Immortal

Liyen visits the hall, where Lord Dalian and Aunt Shou sit upon a dais while the Wuxin celebrate. Lord Dalian congratulates Liyen on becoming Wuxin and asks about her magic. She claims to have some that she does not yet know how to use, but he insists she does not need training to open the gateway. Only the magic she shares with her mother can undo the trap keeping them in the Netherworld.

A general interrupts, bringing Dalian a message from the Winged Devils, who are trapped in Tianxia because immortals are hunting them. They request permission to enter the Netherworld. Despite the Wuxin alliance with the Winged Devils, Dalian rejects the request without remorse. Some of his people question Dalian’s decision, not wanting to turn their backs on allies they promised to support, but he remains resolute.

When Liyen asks Dalian whether he will release Chengyin now that she has joined the Wuxin, he says he will hold onto Chengyin until she proves herself to him. Liyen asks why Dalian devotes his efforts to opening the gateway and conquering the Mortal Realm instead of restoring the Wangchuan River. Dalian snaps that the mortals should serve the Wuxin because the Wuxin are stronger and their existence is infinite in comparison, making them inherently worth more. This answer repulses Liyen. Though she does not intend to follow through with her bargains with Lord Dalian, she says she will only open the gateway if he leaves the people of Tianxia untouched. He agrees, so long as they submit to his rule.

Lord Dalian requests Liyen demonstrate her magic for him. He places her against two of her Wuxin servants, Mei and Miss Lin. Sensing that she, herself, is too valuable to harm but that the servants will be punished if they fail, Liyen showcases some magic but ultimately throws the match. Dalian is unimpressed by her abilities.

Liyen walks through town before her covert meeting with Zhangwei. She buys food and shares it with local Wuxin children. Liyen informs Zhangwei of the false deal she made with Lord Dalian, agreeing to open the gateway in exchange for his sparing Tianxia. Zhangwei assures her they will stop Dalian before his plans succeed, but until then, she should not provoke Dalian. When he asks if she is safe in the palace, she admits that Lord Dalian does not trust her fully and keeps testing her, hoping she will slip up. She suspects he will kill her soon after she opens the gateway. Zhangwei promises Dalian will not get the chance.

Liyen tells Zhangwei about Dalian’s refusal to take the opinions of his soldiers and people into account. Rather than considering their opinions, he resorts to threats and forces them to submit to his will. Liyen believes that many Wuxin do not want war and will choose not to invade if another option is available.

Zhangwei and Liyen are not sure how to get Lord Dalian to relinquish his hold over Chengyin before Liyen opens the gateway. Liyen mentions that Chengyin’s wounds seem to wound Lord Dalian too. Zhangwei is convinced this is the way to separate them, but Liyen dislikes the idea of putting Chengyin in danger. Despite this, she trusts Zhangwei to do everything in his power to ensure Chengyin survives and they all escape.

When Zhangwei outlines a brief escape plan, Liyen does not approve. Because the gateway is so unstable, only two people can pass through at a time, and only a handful a day, otherwise it is too dangerous to risk. Zhangwei plans to send Chengyin and Liyen over first, putting himself in fatal danger as the one left behind. Liyen agrees to send Chengyin through first, but is determined to stay behind with Zhangwei; they will cross over together or not at all.

When Liyen returns to the Wuxin palace, Miss Lin hurries to greet her. She reveals that Lord Dalian became suspicious of her absence since she eluded the guard sent to tail her. Lin says she will pretend they spent the evening together at a teahouse eating and drinking. Liyen is surprised that Lin’s suspicion of Lord Dalian overshadows her loyalty to him. Lin does not believe Lord Dalian is as dedicated to the people as he claims to be. She criticizes Lord Dalian’s tight control over the river and his rationing more water to his army and those closest to him. Liyen asks why Lin helped her, and Lin says it is because Liyen spared Mei and Lin punishment by throwing the match.

Lin explains that Aunt Shou used to be a good ruler, but her son does not follow her ways. Liyen reminds her of Aunt Shou—“someone who cares, who listens rather than punishing all who question” (388). Lin tells Liyen that she suspects the Wangchuan is not weakening, since the only evidence is Lord Dalian’s claims. Lin believes the war can be averted if the river’s power can be restored or shared. She requests Liyen’s help keeping the gateway closed and avoiding a war. In return, Lin and Mei will create a diversion so Liyen can escape to Tianxia with Chengyin. When Lord Dalian confronts them upon their return, Lin stays true to her word, giving a convincing cover story for Liyen’s absence. Lord Dalian tells Liyen that they will open the gateway tomorrow.

Lord Dalian and Liyen board a vessel with his entourage and travel for the gateway. Aunt Shou expresses hopes that Liyen will prove a good influence on Lord Dalian with time and potentially marry him. Liyen keeps quiet. When Aunt Shou attempts to defend Dalian’s actions, claiming he is “sensitive to criticism” and lashes out (394), Liyen asks if she agrees with what he has done with his power. Aunt Shou cannot answer but wants to believe he has valid reasons. Liyen asks if Aunt Shou wants the invasion to avenge her daughter, but Aunt Shou admits her appetite for vengeance is no longer what it was and she is tired of death. Aunt Shou notices Liyen’s way of speaking has changed, and she suspects Liyen is hiding something. Though she does not pry, she hopes Liyen will see reason and work alongside the Wuxin.

The barge reaches the shore and they disembark. Liyen is escorted to the gateway, where Dalian commands her to channel her power and break the archway. At the last moment, Liyen refuses to open the gate, and battle breaks out. Zhangwei appears and begins felling soldiers while Lin and Mei turn against Dalian and fight the Wuxin soldiers alongside the God of War.

When Liyen confronts Dalian, he accuses his mother of knowing Liyen was not what she seemed. Believing his mother has betrayed him, he strikes her across the face. Hurting his mother stokes Chengyin’s anger so much that he seizes control of his body, fatally stabbing himself in the gut with his blade. Liyen rushes to Chengyin’s side and holds him as he dies. Aunt Shou begs Liyen to heal him, and though Liyen wants to, she knows letting Dalian believe Chengyin will die is the only way to ensure he deserts Chengyin’s body.

Liyen delays healing Chengyin until Dalian leaves. As soon as he does, Liyen heals Chengyin just enough to stabilize him. Aunt Shou sends Chengyin through the gateway, delivering him to safety just before Dalian draws all the magic from his subjects’ bells. This drains their life forces, killing all except Aunt Shou, Lei, and Mei, whose distrust spurred them to ward their bells against him.

Dalian orders Liyen one last time to open the gateway. When she refuses, he attacks. Zhangwei intercepts him, urging Liyen to pass through the gate while he holds off Dalian, but she refuses to leave Zhangwei behind.

Seeing the Wuxin soldiers approaching behind Dalian, Liyen questions him about the state of the river, coaxing him into admitting that he is draining power from the river to open the gateway and seal the skies of Tianxia. The invasion is not his people’s cure but the cause of their suffering. There is not enough power for his people to feed on because he is hoarding it for himself, wasting it on greedy ambitions. The approaching soldiers overhear and become horrified, their loyalty shattered. When Aunt Shou tries to convince Dalian to back down, he admits that he let his sister die because he was tired of being overlooked.

Lord Dalian realizes that he has lost the support of his people. Rather than submit to defeat, he uses all his magic to destabilize the gateway, killing himself in the process. Zhangwei wants to leave before the gateway is completely destroyed, trapping them in the Netherworld, but Liyen cannot leave good people behind without attempting to help them. Together, Liyen and Zhangwei use their combined magic to restore the Wangchuan River as the gateway collapses.

Aunt Shou mourns the death of her son. She is reluctant to retake the throne when her people ask, but Liyen convinces her that it is best for her people. Aunt Shou agrees to take the throne temporarily while the Wuxin find a worthy replacement. She declares that, moving forward, rulers must earn their position rather than inheriting it by bloodline. Despite the fractured state of their relationship, Aunt Shou’s decision inspires Liyen. When Aunt Shou expresses worry that Chengyin will never forgive her, Liyen says that she is still his mother and he loves her.

Meanwhile, Liyen and Zhangwei are trapped in the Netherworld without the gateway to return home. Their only option is the Eternal Boatman, but neither is willing to give up their memories for passage. Aunt Shou bargains with the Eternal Boatman, offering to give her memories of her children’s deaths and a favor to the boatman in exchange for their crossing. Several more Wuxin—including Lin and Mei—step forward, offering to give up a fraction of memories to help pay for the crossing.

Liyen and Zhangwei return to Tianxia. That night, Queen Caihong visits Liyen in her dreams. They share a sweet reunion. Liyen is afraid that Queen Caihong will despise what she has become—not mortal or immortal, but something in between—but her mother loves her just the same. Liyen explains her time with the Wuxin to her mother. Though Liyen’s mother is an ambitious woman whose grief and need for vengeance once controlled her, she expresses pride over Liyen’s ability to end the cycle of vengeance and war.

Liyen wants to return to the Immortal Realm, but mortals can only visit once. Because she has already visited, she can never return. Queen Caihong promises to speak with the Celestial Emperor on Liyen’s behalf about the possibility of allowing her return. When Liyen brings up Tianxia’s freedom, her mother is hesitant but willing to consider.

Liyen remains in Tianxia, where she rules and monitors Chengyin’s recovery. She replaces her court of scheming, power-hungry ministers with honorable ministers chosen on merit alone. She plans to adopt Aunt Shou’s more democratic approach once she frees Tianxia from its service to the immortals.

Meanwhile, Lord Zhangwei returns to the Immortal Realm on business. A month passes, and Liyen becomes restless. She sends a letter to the God of War, claiming that she will host a tournament where suitors will fight to the death for her hand. Her letter, filled with lies, succeeds in summoning Zhangwei to the Mortal Realm. He insists she cancel the competition because he has come to propose to her. He also provides the Shield of Rivers and Mountains, news that Tianxia will be released from its service to the Golden Desert, and a promise that the barrier wall around the kingdom will be destroyed. Additionally, the immortals will supply soldiers to guard the Kunlun with immortal blades that will better equip them against potential enemies. Liyen accepts his proposal.