The back mountains of Black Tiger Peak had numerous caves, and Luo Wen clearly hadn't been there for some time, taking several wrong turns before finding the right path. The so-called "doghouse" of Black Tiger Stronghold was a massive cavern. Black Tiger Peak was rich in granite, its stones exceptionally hard, making this cave waterproof and windproof—truly sturdy. Bao Leopard had installed a thick iron gate at the entrance, usually confining his pack of mastiffs inside. These mastiffs varied in size—some as burly as bears, others as slender as foxes, some long-haired, some short-haired, tall and short alike—but all were meticulously trained killer hounds used to chase down merchants ambushed by Black Tiger Stronghold who had managed to escape wounded.
These dogs would drag the injured back from dozens of miles away, dead or alive.
And Selin was imprisoned in this very cave.
As Tang Lici approached the cavern, he didn't smell the usual foul stench of a doghouse. Instead, the air was fresh, even carrying a faint floral fragrance.
He reached out and grabbed the bronze lock on the iron gate, twisting it forcefully. The lock was thick, and with his True power still unstable after his injury, he couldn't wrench it open immediately. Pausing slightly, he formed his hand into a blade and struck the lock. With a faint click , the mechanism inside shattered, and the lock opened effortlessly. Luo Wen watched him with awe. During the two years she and Selin had been kept as captives, it seemed Tang Lici had thrived—even mastering martial arts.
As the lock opened, a deep chorus of barks erupted from inside. These barks were low and resonant, utterly unlike those of ordinary mutts. Tang Lici pushed the gate open, revealing only darkness within the cave, save for dozens of gleaming eyes shining with ferocity in the shadows. As light from outside spilled in, the figures of dozens of majestic mastiffs came into view, followed by the sight of a slender, fair-skinned leg.
This exquisitely beautiful leg rested atop the back of the largest, long-haired mastiff. Looking up, the equally flawless thigh and crystalline skin—utterly unblemished—belonged to a woman who reclined against the mastiff's back, with another long-haired mastiff serving as her backrest. One foot dangled over the dog's back, while the other was bent, toes resting on the mastiff's fur, each digit as perfect as a gemstone.
"Selin..." Luo Wen staggered a step, staring dumbfounded at the woman who sat like a queen among dogs. Her crystal-clear eyes gazed out from the cave, her stunning figure nestled in the soft fur, clad in tiger skin that made her radiate even more brilliantly than before.
"Hey!" Tang Lici laughed as he opened the gate and took in the sight. "Every time I see you, you never fail to surprise me."
The woman on the mastiff's back lowered her feet to the ground and embraced the massive dog behind her. "Before I saw you, I refused to surrender!" She took two silent, catlike steps forward. "I refused to let myself become wretched because I had to survive to see you again. Whether in your presence or behind your back, I will always be a queen."
Tang Lici reached out, and Selin threw herself into his arms. Her voice was soft and melodious, exuding a rose-like tenderness and allure that surpassed Luo Wen's sensuality. "I knew you'd come for me."
"Even if I hadn't, it seems you were doing just fine." Tang Lici scooped her up in his arms. "You tamed these dogs?"Selin's hand slipped from his embrace as she gently stroked the heads of the mastiffs. "Taming dogs is much easier than taming you," she chuckled softly. "I send them out to pick flowers for me, dig holes here, fetch food, fruits, and even brooms. They're very clever."
"Dig holes?" Luo Wen followed Tang Lici inside, always paling in comparison beside Selin, like a mere Cinderella. "This is granite—how could they dig holes?"
Tang Lici carried Selin deeper into the cave. They didn't bump into any walls along the way, for every patch of soil in the depths of the cavern had been excavated, forming a long tunnel that led to an underground river at the mountain's base. The river water was exceptionally clear, with fish swimming beneath. A bonfire burned by the riverside, casting flickering reflections on the water and stone walls—this was where Selin usually ate.
"Have you been living here for two years?" he asked tenderly.
Selin nodded. Luo Wen's face turned ashen. She had feared being locked in the doghouse and submitted to Bao Bao, yet Selin, who had been confined there, lived far better than she did. Selin wrapped her arms around Tang Lici's neck. "Isn't this place nice?"
"Very nice," Tang Lici set her down. "And you're doing well too."
Selin laughed softly, her smile as radiant as a rose, as if one could catch its fragrance from her expression alone. "I love you."
Tang Lici didn't respond. Selin stood barefoot on the ground, encircling his waist with her arms. "Why won't you say you love me too?" She nuzzled her cheek against him. "It's been so long since we last met. Don't you miss me?"
Why won't you say you love me too? Tang Lici froze momentarily, vaguely recalling how he used to automatically reply "I love you too" whenever Selin said "I love you"—words that would make any woman adore him even more.
But...
But if he were to say "I love you" to the woman clinging to him and showering him with kisses, then... wouldn't the woman who had never said she loved him, the one he had cast aside to save others yet remained willing, seem... even more insignificant?
As insignificant as a grain of sand—so small it might as well not exist, even without the wind to scatter it.
He was lost in thought.
Selin tightened her arms around his waist. "What are you thinking about?"
"Hmm..." Tang Lici ran his fingers through her dark hair. Unlike A Shui's straight, smooth, and fine locks, Selin's hair was naturally curly, growing more coiled the longer it was, and luxuriously thick.
"Have you found another woman here?" Selin asked softly, closing her eyes. "Is she... or are they, better than me?"
Selin was accustomed to him finding new lovers. She never made a scene over it, always confident that no matter where he sought novelty, he could never find a woman more beautiful than her. So she never cared about Tang Lici's dalliances—the more new lovers he had, the more it proved she was the queen among women, the empress of her kind. Tang Lici would never leave her because he could never find better.
The question was routine, yet the man in her arms still didn't answer. Her eyes flew open abruptly. "What's wrong?"
He seemed to ponder for a moment before replying gently, "No...""Why think about it?" Selin wrapped her arms around his waist, gently kissing the back of his hand like a nuzzling bird. "You really met another woman, didn't you? And she's been weighing on your mind."
Women are always as sensitive as prophets when it comes to matters of the heart. He chuckled softly, "No, many women love me, but I'm busy." His voice was tender, "Too busy to compare who's better."
Selin slowly released his hand. This time, none of Tang Lici's answers matched her expectations. "What are you busy with?"
"A man's business." Tang Lici pulled her closer by the waist while draping an arm over Luo Wen's shoulder. "Don't worry, I'll send you both home first. Once you're back, everything will be as it was before."
Selin stared at him unblinkingly, her crystal-like eyes reflecting a profound intensity. "Send Luo Wen back. I want to stay with you."
"Selin..."
"Don't try to persuade me," she said. "And don't order me around." Hugging the massive mastiff behind her, the rose-like woman exuded a chilling, soul-shaking lethality when cold. "I'll be very unhappy."
She sensed danger.
He understood why Selin suddenly insisted on staying by his side. They had lived together for many years, and every time, Selin had been willing to wait at home for him—waiting until he returned from his escapades to prove she was the better choice. She wasn't a woman who endured hardship; her life had been one of luxury and beauty. Her sudden decision to stay with him meant she sensed an unprecedented threat.
A threat...
Had his heart truly changed?
Had he really fallen for another woman, overlooking the treasure right before him?
Gently, he caressed Selin's soft cheek. Had he fallen for A Shui? He didn't think so. But if asked whether he loved Selin...
That... didn't seem to be the case either...
Meanwhile, A Shui, Yu Tuan'er, and Liu Yan were also on their way to Shaolin Temple.
Tang Lici had left, and no one knew where he was headed. But no matter how he had treated A Shui, after the initial anger, Liu Yan and Yu Tuan'er were equally worried about his injuries. A Shui suggested going to Shaolin Temple, reasoning that since Tang Lici had carried the Great Restoration Pill with him, the medicine must have had another purpose for him. He had given all of it to save her life, so she wanted to plead with Abbot Puzhu for another bottle.
Since Tang Lici couldn't be found, obtaining the Great Restoration Pill was a feasible alternative. After packing their belongings, the group hired a carriage and set off for Shaolin Temple.
Along the way, they heard countless rumors—all claiming that Tang Lici and Liu Yan had colluded, using their enemies to bolster their own power, intending to lure the Central Plains Sword Association and others into a trap set by the Dissolute Shop. The sole purpose, they said, was to seize control of the martial world, and ultimately, the empire itself—accusations of treason and worse.
Half of these rumors stemmed from the battle at Haoyun Mountain, while the other half were deliberate slander by malicious individuals. The stories grew increasingly vicious and horrifying with each retelling. In just a few days, Tang Lici had gone from a revered nobleman to a despised traitor, someone everyone wanted dead.
Listening to these rumors, the group in the carriage exchanged silent glances and continued their journey in silence.Under the effects of the Great Return Elixir, A-Shui's injuries healed remarkably fast. Tang Lizci had left a substantial amount of silver at the Wanfu Inn, and along the journey, Liu Yan spared no expense, purchasing the finest and most expensive medicines for her wounds. Over the past six or seven days, A-Shui had improved significantly and could now sit up for a while.
She spoke very little, and Fengfeng had been unusually well-behaved these past few days. Mother and child sat huddled together, silently gazing out the window. Watching the look in her eyes as she stared outside, Yu Tuan'er would tightly grip Liu Yan's arm. Sometimes, she imagined that A-Shui and Fengfeng were reminiscing about their time with Tang Lizci—when her gaze softened, she was thinking of the moments he had been gentle with her; when her eyes turned sorrowful, she was recalling the times he had treated her poorly...
And when she thought of the present?
Did she think of how he had abandoned her, leaving her severely wounded, with no way to find him in the vast world?
Did she think of how the man she loved had been so cold-hearted toward her?
Wouldn’t that be heartbreaking?
Yu Tuan'er clutched Liu Yan's hand tightly. She felt incredibly fortunate—no matter who Liu Yan loved most in his heart, no matter how impatient he might be, at least he had never abandoned her. He had never discarded her in exchange for something more valuable to him, nor had he ever harmed her.
He couldn’t even bear to let her test poisons.
As she thought about it, her eyes reddened. Unconsciously, she nuzzled her cheek against Liu Yan’s arm, feeling the warmth radiating from it, listening to the steady pulse of his heartbeat. It filled her with peace.
"What are you doing?" Liu Yan frowned slightly.
She looked up and smiled. "I just think you're really, really good."
His mood was far from good. Tang Lizci was gone—in a way, driven away by him. He had finally let go, no longer trying to save him, allowing him to do as he pleased. But... having forced away someone who had suffered severe injuries for his sake, someone who might never recover, his heart was in turmoil. He had thought Tang Lizci couldn’t bear to lose A-Shui, couldn’t bear not to have her love, so he had painfully let go, urging A-Shui to love him instead... Only for Tang Lizci to use A-Shui as a human shield, hurling her into danger. How was he supposed to face her now? The more indifferent A-Shui seemed, the more remorseful he felt. Even if he died now, he couldn’t make it up to her.
Amidst his tangled, painful thoughts, seeing Yu Tuan'er’s radiant smile, he reached out and ruffled her hair. A sudden sense of relief washed over him. No matter what mistakes he had made, at least he had always protected this little girl.
Seeing her smile so brightly made him feel at ease, as if the sunlight outside the carriage had grown a little warmer.
The carriage rumbled along the official road toward Mount Song. Along the way, they passed through a town called Kui Town.
By the time they arrived in Kui Town, dusk had already fallen. Yu Tuan'er leaped out of the carriage and led the horse into the streets. The entire town was decorated with lanterns and banners, and everyone wore joyful expressions, as if celebrating a festival. Curious, she asked around and learned that two days prior, a hero had defeated the bandits from the nearby Black Tiger Mountain. Today was the day the bandits were being escorted by the authorities to prison to await trial, so the townsfolk were overjoyed.
Liu Yan, his face veiled, listened disinterestedly to this clichéd tale of wandering heroes. "Girl, ask them where the inn is."Yu Tuan'er couldn't help but interject, "What did this hero look like? Was it a man or a woman? Handsome?" She herself was obsessed with beauty and judged people primarily by their appearance. Even though Liu Yan's face was covered in bloody wounds and could be considered hideously ugly, she didn't seem to mind.
"The hero who defeated Bao Bao in one strike was extraordinarily handsome. His face was as white as jade, draped entirely in white robes resembling a bodhisattva's lotus throne, with blood-red gemstones embedded in the back. With every step he took, a dazzling golden light shimmered behind him. After three steps, he ascended into the clouds." The storyteller spoke animatedly, spraying spittle. "We only saw him flicker before vanishing."
Yu Tuan'er frowned. "Are there really such celestial beings descending to earth?"
"Of course, of course! How could there not be immortals in this world?" The old storyteller from Kui Town stroked his beard and shook his head. "It's just that you're still young, miss, and haven't had the fortune to meet one yet."
"If he's an immortal, why didn't he go kill villains like Yu Konghou instead of coming to this desolate mountain to slay a mere bandit?" Yu Tuan'er was full of disbelief, eyeing the old man suspiciously. "You must be lying! I won't believe you."
"Young lady," an even older man nearby smiled, "he was a very handsome young man, bearing serious injuries, dressed in white robes, with gray hair..."
"Ah!"
Before the old man could finish, Yu Tuan'er gasped in shock. "No way! Could it be Young Master Tang? He would do something like punishing evil? Where is he? Where is he now?"
The old man was none other than Elder Qin, whom Tang Lizhen had saved from Bao Bao's blade. He was equally surprised. "You know that young man, miss?"
"Yes, yes!" Yu Tuan'er nodded vigorously. "Where is he? Where is he now?"
"Yesterday, he went up the mountain and drove out the ruffians from the Black Tiger Stronghold. Now he's resting at an inn, and I heard he'll be leaving tomorrow." Elder Qin happened to have seen Tang Lizhen descending from Black Tiger Mountain. "He's the benefactor who saved my life." He seemed to hesitate, wanting to say more, but Yu Tuan'er didn't notice.
Liu Yan tugged the reins, and the carriage trotted briskly forward. A Shui lifted the curtain, gazing anxiously toward the inn.
She soon spotted Tang Lizhen.
Tang Lizhen was emerging from a fabric shop with two women. He walked side by side with one of them, his arm around her waist. Under the sunlight, the woman in a brand-new pale red dress radiated an indescribable brilliance. Standing beside Tang Lizhen, she made the dozens—if not hundreds—of people on the street seem nonexistent, even dimming the buildings around them.
She swayed with each step, moving slowly, yet every motion accentuated the graceful curves of her waist and legs. Her eyes looked at no one, exuding confidence and pride without arrogance.
That gaze wasn't sharp, yet it shone brilliantly—ignoring everyone yet drawing all eyes to her.
"Tang Lizhen!" Yu Tuan'er also caught sight of this beauty. Though she couldn't tear her eyes away from the woman's long legs, her thoughts remained with A Shui. "Where have you been? How are your injuries? Sister A Shui was so worried about you—she wanted to go to Shaolin Temple to get medicine for you. She doesn't blame you at all. She said when you threw her out, she finally understood..."
"Little sister!"The person in the carriage let out a low, urgent command, and Yu Tuan'er immediately fell silent. She had never heard that voice sound so urgent and subdued before. Soon after, a fit of coughing came from inside the carriage—she had exerted herself, aggravating her wounds.
Liu Yan stood frozen before the queen-like woman in red.
This was Selin, Tang Lici's lover since he was fifteen. Even before crossing into this world, they had been living together.
To Tang Lici, Selin was different from all the other women he had dallied with.
Selin was here—so where was that person?
"Hmm?" Selin smiled at Tang Lici. "Who is she?"
Tang Lici glanced at that person but before he could speak, Liu Yan answered, "She's A'Li's maidservant."
Hearing his voice, Selin turned and asked curiously, "Vered?"
Liu Yan nodded. Selin took a look at his face and laughed. "You know, it actually looks kind of cool now. Before, I always thought it was a bit too soft, but there's none of that left!"
Selin had a way of smoothing everything over. Even the cruelest things, when spoken from her petal-like lips, never sounded too harsh. Liu Yan smiled faintly and asked Tang Lici, "How did Selin end up here? How are your injuries? We've all been worried about you."
He said "we," casually including that person in his words.
That person sat inside the carriage, one hand gripping the window frame tightly, watching as Liu Yan and Selin chatted familiarly with Tang Lici, discussing topics she couldn't understand. Her fingers had turned pale from the force of her grip.
"Niu Niu..." Feng Feng in the carriage called out timidly. Slowly, she withdrew her hand and hugged Feng Feng instead. Her heart pounded violently—things she had thought would never hurt her were now piercing her deeply.
Yu Tuan'er stared blankly at Liu Yan talking with the beautiful woman. She couldn't understand a word they were saying. Suddenly, she felt like crying... She had never asked, but Liu Yan had never mentioned knowing such a stunning woman.
If he hadn't become disfigured, would he have never been with her? It was the first time she had thought this way.
"Little sister." Noticing her pallor, that person called softly to her.
Yu Tuan'er turned around, and tears suddenly spilled down her cheeks.
She rushed to that person's side, who gently wiped her tears away and said soothingly, "Don't cry. Liu Yan won't treat you badly. He truly is a very gentle person."
"If he hadn't become ugly, would he have never been with me? He would only be with a woman like her." Yu Tuan'er buried her face in that person's embrace, completely forgetting about the wound on her chest.
That person endured the sharp pain with a furrowed brow and said gently, "No, he treats you very, very well. They... are just making small talk."
"Really?"
"Really," that person replied. "He is very gentle."
Liu Yan really was gentle. If he hadn't answered Tang Lici's question—"Who is she?"—if he hadn't stepped forward to speak up just then, what would she have done when Tang Lici replied that she was just some irrelevant woman? She would have been utterly humiliated.
Patting Yu Tuan'er's back lightly, she feared Tang Lici might blame himself for throwing her out and getting hurt, so she was eager to tell him she truly didn't mind, that she was genuinely willing. He shouldn't torment himself over his own helplessness in this matter.
In doing so, she admitted her deep love for Tang Lici—there was no escaping it now.It turned out... there was someone else who could soothe him, far more beautiful and sweet than she. She truly was an insignificant, unrelated woman, and her worries along the way were nothing but a delusion of misplaced affection.
She looked at Yu Tuan'er in her arms. Unlike the innocent girl she held, she had already weathered too much hardship in life. She didn’t have much genuine love left to give... and now, this last remaining shred of devotion had been so pointlessly betrayed.
Fox Enchantress: Volume Five · Silent Reflections (End)
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