The Zen room was swept clean. In the corners of the courtyard grew several sand date trees, their peeling branches crowded with silvery-white blossoms, clustered like pearls. Sunlight poured down, casting a faint gloss over the lush foliage.
Tanmoroqie did not turn around. His fair, slender fingers continued to turn the pages of the sutra, his kasaya-clad back appearing lean and resilient.
“What is it?”
He asked softly.
Ashina Bisha knelt outside the door, hesitated for a moment, his face slightly flushed. Lifting his head and straightening his back, he spoke word by word: “Your Majesty, I admire Princess Wenzhao of Great Wei. She is beautiful, resilient, and courageous. I revere her and wish to protect her, so that she may laugh without worry every day.”
A breeze swept through the courtyard, causing the flower-laden branches of the sand date trees to sway gently, releasing faint wisps of fragrance.
Tanmoroqie remained silent for a while, his eyes lowered. “Bisha, Princess Wenzhao is a princess of Great Wei, not of the Royal Court.”
Bisha smiled. “I know. Princess Wenzhao is not a princess of the Royal Court. Your Majesty, I have not come to ask you to bestow a marriage upon me… I am here to seek your permission.”
He paused, gazing at Tanmoroqie’s back, his expression solemn.
“Your Majesty, do you permit me to admire Princess Wenzhao?”
Tanmoroqie’s motion of turning the sutra pages halted.
Bisha continued, “After all, Princess Wenzhao remains in the Royal Court under the pretext of emulating the Girl of Matanga. Although Your Majesty is the Buddha Prince, having transcended worldly emotions and desires, understanding life and death, and severed attachments, and thus would not be swayed by the princess… still, I respect you, and so I venture to ask… Your Majesty, may I admire the princess?”
Tanmoroqie rotated the rosary in his hand. “Bisha, you should not ask me.”
Bisha was taken aback, then smiled wryly.
Indeed, he should not have come to ask Luojia. Princess Wenzhao was not a treasure to be bargained for; she was a living person. If he truly admired her, even if the king disapproved, he ought to summon the courage to pursue her.
He looked at Tanmoroqie and said, “I understand.”
Tanmoroqie lowered his gaze and resumed reading the sutra. “Princess Wenzhao is young, adrift in foreign lands, living each day uncertain of the next. Bisha, do not treat her lightly.”
Bisha collected himself and pressed his forehead to the ground. “I swear that I will never, out of admiration for the princess, act in any way that disrespects her. Nor will I take advantage of her circumstances or use my status to pressure her. If I break this oath, may Your Majesty deal with me as you see fit!”
After waiting a moment, he grasped his sword, withdrew from the Zen room, and stood at the threshold, looking back at Tanmoroqie’s retreating figure.
Before their master passed away, he had said that Luojia’s worldly ties were not yet severed.
In the past, Bisha had paid little heed to this prophecy. But after meeting the radiant Princess Wenzhao and spending several days in her company, their master’s words echoed repeatedly in his mind.
He feared the prophecy might come true.
A single thought could lead to enlightenment, another to ruin. Luojia was different from others. If he were to develop feelings and taste the essence of love…
Bisha’s expression turned grave.
Footsteps sounded behind him as Bore crept up stealthily. “General Ashina, do you truly admire Princess Wenzhao?”
Bisha nodded, his voice ringing clear. “Indeed, I admire the princess. My heart is as clear as the sun and the moon!”
With that, he turned and left.Bore watched his tall figure disappear by the jujube trees, rubbing her hands excitedly: General Ashina is dashing and charming—even at thirteen, he could make noble maidens secretly give their hearts to him. All these years, his romantic affairs have never ceased. Now that he’s taken a liking to Princess Wenzhao, the King can finally be free of her!
The wind howled through the empty, chilly corridor, sweeping into the Zen room. The pages on the desk rustled as they were lifted by the breeze. Tanmoroqie bowed his head, silently reciting the Scriptures, his Kasaya brushing against the long desk with a soft, rustling sound.
Half an hour later, footsteps echoed again in the corridor.
Yuanjue stood outside the door, cupping his hands in salute: “Your Majesty, word has come from Sand City—Prince Haidu Aling has not returned to Northern Rong.”
Northern Rong had no fixed capital. Wherever Wahan Khan’s camp moved, the Northern Rong main tent would follow. After Northern Rong and the Royal Court forged an alliance, Wahan Khan’s health indeed improved. For a time, rumors of divine punishment spread widely, and Tanmoroqie’s prestige rose even higher. Wahan Khan decisively moved back to Yi Province to prevent morale from collapsing. Haidu Aling had been on a diplomatic mission to the Royal Court and should have returned to Northern Rong by now, but the herders there had not seen any sign of him.
Tanmoroqie’s expression remained calm as he rubbed his rosary beads. “Increase vigilance throughout the palace.”
Yuanjue acknowledged the order.
…
The Royal Court was scorching by day and bitterly cold at night. The pale moonlight poured down like a blanket of frost.
Inside the room, a flickering candle cast a faint glow. Yaoying sat on a felt rug with her personal guards, discussing plans to settle the Han people from Shazhou and Guazhou.
A few days earlier, she had asked Xie Qing to prepare a sand table, outlining the general terrain of the northern route through the Western Regions. She explained to Xie Chong and the others: “The Western Regions are mostly desert. Trade routes rely on narrow strips of oasis land, with stations set up along the way. Due to warfare, many of these stations have been abandoned. Hu merchants who control the trade routes often dominate local commerce. When dealing with them, you must take a long-term view—it’s better to concede some profits and cooperate with them. If we can establish ourselves firmly in the Royal Court, we’ll be able to help more people in the future.”
Xie Chong and the others listened attentively and asked, “Princess, are we going to do business with Hu merchants from now on? When it comes to leading troops in battle, I can boast a little, but I know nothing about business…”
Yaoying glanced at him. “With the constant warfare in the Western Regions, many small tribes that thrived on trade routes have declined. In times like these, merchant caravans that can travel between countries are backed by armed support. What you need to learn is how to interact with them. They are well-informed and might even help us pass along messages.”
Merchants in the war-torn Western Regions often had close ties with various tribes, using gold and treasures to win over powerful nobles and influence local situations to facilitate trade. Some could even mobilize armies.
Xie Chong understood a little and nodded repeatedly, smiling. “As long as Your Highness doesn’t put me in charge of the accounts!”
Xie Peng shot him a disdainful look. “Let you manage the accounts? Then we’d be waiting to drink the northwest wind!”
The others burst into laughter.
They discussed matters until midnight before taking their leave.
Xie Qing stayed behind and took out the military texts Yaoying had given her a few days earlier. “Princess, I’ve finished reading all of them.”
She emphasized the word “all,” her pride unmistakable.
Yaoying didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Was this really something to be proud of?
“Aqing, these military texts are for you to study carefully. Keep them and read them over several times—no need to return them.”Xie Qing hummed in acknowledgment and withdrew the military manual.
Yao Ying whispered, "Ah Qing, since we're at the Royal Court, if you encounter parts you don't understand, you can ask Bi Suo and the others for guidance. Although military strategies differ between our two countries, the underlying principles are interconnected."
Xie Qing nodded.
She possessed innate extraordinary strength and had trained in martial arts alongside her brothers since childhood. However, being a woman, her father never taught her battlefield tactics. She had never aspired to fight on the frontlines, content to become a competent guard. Now that they were stranded far from home and the guards were under her command, since the princess wanted her to study military strategy, she would apply herself diligently.
The princess had never regarded her differently because she was a woman—without bias or curiosity, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
She must not betray the princess's trust.
Xie Qing put away the military manual and gazed at the watery moonlight streaming through the window. Suddenly, she asked, "Princess, if our message reaches the Central Plains, will there be a response?"
Yao Ying nodded firmly. "Yes."
She was certain the Central Plains would respond because she viewed Li De, Li Xuanzhen, and the court officials as politicians. Regardless of their personal entanglements, politicians never refuse profitable transactions. Moreover, the court included rising stars from noble families like Zheng Jing, as well as ambitious commoners like Du Sinan—those eager to achieve merit and advance their careers by any means necessary. Among them were far-sighted individuals concerned for their nation and people—someone would surely respond.
As for the personal grudges between father and son, brother and sister, those accounts would be settled in due time.
Xie Qing frowned. "What happens after we return to the Central Plains? Princess, you must plan more for yourself."
"I understand." Yao Ying yawned, her voice soft and languid. "Returning to the Central Plains doesn't mean returning to Chang'an. I'm fully aware. Ah Qing, everything I do serves both the greater good—to prevent war—and my own interests. Rest assured."
Xie Qing acknowledged with a hum. Seeing the exhaustion on Yao Ying's face, she stood and moved the candle away. "Princess, you should retire early."
Yao Ying, her eyelids heavy, changed clothes and lay down, falling asleep almost instantly. In her drowsy state, she suddenly sensed something amiss and jolted awake just in time to hear several footsteps echoing from the roof.
Someone was moving atop the roof!
Yao Ying listened intently. Muffled thuds sounded in the courtyard as people fell one after another. Xie Chong cried out, but his shout was abruptly cut off, as if silenced by someone.
Hurried footsteps clattered along the corridor, shadows flickering past the window.
Yao Ying's heart pounded wildly. Groping in the dark, she retrieved a dagger, rose from bed, and crept barefoot to hide behind the door.
With a creak, the door latch was picked from outside. A pair of hands pushed the door open, and several dark figures slipped into the room, heading straight for the bed.
"Princess!"
Xie Qing and Xie Peng's furious shouts erupted outside. The courtyard flashed with the glint of blades as guards clashed with figures clad in black, their roars mingling with the sounds of struggle. The corridor swarmed with people both inside and out.
Yao Ying hid behind the door, gripping the dagger tightly.
The dark figures rushed to the couch, threw off the thin blanket, and finding Yao Ying absent, immediately turned to search the room.
One of the figures narrowed his eyes, spun around abruptly, and in a flash, his tall, imposing frame loomed before Yao Ying. His long arm shot out, a large hand clamping firmly around her wrist and applying slight pressure.
A crisp snap echoed. Yao Ying's hands trembled violently, the dagger clattering to the floor.A low chuckle came from behind the man's ferocious mask, carrying a wild and unrestrained tone: "Princess Wenzhao, you always like to hide behind doors and such places."
Yaoying's blood ran cold. Meeting those sharp, pale yellow eyes, her own widened in shock: Haidu Aling!
Haidu Aling sneered, his rough fingers gripping her chin with contempt. "I told you, you can't escape my grasp."
Yaoying gritted her teeth until they creaked, trying to break free from his arms, but her limbs were stiff and unresponsive, unable to move an inch.
Haidu Aling chuckled softly, bending down to lift her. His golden eyes were filled with the desire to conquer his prey. "Princess, you've had enough fun outside. It's time to go back."
Carrying Yaoying, he stepped out of the corridor, leaped onto the courtyard wall in a few strides, and moved with agile grace, swiftly crossing a row of rooftops in the blink of an eye.
Xie Qing and the others watched helplessly as Yaoying was taken away, their eyes wide with fury. They drew their swords and gave chase but were entangled by other masked figures. After a fierce struggle, they looked up again, only to find the moonlight as silver as ever—Yaoying was nowhere in sight.
"Princess!" Xie Chong roared in desperation.
Yaoying had already been taken far from the palace, unable to hear the urgent cries of her guards. The only sounds in her ears were the howling wind and Haidu Aling's steady, slow breaths. His strong, ape-like arms held her tightly like iron bands, rendering her immobile.
She trembled slightly, watching as the palace grew farther away. Gathering all her strength, she bit down hard on Haidu Aling's neck.
Haidu Aling laughed lightly, deftly avoiding her bite and seizing her chin, his hot breath brushing her nose. "It's only been a few days, Princess. When did you learn to bite?"
Just then, a shimmering golden arc flashed under the cold moonlight.
Haidu Aling, sensing danger, narrowed his pupils sharply. He tightened his hold on Yaoying and leaped into the air.
But the arc was faster than his movements, catching up to him in an instant. It pounced onto his back, its sharp claws tearing down.
The tough, resilient leather armor was sliced open, and his clothes were torn to shreds.
Haidu Aling grunted in pain, the muscles in his arms contorting. He struck out with a palm strike mid-air, his body swaying slightly as he shook off the dark figure. Landing on a rooftop, he turned and glared coldly at the shadow.
Yaoying followed his gaze.
A brilliantly patterned leopard emerged slowly from the darkness, its form agile and graceful, its yellow eyes glowing with an eerie phosphorescence.
Haidu Aling removed his mask, his face twisted with fury. Setting Yaoying down, he drew his blade, his expression icy. "Su Dan Gu, I've long wanted to meet you!"
A few light rustles echoed as the leopard lifted its tail and dashed toward the east.
Under the faint moonlight and howling night wind, a tall, slender figure stood on a rooftop, holding a long blade. Dressed in black, his face was terrifyingly calm and detached, as if merging with the boundless silence of the night.
Like an Asura emerging from the realm of ghosts, he exuded a cold, ruthless aura, fierce and unyielding.
Haidu Aling stared at him coldly and raised his long blade.
Su Dan Gu stood motionless against the wind, his black robes fluttering, outlining his lean and powerful frame. Though slender, his posture was brimming with accumulated strength, radiating a formidable and imposing presence.
Yaoying stared at him in a daze.
Haidu Aling advanced with a sharp cry, closing in swiftly. Su Dan Gu, who had been still, suddenly drew his blade and moved like a hawk swooping on its prey. The gleam of their blades flashed as the two agile figures engaged in a fierce struggle.Yaoying stood on the roof ridge, swaying unsteadily in the wind, her heart pounding wildly as she stared intently at the two men.
Haidu Aling moved with agile ferocity, pressing forward with aggressive strikes, each blade carrying immense force.
Su Dan Gu was sharp and ruthless, his presence overwhelming. Every slash was executed with brutal precision, leaving no room for mercy. Yet in his turns and evasions, there was a solemn, ancient composure, faintly tinged with a sense of compassion.
After over a hundred exchanges, they remained evenly matched. Their clashing forces sent roof tiles shattering and dust cascading down.
Growing impatient from the prolonged stalemate, Haidu Aling erupted in fury. He forced Su Dan Gu into a corner, let out a sharp cry, his muscles bulging as he raised his long blade and swung it down at Su Dan Gu.
This strike concentrated all his momentum, like a mountain crushing everything in its path—even a Buddha would be slain!
Yaoying held her breath in tension.
Su Dan Gu stood tall, his expression stern. With a horizontal sweep of his left-hand blade, his aura surged like a rainbow, carrying an overwhelming, sky-piercing dominance as he forcefully split apart Haidu Aling’s assault!
Haidu Aling staggered back a step, grunting as a trickle of blood seeped from the corner of his mouth.
He glanced behind him, noticing his men had not caught up. His gaze darkened, and he abruptly retreated several paces, darting to Yaoying’s side. He hooked an arm around her waist and turned to flee.
“Su Dan Gu, we shall meet again on the battlefield to settle this!”
Before Yaoying could cry for help, a fierce blade wind swept from behind. In the rustling of robes, Su Dan Gu closed the distance in several leaps, his figure ghostlike as he slashed at Haidu Aling’s right arm.
Haidu Aling’s heart raced with fear. He twisted away from the blade, but Su Dan Gu pressed forward, seizing Yaoying’s shoulder and drawing her into his embrace.
Yaoying glimpsed a flash of cold light from the corner of her eye and shouted, “Watch out!”
A dagger shot out from Haidu Aling’s sleeve, aimed straight at Su Dan Gu!
Without a word, Su Dan Gu’s tall figure lunged forward like a falcon seizing its prey. His right arm encircled Yaoying’s waist as he swept past Haidu Aling, his left palm striking out with an unstoppable, ferocious force.
Haidu Aling narrowed his eyes, sheathed the dagger, and swiftly retreated.
Trembling with fear, Yaoying broke into a cold sweat. In her panic, she wrapped her arms around Su Dan Gu’s neck, pressing herself tightly against his chest as she shivered lightly.
Su Dan Gu held her and swiftly traversed the rooftops, coming to a stop on a courtyard wall. He turned to gaze at Haidu Aling.
“Princess Wenzhao is the King’s Girl of Matanga. If there is a next time, I will not hold back.”
He spoke each word deliberately, his voice hoarse.
Haidu Aling’s face darkened like stormy waters. He glanced at Yaoying, who was curled in Su Dan Gu’s embrace, the corner of his mouth twitching several times before he turned and strode away.
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