Chapter 1: The Tale of the Love Deity
The winter wind howled, rattling the thin shutters, but inside, it was warm-a cocoon of safety and stories.
In the corner of the room, seated on a worn wooden stool, was an old man with a long white beard and eyes that sparkled with both wisdom and mischief. He cleared his throat, the room falling silent in anticipation. The children leaned in closer, clutching their blankets.
"Ah, the tale of the Love Deity," the old man began, his voice deep and resonant. "It is not just a story of love, my dear children. It is a story of sacrifice, of a heart so pure it touched even the heavens themselves."
The children gasped, their curiosity.
The old man leaned forward, "Long ago, in a valley where the peach blossoms bloomed all year round, there lived a man named Xu Lian.
He was no ordinary man, for the gods themselves watched over his birth. But Heaven's favor is a fickle thing. Xu Lian was cursed by love itself-unable to love anyone, lest tragedy follow."
The youngest child raised her hand, "But why was he cursed, Grandfather?"
The old man smiled, a trace of sadness in his eyes. "Ah, that is a question even the gods may struggle to answer. Some say it was Heaven's way of protecting him, for his heart was destined to endure more than any mortal could bear. Others believe it was a test-a cruel game played by the divine.
Whatever the reason, the curse followed him like a shadow."
The old man paused, letting the weight of his words settle. The fire crackled, a log splitting with a sharp pop.
"But Xu Lian was not bitter," the old man continued. "He lived quietly in his village, bringing joy to others despite his own loneliness. Until one fateful day, when a monster descended upon the neighboring clan-a beast of fire and rage sent by Heaven itself."
"Sent by Heaven?" another child whispered, incredulous.
"Yes," the old man nodded. "For not all monsters are born of evil. This creature was a servant of Heaven, meant to test the hearts of mortals. It tore through the clan, leaving nothing but grief in its wake. The people cried out, their hearts shattered by the loss of their loved ones."
The old man's voice grew softer, more solemn. "And that is when Xu Lian made his choice. He stood before the heavens and
Xu Lian said " Take my heart, my soul, my very essence if that is the price to restore their love. Let their love bloom once more, even if it means I can never feel it myself." but know this no deity, no man, could bear the weight of heart that beat only for others. "
The children's got sad, One of the older boys asked, "What happened to him?"
The old man leaned back, his gaze distant, as though seeing the story unfold before him. "Heaven accepted his sacrifice. Xu Lian was sealed in a cave, his mortal life ending, but his spirit transformed into the Love Deity. From that day on, those who sought love or wished to mend their broken hearts came to his shrine, offering prayers and gifts. And Xu Lian, now a god, answered them all."
"But..." the youngest child hesitated, her voice barely above a whisper. "Was he happy?"
The old man sighed deeply. "Ah, my dear. That is the tragedy of the Love Deity.
"Even a god, bound by duty, can feel the weight of longing; even the divine can ache for the what is beyond reach", the old man said
They say that even now, in the quiet hours of the night, you can hear his sigh carried on the wind saying
"I am deity who grants lovr, but my own heart remains forever empty, a sacrifice heavens demands me. My soul only wish to be loved as man."
a reminder of a love that even the gods could not fulfill."
The children shivered, not from the cold, but from the weight of the story. Sadly going back to home questioning eachother, " will love deity s heart find it's way back to him? What will happen next?