Myth Beyond Heaven

Li Qinglan’s gaze shifted from Yun Lintian to Hei Xuan. A knowing look passed between them.

“You should ask him about Ping Heng,” she said, nodding toward Hei Xuan. “They’ve been drinking companions for millennia.”

Hei Xuan chuckled, rubbing his chin. “Ah, my old friend Ping Heng.” His expression turned serious. “But convincing him won’t be easy.”

Yun Lintian frowned. “Why?”

“The God of Balance doesn’t take sides,” Hei Xuan explained. “His entire existence revolves around maintaining equilibrium. Asking him to surrender his power would be like asking light to become darkness.”

Li Qinglan crossed her arms. “But if anyone can convince him, it’s you.”

Hei Xuan smirked. “Flattery? From you? I must be dreaming.”

Ignoring him, Li Qinglan turned to Yun Lintian. “Hei Xuan will accompany you. Ping Heng might listen to an old friend.”

Hei Yue immediately stepped forward. “I’m going too.”

“No.”

Both Li Qinglan and Hei Xuan spoke at once.

Li Qinglan’s voice softened slightly. “Daughter, we have much to discuss. Your new bond… there are things you need to know.”

Hei Xuan placed a hand on his daughter’s shoulder. “This trip won’t be dangerous. Just tedious. Ping Heng loves to lecture.”

Hei Yue’s lips pressed into a thin line, but she nodded reluctantly.

Yun Lintian gave her a reassuring look. “We won’t be long.”

With that, Hei Xuan waved a hand, opening a spatial rift. “Mu Ren! You’re coming too. Ping Heng always liked you.”

The golden-eyed attendant bowed slightly before falling into step behind them.

As the three prepared to depart, Li Qinglan called out one last warning:

“Don’t mention Nian Shi. Ping Heng hates being dragged into others’ conflicts.”

Hei Xuan waved dismissively. “Yes, yes. I know how to handle him.”

With that, they stepped through the rift—

—and emerged in a realm of perfect symmetry.

***

The Realm of Equilibrium existed in a state of perpetual balance. Floating islands hung motionless in a starless sky, each mirrored by an identical counterpart below. Even the air itself seemed divided—warm and cold currents flowing in perfect harmony.

At the realm’s center stood a simple pavilion, where a gray-robed figure sat meditating.

Ping Heng.

The God of Balance opened his eyes as they approached. His gaze was neither welcoming nor hostile—simply observant.

“Hei Xuan.” His voice carried the weight of ages. “You’ve lost your divinity.”

Hei Xuan grinned, plopping down uninvited across from his old friend. “And gained a son-in-law instead. Not a bad trade, eh?”

Ping Heng’s eyes shifted to Yun Lintian. “This is the one?”

Yun Lintian bowed slightly. “Junior Yun Lintian pays his respects to Senior Ping Heng.”

The God of Balance studied him for a long moment before sighing. “I suppose you’re here for my power too.”

No point in denial. Yun Lintian nodded.

Ping Heng poured tea—the liquid splitting perfectly between two cups without spilling a drop. “Why should I disrupt the balance I’ve maintained since creation?”

Before Yun Lintian could answer, Hei Xuan interjected:

“Because the balance is already broken.”

Ping Heng’s hand paused mid-pour.

“Nian Shi has been manipulating events across timelines,” Hei Xuan continued, uncharacteristically serious. “The scales are tipping, old friend. And not in our favor.”

The God of Balance set down his teapot with deliberate care. “Le me see it.”

Yun Lintian stepped forward, extending a hand. A memory crystal materialized—showing the future he’d come from, the war between Primordial Gods, the collapse of reality itself.

Ping Heng absorbed the visions in silence. When it finished, his expression remained calm, but his fingers tightened around his teacup.

“He’s closer than I thought.”

Ping Heng waved his hand, and a jade chessboard materialized between them. The pieces were carved from primordial stone—black and white, each humming with latent power.

“Let’s play a game,” Ping Heng said, pouring golden wine into two cups. The liquid shimmered with celestial energy.

Hei Xuan grinned, picking up the wine cup. “Still trying to beat me after all these years?”

Ping Heng smiled faintly. “You talk too much. Play.”

Yun Lintian sat silently to the side, watching as the two gods began moving pieces.

The moment the first piece was placed, reality trembled.

Clink.

A black pawn advanced.

The floating islands in the realm shifted slightly, their mirrored counterparts adjusting in perfect symmetry.

Hei Xuan chuckled, moving a white knight. “Remember that time we got drunk in the Heavenly Wine Pavilion?”

Clink.

The stars above flickered.

Ping Heng’s eyes remained on the board. “You mean when you challenged Zhan Tian to an arm-wrestling match and lost three times in a row?”

Hei Xuan coughed into his wine. “I let him win.”

Clink.

A white bishop slid forward.

The air currents in the realm reversed direction.

Yun Lintian observed in silence. This wasn’t just a game—every move affected the fabric of the Realm of Equilibrium itself.

Ping Heng sipped his wine. “Yang Chen visited last week.”

Clink.

A black rook moved.

The temperature in the pavilion dropped sharply.

Hei Xuan’s fingers paused over his next piece. “Oh? And what did our dear Sun God want?”

Ping Heng’s gaze flickered up. “He spoke of imbalance. Said darkness was growing too strong.”

Clink.

Hei Xuan moved a pawn. “Funny. I heard he’s been whispering with Nian Shi lately.”

The moment the name left his lips, the chessboard trembled.

Ping Heng’s expression darkened. “I told you not to bring him up.”

Hei Xuan shrugged. “Just stating facts.”

Clink. Clink. Clink.

The pieces moved faster now, each placement causing subtle ripples in reality.

Yun Lintian watched as the game unfolded—not just on the board, but in the realm itself. The floating islands began rotating, the mirrored pairs drifting out of alignment.

Ping Heng frowned. “Your moves are reckless.”

Hei Xuan grinned. “Or maybe you’re just predictable.”

Clink.

A white queen took a black bishop.

One of the floating islands above shattered into dust.

Ping Heng exhaled slowly. “You’re disrupting the balance.”

Hei Xuan leaned back, swirling his wine. “Balance is an illusion, old friend. The only constant is change.”

Silence fell as Ping Heng studied the board. Then—

Clink.

He moved his remaining bishop into position. “Check.”

Hei Xuan blinked, then laughed. “Well played.”

But instead of conceding, he reached into his sleeve and pulled out a small jade token—one Yun Lintian recognized instantly.

The third technique.

Ping Heng’s eyes widened slightly. “You’re giving him that?”

Hei Xuan placed the token on the board. “The game’s changed. Time we did too.”

Yun Lintian finally spoke. “What is it?”

Ping Heng stared at the token for a long moment before answering.

“The Creator’s Gambit.”