Tianmen City, one of the two border cities of the Celestial Realm, stood as a silent sentinel between worlds. Beyond the mighty Tianmen Gate lay the Tianwei Barrier, a monumental boundary separating Celestials from Humans.
This barrier had been forged at an immeasurable cost—the life of Tian Yuan Zhizun, the Primordial Celestial Sovereign, who perished protecting the delicate balance of the three realms.
The realms now existed in a fragile equilibrium. Under the rule of Tian Xu Tianjun, son of Tian Yuan, the Celestial Realm flourished. Revered as a wise and benevolent emperor, Tian Xu had restored peace within the realm, overseeing its prosperity with steady hands.
The city bustled with activity. Many Celestials came to trade, their presence filling the air with energy and purpose.
Stalls lined the streets, merchants offering everything from rare celestial herbs to intricate trinkets—many brought back from the Human Realm by daring travelers.
Among the most adventurous were the Celestial merchants, those with the courage, and sometimes the permission, to cross the Tianwei Barrier. They returned with oddities and delicacies from faraway lands, peddling them in Tianmen with pride.
For Celestials who could not venture beyond the Barrier, the city served as a substitute for the forbidden. Trinkets and food from the Human Realm—earthy, fragrant, and exotic—were sought after with longing and wonder.
Xuan Tian stood in front of Tianque Inn, his gaze lingering on the grand building before him. Around him, haggling voices from the stalls mixed with loud conversations, hushed tones, and merchants' shouts.
The inn's name, Tianque, meaning "Heaven's Palace," felt strangely out of place. Though impressive, it lacked the serene elegance of Yuxu Palace. It was nothing like the grandeur he was accustomed to.
He had never imagined himself traveling this far alone. The discomfort that settled in his chest felt foreign, as though the city itself was pushing him further from the life he knew. He rarely visited Tianmen City, and even less often did his duties bring him to this side of the border.
Everything about it felt strange, and for the first time, he couldn't quite shake the feeling that he didn't belong here.
Resigned to fate, he sighed and entered the inn—only to hear a voice calling out. "Sir! Over here!"
Xuan Tian turned to his left, his gaze landing on a male Celestial in a simple white robe. His hair was neatly arranged in the traditional celestial knot, and nothing about him stood out, except the excitement in his voice.
"I'm sorry. I know I shouldn't shout, but I cannot help it," the man continued with a sheepish grin. "My name is Lei Wen, and this is my wife, Lin Qian," he said, gesturing to the female Celestial beside him.
"An honor, General," Lin Qian bowed deeply. Lei Wen, startled, quickly followed suit.
Xuan Tian observed the couple. They both had kind faces, sincere eyes, and a calming aura—all signs of good, if not great, doctors. He liked what he saw, and the tension in his shoulders eased.
"Please," Xuan Tian said, raising his hands in a relaxed gesture to stop them. "There's no need for formalities. Though we're on a mission, we are far from a formal setting. Just call me Xuan Tian."
"Thank you, General," Lei Wen replied shyly. "I'm surprised you've already arrived. I thought you wouldn't be here until tomorrow at the earliest." He quickly added, "Not that I don't appreciate your swiftness, of course."
Xuan Tian gave a small nod. "This mission is important. There's no need to delay it any longer." He glanced around. "There should be four of you, correct? Where are the other two doctors?"
"Dr. Zhao Zhi and Dr. Xu Yun are already here," Lei Wen explained. "They're double-checking our supplies and making sure our papers are in order for us to cross the barrier. We were about to join them when we received news you'd be arriving shortly, so we decided to wait here for you instead, General."
Xuan Tian's expression hardened slightly. "Thank you for waiting, but it wasn't necessary." His tone betrayed a flicker of irritation, and he found himself thinking, I'm not a child who needs to be watched over. The shift in his own mood caught him off guard.
"They're here!" Lin Qian exclaimed, her eyes bright with anticipation.
Lei Wen and Xuan Tian turned toward the inn's entrance, watching as the remaining two Celestials approached, their expressions warm with familiarity.
"General, welcome," the first one greeted with a respectful bow. "I am Zhao Zhi, and this is my junior sister, Xu Yun. We were surprised to learn that the Palace sent you."
Xu Yun mirrored the bow with a polite smile. Zhao Zhi had a more cheerful, lively presence than Lei Wen, while Xu Yun was the quietest among them. Still, they all seemed capable.
Xuan Tian inclined his head. "His Majesty places great importance on this mission. A plague is never trivial, even in the Human Realm." He spoke without hesitation, though some part of him still found the words strange.
Humans lived and died by the whims of nature. Why had Tian Xu sent Celestials to intervene in this matter?
"Nevertheless, it is still a surprise for us, General. We heard Baishan City has been ravaged by this plague for nearly three months, and yet, there has been no improvement. As members of the Celestial Doctors Association, we feel obligated to help," Zhao Zhi explained, his voice carrying an unusual intensity for a Celestial.
"Everyone agreed in principle, but no one wanted to go. Most believed the Human Immortals could handle it themselves. But three months have passed, and nothing has changed! Those Immortals always consider themselves gods, but when something like this happens, where are they?"
Xu Yun sighed, stepping in to temper his frustration. "Please excuse my Senior Brother, General. He has always believed that as doctors, we must help those in need, regardless of race." Then, with a wry smile, she added, "But we all share the same astonishment about you, General. We only submitted a standard escort request to the Imperial Army. We never expected it to reach His Majesty, let alone that he would send you."
Lin Qian looked at Xuan Tian with evident worry. "Does this mean His Majesty believes the Human Realm is too dangerous for regular Imperial Soldiers?"
Xuan Tian noticed all four pairs of light brown eyes on him, their worry and fear unspoken yet clear. He raised a hand, his voice even. "Please, doctors. There is no need for unfounded fear. Yes, the Human Realm is not safe, but has it ever been? They are always fighting among themselves."
Seeing their concern still linger, he continued, "His Majesty's compassion extends beyond our borders. Sending me may seem excessive, but evidently, His Majesty does not think so. He merely considers your safety and comfort. Escorting four doctors would normally require at least four soldiers. Wouldn't that be uncomfortable for you?"
Lei Wen's eyes lit up with realization. "Ah! His Majesty is wise! Why didn't we think of that?"
The other doctors nodded in agreement.
"Now that we are all gathered, when do you wish to depart?" Lei Wen asked, looking expectantly at Xuan Tian.
The others followed suit, waiting for his decision. There was no question they had already appointed him their leader.
Xuan Tian accepted without hesitation. "There is no reason to delay. How soon can you be ready?"
The four doctors exchanged a glance, a silent conversation passing between them.
"Fifteen minutes," Lei Wen answered.
Xuan Tian gave a sharp nod. "Then we leave in fifteen minutes."