Thousand Li

"When living in peace, one must think of danger." These were the words Protector Chan's Master had left him. Now, the greedy eye of a king has landed on their sect once more. In the search to reach the Divine Peak, all too many will fall by the wayside, ground under the bitter dust of desire. Between craving and enlightenment, between the heavens and earth, lies a single man. Making a choice, over what, in the end; is most important in the search for immortality. A short story set in the “A Thousand Li” universe by Tao Wong.

A martial artist falls from a cliff to his death. A rival stands, triumphant above. The beginning of an all too familiar story. Yet, in the time of recuperation and return, time passes and sometimes, the transformation that occurs is not the one you expect. This is a 4,500-word short story set in the “A Thousand Li” universe featuring as yet to be seen characters in the universe. Does not need to be read to follow the main series.

Winter is a time of reflection and cultivation for the Verdant Green Waters Sect. For Wu Ying, this peaceful interlude is interrupted by a new assignment that pits him against the mortal world's conventions of class and privilege. A short story in the world of “A Thousand Li” by Tao Wong.

The march to the throne is littered with the bodies of the great and small in equal measure. Born an Imperial Prince, Qu Yuan always knew his options were to strive for the throne or escape. When he's forced to put his escape plan into action too early, he's forced out of the imperial palace into the countryside where the war for the throne rages. Walking blood-soaked fields and burnt out villages, Qu Yuan will be forced to ask a simple question. Is his search for immortality more important than the lives of his kingdom?

Expectation conceals the truth. Noblewoman and cultivator Li Yao is called to a small village to investigate a mysterious illness that has drained residents of their chi. Accompanying her are her suitors Xiang An and Shen Wei, both more trouble than they're worth in Li Yao's eyes. Perhaps not all is as it seems. In the village and her suitors. This is a short story set in the “A Thousand Li” universe. Does not need to be read to follow the main series.

What Do Gods & Demons Have in Common? Perhaps nothing, perhaps a lot. A glimpse into a world where an immortal and a demon partake in a meal while plotting moves that will shake the middle kingdom and share gossip of other, more contentious issues. This is a 3,000-word short story set in the “A Thousand Li” universe featuring as yet to be seen characters in the universe. Does not need to be read to follow the main series.

Take a step. Take a bow. Look around, how far you've come. For an immortal, the mortal world has little to offer them. Except, perhaps, perspective. “Descent from the Mountain” is a short story set in the A Thousand Li universe. This story can be read as a stand-alone. There are no spoilers for later works and the short story does not include individuals from the main series.