After making her promise to Tanmoluojia to seek atonement, Yaoying returned that night and copied two volumes of sutras. The next day, when her guards delivered the scriptures to the hall, just as the temple monks were about to place them with other devotees’ hand-copied sutras and wooden tablets for blessings and atonement, Yuanjue came looking and asked, “Where are Princess Wenzhao’s scriptures?”

The temple monk hurriedly found the scriptures.

Yuanjue took them, instructing, “Don’t tell others about this.”

The monk agreed.

Yuanjue brought the scriptures to Tanmoluojia.

Tanmoluojia accepted them, placed them before the Buddha statue, and began chanting sutras for Yaoying.

After a while, when he finished chanting, he asked, “Were you there yesterday when Princess Wenzhao stepped into the fire altar?”

Yuanjue nodded, saying, “The Princess’s guards demonstrated privately several times first. General Ashina and I were present, and only after confirming it wouldn’t harm anyone did we help the Princess frighten the other princesses.”

At this point, he couldn’t help but smile secretly.

“My King, you should have seen it. When Princess Wenzhao said she would step into the fire altar, the other princesses looked at her as if she were mad. Princess Manda sneered, saying the Princess was bluffing, and had someone throw a silk scarf into the ritual altar. When the scarf immediately caught fire, Princess Manda was dumbfounded…”

…

No one knew exactly what mysterious method the guards used, but the fire altar blazed fiercely, emitting streaks of blue flame. People standing close could feel the scorching heat, and the snow melted.

Princess Manda and her attendants checked several times but found no mechanisms.

When Li Yaoying smiled and stepped into the fire altar under everyone’s gaze, the watching commoners cried out. The central army guards had prepared several large vats of clear water, with each person holding a bucket, and watching the fire altar without blinking.

Amid the tremendous sounds of burning and crackling, Yaoying stepped toward the fierce flames. The hot wind lifted her veil, but her face showed no fear.

Everyone stared at her dumbly, watching as she walked through the blue flames. Her brocade robe caught fire, but she remained composed. When the blue flames extinguished, she stood before the fire altar – though her clothes were charred black, she was unharmed.

She walked out, blew on her still-smoking sleeve, looked at the other princesses, and asked, “Who’s next?”

The princesses from various nations kept retreating, their faces ashen. Even Princess Manda didn’t dare step forward.

…

As Yuanjue finished speaking, he still couldn’t help laughing: “My King, I asked the guards – they learned these skills from jianghu magicians and Persian priests. They said if the fire altar wasn’t scary enough, they had other methods. The Princess could roll on nail boards, swallow nails… each more frightening than the last…”

Tanmoluojia held his prayer beads, listened to him finish, and then said: “If something like this happens again, report back first.”

Yuanjue sobered immediately and respectfully agreed.

Footsteps sounded at the door as Bore entered the hall, asking Tanmoluojia: “My King, the temple master, and several managers don’t know where to enshrine the Udumbara flower appropriately. They request your guidance.”

News of the Udumbara flower’s manifestation had already spread, and people were flocking to the Royal Temple to witness the miraculous flower. The temple master worried about the flower being damaged and hesitated about moving it to the inner hall, but other monks disagreed, believing it should be enshrined in the main hall for all Buddha-worshipping commoners to see.

Tanmoluojia calmly said: “Since it’s not a worldly object, there’s no need to enshrine it. Put it away.”

Yuanjue and Bore were both startled, feeling it was a great pity.

Bore was somewhat unwilling, hesitating as he said: “But it’s the Udumbara flower, a treasure that demonstrates your merit, my King. Just putting it away, hidden from sight?”

Tanmoluojia nodded, making a sound of acknowledgment.

Bore carefully said: “My King, the common people will be greatly disappointed if they can’t see the Udumbara flower. They’ll complain that the Royal Temple is hoarding the treasure.”

“Put it away.”

Tanmoluojia commanded, his tone authoritative.

Bore didn’t dare argue further and walked out dejectedly.

Tanmoluojia looked at Yaoying’s hand-copied scriptures, his fingers turning the prayer beads.

After all, the golden flower wasn’t real. Since she had presented it publicly, keeping it enshrined before Buddha would be deceiving the divine. Moreover, it would inevitably cause controversy in the future. Better to put it away.

Though she had never cared about such things.

After a moment of quiet, a guard outside the door saluted and said: “My King, an Indian physician seeks an audience.”

Tanmoluojia gathered his prayer beads and nodded.

Yuanjue understood and gestured for the Indian physician to enter.

The Indian physician entered the hall carrying a precious box, bowed to Tanmoluojia, and said: “My King, I have prepared the medicine pills for Princess Wenzhao. The Princess can take one pill first, and if she experiences no severe discomfort, she can take one every ten days afterward. She should recover fully in just a year or two, and won’t need to take the Condensed Dew Pills anymore.”

He handed a detailed prescription to Yuanjue, who presented it at the writing desk.

Tanmoluojia picked up the prescription, looked at it for a while, and frowned slightly: “Datura?”

The Indian physician’s heart tightened, thinking silently that Mondadeva was right – the kingdom’s ruler was quite knowledgeable about medicine and couldn’t be casually deceived like some arrogant, impetuous ruler.

“In reply to my King, Datura is warm. Though poisonous, it can be used for treatment. Its petals can stop wheezing, suppress coughs, and especially relieve pain and provide anesthesia. The Princess has congenital deficiencies, and to eliminate the root cause, we must increase the dosage. When the medicine disperses, she will experience pain that ordinary people can hardly bear, so the pills must contain a small amount of Datura.”

After explaining, he respectfully added: “When the Princess takes the medicine, I can wait nearby. If anything untoward happens to the Princess, I am willing to accept punishment.”

Tanmoluojia put down the prescription. “That won’t be necessary, physician.”

Treatment inherently carried risks – he was a patient and knew this well. He had asked more questions not to assign blame but to understand clearly the consequences of taking the pills.

“Is Princess Wenzhao in the front hall?” he asked Yuanjue.

Yuanjue shook his head, answering: “The Princess went to the martial arts grounds today.”

The guards had told him this morning.

Tanmoluojia said: “When she returns, ask her to go to the stone caves.”

…

The day after the ceremony was the martial arts competition, where winners received rich rewards, and even losers wouldn’t leave empty-handed. Additionally, envoys from various nations offered their treasures as prizes for the victors. People from the royal court and warriors from various nations eagerly participated, making it especially lively.

Yaoying had also selected several valuable treasures as prizes and obtained a seat.

She had her guards participate in horse racing and mounted archery competitions while she took the opportunity to watch from the sidelines, secretly observing the warhorses and horse gear used by warriors from various tribes.

Haidu Aling had several keys to victory: well-trained cavalry with strong endurance that could move quickly, excellent and durable weapons that could be mass-produced, and fast horses with strong endurance and carrying capacity in sufficient numbers.

The importance of horses couldn’t be underestimated – the quality of horses largely determined military strength. Years ago, Emperor Wu of Han had gone to great lengths to obtain the blood-sweating horses precisely to improve military mounts and enhance army capabilities.

Currently, due to years of warfare, the Central Plains had lost Hexi and Longxi, losing their source of excellent warhorses. Most armies used southwestern horses for campaigns.

Southwestern horses were suitable for mountain transport but were lightweight and small, with far less carrying capacity than tall horses. After being loaded with water skins, dried food, and bows and arrows, they couldn’t carry a soldier in heavy armor, so soldiers couldn’t wear armor and could only protect themselves with leather shields.

Moreover, southwestern horses lacked stamina and explosive power, couldn’t march quickly, and couldn’t launch sudden attacks. Therefore, Central Plains armies couldn’t charge with cavalry like the northern nomad horsemen.

As a result, the Central Plains couldn’t form powerful cavalry and had to rely mainly on infantry for military campaigns.

However, the infantry alone couldn’t reclaim Hexi and Longxi, let alone defeat the northern nomads.

Yaoying pondered silently. It seemed Haidu Aling’s army would get their warhorses from other tribes. If only they could disrupt his plans before he improved his military horses.

Bisuo came down from the competition ground and, seeing Yaoying at the sidelines, frowned and warned her: “Look over there.”

Yaoying looked in the direction he pointed, and a furtive figure immediately shrank back into the crowd.

Bisuo said: “They’re from the Vilomara delegation. They’ve been asking around about you these past two days.”

While the other princesses had shown signs of giving up, only Princess Manda showed no indication of retreating.

Yaoying’s brows furrowed slightly.

Bisuo consoled her: “The Vilomara delegation must leave by the end of the month. No matter how unwilling Princess Manda is, she’ll have no reason to stay. Princess, you’ll need to be wary of them these days, but by next month it will be fine.”

Yaoying nodded.

In the afternoon, they returned to the Royal Temple together. Yuanjue was waiting at the entrance, saying Tanmoluojia had requested Yaoying’s presence.

Bisuo’s footsteps faltered, a look of astonishment crossing his face.

“The King wants to see Princess Wenzhao today?”

Yuanjue nodded.

Bisuo looked as if he’d been struck, his hands clenching into fists.

Yaoying happened to have something to discuss with Tanmoluojia and didn’t notice his strange behavior. She said to Yuanjue: “Wait a moment, I’ll go get something.”

Yuanjue agreed, waiting outside the courtyard.

Bisuo didn’t leave, also waiting on the side.

Yuanjue glanced at him and said quietly: “General, the King hasn’t summoned you.”

Bisuo’s face remained expressionless as he said: “Isn’t the King meeting the Princess in the meditation chamber? I also need to go to the meditation chamber. We’re heading the same way, might as well go together.”

Yuanjue shook his head: “Today it’s not in the meditation chamber.”

Bisuo’s brow twitched as he asked: “Then where?”

Yuanjue scratched his scalp and said: “In a meditation room near the stone caves, very close to the punishment hall. The King has already gone there.”

Most of the courtyards near the punishment hall were vacant and rarely visited. Tanmoluojia had suddenly ordered the meditation room cleaned two days ago but hadn’t mentioned it since. He had wondered about it for a long time, and only now realized the King had been preparing for today.

When Bisuo heard the words “stone caves” and “punishment hall,” his whole body shook, his eyes widening in disbelief.

Meanwhile, Yaoying returned with her items, and Yuanjue went to meet her, leading her away.

Yaoying followed him, passing through long corridors, past the pagoda forest, up long steps, arriving before a stone cave.

The cave was in a secluded corner, separated from the cliff face full of caves by a pitch-black tunnel. Though called a cave, it was more like a dwelling. A tree grew before the corridor, though its branches were bare, making it impossible to tell what kind of tree it was.

“Is the Master inside?”

Yaoying asked softly, not seeing any central army guards on duty.

Yuanjue nodded, saying: “Please go in, Princess.”

Yaoying entered carrying her bundle. The stone cave was a room carved from the earthen cliff, dark even in daylight. Lamps were lit inside, casting a hazy glow.

Tanmoluojia sat on a meditation mat under the lamp, his back to her. The flickering candlelight enveloped him, his crimson kasaya red as fire.

Yaoying stepped forward: “Master, you asked for me?”

Tanmoluojia turned his head to look at her, nodding toward the low couch opposite him.

Yaoying walked to the couch and sat down, putting down her bundle, and waiting for him to speak.

Tanmoluojia opened the precious box, took out a pill, and handed it to Yaoying.

“The physician has prepared medicine pills for the Princess. I’ve examined them. Please take one first. You may experience some discomfort. If it’s unbearable…”

Before he could finish, Yaoying took the pill and swallowed it. She poured herself a cup of tea and drank it slowly, deliberately.

Tanmoluojia: …

“Doesn’t the Princess want to know what medicine this is?”

Yaoying smiled, her eyes seeming to contain flowing starlight: “Any medicine Master finds for me must be good medicine for treating illness. Thank you, Master.”

Tanmoluojia looked at her for a long while, then moved his gaze away.

…

Outside the Royal Temple.

Bisuo remained standing in place for a long time. He closed his eyes briefly, then turned and left the Royal Temple.

Outside, there was an endless stream of people, devout believers bowing in worship toward the main hall. Looking out, the long street was a sea of black, packed with people.

Bisuo rode his horse through the impenetrable crowd, his thoughts distant.

Returning to his residence, he called his subordinates and discussed military affairs for a while. Mopiduo came to inquire about troop deployment, and the two talked while drinking. Before they knew it, the evening had fallen. After Mopiduo left, Bisuo was half drunk and fell into a deep sleep.

He had a dream.

In the dream, his younger self knelt before a bed in a stone cave. On the bed lay an old man at death’s door, his withered hands trembling as he solemnly handed over a glinting blade.

“Bisuo, swear to me.”

Bisuo’s whole body shook as he refused to take the blade. “Master… I really can’t do it!”

The old man’s clouded eyes stared at him for a long time before he heaved a long sigh.

“Call Yuanjue.”

Bisuo felt cold all over and lunged forward, taking the blade.

The next moment, both the old man and the blade vanished.

He saw a spacious Buddha hall, thick with candlelight and lingering incense.

A monk sat cross-legged on the dharma platform before Buddha. His features were distinct, his jade-green eyes lowered like lotus petals, wearing loose monastic robes. Surrounded by incense and candlelight, he appeared cold and noble, transcendently elegant.

He looked so sacred and dignified, yet in his arms, he held a beautiful woman with skin white as snow. The woman faced him, her arms like lotus roots wrapped tightly around his neck. They sat facing each other as he looked down at her.

Outside the Buddha hall came the sound of hurried footsteps. Countless torches gathered toward the hall, twinkling like the Milky Way.

Someone kicked open the great doors. With a tremendous crash, a long blade swung down toward the woman in the monk’s arms.

The monk raised his face, his body covered in sweat and glistening. His cold, handsome face was filled with killing intent.

His jade-green eyes, which should have been calm as still water, were red as blood.

Bisuo looked at him and raised the long blade.

…

A cool breeze blew into the room through a crack, making the curtain sway.

Bisuo awoke from his dream with a start, completely sober and covered in cold sweat. After sitting for a while, he got up from the couch, put on his clothes and boots, and hurried to the Royal Temple.

Yuanjue was startled to see him sweating profusely and asked: “General, do you have urgent military matters to report?”

Instead of answering, Bisuo asked: “Has the King returned from the stone cave?”

Yuanjue shook his head: “The King hasn’t returned yet.”

“Has Princess Wenzhao gone back?”

Yuanjue continued shaking his head: “It doesn’t seem so…”

Bisuo’s face turned dark as water as he gripped Yuanjue tightly: “Take me to see the King! Right now! Immediately!”