Han Shan's Sword Unsheathed prologue 47 Jan 31, 2019

Prologue

It was a time of peace across three realms1.

Ji Xiao-zhanren visited the Great Celestial Lake to ask for spiritual medicine that could help one reshape the body and shed their old form to live anew.

The Celestial Lake was hidden behind drifting, woven dark clouds that covered the entirety of sky and earth.

Ji Xiao rode on the wind. The sun only peeked out from behind the clouds in brief moments; and by the lakeside there was lustrous light and melodious music.

Ruling over the Great Celestial Lake was Ji Xiao's senior-apprentice brother. After achieving remarkable feats, he departed to found a sect of his own, lifting a whole lake into the air above the Southern Sea, concealing it with the clouds and using spell formations for protection.

The two had been acquaintances for over two hundred years, and their relationship ran deep. It was not necessary for Ji Xiao to visit by himself, but this time he requested the medicine not for his own well-being, but for a demon's.

A demon so heavily injured he was practically at death's door already.

The Lake's Lord hesitated after listening to the story. "This demon has caused so many casualties, his wild nature will be hard to tame. I don't think you should let him stay with you."

"He promised me that he would kill no more."

Ji Xiao's face was indifferent, but inside, he thought about how docile, clever and vivacious that demon was.

The two had tea on an isle in the middle of the lake, staring at each other silently.

The water had gotten cold, steam no longer coming out. The Lord knew that he could not deny this request, handing the medicine to the other eventually.

"How do you plan to treat him?"

Ji Xiao replied without thinking. "Provide him with food and clothes, keep him warm, change his name."

The Lord sent his brother off himself, asking once more when they were about to part, "Have you thought of a name yet?"

Ji Xiao spent a few minutes in thought. "Our paths crossed on a snowy day, and life was as fleeting as a dream. He will be Meng Xueli2."

The other disapproved. "Too crass."

Ji Xiao said, "Ones with common names are easier to raise3."

1 In a xianxia setting the Three Realms typically refer to the Heavens, the Mortal Realm and the Earth/Underworld.

2 雪里 (xuělǐ) means "in the snow".

3 A common belief in some Asian countries.

Translator's note: Happy holiday, and sorry for the inactivity last week! I had two very important exams to study for so I didn't have much time for translating; but now that they're out of the way, everything should resume as usual! This is another project that I'll be working on, and though updates won't be as frequent as Wanderers, I still hope you look forward to it ❤ Wanderers‘s new chapter will be up very soon.