“Princess Guang Yue.” Emperor Yan Tianxiu called out and Nian Yue peeked from where she was entering the chamber.

  The chamber of heavenly lord’s deliberation with the celestial officials was well known by Nian Yue. She had visited this place more than she had walked through the corridors of her home where she was born and raised. Four walls made out of white jade and gold, huge and magnificent like a king’s royalty. The tall pillars extend to the ceiling at each corner of the hall. Wrapped around them were strips of golden silk fluttering as serene wind blew past them. A red curtain split in the middle, drafted over the sides of the open space at the back of the hall like a seal to trap the whispers of the inner conflict. What is concluded inside shall remain inside.

  In the middle of the hall was a divan on which sat the great emperor, still indulging in the scroll he was holding. There were piles of other scrolls and books placed on the side of the table, which was soon picked up by the assistant deities. Nian Yue did not know if she was just another scroll or a part of a long lasting queue of unfinished requests.

  “Have a seat.” The emperor instructed.

  Nian Yue silently approached her seat and sat down in front of the emperor, placing her palms over her lap. She saw the emperor placing the scroll away before tilting his head up to look at her. “The reason for your visit, goddess?” He asked weightlessly.

  Nian Yue took an inner breath and began. “Yes. I have a request for the emperor. You must have known about the case in hand with Goddess Mei Wu.”

  “Yes. I have read the report submitted by you. Yincu is truly complicated, especially with such circumstances.” Emperor Yan Tianxiu hummed in agreement.

  “I fear.. It's not the circumstances that make this situation complicated but the wrong judgement,” Nian Yue said slowly.

  The emperor raised an eyebrow with interest. His eyes remained still on Nian Yue. “May I know further about the princess’s concern?”

  Nian Yue honestly did not know what to say. She couldn't just say she wanted to handle things her way because she has a hunch and some half proved evidence. That's not how things worked here. She hoped it did.

  “Over how much time I have spent in Yincu village, I can confidently say it's nothing like a vengeful or destructive ghost every celestial is worried about. Even more so, it's one beyond that. I have.. felt and saw some things that confirm to this suspicion of mine. Therefore,” Nian Yue looked up confidently. “I want to investigate this case myself, and alone.”

  Emperor Yan Tianxiu’s eyes narrowed, as he hummed to Nian Yue’s request but did not respond right away. “And why is such a request being made?”

  “....” Nian Yue fell silent. Her eyes rose for a moment before lowering again as if to keep herself in check. Her lips twitched and she forced a smile on her lips. “The Qi of the gods and goddess is like a repellent to the inexperienced ghosts, specially those seeking safety. And unfortunately I’m one and only goddess in the whole celestial system sharing Qi that attracts ghosts. Hence my title.” Those lines feel extremely repeated and practiced. She spilled those words in one breath, even that with a smile like a poor passerby at a corner village store, rambling about their qualifications to get a job.

  “Princess Guang Yue, the question was not because you're incapable. But because there had been a history of you neglecting rules and orders of heaven.”

  Another voice that did not belong to the Emperor rang in the spacious hall. A slender man emerged from the back of the hall as he approached the emperor before standing besides his divan. “Forgive my rude intervention my Lord, I had to give my opinion.” The man had his lower half face covered with a thin veil. His eyes were a hue of serene coral pink as if an absolute incarnate of lotus bloom with a sharp attitude. His body language was of a collected wise soul. His appearance and charm wasn't less than that of an angel, might he be one.

  He was Emperor Yan Tianxiu’s god sent advisor and a living voice of the great celestial lord’s will. Celestials say he wasn't born of blood or flesh but created out of lotus petals and sent to Yan Tianxiu as a guide and a reward for his intense faith and devotion to the creator of heavens. This lotus incarnate beside Emperor Yan Tianxiu was named Shou Meixian.

  “It's not uncommon for Princess Guang Yue to unfollow or even break the rules, causing significant damage, subject involved. Not just that, the goddess doesn't seem to learn anything from her previous mistakes. The still clinging silver metal around her wrists are a perfect example of that.” Shou Meixian said with a disapproved, sore face.

  Nian Yue only listened to the cutting words with lowered eyes. Her lips sealed together. Her hands remained unmoving on her lap, putting no effort in hiding the source of shame on her wrists that were being talked about.

  Shou Meixian continued, “In such a scenario how could we let you handle such a sensitive case all by yourself?”

  “Request approved,” Emperor Yan Tianxiu replied while writing away his approval on a scroll.

  Shou Meixian blinked a few times as if to make sure he was hearing correctly before he abruptly turned to look at Yan Tianxiu, frowning his eyebrows in the process. “My lord, that..”

  Yan Tianxiu did not respond. Taking that as a sign Shou Meixian fell silent and tucked his hands into the long and wide sleeves of his robes.

  “Princess Guang Yue can conduct this case by herself. However there are certain and strict conditions. You are granted only three days to move freely after that heaven will take over the task. You are free to do as you please but any official can join you anytime when necessary. Let Mercury literature hall know your day to day improvement,” said emperor Yan Tianxiu as he handed Nian Yue the scroll.

  Before Nian Yue could react, she saw the emperor getting up from his seat. In person the emperor looks even taller, befitting the figure of wisdom, strength and ancient respect. He was towering over the poor advisor who was barely reaching his shoulders.

  Nian Yue quickly got up too and covered her left fist into her right palm in front of her chest and thanked the emperor for granting her request. She watched as Emperor Yan Tianxiu turned around and walked towards the back of the hall. Shou Meixian obediently followed him from behind.

  With a sigh of relief Nian Yue also left with the scroll clutched tightly in her hand, eyes sparkling with newfound hope.

  ~~~

  Once the night fell, Nian Yue descended back to the Yincu village. Without any show or notice, a silent descend back to the place of concern, that is how Nian Yue loved to carry out her business.

  She descended in the middle of the thick forest beside Chenlian mountain, where she last saw the child ghost spirit. Once she was there she briefly remembered the words of general Han Yuelin, Don't do anything reckless. Don't be carried away by your emotions. And absolutely do not do anything that is against the rules. Take care of yourself.

  She huffed out a dry laugh. As if she hadn't heard these words a million times before by the emperor and the advisor himself. The only difference there was, those were more like a warning coming from the Emperor—a strict rule and order without empathy.

  She paid it no mind and shook it off with a shake of her head, what will it bring her anyways. She turned her attention to the dark forest as she ventured deeper inside. Her steps were heavy, as if absorbing the weight of the environment. She had no fear of her moon-white robes getting dirty as its silver transparent strips trailed behind her like clouds scratching against the tip of the mountains.

  In the black of the night, half moon shone brightly in the sky. The third quarter before the new moon. The atmosphere was silent like a noiseless void, spare for some nearby cricket chirps now and then. In the middle of her trail, Nian Yue noticed something very odd. It was cold, colder than her own home. The chill prickling her skin like small thrones. Her face muscles tensed. She peered a distance away, and saw nothing unusual, only the sparkling of tree leaves under the moon light and the haunting silence.

  A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  She blinked and tore away her gaze, followed by an inner shaky breath. Something flickered in her eyes. The cold seems to heighten even more than it was before, to the point Nian Yue shivered, but it wasn't just physical. She breathed for a moment, her eyes fluttered closed. Her fingers were clenched in fists by her side.

  Slowly one of her fisted hands lifted in front of her chest and the fingers curled open. Her palm stirred to life with silver moonlight. Once the energy was accumulated, a moonlit core bloomed over the palm before it took the shape of a lozenge, pulsing with spiritual energy. The core happily spun before it settled over the palm, dimming and brightening like a little lamp in the darkness.

  Once the core was summoned Nian Yue opened her eyes. She looked around and then resumed her walking. She walked only a few steps further before calling out softly, Can you hear me? Talk to me. I see your pain. You are safe to open up with me. These words weren't out of her lips but through the spiritual communication and the core was the medium for the act. She spoke in her mind and the core pulsed with each word, as if communicating the message to the intended one.

  Unfortunately, the message had no response. The trees remained silent, the darkness had nothing to offer. She couldn't hear or feel anything. The cold she felt before was also starting to melt in warmth. It wasn't anything out of the ordinary, in fact this was what it was supposed to feel. Verdant root was supposed to feel warm, warmer than her home. But that's what made it worrisome. If she had anything before, now she was losing touch with it.

  Her eyebrows knit together at the realization. Her steps became a little more hurried as she looked around aimlessly and spoke again, Don't leave. I can help you. Her words were empty echo in the void. There still wasn't any response.

  She stopped in her tracks, standing in the middle of somewhere she didn't recognize. Her gaze stumbled around, here and there. It didn't make any sense, she was lost again. How was that even possible? She lowered her gaze at the pulsing core on her palm. It was still, like a slow walking cloud, spare for the faint spin it does now and then. It just hinted she felt nothing. There was nothing.

  She was almost hopeless. The earlier chill she felt now turned into heat in spite of the effort she made to keep in touch with whoever that had such an effect on the atmosphere. She let out a sigh and blinked a few times with heavy eyes, unsure of what to do next. Maybe she should continue, this forest isn't anything small, she knows. There are chances she was close before and now she has just lost the path.

  Just as she was about to turn around to head back in the direction from where she came, a sudden sharp ruffling startled her. Her skin almost crawled from the sudden sound. It was coming from a nearby shrub. The leaves rustled for a moment before coming to a stop. Nian Yue froze and took a moment for herself, staring at the occasional shaking of the branches before taking a step forward. Her breath stuck in her throat as she did so. Her small, soundless tread finally reached the sprawled plant. She bent her knees and crouched down, reaching with her free hand to move the leaves. But before she could, a rabbit jumped out of it!

  Both the rabbit and Nian Yue were startled by each other’s sudden presence. The bunny jumped a few feet away while Nian Yue stayed still with her eyes squeezed tight and her body tensed like a rock. She mumbled at last, “Lord have mercy.”

  The bunny stilled, staring at Nian Yue from where it stood. It took a quick whip of Nian Yue’s fragrance, the small nose twitching with curiosity. Safe to say the rabbit wasn't afraid of Nian Yue anymore. The rabbit was a young one, with a delicate white fur coat and a unique left ear which was black.

  Nian Yue finally opened her eyes and looked at the bunny with an exhausted smile. She reached a careful hand forward and murmured. Shouldn't you be asleep? The lozenge core pulsed with the rhythm of her words. The bunny immediately came closer and let Nian Yue rub his little head and body. Nian Yue smiled, content. She felt all her tiredness wash away by just a small interaction.

  “Since you're not asleep, will you tell me? Have you seen anything unusual?” She asked out of pure humor, expecting nothing more than a confused expression from the animal. However the rabbit became stiff at the question. Nian Yue paused her caressing and tilted her head with a confused look.

  The little animal hooked his eyes at the goddess. Those large round eyes staring at Nian Yue with a slow twitch of its nose. The silence was unnatural.

  Nian Yue was surprised with such a reaction. She gazed at the core on her hand expecting an explanation, though it was silent. The core showed no sign of communication intent from the bunny. She wondered if her abilities were still intact or were she broken.

  In the split moment of broken attention, the rabbit bolted and vanished into the shade beneath the thick leaves of the shrub. Nian Yue was taken aback but did not call after the little one. She supposed the bunny simply did not want to talk anymore. She breathed out softly. Her eyes fluttered close as a small flurry of wind caressed her face. Strands of her light hair brushed past her cheeks. Soon she saw an early ray of sunlight filtering from her side.

  She got up from her place and turned around. Indeed the sun was rising. The fresh sunlight made contact with her pale skin, glowing briefly. Suppose, she has wasted a night.

  ~~~

  Nian Yue returned to the heavens. Her first visit was at the mercury literature hall. Settled inside at one of the tables, Nian Yue skimmed through a thick report of events during her visit at Yincu village last night. To have proper knowledge of each victim and their well being, secret messengers had been appointed around the area of Yincu and Huancheng. These messengers record each minute activity of the place concerned. They were often the assistant gods from the star mercury. Their work was to let the heavens know when things were out of control. They were not martial gods, but they did well in their part of protecting the mortals by collecting their prayers and looking after their situation, bringing the concern to heaven.

  While Nian Yue was busy reading the report, Lord An Xu sat patiently in front of her to assist with the information. Thanks to him for taking some time out of his busy schedule to help Nian Yue.

  Nian Yue grew tense at a particular page. “No activity the whole day? But there are fresh cases?” Nian Yue asked.

  Lord An xu replied with a patient nod. “Two new victims, one man and one woman. They had a momentary breakdown but no possession, nor was there any sign of energy around. Currently they are fine, recovering from the trauma.”

  Nian Yue's eyebrows frowned as she turned the page over where the description of these two victims were written. Momentary trance state, speech of self harm and worry of loved ones that was out of control.

  Nian Yue noticed there was a similar pattern between how this ghost attacks. Rather than possessing the person, this ghost plays with the sentiments of once vulnerability. Strange. After all possessing such a power wasn't in the will of a ghost that was a child or a young spirit. Or was it that they were pretending to be a child?

  Nian Yue hummed and gazed back at Lord An Xu. “What are the timing of these two events?”

  “These weren't cases of possession therefore accurate time recording wasn't possible. However, according to the close estimation and mortal statement, these two cases took place at past midnight around the mortal hours 01:03 to 01:30 AM.” Lord An Xu replied.

  Nian Yue paused. “One AM..” she murmured to herself. Her eyebrows knit together. She was there the whole night but felt nothing, no spirits nor their manifestation. Except that one time. The sudden cold. The unexplainable chill she felt. It was around the same time during midnight, and the only time she felt something. “Other than these? Was there any other activity?”

  “No.” Lord An Xu shook his head. “The daytime was mostly calm. The cases appear at night. Even then, last night was a quiet one. The strike was quick, just as quickly it stopped.”

  Nian Yue nodded, murmuring with exhaustion, “Thank you..” and then put her head into her palms, while the elbows connected to the table.

  “Goddess Guang Yue,” Lord An Xu suddenly called out. “This is not inherently related to the events last night but,” He picked up another scroll lying on his lap and placed it in front of Nian Yue.

  Nian Yue raised her head and gazed at the scroll placed in front of her. “What's this?” she asked.

  “This is a report of these three people, who are the most affected by the wave of this haunting in the village.” Lord An Xu began. “They don't seem to recover at all. In fact, their condition is worsening each day. This was not supposed to happen seeing that most victims recover after a certain period of time and healing.” His voice lowered, “The difference and the complexity of the situation led me to investigate further. The souls of these three victims are reincarnated. This is not their first birth.”

  Nian Yue straightened her back. “Reincarnate souls?” She repeated. “They had been to the circle?”

  “From the records of Neptune literature hall, yes. I have listed all the relevant information in this copy. However I suggest you should cross check your preservation records too,” said Lord An Xu.

  “Alright.” Nian Yue nodded and scooped up the two bundles of papers into her arms before standing up. “Thank you so much Lord An Xu.”

  Lord An Xu barely bent his back in a bow and smiled. “My pleasure to be able to help you.”

  Nian Yue nodded and turned around to leave. With such information, she now knows where to start.

  —— —— ——

  Character Names

  [授美仙 (Shòu Měixiān) — “Granted Beautiful Immortal”]

  To be continued:-

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