In the underworld, aside from the well-known Yama, the Black and White Impermanences, the Book of Life and Death, and the Naihe Bridge, there flows a river beneath the bridge called the River of Forgetfulness. Along its banks bloom enchanting Red Spider Lilies. If someone refuses to cross the Naihe Bridge and drink the Meng Po soup to forget their past, a little figure will guide them to the river's edge, where a fairy awaits.
She transforms their obsessions and eases their sorrows, laying their souls to rest at the river's bottom. Here, they can find peace in the calm waters, with the gently flowing river standing in for reincarnation, ready to awaken them at the right moment to finish what they left undone.
Beneath the Naihe Bridge, the captivating red flowers sway in the breeze. Looking up, one can see Meng Po serving her soup to those crossing the bridge while her attendants check if everyone has truly forgotten their past.
A fairy, dressed in a flowing black and red skirt and draped in sheer black gauze, cinches her waist with a dark silk ribbon. Her hair is held up with a white jade hairpin, and her skin glows like jade, untouched by makeup yet strikingly beautiful. She carries a wooden bucket, gently watering the Red Spider Lilies.
"Fairy," a little figure in plain clothes bows, "there are several souls here who do not wish to reincarnate." The little figure gets straight to the point. "Understood, you've worked hard," the fairy replies softly, setting the bucket aside and walking toward him. After handing over the souls, the little figure bows again and leaves.
The fairy gazes at the gray soul orbs in her hands, the very souls the little figure mentioned. They emit a faint glow, revealing their lingering thoughts and sorrows. She looks at them with deep sympathy and walks to the bank of the River of Forgetfulness. With a gentle touch, she skims the water's surface and leaps to the centre of the river.
Spreading her arms, she rotates her wrists, arranging the soul orbs neatly between her hands. Strands of white light flow from her fingers, wrapping around the orbs. The surface of the river begins to ripple as she chants softly, "In the myriad years of the mortal realm, all thoughts return to flow, forget the past, and gather." The faint glow gradually fades, leaving only a dull grey.
The ripples beneath her dissipate, revealing green algae at the riverbed. She gently draws her hands to the sides of the soul orbs, lowering them carefully until they settle among the algae, before retracting her hands. The river water rejoins, and the white light vanishes.
Just as she turns back to the enchanting red flowers by the riverbank, a whisper floats through the air. The fairy looks up to see a man in a sky-blue robe with wide sleeves. His long hair is styled with a golden clasp, and he wears ethereal indigo gauze embroidered with swirling clouds. His handsome features reveal his celestial origins, but the sadness in his eyes adds a layer of melancholy.
The fairy stands still, gazing at him. The enchanting flowers mark the distance between them. She smiles faintly, though her eyes remain distant. " Lord Baichuan visits late at night; Xueyin is remiss. I only have plain tea to offer, so it is not a good choice to invite you in. If there is something to discuss, please do so here," she says slowly, her tone tinged with detachment.
Baichuan furrows his brow, his lips pressed together, as if hurt by her demeanour. Suppressing his feelings, he replies gently, "Xueyin Fairy, you need not be so formal. I apologise for the inconvenience caused by this unexpected visit. I come to convey the Heavenly Lord's edict: after many years in the underworld, it is time for you to return to Yunlai Heaven and resume your duties." He watches her intently, his hand hidden in his gauzy robe clenched into a fist.
She lowers her gaze slightly, smiling as she nods, "Xueyin accepts the edict." Baichuan's sorrow transforms into joy, his expression shifting from sadness to anticipation. "I will come for you in three days," he says warmly, his tone brightening. Xueyin nods in response, softly saying, "Thank you, Lord."
But upon hearing this, the spark of expectation in Baichuan's eyes dims. He steps closer, bows slightly, and whispers, "Ru Yuen..." Xueyin raises her hand to stop him, interrupting his words. She sighs softly and says, "I am no longer called 'Ru Yuen; I am simply Xueyin of the underworld now. Please do not call me that." He is taken aback, suddenly at a loss for words.
His eyes glisten with unshed tears as he mumbles, "I understand... see you in three days." He looks at her, filled with reluctance and regret, before turning to leave. Xueyin watches his figure fade into the distance, her heart swirling with complicated emotions.