arriving at the Naihe Bridge*, Jian was greeted by the master of Netherworld, Yanwang, who was also his close friend. Yanwang was dressed in his usual all-black attire and looked exceptionally fresh and dashing.
Glanced at Yanwang's current appearance, Jian couldn't help but frown. Didn't he at least felt sad for his best friend who would enter the trial and punishment?
[Naihe Bridge = Literally means; The Bridge of Helplessness, which every soul has to cross before entering the underworld.]
"Siming, you need to remember your promise," Jian stated when he has arrived at the wheel of reincarnation. "Place my soul around her and make sure you write something pleasant in the book of fate. Don't let those dukkha make me suffer too hard."
"Alright, alright. I'll try my best." Siming sighed helplessly.
In this trial, Jian was prohibited to take the oblivion soup from Old Lady Meng. Jade Emperor wanted him to recall his every memory with Yue Shen and expected him to repent from his sin. The goal of this punishment was to make Jian realized that immortal and mortal were not destined to be together. Thus, Jade Emperor would use the most vicious method to disenchant Jian from his love-sickness.
Yet, Jade Emperor hadn't realized how great Jian's determination to go against the fate and possess her. The willpower of a man who fell in love with a woman was something that even Heaven couldn't control.
Hearing Siming's assistance and promises, Wang Jian could finally feet at ease and secured. However, he only walked few steps toward the wheel of reincarnation before halting abruptly and turned his body towards the dashing Yanwang.
Sensing that the esteemed Heavenly Crown Prince gazed him with certain melancholy eyes, Yanwang chuckled lightly. Even before Wang Jian uttered his question, Yanwang could easily predict what was inside Jian's head.
Thus, he calmly said, "Everyone that entered the circle of incarnation will drink the oblivion soup, including your beloved. I remember when she received the bowl from Old Lady Meng and swallowed the soup in a gulp. She won't remember her past life and won't recognize you."
Jian turned even more miserable upon hearing Yanwang's sentence. His face went colorless in instant and his lips were slightly trembling.
"However, I think that you still have the chance. After all, you're our Heavenly Crown Prince whose power overcome heaven and earth. I believe your firm willpower will be able to knock her heart once again. The soul may not remember you, Jian. But, her heart will."
Hearing Yanwang's encouragement, Jian slightly curved his lips upward.
"Good luck, Friend!" Yanwang shouted vigorously when Jian leaped to the air gracefully and entered the circle of reincarnation.
After his shadow was gone from their sight, Yanwang turned his body toward Siming, folded his pale arm on his chest, and asked with eyes full of curiosity.
"Siming, tell me, what will you do to him? You'll make him enter whose body ah? What kind of trial did Heavenly Emperor ask you to create?"
Hearing Yanwang's curious tone, Siming only shook his head and cast him a playful smile.
"Won't tell you unless you agree to play a game with me." Siming allowed a mischievous smile to appear on his beautiful countenance.
With a frown, Yanwang answered, "What game ah?"
"A bet!" Siming raised his eyebrows while patting Yanwang's broad shoulder.
"You—" Knowing what was in Siming's mind, Yanwang immediately went speechless. Pointing his trembled finger on Siming whose head seems broken, he spoke. "Siming, you dare to make a bet on your Crown Prince's fate?"
"Why?" Siming folded his arm over his chest.
"That's great! I'm joining you. Let's make a bet!"
Siming: "..."
"But, you have to tell me about Wang Jian's trial first! You know that I can't sleep when I'm curious to death ah!"
Looking at his friend's pitiful face, Siming couldn't help but sigh a heavy breath. "Aiya, still can't let go of it ah? Fine, fine I'll tell you."
Now that Wang Jian was not around, Siming could finally grin ear to ear to the direction of the reincarnation wheel. Casting a meaningful gaze and smile to Yanwang, Siming stated in a playful tone.
"I throw the soul of our Heavenly Crown Prince to the Tang Dynasty. He'll enter the body of the sickly and weak Prince Jing of Yue, Li Zhen!"
* * * * *
Author's Note:
Sorry for the slightly late update! I'm currently working on my upcoming book's cover. I'm too focus on Photoshop and almost forget to update the first chapter kekeke (๑>ᴗ<๑)
Okay, now, it's time to tap on the star button and leave your thoughts! Hehe.
Thank you for reading! ٩(●˙▿˙●)۶...⋆ฺ