Clash on the Cliffside

No matter the time, Moon Lake was always beautiful—sometimes shrouded in a hazy veil, sometimes vivid with clarity. The evening breeze teased the thin mist, and what slipped through their fingertips was more than just the splendors of the world.

Hand in hand, Chen Yage and Li Bai ran together. Suddenly, a hand pulled Chen Yage into the thicket. She was about to cry out when another hand covered her mouth. Then came a voice, clear and melodious like an oriole from the valley.

“Yage, it’s me!” Du Juan whispered, glancing nervously outside from time to time.

“Du Juan—” Chen Yage tried to stand, but Du Juan pulled her down to sit among the tall grass. Just then, Li Bai realized Du Juan’s presence. In a flash, he darted into the thicket as well, pressing a finger to his lips in a gesture for silence.

The three of them held their breath, watching quietly as a figure in red swept past. Chen Yage’s heart nearly leapt from her chest. Du Juan squeezed her hand tightly, signaling her not to worry.

Once Lady Moon had passed, Chen Yage moved to rise, but both Du Juan and Li Bai pressed her back down. Li Bai said, “She’ll come back.” No sooner had he finished speaking than Lady Moon indeed returned, casting her eyes about before huffing coldly and departing once more.

Only then did the three breathe easy. Chen Yage noticed blood still trickling from Li Bai’s arm. She tore a strip from her skirt and gently bandaged his wound, whispering, “Thank you, Brother Bai.”

Li Bai just smiled, saying nothing.

“Yage,” Du Juan hesitated, twisting her sleeve and lowering her head, “is what my mother said true? Are you really going to marry Brother Shao tomorrow?”

“Du Juan, it’s not as you think. Do you know how to get out of here? Will you take us away, please? I never wanted to marry your brother. I was forced by circumstance; my promise was just a temporary measure,” Chen Yage said, taking Du Juan’s hands and looking earnestly into her eyes. Du Juan stared back for a moment, then wordlessly stood and pulled Chen Yage up with her. “Come with me,” she said.

They reached the water’s edge. Du Juan turned to them and said, “We have to swim across.” With that, she leapt into the lake.

Chen Yage and Li Bai exchanged a smile and followed her into the water.

The purple parasol flowers seemed to flourish eternally. Days passed, yet their fragrance only grew stronger. Under the moonlight, they blossomed with an even greater brilliance, as if so long as there was light, they would always stand proud among the flowers.

The three climbed ashore and scaled the cliffside. Chen Yage’s heart filled with doubt—was this cliff really the exit? Li Bai seemed equally uncertain. They had come here several times before, only to faint before reaching the enigmatic cave.

Du Juan led the way while Chen Yage and Li Bai followed cautiously. Suddenly, Du Juan spoke: “I’m sorry, Yage.”

Chen Yage’s heart grew cold. Was Du Juan not truly willing to help them? Who, or what, lived within that cave? Was there some great secret concealed inside? She tensed, ready for any betrayal.

But Du Juan continued, “The jade pendant you showed me that night belonged to my mother…”

Li Bai interrupted, “You’re not to blame. She’s your mother. It’s only right you kept silent.”

“That’s right, Du Juan. Don’t worry, none of us blame you,” Chen Yage added gently.

Du Juan said, “This is the exit. I found it by accident. Once you leave, never come back. Please, promise me you’ll never tell anyone about Peach Blossom Spring.”

Her words made Chen Yage feel as if she truly stood in a secluded paradise, as if, just as in the old tales, once they left, the exit would vanish, never to be found again.

She thought of the simple life within Peach Blossom Spring—villagers each with their own tasks, working by day and resting by night. Even if Du Juan hadn’t asked, she would never speak of what had happened here.

To this moment, it all felt like a dream—yet so real. She couldn’t tell if she had stumbled into Peach Blossom Spring, or if the paradise had always existed within her dreams.

“Don’t worry. I, Chen Yage, swear on my honor never to utter a word about Peach Blossom Spring. But if you let us go, what will your mother do if she finds out?” she asked.

Du Juan’s smile was as radiant as the sun, pure and innocent. “Don’t worry about me. Brother Shao will never let harm come to me.”

Chen Yage remembered how, upon first arriving, Ziye treated Du Juan with such affection; surely, nothing would happen to her. And now, she and Li Bai could finally leave in peace.

“Take care of yourself!” Chen Yage released Du Juan’s hand and climbed toward the cave entrance, with Li Bai close behind. As Chen Yage looked back at Li Bai from above, Lady Moon appeared, seizing Li Bai by the leg. Du Juan pleaded through her tears, “Mother, please let them go. Please, spare them…”

Li Bai struggled to break free, but Lady Moon’s martial skill was formidable—escaping her grasp was no easy feat. Chen Yage’s brow furrowed in worry. She clung to Li Bai’s hand, fearful that a single misstep would see him dragged down.

Despite his efforts, Li Bai could not escape her grasp. Suddenly, Lady Moon released him, and Chen Yage seized the chance to haul him up. But at that critical moment, Lady Moon struck at Li Bai with her palm. He dared not resist too forcefully, for fear of pulling Chen Yage down with him, and took the blow.

The force of her attack was fierce. Li Bai’s chest tightened, and a metallic taste filled his throat. As Lady Moon leapt up toward them, he pushed Chen Yage into the cave, taking another blow in the process.

Seeing Li Bai gravely wounded and unable to flee, Lady Moon pursued Chen Yage into the cave. Li Bai realized her intent and threw himself at her legs, shouting into the cave, “Go! Go now!”

Lady Moon tried to shake him off, but Li Bai clung with all his strength. No matter how she struck or kicked, he would not let go. Even as he lost consciousness, his grip on her never loosened. There was a faint, almost imperceptible smile on his lips.

Lady Moon, enraged, gathered her strength for another strike, but suddenly Ziyu appeared and kicked her away. She spat a mouthful of blood. Ziyu’s gaze was cold and filled with murderous intent. Du Juan hurried to help him lift Li Bai, and with a leap, Ziyu carried him into the lake. Du Juan turned to comfort Lady Moon, only to be struck into the water by her mother’s angry blow.