"Tell me, boy," the immortal's voice became sharp. "Can you protect her?"
An intangible pressure weighed down on Jiu Xian. The air around him became still. His knees felt weak. Resisting, he clenched his fists until his knuckles whitened.
'Mortals are one thing... but immortals...
I can make her happy... but can I provide her with resources?'
He took a deep breath and met his beloved's eyes.
"Immortal fairy, can I talk to Mie'ren in private?" He asked the fairy.
"Hmm" the woman nodded slightly.
Holding Mie'ren's hand he led her inside the house, straight to the inner chamber.
The inner chamber had been transformed personally by him, for the wedding. Petals scattered everywhere on the floor, a sweet fragrance wafted around. Candles in candle stands showered the room in soft comforting hue. On the opposite end to the door was a bed.
Traditions mandated that engaged couple could not share a bed before they were married. But for Jiu Xian and Bing Mei'ren traditions were the last of their worries.
Side by side, they sat on the bed, hands still held together.
"What do you want, Mie'ren?"
"I... I don't know Xian." She paused.
"I love you and I want to stay with you," she sniffled, tears forming in her eyes.
Taking a breath, she continued, her voice shaky.
"But— I also want to explore the world. Become a heroine like in books I read."
Hearing her words, Jiu Xian's chest suddenly tightened. His breathing quickened. His mind went blank.
He crossed his arms, closed his eyes.
Memories replayed inside.
"Xian'er, do you think immortals really exist?"
...
"I want to travel the world and see all its wonders."
He recalled the young Bing Mei'ren, asking him, preciously holding a thin picture book in her small hands.
...
"Brother! Aunty Pu scolded me, saying that I am a big girl now and big girls should focus on learning how to be a good wife... She told me to stop daydreaming..."
He remembered the teenage Bing Mei'ren, crying, becoming gloomier day by day as the villagers tried to force their standards onto her; to fit into the mold of the perfect virtuous wife.
...
"Son, when you love someone, you must support them with all your heart. And if you cannot support them..."
"Never be the shackle that binds them."
His mind flashed back to his father, advising him with tears in his eyes.
A long time passed in silence.
Jiu Xian's eyes finally opened.
He turned to Mie'ren. His teary eyes met hers.
"Mie'ren, I love you..."
"But... I won't be your shackle." His vision blurred, he tasted salt.
"You have always wanted to get out of this well; out of this Crouching Fish Village."
"Xian..." Mie'ren hugged him tightly, tears endlessly streaming out of her eyes.
"Don't cry Mie'ren." He hugged her back.
"It's not our final goodbye."
"We are only parting to meet again. You can even write me letters and maybe you could even visit me sometimes, if the immortal fairy allows it."
They stayed in each other's embrace for a long time. Their hearts held a thousand words, but to them—
Silence felt more comfortable.
Not knowing how much time had passed, the two separated.
"Come on Mie'ren, let's go to the immortal fairy."
Jiu Xian held Bing Mie'ren's hand and started to head back to the courtyard.
Whoosh!
The fairy materialised in front of them.
"I am already here."
She looked at the Jiu Xian with widened eyes.
"I have to admit. I have travelled far and long... but rarely have I seen a youth as calm and collected as you."
"I wish I could take you with me, but alas, my sect only accepts female disciples. I don't like sad farewells. Here, take this. This might help you in starting your cultivation journey."
She handed him a delicately crafted cloth pouch. The pouch was small and light, but to him, it felt heavier than anything he had ever held.
"If you have the fate and can reach Golden Core Realm before a hundred years, you can find Mie'ren at Ice Jade Palace."
With the wave of her hand a gust of wind emerged, pushing Bing Mie'ren over to her side.
She flicked her hand one more time.
This time, they vanished.
Jiu Xian now stood alone in the bridal chamber.
The earlier gust of wind had scattered the flowers across the floor and extinguished the candles leaving the once bright room in darkness—just like his heart.
Though he had spoken bravely and supported her, now that she was gone—
He felt empty.
For a long time, he stared at the spot where his beloved and the immortal had vanished.
He cried till he could no more. Then washing his face with water from a washbasin, he checked himself in the bronze mirror and walked toward the courtyard, where the villagers waited.
He put on the best and fakest smile he could.
"PEOPLE!! My Mie'ren is going to become an immortal. It calls for celebration. Today we drink till we pass out!"
"A TOAST TO MIE'REN " he shouted at the top of his lungs.
After he addressed the people a somewhat reasonable explanation he poured himself a drink from the ceramic bottle.
The elders of the village looked at him with pity. The young men of the village were gloating and the single women' eyes were filled with some hope?
A love that should have been a fairy tale,
Broken—
by a fairy.
As for Jiu Xian, he kept on drinking. The more he drank, the number he became to the pain. Each glass helped him drown his sorrow, a little further. His eyes lost their clarity.
...
Meanwhile, a long distance away from the village, two figures could be seen floating in the sky.
"Child, don't cry. You are lucky to have someone who loves you and understands you like this... It's just that he doesn't have the strength to protect you.
"Hmm... How about this? You become so strong that you can protect him and yourself from this chaotic world."
Bai Ruexue placated Bing Mie'ren, knowing full well that they were going to be part of different worlds...
Time and distance are cruel mistresses.
"En..." Bing Mie'ren nodded, wiping the tears from her face.
"Let's go to the sect and perform the initiation ceremony."
The master and disciple duo flew off to the distant horizon.