Myriad Rivers to the Sea

The heavy steel doors of the secondary armory remained firmly shut as the pale morning stretched into a gloomy afternoon. The Frostveil Realm offered little comfort and the freezing wind continued to howl across the dead city outside. Inside the stone hall, the Heavenly Sword Sect disciples maintained their silent cultivation while Crown Princess Yuehan sat near the back with her two remaining people.

Elder Cai sat in deep meditation near the center of the room but he slowly opened his eyes as his senses picked up a group of familiar Qi signatures approaching their location. He stood up from the cold floor and gestured toward the entrance.

"They have returned," Elder Cai announced calmly. "Ren Shu, open the doors."

Ren Shu stepped forward and pushed the metal open. A blast of freezing wind rushed into the hall and carried a swirl of snow across the polished stone. Two scouting teams stepped through the threshold to escape the harsh weather but they were not alone. Trailing behind the four sword cultivators was a ragged group of twelve people.

These individuals were not cultivators though. They were ordinary mortals who looked like they had been dragged through a living nightmare. An older man leaned heavily on a cracked wooden walking stick while a young mother clutched two small children tightly to her chest. A few village guards wearing battered leather armor supported the injured among them. Their faces were pale and their eyes darted around the armory with lingering terror.

"Elder Cai," one of the returning disciples reported while bowing respectfully. "We searched the outer towns and cities beyond the capital borders. The devastation is the same everywhere we looked. We found these twelve survivors hiding in a collapsed root cellar on the edge of a farming village. They must have survived by chance because they were overlooked or something like that. Thankfully they were."

Elder Cai looked at the trembling mortals with a softened gaze. "You did well to bring them back. Do you think there are many others out there?"

The disciple shook his head slowly while sheathing his sword. "We scoured the region for several hours. These are the only ones we found alive in that sector. The outer towns are just as empty as the capital."

The arrival of the twelve survivors shifted the dynamic of the temporary camp right away. Cultivators like the Heavenly Sword Sect disciples could sit in silence for days and sustain themselves on ambient Qi without feeling any physical discomfort. Mortals required constant care and attention. They needed physical warmth and they needed food that their more fragile bodies could actually process. The two young children in the group began crying softly while clinging to their exhausted mother.

Yuehan stood up from her stone bench and walked toward the survivors. Seeing her own people in such a pitiful state brought a fresh wave of sorrow to her heart but it also ignited a spark of royal duty that she had. It was as if a switch had gone off in her and she transformed into a different person. It was quite astounding to see and Li Yu was impressed. She was their princess and they were her subjects. Meilin and Gao followed closely behind her to offer their support and protection.

"Bring them deeper into the hall," Yuehan instructed gently while stepping forward to guide the old man away from the cold draft. "Get them away from the doors and find some warm blankets for the children. They are freezing."

The mortals looked at the young woman and their eyes widened in disbelief because they actually recognized who she was. They recognized the pale blue hair and the striking features of their royal family. The old man dropped to his knees and bowed his head to the stone floor while weeping tears of relief. The other survivors quickly followed his example and knelt before their Crown Princess.

"Please stand up," Yuehan urged them with a trembling voice while reaching out to help the old man to his feet. "You do not need to bow today or ever again. We are all just trying to survive."

Li Yu watched the scene unfold and knew the current setup inside the armory was too cramped for what he needed to do next. The dense spiritual energy radiating from his previous cooking session still lingered in the air and that rich Qi was beneficial for cultivators who needed to replenish their body but it could overwhelm a mortal body that was not used to it. It could potentially cause them to fall severely ill and they definitely wouldn’t be able to eat it. He gathered his bronze cauldron and his ingredients before walking toward the entrance.

"I will set up outside," Li Yu told Ren Shu as he passed him. "The mortals need space to rest in the warmth and the spiritual heat from my flames might be too much for them in an enclosed area."

"I will have two disciples stand guard near you just in case," Ren Shu offered while stepping aside to let him pass.

Li Yu nodded and carried his equipment through the steel doors. He found a relatively sheltered alcove just outside the armory where the thick stone walls blocked the biting wind of the Frostveil Realm. He set the heavy bronze cauldron down and prepared to adjust his culinary approach for the newcomers.

Cooking for cultivators was a matter of maximizing energy, extracting the deep essence of high tier ingredients and of course for Li Yu, flavor as well. Cooking for mortals was a vastly different challenge that required an even more delicate touch. If Li Yu served them the same Jade Horned goat meat and Crimson Sun mushrooms from the previous day, their fragile bodies would rupture from the sudden influx of energy. Mortals were like delicate clay pots and pouring too much spiritual pressure into them would only cause them to shatter from the inside out.

He sparked his natal flame and carefully controlled the coursing lightning so it produced a gentle and mundane heat rather than a spiritual blaze. He poured in fresh but just normal water. Thankfully for him, he had plenty of that in storage as well from earlier on in his journey. He made a mental note for himself to stock up on more of it later on.

Li Yu pulled out a much simpler array of ingredients from his spatial ring and thankfully for Li Yu he had plenty of different ingredients. Since he normally cared more about the flavor rather than the energy, he had lots of ingredients that were suitable for mortals since they tasted good.

He bypassed any of the meats that contained potent energy and selected a modest cut of wild pheasant he had brought some time ago. The meat held very little cultivation energy but was rich in natural protein and easy to chew. He used his Qi to take out all of the tiny bones without turning the meat into mush and chopped the pheasant into tiny cubes to ensure it would be easy for the exhausted mortals to digest.

He then brought out a bundle of common medicinal herbs that they could eat as well. These were mortal grade herbs used by village doctors to ward off the cold but were mainly there to give additional nutrients. He sliced the herbs thin and tossed them into the simmering water along with a generous portion of plain white rice. He avoided using any potent spices or berries that might stimulate their blood flow too aggressively.

As the porridge cooked the aroma that drifted into the air was mild and deeply comforting. It smelled like a simple village kitchen rather than an alchemist furnace. Li Yu stirred the broth with slow and methodical motions while the gentle heat began to warm the stone alcove.

Inside the armory the twelve survivors huddled together under thick furs provided by the Heavenly Sword Sect disciples. When the scent of the mild porridge reached them, their weary eyes opened wide with hunger. Li Yu filled several wooden bowls and placed them on a wide tray to serve. He brought the tray inside and handed it to Meilin and Gao so they could help distribute the food to the starving mortals.

"Eat slowly," Li Yu advised the trembling old man who reached for a bowl with shaking hands. "Your bodies have most likely been starving in the cold for a long time. Do not rush or you will make yourselves sick."

Yuehan knelt beside the young mother and gently helped her hold a warm bowl of porridge for her children. The princess watched her subjects eat with desperate gratitude and a soft smile touched her lips for the first time since the tragedy occurred. The simple act of providing nourishment brought a sense of purpose to her and gave her a distraction from her own thoughts. She was no longer just mourning the dead. She was actively helping the living and they were her people.

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Yuehan was thankful that Li Yu carried ingredients that could be used to cook for mortal bodies. In a strange series of thoughts, she noted how she had only ever seen Li Yu cook food since encountering him once again. The fact that the others from the Heavenly Sword Sect did not find it strange and the fact that he was their Holy Son but was serving everyone was also quite strange. However, her thoughts ultimately ended with her giving her another smile at the thought that the mighty Holy Son of the Heavenly Sword Sect and son of the Li and Zhan Clan was here cooking for everyone.

Hours passed as the pale daylight faded into a deep and starless night. The Frostveil Realm grew even colder under the cover of darkness but the sturdy walls of the armory kept the worst of the chill at bay. The mortal survivors eventually fell into a deep and exhausted sleep near the back of the hall where it was warmest.

They were being kept warm by a spark of Li Yu’s natal flame which was smokeless so it was perfect for the job. They did not know that even the tiny spark floating there and keeping them warm was more than enough to take away their very lives. Once again the princess was stunned by his usage of a natal flame.

The Heavenly Sword Sect disciples weren’t surprised anymore and resumed their quiet meditation as well as their strict rotation of guards to ensure the perimeter remained secure. Li Yu remained outside in the sheltered alcove and kept a small fire burning to ward off the gloom and sat comfortably on a smooth stone. He enjoyed the quiet solitude with his own mind thinking while also listening to the whistling wind but he soon heard the crunch of footsteps approaching from the armory doors.

Yuehan stepped out into the cold night air as Meilin and Gao followed a few paces behind her. The three Frostmoon survivors walked over to the alcove and took a seat around the crackling fire to join him.

"The people are resting peacefully," Yuehan said softly while holding her hands out toward the flames to gather some heat. "Thank you for taking such care with their food, Li Yu. You have made them feel better considering everything that has happened to them."

"It is a small thing to do," Li Yu replied while not taking his eyes away from the dancing firelight. "Sometimes the simplest meals provide the most comfort when the world feels too complicated. It shifts your focus to something else, something you enjoy and can understand."

He reached into his spatial ring and pulled out a few small jade flasks. These contained a wine called Sorrowful Woe that he had procured some time ago as he crossed by a town. It was sold by a man who had lost his wife to age. The story told was that he still missed her and made this wine to honor her memory.

Li Yu had tasted it back then and found it to taste a bit bitter, sweet and overall good. Even what had happened here made him remember the wine due to the name so he took it out to share. The wine was not meant for explosive cultivation growth but rather just to enjoy for its taste. He unstoppered the flasks and handed them across the fire to Yuehan and her people.

"Drink a little," Li Yu offered with a warm tone. "It will warm your chest and help you sleep when you are ready to rest or meditate."

Gao took a flask and offered a respectful nod before taking a deep swig. Meilin held hers delicately and took a small sip while sitting close to her princess. Yuehan stared at the jade flask in her hands for a long moment before lifting it to her lips as well. The wine was bitter, smooth and carried a faint taste of summer plums. It flowed down her throat and left a pleasant lingering warmth that chased away the residual chill of the day.

The four of them then sat in comfortable silence around the fire. There was no pressure to speak and no expectations to meet here. The roaring wind outside the alcove created a barrier of sound that made their small circle feel highly private and safe from the horrors lurking in the ruins. Li Yu continued to have his divine sense pushed as far as he could to keep scanning for any dangers but he was still taking in the night before him.

Yuehan took another sip of the plum wine and let out a long breath. The warmth of the alcohol combined with the quiet safety of the fire seemed to loosen the tight knot of grief in her chest. She looked into the flames and a distant look softened her striking features.

"My father actually loved plum wine," Yuehan spoke up suddenly. Her voice was quiet but steady and it did not crack with tears.

Li Yu did not interrupt or offer platitudes but was surprised by the coincidence of it all. He didn’t react much though and simply took a sip from his own flask and listened while Gao and Meilin focused their attention on their princess as well.

"People always saw him as a stern ruler," Yuehan continued while running her thumb over the smooth jade flask. "He had to project strength to govern the empire and keep the borders secure from rival factions. But behind the closed doors of the palace, he was a very different man. He used to sneak into the kitchens late at night just to steal sweet buns for me and my brothers. He would pretend he defeated a fierce beast to get them and we would laugh until our sides hurt."

Meilin smiled softly at the memory as she had seen it first hand and stared into the fire. "The King always left a few extra coins for the cooks when he did that. He thought he was being stealthy but everyone in the palace knew his routine. We just pretended not to notice so he could have his fun."

Yuehan let out a quiet chuckle that sounded like a beautiful melody in the desolate night but also one that carried a deep undertone of sadness. "He was terrible at sneaking around given his size. But he always tried his best to make us smile when our studies into cultivation were difficult or if there was any kind of mounting pressure."

She took another sip of the wine and her expression grew deeply fond as her thoughts drifted toward her mother.

"My mother was the heart of the capital," Yuehan said while looking up at the dark sky above the alcove. "She loved the cold but she loved flowers even more. She spent years cultivating a special garden hidden away in a glacier where rare winter blooms could thrive. She used to hold my hand and walk me through the rows of pale blue petals while teaching me the names of every single plant. She told me that beauty can grow anywhere if you nurture it with enough patience. That while their empire and people seemed cold on the outside it did not mean they did not know how to love or enjoy."

"The queen was a very kind woman," Gao added with a gruff but gentle tone. "She always made sure everyone working around the palace had hot tea and warm cloaks during the longest winters when they took on tasks outside. She treated everyone with respect regardless of their station or their cultivation level. It was quite rare to see that in royalty if I am being honest."

"She did," Yuehan agreed softly. "And my brothers always tried to act so tough around her but they would melt the moment she scolded them. My older brother used to practice his sword techniques for hours in the freezing snow just to impress our father. Then he would turn around and let me practice placing flower crowns on his head because he knew it made me happy back then. He swore me to secrecy so his people would not find out he was playing dress up with his little sister."

Li Yu listened to the stories and felt a respect for the young woman sitting across from him. She was already no longer focusing on the horror of their deaths or the terrifying nature of the Hollow Husk. She was remembering how her loved ones lived and what made them special to her. It was usually the little things that people tended to remember in such instances.

The big things mattered as well but those were the things people had always remembered and appreciated day to day. It was when there was time for reflection and contemplation that the little things are remembered and savored even more. She was honoring their legacy through her spoken memories and refusing to let their tragic end define who they were in her memories.

"They sound like a wonderful family," Li Yu said warmly. "A family that knew how to balance royal duty with genuine love. I really respect that."

"They were," Yuehan whispered while a single tear traced its way down her cheek. This tear did not come from a place of agonizing despair like the ones she shed yesterday. It came from a place of deep and enduring love that was washing over her body. "I miss them so much."

"It is good to talk about them," Li Yu encouraged her gently. "Speaking their names and sharing their stories keeps their spirit alive in this world. As long as you remember those moments, they are never truly gone and are eternal."

Yuehan nodded and wiped the tear away with the back of her sleeve. She looked at Gao and Meilin who were both smiling despite the sadness lingering in their eyes as well. She then looked at Li Yu and felt a sense of gratitude for his presence and was thankful that he had been one of the ones that had come here to investigate. He had provided food for her, her people and he had provided this quiet space for her to finally breathe.

"My younger brother was terrified of the dark," Yuehan continued with a clearer voice. She leaned forward slightly and was eager to share more stories now that the dam had broken. "Whenever a storm rolled through the Frostveil Realm, he would drag his blankets into my room and demand I tell him stories about ancient heroes until he fell asleep. This happened when he was younger and was understandable but he did this even as he grew older until he got too self conscious to keep going."

The conversation flowed naturally as the night deepened and Li Yu mostly listened while offering some words when appropriate. Yuehan spent hours recounting tales of her childhood and the vibrant life that once filled the royal palace. She talked about the festivals they hosted and the funny mistakes she made during her early cultivation training. Meilin chimed in with her own perspectives from serving the princess while Gao shared stories of the King's bravery during past border skirmishes.

Li Yu sat by the fire and kept the flames going with his Qi. The icy shell that had trapped Yuehan in a state of paralyzing shock was finally cracking open slightly. The princess was finding her footing in a ruined world by embracing the warmth of her past. It would not be an easy road from here on out but she was at least putting a foot in the right direction.

The Frostveil Realm remained a harsh and unforgiving place but the small alcove outside the armory was filled with a gentle light. The gathering of ghosts that haunted the dead city seemed to recede into the shadows as Yuehan reclaimed her voice and vitality. It was the true beginning of her healing process and Li Yu knew she would be strong enough to face whatever challenges awaited them in the days to come.