Chapter 1.1 [EOL]

Chapter 1.1: Fated Past

That year, during the Queen Mother’s peach banquet, [1] he saw him for the first time.

He saw him from afar, dressed in snowy white robes, his long hair adorned with a crown and surrounded by a sea of ordinary gods. He wore a slight smile but did not say a word. He was gentle but indifferent, standing in the midst of the crowd and yet watching coldly from the sidelines, as if he were detached from the Nine Heavens. [2]

Watching him, a thought came to mind: Beholding a quiet person is like gazing into the heart of Dao. [3]

He stood there staring at him foolishly, completely unaware that his shining gaze was contrary to an immortal who had forsaken all worldly desires.

As if aware that someone was watching him, he turned around lightly and in that moment, their gazes passed through the elaborate curtains and elegant flowers and met.

He felt his heart tremble; after cultivating for five hundred years, this was the first time it was beating so uncontrollably. Because of those eyes.

They were like clear pools in spring and pierced straight through the heart. It was a gaze that could fit the entire world. [4] Hidden within that gaze was a deep compassion that he had only seen in the Bodhisattva. That was a true heart of Dao.

It was just a moment, but it felt like an eon had passed. He shifted his gaze first, his face burning slightly. After somewhat moderating his chaotic heart, he looked over once more.

That person had already turned around and continued to smile and listen to the other gods.

A stray leaf landed onto his head. He gripped it lightly and gently tucked it into his bosom.

Somehow, he felt that his mind was elsewhere. He was clearly standing there and smiling, but his soul was no longer present.

Finally, he saw him speak. He didn’t know what he said, but the other gods all nodded and then scattered off into the four directions.

He turned around and slowly walked toward him.

His clothes rippled like water and his sleeves were billowing behind him, it was a mesmerizing sight. Unknowingly, his heart began to beat wildly as though it was expecting something, the inexplicable disappointment that he felt previously was now completely swept away.

As predicted, he walked up to him with a warm smile.

“Are you Master Tianchi’s disciple?”

Startled, he nodded his head and vaguely thought that he must be someone noble.

His smile grew deeper. “You truly are talented and refined. Attaining godhood after cultivating for only a few hundred years is rarely seen amongst immortals. Don’t let your master down.”

“Yes……” Out of sorts, he could only murmur this incomplete phrase. Staring at the ethereal man in white, he felt a faint throbbing sensation as though something was about to break free.

“Wait……” He called out to him belatedly, that man paused in his footsteps and looked back at him. He felt his face heat up, “May I ask, what is your noble self’s name?”

He laughed gently, as if he was delighted by his blush. “Bi Hua, my name is Bi Hua.”

Bi Hua.

Staring at his retreating figure, he carefully uttered this name.

Clear waters reflecting splendour. [5]

It truly was a person embodying his name. No, or rather it should be said that only this kind of name is befitting of such an extraordinary person.

However, it’s just that he doesn’t know what that faint feeling in his heart was.

Osmanthus flowers adorns the roofs,
its fragrant scent wafting through the air;
The melody of the wind reverberates,
under the jade-like moon. [6]

Gods and immortals have always attended the peach banquet that was held once every three thousand years. Wine flowed and toasts abound, and the stars of the Nine Heavens were all gathered here. Snow white sleeves intertwined in the air as they danced, stirring up the flowers that rained down onto the palace; it was a spellbinding sight.

After five hundred years of working hard on his cultivation, he was barely classified as an immortal. It was the first time that he was fortunate enough to participate in the banquet, but he did not care to admire it, his eyes only followed that person.

From the admiration-filled conversations of the other gods, he gathered his identity.

High Immortal.

Aside from the Heavenly Emperor, he possessed the highest cultivation within the entire heavenly court. Even the Heavenly Emperor had to treat him with respect, and he was also the person the immortals most admired.

As expected of him.

Yet unexpectedly, he felt a sense of loss.

That noble person who exudes the radiance of the moon, is not someone that a little immortal like him can get close to……

Translator’s Notes:
[1] The Peach Banquet is a part of Chinese Mythology.
[2] The idea of the Nine Heavens comes from a combination of ancient Chinese cosmology & mythology.
[3] Refers to a person who is sincere and straightforward, who speaks only from the heart; ‘Dao’ = Daoism/Taoism.
[4] 包容天下 (Bao Rong Tian Xia): could fit the entire world = a benevolent, tolerant and forgiving gaze
[5] This is the meaning of Bi Hua’s (碧华) name, which is translated from the phrase 一泓碧水，中蕴光华。(Yi Hong Bi Shui, Zhong Yun Guang Hua)
[6] This is a literary allusion to a Chinese poem by Xin Qi Ji, written in the Southern Song dynasty. It’s titled ‘The Lantern Festival Night: To the Tune of the Green Jade Table‘. The poem describes the moment in which someone meets their love by chance.

dreamxx: Ahhhhhh I love this so so so much even though it took waaaaay longer to translate this. But it was worth it. I’m learning a lot about my own culture hehe~

PS: Do read the full poem in the link above (I posted a translation separately + good music & visuals) You’ll be astounded by the beauty of the language. I mean I was.（✿ ͡◕ ᴗ◕)つ━━✫・*。