Chapter One: Storm Encountered on the Road to Penglai

My name is Jiang Xiuyuan. Once, I was a palace guard at Xianyang, my sword wielded only for His Majesty. But now, I am nothing more than a commonplace escort in Lord Xu Fu’s fleet, adrift upon the boundless Eastern Sea. My entire world these days revolves around my nine-year-old daughter, Jiang Yiyi.

Life at sea is as monotonous as a song with no end. The salty wind scours my skin day after day, leaving it as rough as the old ropes on our ship. But whenever I see Yiyi, peace returns to my heart. Like the other children, she wears the same plain linen clothing, but her eyes are as clear as the mountain stream behind our home, always reflecting my solitary image amid this endless blue.

“Papa,” she tugged at my sleeve, her voice carried away by the wind, “is the Immortal Mountain of Penglai really so wonderful? Is it better than the pomegranate tree in our backyard?”

I knelt down, brushing the wind-swept hair from her brow with my callused palm, forcing a smile. “Of course. Lord Xu Fu says that there, spring lasts all year, there’s no labor or war, and immortals will give us elixirs that keep us young forever. Then, Yiyi, you’ll never fall ill again, and I can always stay with you.”

“Always…” She repeated softly, wonder shining in her wide eyes. I knew she might not understand what it means to be immortal, but she understood the promise of never being apart. Since her mother’s passing, that has been our most extravagant wish.

“Brother Jiang, telling stories to your little one again?” A raspy voice called out. It was Old Zhao, a seasoned sailor whose face was as lined as a beach scoured by waves. Leaning against the rail with a dry stalk between his teeth, he gazed dully at the horizon. “Immortal Mountain, huh? I’ve drifted these seas for years and never seen the shadow of an immortal—just the wrath of the Dragon King.”

I patted Yiyi’s back, sending her off to play with the other children, then rose and joined Old Zhao. “Brother Zhao, speak carefully. This voyage carries His Majesty’s grand design. If Lord Xu Fu hears such talk, it won’t end well.”

Old Zhao spat out his stalk and scoffed. “His Majesty? He’s far away in Xianyang, what does he know of us feeding our lives to some distant dream? Brother Jiang, you’re a good man and a good father. But do you truly believe all this? Leading three thousand lively children out here in search of immortals?”

I fell silent. Did I believe? I didn’t know. I only knew that in these harsh times, it was better for Yiyi to take a chance on a fleeting hope with this immense fleet than to face an uncertain fate on her own. At least here, she’s fed, and I can watch over her. My sword no longer serves His Majesty, but only her safety.

“I only believe that I can protect her,” I said quietly, watching Yiyi laugh and play with her friends.

Old Zhao glanced at me, sighed, and said nothing more.

But the Dragon King’s wrath comes quickly and without warning.

That afternoon, the sky was still clear, but Old Zhao kept sniffing the air, muttering, “Something’s off.” Soon, ink-black clouds surged over the horizon, swallowing the blue at a visible pace. The sea wind, once gentle, became a howling beast, and the waves rose like moving mountains, crashing fiercely against our ship.

“Reef the sails! Secure the cargo!” The captain’s hoarse shouts were shredded by the wind.

I rushed below deck, finding Yiyi huddled in a corner, face ashen. The children’s frightened cries mingled with the raging storm—a dirge for the end of days.

“Yiyi, don’t be afraid! Papa’s here!” I cradled her tightly, my body shielding her from the chaos on all sides.

“Papa…I’m scared…the ship is shaking…” Her voice trembled with tears, her small hands clutching my tunic until her knuckles turned white.

“Hush now,” I soothed, rubbing my chin against her head, inhaling the faint scent of soap from her hair—the only calm I knew. “Remember what I taught you? When you’re scared, count numbers. We’ll count from one to a hundred. When we’re done, the storm will have passed.”

“One…two…three…” she began, voice quivering, while I held her close, using all my strength to steady us both.

The timbers groaned under the pounding waves, like a dying beast in agony. The deck pitched and shuddered beneath my feet. Outside, I heard sailors’ screams and heavy things crashing into the sea.

Suddenly, a deafening crack split the air as if the sky itself had torn open. The boards beneath us buckled and snapped, and freezing seawater surged in, thick with splinters and debris.

It was over. The thought was clear as day. I had seen death countless times as a guard, but never had I known true fear until now.

“Pa-pa!” Yiyi’s counting turned to a scream, terror seizing her small body.

In the chaos, I saw Old Zhao swept away by a falling mast, vanishing like a leaf into the dark waves. The cabin was full of cries and struggling, but before the fury of the heavens, all efforts were futile.

The ship was coming apart. I knew there was no escape.

I no longer sought a way out. In this churning hell, to struggle was only to mock death. All I could do was hold my daughter tight.

I pressed her little face to my chest, encircling her with my strongest arms, as if I could merge her back into my very bones.

“Yiyi, listen to Papa!” I shouted in her ear, the words gentled by the howling storm. “Don’t be afraid. I’m holding you. We’ll never be parted again. Never.”

“Papa…I don’t want to die…” she sobbed, “We haven’t reached Penglai Mountain yet…”

It felt as if an invisible hand had clenched my heart, squeezing out all breath. Yes, I had promised her a place without pain. I had broken my word.

“Penglai Mountain…is right here in Papa’s arms.” I closed my eyes, tears mingling with the sea. “Here, it’s warm and safe. Sleep now, Yiyi. When you wake, we’ll be there.”

I felt the deck drop away—the wreckage beneath us hurled up by a final wave. In the chaos, all I could do was tighten my embrace with the last of my strength.

“If we must die, let us die together…”

It was my final promise. The icy sea swallowed my consciousness, but before darkness claimed me, all I felt was the small, warm body in my arms.

My sword could not cleave the storm for her. But my life could accompany her even to the Yellow Springs.

Yiyi, don’t be afraid. Papa is here. Always.