The end of the year was approaching.
It hadn’t been long since the previous New Year, but a new one was already arriving.
This year’s twelfth lunar month didn’t have the grandeur of the past. The marketplace was not lively, and most people spoke in hushed tones as they bought their fish and meat, their brows weighed down by a cloud of unrelenting sorrow.
Everything was scarcer than in previous years, requiring a scramble to get anything, and prices were slightly higher.
Jiang Tong observed all of this from within the bell. He had already solidified the outline of half a body, but his legs had yet to manifest.
If he were to emerge prematurely, he would only be seen as a blurry, white, featureless humanoid monster.
Gu Xianyu took charge of the shopping with practiced ease.
The merchants at the base of the mountain all recognized this lady. They politely set aside the best portions for her, and since she always paid a little extra and visited often, most of the vendors had become familiar with her.
Once the shopping was finished, the person and the soul returned to the shores of Guanye Lake.
They would be able to spend another New Year together. Having Ice Spiritual Power was certainly convenient; she froze the meat and vegetables, leaving them in the kitchen to wait for New Year’s Eve.
Jiang Tong had been busy lately. Aside from his usual cultivation, he would walk along the shore of Guanye Lake, occasionally crushing several Lingshi to bury them in the earth or toss them into the water.
The soil near Guanye Lake had completely lost its vitality; it was dead and desolate.
There was a reason for its barrenness. Forget planting trees; even growing a few flowers or patches of grass was a struggle.
He had pondered this while in the illusion. Using the spiritual energy within Lingshi to transform Dead Soil into Spirit Soil was a practical method.
It would be a long, drawn-out process, but doing something was better than doing nothing at all.
Planting trees by the lake and making it beautiful again had always been a shared wish between the Master and his disciple.
After learning about this method, Gu Xianyu joined in. Over the past few months, she smiled less and spent more time cultivating.
Jiang Tong watched her seriously crushing Lingshi. In a daze, he seemed to see that energetic Waterweed Immortal once again.
There were only a few days left until the New Year.
“I’ll handle this year’s New Year’s Eve dinner,” Jiang Tong said.
After tinkering for an entire day, the Master and disciple sat by the lakeshore, feeling the evening breeze.
Jiang Tong smiled at Gu Xianyu. “Last year you did it, and this year it’s my turn. It’s only fair… Do you want to have hot pot?”
The young girl squinted slightly against the wind. “What is hot pot?”
“Hot pot is simple and convenient to make. You don’t have to stay busy for too long.” Jiang Tong gestured with his hands.
“You set up a large pot, put in the ingredients, let the broth bubble and boil, and then toss the food in to cook… It’s wonderful.”
“Is it delicious?”
“It’s incredibly fragrant.”
“Then I want to eat hot pot!” Gu Xianyu clenched her small fists.
‘Master is always coming up with strange new things… but they are unexpectedly good,’ she thought.
“It’s a deal, then,” Jiang Tong promised readily. He looked toward the lakeshore, considering the idea of getting some fireworks.
They hadn’t watched them from up close last year, but this year they would be right by the lake.
If he placed them in a circle around the water, the fireworks would be close enough that his current Divine Sense could cover the entire range.
He had been tense for several months. He could use the New Year as a chance to truly relax.
Both Master and disciple were feeling lazy tonight. They sat idly by the lake, doing nothing but watching the stars and the moon.
She looked at the ones in the sky; he looked at the ones reflected in the water.
“Once the earth here turns into Spirit Soil, what kind of trees should we plant?” Jiang Tong asked lazily.
Gu Xianyu glanced at him. “Didn’t we agree on Tong trees?”
“I’ve changed my mind.” Jiang Tong patted her head. “I want to plant something else.”
The girl tilted her head and puffed out her cheeks. She scanned the lakeshore before looking back at Jiang Tong in confusion.
“How about willow trees?”
“Willow trees… Is there a special meaning to willows?” Gu Xianyu couldn’t figure it out. “Neither your name nor mine contains the word willow.”
“Then let’s make sure it does.”
The girl looked a bit dazed. Jiang Tong took the opportunity to pinch her cheek; it was quite soft.
“Do you remember the night you became my disciple?”
“I remember.” The little disciple thought for a moment and smiled. “Master, you told me not to try to prove anything for the sake of a name.”
“What else?”
“And…” Gu Xianyu’s eyes softened as she whispered, “Jiang Tong, Jiang Tong…”
“Hmm?”
“That was the first time I knew your name was Jiang Tong. Jiang Tong… it’s a very nice name.”
She really cared about him… Jiang Tong smiled. “What else?”
“Was there more?” Gu Xianyu couldn’t remember.
“There was…” Jiang Tong looked at her profile. “You could have a very beautiful name too.”
“Ah!” The girl smoothed a lock of hair that had been ruffled by the wind, finally remembering.
“Wasn’t that a joke?”
“How could it be a joke?” Jiang Tong picked up a branch. “I originally planned to give it to you during the New Year, but thinking about it now, it might be better to tell you at this moment.”
“I…” The girl’s pink lips moved. Seeing Jiang Tong’s serious expression, her nose began to sting.
It felt as though a warm current was flowing through her.
“Don’t cry now.”
Jiang Tong noticed her expression and rubbed her head. Before he could do it more than a few times, Gu Xianyu leaned her head forward like a little calf.
“Master…”
“What is it?” Jiang Tong pulled her by the shoulder. Her mouth was pouting, yet the corners were turned up.
“Nothing.” The girl lowered her head. “I just suddenly wanted to be a little closer to you…”
Ever since the illusion, hugging had become a common occurrence. She liked the act of hugging. Although Jiang Tong’s body wasn’t warm, when she was close, she felt as if she could hear his heartbeat.
In reality, it was her own.
Jiang Tong tweaked her nose. Teasing this tiny Master of his was quite fun and gave him a sense of accomplishment.
She was also cute 200 years later, but that came more from the contrast with her cold demeanor — like her dazed state when waking up or her occasional actions that didn’t fit her persona.
Her current cuteness was more youthful. Her features weren’t yet cold and elegant; they were different after all.
“Such a big girl and still a crybaby.” Jiang Tong held the branch and wrote in the soil by the river.
[Jiang]
“You are my disciple, so naturally, you should take my surname. From now on, you will have no more involvement with your previous family.”
‘Saying this feels quite satisfying,’ he thought. His Master would actually take his surname. The two of them would share the same name, and the source started with him.
[Yue]
“You wanted me to watch the stars and the moon with you, and you have achieved that. Though I really wanted to add ‘waterweed’ to your name… Hiss! Don’t bite me! Even a soul body can feel pain.”
Above the lake, two moons reflected each other.
The clear moonlight spilled over the two figures by the shore. The girl let go of her hold with a satisfied look, leaving a shallow tooth mark on Jiang Tong’s hand.
[Liu]
“The apricot blossom rain wets the clothes, and the willow breeze blows upon the face, yet it is not cold. Willow trees represent vibrant life and great vitality. I hope you live well, for a very, very long time…”
Jiang Tong’s soul body shifted slightly. He held out a pinky finger and smiled at her gently.
“Can you promise me? Live well. Keep living.”
“If you agree, this will be your name from now on.”
The girl stared blankly at his finger. The tears she had held back returned, her eyes shimmering like a ladle full of moonlight.
Something stirred in her heart — itchy, warm, and ready to overflow.
She pressed her head firmly against Jiang Tong’s chest and extended her pinky, hooking it with his.
“…Okay.”
Gu Xianyu only dared to speak that one word. she feared that if she said any more, the warmth filling her chest would spill over.
Her tears would follow, and that would be embarrassing.
“From this day forward…”
Jiang Yueliu raised her eyes. The moonlight illuminated both their faces and their interlocked fingers.
Jiang Tong could hear Jiang Yueliu’s thumping heartbeat. It felt as if there were a heart in his own body, beating in perfect synchronization.
“Your name shall be Jiang Yueliu.”