An old friend

When he looked back, he realized that he was standing on a white pavilion. A young and extremely beautiful woman who looked exactly like the Head shaman but a lot younger about 16 years of age was sitting on a white jade stool while pouring tea into a set of two emerald jade cups.

There was an aura surrounding her that made him feel like he knew this woman. He could not say it but he felt very familiar with her like he was meeting a long lost friend. The mirthful voice which he heard previously belonged to her. He was sure of it. There were only two of them in the pavilion and when he heard her voice his soul had leaped in joy. He was sure of it that he knew this woman, but where? And more importantly when?

She wore a big smile on her face and looked extremely pleased with herself.

Noticing his awkward and amazed expression, she said, "Yes, this is my true form. I am Imsong, the Head Shaman. And your old friend."

"This might take some explanation. Why don't you come here and sit down? Drink this tea, I assure you this is your favorite tea." She said as she placed the jade cup opposite to her on the white jade table.

He obediently took his seat and delicately lifted the jade cup to his lips. The aroma of the tea was enough to make his soul tremble and when he took a sip he felt as if all the lotuses never looked this beautiful, and his soul felt like it was soaking in a hot spring. It was not only because of the tea but the woman who had prepared it. He felt only this woman could brew the tea like this, that could make his soul so relaxed and peaceful at the same time.

He finally asked the burning question inside him, "Who exactly are you? I feel like I should know you. But I can't remember having met you ever before."

She smiled serenely and said, "It's just like I said, I am your old friend. Your soul recognizes me. The soul never forgets. Memories may fail. I have been waiting for you for thousands of years."

"Thousands of years? But I just got reincarnated here last night in this kingdom. I don't know anything except the memories which this body had."

He could not help but be honest with this beautiful woman, his soul was unable to hide anything from her.

"I thought so because I could not feel anything from you for all those years but when I saw you earlier I was suspicious. But I can say confidently that you are my old friend because this space recognized you and allowed you inside it. Look out there, even the lotuses are humming with joy. Can't you hear it? They are happy to have you back."

Indeed he could feel that the atmosphere around them was pleasing to the senses. The lotuses were humming gently and he could feel their sincerity.

"But that still doesn't explain everything. You are not shocked that I am inhabiting the body of the Young Lord of the kingdom of Soaring Dragon. This means that you know something. Tell me why I came here. Tell me everything."

"First of all, you are not merely inhabiting the body of the Young Lord. It is your body. A soul was merely occupying your body while you were dallying with mortals in other worlds." She smirked at this and continued, "You have been living many lives in other worlds and time. And this time you have returned to us."

"Don't be alarmed. The previous Bai Hua's soul will not perish. It will reoccupy your body which you left behind and live his life with your memories. He will not remember anything from this world."

"But I was poor in my previous life!" he exclaimed. He did not want "Bai Hua" to suffer a life of poverty when he had lived a good life here.

She said reassuringly, "The gods will provide since it once housed you."