Mist Willow Town

Bathed in the slanting rays of the setting sun, Yang Fan's shadow stretched long across the ground as he gazed at the tranquil little town that had haunted his dreams. For the first time in his life, he was overwhelmed by emotion, and tears welled in his eyes.

He had never known his birth mother. From infancy, he and his father had depended on each other for survival, making their home in Mist Willow Town. His father had married a simple woman from the town, and when Yang Fan was two, his younger brother, Yang Lei, was born.

At the age of six, Yang Fan's father sent him to the neighboring Yang family estate. Elder Liu had accepted him without hesitation, not even bothering to test his aptitude for the immortal arts. A year later, Yang Lei, determined to follow his brother, begged to be sent along. With much reluctance and many tears, their mother had sent him to the Yang family stronghold as well.

Thus began twelve long years of rigorous cultivation.

Fearing she might disrupt her sons' training, their mother, Lady Yang, never moved to the stronghold, remaining instead in Mist Willow Town with her adopted daughter, Yang Huixin, for company. During those twelve years, Yang Fan and his brother only returned home once or twice each year, and always for the major festivals.

"Mist Willow Town..." Yang Fan wiped away his tears, feeling an unprecedented mix of nostalgia and excitement. He now realized that Mist Willow Town had always been a pure, untouched corner of his heart. Having recently lost his powers, isolated within the Yang family stronghold, and subjected to mockery and humiliation, the town felt even more precious. 

As he walked the path back to Mist Willow Town, beneath the setting sun, a flood of unspeakable emotions surged within him. The narrow trail, the willow groves, and the serene little town lay before him, peaceful as ever, like a slumbering maiden. 

When Yang Fan finally entered the town, his return caused only a minor stir. After all, Mist Willow Town was a place where ordinary mortals dwelled, cut off from the happenings of the world of cultivation. Here, even if the villagers had heard of his return, stripped of his powers, they would not sneer and trample on him as those in the stronghold had done.

"Isn't that Yang Tian's eldest son? Didn't he go to the Yang family stronghold to study the immortal arts? Why has he returned now?"

"There's been word. They say he made some mistake in his cultivation and lost his powers, so now he's just an ordinary man, back home…"

"Heh, so what if he's not cultivating anymore? He's a fine-looking young man, isn't he? Any girl would fancy him. Maybe I'll play matchmaker for him one of these days."

As he walked through the town, familiar faces greeted him.

"Hey, Brother Fan! Weren't you off cultivating? Why are you back now?"

It was Tieniu from next door, his sharp eyes spotting Yang Fan from a distance.

"Tieniu, it's been a year and you've grown even stronger," Yang Fan said with a grin.

Tieniu was his age, born heavy at birth, and blessed with natural strength. He had apprenticed under a martial artist in the mortal world and had reportedly learned a few impressive techniques. Now, Tieniu stood like a giant ox, towering over Yang Fan, his body muscular and imposing like a small giant.

"Brother Fan, since you're back from cultivation, you must've learned a few spells. Let's spar sometime!" Tieniu boomed, his voice loud enough to echo down the street.

At the Yang family's old house, Lady Yang was in the middle of her chores when she heard the commotion outside.

"Huixin, I think I just heard Tieniu yelling about your brother being back…"

"I'll go see, Mother," came a soft, gentle voice from a young woman's room.

"Enough talk for now, Tieniu. I'm going inside to see Mother and Huixin," Yang Fan said with a smile, leaving his neighbor and making his way to his childhood home.

The wooden house, built eighteen years ago by his father, stood before him. It was as old as Yang Fan himself. Gazing at the familiar structure, a wave of indescribable emotion washed over him. He whispered to himself, "Father… where have you gone?"

Just then, the door creaked open.

"Brother…" A familiar, graceful figure appeared in the doorway, her voice filled with joy.

Standing before him was a young girl of fifteen or sixteen, dressed in simple clothes, with bright eyes, pearly teeth, and a delicate face as fair as jade. Her silky black hair was tied neatly behind her, and her voice was as gentle as a breeze, soothing as water, her eyes shining with a lively intelligence.

"Huixin, your brother is back," Yang Fan said with a smile, gazing fondly at his sister. It had only been six months since he'd last seen her, but the once-promising beauty had now fully blossomed. Even more enchanting was her sweet, melodic voice, which brought a sense of peace to anyone who heard it.

"Mother, Mother! Brother's home! Come quickly!" Yang Huixin called out happily, grabbing Yang Fan's hand and pulling him into the house.

"Fan'er's back…" A trembling voice came from inside, and Lady Yang appeared, tears filling her eyes as she gazed upon her eldest son.

"Mother, your son has returned," Yang Fan said softly, stepping forward to take his mother's hand, noticing the new lines on her face.

"It's good that you're back. It's good that you're back," Lady Yang said, wiping her tears. She didn't ask why he had returned or where his brother, Yang Lei, was.

"Come, sit down. It's getting late. I'll prepare dinner," she said after a few words, then hurried off to the kitchen.

Yang Fan was deeply moved. He could tell that his mother and sister already knew about his loss of powers, but neither of them mentioned it.

"Brother, now that you're home, stay and rest. Mist Willow Town is your home," Yang Huixin said as she poured him tea, her voice filled with warmth.

She began chatting about the small, happy things happening around town, filling the air with joy. Yang Fan listened quietly, unwilling to break the calm, cozy atmosphere.

"Huixin, you're seventeen now. According to the customs here, it's about time for you to marry. Are there any suitable families in the town?" Yang Fan asked, gently bringing up his sister's future.

At his words, Huixin blushed, lowering her head shyly. What girl wouldn't feel bashful when her marriage was discussed?

"Ahem," Yang Fan coughed, trying to mask his awkwardness with a laugh. "I forgot this is the mortal world."

In the world of mortals, customs and traditions bound people tightly. In the world of immortals, there was far more freedom. There, it wasn't uncommon for male and female cultivators to meet and fall in love, often without anyone raising an eyebrow. But in the mortal realm, such behavior would bring shame and disgrace upon a girl, branding her as unchaste or immoral. In some places, girls who broke these rules were even thrown into rivers as sacrifices to the river gods.

After spending so much time in the realm of cultivators, where such rigid customs didn't exist, Yang Fan had almost forgotten the strict rules of the mortal world.

"It's not your fault, Brother," Huixin said softly, glancing shyly at him. "There have been quite a few suitors lately, but… I don't care for any of these worldly men. Fortunately, Mother respects my wishes."

"Haha," Yang Fan chuckled. "So, it seems my sister has high standards, looking down on these mortal suitors. Are you hoping to find a match in the world of immortals?"

"Brother, don't tease me…" Huixin smiled, her shyness slowly fading. But then her bright eyes dimmed slightly as she added, "Ever since I was little, I envied you and our younger brother, heading off to the mountains to cultivate. How I longed to follow in your footsteps. But alas, I'm too dull-witted, unable to cultivate, destined to remain here in the mortal world, watching as the immortals drift through life, carefree and untouchable."

Yang Fan sighed softly. "Listen to me, Huixin. Never fall in love with someone from the world of immortals. The gap between mortals and immortals is too great. Our lifespans differ so vastly that no love can endure the ravages of time. It will only lead to heartbreak."

Huixin's eyes flickered with a hint of sadness. "Brother, what are your plans now?"

"The path to immortality is a road of no return…" Yang Fan's gaze grew deep and distant, an otherworldly aura emanating from him, blending seamlessly with the world around him, yet standing apart from it.

Huixin's heart trembled at his words, her bright eyes filled with a sudden, inexplicable emotion.

Just then, a muffled sound came from the kitchen.

"Mother! What happened?" Both Yang Fan and Huixin stood up and rushed to the kitchen, only to find their mother had accidentally cut her finger while chopping vegetables.

"It's nothing…" Lady Yang said with a pained smile. "Just a small cut. I'll bandage it and be fine. You two go back and chat."

"Let me help you, Mother," Huixin insisted, taking over the kitchen duties.

"Mother, come over here," Yang Fan said, gently taking her injured hand. "I've

 been studying medicine lately. Let me treat you."

He placed his other hand over her wound, and a faint, invisible mist began to flow from his palm, settling over the cut. He massaged her hand gently, pretending to apply pressure to her acupuncture points.

Lady Yang felt a cool sensation spread through her finger as the pain melted away. In just a few moments, the wound, which had been deep, had healed completely, new skin smooth and unblemished.

"Huh?" 

As the wound vanished, Yang Fan felt a sudden, strange sensation stirring within him.