"This..." Jiang Mu looked at everything in front of him, somewhat shocked.
"Is this... the so-called boundary...?"
Although my predecessor had indeed seen this scene in the game (see the Walnut Legend quest: The Butterfly's Tale for details), to say that I saw it with my own eyes...
That was truly the first time...
In this region called the Border, it wasn't as eerie and terrifying as I had imagined. A soft, dim yellow light shone down from above, bathing the surrounding scenery in a golden glow. Amidst the swirling mist, it resembled a fairyland...
Not far away, several somewhat ethereal figures stood silently in place, some deep in thought, some gazing around, and some simply sitting quietly...
Jiang Mu knew that these were the souls of the dead whose wishes had not been fulfilled, and that some people who wanted to see their loved ones one last time would also linger here...
This place, which was originally reserved for people from the Hall of Rebirth, suddenly saw the appearance of a newcomer like Jiang Mu, which greatly surprised the surrounding Ghost Gate members.
“Young man…” an old voice sounded behind Jiang Mu.
Jiang Mu turned around and saw a phantom-like, elderly figure staring intently at him.
"Senior, you are...?"
Jiang Mu dared not be negligent and immediately bowed, asking respectfully.
"Me?" The "person" was taken aback, then chuckled.
"I'm just an old man who's been dead for who knows how long, nothing special. But you, you've really surprised me..."
"Me?" Jiang Mu was stunned.
“This border isn’t a place for ordinary people. A while ago, that little girl from the Hall of Rebirth came here and hasn’t left yet. You don’t seem like someone from the Hall of Rebirth. So how did you get here…”
"Old man!" Jiang Mu didn't answer, but asked anxiously.
"Where is that little girl from the Hall of Rebirth you mentioned?"
"Oh?" The old man raised an eyebrow.
"I see……"
"The person you're looking for." The old man thought for a moment, then pointed in a direction, "Just keep going straight along that road, and you should see her."
"Thank you, senior!"
Jiang Mu bowed and hurriedly ran in the direction the old man was pointing.
"Young people are indeed full of energy..."
The old man stroked his beard and chuckled, but he did indeed frown slightly.
"However, the aura emanating from this kid... why does it seem like he originally belonged here..."
"Senior, what did you say?"
The next moment, a figure suddenly appeared beside the old man. After hearing the old man's words, the figure frowned and asked him a question.
"Oh, it's you..."
The old man frowned slightly when he saw the newcomer, and after a long while, he remembered the person's identity.
"You are..." The person who came frowned slightly, but then immediately recognized the old man.
"Are you the 5th generation Lord Tianquan?"
"I never expected that you would still remember me, Gan Yu..."
The spirit of the fifth generation of Tianquan smiled slightly and said.
“However…” The fifth generation of Tianquan frowned.
"How did you end up here? This isn't a place where ordinary people can stay for long, even though you have immortal blood..."
"I came with Jiang Mu's younger brother," Gan Yu explained, "the one who just went in."
“Jiang Mu…” Upon hearing this, the fifth generation of Tianquan was taken aback, and then let out a long sigh.
"Gan Yu, it's been so long, and you still can't let go..."
"..."
Gan Yu didn't reply, but her eyes gradually dimmed...
"Never mind, never mind..." the old man waved his hand.
"I am already dead, so I will not get involved in your affairs."
After a pause, the old man continued.
"But listen to Uncle Jiang's advice."
"My son has only himself to blame. He got tainted by the remnants of that demon god, so he has no one else to blame but himself."
"In the end, it was he who requested my request to be executed by you..."
"It's not your fault..."
"..." Gan Yu didn't reply, but her eyes grew even sadder, and the ahoge on her head drooped down...
Unconsciously, Gan Yu recalled that scene again...
………………
A thousand years ago, it was the time when the fifth generation of Tianquan was in charge of Liyue's affairs.
At that time, Liyue was booming. Relying on Liyue Harbor as a natural port, and with the annual instructions from the Geo Archon, the whole of Liyue was thriving and people's lives were getting better and better.
At the time, the man surnamed Jiang from Tianquan had devoted himself wholeheartedly to his work since taking office, and showed no signs of settling down in the ten years since...
Later, it was Tianheng Star who acted as matchmaker, which allowed this Lord Tianquan to get married...
After getting married, Tianquan continued to devote himself wholeheartedly to his work, while his wife served as his reliable support, managing the entire household impeccably. At the time, this was considered a beautiful story...
Soon after, the wife became pregnant. However, fate was cruel. During childbirth, this virtuous woman used her last bit of strength to ensure the safe delivery of her child. Her already weak body finally succumbed to the strain and she passed away.
That day, the entire Liyue Harbor could hear the agonizing cries of the Lord of Tianquan…
Life goes on, and this Lord Tianquan raises his son alone, seamlessly switching between his roles as a celestial being and a stay-at-home dad...
Coincidentally, he used his wife's surname, Mu Jin, as the name of his child. His child was also named Jiang Mu…
Taking care of children is too tiring. When Gan Yu, who was the secretary of the Seven Stars, saw how exhausted Lord Tianquan was, she suggested that she take care of the child herself.
Back then, Liyue Harbor wasn't as prosperous as it is now, and Gan Yu's work as the Seven Stars' secretary wasn't as tedious as it is now. She even had to go back to Mount Hulao every now and then.
The fifth-generation Tianquan had no choice but to entrust Gan Yu with taking care of his child during his work hours...
Perhaps because of the Qilin bloodline, Gan Yu and the child got along very well. Sometimes, when Tian Quan couldn't soothe Xiao Jiang Mu, as long as Gan Yu held him, the child would immediately calm down and show a big smile, which left the fifth generation Tian Quan feeling helpless.
There were even rumors circulating at the time that Lord Tianquan was planning to marry the Seven Stars Secretary as...
Of course, this news was nipped in the bud. There is a difference between humans and immortals. Moreover, in the hearts of the people of Liyue, Gan Yu is so holy and inviolable. How could she possibly fall for a mere mortal?
Gan Yu seemed oblivious to the rumors circulating outside, simply focusing on her work and raising her child quietly...
Several years have passed, and the little Jiang Mu who once needed Gan Yu's care has gradually grown into an adult. After learning about his origins, he naturally holds the fairy sister who once cared for him in the highest esteem.
Perhaps due to inheriting his parents' excellent genes, Jiang Mu was exceptionally handsome at a young age and was also very polite in his dealings with others. At that time, everyone in Liyue Harbor knew the good name of Young Master Jiang Mu.
Seeing that exceptionally talented young man, Gan Yu felt a surge of pride, but even her usually calm heart couldn't help but stir with emotion...
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com