Chapter Forty: Riding the Crane Through the Skies

Yu covered her mouth, laughing softly. “Weren’t you the one who wanted to ask Yu? Of course I have to tell you. This is just skimming the surface!”

“No wonder you became the Deputy Registrar of the Student Council.”

“That’s not the reason at all!” Yu replied, “If you want to find the Time Bodhi, I can go with you!”

“But this is a personal matter—I can’t let you put yourself in danger.” Huasheng didn’t mind being alone, but if anything happened to Yu because of him, he’d never forgive himself. Yet he yearned to recall the past; his memories were buried with countless secrets. He wanted to know why he had come to Shengpingning, and what he had experienced before. At the same time, he wondered why the ghostly old woman he met during the Clever Box incident recognized him, and where the markings on his body came from.

Huasheng felt that the missing memories couldn’t be long—he must have experienced a whirlwind of events in a very short time.

“Oh? You’re worried about me?” Yu looked utterly unimpressed. “Lingxiao-level immortal arts aren’t yours alone to wield. I’m coming along to be your bodyguard.”

Huasheng found himself unable to retort against Yu’s teasing. “I just worry—this String Cavern is unfathomably deep. Even Lingxiao-level immortal arts may not be enough to protect us.”

“You’re overthinking it. Didn’t I say just now? The mortal world is composed of energy strings. You grew up among them, touching countless energy strings every day, and nothing dangerous happened, right?”

“But those strings are obedient, existing in order for billions of years. The ones you mentioned sound unruly—clearly lacking organization and discipline!”

“That’s why you have me!” Yu said confidently. “String Cavern is about two thousand li away. If we ride the clouds, we’ll get there in half an hour. Isn’t the Academy on holiday for a few days?”

“If we ride clouds, my flying technique isn’t proficient yet—I’m afraid I can’t fly that long.”

Yu winked mischievously. “Looks like Master Hua is going to hitch a ride with me!”

Huasheng was about to reply when he suddenly felt someone draw near behind him. Turning, he saw the face of the Young Lord Taishang.

“Hey! What are you two whispering about?” Young Lord Taishang frowned, eyeing Huasheng and Yu.

“We?” Huasheng suddenly became tongue-tied.

Yu, however, was calm. “If I tell you, don’t go spreading it around!”

“I swear to the Dao Ancestor! I’ll never tell.”

Yu glanced at him. “Isn’t Dao Ancestor your grandfather, the Supreme Lord? One family, all relatives—you look like a pampered young master to me. Find someone else to swear by.”

Young Lord Taishang said, “Then I swear to Buddha—never a word will escape my lips!”

Yu was satisfied, lowered her voice and explained, “You know that Huasheng has lost a portion of his memory? So I suggested we go together to search for the Time Bodhi. With the Time Bodhi, we can restore Huasheng’s mind to the period of lost memory, and help him recall everything.”

“What?” Young Lord Taishang looked around. “You’re going to String Cavern? That’s a forbidden zone in Shengpingning! No one’s allowed near—it could get you expelled from the Academy!”

“What?” Huasheng exclaimed, “Forbidden zone? Expel—”

Yu quickly tapped Huasheng’s mouth. The word “expelled” hadn’t fully left his lips before he was rendered mute.

And so, his words became:

“Expel… abba abba, abba abba!”

Huasheng anxiously pointed to his throat.

Young Lord Taishang quickly lifted the spell. “Young man, keep your voice down. Are you trying to be the Academy’s town crier?”

Regaining his voice, Huasheng said hastily, “Yu, you never told me String Cavern was a forbidden zone!”

Yu replied, “Of course. A treasure that can control time—if it weren’t a forbidden zone, it would have long been stolen.”

Young Lord Taishang said, “It’s called a forbidden zone not only because of String Cavern and the Time Bodhi.”

“What other reason?” Huasheng pressed.

Young Lord Taishang sighed, “As a descendant of the immortals, this isn’t easy to say.”

What matter could make even a celestial keep silent? Huasheng turned to Yu, who, as a spirit, could surely explain.

Yu pondered a long while, then spoke slowly, “Because that domain belongs to the Buddhist sect.”

“Buddhist sect?” Huasheng repeated the words softly. He had never thought of this before. In the stories he heard growing up, there were immortals and Buddhas, but upon reflection, the immortals and Buddhas truly weren’t the same. In myths, they often appeared together, so no one bothered to distinguish them. But if one looked closely, they belonged to different spheres. “What does that mean?” he asked.

Yu answered, “Shengpingning once belonged to the old lands of the Tang Dynasty, home to Daoist immortals. Later, because of Wu Zetian’s Qianling stele, the immortals had to relocate. When Shengpingning was moved, the seven immortal saints who founded the sanctuary borrowed the power of Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva, building Shengpingning within the tears of the Bodhisattva. Thus, although Shengpingning is a Daoist paradise, it has Buddhist roots. That Buddhist root became a forbidden zone for Daoists—or, from the perspective of mortals, different spheres of faith.”

“So that’s how it is,” Huasheng murmured. “I hadn’t expected it to involve both sects. Wouldn’t that lead to conflict?”

“Not really. Both sides treat each other with courtesy, and avoid discussing contentious areas,” Young Lord Taishang sighed. “As Shengpingning’s immortal realm, its central ‘hub’ county has a Buddhist area. It seems out of place, so actually…”

He lowered his voice and leaned in, “So among the immortals, it’s rumored that Avalokiteshvara purposely left this as personal bias when establishing Shengpingning.”

“Personal bias?”

“Buddha says: ‘Inexpressible, inexpressible,’” Young Lord Taishang shook his head. “But what place doesn’t have its share of historical issues when first founded?”

“Will we be discovered if we go?” Huasheng was uneasy.

“As long as we’re careful, we won’t get caught!” Young Lord Taishang’s face was full of cleverness.

“You seem more interested than me,” Huasheng thought Young Lord Taishang looked like he was about to go on vacation.

“Let’s go, let’s go! This is for your sake, Huasheng! Don’t you know, in all the best stories, when a forbidden zone is mentioned, it’s inevitable that you must enter it!” Young Lord Taishang hooked his arm around Huasheng’s neck, saying stylishly, “Boundaries exist to be crossed, rules to be broken! Ha ha!”

Huasheng suddenly suspected he’d fallen into a trap. Though this was for restoring his memory, it felt more like accompanying Young Lord Taishang on an outing.

Could this be the demeanor of immortals at a higher level? Huasheng shook his head in resignation.

Dawn arrived the next day.

On Young Lord Taishang’s suggestion, before sunrise, everyone gathered at a secluded spot outside the Academy. Early that morning, Huasheng went to Young Lord Taishang’s room, only to find it already tidied and empty.

So he went to the agreed meeting place. Yu arrived shortly after. They waited a while, but Young Lord Taishang was nowhere to be seen.

Yu grew impatient. “That third-generation official—did he oversleep?”

“He left earlier than me; when I got up his room was already empty. I thought he’d be here by now,” Huasheng said.

“Should we contact him?” Huasheng pulled out the Ruihua Mirror, but suddenly a gust of wind swept over them, blowing Yu’s silver hair into a swirling cascade. She pressed her hair down and looked up, only to see Young Lord Taishang descending atop a five-meter-long celestial crane.

“Wow! Arriving by crane, how impressive!” Huasheng had never been so close to such a giant crane before—one that could carry people. He was thrilled.

“Since Huasheng’s cloud-riding isn’t practiced, I thought riding a crane would be slower but more comfortable—it has a seat, saves energy.” Young Lord Taishang stroked the crane’s neck. “This is a treasure kept at the Academy. I snuck up to the top of Xuanwu Mountain and led one out early this morning.”

Yu said, “Isn’t the Xuanwu Mountain festival coming up? These cranes will be needed—you shouldn’t just take one!”

“Relax! The Academy keeps dozens; it’s not like the army counting heads every day—missing one or two won’t be noticed. Besides, they’re mostly ornamental pets; every now and then they need exercise. Right, little crane?” Young Lord Taishang patted the crane’s head.

The crane let out a melodic cry.

“Don’t pat it so recklessly—it might get angry. What if it refuses to carry us and throws us off mid-air?” Huasheng stopped Young Lord Taishang’s hand. He stroked the crane’s back, feeling the feathers soft and delicate, like touching a fine cashmere blanket.

“It’s almost fully light; soon crowds will pass by. If we take off then, we’ll attract attention. Better to depart now!” Yu stepped onto a cloud, floating up.

Young Lord Taishang stroked the crane’s neck. The creature, intelligent as expected, lowered itself for boarding. He sprang onto its back and pulled Huasheng up as well.

“I’ve never ridden a celestial crane before. Is there a safety belt?” Huasheng searched the crane’s back.

“Have you seen horses with safety belts?” Young Lord Taishang replied.

“But on takeoff and landing, I worry about stability. The feathers are so fine and slippery; several thousand meters up is daunting.”

“You think this is a private jet? Want an attendant too? Actually, there’s already a lovely young lady here.” Young Lord Taishang glanced at Huasheng. “Sir, would you like tea, coffee, or the young lady?”

Just then, the crane let out a sharp cry and soared skyward. Huasheng grabbed the feathers tightly, but it felt as steady as an elevator, soon lifting them into the air. Looking down, the entire Academy’s campus unfolded below, along with the Liyin Theatre where he’d watched a performance with Yu. The surrounding streets and buildings looked like tiny models nestled among endless green mountains and forests.

After reaching altitude, the crane began gliding smoothly. Perhaps due to the spells cast on it, wind didn’t touch its back, and the temperature was perfectly comfortable. Huasheng finally relaxed and enjoyed the scenery below.

He gazed at the panoramic view, gradually lost in thought. This was his first time leaving the Academy. He’d heard that Shengpingning spanned over six million square kilometers—almost a nation. Surely there were more wondrous cities beyond the Academy grounds. During his days in Shengpingning, he was fortunate to have met Young Lord Taishang and Yu; these two disciples, one immortal and one spirit, had helped him greatly on his path. Without them and Immortal Yuran, it was hard to imagine coping alone.

“What are you thinking?” Young Lord Taishang turned back. “It’s so quiet behind—I thought you’d fallen off.”

Huasheng laughed. “Actually, I want to thank you both. Young Lord Taishang, Yu, without you, I wouldn’t know what to do here!”

Yu turned her face to look at him, the academy robe’s long sleeves and deep silver hair swaying in the wind, setting off her snow-white skin and sweet smile.

Huasheng then noticed she had a charming little tiger tooth hidden in her smile.

“Such fortune is a blessing for Yu as well,” Yu said.

“Oh dear! Yu, you’re playing favorites. This place is too hot and crowded—I guess there’s no room for me,” Young Lord Taishang complained. “You two are destined from past lives. Yu, why don’t you sit on the crane’s back, and I’ll go ride the clouds for some cool air—I’m really on pins and needles here.”

Huasheng was about to respond, but Yu boldly said, “Alright! Do move aside then.”

With that, Yu stepped onto the crane’s back, squeezing Young Lord Taishang off and sending him tumbling from the sky. The crane, startled, bobbed up and down.

Huasheng pressed himself to the crane’s back, trying to grab Young Lord Taishang, but missed, watching him fall.

“Hey! Young Lord Taishang, are you alright?” Huasheng called down.

Young Lord Taishang floated back up, riding a cloud behind them. “Yu, you commandeer with no grace at all. Did you forget whose idea it was to bring the crane?”

Yu covered her mouth with her sleeve, laughing. “Yu is forgetful. But if the Academy discovers the crane’s gone, someone will have to take the blame!”

Above them was a sapphire sky, with sunlight shining warm and gentle. Yu stretched her slender, snow-white arms, making Huasheng’s heart pound.

The sunlight cast the crane’s shadow across the land below, its silhouette growing and shrinking against endless mountains, rivers, and fields.

Gazing at the boundless scenery beneath the crane’s wings, Huasheng suddenly felt that staying here was enough. The past, the memories—perhaps they mattered less. For the mortal world, he had already died. Since he was gone, why chase after memories of a previous life?

Not all questions must have answers. Perhaps some questions have no answers at all.

Huasheng’s eyes grew hot. He realized that all the beauty in the world was a delicate balance. The more beautiful it was, the harder it became to safeguard that fleeting equilibrium.