Witnessing the World’s Turmoil Through Mortal Eyes

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Mount Azurecloud, one of the four great sacred mountains of Daoism.

At its summit, scattered tile-roofed houses could be found, where now and then a few Daoist priests would be seen discussing scriptures, playing chess, or brewing tea. To newcomers, it always seemed a true immortal’s realm.

In the eyes of the common folk, the Azurecloud Daoist Monastery was nothing less than a home of immortals. Many a scholar’s son longed to apprentice himself to Master Taiping, to study the ways of immortality and seek longevity, perhaps even to soar as an immortal beyond the mortal world. Yet, though many made the climb each year to petition entry, the Azurecloud Monastery—or rather, Master Taiping himself—counted but three disciples. It was widely rumored that all three were blessed by heaven and earth, possessing the innate potential for immortality, and only thus were they accepted as the Master’s personal disciples.

On one of the mountain paths, a young man in Daoist robes ambled along, carrying a bucket of spring water in one hand. His features were well-formed, his skin pale, embodying the very definition of a beautiful youth. As for who he was—he was none other than the youngest of Master Taiping’s three disciples, holding the middle rank. The Master had bestowed upon him the appellation “Fuming.” Above him was his senior brother, known as Mountain Dweller, and below, his junior sister, known as Peaceful Daoist.

He had asked his master once why he had been given the name Fuming and what it signified. Each time, his master gave a differen