Chapter Text
After countless debates and arguements, a new Yinyue-Jun has been appointed in the Xianzhou Luofu.
A High Elder who goes by the name 'Dan Heng,' former incarnation of Dan Feng and former captive of the Shackling Prison.
While many were satisfied with the decision, others were against it, believing that he shouldn't be trusted with such a prominent role, especially after what the previous Yinyue-Jun had done.
However it all came down to what General Jing Yuan chose. And if he chose Dan Heng, they'll just have to go with it.
The new Yinyue-Jun was more cold and reserved, didn't speak unless spoken too, but played his role as High Elder very well.
Of course, that didn't stop him from being compared to Dan Feng.
The Preceptors were harsh towards him, telling him how much he doesn't deserve his title and how he deserves to wither away.
Civilians would gossip about him left and right, most of it having to do with the Sedition of Yinyue-Jun.
Despite this, Dan Heng has some positives going on in his life.
He made some new friends: Qiong, Xing and San Yue Qi (though he calls them Caelus, Stelle, and March, respectively.)
He recently met Bailu, a healer from the Alchemy Commission who holds a small fragment of the previous Yinyue-Jun's power. While he was originally tasked with teaching her the ways of the High Elder, the two mostly spend time playing together.
He spent most of his time reading and going through the Divination Commission's library. the Luofu General would try to get the High Elder to explore the specialties and other ships, but his attempts were unsuccessful.
Until recently.
Jing Yuan brought Dan Heng along to the Artisanship Commission for some reason.
The General said it was for administrative work (which could be handled on his own) but it really was an excuse for him to drag the Vidyadhara along.
"Besides, I like your companionship," Jing Yuan said, "is that a bad thing?"
"If you need companionship for stuff like this, then you should've brought over your lieutenant."
Jing Yuan chuckled, "He would. But he's busy with his usual duties."
The two met up with Zhu Lan the moment they made it to the Commission, where Jing Yuan began speaking about-
Dan Heng zoned out and began looking around, nothing really appeal to him, he'd rather be in the comfort of his living quarters if anything.
Then his eyes land on a statue of a unique individual that stood near the entrance.
Dan Heng slowly crept away from the General, who kept talking with Zhu Lan, to get a closer look.
The figure was carved in dark stone, adorn with attire and accessories similar to that of the Zhuming, multiple hands making delicate gestures. Dan Heng looked down to see many offerings given to the statue, mostly being swords and ores of many kinds.
He then looked back at the face of the statue, it was unrecognizable, he couldn't even tell who, or what, they were.
Were they an Aeon like Lan? A local legend amongst the Xianzhou?
"Done staring?"
The High Elder jolted and looked around, but no one was near. Where did that even come from? Was he hearing things?
He then looked back at the figure, confused.
"Was that… You just now?" Dan Heng asked, feeling stupid that he's talking to a statue.
But there was no response.
After sometime, he heard Jing Yuan call his name. Just as Dan Heng turned around, he heard something drop behind him.
The Vidyadhara looked behind him to see a spear on the ground. He recognized it as Cloud-Piercer, a weapon forged by Yingxing that was later confiscated from him when he was imprisoned.
How did it end up here?
Dan Heng picked it up, looking back at the figure once more before heading back to the General.
"You seemed occupied by that statue," Jing Yuan said as the two walked towards the exit.
"Who is that?" Dan Heng asked.
"A local deity of the Xianzhou Zhuming, his name is unknown but he's often referred to as 'Ren' or 'The Emberblaze.'"
"He's very much known as a god of all craftsmanship alike, became a prominent figure of the Artisanship Commission."
"If you wanna learn more about him, you can always visit the Zhuming. They have a temple dedicated to him."
"I'll pass," was all Dan Heng said.
Jing Yuan let out a sigh of affection, maybe one day he'll get a chance.
"Say, where'd you even get that spear?" Jing Yuan then asked out of curiosity.
"Found it."
Dan Heng woke up in a cold sweat.
He frantically looked around only to be met with his room, tucked in his bed.
It was just a nightmare, another nightmare of his past.
He sighed and took a deep breath, getting out of his bed. He couldn't sleep after that, perhaps a walk would clear his mind a bit.
Dan Heng threw on his robe and a pair of shoes before heading out.
He began walking aimlessly, occasionally passing by familiar places that he's visited before.
But the time he stopped, he somehow walked all the way to the Artisanship Commission.
The High Elder huffed out a sigh, looks like he'll have to walk all the way back. But since he's already here, might as well visit that deity statue again.
He stood in front of the deity once more, eventually looking down at his hands that laid on his lap with his palms up.
Slowly, Dan Heng reached out and touched his palms.
It burned his hand.
"Ow!" Dan Heng hissed as he pulled his hand away, shaking it frantically.
Out of nowhere, he heard a raspy laugh.
Was he being made fun of?
The Vidyadhara huffs, ready to head back home when he heard a faint noise from behind him.
He turned around, only to be met with multiple Mara soldiers. Dan Heng took out Cloud Piercer and struck at them.
Despite living in an isolated cell for most of his life, he's able to retain most of his skills with the spear without having to rely entirely on his High Elder powers.
Just as he thought he had gotten the hang of it, Cloud-Piercer snaps into two as he blocked one of the Mara-soldier's attacks.
Dan Heng falls to the ground, the remaining spear parts rolling away.
Just as he was about to channel his power, a glowing light appeared for a split second.
Suddenly, a figure appeared before him, adorned in red, white, and gold, a teal veil looped around their arms, and long navy-blue hair that elegantly moved with the wind.
The figure took out a sword, one that looked unique in comparison to the swords the Cloud Knights use, and took down the Mara soldiers with a single slash, setting them ablaze.
The figure then turned around, revealing a set of glowing amber eyes.
He looked just like that statue.
Dan Heng felt his eyes grow heavy as the figure approached him...