The Lonely Luan

Also known as: The Six Paths Lamp of Immortality

Later, I was the only one left who remembered

Senior Brother Ning, who was always the first to arrive, kept a flask of osmanthus wine for me at his waist.

Senior Brother Bai always said the path to immortality was too long, yet warmed our hands on every freezing night.

Senior Sister Ba’s red hair ribbon fluttered like a flame. She said she would burn away all the world’s injustice.

Senior Brother Helian’s saber was heavy, but when he carried me a hundred li over the mountain roads, his steps were the steadiest.

Junior Brother Ke always laughed at me for being a coward, but would secretly slip me candy during thunderstorms.

And me, Jin Zhao.

Now, I’m the only one who has returned.

I brought back Senior Brother Ning’s flask, Senior Brother Bai’s warm jade, Senior Sister Ba’s faded red ribbon, Senior Brother Helian’s scabbard, and the last piece of candy Junior Brother Ke never got to give away.

They say that cultivating immortality means severing worldly ties.

But I’m not cultivating the Path of Heartlessness.

I will remember.

I will remember forever.

This is a story about remembering.