2 Prologue(1): Zhan Dongyue

Note from the writer: I apologise that I had to lock this story early, due to a prior agreement with another publisher. I promise that it will be worth your time.

This novel will be broken into two books of approximately 50 chapters, and Book 1 (this book) will feature the beginning of Zhan Dongyue and Muxue Xiyu's innocent love. Book 2 will centre more on their journeys across different regions and possibly dimension-travel, so stay tuned!

0.1: The Bird

Zhan Dongyue could still remember the shock in his mother's eyes when he told her about the bird. He was a mere child of eight then, playful and innocent.

Children were just too pure.

It was the first time he had saved a life. The boy found the bird motionless, a beautiful specimen of nature, but yet, a bloodied mess and making somewhat pained sounds. One of its wings appeared to be crushed severely from a heavy rock that lay beside it, streaked with blood.

Of course, he didn't know what healing was back then. He had been reading about this 'magic' from a book he had found while playing in the garden, which he didn’t quite fathom. He loved to read, and the book was fun. He closed his eyes and prayed with all his little might.

I pray, to the Heavens, to the Earth, to any god that walks the lands, that the bird may be healthy again.

The boy had been sincere in his prayers, and all of a sudden, he saw a tinge of energy form at his fingertips, tingling his fingers. If this was the so-called ‘magic’ that would save the bird, then he was willing to do all he could to restore the bird to health.

Little Dongyue touched the bird, which appeared to relax at his touch. He observed intently as the bird flapped its good wing as if acknowledging his kindness. Such a magnificent creature it was, with blue wings and a red chest, he thought. Then he closed his eyes again and stroked the bird’s little body again, muttering a few lines of the words he had read in the book.

The bird chirped, appearing to be at ease. He decided to name it Qimeng, Mystic Dream. Little Dongyue knew he had done a good deed. He had initially figured that bringing the ‘fixed’ Qimeng to his mother would make her happy since she was a kind woman. However, it was that fated encounter that had triggered his parents’ fear.

It was just the beginning of his nightmare. He memorised accurately every detail of his mother’s shock and his father’s rage, written clearly on their visages. It was also the first time he had seen his father so vexed. He remembered every word his father had said.

“You should have never conceived him during the period of mourning. He is just bad luck.”

His mother had defended him. “That’s enough, Yihai. He is your son too. You had a part in creating him.”

His father fell into a deep silence. Though he was only eight, he understood that his father completely doted on his mother, who originated from a rich family. His mother Ming Yue was also the only child of a rich silk tycoon Ming Xu, and the source of his father’s riches.

It was hours later when Zhan Yihai found his voice again. By then, Ming Yue had left to perform her prayers. With a stern look, he summoned his male steward, Chang Yihong, and made his order. Zhan Dongyue was banished to the western chamber with immediate effect.

Qimeng came, again and again, almost every morning. It appeared to understand every word that transpired from his mouth, and gradually, Little Dongyue accustomed himself to being alone. With Qimeng around, he felt everything much was indeed a dream.

……

But one day, the bird stopped coming. The boy didn’t know what happened, or if Qimeng had met with an untimely death or a mishap. He hoped that the bird didn’t suffer when it died. But in years to come, he realised another thing.

There is no life without suffering, and all the most he could do was to help others with his gift.

……

0.2: The Injured Man

The second time he saved a life was the day that he headed out to a male relative’s house, with some gifts from his parents to his cousin. As usual, Ming Yue was reluctant to allow him to leave the house, fearing he would go against the rules set by the nun. If he met a woman, a calamity would befall the Zhan family, and his parents might not be spared.

But on that day he would come of age, and Ming Yue decided it was time for him to face the world. Fortunately, he did not run into a woman, but an injured man washed up on the shore.

At the same time, the sky above him turned dark for a few seconds, giving him the premonition that something unusual was about to happen. Dongyue didn’t think much of it and aided the man to get up, boosting him with his unique abilities.

“What’s your name?”

He shook his head, unable to say a single word. Dongyue realised how his new friend had seemed to be mauled severely. A closer look informed him that the man’s body was covered in bruises, and this was an evident explanation for his inability to speak.

Dongyue then attempted to heal him to the best of his ability, but he was too weak. Being the kind man he was, he decided to bring the man home, and later approach his maternal grandfather’s apprentice, the Miracle Healer for help. He knew this uncle who treated him so well since he was a kid, would not say no to help his friend.

This man, who didn’t look far from him in age had dark hair, the complete opposite of his silvery strands. Dongyue watched the man with curiosity, having never had a friend before in his life. Of course, his mother was too paranoid to allow him to mingle with even the same sex, or the stewards and male servants.

One would think, with only male servants in the household, such a boy would grow up to be problematic. But Dongyue was the opposite. He was kind and lively, not to mention very thoughtful. Had he not been born with the fortune of the Doom Star, and during a period of mourning, perhaps his life would have turned out differently.

One good turn deserves another, and despite his curse, Zhan Dongyue deserved a friend. And this was the start of a friendship between two young men, who would eventually become sworn brothers.