Chapter 1: The Wandering Daoist
-Jianxin-
When Jianxin opened her eyes to the morning sky, the same questions she asked herself every day returned, steadying her heart. She inhaled deeply.
What is Tao?
Can the Tao be spoken of, or does it vanish when I try to name it?
If the Tao is everywhere, what does it mean to "seek" it?
What is the difference between following the Tao and forcing my own way?
Am I flowing with the Tao, or am I resisting it?
She sat in silence, letting the sounds of nature—the birds chirping, the river splashing, the wind whistling—wash over her as the questions lingered in her mind.
The Tao is not hidden, nor is it distant. It is in the turning of the seasons, the yielding of water, the stillness between heartbeats. To seek it is to live in accord with it, to stand upright yet bend when the wind demands. To force is to break; to follow is to endure. When my mind is restless, I resist. When my heart is at peace, I flow.
Jianxin released the breath she was holding.
Who am I, without names, titles, or roles?
Where does my will end, and where does the Way begin?
Am I trying to master the Tao, or to let the Tao master me?
Is my striving creating distance from the natural Way?
"Without names, I am no less a daughter of Heaven and Earth. My will is but a reed, light and fragile, yet the Way is the stream that carries it. To master the Tao is folly; to walk with it is wisdom. Striving in pride strays, striving in sincerity returns me to harmony."
Jianxin's peaceful expression made way for a bright smile seeing that she was still following the Way. She closed her eyes, and like always, recalled teachings her masters have given her.
The Tao is patient, and so must you be. Do not seek shortcuts, perfection is not a mountain to be climbed, but a circle to be walked. Each step completes it, and each step begins it again.
The Martial Artist recalled the goals she had set for herself. To temper her body until it was steel. To sharpen her mind until it was clear as a mirror. To walk her path with steadiness, neither hurried nor wavering. To understand the world as it is, and the people as they are.
"To seek the Tao not apart from others, but within them, for the Tao lives in every face, every voice, and every heart."
Fenghuang Immortal Fu Hua…Jianxin's shone with admiration—
BOOOM!
A thunderclap sounded, and two pillars of light descended from the heavens. One soared far, in the direction of Jing Province, and the other—
The young Daoist's eyes widened as she descended toward Mingyun Village. With a burst of Chi, Jianxian unhesitatingly launched herself from the low ridge, feet flying over stone and root as she sprinted back.
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By the time she reached Mingyun, the villagers had already gathered. The village chief was waiting for her outside with a grave expression.
"Village chief," Jianxin said respectfully, her chest still rising from the run. "Was it… a Celestial descending from Kunlun?"
The older man shook his head, "I don't think so. Not one from Kunlun." He motioned for her to follow. "Come. See for yourself."
Jianxin didn't miss the uncertainty in his expression, following along through the crowd. Space opened as people noticed her, whispers rippling through the air.
"Jianxin is here!"
"She'll know what to do."
"Indeed! The other day she even taught me a medicinal recipe that helped with my son's fever."
The gratitude and confidence of the people warmed the young Martial Artist's heart, her lips curving up as she pumped herself to do her best for them in this situation.
Once at the front, Jianxin finally saw the figure who had stolen all attention.
Within a crater laid a boy. A hat sat tilted on his head, a yellow clover stitched atop. Below his right eye was a small red heart. On his ear hung a single metal die-shaped earring, while a blue choker circled his neck and matching bracelets gleamed faintly on both wrists. His clothes were odd—bright colors clashing in ways she had never seen, a red hoodie, a green shirt, and shorts far too simple for someone who had shaken the heavens with his arrival. Even the material on his feet were mismatched, one sock red, the other wrapped with cloth.
Symbols of cards—hearts, diamonds, spades, clubs—seemed to linger across his attire.
Jianxin did not stand stunned. After only a momentary glance, she leapt into the crater, landing gently beside the Celestial. She leaned closer, carefully checking for signs of life, and only after confirming the faint rise and fall of his chest did she release a soft sigh of relief.
"He seems uninjured too." She noted, seeing the absence of scratches, bruises, or broken bones.
Reassured by her observation, Jianxin no longer hesitated. Slipping her arms beneath the boy, she lifted him effortlessly into a princess carry. Then, with a controlled flex of her chi, she vaulted out of the crater, landing lightly before the gathered villagers.
At that moment, a hesitant voice broke through the tense silence of the crowd. "I-Is it truly safe to get involved with him? The gods on the mainland are said to be cruel…"
Another villager quickly added, "Y-Yeah! It's said that some Celestials toy with mortals for their own amusement, taking any girl they fancy."
"They even abuse their own clansmen," a third voice joined in, "forcing them to fight each other to the death."
More and more people voiced their unease at a foreign Celestial, and the young Daoist listened calmly.
Jianxin could not bring herself to blame them for their fear. She too had heard whispers of such unsavoury conduct among certain Familias and their gods on the mainland. Yet she refused to let those tales dictate her judgement of all Celestials. After all, Shenzhou was proof that these transcendent beings were not here to just enjoy their suffering.
And her masters made sure to remind her that one must taste the tea before speaking of its bitterness.
So, she smiled purely at the agitated villagers, "My master once said: what you give to others, you give to yourself. What you deny others, you deny to yourself."
The villagers fell silent at her words, suddenly looking guilty and ashamed.
"There's no need to look down, to make a mistake is human; to see it is wisdom; to correct it is virtue."
"You truly are a pure soul, Jianxin." The village chief's gaze lingered on her with quiet wistfulness, and Jianxin understood his words were colored by memories of his son and grandson, both taken from him by a monster.
Before the young woman could speak, she felt the body in her arms stir, catching not only her attention but also the villagers.
With bated breath, everyone watched as the Celestial's eyelids fluttered, and then snapped open.
Jianxin's breath was caught in her mouth as she stared with wonder. Mismatched eyes gazed back at her, colours shifting like a refracting jewel. His right pupil was a diamond, his left a spade. It matched the cards theme he had going on with his clothes.
"…Beautiful," she muttered unconsciously.
The boy jerked upright, slipping from her hold with surprising energy. He landed on his feet, spinning in a panic, his eyes darting around wildly.
"Shion!" His sudden shout made the villagers flinch, and take a step back.
Jianxin steadied herself and stepped forward. She cupped her fists and bowed respectfully, "Honoured Celestial, is everything well? This Daoist asks only to understand."
The God's gaze snapped towards her, and the young Martial Artist suddenly felt as if the very world was constricting around her, yet she didn't flinch, and kept her position.
"Did you see a pillar of golden light, other than mine?" He demanded.
Jianxin wasn't irritated by his tone, understanding that his behaviour was probably a result of worry over his friend. So she responded calmly, "Yes, Honoured Celestial," She elaborated without needing to be asked. "It descended in Jing Province, a month's journey from here."
"Jing Province…" The boy echoed, his mismatched eyes narrowing, before they widened the next instant, "So I landed in Old Man Jade's backyard."
Gasps rippled through the villagers, at what they could tell was a nickname for the Supreme Ruler of Kunlun.
Jianxin's own eyes, however, sparked with curiosity at the young looking Celestial's relationship with the Jade Emperor. "Honored Celestial, this Daoist must clarify. You stand in Shenzhou, in the Yu Province, Mingyun Village."
The young boy turned back to her, studying her closely, and then, to her surprise, a grin bloomed on his face. "How nostalgic~"
Jianxin blinked at the words, then shook her head gently. "Honored God, this is the first time this Daoist has met you."
….
-Tet-
"Honored God, this is the first time this Daoist has met you."
Said the familiar-looking girl he had only ever seen on the other side of a screen in his past life.
And what a surprise it was, an extra twenty-five years of memories surged to the forefront of his mind, fragments of a life lived as a human. It was only a drop in the ocean compared to his millennia-long existence as a god, so he did not suddenly have a change of heart or realize he was human.
But the emotions and knowledge that came with those memories? Tet knew they would influence how he approached things from now on, at least to some degree.
There was, however, one thing they would not change—
His hand landed lightly on Jianxin's shoulder, causing the young woman to blink in confusion.
Tet gave her a beaming grin—
"Let's have fun and play together!"
He was going to enjoy this life to its fullest!
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A/N: The AU and Expy train is running at full speed! Shenzhou? Fenghuang Immortal Fu Hua? Chi? Jianxin? And there'll be more to come.