Nick's house was not far from the river but it was deep in the forest away from the human settlements.
His home was surrounded by peach blossom trees and the petals covered the ground and made a ' crunch ' sound as Nick walked across. The house was made of wood and the inside looked simple only consisting of a bed made of wood , a kitchen and a make shift bath.
Bei Shang was quick to scan the whole place, Nick was right, there was nothing of value in the house.
Nick carried him to the bathroom and place him on the wooden bathtub.
"I'll get you warm water, I'll also get you clothes"
Bei Shang feeling the warm water on his body felt the chill in his bone disperse at once but his lungs still felt heavy. So was his head, it took him all his physical strength not to fall asleep in the bathtub.
He bathed and then climb out. There was a pink dress on the table.
Bei Shang lips twitched and he looked at his body. He was in his right body in this life , a flat chest , a heavy weight underneath his legs and strong masculine hands .
A simple thought went through his head, one from his past self and one from him.
'Does he really look that feminine?'
But he can't ask him to change the clothes. He wore it , the size fit his body perfectly even hiding his masculine body and giving him soft curves.
Nick was already placing food on the table when he came outside. Seeing him in the dress , Bei Shang could see the light in his eyes twinkle a bit more before his pupils dilate.
He looked at the fingers on the chair, it looks so clenched that he's suprised that he have not crushed it yet.
They have not even known each other that well and Nick is already attracted . He don't know if he should be flattered or terrified.
"I'll get more clothes for you when I'm coming from the market tomorrow"
"I'll go with you "
Then he saw it , the light went out of his eyes and he turned visibly pale.
"Huh…you just woke up , going outside is not safe for you yet , at least get well first "
He pulled Bei Shang to the table and sat him down then he placed a bowl of rice porridge in his hands.
"Do you remember anything?"
Bei Shang nod his head " yeah "
"Huh…oh really…umm but you're not from here right?"
Bei Shang blinked "how did you know?"
The light came back immediately, and color rushed back into his face. He subconsciously relaxed and even his clenched fists got loosed.
"Thank goodness…I mean… you come from far away right? You got lost in a journey?"
A series of memories went through his head.
He had just opened his eyes from something like a deep slumber when he saw a woman dancing in the sky , thunder clapped and rain fell down with vengeance but her movement were smooth and steady. When she twirled, her eyes caught him staring.
There was a thick silence between them before she jumped down and squatted in front of him.
"What a beautiful seedling, you look only 6 years old, where's your master?"
"I don't have a master I just woke up "
"I'll be your master then "
He found himself shrugging " okay then"
Shu hua carried him to her palace and since then he grew up under her care. The two were close , she taught him to play the gupin and he played it for her during her dance routines, she combed his hair , he combed her hair, she took him out whenever she visited other gods and he tagged along with her carrying her belongings.
Despite she took in more disciples as he grew older , it was apparent that her favorite was him . Although her intentions were innocent, This caused a lot of problems to the extent it caused jealousy and rivalry between him and his junior siblings.
The relationship between He and his first junior sister Xuan hua was the most affected.
Spirits had the ability to choose whatever form they liked , whether it was to cultivate to be a mortal , a demon or a God.
However his decision to become a god was as natural as breathing, he had grew up , ate with and fought with the gods. He never known other realms and everyone seemed to look down on other realms which strengthened his resolve.
His cultivation was fast due to the abundant spiritual energy in the God realm. However he reached a bottle neck in the demi god stage. No matter how he tried or how many pills shu hua fed him , he can't advance.
Shu hua asked the help from the emperor of the god realm ,Fuxin , who immediately told him that it's because he have not gone through his tribulations.
There are three tribulations everyone regardless of their roots goes through to become a god.
A warrior tribulation , a worshipper tribulation and a love tribulation.
A warrior tribulation meant he had to bathe in blood and cultivate using people's souls , that is to become a fiercesome general.
A worshipper tribulation meant he have to find people to admire him to the extent they are willing to build a temple for him. The more worshippers , the more divinity.
A love tribulation meant he have removed all attachments from the world. Love often clouded the eyes of the divine and made them do stupid things. He have to make sure not to love anything more than his own divinity.
Failing anyone of this tribulation meant not ascending to the god level and facing a punishment.
Shu hua was terrified about the conditions but he immediately nod his head. The requirements don't look too hard , it was just to kill , make a cult and be cold hearted , it's easy.
So he told his worried Shifu a quick goodbye and jumped down the heavens gate without hesitation, unfortunately he didn't calculate that he would go through the painful 7 thunder realms and lose half of his cultivation.
That's how he ended up in the river and now in this mortal home now.
Nick was still staring at him , expecting his question to be answered.
"Yeah … I think so " Bei Shang lowered his head and started to eat his porridge " But a really far away place though "
"Do you have a family waiting for you ?"
Bei Shang paused and thought for a second before nodding his head " Yeah my Shifu and my junior siblings..but they will be okay though, I told them I'll take long time "
"So you don't need to write a letter?"
"…Yes" he raised a brow " With the way you're talking, I would think you want to sell me "
Nick shook his head immediately " No I won't do that , I would never do that to you, if I ever try anything stupid, you can take a knife and stab me in the heart "
'Wow … even his way of reassuring him didn't change one bit.'
Bei Shang nod his head seriously then went back to nibbling his food. Nick seeing his well behaved manner couldn't help but poke Bei Shang cheek.
Seeing Bei Shang didn't frown and even blinked in confusion to his touch , Nick finger slowly moved from his cheek to his chin, raising his head.
Nothing changed about him; give Nick an inch , he takes a mile.
"My name is Hong Jin; I'm a …fisherman "
Hearing the name, a sense of sadness suddenly came out of nowhere and engulf Bei Shang heart. It was so suffocating, Bei Shang had the urge to grab his chest.
However his past self doesn't seem to feel it, his face was still innocent almost bordering on ignorant indifference.
"My name is Taohua , I am a disciple of a sect from far away " he pushed Nick's finger " You're not allowing me to eat "
Nick seemed stunned before he let out a soft chuckle.
"Okay I'm sorry"
"No problem"
Author note: As from now, whenever I'm referring to his past self , I would use Taohua, whenever I'm referring to present self , I'm using Bei Shang. Nick will continue to be Nick unless Taohua is engaging him in a conversation. Thank you for staying till now.