In the Moonlight

As dusk fell, the market had long closed, and the main street gradually grew quiet.

Inside the posthouse, however, a lively scene of music and revelry unfolded. The young prince Jin Bo had taken over the main hall, indulging in fine wine while watching the Hu dancers perform.

In the freezing winter, when water turned to ice upon dripping, the Hu dancers wore thin, gauzy garments that faintly revealed their snow-white skin. They swayed and twirled to the rhythm, their long skirts billowing high, their movements dazzling and graceful.

With the curfew in effect in the Gaochang royal city, merchants staying at the posthouse were unable to go out. They sat in distant corners, admiring the Hu dancers' enchanting figures, erupting in cheers from time to time. Those with quick wits took the initiative to flatter Jin Bo, currying favor and ingratiating themselves with excessive praise.

Jin Bo, drunk and flushed, his square face glowing with pride, did not shoo the merchants away but generously invited them to join him in drinking.

The hall buzzed with clamor.

Yaoying, dressed in a half-sleeved brocade robe, her long hair braided, and wearing leather boots in a masculine style, stood in a corner gazing down at the main hall below. She said to Xie Qing and the others beside her, "Keep a close watch on the young prince. If anything happens, ensure his safety—do not let him die."

They acknowledged her orders, and Xie Qing asked, "Who would want to kill the young prince? Yuchi Damo?"

Yaoying shook her head. "The Northern Rong."

...

Previously, Yaoying’s repeated warnings had sown seeds of suspicion in Wahan Khan’s mind toward Haidu Aling. Other young princes had also begun to guard against Haidu Aling, causing the internal conflicts within the Northern Rong royal family to erupt ahead of schedule.

Jin Bo was the most doted-upon son of Wahan Khan, but unfortunately, he was also the most impulsive, reckless, and ambitious yet incompetent. He had long resented Haidu Aling for stealing his spotlight at the age of fifteen during the Sacrificial Festival and had repeatedly opposed him, often provoking discord in front of Wahan Khan.

With Haidu Aling’s self-sacrificing scheme exposed, tensions within the Northern Rong royal family were bound to escalate, with undercurrents of conflict surging.

Jin Bo, nursing a grudge against Haidu Aling for years and eager to eliminate him, had not stayed in the royal court to join his brothers in attacking their common foe. Instead, he had concealed his identity and traveled north to Gaochang. His purpose was not hard to guess—he intended to borrow troops from Yuchi Damo and the Turkic princess Yi Na to kill Haidu Aling.

In his youth, Wahan Khan had been ambitious, leading his tribe to sweep across the grasslands and rapidly rise to power. As he aged, his approach grew cautious and conservative, especially after his crushing defeat at the hands of Tanmoroqie, which left him with lingering fears and a tendency toward indecision and hesitation. Even though he knew Haidu Aling was a potential threat, he could not bring himself to kill his foster son, whom he regarded as his own, within a few short months.

First, Wahan Khan prided himself as a descendant of the divine wolf, arrogant and self-assured. He believed it was natural for warriors within the tribe to challenge their leader—survival of the fittest, where the strong ruled. As the leader, he could not kill a subordinate based solely on his own suspicions.

Second, although Haidu Aling was not his biological son, he had achieved numerous military successes in recent years through campaigns north and south. Ambitious, exceptionally brave, and more esteemed than the other princes, Aling remained reverent and obedient to him, showing no signs of disloyalty. If Wahan Khan pushed him too far, Aling could rally widespread support with a single call to arms, and the outcome of such a conflict would be uncertain. It was better to bide his time and wait for a better opportunity.

Third, if internal strife broke out within the Northern Rong royal family, it would inevitably lead to fragmentation. Subjugated tribes would surely seize the chance to rebel, plunging the land into chaos as the princes turned on each other. The territories conquered by Northern Rong warriors over years of struggle would then be lost to others.No one knows a son better than his father. Wahan Khan knew that none of his sons were a match for Haidu Aling, nor did they possess the ability to lead the tribe in expanding their territory.

He wanted to protect his sons, but he was the Khan of the Northern Rong. If forced to choose between the glory, stability, and prosperity of the tribe and the lives of his sons, he would choose the former.

Thus, even though he suspected Haidu Aling, Wahan Khan ultimately could not bring himself to kill him.

Wahan’s sons, however, were different. They had long harbored jealousy and hatred toward Haidu Aling, wishing they could devour him alive. As Wahan Khan delayed taking action, they grew restless.

Jin Bo had come to Gaochang to borrow troops.

Yaoying reached this conclusion based on two factors: her understanding of the Northern Rong royal family and her knowledge that Haidu Aling’s justification for killing Wahan Khan and his sons was the trap set by the other princes to harm him. The elite Northern Rong cavalry remained loyal to the Khan and generally did not involve themselves in the princes’ internal conflicts. Thus, the princes had to seek external support, and Princess Yina had always been close to Jin Bo.

Before she could explain anything to Su Dan Gu, he immediately grasped her meaning and decided to meet Yuchi Damo ahead of schedule.

While concealing his identity, Jin Bo allowed his soldiers to act arrogantly and domineeringly. His ostentatious behavior along the way had likely already drawn Haidu Aling’s attention. Haidu Aling was ruthless and cunning, and the turmoil within the Northern Rong royal family was likely imminent, with all parties deeply entangled, waiting only for the spark to ignite.

They had to sound out Yuchi Damo before Jin Bo entered the palace and ensure Jin Bo’s safety, preventing him from falling into Haidu Aling’s hands.

…

Yaoying watched Jin Bo in the hall, surrounded by attendants, and shook her head inwardly.

No wonder Haidu Aling had managed to defeat a larger force and eliminate all his rivals in one battle. Jin Bo and his brothers had already attempted to kill him once. Knowing that Haidu Aling was biding his time and feigning indulgence in wine and women, they still acted so carelessly, as if afraid no one would know they had come to Gaochang.

The other princes had likely gone elsewhere to seek reinforcements. If they were as unrestrained as Jin Bo, Haidu Aling had probably already uncovered their plans.

Ultimately, they looked down on Haidu Aling, viewing him as an orphan with no parents, unworthy of inheriting the Khan’s throne and unfit to be compared to them.

Little did they know that while the Northern Rong people were loyal to Wahan Khan, that loyalty did not extend to his sons.

Downstairs, the lively strains of the pipa music drifted upward. Yaoying withdrew her gaze and turned to return to her room.

Xie Qing followed her and whispered, "I will accompany you to Wang Temple, Princess."

Yaoying shook her head. "The city is under curfew. A larger group would only draw attention and be less safe. Yuanjue knows the city’s routes well. With him as my escort, I will be fine. You stay here and keep watch at the posthouse."

Their secret meeting with Yuchi Damo required discretion, and the fewer people involved, the better.

Xie Qing frowned but, seeing Yaoying’s resolve, nodded solemnly in agreement.

When the agreed-upon time arrived, Yaoying gathered her belongings, covered her face with a veil, leaving only her eyes exposed, and followed Yuanjue as they left the posthouse through a second-floor window.

Yaoying had no martial skills. As she climbed down the earthen platform, her foot slipped. Yuanjue, startled, reached out to grab her but was too late. In the silvery moonlight, a figure flashed by—a long arm stretched out, catching Yaoying and swiftly leaping down the steep platform with her in his arms.

It was Su Dan Gu.The wind whistled in her ears as Yaoying leaned against Su Dan Gu’s sturdy chest, studying his sharply defined jaw beneath the mask in the cool moonlight.

She had noticed these past few days that when she inadvertently drew close to him initially, he stiffened slightly—not out of awkwardness or discomfort, but simply from unfamiliarity, as if he had never been near a woman before. Later, when she nearly fell during their journey and he reached out to steady her, his movements became much more natural.

Perhaps in his eyes, she was no different from the other personal guards.

He carried a faint scent of medicine.

Yaoying couldn’t resist sniffing, but couldn’t identify what kind of medicine it was.

Still lost in thought, she felt her feet land steadily on the snow with a soft crunch. Su Dan Gu set her down and turned to lead the horse, his movements brisk and decisive.

Feeling guilty, Yaoying swayed and nearly tumbled headfirst into the snow.

Su Dan Gu glanced back at her. Under the night sky, his green eyes were like two pools of clear water, his gaze resting on her face with a palpable weight.

A wave of guilt washed over Yaoying. Her heartbeat quickened abruptly, and her cheeks warmed slightly.

Yuanjue stood beneath the courtyard wall, looking from Su Dan Gu to Yaoying with a bewildered expression.

Yaoying felt her scalp prickle under Su Dan Gu’s stare. She quickly steadied herself, affecting an air of nonchalance, and strode to the horse’s side. Mounting too hastily, she suddenly felt dizzy and tightened her grip on the reins.

A few moments later, she sensed Su Dan Gu’s gaze shift away from her.

The three of them first rode out of the long street under cover of darkness, then continued on foot. Unfamiliar with the route, Yaoying stayed close behind Yuanjue as they twisted and turned through winding paths, the terrain seeming to slope gradually downward. Half an hour later, they finally arrived at a narrow, deep alley. Yuanjue knocked on the gate, and someone answered. The two exchanged whispered passcodes in Brahmi before the gate swung open from within.

Yuanjue led Yaoying inside. When she glanced back, she realized Su Dan Gu had vanished.

He was always appearing and disappearing like a ghost.

Suppressing her confusion, she entered the temple with Yuanjue.

Wang Temple’s halls were spacious, with bluestone floors and brilliantly lit lamps casting deep, shadowy outlines. In the darkness, the murals on the walls appeared menacing and grotesque.

Yaoying noticed that the layout of Wang Temple closely resembled that of Central Plains temples.

Following their guide, they traversed a long corridor and several empty courtyards before arriving at a secluded meditation room. The guide bowed and gestured for them to enter, whispering to Yuanjue, “The king said that the Buddha Prince’s guests are his guests. Please wait a moment; the king will be here shortly.”

As Yuanjue and Yaoying stepped forward and mounted the stone stairs, Yuanjue’s ears twitched suddenly. He halted abruptly and grabbed Yaoying’s arm.

Just then, a series of sharp, urgent screams erupted, like cold water splashing into hot oil, instantly shattering the night’s profound silence.

The air froze for a moment.

Then, the entire temple stirred to life. Night birds startled into flight, wings beating as they soared high. Shouts arose from all directions, accompanied by the chaotic patter of footsteps. Guards and Monk Soldiers rushed out of their rooms, converging on the source of the noise. Scattered torches merged into several fiery dragons, swiftly encircling the courtyard.

Yuanjue, enraged, seized the guide and gripped his throat. “An ambush?”

The guide snapped back to reality and hurriedly denied it. “The king has always revered the Buddha Prince. He was overjoyed to receive the Buddha Prince’s envoy—how could he commit such a despicable act? The temple is under strict curfew tonight. I have no idea what’s happening!”Yuanjue didn't believe it and swiftly retreated from the courtyard with the guide in tow.

The two quickly withdrew from the compound. Ahead, faint footsteps echoed as a figure dashed toward them—judging by the sound, a skilled fighter. As the figure drew nearer, Yuanjue broke into a cold sweat, shielding Yaoying while preparing to use the guide as a hostage. The figure leaped down from the corridor, moonlight illuminating the Yaksa mask on his face.

Yuanjue breathed a sigh of relief, feeling his composure return, and murmured a few phrases in Brahmi.

Su Dan Gu responded briefly, directly pulling Yaoying along.

Knowing the urgency of the situation, Yaoying followed him without a word.

Yuanjue acknowledged the order, gripping the guide, and asked, "General, how should we deal with him?"

The guide trembled, pleading, "I swear by the Buddha! Our king absolutely did not set any trap! You are envoys of the Buddha Prince—how would our king dare harm you? Spare me, brave ones! The Buddha Prince is compassionate—if you mistakenly kill an innocent, he will surely hold you accountable when he finds out!"

Footsteps approached from behind as someone shouted, "There are people over there!" and gave chase, blades glinting.

Su Dan Gu lifted Yaoying into his arms and said, "Take him with us."

Yuanjue nodded, seized the guide, and leaped onto a courtyard wall, their figures vanishing into the night.

Meanwhile, Su Dan Gu carried Yaoying over rows of rooftops, deftly shaking off the pursuers before landing in a secluded narrow alley. The sounds of fighting had faded. A horse was tethered by a well; he helped Yaoying onto it, and they rode together through the deep lanes, halting at a street corner.

Not far away, clamoring voices rose and flames lit up the sky.

Following Su Dan Gu's gaze, Yaoying felt a chill run through her limbs: it was the direction of the courier station!