wedge
Shennong Valley
Baicaoxuan
Jiang Yuan, in his wheelchair, gazed at the two women playing chess beside the plum tree, his smile seemingly capable of melting the snow-covered landscape. He couldn't recall when it all began—ten years ago, or even earlier? Perhaps it was destiny that brought these three people, all sharing the blood of one of the oldest families in Chinese history, together as friends.
The thought of the word "friend" deepened the smile on Jiang Yuan's face.
Although their personalities were very different, it is undeniable that the two women in front of him brought Jiang Yuan endless joy when he was young.
"Tianyi, you've fallen for Zhao Zhen." Feng Yezi held a black piece and gently tossed it onto the chessboard, her tone certain and without the slightest doubt. Xuanyuan Tian placed a piece in response, neither confirming nor denying.
Interrupted from his thoughts, Jiang Yuan looked at the ethereal woman in the distance, seemingly untouched by worldly concerns, and saw a hint of determination in her expression for the first time. He couldn't help but shake his head helplessly. If that person could be persuaded with just a few words, then she wouldn't be the head of the Xuanyuan family, nor the carefree master who had been recognized as the master by the ancient divine beast, the water unicorn, since childhood.
The Xiaoyao Tower appears, a wise ruler has appeared in the world.
It's unclear whether it was a wise ruler who brought the Xiaoyao Tower, dormant for centuries, back to life, or whether the existence of the Xiaoyao Tower led to the emergence of this unparalleled wise ruler. There is no effect without a cause, yet how many people in this world can distinguish between cause and effect? And who can be certain that today's cause is not yesterday's effect?
The snow fell gently, and a gust of wind caused the sleeves of the two women to flutter in the breeze. Pure white intertwined with vibrant red, and vibrant red accentuated the pure white. Accompanied by the falling plum blossoms, the scene was mesmerizing and captivating.
"Zhao Zhen's fate doesn't include you." Feng Yezi's tone, unusually, lacked its ethereal quality and gained a more earthly truth. As descendants of Nuwa, the Feng family has possessed the ability to foresee the destinies of others for thousands of years. However, the Feng family has always adhered to the principle of seclusion, so the world knows very little about them. Jiang Yuan, familiar with Feng Yezi's character, knew that while she possessed the ability to see into others' fates, she rarely revealed heavenly secrets; yet, once she spoke, her words were always accurate. He couldn't help but look at Xuan Yuan Tianyi with some worry.
Xuan Yuan Tianyi wasn't surprised at all by her friend's honesty: "I know." She answered without hesitation, for she already knew the answer. Unlike the Feng family members, who possessed an innate ability to foresee the destinies of others, the Xuan Yuan family descendants had already reached the pinnacle of their profound understanding of the arts of divination.
"Since you know this, why bother?" Feng Yezi knew her friend's personality, but she couldn't bear to see her get so deeply involved.
“Some things… are often beyond our control.” Xuan Yuan Tian’s usually calm tone was now tinged with a hint of helplessness. The vermilion mark on her forehead was now even more vibrant, echoing the fiery red of her clothes, adding a touch of allure to her originally languid demeanor.
Upon hearing Xuan Yuan Tianyi's words, Feng Yezi, who had been looking down, unconsciously raised her head, looked at her childhood friend in front of her, and after a long while, finally spoke: "It's a pity I can't see your fate." This was the only time that Feng Yezi felt powerless about her own abilities.
"Deep affection is short-lived! My fate was sealed at birth." Xuan Yuan Tianyi's tone was indifferent, as if he were talking about someone else's affairs. Deep affection is short-lived! Although he was cold-hearted, he could not be completely devoid of love and affection. Since that was the case, he would accept his fate.
Feng Yezi looked at Xuan Yuan Tianyi with a slightly somber expression: "Tianyi..."
Xuanyuan Tianyi didn't place the chess piece in his hand, seemingly deep in thought. After a long while, he threw the piece back and said, "I lost."
"Your heart is in turmoil." Feng Yezi's eyes, which could see through the ways of the world, were now fixed on the person in front of her whose fate she could not understand no matter what, with a hesitant look in her eyes.
Upon hearing his friend's words, Xuan Yuantian remained silent for a long time. He stood up and said to Jiang Yuan, "I'm leaving." Jiang Yuan nodded slightly without moving, already accustomed to this way of getting along among the three of them.
"Mo Yan." With a soft call, a young man in white appeared behind Xuan Yuan Tianyi. His light blue hair, as clear as lake water, was tied back with a silver ribbon. His alluring yet slightly wicked face made it difficult to discern his gender, and he gazed at Xuan Yuan Tianyi with a playful expression. Without another word, the two drifted away, leaving behind only their figures blending seamlessly into the world.
Watching the two figures disappear into the distance, Feng Yezi sighed almost imperceptibly. Jiang Yuan, who had appeared beside her at some unknown time, said knowingly, "Since fate has already been decided, there's no use in worrying."
"Unfortunately, I don't have the power to defy fate." Feng Yezi's murmured words drifted to Jiang Yuan's ears on the wind. This caused the usually composed Jiang Yuan to tremble: "Defy fate? Yezi, you want to change Tianyi's destiny? Leaving aside the fact that only Tianyi possesses such an ability, even if you did have it, you couldn't do it so easily. You must understand, defying fate will bring divine retribution!"
Feng Yezi understood Jiang Yuan's worries and sighed helplessly, "The Xuanyuan clan bears the mission of protecting all living beings. Tianyi is the most powerful descendant of the Xuanyuan clan in hundreds of years. Her ability can seal the gate between the Demon Realm and the Human Realm. In that great calamity, if Tianyi hadn't risked her life, the Human Realm would have long since become a hell. Therefore, for the sake of peace in the Human Realm, Tianyi cannot be harmed. Even if it means suffering divine punishment, my Feng clan is willing to do so. It's just a pity that Heaven has not given my Feng clan such an opportunity."
"Ye Zi, I understand your feelings. Heaven gave you the ability to see into the fate of people, yet you can only watch helplessly as they struggle against their destiny. I share this helplessness. Sometimes I really envy Tian Yi; her indifference largely spares her from inner torment. Unfortunately, we cannot be as detached as she is, but we also have no right to change things, because any decision we make could alter the predetermined course of history. Don't forget the oath our ancestors made: the Feng clan has not yet reached the point of destruction." Jiang Yuan's voice was as gentle as ever, but the observant Feng Ye Zi could still detect a hint of bitterness within it.
Feng Yezi smiled wryly at Jiang Yuan's gentle expression and nodded slightly. The two tacitly fell silent, raising their heads to gaze at the vast white earth, savoring the momentary tranquility after the snowstorm.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
