The Sorrowmender

A volume of the Book of No Sorrow, each page a fleeting glimpse of destiny—written in black and white ink, telling stories of turmoil and transcendence.

Page One: “How does one cure lovesickness carved into the bones?” — A cup of Forgetfulness Water, and love ends with you.
Page Two: “Where can the path to immortality be found?” — In the heavens, atop the White Jade Capital, where the twelve towers and five citadels stand.
Page Three: “What troubles the emperor?” — The choice between poetry and distant lands, or a nation at peace.
Page Four: ...

Upon waking from a dream, Xu Qingzhou finds himself in a world of cultivation and mysticism. In his hands, a magical book: the Book of No Sorrow. From that day forward, he sets out to relieve the burdens of others—one good deed at a time.

At first, he helped only troubled maidens.
Later, he bore the weight of the world.

Thus was born a new figure in the human realm, known simply as: Mr. Wuyou — the Sorrowmender.

“This world is vast,” said the Gentleman, “but there is no sorrow I cannot mend, especially that of a beautiful woman.”

“Why pray to gods and spirits,” he said, “when you could simply ask me?”

“In this life,” he said, “I shall behold the fairest faces, hear the winds sing, dance with swords, drink the strongest wine, and live as freely as the breeze.”

— The Empress of the Mortal Realm:
“The Gentleman once said he couldn’t bear to see women frown—especially beautiful ones.”

— The Celestial Empress:
“That youth... he’s terrifying. Some things in his hands could end the world.”

— Xu Wuyou:
“My master once said, my name is Wuyou—'Without Worry, Without Sorrow.'”

— The girl who came to him crying:
“Sir, will you save me?”

— Xu Qingzhou replied:
“Fear not, my lady. Give me your hand.”

My name is Xu Qingzhou—a lone boat upon the river, yet capable of carrying all the sorrows of the world.

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I will be posting this story on RoyalRoad.com