Volume Two: The Three Realms as Betrothal Gifts

#1: The Phoenix Tribe

(1)

Yu Huang Mountain is situated at the intersection of the Thirty-Third Heaven and the mortal realm, making it the tallest mountain in Kunlun Xu. The mountain is protected by swamps and miasma, keeping outsiders out, and those inside rarely venture forth. At the foot of Yu Huang Mountain lies the secluded home of the Phoenix Tribe, a village surrounded by green mountains, clear waters, birdsong, and fragrant flowers, a stark contrast to the barren Kunlun Xu outside the miasma. Feng Yuan took Zi Chen from Yao Yin’s arms and hurried away, leaving Gu Yu to guide Yao Yin. Yao Yin followed Gu Yu into the village.

Aside from Yu Huang Mountain soaring into the clouds, its peak unseen, the village was surrounded by low hills on the other three sides. The hillsides were sparsely vegetated, with large, ink-black rocks that resembled enormous natural canvases. These rocks, having been eroded by years of rain, had accumulated a thin film, allowing paintings drawn on them with stones to be preserved permanently. As Yao Yin walked, she saw that the rocks of various sizes along the path were covered with drawings—of celestial horses, flying birds, children, and women. A common characteristic of these drawings was their naive style, appearing to be the work of young children.

Through Gu Yu’s introduction, Yao Yin roughly understood the history of the place.

Fenghua Village was once a territory personally bestowed upon the Phoenix Tribe by the Creation God-Monarch Di Yan, and it had once been prominent. After Di Yan’s ascension, the Phoenix Tribe declined. Their inherent sense of superiority led the tribe members to shun interaction with the outside world, and Yu Huang was renamed Fenghua, eventually becoming a forgotten corner of the world.

“Are phoenixes truly extinct?” Yao Yin asked.

Gu Yu shook her head and said, “Only three members of the Phoenix Tribe remain in the world. You have already met two of them.”

“Are you also of the Phoenix Tribe?”

Gu Yu stopped, turning back with a smile, “Do I look like it?”

Yao Yin nodded: “Yes.”

“Sadly, I’m not,” Gu Yu said, a little disappointed and bitter, “The one you were just holding is one of them.”

“Zi Chen is a phoenix!?” Yao Yin exclaimed in shock.

“The long-lost Prince Zi Chen, Elder Feng Yuan, and Patriarch Bai Rong are the only remaining members of the ancient Phoenix Tribe, the true rulers of all birds.” As she walked with Gu Yu, villagers occasionally greeted her, showing how well-liked Gu Yu was there.

Yao Yin suddenly seemed to remember something and added, “Since the existence of phoenixes isn’t a legend, what about dragons? Are there still dragons in the world?”

“There are many dragons! The Ghost Tribe has many demon beasts that are naturally draconic in form.”

“Not demon dragons, but the true ancient divine dragons that govern the fate of mortals, those of Di Yan’s lineage.”

“Those are truly extinct. I once heard it said that the last dragon maiden in this world was flayed and had her bones drawn out, her dragon tendons completely severed.” Gu Yu’s expression grew solemn, and Yao Yin’s mood unconsciously became heavy upon hearing this.

“Ah, we’ve arrived.” Gu Yu stopped in front of a thatched hut behind the village and said, “You’ll live here from now on, and you’ll be responsible for the Patriarch’s daily care along with Ling Yu.”

“Okay,” Yao Yin nodded.

Just then, a young girl ran out of the house. Hearing Gu Yu’s voice, she immediately rushed towards Gu Yu, sobbing hysterically with tears streaming down her face, and complained, clinging to her, “I’m not doing it anymore! Is this human work? What’s so great about a fallen patriarch!”

“Don’t cry, good Yu’er. Haven’t I found you a helper?” Gu Yu said with a smile, pointing to Yao Yin.

Ling Yu looked up and said, “Then let her serve him! I’m definitely not going! I’m going home!”

“Alright, alright, you rest today. I’ll have Yao Yin serve him then.” Gu Yu tried to soothe Ling Yu with kind words until she calmed down, then turned to Yao Yin and said, “I’m sorry, my sister is a bit of a spoiled brat. I had intended for both of you to serve the patriarch, but now... it seems you’ll have to go alone.”

“Okay...” At that time, Yao Yin often took care of her master’s daily needs in Qingjing Heaven, so she should be quite adept at handling such matters. She agreed without much thought. Then she added, “Can I go see Zi Chen first? Only after I confirm his safety can I rest easy.”

“Regarding Zi Chen, you can rest assured. He is currently recuperating in the Phoenix Nest.” Gu Yu looked at the disheveled Yao Yin and shook her head apologetically, saying, “The Phoenix Nest has nurtured countless phoenixes. The spiritual energy there will allow him to feel as if he’s returned to his mother’s womb, but outsiders... are not permitted to visit.”

“Then I’ll go do my work first.” Yao Yin’s face showed disappointment, and she quickly turned and walked towards the house Gu Yu had indicated.

“Wait, change your clothes first. If you go like that, he won’t even let you in the door.”

“...Okay.” Yao Yin obediently went into the house and changed into one of Ling Yu’s outfits. It was a pale green robe, made of excellent fabric. Yao Yin clutched the sleeve and mumbled, “I’ll return it to Miss Ling Yu another day after I change.”

“No need. These clothes are for you. How could I wear clothes that an outsider has worn? I’m not a beggar.” Ling Yu had already stopped crying and was now sitting leisurely, filing her nails. She said, “Is this your first time seeing such good fabric? This is exclusively for the White Emperor. Enjoy it.”

“Then thank you, miss.” Yao Yin kept her eyes downcast, not wanting to argue with her. Her mind was currently filled only with Zi Chen, who had returned to his original form. She only hoped he would recover quickly; nothing else mattered.

“Where did you find this maid? She’s rather uninteresting,” Ling Yu frowned, turning back to scold Gu Yu.

Gu Yu smiled faintly, not answering, only saying to Yao Yin, “I’ll take you to see the patriarch.”

“Mmm.”

In the center of the village was a house, kept extremely tidy, a stark contrast to the lazy and rustic local customs. Gu Yu lifted the curtain, and the two walked in.

The curtains in the room were drawn, and the light was dim. Yao Yin could vaguely make out a person reclining on the bed, propping their forehead with one hand. Their long hair lay scattered on the floor, looking somewhat eerie in the dark corner.

Gu Yu, with a sweet smile, walked forward: “Patriarch, Gu Yu has come to see you.”

“I’m hungry,” Bai Rong interrupted her without lifting his eyelids. “Where’s dinner?”

Gu Yu was embarrassed, unsure how to respond.

Yao Yin, hearing this, immediately nodded and said, “I’ll go cook right away. Please, Miss Gu Yu, show me the way.”

“Come with me,” Gu Yu, as if greatly relieved, quickly pulled Yao Yin and retreated.

“He has a bit of a strange temper; please be patient with him. From now on, you only need to follow his commands. He is... Zi Chen’s father.”

“...Okay,” Yao Yin nodded blankly.

“Then I’ll go first,” Gu Yu said. Without waiting for Yao Yin’s reply, she quickly disappeared down the country path.

...

Subsequently, Yao Yin busied herself in the back house for a long time, finally cooking three dishes and one soup. She carried the plates of food into the patriarch’s room, but Bai Rong looked at them with disgust, pinching his nose and pushing them aside: “Is this all for dinner? I want noodles.”

“But you just said you wanted dinner...” Yao Yin’s eyes widened.

“I said I wanted dinner, not that I wanted rice for dinner. I want noodles.”

“...I’ll go make it again.”

Yao Yin resignedly retreated. After a short while, she returned with a large bowl of noodles. However, Bai Rong glanced at it, then again pinched his nose and said, “I don’t eat green onions. Remake it.”

Yao Yin patiently picked out all the green onions in front of him. Bai Rong was still dissatisfied and said, “I can’t even smell a hint of green onion.”

“Why didn’t you say so earlier?”

“I thought they had all told you.” Bai Rong’s eyes widened, his innocent gaze starkly incongruous on his wrinkled face. Yao Yin looked at him as if seeing an old mischievous child.

Reluctantly, she had no choice but to go to the kitchen again.

...

“Add an egg.”

...

“Too salty.”

...

“Too bland.”

...

After repeating this more than ten times, Bai Rong, propping his chin in his hand, looked at the panting Yao Yin helplessly and said, “How about you make dumplings instead?”

Yao Yin put down her chopsticks with a ‘thud’ and said angrily, “I don’t know how!”

“Then learn,” Bai Rong blinked.

“...” Yao Yin gritted her teeth and went to the kitchen again. She researched for a long time and found no flour, so she went out to borrow some. She wandered around but no one paid her any attention. She could only go back to the patriarch. This time, without asking permission, she directly burst in, only to perfectly catch Bai Rong devouring his food, with a half-eaten pig trotters still hanging from his mouth.

“You... weren’t you not eating?”

“I was too hungry, so I ate first. Your cooking is quite good, thank you,” Bai Rong said with a sincere smile, then added, “Are you hungry? There’s plenty of noodles over there for you.”

Yao Yin shook her head: “No need, I’m full.”

Full of anger.

“Then you should rest first. Since it’s our first meeting today, I won’t make things difficult for you. Good night,” Bai Rong stretched, saying, “Remember to take these bowls out and wash them.”

“...Yes.” Yao Yin suppressed her anger, carrying the large and small plates out. By the time she had washed, dried, and organized them, the moon was almost setting. Yao Yin dragged her exhausted body back to her room, where Ling Yu’s shadow was gone, and even her luggage had disappeared completely.

“No wonder Ling Yu was so angry. Who could stand a master like this?”

Yao Yin was truly exhausted and fell into a deep sleep the moment she touched the bed. In her dream, it was the familiar sea of fire again. In the sea of fire, a giant silver dragon screamed in agony. Most of its scales had been torn off, and its body was covered in blood. Soon, the scene shifted, and the silver dragon transformed into a red-clad goddess, returning to the royal palace. What awaited her was that person’s cold long sword, aimed directly at her heart. Beneath that person’s long, raven-black hair was a strikingly familiar face.

“Zi Chen—!” Yao Yin awoke with a start, drenched in sweat. Only then did she realize it was just another nightmare.

“How could it be Zi Chen’s face? It must be because I miss him too much... It must be... Who!” Yao Yin turned her head and found a human face dimly lit beside the bed. Its features were exceptionally beautiful, and upon closer inspection, it bore a seventy percent resemblance to Zi Chen, though it appeared slightly older and somewhat dispirited.

“Pat... Patriarch?” Yao Yin was fully awake. “How did you get here!”

“It’s dawn. Get up and walk with me.” Bai Rong, wearing a padded jacket, squatted by Yao Yin’s bed. Yao Yin, dragging her tired body, looked out the window: “The chickens haven’t even crowed yet, what walk?”

“This is the Phoenix Tribe’s territory; there are no chickens. When I wake up, you have to wake up. Get up quickly and walk with me!” Bai Rong vigorously shook Yao Yin.

“Stop shaking me! I’ll get up right away! You go outside and wait for me, I’m changing!” Yao Yin shouted helplessly.

“Hurry up,” Bai Rong said, then walked out, clearly displeased.

Yao Yin quickly washed up and stepped out the door, only to find the sky faintly lit, with heavy frost. She shivered from the cold. Meanwhile, Bai Rong, bundled up like a zongzi, walked leisurely through the fields with a triumphant look, occasionally stopping to recite poetry, expressing his profound love for nature.

“How do you like my poetry?” Bai Rong asked.

“Excellent poetry, excellent poetry,” Yao Yin said helplessly, with two large dark circles under her eyes, following him and occasionally having to loudly cheer him on in cooperation. In reality, she hadn’t paid any attention to what he was reciting.

“You seem a bit unenthusiastic... very tired?”

Yao Yin forced herself to appear energetic, shaking her head with an ingratiating smile: “Not tired.”

Bai Rong gave her a meaningful glance and asked, “What is Zi Chen to you?”

“A friend.”

“Just a friend?”

“He’s my lifesaver.”

“Then do you like him?”

Yao Yin froze: “What is ‘liking’?”

“You don’t know what ‘liking’ is!?” Bai Rong’s tone suddenly rose.

Yao Yin shrugged: “I’ve never been in a relationship, so I don’t know if this counts as liking.”

“Ah... that’s truly pathetic,” Bai Rong shook his head and sighed.

“I don’t feel pathetic.”

“I wasn’t saying you were pathetic, I was saying Zi Chen is truly pathetic, ahaha,” Bai Rong said with a gloating smile, “I’m sleepy. I’m going back for another nap. You go make breakfast.”

“...Yes.”

This is a phoenix? The noble, elegant, unparalleled phoenix?

Yao Yin silently cried out in her heart, returning to the kitchen, sighing at the sky while washing rice...