The Echoes of the Crystal Bridge

In the ancient land of Jingzhou, nestled between the towering peaks and the winding rivers, there stood an immortal builder named Lao Xian. His name was whispered in awe and fear, for he had the power to fashion the most magnificent of structures with the simplest of materials. His latest creation was a bridge, a bridge of crystal, that spanned the great river, connecting the celestial realm with the earthly world.

The bridge was a marvel of engineering, shimmering under the sun with a brilliance that hurt the eyes. It was said that the bridge was built with love, for Lao Xian had taken a mortal woman as his wife, and it was her spirit that imbued the bridge with its life-giving energy. This woman, named Liang, was as beautiful as the bridge, and as delicate as the crystals that adorned it. She was the source of Lao Xian's inspiration and the reason for the bridge's existence.

Liang's love for Lao Xian was as deep as the river itself, but it was not to be. The gods, seeing her beauty and the bond between the mortal and the immortal, were jealous and vowed to break them apart. They sent a demon to the bridge, a creature of darkness and malice, whose mission was to disrupt the harmony of the bridge and the love that bound Lao Xian and Liang.

The demon appeared one night, as the moon cast its silver light upon the crystal bridge. It crept among the crystals, its touch causing them to shatter and crack. The bridge groaned under the strain, and the energy that kept it alive began to wane. Lao Xian, hearing the distress of his beloved, rushed to the bridge, only to find the demon standing in the center, a malevolent grin on its face.

"You have no right to interfere with the love of two souls who have found their destiny," Lao Xian roared, his voice echoing across the river.

The demon laughed, a sound like the screech of metal on stone. "Love is a fleeting thing, Lao Xian. The gods have decreed that your bridge shall crumble, and with it, your wife's life."

Lao Xian's eyes blazed with fury. "I will not let you take her from me!" He reached out with his hands, and a blinding light enveloped the demon. The creature was driven back, its form dissolving into the night air.

The bridge, however, was beyond saving. The damage was too great, and the energy that held it together was now gone. The crystals began to fall from their place, each one a tear of Liang's spirit, as the bridge groaned and cracked.

Liang, feeling the loss of her husband's presence, knew that the bridge was her only hope. She rose from her bed of crystal, her gown shimmering with an inner light. "Lao Xian, I will cross the bridge to you, even if it means my death," she declared.

Lao Xian, seeing her resolve, knew that he could not stand by. "Liang, I cannot let you face this alone. I will go with you."

The bridge began to crumble beneath their feet, but they pressed on. Liang's spirit was strong, and the bridge seemed to respond to her determination. As they reached the center, the bridge shuddered and then held steady. The crystals began to glow once more, and the energy that had been lost returned.

The gods, seeing the love and determination of Lao Xian and Liang, relented. They allowed the bridge to be saved, and with it, the love between the immortal builder and his mortal wife.

The Crystal Bridge stood once more, a testament to love that defied the heavens and the earth. It was said that those who crossed the bridge would find true love, and those who were separated would be reunited. Lao Xian and Liang were together again, their bond unbroken, and their love eternal.

And so, the Echoes of the Crystal Bridge were told, a tale of love, betrayal, and the power of perseverance, echoing through the ages.