Fallen Immortal

Yan Guming was reborn, returning to the moment after he learned the truth about the immortal he had treasured above all else.

Lan Zhang was neither the immortal who had rescued him from misery nor an aloof beauty untouched by emotion. He was merely a fallen immortal who had wandered the mortal world for centuries, raising a boy every forty years before taking over the boy's body to preserve his own. Neither human nor ghost, neither immortal nor demon, he had a ghostly beauty beneath his cool brows and eyes. He sat by the pond, drinking alone, completely unaware of Yan Guming's contorted expression. White robes and long hair made him look like a poisonous water lily.

And Yan Guming was the next unlucky boy he had chosen.

After being reborn, Yan Guming never imagined that Lan Zhang would abandon him. He ground his teeth, wanting both to kill him and to take everything from him. At times he would think smugly, Lan Zhang, Lan Zhang, you'll die without me. You don't know it yet, but I already know I'm the next body you've prepared.

So he would never abandon him.

Yan Guming began plotting in secret. But before the day of his revenge came, Lan Zhang took him to Mount Shu.

"There's no point in staying with me. In these chaotic times, demons are everywhere. Become a Daoist, and at least you'll survive."

That day, snow fell in thick flurries. The fallen immortal walked too fast. Yan Guming was only a mortal, and even with a broken leg, he couldn't catch up.

"You'll die if you leave me!"

"You'll die without a new vessel!"

"If you leave me, I..."

"I'll die if you leave me!"

The broken words faded away, leaving only snow-covered mountains at dusk and a vast, empty world.

*

Having lived another life, Yan Guming had long since made up his mind. He would be bound to Lan Zhang for the rest of his life. Three years, five years, ten years: Lan Zhang was the one who owed him first, deceived him first, and denied him any chance of survival first.

So he hated him, wanted revenge on him, wanted to take him, and would chase him to the ends of the earth.

Until the day he stood beneath the snowy mountain for half a day, snow gathering on his shoulders. He saw the mountains gleaming white and the world stretching wide, but Lan Zhang never came back.

*

Lan Zhang had wandered the mortal world for many years. He had forgotten many things. Perhaps it was because he had gone so long without eating people, or perhaps because he wanted to die. His soul was unstable, and he was sickly, like a beautiful woman's skin pasted inside a temple. He had even forgotten how to write the characters of the mortal world.

For the same reason, he had completely forgotten why that Daoist had held a sword to his throat, and why the man had not killed him but instead forced him to get into a carriage with him.

So he also could not remember that day, long ago. He had left Mount Shu, and snow had settled on every tree. He heard the boy crying as he chased after him. Seeing the boy break his leg, he had found it laughable. And, weary at last of his endless wandering through life, he had begun seeking his own death.

From that day on, the world had one less stubborn boy who followed close behind a fallen immortal, step for step.

From that day on, the world had one more mad Daoist who swore to fight demons and ghosts, his sword's icy chill reaching across fourteen provinces.

Lan Zhang had killed many Daoists who came looking for trouble while he was out of his mind. This time, he thought he was facing another attack. He looked at the man wearily but did not move, hoping for a quick end.

But this time, the man faced his fangs, lowered his sword, and seized his wrist in a desperate grip.

CP: Yan Guming x Lan Zhang

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