“‘It is time to end it,’ my lord often says. ‘Only by destroying everything old can a new world be born.'”
In the silence, the rain outside the tavern stopped, and the world fell utterly quiet.
Zhao Long continued, “In that era not even recorded in the histories, the Queen Mother of the West planted the first tree between heaven and earth on Kunlun. It absorbed the Pure Qi left from Pangu, connected to the Earth Veins, purified Baleful Qi, and from it, all things were born. The last race to emerge was humanity.
“But this tree has gradually reached the end of its life.”
“A new tree will appear,” Zhao Long said faintly, “to become the pillar supporting a brand-new Shenzhou. Many creatures will remain on the great earth, but only ‘humans’—the ‘humans’ who have left the world scarred—should return to the cycle of reincarnation and be recreated.
“That is King Mu’s plan,” Xiao Kun said calmly.
Zhao Long lifted the pot and poured wine for himself and the two others, Xiao Kun and Xiang Xian.
“After death, souls return to the Heavenly Veins and are reborn through reincarnation; the power of life returns to the Earth Veins. Through this cycle, the Earth Veins give birth to new life once more,” Zhao Long explained. “Ten thousand years have passed, and Jumang is withering in the wind and rain, no longer able to support the vast forces of creation. Only a new tree can connect to a new world.”
“Mm,” Xiang Xian said. “So… King Mu hopes to let everyone die, releasing the power of life back into the Heaven-Earth Veins, to birth a brand-new race—the so-called new ‘humans.’ I understand now.”
“Only then,” Zhao Long said, “can the many flaws in the Human Race created by Nüwa be fully remedied.”
Xiao Kun also understood and said, “The ancient Majesties must also become the new kings leading the Human Race.”
Zhao Long did not answer, merely looking at the two of them.
Xiang Xian kept pondering, as if searching for the most fitting rebuttal—or perhaps as if persuaded by Zhao Long.
Xiao Kun quietly drank his wine, waiting for Xiang Xian. A moment later, Xiang Xian said to Xiao Kun, “Drink a little less.”
“It’s fine,” Xiao Kun replied. “This wine isn’t strong. Is there more?”
The pot was already empty. Xiang Xian was about to call the waiter to bring more, but in the dead of night, the inn staff had all gone to sleep. Without waiting for instructions, Hulü Guang stood up, took the pot, and went to heat more wine.
Xiao Kun casually swirled his cup, waiting for the new wine. Seeing that he wanted to drink, Xiang Xian poured his own remaining wine into Xiao Kun’s cup. The moment their fingers touched, it was as if their hearts suddenly connected.
“Big Brother Zhao,” Xiang Xian said, “I suddenly remembered—I have a friend.”
“You always say you have no friends, but actually you have many,” Xiao Kun said.
Xiang Xian smiled, looked at Xiao Kun, then at Zhao Long.
Zhao Long nodded thoughtfully and made a “please speak” gesture.
“His name is Yin Kong—just call him ‘Kong’er,'” Xiang Xian said. “I met Kong’er when I was fourteen. He was six years older than me, lived in Lichuan County at the foot of the Wuyi Mountains, and was a peddler. He occasionally made toys for children himself and sold them door-to-door. The kid was clever, knew all the paths for miles around, and was purely kind-hearted. That year, my master and I passed through Wuyi to hunt a brain-eating Naoyao Demon and asked him to guide us.
“He fell in love with a girl from a landlord’s family in Rao County. It started when he sold goods and gave the young miss a pinwheel. From that one glance, she stayed in his heart forever.”
“That’s a difficult path,” Xiao Kun said to Xiang Xian.
“Naturally,” Xiang Xian replied. “No landlord would marry his daughter to a wandering peddler.
“But Kong’er didn’t give up. He saved bit by bit, copper coins at a time, until he had enough to exchange for some silver fragments, which he carried with him. I asked what for—to use as betrothal gifts? He said if he couldn’t marry his beloved, he’d save some money as a congratulatory gift, go to her wedding to offer blessings, drink a cup of wedding wine, and be happy for her.”
“And then?” Xiao Kun asked again.
Xiang Xian thought for a moment but didn’t say what happened next. Instead, he said, “When my master and I went after that Naoyao Demon, Kong’er nearly fell off a cliff for two taels of silver as guide money, and he ended up covered in wounds just to find a hiding spot for me. It was truly grueling. Living as a human, how can it not be bitter?”
Xiao Kun didn’t press further. Xiang Xian continued, “Later, we parted ways. I don’t know if he ever married that young miss. After hearing Brother Zhao’s words, I inexplicably thought of him. I think, whether he achieved his wish or not, he probably wouldn’t want everyone to die together. After all, if everyone dies and starts over, he wouldn’t even have the chance to watch his beloved from afar, over the courtyard wall.”
“Besides, things in this world are truly unpredictable,” Xiang Xian said to Xiao Kun. “What if he really succeeded?”
Xiao Kun laughed. Though Xiang Xian hadn’t revealed the ending, it was a heartwarming story.
“Loving someone does make one like this,” Xiao Kun said. “I have a friend too.”
Hulü Guang had heated the wine and came over to pour it for them. Zhao Long raised his cup, and the three drank. Xiang Xian stretched lazily and said, “I remember you saying you had no friends before.”
“I only made this one after meeting you,” Xiao Kun glanced at Xiang Xian and said. “Are you jealous of this too?”
With wine flushing his face, Xiang Xian waved it off, signaling Xiao Kun to continue.
“Please elaborate,” Zhao Long said.
