Chapter 10: Fusang and the White River
"Well. This is...surprising," Taehyung muttered under his breath.
Jin Tong and Taehyung were standing on one of the huge curved stone bridges.
After Jin Tong heard Taehyung's destination, he immediately went through his drawers, rummaging around for something. After fumbling around for a bit, he pulled out a weathered document, yellowed with age.
Jin Tong hastily scribbled a note and passed it onto Taehyung.
[Do you have travelling papers?]
Taehyung was stunned. Papers? He had no recollections of needing papers, or anything of the sort within the broken shards of memories he stored within his mind. Now that he thought about it, this reincarnation of himself lived a pretty shut-in life. Apart from the mandatory meetings, he didn't travel. Well, not since the death of his 'sister', the girl who eloped with a God and got brutally slaughtered.
Taehyung just wished that it wasn't him who slaughtered her. All his memories from the battle were blurry. The only thing left was that scene from the very end, where her broken body stood, pierced by a thousand spears and silver blood dripping down, and a heavy feeling of regret and despair in his heart.
Jin Tong pursed his lips.
[No need to worry. We will just have to go the long way.]
He stood up and walked to the door, pointing at it.
"Now?" Taehyung asked.
Jin Tong nodded.
They had travelled for about half a day by flight, with Jin Tong carrying Taehyung in a bridal carry. Taehyung protested fiercely, but gave up after failing to learn how to fly once more, much to Jin Tong's dismay.
Now, the city that they were in was visually the opposite of the natural utopia Taehyung had saw when he first arrived. Towering buildings that reached high above, that were so closely cluttered together so that they almost looked as if each were built upon the other. Floating islands that seemed to droop under the weight of the buildings they were carrying. Huge stone archways connected these islands together, with merchants on top of them, all crowded together; selling wares in an enclosed space.
A long and winding river ran through the city. Numerous people in du mu zhou floated upon the still waters, cruising smoothly. Their lanterns upon their boats made them seem like flickering stars from Taehyung's distance.
Rather than it being organised neatly like in Seoul, it was a vibrant city that was pulsating with life in its entirety, chaos; colours on a palette that mixed together to create a painting that a delicate hand could never replicate.
Jin Tong, who had the foresight to bring along some more paper and ink, scribbled down another question, kneeling on the hard stone. Ink splattered all over his hands, but Jin Tong seemed to not care.
[Like what you see? This is Fusang, where the Eastern Tree lies.]
Taehyung stared at the city with sparkling eyes. "It's beautiful."
Jin Tong clapped his hands, grinning.
[Because you don't have travelling papers, we'll have to stop by a magistrate's office before going to the White River]
Threads of the black ink fell onto Taehyung's hand. Jin Tong was already weaving his way in and out of the crowd, his golden hair standing out from amongst the sea of black and brown.
He hurriedly wiped off the ink before chasing after Jin Tong.
Going through the seemingly endless crowd was tiring for Taehyung. His eyes shone with a naive curiosity, as every single thing was new to him. As a result, he'd often stand in the middle of the street, observing another new object or place he'd never seen before. People swarmed around him, pushing and jostling past each other, almost making Taehyung lose his balance.
Merchants selling their wares, from crystal necklaces that held power within them to talismans that promised to ward off demonic spirits. Each table held a new item that Taehyung had never seen before.
Every now and then, Taehyung would catch the sight of unique creatures who seemed to co-exist with the immortals and spirits here. A beautiful girl who was made completely out of diamonds, her whole body covered; her face gave her peculiar appearance away. A dark haired man who held a massive broadsword and armour that had black smoke drifting from the cracks; the man's violet eyes filled with silent bloodlust.
After going to the magistrate's office, the pair bought some food from a nearby vendor and started heading towards White River. Taehyung had no memory at all of this city, of these customs and culture.
When they finally arrived at White River, Taehyung felt his eyes bulge. White River wasn't truly a "river" in the sense that there was water flowing. No, it was like a wispy cloud that spanned onwards for miles towards the sky. The river sparkled under the afternoon sun, glimmering softly. There was a huge gateway at the banks of the river, where a large bronze sign with the words 'Fusang City Station' stood. Waves of people teemed in and out of the gates, with one half for those entering and one half for those exiting.
Jin Tong noticed Taehyung's bewildered expression.
[Never travelled on the White River before?]
Ink splattered everywhere, some accidentally reaching the robes of the people around them.
Taehyung shook his head. "I don't remember having travelled on here."
Jin Tong looked puzzled.
[The only people who don't use the White River are those who have enough power to teleport. But you can't even fly.]
Upon being reminded of his embarrassing attempts at learning how to fly, Taehyung felt mortified.
"Nevermind about that." He brushed it off with a smile.
The two went into the queue, which surprisingly went by quite fast. Soon, they were in front of the White River.
Jin Tong held onto Taehyung's hand(so Taehyung didn't get lost)and stepped into the White River.
The white mist slowly wrapped around their bodies as they floated, the river gently carrying them in its grasp. Jin Tong held out both pieces of the travel documents and inserted part of his power into the paper, causing it to glow. A red seal appeared on the corner of the paper.
The misty tendrils of the river covered them completely. Taehyung closed his eyes, unsure of what was happening. When they had arrived, Jin Tong tugged on Taehyung's arm and pulled him out of the river.
Taehyung opened his eyes once more.
Now, he was in 6th Heaven.
As soon as they had passed through the gates, a deep voice yelled out to them.
"Jin Tong! I thought I told you never to come back here?"
Another voice chimed in.
"Look who's beside him. Isn't that...you know."
Taehyung's ears pricked up. Someone here obviously knew who he was. He glanced at Jin Tong, who was frowning heavily. He looked around, but couldn't see the source of the voice.
Jin Tong tugged at his hand, pulling him in the opposite direction of the voices. Taehyung wanted to go back, but he didn't know whether the entities behind the voices would welcome him. They obviously didn't seem to want to welcome Jin Tong.
6th Heaven was desolate compared to 3rd Heaven's city Fusang. Instead of having an overload of colours and sounds, it was one with nature. Massive trees became the buildings, the entities living here fusing with the trees and living alongside them. At the forest floor, it was a constant night; floating lanterns lighting up the streets and shops. The canopy was far, far away. The undergrowth was dark and dingy, with barely anyone on the streets. Those who were dressed in dark colours and cloaks and always seemed to be in a rush, not willing to interact with anyone else.
Taehyung peeked at the rusting bronze sign on the station.
[Xuanpu City Station]
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
noctifer
noctifer Du Mu Zhou: a type of boat, similar to a dugout canoe.
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