A lone cold lamp and solitary candle kept vigil through the night's chill.
The divine dragon stood before the Heavenly Gate like a sculpture, clad in ice and snow, guarding the North Heavenly Gate alone amid the wind.
The candle flame swayed softly, unable to illuminate the endless darkness or reveal the turmoil of armies beyond. Yet it allowed her to evade restraint and enjoy this rare peace, quietly listening to every snowflake land, to the mournful wind's sobbing, guarding Heaven's northernmost gate and watching over Past and Future.
Her dragon eyes were half-closed. She slept, all alone.
At last, Bai Yujun had the leisure to ponder and recall the past—to remember every close confidant, friend, enemy, and passerby who had brushed past her.
She remembered many beautiful days gone by.
That year.
She had crossed Wind and Rain Bridge beneath an umbrella, flower fragrance drifting through the wind...
Vines clung to the bridge, resembling a green waterfall...
She had snapped off a willow branch and lightly swayed it, gazing upon the mountains and waters of the mortal world. She had also seen a drunken traveler sitting alone in a tavern, a bowl of cloudy wine and an old dream...
An old horse left hoofprints on the smooth stone road, delivering distant longing. Several dried plum blossoms were tucked into a yellowed letter...
She had walked beneath peach trees holding an umbrella. A few pink petals had fallen upon the white paper umbrella, their color soaking through the paper before scattering slantwise across her shoulders...
The rain went on and on.
Water dripped from the green moss on the roof ridge, pattering loudly upon her umbrella.
Standing on a stone bridge, she picked a plum. It was fully ripe; its sourness had faded, leaving only sweetness.
At times, she would