Chapter 20. Misty Boats

"Master…" Hatsuki was at a loss of words while walking downstairs. Ever since the maid learned that they'd be leaving for heaven, she had dressed Hatsuki in a completely different attire. 

The golden aoqun with various hand-laced embroideries of the winter flowers were decorated around the shoulder and the wrists. Similarly, the black mianmian skirt had the embroideries of the forests, trees and more. 

Letting a few of the strands loose, the rest were tighty pinned into a bun and hair pin was attached. 

As Hatsuki descended from the stairs, she could feel the matser's gaze upon herself. It wasn't intense but still made her cautious, making Hatsuki avoid his face. 

"Even the mist would clear up at your sight, hiding away in shyness." He remarked while almost about to pat her, but the maid slightly brought Hatsuki closer to herself. 

"I hope that master would not disrupt my handwork" The maid replied with her head facing downwards. 

The suddenness definitely irked a bone within him, but he calmed himself down while replying "I shall keep that in mind." 

The maid bowed back and then left the living room. The room was filled with silence as there was no one present apart from Hatsuki and her master. 

"Shall we go?" The master asked while bringing his palm towards her. 

'Eh?' Hatsuki was taken aback by his gesture even so, she placed her hand on top of his. "Yes" she hummed and so, together they headed to the backyard where the big air ship had landed. They stepped onto the ship and slowly the ship rose up in the air. 

Unlike the previous experience, Hatsuki was much more calm and even more experience. She had no trouble heading at the deck of the ship. The cold wind brought shivers and yet the view from high above made the trip worth the while. 

Being by the Master's side, Hatsuki placed her hands on the reiling while watching the day unfold for the people. 

As per what the master had informed her, Zhenren was a way to identity the perfect human but even among those people, Zhenren was widely recognized as the Master of Medince. 

Master Zhenren who was deemed as the "True Physician Immortal". He was the imperial doctor at the heavens, providing his servics to the Jade King and the Empress of the west. Written in many of the folklores and famous for being compassionate, Zhenren was one of the twelve golden immortals. 

'How am I truly supposed to be in the presence of such a distinguished person?' Hatsuki questioned her abilities and truly weighted her skills. Although the engagement had been faked, many could hate her for being incompetent as she stood next to the Arbiter. 

'Would everything even be alright?' Her eyes shine depleted. The heaviness burdened her since it was an unfamiliar place and people. 

"It seems we are about to reach the Southern Lands. The presence of the portal is close" The master muttered. His voice was audible enough for her to listen. 

"Does every land have a portal?" she inquired while feeling lost amongst the picturesque views. 

"Not really. Only the east and the south have portals" Yuki replied. His even mind was occupied by many of the thoughts regarding the upcoming clusters of events. 

After a while the ship started to descend at the land. The portal for the heaven had opened near the sea. There was an arched stone-made doorframe which was clear to the eye and next to it was the sea which was dark black instead of the reflection of the sky and sun. 

The ship laded on the surface and thus descended the the couple. The Master had held her hand, not letting go for even a bit. 

"It seems so…normal" Hatsuki felt conflicted since the normal to her wasn't the same in the underworld. Moreover, shouldn't the portals have exsazurating alot of energy? 

"Or maybe you over complicate the heaven? It's just a land for gods and goddesses, similiar to the underworld" The master tried to reassure but it had an opposite effect. She felt even more nervous as the reality dawned upon her. She was about to go to the heaven just to meet Zhenren. 

"Let's go," said the master as he took the first step. Hesitant was written all over Hatsuki since she could barely feel her legs. Her lower body felt cold and immovable yet even so, she couldn't give up so soon. 

Mustering up the courage, Hatsuki too took the steps and while squinting her eyes and walking gingerly, they passed through the portal enteirng the heaven. They were brought to the cultivation mountains where the hills were separated from the rest due to their shortness. 

"It seems the old man had informed the higher ups. Let's go" Yuki sneered while still keeping a hawk eye around the surroundings. 

An arched bridge was ahead of them joining them to the hill nearby. 

"Who even built it?" she murmured while curiously looking around. They were at a very high elevation and the entire place was filled with mist and clouds. The bridge made of stone had a little pagoda shaped temple at the centre of the bridge. 

With each step, she could feel the fear slipping away yet she dared not leave the master's side. 

"When will we reach master?" She queried with excitement. Her skirt flowed as she eached for the bridge's edge, lowering her head to see the sight of the green hills and trees which were like little ants. 

"We have to take the boat though the misty lake, then after we will reach there" The master replied simply enjoying the little moments. 

Without any breaks the couple walked down the slippery stone steps of the mountain. The musky petrichor fragrance filled up the air. The patchy mud under their feet and the feet greens was in its own sense a zen. 

At the foot of the mountain, was a large water body which went as far as it met the eye. The unsullied green water was still and filled with mist. At the edge, a little bamboo boat had been tied. 

"Get on" The master asked while holding her hand firmly. Hatsuki took slow steps making sure not to fall and then, hopped onto the boat. Then after the master too got on it and uptied the boat. 

The boat was unusually dry, not a speck of water had reached on it. 

"Hatsuki" The master called, as he could see her mesmerized by the sight of the hill reflected onto the river. 

"Yes?" 

"Lean on me."