General's Mansion at Chentang Pass.
A young child was sitting with his chin in his hands on a stone bench in the pavilion, watching a few little maids flying kites in the shade of the yard.
Although this child was young, his features were delicate and heroic, his face as fair as powdered white, a golden bracelet on his right hand, and a red silk around his abdomen, gleaming brightly.
This child was none other than the youngest son of General Li Jing of Chentang Pass, Nezha.
Nezha had been sitting in the pavilion all morning without saying a word, surrounded by the sound of the wind, the chirping of birds, and the gossip of some older family members not far away.
"The third young master is so handsome, but unfortunately, he's a mute fool, sitting all day in the yard without knowing what he's thinking."
"What can a fool think about, as long as he doesn't eat indiscriminately and make a mess, we old women can save our worries."
"That's true. Back when he was born, we thought so highly of the child who had a golden bracelet on his hand and a red silk around his waist, thinking he was an immortal reborn, but who knew—"
"Shh, lower your voice, he's looking this way!"
"What are you afraid of? A mute fool, what's the harm he could do?"
Nezha listened clearly, just smiled, not bothered at all.
Because being alive was good enough, and because he was neither a fool nor mute; if it weren't for that unexpected accident, he wouldn't even be Nezha.
It had been seven years. During these seven years, he was mostly in a daze, sometimes clear, sometimes confused.
Only recently had his moments of clarity become longer.
He often wondered if he was still lying on a hospital bed, dreaming a deep, unreachable dream.
In the dream, he had come to the world of Divine Enthronement, becoming the mighty Third Prince Nezha.
But if he became Nezha, where was Taiyi Zhenren?
Logically, when he was born, Taiyi Zhenren should have taken him as a disciple. Why hadn't he appeared in seven years?
Even the name Nezha wasn't given by Taiyi Zhenren as in the novel he once read, but by his mother, Lady Yin.
Thinking of Lady Yin, Nezha sighed again in his heart.
If you counted the years from his previous life, this beautiful woman might not even be older than him.
But if there were no immortals or Taoists in this world, what about his two brothers he never met?
His eldest brother, Jinzha, was apprenticed to Manjusri Vast Dharma Heavenly Venerate of Five Dragon Mountain Yun Xiao Cave.
His second brother, Muzha, was apprenticed to Master Puxian of Jiugong Mountain White Crane Cave.
These happened to be as described in the Divine Enthronement narrative.
If there weren't immortal and divine ways, how could he explain the Qiankun Ring on his hand and the Chaos Sky Silk around his waist?
The wind was gentle, blowing from the flowery mountains bringing with it a distant and delicate fragrance, mingled with the nourishing moisture of water.
Nezha breathed in some casual troubles, still watching the girls flying kites, as the big black dog the family kept came running up to wag its tail at him.
Nezha reached out to pet Big Black's head, thinking: Big Black, oh Big Black, when will this dream end?
Nezha was busy teasing the dog, not noticing Lady Yin approaching with two maidens in bloom.
"Are you enjoying the cool here again, Nezha?"
Seeing Nezha, Lady Yin initially couldn't suppress her smile, but her eyes hid undeniable pity.
When Nezha looked up and saw the tears in those eyes, he opened his mouth slightly, but his voice was hoarse, almost forgetting how to make a sound.
Lady Yin was already used to it. She instructed the maidens to hand over the clothes they were holding and personally helped Nezha change.
As she helped him, she said, "My son, don't wear these sweat-inducing long garments. I found some fine silk from the storeroom and made a short shirt for you. Put it on so you won't overheat."
Even though he was accustomed to this care, hearing these words still warmed Nezha's heart.
He stopped moving, letting Lady Yin dress him as she wished.
In his past life, he had grown up in an orphanage and started working at sixteen, never experiencing this kind of paternal and maternal love.
The old director of the orphanage, though aged, had been righteous and straightforward all his life, teaching Nezha to be the same.
When he saw injustice, he intervened; he did what he believed was right. As a result, at the age of thirty, he was still hitting walls everywhere, achieving nothing significant.
Recalling that car accident, it was likely due to offending someone previous through an act of chivalry.
Lost in thought, his clothes were changed.
Lady Yin knelt before him, gently smoothing the twin topknots on his forehead, and said kindly, "Little Nezha is even more handsome than your brothers. When they return home from their studies, they'll surely be delighted to see you."
This noblewoman, seeing Nezha's change of expression, followed his gaze and glanced back. Seeing who had come, she joyfully stood up in a hurry.
She said, "My lord, you're back at last! You've been at Zhaoge for two months without sending word, worrying us to death. I'll have a feast prepared to welcome you."
Lady Yin approached to support Li Jing's arm, only for him to sweep her hand away.
Wearing a sable-colored official robe, the tall Li Jing was travel-worn, his brow furrowed, unusually vexed.
Upon returning from Zhaoge, after being alarmed by King Zhou's tyranny and worrying about the state affairs, he was now more frustrated to see his troublesome third son.
He snorted coldly, saying, "Take this fool away quickly so he doesn't get in the way."
Hearing this, Lady Yin trembled slightly, whispering, "The child is here, please don't speak in a way that would hurt his feelings."
"To have given birth to such a heartless fool, you still have the face to speak for him! He's so grown yet can't speak or call his parents, losing face for the Li Family!"
After Li Jing said this, he kicked Big Black, who was wagging its tail beside him, making it howl pitifully.
Though Lady Yin knew Li Jing disliked Nezha, often sighing from afar, she had never seen him in such a rage, and she was momentarily at a loss for what to do.
Just then, seeing the scene, the old women, emboldened by being Li Jing's distant relatives and having the upper hand in age and seniority, began to spread discord.
As the saying goes, good masters are bullied by their servants. Lady Yin was kind-hearted, never harsh with the servants, and in contrast to Lady Yin, Li Jing's background was ordinary, making him indulge in these distant relatives out of some inferiority complex. He practically had the stray dogs from his hometown assigned to the Chentang Pass army barracks.
They wouldn't usually have such boldness, but knowing Li Jing would back them here, they had other considerations.
The eldest of the women, Granny Sun, came over and took Lady Yin's arm, speaking earnestly, "Madam, the master is tired from traveling; he's spoken bluntly. Don't take it to heart. But what he said is true; the third young master is already a lost cause. You should focus your care on the other two boys."
"You—" Lady Yin's words were cut off by another woman holding her from the side.
"Madam, Sister Sun is right. I've heard from the elders in my family that someone who's unreasonable is so because their human heart is devoured by an animal heart at birth. Though human in appearance, they are no different from beasts.
Giving him food to live on is already an act of kindness to this household. If you focus too much on him, you'll tire yourself out."
Aunt Fan also chimed in, "Indeed, Madam, just earlier we saw the third young master eyeing those little girls flying kites suspiciously. It must be his beastly nature. If not strictly disciplined, who knows what trouble he'll cause when he grows older!"
The group of old women chattered intently, leaving the softer-natured Lady Yin overwhelmed and turning to Li Jing for help. But Li Jing deliberately looked away.
Having been married to Li Jing for so many years and having three sons, how could Lady Yin not know what was in her husband's mind?
The strength in her knees nearly failed her.
Standing behind her, little Nezha, entirely concealed by her, quickly wanted to step up to support her, but he stopped when Lady Yin regained her footing.
She took a deep breath and sternly said, "Silence! I know he is a good child. My son, whatever he is, it's not for you to criticize. If you run your mouths again, blame me if I don't have you kicked out!"
Normally gentle and soft-spoken, Lady Yin had rarely seen such a temper, and the women, shaking in fear, stepped back in silence, lowering their heads.
But none of them noticed Li Jing's brows furrowing even more tightly.
"I think it's you who should hold your tongue! Granny Sun is my aunt, also your elder. Watching over this bastard has been hard enough. Saying a few words is only fair, and here you are putting on airs like a mistress!"
Hearing these words from Li Jing, the women instantly regained their confidence.
Li Jing expressed such sentiments, and no one found it strange.
The General of Chentang Pass was like this, cautious and amiable outside, never offending anyone, yet putting on airs at home.
All said and done, he was the head of the Li family.
With Li Jing's words, it seemed inevitable Lady Yin would have to swallow her pride and apologize.
Yet Lady Yin glanced at Nezha, steadied herself, and met Li Jing's gaze with renewed resolve.
"If they keep slandering my son, don't think it's just some mistress posturing."
With these words, the atmosphere nearly froze, and though Li Jing remained silent, his expression grew even darker.
An unnameable tension simmered in the stifling air.
"Mother."
The child's clear voice startled the group, leaving them momentarily unable to react.
Nezha simply tugged at Lady Yin's sleeve and softly called her again.
"Mother, please ask the tutor to return. I want to study."
"Say that again?"
"Mother—"
Delighted beyond words, Lady Yin turned to tightly embrace her son, crying out loud. Years of grievances poured out, soaking her clothes with tears.
"My son isn't a mute."
"My son isn't a fool."
...
With a smile on his face, Nezha hugged Lady Yin, whispering gently, "Please don't cry, Mother. The new clothes you made are all wet now."
For seven years, Lady Yin's genuine sincerity dispelled the fog in his heart, making everything else fade away, be it Li Jing, Big Black, or the gossiping servants.
He once wasn't anything.
But starting today, he would be this woman's son.
He would be Nezha.