A pair of bodhi lamp trees flickered with candlelight, their golden-plated copper leaves casting light down onto the opened books and scrolls spread across the desk.

Yaoying sat hunched at the desk, having just finished reviewing a stack of documents. She set down her brush and massaged her shoulders, setting aside the documents she hadn’t yet made detailed notes on.

The various states had endured much warfare, leaving devastation everywhere. Everything needed rebuilding, but the Western Regions had complex terrain and poor transportation. Trying to quickly restore production was an intricate task with countless threads to manage. Even implementing a simple policy like establishing schools and allowing commoners’ children to attend faced numerous obstacles. Moreover, many small tribes had not yet submitted, requiring constant vigilance against counterattacks from remaining forces. She was overwhelmed just reading documents each day.

In comparison, merchant caravans were much easier to manage. Since they pursued profit, as long as there was money to be made, the entire caravan would unite in supporting every order issued.

Fortunately, the states now showed signs of vitality. Displaced people were gradually being resettled, the public sentiment was stable, and once the newly promoted officials became familiar with their duties, things should quickly get on track.

Yaoying let out a long breath. Just as she picked up her brush again, footsteps thundered and Yuanjue poked half his body through the curtain.

“Princess, the Prince is having an episode!”

Yaoying immediately put down her brush, stood up, and hurried out of the room.

Bisuo had just gone in to deliver medicine but was injured by the spiritual energy. She stood by the entrance clutching her chest, face pale. After frowning and regulating her breath for a moment, she handed Yaoying a bottle of medicine, watching as she entered the secret passage.

“Be careful, Princess. If anything happens, ring the suspended bell. I’ll be able to hear it from here.”

Yaoying acknowledged and stumbled through the pitch-black corridor for a while before seeing light ahead and quickening her pace.

In her peripheral vision, a golden arc flashed by, and a pair of beast-like eyes emanated a chilling light in the darkness.

Yaoying was startled, her footsteps halting.

A leopard stepped out from the corner, walking elegantly to her feet and sniffing.

Yaoying’s palms were sweating, but she remained motionless.

The leopard’s breath stirred her skirt hem as it circled her once, then turned and walked inside.

Yaoying let out a breath of relief and entered.

The cave was filled with mist and dim light. Hot spring water bubbled up, producing pearl-like fine foam.

A figure sat cross-legged by the stone platform, face snow-white, brow furrowed and slightly red. His body seemed to emit a cold murderous aura. The muscles under his bare-shouldered kasaya were tense, his skin gleaming with what might have been sweat or condensation.

He was enduring pain.

Yaoying held her breath and tiptoed toward him. After just a few steps, his eyes suddenly opened. Two cold, emotionless gazes pierced through the misty vapor and landed on her face. His deep eyes were covered in web-like bloodshot veins. In the dim light, he truly looked frightening.

Wrathful vajra eyes, compassionate bodhisattva brow – at this moment, he was Sudan Gu, he was Tanmoluojia.

Yaoying’s heart trembled with sorrow. His life had been full of hardship, long suffering pain that others could not bear, and now he had to endure the torment of emotional attachment.

She would rather he had never developed feelings for her than see him struggle between his principles and desires.

Yaoying met his ice-cold gaze as she walked up to the stone platform, bent down, poured out several pills, and brought them to his lips.

“Master, it’s me,” she said gently, suppressing her heartache.

Tanmoluojia’s brows remained furrowed, his gaze vacant as he stared at her for a long time. A cold light flashed in his eyes as he suddenly grabbed her wrist and pulled her down.

His face was pale, but his fingers burned like hot coals.

Caught off guard, Yaoying fell into his embrace and lifted her face to look into his eyes.

He lowered his gaze to her, cold light rippling in his eyes as they fixed on her face.

Her pupils like cut water, autumn pools brimming, reflected his ice-cold face.

“All phenomena are illusions, all things are empty,” he recited each word, his voice clear and cold, his gaze like a deep pool – waveless, stirring not a single ripple.

“Yes, Master, I am just your illusion.”

Through his half-wet kasaya, his heartbeat was steady and composed. Yaoying came to her senses and sat up in his embrace, speaking softly as she opened her hand still clutching the pills, and brought them to his lips.

“Take these.”

Tanmoluojia stared at her unblinkingly, his gaze profound. His pale lips parted and he swallowed the pills.

His lips were full and soft as they brushed across Yaoying’s palm. Fine tremors ran through her body as she withdrew her hand and tried to sit up, but he held her firmly in place.

He looked at her, solemn and cold as a Buddha statue, yet his hands gripped Yaoying tightly.

Before knowing his feelings, Yaoying wouldn’t have thought anything of it. Now that she knew, even though he hadn’t recognized her, lying in his embrace still made her body grow warm, his heartbeat echoing in her ears.

He made no other movements, just quietly held her while softly chanting sutras.

Yaoying listened carefully for a while before realizing he was reciting in Sanskrit, which she couldn’t understand.

After some time, he stopped and looked at her.

Like moonlight pouring down from the cave ceiling, his jade eyes seemed stained by the mist, fog spreading within them.

Yaoying’s heart softened and she smiled.

“I’m here. I’ll stay with Master.”

He closed his eyes and continued cultivating, spiritual energy surging through his body.

Yaoying sat up from his embrace and stayed by his side, wiping his sweat. When she saw his expression change, she immediately called out to wake him and fed him another pill. Seeing his lips were cracked, she poured a bowl of water and helped him drink.

Two hours passed unknowingly. As his breathing gradually steadied, Yaoying sighed in relief. She leaned against him, dozing off against the stone wall, and eventually fell asleep.

When Tanmoluojia regained consciousness, his arm was slightly numb. Yaoying was nestled against him sleeping soundly, her eyelashes trembling lightly, fingers clutching his kasaya sleeve.

The night was deep, the moonlight gentle. Through the mist, she looked increasingly beautiful and enchanting. Her slightly pouted lips were full and red, lovely as dripping nectar.

Tanmoluojia suddenly remembered the honeycomb she had given him, crystalline and sweet.

He watched her for a moment, his right hand slowly rising toward her face, stopping just before touching it as he withdrew his arm.

Yaoying was startled awake, her body sliding downward.

Tanmoluojia instinctively gripped her shoulders to steady her.

Yaoying rubbed her eyes, murmuring, “Master, are you feeling better?”

Just woken, her tone was soft and lingering, stirring one’s heartstrings.

Tanmoluojia released her. “I’m much better. Princess should leave now.”

Yaoying paused, raising her eyes to look at him. “Master, monastics do not speak false words.”

Tanmoluojia remained silent.

“You want me to stay with you. You said so before, I remember all of it.”

Yaoying said lightly, standing to help support his arm. “Alright, don’t mind me. Master should soak in the hot spring now.”

Tanmoluojia gently pushed away her hand, indicating he didn’t need help, and stepped into the hot spring.

Yaoying looked at his kasaya: “Aren’t you going to undress?”

His figure stiffened slightly as he sat down with his back to her.

Before, when he was unaware of his feelings, he could naturally undress in front of her. Now he could not.

He closed his eyes, but soon opened them again to look toward the stone platform.

Yaoying had laid out a fleece blanket on the platform and sat cross-legged, chin propped in her hands, staring at him. Seeing him look over, she blinked at him.

Tanmoluojia said, “Go out.”

She shook her head, turning her back to him and hugging the blanket tight: “I won’t disturb Master.”

Tanmoluojia watched her back without speaking.

There was a soft rustling sound. Yaoying suddenly turned back, her bright gaze firmly capturing his staring eyes.

He had indeed been watching her.

Tanmoluojia met her gaze, their eyes entangled. He slowly closed his eyes.

Mind like an official, when the official stops, all followers cease. Desire arises from your thoughts, thoughts arise from thinking. When both minds are tranquil, there is neither form nor action.

Yes, he wanted her to stay.

Yaoying stared at him for a while. Seeing his eyes remain closed, she lay on the edge of the stone platform and reached out to stir the warm spring water, her fingertips becoming wet.

“Master…” she said softly, “When Buddha is in one’s heart, Buddha is everywhere. The body is merely a vessel. Master’s path is already different from others. Why not treat me as part of your practice? Once Master recovers, I’ll leave, and won’t affect your cultivation.”

“For me, just knowing someone like Master is already a great joy. Being able to help Master makes me even happier.”

A splash sounded as the water rippled. Tanmoluojia suddenly moved in the water.

He grabbed Yaoying’s water-stirring hand.

He gripped her tightly, his fingers even hotter than before. He pulled her up forcefully, his gaze solemn and stern.

She froze for a moment.

Tanmoluojia raised his eyes to look at her, restraining himself as he closed his eyes briefly, suppressing the anger that had been churning in his heart these past days.

He didn’t want to frighten her.

She shouldn’t treat herself as medicine for his illness, coming to his side when useful, then being discarded like worn-out shoes when no longer needed.

He wouldn’t treat her so carelessly.

Moreover, she thought too highly of him.

He was a monk, but also the kingdom’s ruler, managing an entire nation, and making life-and-death decisions. Did she think she could just leave after helping him eliminate his heart demon?

From pleasure arises greed, from love arises desire. He knew he had developed an attachment. The seven emotions and six desires were natural – this wasn’t something shameful. He could exercise restraint and endurance.

But when evil thoughts don’t cease, ten thousand thoughts don’t cease.

Once he indulged his desires, he would keep her by his side forever, and no one could stop him.

As a son of Buddha, he couldn’t enter the mortal realm, yet he wanted to confine this mortal woman by his side.

She shouldn’t wade into these troubled waters.

Once in, she might not be able to escape.

His muscles tensed, his entire aura changing as spiritual energy surged outward. His jade eyes stared directly at Yaoying without a trace of warmth.

Yaoying had never seen him show such an expression as Tanmoluojia before. She was stunned.

Before she could recover, he suddenly released her hand and turned away.

The stone cave fell into an eerie silence.

After a while, Tanmoluojia turned back, his expression returned to normal, his gaze mild.

“I need to continue cultivating. Princess should get some rest,” he said softly, his tone gentle.

Yaoying’s thoughts raced, wondering if her words had provoked him. After thinking for a moment, she gave a soft “oh” and lay down with the fleece blanket, ears perked to listen for his movements.

He leaned against the stone wall, eyes tightly closed, motionless.

Her mind was full of his fierce gaze from earlier, her heart still pounding as she gradually fell asleep.

The night passed, and Tanmoluojia didn’t speak again.

When Yaoying woke in the morning, the spring was empty. She looked around and met eyes with the leopard lounging in the corner, which lazily swished its tail.

She got up and walked into the corridor. Footsteps immediately sounded as Yuanjue approached with a lamp.

“Princess, you’re awake! The Prince was here earlier and told me to wait, saying to escort you back to the market district when you woke.”

Yaoying recalled the previous night and was lost in thought for a moment before asking, “Is Master feeling better?”

“Much better!” Joy rang in Yuanjue’s voice. “General Ashina asked me to accompany you and escort you back tonight. Will you be able to come?”

Yaoying nodded. She had arranged with Bisuo earlier to return to the shop to handle some matters and meet with Li Zhongqian during the day, then return in the afternoon.

Yuanjue escorted her from the temple. Soon after she returned to the shop, Li Zhongqian came to find her. Yesterday he had met with the Buddhist Son impersonated by Pamir through a screen and submitted the state letters. Next would be negotiations with court officials.

“Where’s your friend?” After discussing official business, Li Zhongqian looked around and asked.

Yaoying said, “He returned to his residence first.”

A glint flashed in Li Zhongqian’s phoenix eyes.

He had already inquired about this. Among the young military commanders of the court who could lead armies, deploy formations, and move about unpredictably, there were only a few. Among them, only the Regent and Yaoying had any connection. He had also learned something from the guards: Regent Sudan Gu might have feelings for Yaoying, but didn’t dare express them like Mobituo had because he feared offending the Buddhist Son.

The guards said Sudan Gu was the one who accompanied Yaoying to and from Gaochang, and they had even shared a tent.

After hearing this, Li Zhongqian’s eyelids twitched.

Ashina Bisuo had ordered the guards to keep silent. The court didn’t know about the relationship between Sudan Gu and Yaoying. He hadn’t paid attention to Sudan Gu before.

Thinking about it now, Abi could only be Sudan Gu.

It was said that Sudan Gu was hideously ugly, like an asura, and cruel and bloodthirsty enough to silence crying children at night.

Li Zhongqian got a headache just thinking about it. No wonder Abi covered his face!

A Buddhist Son of the court, a Regent of the court… neither position was quite suitable.

Now, hearing Yaoying say Sudan Gu wasn’t present, Li Zhongqian kept his thoughts to himself for the moment. After giving her some instructions, he led his people back to the guest house.

Yaoying returned to her room to write letters. Yuanjue came over with a smile, carrying several brightly patterned clothes: “Princess, there are celebration activities in the city every day, very lively. Please change into these clothes, I’ll take you to see the court dancers perform vigorous dances.”

“What kind of vigorous dances?” Yaoying asked casually.

Yuanjue said, “All kinds – Indian dance, Persian dance…”

Yaoying looked at the letter in her hand without responding.

Yuanjue continued, “Princess, the Prince asked me to take you.”

Yaoying was startled and looked up: “Master asked you to take me to see the dances?”

Yuanjue scratched his head and said, “The Prince said the Princess has had a tiring journey and asked me to show you around the city.”

Yaoying’s fingers trembled as she recalled his words to her.

The Princess is a person of the mortal realm.

He remembered what she liked.

He had been strange these past days. She thought he was still angry at her for forcing his confession that day in the gorge. She hadn’t expected him to remind Yuanjue to take her to the festivities.

Bittersweet emotions welled up in Yaoying’s heart.

Yuanjue urged her softly: “Princess, there’s also a dance competition today. The court won a great victory, and dancers have come from everywhere. It’s a rare opportunity!”

Yaoying put down her brush and stood up, changing into festival attire worn by court ladies. She brought her guards and left the silk shop with Yuanjue.

Yuanjue took her to the busiest street in front of the palace to watch the dance competition.

Colored canopies stretched for nearly several li along the street. Songs and dances filled the air in a spectacular scene. On stage, dancers spun and leaped to the music in dazzling performances. Below, crowds surged, erupting in enthusiastic cheers from time to time.

Yaoying wore a veil over her face as she watched the dancers twirling on the high platform, her mind wandering.

When entering the city, she eagerly gazed at the platform from her carriage, wanting to watch up close. Now that she was below the stage, her thoughts were elsewhere.

What was the monk doing right now? She couldn’t help but wonder.

Drums and music thundered to the heavens. Several sudden, sharp sounds of blades being drawn from scabbards were completely drowned out by the music and cheering. Cold steel flashed as several shadowy figures quickly pushed through the crowd like ghosts, lunging toward Yaoying who stood beside Yuanjue.

The guards reacted, drawing their swords to meet the attackers.

Screams erupted as the crowd scattered like headless flies. Yaoying was separated from her group by the surging crowd. In her peripheral vision, she saw a woman charge toward her, eyes blazing with murderous intent, pulling out a dagger hidden in her sleeve. The woman closed in, stabbing the dagger toward Yaoying’s heart.

A tall dark figure flashed by, wrapping an arm around her waist and spinning her around.

With a squelch, the dagger plunged into flesh, followed by gushing blood.

Yaoying’s body trembled, her heart seized as if in a brutal grip, her whole body aching.