Love & Redemption
Chapter 280: Liuli Fanfiction - The Past of Tengshe

Chapter 280: Liuli Fanfiction - The Past of Tengshe

This is a fan fiction side story written by the reader Qin Tianjie.

It’s truly stunning, incredibly moving, sharing it here for everyone to celebrate together~ hehe.

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Early morning, as Ying Long, who had just finished his shift, was hurrying back to his lair, he encountered Tengshe, disheveled, sleepy-eyed, and with his hair in a complete mess draping over his shoulders.

"Tengshe, good morning."

"Morning."

"What’s the rush?"

"... Going to cover for Vermilion Bird’s shift."

"Did Vermilion Bird descend to the human world again?"

"Hmph."

Ying Long watched the retreating figure until the flamboyant, elegant white hair was just a small fluttering point in the distance. Then he patted his head and headed to the pond in his own territory.

With a "splash", he dived into the chilly water, and Ying Long sighed comfortably, casually asking the maid beside him, "Did Emperor Bai leave any instructions yesterday?"

The maid replied, "Emperor Bai didn’t leave any messages for you, but Vermilion Bird was ordered to descend to the Lower Realm again to quell a Demon Realm rebellion, it seems."

Ying Long curled up in the water, after waiting a while, looked at the maid, "Hmm? That’s it?"

The maid thought for a moment, then added, "Indeed, that’s it... Oh, except to remind Tengshe not to be late for his shift."

Ying Long let out a chuckle, recalling that fellow’s face in the morning, which clearly wasn’t just sulky from waking up, and involuntarily cast a Spell, flicking a string of water droplets, which acted as a medium to initiate a conversation with Tengshe:

"Tengshe, morning."

"... Morning."

"Are you still diligently doing your duty in the Heavenly Court?"

"..."

"Yesterday, a few new little fairies visited me in the Heavenly Court, bringing some rather novel things. I’ll send a few over to your duty room to relieve your boredom, how’s that?"

"... I’m not interested, so stop bothering me."

A "bang" rang out as the water droplets at Ying Long’s fingertips instantly turned into wisps of steam.

Ying Long winced and withdrew his finger, singed by the little flame that curled back upon him, thinking that this guy’s temper was as fiery as ever. Ying Long pondered with concern, while Emperor Bai was currently very fond of Tengshe and never held his tantrums against him, if one day Emperor Bai grew tired of this attitude, what then for Tengshe’s future?

In any case, becoming more docile could never be wrong. After some thought, Ying Long decided to implement a "Clarity Plan" to save the career of his hotheaded friend whose temper was as explosive as his abilities.

The first thing Ying Long considered was the subtle influence of one’s environment. There’s a well-known saying in the human world, "One takes on the color of one’s company." Ying Long believed this approach was worth trying. As such, the next day, he invited Tengshe to visit the Spiritual Turtle, who resided on an island in the East Sea.

The Spiritual Turtle had become enlightened over ten thousand years ago, one of the first spiritual beasts to cultivate the way of immortality and ascend to the Heavenly Court from Ancient Times, also a highly respected elder within the Divine Beasts. With a nature that favored tranquility, the Spiritual Turtle had hardly ever left his secluded East Sea Immortal Residence, spending his days in meditation and disregarding worldly affairs. Ying Long heard from other Divine Beasts that the venerable old turtle spent eleven out of twelve hours each day in deep meditation, using the remaining hour to record the life philosophies he contemplated during those eleven hours. He couldn’t help but marvel at how the elder’s character displayed a profound level of calmness; if Tengshe could genuinely engage with him about the essence of life and philosophy of dealing with the world, it would surely temper Tengshe’s impulsiveness perfectly.

Tengshe was quite dismissive about going to a desolate island in the East Sea first thing in the morning to visit an old turtle who was practically one foot in the grave. However, not wanting to snub his brother, he reluctantly descended from the clouds and knocked on the gate of the Spiritual Turtle’s Immortal Residence.

The doorman was a demi-immortal little turtle, who slowly opened the door, sluggishly led Tengshe and Ying Long to the central courtyard, then leisurely poured some tea, and at last, lethargically informed the two that his master was in meditation, asking the esteemed Divine Beasts to kindly wait for a moment.

So the two waited, from the sun rising high to its setting beyond the western mountains, the grand empty hall now carried a slight chill in the breeze. Tengshe paced back and forth and finally erupted:

"What on earth is that old turtle doing? Why is he dragging his feet like this!"

Ying Long hurriedly gestured for him to lower his voice. Although the thousand-year-old spiritual turtle’s true form was indeed an old turtle, the creature had joined the ranks of the immortals before you were even born, so such a designation seemed somewhat disrespectful.

Who knew Tengshe would actually slam the table:

"I’m not waiting any longer, I’m leaving first, you stay here if you want."

When Ying Long saw him stomping his foot, ready to stride into the clouds, he quickly grabbed him, whispering, "Be patient, don’t be rash."

"Rash my head! I’m not doing anything that makes me feel uncomfortable."

Tengshe angrily tried to shake off Ying Long’s hand but couldn’t break free, so in his fury—and no longer caring that he was in someone else’s home—his fiery red Divine Wings flared open with a swoosh, brilliant flames soaring into the sky, making the fiery clouds arranged by Star Lord Mao Ri a moment earlier lose all their color.

Reckless, utterly reckless. Ying Long gritted his teeth and summoned his Divine Power to pull at Tengshe, and for a moment, the normally tranquil skies above the East Sea were partly obscured by a black dragon and partly clear, with two massive Divine Beasts clawing and thrashing among the rising steam, drawing a crowd of little fairies in training from the vicinity to watch the spectacle, chattering excitedly.

Somewhere in the crowd of onlookers, an old man with white hair had joined unnoticed.

The old man stared blankly at the intense battle in the sky, sighed deeply after a long moment, and muttered, "I’ve gotten old, truly old."

After fighting for a long while, Ying Long finally realized something was amiss. He dissipated the clouds and rain and descended to the ground, spotting the millennia-old spiritual turtle, who looked like a child despite his crane-white hair. Stunned, he stood in place. Tengshe, finding himself without an opponent mid-battle, perched atop a tree and, folding his arms, shouted at Ying Long: "Why don’t you save your efforts? I don’t need anyone’s guidance. I walk my own path; what does it have to do with others?"

Out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of the spiritual turtle’s figure, but he showed no sign of taking back his words, instead upping the ante by challenging, "Spiritual Turtle old master, am I right or what?"

Ying Long’s head buzzed instinctively as he turned towards the spiritual turtle to see the latter clapping slowly and saying, "Well spoken."

Ying Long was at a loss for words, thinking that perhaps the old turtle had been befuddled by anger. He hurried forward to make amends, "We didn’t mean to disturb your honor’s meditation or offend you in any way. It was truly an oversight."

The elderly spiritual turtle smiled and waved his hand genially: "You, child, know respect and see the big picture. You’re a good kid. However," he pointed towards the sky, in the direction of Tengshe: "That kid is not bad either."

Ying Long stood thunderstruck.

The elderly turtle went on unhurriedly: "Vibrant and natural, embodying true spontaneity, such courage has been rare in the Heavenly Court since the great war of ancient times. He truly is a likable young one; it would be nice if we had more of his kind among the younger generation."

Tengshe stood smugly in midair, giving Ying Long a knowing wink, but Ying Long seemed not to hear him.

As the elderly turtle looked up at the dimming sky, he expressed his regret: "The time is getting late, and I should enter meditation. You two little fairies should head back first. I won’t see you out. If you find time, remember to visit this old fellow again."

******

After returning from the East Sea, Ying Long felt utterly disheartened.

Tengshe, utterly carefree, went out to play, unable to grasp Ying Long’s sorrow. With the weight of times past upon him, Ying Long wondered if he was fated to be a fusspot. Despite the blow he had taken, he was still preoccupied with plans for transforming Tengshe’s personality.

After much thought, Ying Long finally convinced himself. He was not a busybody but a good kid who liked to stick it out to the end—the essence of youth lay exactly in what that raspy-voiced human man sang: "persist until the end."

So, with dark circles under his eyes, Ying Long resolved to never give up on Tengshe.

Considering how problematic and incredibly powerful Tengshe was, how could one go about transforming his worldview with educational guidance? Ying Long was deeply worried, so much so that he was distracted on duty, absent-minded during greetings, and even when simply walking—he first collided with a utility pole, then a Night Wanderer, and the third time with Vermilion Bird, who had just completed his mission and was rushing back to the Heavenly Court to report.

Vermilion Bird was shocked to see Ying Long’s bruised forehead, "Ying Long, you..." It wasn’t from bumping into me, was it?!

Ying Long sighed in dejection, and upon seeing it was Vermilion Bird, a torrent of grievances bubbled within him, but he just couldn’t spill them out.

He couldn’t confide in anyone about this matter, especially not Vermilion Bird. Despite his other shortcomings, Vermilion Bird had an innately zealous heart. If Ying Long were to lament to him, Vermilion Bird would undoubtedly make a grand gesture and generously promise, "Leave it to me!"

Sure enough, Vermilion Bird approached, clapped Ying Long on the shoulder, and said, "What’s gotten you down, buddy? If there’s any problem, leave it to me!"

Ying Long swallowed hard, thinking that he couldn’t possibly leave it to him, and replied evasively, "It’s nothing major, just that I recently took in a Heavenly Dog that really loves sweets — you know too many sweets aren’t good, and I want to get him to switch to sour, but I can’t think of how."

Vermilion Bird chuckled and responded, "Brother, you’re funny. To be so worried over such a small thing, that’s unlike you."

Ying Long latched onto Vermilion Bird’s response, thinking that maybe the simple-minded Vermilion Bird really had a solution, so he said, "Could it be that you have a strategy? Tell me quickly."

"Well, I don’t have a strategy as such. But, if you could somehow cause the Heavenly Dog’s teeth to suffer a little damage from too many sweets, the dog, having learned its lesson the hard way, would naturally switch to sour — problem solved, right?"

Ying Long was startled.

Of course, why hadn’t he thought of that? While he didn’t have a way to damage the teeth directly, he could find some horrifying examples to serve as a warning. If he kept an eye on Tengshe and started to collect some grisly, troubling examples to show him, over time Tengshe would likely have an epiphany.

Ying Long hadn’t expected the opportunity to arrive so quickly.

At an ordinary gathering of his immortal friends, he learned the once glorious War God General, stubborn and self-righteous, was about to be cast into the cycle of reincarnation.

How splendid that general had been in the past, so notable that even someone as indifferent as Ying Long remembered her. He thought this was an excellent case study and immediately sought out Tengshe, casually bringing it up:

"Tengshe, do you know of the War God General?"

"Hmm?" Tengshe, his mouth full of food and somewhat absent-minded, replied unclearly, "Seems like... I know a little, a very beautiful chick, heard she’s quite powerful too."

"I saw her today."

"Oh?" Tengshe’s interest was piqued, "Where is she? I’ve heard people say she also practices Fire Manipulation, and has some other tricks up her sleeve. I’ve always wanted to... um, have a friendly spar with her. To see how my Divine Fire compares to her power!"

Ying Long feigned a sigh, "Alas, you’re one step too late."

"What happened?"

"That general has been cast into the cycle of reincarnation."

"What? How could she... be cast into reincarnation?"

Finally arriving at the pivotal moment, Ying Long took a deep breath and started speaking earnestly and passionately, enunciating every word clearly in one breath:

"That general! Relying on the favoritism of the Heavenly Emperor! Acted recklessly! Stubborn and uncompromising! Unwilling to be patient! Even had several disputes with the Heavenly Emperor! And so! She was cast into reincarnation! Tortured without end! Her future utterly ruined!!"

Tengshe was silent.

Ying Long felt as if he could sense Tengshe’s forthcoming enlightenment and couldn’t help feeling excited and tense. He even anticipated his next words — they should be a profound expression of remorse: "Ah, how tragic! From now on, I’ll obey the Immortal Emperor wholeheartedly, and never be like her!"

He waited with bated breath, only to see Tengshe slowly lift his head, his eyes flickering with two ominous little flames.

With a single breezy remark, Tengshe plunged Ying Long into hell.

"So the War God General has descended to the Lower Realm? Perfect, next time I fight her, it won’t alarm the Heavenly Emperor!"

Ying Long was heartbroken.

Since his birth until now, Ying Long had never felt such sorrow. He curled himself into a ball, deeply submerged under the water, and no calls could lure him out.

He felt as though he were about to be crushed to death, and he didn’t want to deal with that damned Tengshe anymore. If this continued, not only Tengshe might offend the Heavenly Emperor and ruin his future prospects, but he might well join him.

Could it be that Tengshe, with his mastery over fire, was truly his natural adversary, as decreed by fate? And was his temperament, like his destiny chart, determined at birth and beyond his ability to change? Ying Long squatted sorrowfully at the dark and murky bottom of the water, counting waterweeds, his heart filled with the desire to cry out to the heavens: he was not resigned to this, not resigned at all!

All he wanted was to fulfill a small wish—how innocent was he?

Time passed unknowingly, and suddenly, a lively little flame sprouted from the bottom of the water.

Ying Long, half-dead, opened his eyes: "Tengshe?"

"Hey, where have you died off to, not coming out after I called for so long?"

Tengshe rarely sought help from others. Although Ying Long had decided not to deal with Tengshe anymore, brotherly friendship was not something he could just ignore. He hurried to the source of the signal, only to feel the air around him searing and enticing. Another look at Tengshe revealed that his aura had become even more unbearably hot.

This was not just heat; it was a fire dragon, sparks flying, fierce fire spreading wildly!

Ying Long curiously stared at his friend who seemed to have transformed into a fire powder keg ready to explode any second, and Tengshe, too, remained silent with an angry face. After a long while, a knowing smile bloomed on Ying Long’s face, reminiscent of his original free-spirited and elegant demeanor from years gone by.

"Tengshe, good morning."

"..."

"What did you call me for?" Ying Long blinked.

"..."

"It can’t be that your master ordered you to make rain, could it?" Ying Long feigned innocence.

"..."

"By the way, Tengshe, since when did you become someone’s spiritual beast, and a... mortal’s at that?"

"...I don’t need your help!"

Tengshe exploded, swinging his sleeve around and striding away, his silver hair rising and falling with his movements.

Ying Long held him back.

"Don’t be so aggrieved like a little wife; being a spiritual beast isn’t without its benefits. Since your master has taken you in, he must be a person of talent. Serving him is certainly better than swaggering around in the Heavenly Court aimlessly..."

Before Ying Long could finish, Tengshe once again shook him off and left in a huff. The rain summoned by Ying Long’s spell had not even touched him before it evaporated, turning into wisps of mist that shrouded his figure, cloaking him.

Ying Long watched Tengshe depart, then looked up at the sky.

The sky was raining, the rain that he had summoned. But Ying Long knew he was crying, tears of joy.

Ying Long’s tears streamed down his face.

The wish he had harbored for so many years had finally been fulfilled. Tengshe had finally found his nemesis to temper his fiery temper, and his life would be peaceful from now on, his future boundless. Ying Long had found contentment.

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End of text.