As the sun sloped westward, a gentle breeze wafted through the lush Lieyu Mountains, rendering them even more enchanting against the backdrop of the evening's rosy glow.

Twenty miles northeast of the mountain's foothills lay the renowned hamlet of Yuxian Town. The elders of the town whispered tales that the name "Yuxian" derived from an ancient deity who had once emerged from these parts.

Whether or not Yuxian Town had truly produced a deity was now a mystery lost to time, but one thing was certain: the residents of Yuxian were renowned for their exceptional beauty. The men were dashing and the women charming, each with a unique skill that set them apart. Marrying someone from Yuxian Town was a matter of pride, and the town's fame spread far and wide.

Despite its small size, Yuxian Town bustled with activity on its main thoroughfare. Various shops and trades flourished, giving the town a "small but mighty" aura. As dusk fell, the town grew even more lively. Exhausted from their daily labors, people gathered in teahouses to rest, sipping tea and swapping stories of the day's events. Woodcutters and herbalists traded their day's harvest for necessities, while hawkers eagerly showcased their latest wares.

The Lieyu Mountains were rich in natural treasures, none more famous than the charred-wood, bitter-tasting greens, and the crystal-clear spring water. The charred-wood was prized for its durability and resistance to fire and water, making it an excellent building material. Its scarcity, however, meant that it was only found in select locations, such as behind the legendary Mirror Lake Fairy Rock in Yuding Peak. The bitter greens, a common weed throughout the Lieyu Mountains, had sharp spines covering its stems and leaves. In summer, the poor often resorted to digging them up as a source of food. After washing and lightly salting, the greens were ready to eat, though their bitter taste was not for everyone. But in autumn, the greens sprouted a tender yellow stalk, known as the "Bitter Greens Delight." Unlike the bitter summer greens, the autumn stalks were fragrant and prized at feasts. The poor would gather them in groups to sell to the wealthy, who would then enjoy them at their tables.

The bustling main street of Yuxian Town was home to various businesses, but three stood out. One was the Silver Pavilion, renowned for its jewelry. The saying "gold on the head, silver underfoot, jewels adorning the body" was synonymous with the esteemed Gold-jade Pavilion. Its reputation for expertise in gem identification and craftsmanship drew admiration and even apprenticeships from far and wide.

Another notable establishment was the Peace-safe Inns. Peace-safe wasn't just one inn but a brand. Despite Yuxian Town's small size, it boasted dozens of inns and waystations. Its strategic location and proximity to the famous Lieyu Mountains attracted a steady stream of travelers, ensuring a thriving business. Nearly half of these inns were branded as Peace-safe. Rumor had it that the innkeepers' main source of income wasn't just from accommodation but also from salt trading. The inns served as convenient hubs for transporting goods.

The third renowned establishment was the esteemed Get-rich Hall. It reigned supreme as the most famous tavern in the Lieyu Mountains, a title bestowed by none other than Liu Suifeng. Liu Suifeng, renowned as the undefeated chef of the western continent and a connoisseur of cuisine, had declared it the best tavern. Many doubted his words at first, but given his illustrious reputation, people had no choice but to believe him. Since then, Get-rich Hall had flourished, its profits multiplying daily. Liu Suifeng himself served as the tavern's foremost chef.

Wen Ruyu sat in a corner on the third floor of Get-rich Hall, peering through the open carved wooden window at the bustling scene below on Yuxian Avenue. The table, crafted from the rare charred-wood, glimmered with a silvery gray hue, its surface rippling like water. Upon it sat four trays of fresh fruits and a flask of the renowned local liquor, Ganxiang Dew. Yet despite the enticing spread, Wen Ruyu's heart was not in it. Half a year had passed since he arrived, and he had yet to find the person he sought. The deadline set by his mentor, the twenty-fourth day of the twelfth lunar month, was looming, and his task remained undone. With less than a month to go, he couldn't help but feel anxious.

As the evening drew in, the streetlights flickered to life, casting a magical glow over the main street. Instead of dispersing, the merchants' calls grew louder, their enthusiasm undiminished. Across from Get-rich Hall, a swarthy vendor shouted in the local dialect, hawking his Yujing pears. "Delicious and crispy Yujing pears! Every one fresh and juicy, crispy and refreshing! Low prices, come and grab them now!" His pears were apparently well-known, as they were quickly snatched up by a crowd of eager buyers. Nearby, a stall selling trinkets was even more lively, with women gathered around, discussing excitedly as they examined jade pendants, longevity lockets, copper necklaces, talismans, and Buddha bracelets.

The vendor engaged in casual conversation with the women. "Auntie Qi, Sister Zhao, what brings you all here today? You're not plotting to buy out my entire stall, are you?" Everyone laughed. Auntie Qi replied, "Oh, you don't know? There's been a happy event at the Long family on the main street corner! According to Old Lady Sun, it's definitely a boy! So we're all here to buy some lucky items and congratulate them. It sounds like the baby's coming tonight!" The others echoed her sentiment.

"Really? That's wonderful news! Mr. Long has been waiting for decades, and now he's finally got a son. That little one is really landing in a bed of roses!" said the vendor.

Another voice chimed in, "And you haven't heard? The wife of the Gongsun family on the outskirts of the town is also expecting. Old Lady Qian said it's tonight too! So I'll have to buy double, as there's no one at the Gongsun house, and I might even have to help out."

"Is that so? Well, after we're done at the Long family, I'll go with you to the Gongsun house to help. After all, Mrs. Gongsun has always been kind to everyone. Even if we can't afford to give them anything valuable, we can still lend a helping hand as neighbors, can't we?" Sister Zhao's suggestion was quickly met with agreement. The women continued to select their gifts, finally dispersing after nearly an hour of browsing.

The liquor remained untouched, and the sweet aroma of the fruits still filled the air. Wen Ruyu had overheard the women's conversation and felt a stirring in his heart. Could it be today?

Simultaneously, in the realm of the Underworld, the darkness deepened, surrounded by a dreamlike, misty haze. Qin Shi, lost and forlorn, allowed the ghostly escorts to lead him onward. This was the day he was destined to return to the mortal realm, yet his corporeal form was destroyed, preventing a direct return. Among the recently deceased, no suitable body awaited him. After much deliberation, the Master of Reincarnation decided it was best for him to embark on a new cycle of birth. The time was set for this very evening.

Exiting the gates of the city, the Naihe Bridge was now visible in the distance. Qin Shi's heart was a tumult of emotions, unable to articulate his feelings. Once, his family had come to the Underworld in a noisy, yet somehow warm, commotion. Now, he was returning alone, wondering if there was any meaning left in his return. Qin Shi truly didn't know what he could accomplish upon his return. Perhaps, a cup of Meng Po tea would be a better ending for him in his current state?

The Naihe Bridge, though long and endless, was finally traversed. Qin Shi saw Meng Po standing behind her ancient table, smiling at him. As he crossed the bridge, he noticed Xiao Qi, the servant boy who had helped his aunt sell vegetables, pacing the bridge with a mourning staff, clad in the uniform of the Underworld. Qin Shi felt as if he were in a dream, desperately wanting to wake from this nightmare.

Meng Po slowly stirred the water in her pot, steam rising in wispy tendrils, making her face appear ethereal. In the distance, she spied the mountainous figure of a man who had been escorted across the Naihe Bridge by ghostly attendants, slowly approaching her. Seeing his forlorn state, Meng Po, wise in the ways of the Underworld, knew the reason. After enduring countless trials and tribulations, his heart was exhausted and on the brink of collapse, unable to sustain him through the next cycle of rebirth. Therefore, before embarking on the next journey, spirits were brought to Meng Po for a cup of Meng Po tea. The sorrow, anger, helplessness, regret, and all the intricate, mundane affairs of the past would be forgotten, like drinking cool well water on a hot summer day, refreshing them for their next cycle of life.

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Facing the familiar scene and familiar cup and spoon, Qin Shi suddenly felt a deep-seated fear. Was he really meant to forget those bygone years? The happy times, the sad times, the warm and tender moments, the tragic and cruel ones, the satisfying and helpless ones. Qin Shi's eyes gradually became clear and bright. I must remember them! In every life, people inevitably leave behind something deeply engraved in their hearts, but the accompanying pain and sorrow prevent many from firmly holding onto that belief.

At this moment, Qin Shi suddenly transformed into a resolute and composed figure. He spoke calmly to Meng Po, "I don't need this. Save it for someone else." His voice was low and determined. Meng Po glanced at Qin Shi's face with a slight surprise and then slowly lowered her head, returning her gaze to the boiling water in the pot. Unnoticed by others, her eyebrows furrowed slightly.

Meng Po gestured for the ghostly escorts to lead Qin Shi onto a side path. Qin Shi turned slowly, stepping into the unknown darkness one foot after another. As the group gradually disappeared from view, Meng Po's face broke into a subtle smile. No one saw the moment when, as Qin Shi turned, Meng Po's right hand trembled slightly. From her fingertips, a wisp of smoke rose silently, gracefully penetrating Qin Shi's back and dissolving into his body.

Ahead lay the Viewing-Hometown Platform, the inevitable path for spirits returning home. Legend has it that if one hasn't drunk Meng Po tea, they can glimpse their hometown and loved ones on the platform. The misty haze added to the eeriness of the place. Qin Shi suddenly felt a wave of dizziness. As he caught sight of the platform, he felt an overwhelming familiarity, as if he had dreamed of it countless times. But upon regaining his composure, he realized it was just a high platform, with a chilly breeze whistling through, emitting a mournful sound.

Finally, they arrived at the banks of the Rebirth Pool. Two oddly shaped Lion-ghosts approached, taking the travel documents from the ghostly escorts. After a brief inspection, they escorted Qin Shi into the shadowy depths surrounded by tall walls. A serene lake, still as a mirror, came into view. The Lion-ghosts exchanged glances and emitted eerie laughter. Suddenly, one of them raised his hand and pushed Qin Shi into the lake! As Qin Shi entered, the waters began to churn violently, gradually forming into a swirling vortex. A wave surged, and Qin Shi was instantly swallowed up by it!

Qin Shi would never know that on the path of rebirth, he would forget everything from his past life. The smoke Meng Po had secreted behind him was the most powerful Forgetful Soul Incense. And when Qin Shi opened his eyes again, he would be a newborn child in a humble household.

Half an hour had passed, and the night was growing thicker. Wen Ruyu rose, called the waiter to settle the bill, and descended the stairs with leisurely steps, heading towards the western corner of the main street. There, resided the esteemed Long Tai, the proprietor of the prosperous Get-rich Pavilion.

In his younger days, Long Tai had sought a master and learned the arts of flying over rooftops, scaling walls, meditating, and cultivating qi. After mastering these skills, he traveled extensively, seeking vengeance and justice. But soon, he realized that a single person's strength was limited. Even if he could eliminate a few corrupt elements in the city, there were still countless others committing heinous deeds. Thus, the Wind Dragon Society emerged, with Long Tai at its helm. For forty years, the Wind Dragon Society had reigned supreme in the city, with all opposing alliances and guilds vanishing. Nowadays, Long Tai had few regrets; his life was complete. What else could he desire?

However, Long Tai harbored a secret wish, perhaps a well-known one among the people of Lieyu Mountain. He had no son. Despite marrying four wives, all of whom were elegant and virtuous ladies, Long Tai had yet to conceive a male heir.

Today marked Long Tai's sixtieth birthday. Ironically, the midwife had foretold that the third wife would give birth at midnight, and Old Madam Sun firmly believed it would be a boy. For ten days, Long Tai had hosted feasts, inviting heroes from all over the city and acquaintances from his business dealings. The gifts filled three warehouses. Long Tai was happier than ever, even surpassing the joy he felt when the Wind Dragon Society was founded and he took the helm.

Wen Ruyu perched on a twenty-foot-tall dragonfin tree, overlooking the Long estate. It was almost midnight. Would the newborn be the one his master sought? Thinking of his master, Wen Ruyu felt a surge of warmth and couldn't help but gaze at the shining stars in the sky. What was his master doing now?

Lost in thought, Wen Ruyu suddenly caught sight of something happening in the distance. Focusing his gaze, he couldn't help but feel perplexed. A streak of light flashed across the northeastern horizon, and a huge star plummeted from the sky. Its trajectory indicated that it would land in the backyard of the Long estate!

People in the courtyard also noticed the unusual phenomenon, and screams soon erupted. Servants and attendants hurriedly moved things around and fetched fire-extinguishing equipment. The commotion spread, and someone informed Long Tai. However, he gave an order: Except for the maternity room, he wouldn't go anywhere, even if the sky fell. As long as the maternity room was safe, he didn't want to be disturbed. Fortunately, the servants were well-trained, and there was no chaos.

With a thunderous crash, the golden light slammed into the backyard. Everyone felt a jolt as a burst of golden sparks filled their vision. The force shoved them away, and they fell in a dazed state. When they regained consciousness, they found no fire had broken out, and no one was injured. People began to discuss the matter, and some of the older ones recalled legends of heavenly signs and stars descending into noble households. They speculated that the Long family was destined to produce a great figure.

Strangely, just as the golden light hit the ground, a loud cry echoed from the maternity room. Long Tai's heart skipped a beat. As the midwife emerged, he hurried forward, trembling so much that he couldn't speak. The midwife spoke first: "Congratulations, Mr. Long. This time, I've truly predicted it. It's a boy, a healthy nine-pound baby!" Long Tai felt as if his head had exploded. After a moment of stunned silence, he ordered his men to reward Old Madam Sun and then prepared to bathe, offer incense, and pray to his ancestors and the gods.

Wen Ruyu, still perched on the dragonfin tree, was stunned by the unusual phenomenon. His master had said that if the person he sought was born, there would be a miraculous sign accompanying it. It seemed that this must be the one. As Wen Ruyu turned to leave, he noticed something even more intriguing. All the trees in the Long estate had their branches and leaves pointing towards one direction: the northeast!

The Long compound was abuzz with activity. Suddenly, several women emerged from the courtyard, hurriedly heading down a side street. Wen Ruyu suddenly recalled the women selling jewelry mentioning earlier that another woman was due to give birth tonight and seemed to be unattended. Since he had happened upon the situation, he decided to investigate. If anything untoward occurred, he could always lend a helping hand with his magical abilities. It would be a good deed, after all.

So, Wen Ruyu casually followed the women through a maze of turns until they arrived at a small cottage. It appeared that the women were familiar with the occupant as they pushed the door open and entered without hesitation. A few questions were exchanged, and shortly after, a woman's agonized screams echoed through the air, mingled with the chanting of prayers.

The stars in the sky grew increasingly bright, and the night sky deepened to a hue that seemed to foretell something. Wen Ruyu hovered silently in the air, unconcerned about being seen. No one had the ability to detect his presence. After a long while, the screams subsided, replaced by an eerie silence.

The child had been born, but the occupants of the room remained frozen in place. The midwife quickly wrapped the baby in a blanket and placed it next to its mother's bed before fleeing in apparent fear.

The newborn was neither crying nor smiling. It lay still, contentedly sucking on its own fist. This unnatural silence was perplexing to those in the room. Was there any child that didn't cry at birth? There was a sinister aura in this house; it was best to leave.

As everyone found excuses to depart, Gongsun's wife understood the situation but felt no anger. All her pain and anxiety had been dispelled by the arrival of this new life. After all, it was her own child, and she couldn't help but adore it deeply.

The treetops swayed gently in the air as Wen Ruyu departed. There was nothing more for him to do here. However, his haste was such that he failed to notice the dry well in the backyard of the Gongsun house. Now, the well was full to the brim, almost overflowing. Even more unnoticed was the enormous, ink-black golden-headed black-necked turtle that slid silently down from a towering dawn redwood in the backyard after Wen Ruyu's departure. The turtle cast a fleeting glance at the warm light spilling from the cottage before disappearing into the shadows behind the house.