Many flocked to the teahouse. it was close to four in the evening and the most renowned storyteller was gracing the stage. His abilities were known to the people and his stories captivated in the most sensual way possible, leaving the listener wanting more and more. This was the old master Chuan Yuan.
His old sandaled feet made their way up the dais in slow, calculated steps amidst the erupting cheers. His cloak brushed the floor with his every move and on his hand, he held a cane. The cheers seemed to get even louder when he turned around and sat.
His whitened goatee almost touched his chest and his wrinkled face was calm beyond extreme and his features soft, the signs of a man who was handsome as a youth.
He did not use any pleasantries and went directly to the story his voice booming throughout the ream harshly. As soon as he opened his mouth, the whole crowd fell silent and focused solely on him. For such a feeble man, it was a wonder how he could control the whole crowd with just a single word.
He started with a strange story which left most puzzled...
"The high god Shao Li won that year...his grace surpassing all that had ever been seen or heard in those years... with his sword, he created waves of magnificent energy that incinerated all the demons and ghosts at first touch...then with his remaining energy, the sword sucked up all the souls...."
He continued with such delight, his face glowing with each word. The audience on the other hand looked confused. The story was intriguing but this was the first time they were hearing it in such detail.
On the top deck, a man in light blue robes sat. His teacup remained untouched while he stared unblinking at the vast expanse. His grace was otherworldly. No one dared to come too close but luckily every single person concentrated on the story that they did not notice how grim his handsome face was.
He was not concentrating on anything in particular. His gaze was everywhere all at once. It was as if he was not here in the first place. He looked over to the old Chuan Yuan but it was only for a moment before his gaze became hazy once more.
Chuan Yuan continued with his storytelling and when he reached a certain point, the man in pale blue robes sat up. It was as if his figure shook slightly but the motion was subtle, unnoticeable. His grim face became even darker.
He had not yet regained his composure when he heard a crowd member say, "Old master, the young master that you speak of, is there a chance that he might wake up again?"
For a moment, the man looked tense but before another emotion could be seen another man from the crowd answered, "He was after all a human...if a human were to come back to life after all those years then pigs may fly..." the crowd burst into laughter.
"And besides,..." he continued, "It has been so long. If he wanted to wake up he would have done so sooner. Why wait all these years"
The man in the pale blue robes shook slightly, he knew what was coming next.
"Maybe he does not want to meet that partner of his who killed him... isn't that right master storyteller?
Chuan Yuan smiled softly and for a brief moment looked up, his gaze uncertain but something seemed to clear in his mind before he spoke softly, a contrast to his grating voice, "The dead should stay dead...but who knows, the heavens grants a second chance. If the karma is good the dead will rise with the coming of spring. Blue flowers floating around...the dead who want to rise will do so when the time is right..."
No one understood the last part but before the story ended, a pale blue figure whisked past the hordes and out of the teahouse.
Chuan Yuan smiled, "...and that is the end..."