A Return to How Things Once Were

Rising lightly to her feet, Qing He stood beside the pavilion. A breeze stirred her hair as she gazed at the distant mountains, where the last rays of sunset lingered. At that moment, the air itself seemed to be filled with a faint, almost imperceptible sadness.

She said, "Though Tian Yin Sect is powerful, and my master treats me with great care, wherever I go in this vast sect, almost everyone gives me a measure of respect. But I don't like this kind of life."

As she spoke, she pointed into the distance, her gaze seeming to pierce the void. With a smile, she said, "Look. The grounds of Tian Yin Sect cover a hundred thousand li, and its disciples, servants, and outer members number over a hundred million. Every day, they cultivate, yearn for power, pursue fame and fortune, and devote themselves to climbing higher. Is this really the life they want?"

"I don't know. Perhaps they're happy with it. But I don't like this kind of life. What I want is to wander freely, without restraint, with no endless disputes, no scheming and deceit, no constant rounds of socializing. I want to stand on a cliff and listen to the wind, stand atop a mountain and watch the clouds, stand on a bridge and watch the water flow. In my free time, I want to play the zither for pleasure; when I'm tired, I want to brew a cup of clear tea and enjoy a peaceful, tranquil moment. That's the life I want."

"But after I came to Tian Yin Sect, my master expected me to cultivate diligently and make full use of my talent, so that one day I could shoulder the sect's great responsibilities. Every day, countless fellow disciples come to visit me. Out of courtesy,