189: 4.54 Kunlun Mirror

4.54 Kunlun Mirror

When Heimo emerged from the bath, he had changed out of his white robes to his signature black and gold robes, his hair tied into a high ponytail with a gold ribbon, the hairpin dangling along with his long jet black hair. For a split second, it was like the arduous ten years didn't exist and Heimo was still the same Heimo, save for his thinner face and the more mature and somber way he carried himself. He walked to the back garden because he knew Luqiu Ning would be there and he was right on mark. There she was, reclining on a chair as she enjoyed the lukewarm sun, eyes softly closed. Time had changed the sickly nine years old to an elegant and sophisticated little lady and for a while, Heimo was struck with a sudden nostalgia. He spent a few moments simply gazing at the peaceful Luqiu Ning until the woman stirred, sensing his presence.2

"Brother—" Her smile froze as soon as she caught sight of him, eyes opened wide in utter astonishment. "Oh…"

"Ningning." Heimo strode forward and gave him a relieving smile. "Ningning, I did it."

There was no need for further explanation as they both knew exactly what could have granted Heimo liberation. In an instant, Luqiu Ning burst into tears, desperately trying to cover her mouth only to fail when a sob slipped through her lips. Heimo spent no time closing the distance between them and took her into an embrace. "Silly girl." He laughed wetly. "Why are you crying? You should be happy for me."

"I am…" Luqiu Ning hiccupped. "I am so happy for you, brother."

"I know." Heimo said softly, taking in a deep breath. And for the first time in a while, he couldn't wait to wake up the next day because that meant that he was one step closer to his beloved. "Thank you, Ningning. For everything."

Luqiu Ning merely shook her head stubbornly. "I should be thankful, really. If not because of him, I might still be—"

"Hush." Heimo chided softly. "We had discussed this before. No more guilt and what ifs, we will only look forward to the future."

"Okay." Luqiu Ning beamed amidst her tears. "If you meet him, brother, please send him my sincerest gratitude. He has saved my life. And tell him that I will find him myself if he makes you sad again. I am serious!" Luqiu Ning pouted at her brother's delighted laugh.

"I will." Heimo's laugh faded into a contented smile, his eyes falling to a close. He could still hear his beloved's voice in his ear, vivid and clear as if it had happened yesterday. This is not over, my love, he had said, we are not over. That's right, everything was just the beginning. Heimo had barely started. "I will make sure to tell him everything when we meet again."

That night, the whole sect celebrated with a sumptuous feast, even though only the inner members knew the reason why they were rejoicing. Luqiu Hong drank until she was wasted and cried in Heimo's chest, a fragile side that she never showed again ever since she rose in power as the sect's representative. "You insufferable man! What should Luqiu Sect do without its Sect Leader?!"

"Aiyah!" Heimo laughed and wiped her tears away. "I have never accepted that position so don't blame it on me!"

Luqiu Ning joined the hug and for a while, the three of them basked in each other's presence, content. "Thank you," Heimo whispered. "And I'm sorry." In response, his two sisters merely squeezed him in a suffocating hug and forced him to swallow down plates after plates of dishes because he had been too thin. Heimo enjoyed the affection and relished in the attention of his family until the moon was high in the sky and it was time for him to leave. 

He didn't do anything excessive, merely tucking Luqiu Hong and Luqiu Ning into their beds and bid his farewell to their sleeping figures. He gently put Hexue by their bedside, trusting his sisters to take care of it for him. Next, he received hugs and well wishes from the other members of the family. Carrying with him the warmth in his chest, Heimo embarked on a long journey.

It took him a decade to find the exact location of Kunlun Mountain, where it was shrouded by legends and mysteries and was said to be a place where the Supreme Deity used to live. In order to reach the peak, Heimo had to climb more than a hundred thousand flights of stairs, conveying his sincerity and desperation to find his beloved. Days and nights, he walked tirelessly. Sweat rolled down his body and blisters covered his feet. A few times, he passed out due to exhaustion only to wake up and continue climbing. The higher he got, the heavier the mists around him. Somehow, Heimo had the feeling that he was entering a place detached from the whole world. Gradually, his exhaustion receded and his mind cleared, only then did Heimo realize that he had made it.

There, deep inside the peak of Kunlun Mountain, was the Kunlun Mirror which was said to reflect the truth of the world. It thrummed with an ancient spiritual energy, so powerful and sacred that it compelled Heimo to grovel. In the end, Heimo kneeled to whatever deity the mirror belonged to, asking for permission before he decisively sat down in a lotus position and began to meditate, synchronising his own spiritual power with the ancient relic. 

The first few times, the mirror repelled him backwards, sending him crashing far across the ground and one time he even rolled down the stairs only to climb up again with blood trickling down his body. Yet again and again, Heimo never gave up. Even with a steady stream of blood dripping down his lips, even when his body protested in pain for him to stop, even when the ground beneath him was painted crimson, Heimo never gave up. Inside his veins flowed gold and deep blue spiritual energy, left behind by his beloved when they were dual cultivating the last time. It was just a flicker, yet everytime Heimo sensed its presence, his spirit and energy was renewed and his determination strengthened even more.

Did he know that this kind of thing would happen? Heimo wondered. Was this the reason why he was leaving a piece of himself behind in Heimo's body? No one and nothing could provide Heimo the answers he was seeking except for the mirror.

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