Chapter Text
Approximately one hundred years later, “Statue of Yin Nezha, 1921, ‘the Dragon’s breath” Yunmeng Arlong Museum.
A tall statue of a man with long hair pinned up, scars on his forehead, holding a sword, stood tall and fiercely. The young students looked up in awe.
“This particular figure was a warrior of the water dragon, legend says that he has a tattoo on his back carved of silver!” Wang Laoshi spoke.
“But didn’t he let the Hesperians take over? I think he’s weak,” a girl stated.
“Well Lanlan, you might think that, but it was the only thing he could do for the good of Nikan. Think of it; if Dawei outnumbered you in resources and you needed those resources, wouldn’t you also give in?” Wang Laoshi questioned.
“But that would never happen! Dawei wouldn’t be smart enough to get so many things!” Lanlan fiercely replied.
“Hey!” the boy, Dawei exclaimed.
“Settle down now, remember, you have to be on your best behavior for this trip.”
The children glared at each other but said nothing as they moved on to the next artefact.
***
“Did Nezha love Rin?” Lin searched up on Baidu. She clicked the first article named “The secret lover of Yin Nezha” Nikan Press (2023).
“...It is known that Yin Nezha was a great warrior and an even greater leader for Nikan. Yin’s rival, Fang Runin is even better known for her stubbornness and passion.
Even after Sinegard they still remained enemies, but history does not say so apparently. Historical letters have been found in his home in Arlong even after the colonization of the Hesperians. They present a deep affection for Fang Runin even though he was the one who killed her. Evidence has shown that he would write letters to her and burn them as an offering to her, or place them on the altar; historians have found one thousand thirty-eight letters regarding her name in the shrine after he died; the letters can now be viewed in the Yunmeng Arlong Museum.
“Letters to Fang Runin from Nezha Archive”
1921 Month 5, day 21
My dearest, Rin
I pray to the gods that you receive this letter, but I miss you. I miss you so much.
I miss your red eyes, your crooked grin, fuck even your teasing I miss it. May you forgive me of my sins. You are my only god, my ruiner and my Chaos. The Hesperians call you demonic, Chaos themself even, and while it is true, I’ll never forget the day we all got drunk on the roof, where I took you to the boat and stabbed you. I am so sorry, my sins don’t have to be forgiven but I cannot bear it.
I am to be arranged to a decent Hesperian woman, but she’ll never be you. Her eyes are blue, not your warm brown, not your blood red. Her hair is a pale yellow, not a shitty dark haircut made with a rusted knife. She is everything you’re not. And I hate that. She’s too gentle, too kind to me, too elegant, too naive. But I don’t give five shits. I still love you.
I must confess that I have harveyed feelings for you since our junior year in Sinegard, even now. But even now, I don’t regret your death, I regret the absence that comes with it.
1922, Month 1, day 14
I bought cigarettes for you, I hope it is close enough to the real thing.
1922, Month 3, day 17
You were right Rin. The Hesperians don’t give a shit about us, and they’ve demoted me from Arlong, if you could see Nikan right now…
Listen I know you’re still mad, I can feel it in my soul, but please torture me if you must with your flames of hell, but please forgive me.
I am sorry that I am writing these letters in Hesperian now, but I promise you that Nikan is still faring well.
1925, Month 9, day 13
My dearest Rin, my god, my phoenix, my heart, my soul thread,
I just wanted to let you know that I still think about you til this day, your presence haunts me everywhere I go. I see you in the poppies, everytime I see the color red, everytime I see a flame, I think of you. Always.
Yours truly,
Nezha.
1925, Month 12, day 25
My darling Rin,
I know you’re probably sick of these letters by now, but everything is terrible without you. You were a venom to this world, you were a menace, a terrible little shit, but at the same time, you were once my companion and I’ll never forget that. Today is the holy day of the Maker, I just know you’d laugh at the name, it’s a holiday where people celebrate creation and decorate trees, like we do during lunar new year kind’ve. I just wanted to share, I know you probably don’t care about these western things.
Your one and only,
Nezha.
1927, Month 1, day 18
Rin,
I was taking a stroll tonight after a long day with meetings and realized that it’s Nikan New Year and I bought a bouquet of poppies for you, may they burn with the Phoenix.
Love, Nezha.
1934, Month 6, day 22
Dear Rin,
I have tried to preserve your history, but the Hesperians keep on telling lies about you. But you’re a legend now, a terrifying one. The people know you as “火女儿“ (The Fire’s Daughter) but they have no idea how beautiful you were and how you were just as brave.
From, Nezha.
1982, Month 4, day 30
I am surprised to have lived this long, medicine has truly improved. I hope to meet with you in heaven or the pantheon. You are my way, my truth and my life. Hopefully I will see your angry eyes soon.
From, Nezh–
***
Author: Liu An (刘安), Western Han
天道曰圆，地道曰方。
阳气胜，则龙见；
阴气盛，则凤翔。
龙动而致云雨，
凤静而正四时。
二气错行，而万物生焉。
The Way of Heaven is called round;
the Way of Earth is called square.
When yang energy prevails, the dragon appears;
when yin energy flourishes, the phoenix soars.
The dragon moves and brings clouds and rain;
the phoenix remains poised and sets the four seasons aright.
When these two energies move alternately,
all beings are born from them.