It had been a century since the last ascension of the weeping goddess. The princess who begged her way to heaven. Quite the things have changed since then. The princess ascended as a mere deity to the star moon, but with her unwavering commitment at serving the heavens and atone for her mistakes she achieved her place as the daughter of the moon. When the name moon was taken, it was her who was remembered, the moon goddess, the goddess of reincarnation and spirit communication, Guang Tan Nian Yue.

  “Princess! Princess~”

  A sultry voice echoed through the walls of the royal Moon Palace. The one residing inside merely responded with the slightest twitch of her left eye. Seated in silence, meditating upon her altar, Nian Yue saw no benefit in acknowledging the unwelcome guest. Despite that the stubborn goddess barged right through.

  The goddess raised an eyebrow and placed her hands on her hips when Nian Yue still did not pay any attention to her. At last the goddess let out a disappointed sigh. “Care to at least greet this Jie Jie?” Honey wrapped around her words as if coaxing a child. Suddenly she tapped a light finger on the tip of Nian Yue's nose in an attempt to catch Nian Yue’s attention. “Come on kid, open those eyes and see the beauty of this world.”

  “Goddess Temptation,” Nian Yue responded finally. “It's such an honor to have you here.” Her voice was as calm as still water, rather dry to be precise. Her eyes did open–not to greet but as a warning. She wasn't honored at all. “Your reason for gracing me with your presence?” Nian Yue said sarcastically. She did not want to waste her time, she wanted the goddess out as soon as possible.

  “Right at the business talk then?” She, the goddess of temptation, was known as Mei Wu. She was one of the top goddesses from the most famous paradise, the love star, Venus. “Hm..” She eyed Nian Yue from head to toe with intent. Suddenly her head popped over Nian Yue's shoulder, hovering just inches apart from Nian Yue’s ear, close and inappropriate. “If you're not aware, this specific place in verdant root has been in great chaos,” she whispered.

  The verdant root was earth, known as the mortal home. It was where life began. It was where the gods were born. The only realm in the protection of the nine paradises.

  “Why are you here? You should visit the twin shields or the golden hall for a solution.” Nian Yue said dryly.

  Twin shields were a union of two martial stars working collectively. They were, ‘The celestial guard hall’ also known as ‘Cold sword’, Uranus. The other, ‘Mortal guard hall’ also known as ‘Scarlet sword’, Mars.

  “If Higher authority was of any use, I wouldn't be wasting my time on you.” Mei Wu said dryly as she pulled herself back. “Golden Hall already knows it. They send you a message. Soon to be reaching. I deliver it or they do, the results are the same. You will have to descend anyway.”

  “And why is that?” Nian Yue asked.

  Mei Wu blinked once, then twice. Her face looked more muddled than how Nian Yue sounded. Suddenly her shoulders dropped, a harsh sigh left her lips as if she was mocking Nian Yue. “aii–aii ya.” She crossed one arm over her chest while the other palmed her forehead. “My bad, I forgot our moon goddess isn't aware of anything besides her little ghost stories.” She glanced at Nian Yue from the corner of her eyes, “What has been going on in the heavens is none of your concern, isn't it?”

  “Quit the play goddess, I'm serious,” Nian Yue said with narrowed eyes.

  “So am I.” This time Mei Wu sounded more grounded than she usually was. However, no one knows how much truth lies in her words. “Its not your fault, you were not here when this commotion arrived Heavens. Neither is it your fault that the location is bizarre.” She approached Nian Yue with a simple and carefree smile. Without permission she took a seat beside the moon goddess, one leg crossed over another. “A century ago before your ascension, there was a small but fierce ghost who tried attacking our celestial system. Determined and raging to burn this place to ashes.” Mei Wu tilted her head and closed her eyes as if reliving the memories. A ghost of a smile lingered on her lips. “It thrashed, screamed, did everything it could with its newly forged ghost body, alas.” Mei Wu huffed a laugh, shaking her head as if sympathizing with that unknown ghost.

  “The motive of that little ghost was unknown but the determination it held was unmistakable. And now people like me are here to tell you the story about a young ghost raiding a whole celestial system with empty hands.” Mei Wu laughed finally and pushed herself off the divan. She walked a few steps further before crossing her hands behind her back. “It's worthy of a laugh how the ghost had the courage to do such a thing, knowing or maybe.. not that fighting against the perfect Heavens meant a certain loss. They really used to be brave and quite delusional.”

  Nian Yue was listening, however at the same time she was lost in something. Unblinking eyes, drowned in worry that ached all over her face. One of her hands instinctually clutched her red pendant over her chest. Her gaze was hooked at the floor.

  Seeing Nian Yue frozen like that, Mei Wu blinked, confused, “Guang Yue, Goddess Reincarnation? Are you listening?”

  “Then? What happened to the ghost?” Nian Yue asked suddenly with slight hesitation. It was as if, if she didn't ask now she would never know the answer.

  Mei Wu raised an eyebrow as she turned to Nian Yue. With a bored sigh, she continued. “Then what? Isn't it obvious? The ghost lost woefully. Ghosts and Gods have been fighting since the beginning of the time; it's nothing new or rare.”

  “No, I mean.. What happened to the ghost after the fight?” Nian Yue corrected.

  “Who knows.” Mei Wu Shrugged. “After the quick defeat the little ghost was avenged and Heaven couldn't find it afterwards.” Suddenly the corner of her lips twitched to form a smirk. “You sound interested, I'm sure you'll love it in the Golden hall. See you soon goddess.” Leaving her words hanging in the air, Mei Wu turned around and walked out the chamber.

  And Nian Yue was left clutching her pendant hopelessly.

  ~~~

  “She is back!”

  “How is that possible??”

  “Where is she?”

  “Do not believe rumors so easily!”

  Golden Hall buzzed with countless voices and unending opinions. The Golden Hall as its name was—the biggest most prosperous star in the whole celestial system, the sun itself. The star was painted in gold from top to bottom. The golden hall, also known as the higher authority, had the responsibility of regulating the celestial system, making the last decisions and issuing orders for the co-stars to carry out. Highest rank gods and goddesses reside here. Their followers were not limited to a region, likewise their ability to perform regulation.

  While each planet was adequate with fulfilled management of their own, they all still fall under the alignment of one main leader, the golden hall. The representatives of each planet must obey the orders of their host star.

  In absence of the holy lord no one cared about the chaos being created inside the four grand walls, they talked whatever and however they wanted. Soon Nian Yue entered the hall as well. As expected of a representative, Nian Yue was used to doing the opposite. She did not interact with anyone, instead she spotted her seat and moved to settle there silently. Transparent silver strips of her white robe trailed behind her as she wiggled her way to her place.

  Like the moon goddess, her long silvery hair, light as if an incarnate of moonlight hung down her hips. Her eyes were a beautiful shade of bright silver, lonely and uninterested, reserved to herself as if made out of stone, most likely the jade stone. Her face was pale, so pale it looked as if ghosts were possessing her all hours of the day.

  From the corner of her eyes Nian Yue spotted a familiar figure. Mei Wu raised a graceful hand just enough to catch Nian Yue’s attention and waved at her. Nian Yue ignored her with an indifferent look.

  “Nian Yue,” Suddenly another known voice called her. Nian Yue turned her head and saw the general approaching. Guang Han Yuelin, a Mars ascended god of war. He was born with moon and mars as his birth stars, which meant that he was destined to acquire a sword and a shield. And soon–due to his long lived wisdom, almost immediately after his ascension he acquired authority over the moon’s protective operations and became one of the representative gods to Moon and Mars together.

  In heaven, the Guang dynasty had a unique reputation, reputation for one after another ascension from the same dynasty but different bloodlines. It all started with a country named Sheng yang kingdom, flourishing and very talented in its military and unique deity culture. The positives were limitless. Many kingdoms around the globe tried attacking the kingdom for its blessed land, but none were capable of defeating them. Even with such power they never tried invading unnecessarily however they knew how to protect and keep their heads up. Unfortunately even the calmest, most peaceful countries face difficult times.

  The tension was high. The princess of the kingdom cursed her own lineage that they would lose their shine as she split the country in half. The princess was loved by many and so her believers took courage and stood proud with her. That's how the Guang dynasty split into two lineages, the Han Clan, and the Tan clan. The Tan clan became a separate, independent nation called Yueyou, and the Hans remained named Sheng Yang.

  The first ascension was General Yuelin from the Han clan. After that the curse took place. Hans did not produce a single deity. On the other hand, the Tan clan birthed one after another deity. Many split away from their paths to ascension, making it broken divine vows, but the ones that remained still on their path, still hold a seat in heaven. Unfortunately, after the last ascension of the Tan child, a leap settled in. For centuries no divine child took birth, it seemed as if it was the end of Guang Tan’s divine bloodline until the youngest princess took birth, Guang Tan Nian Yue. As if the celestial lord themselves blessed the Guang dynasty once more, only a few hours before Tan Nian Yue’s was born–the second divine Han child took birth, Prince Junyao. People said he was born solely to provide protection to Princess Nian Yue, not let history repeat.

  The two siblings tagged along and raised together, blurring the line between their ancestral distances. Their ascension was like that too. In the few years Nian Yue was alone in heaven after her ascension, Han Junyao ascended, his reason was because he wanted to accompany his sister. And just like that the two were reunited once again. However unlike Nian Yue, who was now one of the three representatives or the ruling goddess of the moon, Han Junyao could only be promoted to the assistant level god.

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  The celestial system follows a divine order which each deity or god had to follow. The higher authority remains above all the stars. However, each star as an individual management had a hierarchy which was, three ruling or the representative gods or goddesses that respond to the golden hall, then their assistant gods—they are second to the line also called sub gods. And at the last; deities, each ascending celestial first starts with being a mere deity before they get promoted according to their merits. By this order, Han Junyao was a sub god to the star—Mars, under the guidance of the general Han Yuelin.

  “Ancestral Jiu gong, Greetings.” Nian Yue greeted with silent respect. She only glanced once at her great grandmother’s brother before parting her gaze.

  Han Yuelin eyebrows knit together. He seemed as if he had a bad day before he appeared for this meeting. “At least focus on this affair, for once.” He murmured with a hardened jaw and then immediately left Nian Yue to sit in silence. Not like Nian Yue wanted to accompany him anyways. She sat there with her peace—unmoving, her and her emotions.

  “How! How could she come back?” One of the representative celestial from the judgement hall snarled, messy in his mix of anger and disgust.

  “Why do you think it's her?” Mei Wu Commented, raising an eyebrow. “Words are of a child ghost spirit, then how did the former memory goddess get entangled with this matter?”

  The hall fell silent, leaving for the gasps from a few dramatic celestials. Just a few moments of silence and then the intense exchanging of comments filled the hall. Some talked about Mei Wu defending the forgotten figure, some talked about her braveness. Of course evil is not afraid of evil, comments like these were common when directed towards the goddess of temptation. However none had the guts to say it on her face, they could only whisper and talk behind her back. The Great Golden Hall now seemed as if it had taken the avatar of a mortal fish market.

  “That's what I thought.” Mei Wu shrugged. She finds it funny how mocking the judgment of the celestials ascended to do just that, would fall silent when even a single finger was raised against them. Makes her wonder how fragile the great scissor tongue of the great Saturn celestials were to be held between two fingers and shut them up.

  “Silence,”

  Hoosh spread over as the heavenly lord emerged from the back of the throne. Two deity goddesses walked behind him, holding a pile of scrolls.

  Yan Tianxiu was a prudent and wise emperor of the celestial realm, the judge of the golden hall, the final decision maker. He was the only existing god in the whole celestial realm who has reached the vertex of his atonement. A few more centuries and he will be one with the divine being. Reaching this height was not only rare but also extraordinary. One coming this far has a purpose beyond just godhood, which was clear in how Yan Tianxiu leads the celestial system.

  “I have heard your complaints and worries. However I want to assure you, do not come to any conclusion without intact information. A deeper investigation will be conducted within this argument. Till then focus on the task at hand.” Yan Tianxiu spoke gracefully. His arms rested on the armrest of his throne. He nodded to the court, as if knowing their next question with a mere look at their faces. “Silver realm will handle the affair in verdant root along with Goddess Mei Wu. Is it enough, Temptation Goddess?”

  “More than enough my lord.” Mei Wu said happily, joining her fisted hand in her palm.

  Nian Yue’s left eye twitched, “What..?” She wanted to scream that question out loud, in case seeing her hesitation the hall makes a better decision. A moment of humiliation was much better than having Mei Wu by the shoulder the whole mission. Not to talk about General Han Yuelin following her like a dog’s tail, with all due respect. But was she able to do that? No, of course not.

  The emperor nodded, then turned his head to the other side of the hall and said, “Messenger hall and Celestial guard hall, work together and gather as much knowledge as you can.”

  The appointees of both halls nodded with attention. And just like that, the convocation ended. The emperor stood up and the hall bowed to him.

  ~~~

  “Uh uh uh,”

  Outside the Golden hall, from dozens of passing voices, an unforgettable one caught Nian Yue’s attention. She wasn't surprised, in fact she knew something like this was coming her way. She sucked in a deep breath and turned around to greet the goddess of chaos, Uh goddess of temptation. “How can I help you? Perhaps you are dying?”

  “Did you not hear the emperor’s words? The silver star helps this little goddess. General Han Yuelin is on his way too. After all, who would be more helpful than the spirit readers themselves? So, you’re coming with me right?” Mei Wu’s hand rested on Nian Yue’s shoulder. Her contorted smile had always been hated by Nian Yue as she wore a face full of disgust, not even bothering to hide it anymore.

  “Woah such temper doesn't suit the one supposed to calm the little spirits,” said Mei Wu, amusingly.

  “What if I say no to your proposal?” Nian Yue said suddenly.

  “...Wouldn't be the nicest option. Not like I come to you often, if you refuse you'll just make an enemy out of this cheerful goddess. Golden hall wouldn't take it well either. Heard, your reputation is already very nice in the eyes of higher authority.” Mei Wu remarked with sarcasm.

  “...I do not–”

  “Nian Yue will come. Do not worry about it, goddess.” A cold voice approached their way and Nian Yue understood who it was. She lowered her head and lost all power over her own opinions. This sight alone gave Mei Wu the kind of amusement she craves every night but quite doesn't seem to reach it.

  “Great timing General! You saved your dear descendant niece from making a witless mistake. Now explain to this dumb child the consequences of denying the elders and the authority.” Mei Wu said, hands resting on her hips.

  “No need, goddess. She will understand.” Han Yuelin tucked away his sword at the side of his waist and turned to focus on the two goddesses. “We shall discuss the case.”

  “Great! My palace is free, we should head there! Is it fine with you, General?” Mei Wu shamelessly reached and stuck her arm around Han Yuelin’s arm. A wide grin spared over her lips.

  Han Yuelin didn't struggle but also did not let Mei Wu stick around him. He gently pushed Mei Wu’s arm off himself and put a respectful distance between them. “Goddess, do not do it again. Next time won't be tolerated.”

  Mei Wu laughed and waved a playful hand. “What a Man.”

  “.....” Nian Yue’s expressions were like those of a very ill royal child at its deathbed.

  They soon reached the Love Star, Venus. The pink coral walls decorated the various palaces littered around. The scent of flowers and exotic perfumes mingled in the air. Little bugs, birds and other animal souls find this place their natural habitat. There should be the palace of the fertility lord around–the reason why these animals were out like this. With this excuse the friendly sub gods and goddesses could at least be free from their work for a while and feed and play with these innocent animals. Dreamy as it feels, that's what the love star was known for. Unfortunately they were entangled in more serious matters to admire the beauty of the pink star.

  The three celestials were perched inside the hall of Mei Wu’s palace. Mei Wu laid out papers filled with knowledge about the case they were discussing. She picked up a certain paper and handed it to Han Yuelin. “This ghost seems like a child. The child traps its prey in an unpredictable way. In a way that is familiar and has the golden hall spiraling.” Mei Wu said melancholically, “The attack somewhere resembles our former memory goddess, that is how she used to trap her prey.”

  With the paper in Han Yuelin’s hand, the martial god furrowed his eyebrows. Mei Wu and Han Yuelin were quite tuned while talking. It seemed as if they were talking in a foreign language because Nian Yue couldn't understand neither the subject of their conversation nor the case. Before Nian Yue could ask who was this person everyone feared so deeply, Han Yuelin spoke. “It's not unfamiliar. The former goddess did use little children as a shield. But appearing so sudden after centuries? Doesn't sit right with me.”

  “So? a pawn?” Mei Wu slid a soldier chess piece over the paper laid out on the table in front of them. The paper looked like a map, so it was. The pawn rested on a small area, likely a village of a country carved on the map with ink. Mountains stood tall beside the carved lines. Mei Wu smirked and raised her head to look at Nian Yue. “Nian Yue, Come look.”

  Nian Yue glanced once at Mei Wu with a conflicted look before gazing at the map.

  Mei Wu continued, “The Nation is familiar. Yue knows it.”

  Yincu village of Yueyou country. How could Nian Yue not know about it, after all it's her own Country, her own nation. She was born there as a princess, received her education and then ascended from the same place. Be it good memories or bad ones, it's her homeland. However it couldn't be denied that she herself was hearing about it after a long time, as if she had forgotten the place even existed.

  “What happened to Yueyou?” and why didn't Nian Yue have any clue about it? she wanted to ask but held back. Half the information was always a bad start. Han Yuelin was there too. If he didn't know either then it was a case worth listening to.

  “Not Yueyou but Yincu,” Mei Wu held out another paper and Nian Yue took it without any question, starting to read the content wordlessly. “Yincu Village, an isolated section near Huancheng. This is the village that appears right after you cross the Chenlian mountain. Yue, you explain next. I'm sure you're more experienced than I am,” said Mei Wu.

  This might be the fourth time Mei Wu had tried to provoke Nian Yue. Nian Yue felt like a headache was coming her way the longer she listened to Mei wu’s, in fact the breathing. “‘Nian Yue,’ address me correctly.”

  Mei Wu shrugged, unbothered. Ignoring the goddess Nian Yue took her time, staring at the map. She pushed the pawn off the chart and a memory unleashed. Dark nights, wandering-bare feets, two hands clutched together. Nian Yue’s head started ringing the longer she pushed herself towards the memory. It took her great strength to remove herself from the clutches of that nightmare and when she did, she dared not look back at the map. She took a shuddering inner breath and spoke in a low voice, barely audible. “I'm not sure. Please continue explaining.”

  Mei Wu sighed with discontentment. She leaned back in her seat and caressed the loose strands of her hair. “No prayers for protection or help have been received from this place. It's non-existent in the heavenly records, thank the mortal guard regulators who grasped this information of a ghost roaming around in this area, otherwise..”

  Han Yuelin invested his attention in analyzing the remaining papers while Yue sat silently. She was neither reading nor speaking. It's not rare for Nian Yue to go in such a state, In fact she was known for it, a goddess living in daydream. However, Mei Wu found it annoying, or maybe found another layer beneath the silence. “Nian Yue,” Mei Wu called and Nian Yue responded with a gentle raise of her head, “What do you think? Why don't they ask for help? You are a goddess involved with spirits, at least you should have been aware.”

  Nian Yue glanced at Mei Wu with pure hatred in her eyes—the look one would give their worst enemies. And rather than pulling back Mei Wu grinned with amusement, joyful in Nian Yue’s misery.

  The bitterness Nian Yue holds for Mei Wu is unimaginable. With these kinds of questions, they only aggravate Nian Yue’s hatred towards the goddess. And yet Mei Wu doesn't even bother to hide how she likes it.

  “Ah joyful old days.” Mei Wu murmured.

  ____ ____ ____

  Character Names

  [光昙念月 (Guāng Tán Niàn Yuè) — “Guang Dynasty's Fleeting Moon Remembrance”]

  [魅雾 (Mèi Wù) — “Charming Mist”]

  [光韩月麟 (Guāng Hán Yuè Lín) — “Guang dynasty’s Radiant Han, Moon Qilin”]

  [光韩君曜 (Guāng Hán Jūn Yào) — “Guang Dynasty’s Han Radiant Lord”]

  [炎天宿 (Yán Tiānxìu) — “He who dwells in the constellations”]

  Titles

  [轮回女神 (Lúnhuí Nǚshén) — “Goddess of Reincarnation”]

  [姐姐 (Jiě jiě) — “Older Sister”]

  [舅公 (Jiù gōng) — “Grand Uncle”]

  World Build/Countries/Villages

  [盛阳国 (Shèng Yáng Guó) — “The Prosperous Sun Nation”]

  [月有 (Yuèyǒu) — “Moon’s Possession”]

  [隐谷 (Yǐncū) — “Hidden Valley”]

  To be continued:-

  —----------—