NOVEL NEXT Chapter 35: Chapter 35.
Before continuing the current story, let's tell another tale—one about Emperor Xuanyuan and a young man named Jiang Zhu.
(This story will differ slightly as it includes a new character. Certain elements in the current timeline diverge from the original plot. Reading ten more chapters will make it clear.)
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Early Summer, 2717 BCE
In the land of Shenzhou (modern-day China), humanity suffered the relentless onslaught of Honkai beasts. At that time, people lived in tribes, and they called the place most ravaged by the fierce battles against Honkai beasts The Nine Provinces.
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A young boy from the Jiang tribe was being chased by a Honkai beast.
"Pant, pant! Damn it! I'm going to drop dead from all this running!"
As he sprinted frantically through the forest, the red-haired boy named Jiang Zhu nervously glanced back at the Honkai beast hot on his trail.
The monstrous, pale figure with glowing violet veins was enormous and menacing. Whether by chance or design, it had been chasing him relentlessly for miles.
"Why won't you just let me go? Ahh!"
Cursing his rotten luck, Jiang Zhu tripped over a rock and tumbled to the ground.
Pale-faced and trembling, Jiang Zhu braced himself for what he was sure would be his gruesome demise. But instead of feeling fear, he froze at the sight of a petite girl in ochre-colored robes leaping gracefully into the air, wielding a sword.
"My sword, transform into frost and obliterate the enemy!"
With a single slash, the monstrous creature was split in two, its body frozen solid before shattering into icy fragments.
The chilling aura emanating from the sword froze even the nearby trees.
Stunned by the immense power that contrasted with the girl's small stature, Jiang Zhu could do nothing but stare in awe.
The girl, carrying a golden sword by her side, addressed him.
"Descendant of Shennong, I swear to protect you."
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This marked the first encounter between Jiang Zhu and the girl named Ji Xuanyuan—the slayer of monsters, banisher of evil, and the one who would later be remembered as Emperor Xuanyuan by the people of the Nine Provinces.
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The Xuanyuan Sword was a sacred artifact bestowed upon the Xiong Clan by the immortals. Believed to protect the clan, it ultimately failed to save them from annihilation. Ji Xuanyuan, the clan's sole survivor, took up the responsibility of guarding the sword. She later awakened the Xuanyuan Seal, granting her immense power to wield the sword and vanquish the Honkai.
The Xuanyuan Sword, imbued with six elemental gems, allowed her to command the elements of Heaven, Earth, Water, Fire, Wind, and Thunder.
Because of her unparalleled strength, she received countless marriage proposals from other tribes. However, they sought not her affection but the power she possessed.
Lavish gifts were offered as betrothal tokens, but these only served to make her more distant and indifferent. Eventually, the tribes gave up their pursuits, recognizing her resolute rejection.
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Reflecting on the tales of Emperor Xuanyuan, I sat down on a small rock, stirring a medicinal brew in a pot.
As the son of the chieftain of the Shennong Tribe, I was well-versed in herbal medicine. When I discovered that the girl who had saved me was Emperor Xuanyuan herself, I led my tribe to join hers.
Later, she entrusted me with the task of finding a rare herb called Water Lung Grass (Eleocharis dulcis)
For an herbalist like me, identifying such a plant wasn't difficult. However, it only grew in autumn, and it would be a few weeks before the season arrived. So, I decided to continue my work as a healer while waiting for the right time.
One of my favorite tasks during this period was caring for Emperor Xuanyuan's companion, the bird Jingwei.
I particularly enjoyed this because it was one of the rare moments when I could see the emperor smile.
Time passed peacefully. At her request, I began searching for sacred artifacts she needed, though most were unfamiliar to me. The only item I recognized was Jade Essence. Hearing that it was a sweet delicacy, I decided to substitute it with water chestnuts, knowing their flour could make a translucent, delicious dessert.
On my journey to find water chestnuts, I encountered many dangers but was repeatedly saved by a mysterious stranger.
He wore a black cloak over white robes and carried an unusual azure-hued sword. His silver hair and golden eyes gave him an otherworldly presence, and he hid the upper half of his face behind a fox-shaped mask. He didn't seem to be a local.
When I tried to converse with him, he appeared awkward, relying on hand gestures instead of words.
He seemed to understand my language but couldn't speak it fluently. After several attempts, he managed to utter simple phrases.
The enigmatic man called himself Fēngyuè (Wind and Moon). He claimed to be a wandering traveler from the Far East. While he remained tight-lipped about his origins, I felt he was trustworthy.
When a bear attacked us, he effortlessly drove it away without harming or killing it.
When I asked why, he explained that it was a mother bear during hibernation season. Hearing this, I realized we had intruded on her territory.
The bear's aggression was a mother's instinct to protect her young.
Understanding this, I couldn't help but admire him. Though he was a man of few words, his actions spoke volumes.
After I found the water chestnuts, he vanished without a trace, leaving me briefly unnerved, wondering if I had encountered a ghost.
Reassuring myself, I returned and began preparing a dessert with the water chestnuts using a recipe I knew.
Jingwei, ever curious, watched intently as I worked. Amused, I set aside a small portion and made a tiny, pill-shaped treat for the bird.
Once the desserts were ready, I presented them to Emperor Xuanyuan.
The four golden, translucent cakes gleamed enticingly on the plate. She hesitated but eventually picked up her chopsticks and took a bite.
Savoring the sweet flavor, she couldn't help but softly exclaim, a faint smile gracing her lips.
"So, this is the taste of Jade Essence? It's so sweet. This is the best cake I've ever had."
Chuckling, I confessed,
"Actually, Your Majesty, this dessert is made from water chestnuts. But if you enjoy it, I'd be happy to prepare more for you in the future."
She nodded silently, but her expression revealed her delight.
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As autumn arrived, I set off to find the Water Lung Grass.
Meanwhile, deep within the forest, Fēngyuè rested atop a black ebony tree, his sharp golden eyes observing Jiang Zhu and Emperor Xuanyuan from afar.
Holding the water chestnut flour, he snapped his fingers, bypassing the tedious preparation process. The ingredients transformed into perfect water chestnut cakes, which floated neatly onto a plate.
Taking a bite, he murmured,
"Hmm, not bad."
Moments later, as golden leaves began to fall, heralding the arrival of autumn, he vanished once more—like a phantom of the wind.