In the boundless sea of fire that burned fiercely, black smoke billowed and spread. Tanmoluojia walked alone in the darkness, his clothes in tatters, the wind cutting like knives.

Iron cities towered in the sky, with iron snakes and iron dogs spewing flames as they raced across them. Demons and Yakshas, grotesque in appearance, drove pale-faced men and women toward gleaming blade mountains, boiling seas of oil, and iron beds covered in spikes. Flesh and blood flew everywhere, rivers of blood flowed, and screams pierced the clouds.

The shadows of evil spirits floated around him, their voices eerie and terrifying. In this hell of endless torment, cruel torture met the eye everywhere.

He trudged through mountains of corpses and seas of blood, hearing earth-shattering screams and wails. Iron arrows fell like rain, iron nets spread everywhere, his body covered in wounds, skin split, and flesh torn. A fierce-eyed Yaksha floated toward him amid gusts of dark wind.

Suddenly, a beam of light pierced through the thick smoke, casting down shimmering radiance. The ghosts scattered, the blade mountains collapsed, snow-white blades dispersed, and the scorching iron fluid froze solid.

Tanmoluojia raised his head. Above the tall, cold iron city, clouds gathered and golden light flashed. A long jade-paved stairway descended from the clouds, with five-colored clouds swirling around it.

He climbed the steps. The howling wind suddenly became gentle, wrapped in glorious light – solemn, noble, and serene.

Golden sand paved the ground, pavilions gleamed magnificently, rainbows appeared and disappeared, jeweled trees surrounded them, five-colored birds sang in the sky, and celestial music played sweetly.

He came to a seven-jeweled pool glowing with precious light. Through the misty air, the pool water was clear and bright, with gold, silver, lapis lazuli, crystal, mother-of-pearl, red pearls, and agates gleaming within.

As the mist gradually dispersed, in the flowing water light, a graceful lotus flower slowly bloomed in the gentle breeze, elegant and charming. At first, only a faint light flickered in the flower bud. Then the petals unfurled their form, radiating brilliant light, its fragrance spreading far.

In all of heaven and earth, there seemed to be only him and this lotus flower.

The silver pouch of fragrance broke, spilling dew onto the jade plate. I am ashamed of my dust-clouded eyes upon seeing this crystalline beauty.

This lotus did not belong to the royal court – it came from ten thousand li away.

Tanmoluojia gazed at the lotus flower, and the wounds on his body gradually healed.

The radiance in the pool grew brighter, the lotus flower swaying gently.

He involuntarily reached out his hand, wanting to touch the lotus.

The illusion suddenly shattered. The lotus quickly lost its radiance, breaking into thousands of pieces before his eyes, then turning to powder. The wind blew, and it vanished like smoke.

Darkness enveloped him once again, submerging him.

Tanmoluojia stood in the boundless darkness, looking at his palm.

Empty, nothing there.

Not even a shadow remained.

Tanmoluojia lifted his face, his jade-green eyes cold as snow, sparking with frost.

…

A warm cloth pressed against his face, gently wiping, soothing and comfortable, like the lotus flower in his dream.

Tanmoluojia grabbed a soft hand, gripping it tightly.

“Master?”

A gentle call by his ear.

Tanmoluojia opened his eyes.

The curtains hung low, pale cyan light floating, the room’s furnishings gleaming with soft radiance in the morning light filtering through the flower-patterned windows.

Yaoying sat by the couch, looking down at him, undisguised fatigue between her brows, asking with concern: “Are you feeling better?”

Daylight had fully arrived.

It was already the morning of the third day.

For a moment, Tanmoluojia couldn’t distinguish if this was a dream or reality.

Footsteps sounded outside the felt curtain as Bisuo and the physician entered. Yaoying turned her head to speak with them.

Tanmoluojia released her hand, listening to their intermittent conversation. Soon after, the physician checked his pulse, and Yaoying fed him several medicinal pills, which he swallowed. The physician and Bisuo showed expressions of relief, discussed a few words, and withdrew.

He covered his mouth and coughed lightly.

Yaoying immediately stood up and poured a bowl of water. “Master, have some water.”

She helped Tanmoluojia sit up.

He leaned against the armrest, his kasaya sleeves stirring a current of air. He drank the bowl of water from her hands, while two cold clear eyes stared directly at her, unblinking.

Though Yaoying considered herself thick-skinned, being watched with such an intense gaze made it impossible to pretend not to notice. She raised her eyes to meet his gaze.

Tanmoluojia shifted his gaze away, his expression calm.

She was here, safe and sound, hadn’t left, hadn’t come to harm.

Yaoying laughed secretly in her heart.

When he was conscious, he indeed didn’t dare look at her too much.

The room was silent, neither speaking for a long while.

After Tanmoluojia finished drinking the water, Yaoying put down the bowl, glanced at his pale face, and said: “Master, in the future let Bisuo and Yuanjue handle such matters… Your injuries were already severe and recurring, you need to rest properly and listen to the physician’s instructions.”

The night before last when he fell from horseback, she couldn’t drag him, and tried to carry him on her back, but fell after just two steps. With no choice, she had to ask Li Zhongqian for help. He had slept for a day and a night.

Tanmoluojia didn’t answer Yaoying’s words. His gaze rested on her face as he asked: “Were you hurt?”

This was the first thing he said after regaining consciousness.

Yaoying was startled, her heart feeling both sour and warm. She shook her head and said: “I wasn’t hurt. Those people took me to force Li Xuanzhen’s hand.”

She briefly explained what had happened the night before last.

“When Brother first received the news, he feared there were still their agents around and didn’t dare make it known. He told Yuanjue we had matters to attend to and needed to leave early… Yuanjue and Bisuo both thought I had left. Master, how did you know I had been kidnapped?”

Bisuo said Tanmoluojia had left alone, without anyone noticing. They thought he had gone to bid her farewell, not expecting that he would find Li Zhongqian and rescue her in time.

If it had been any later, no one could have tracked the assassins’ traces, and it would have been difficult for Li Zhongqian to find her.

Tanmoluojia lowered his eyes in silence.

Li Zhongqian was the chief envoy of the diplomatic mission. With the trade documents not yet finalized, Li Zhongqian couldn’t possibly have chosen a replacement envoy and left immediately. Moreover, Yaoying wouldn’t leave like that – she would at least leave him a letter…

Tanmoluojia could find many reasons to prove their departure was too suspicious.

But he knew clearly in his heart that even without these suspicious points, he would have pursued them.

Even knowing it was futile, he still couldn’t control himself.

Before cultivation, seeing mountains as mountains, seeing water as water. During meditation, seeing mountains not as mountains, seeing water not as water. After enlightenment, seeing mountains still as mountains, seeing water as water.

With Buddha in one’s heart, enlightenment is everywhere.

With her in his heart, seeing Buddha was like seeing her.

He had developed an attachment in his heart; even chanting sutras thousands of times before Buddha couldn’t dissolve it.

One day, he had witnessed her being stabbed and thought he would be parted from her by death. When she awoke, he took half a day to recover his senses. Fearing she would worry, and also fearing he would lose composure before her, he returned to the royal temple to recuperate, wanting to sort out his thoughts before seeing her again. Before he could calm down, news came of her departure.

In that instant, he almost lost control of himself.

His evil thoughts ultimately overcame reason.

Seeing him remain silent, Yaoying changed the subject, asking: “Master, would you like something to eat?”

Her tone was light, a smile between her brows.

It seemed no matter what happened, she could dismiss it with a smile.

Tanmoluojia gazed at her intently.

He remembered before falling unconscious, in the thick night with howling wind, after he fell from horseback, she bent down, her forehead touching his, her breath falling on his face, her bright eyes brimming with tears.

She should smile more, brilliantly unrestrained, and laugh freely.

He loved seeing her smile.

Tanmoluojia coughed once and said, “Princess, I remember everything from the night before last.”

Yaoying was startled.

“What does Master remember?”

She asked softly after a moment of silence.

Tanmoluojia remained silent, his gaze fixed on her face as he sat up straight, inching closer to her bit by bit.

Yaoying unconsciously held her breath, his sharply defined features reflected in her eyes.

The room was very quiet, so quiet she felt she could hear her heartbeat.

Tanmoluojia stopped, gazed at her for a moment, then said, “I’m feeling better. If I want anything to eat, I’ll have Yuanjue arrange it. Princess has been exhausted for two days, please go rest.”

She hadn’t slept for two nights; her eyes were dark-rimmed.

Yaoying was stunned.

He still hadn’t answered her question.

Before Yaoying could refuse, Tanmoluojia clapped his hands to summon Yuanjue into the room.

Yaoying’s lips twitched. After thinking for a moment, she stood up and walked toward the door.

If he didn’t want to answer, she wouldn’t force him.

“Where are you going?”

His voice suddenly came from behind.

Yaoying turned back, puzzled: “I’m going to rest…”

Tanmoluojia looked elsewhere, his face expressionless, and said, “Sleep in the adjoining room.”

Don’t go too far from him.

His tone was light, his expression also mild, as he sat weakly leaning back, yet there was an undeniable authority in his manner. The innate dominance in his character manifested itself, his presence commanding.

Yaoying confirmed she hadn’t misheard, raised an eyebrow, and turned to enter the adjoining room. She was indeed very tired and needed a good sleep.

After her figure disappeared behind the felt curtain, Tanmoluojia looked at Yuanjue, who had tiptoed into the room.

“Have people been sent to investigate?”

“Your Majesty, there are too many visiting delegations bringing tribute lately, making it difficult to investigate, but there shouldn’t be any more of their accomplices in the holy city. Extra guards have been posted throughout the guest quarters – if any stranger approaches, someone will come to report it.”

Tanmoluojia nodded slightly, then suddenly asked, “How many days until the city festival ends?”

Yuanjue was startled, then realized and counted the days, saying, “Five more days.”

…

Yaoying woke from her sleep around the afternoon time. Tanmoluojia was receiving Bisuo, and as she walked over, she heard them discussing Li Xuanzhen and Li De.

Seeing her awake, Bisuo took his leave.

Yaoying watched his retreating figure, then turned to look at Tanmoluojia. He was still sitting leaning against the couch, his expression serene, documents piled on the table beside him.

He had just woken up not long ago and had already started handling state affairs.

“Master…” Yaoying pondered for a moment, then said, “The entanglement between me, Li De, and Li Xuanzhen won’t affect the alliance with the royal court. I’ll handle this matter myself. If I need Master’s help, I won’t hide it from you. Master needn’t worry about me.”

“You’re recovering from injuries. Don’t concern yourself with these trivial matters.”

Tanmoluojia raised his jade-green eyes to look at Yaoying, not restraining his commanding presence, and said, “What happens to the Princess in the royal court concerns me. Regardless of who they are, I won’t stand idly by when they strike within the royal court.”

Yaoying thought this made sense and fell silent. She walked to the couch, sat down by its edge, and raised her head to examine him carefully.

Tanmoluojia picked up a scroll, his eyes lowered.

“Have you taken your medicine?” Yaoying asked.

He nodded.

Yaoying took out things she had bought earlier from the market, which the guards had delivered to her. She opened the package and handed it to Tanmoluojia.

“I asked the physician, these are all things you can eat.”

Tanmoluojia gave a soft “mm,” said thanks, took the package, and set it aside. His left hand still gripped the document, appearing to read very intently.

Yaoying stood up, walked to her small desk, sat cross-legged, rolled up her sleeves, picked up a brush, and began writing letters.

While Tanmoluojia was unconscious, she couldn’t leave the temple and could only communicate with Li Zhongqian through letters. Fortunately, Li Zhongqian now suspected the entire delegation and was investigating each attendant one by one. He felt meeting her would expose her, otherwise he would have come to the royal temple to get her already.

She finished writing the letter and had Yuanjue deliver it, then opened an account book to examine it carefully.

Tanmoluojia sat leaning against the couch reviewing documents while Yaoying sat at her small desk on the wool rug checking accounts.

The room was completely quiet except for the scratching sound of brush tips writing on paper.

From the corner of his eye, Tanmoluojia could see her side profile as she bent over writing, his hand turning a page of parchment only after a long while.

Yaoying finished reading a page of accounts, rubbed her shoulders, and looked over at him.

Tanmoluojia came to his senses and lowered his head to look at the documents.

This time he concentrated his mind and didn’t let her distract him. When he finished reviewing all the documents and looked up again, he was startled.

It was already dusk, golden evening light pouring into the room. Yaoying had fallen asleep hunched over her desk, her profile bathed in golden light.

She had to maintain correspondence with Gaochang, manage complicated affairs, worry about his health, and guard against others’ schemes… Every day was this exhausting.

Tanmoluojia lifted the brocade quilt, looked at his legs, slowly got off the couch, sat beside Yaoying, and watched her profile.

She was sleeping very sweetly, her features relaxed, still gripping a brush in her hand.

He gazed at her, raised his hand, and very carefully pulled the brush from her hand.

She impatiently waved her hand in her sleep.

Tanmoluojia supported her neck, letting her lie on her side on the wool rug, and pulled the brocade quilt over her. Sleeping hunched over the desk would leave her whole body aching when she woke.

Yaoying was extremely tired, her shoulders already stiff. After lying down, in her drowsy state she found the position very comfortable, hugged the brocade quilt, and contentedly stretched her hands and feet.

With this kick, her foot in its soft satin shoe lightly kicked Tanmoluojia’s leg.

Tanmoluojia watched her, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly, a faint trace of laughter passing through his jade-green eyes.

…

The physician administered acupuncture to Tanmoluojia for three consecutive days, and Yaoying accompanied him each time.

During this period, she wrote several letters to Li Zhongqian daily, reporting her safety morning and evening, instructing the guards to find ways to send Li Xuanzhen away.

After dismissing all unfamiliar attendants, Li Zhongqian finally felt somewhat at ease and continued handling the delegation’s affairs.

Yaoying wrote a letter to Zheng Jing of Gaochang, asking him to pass it to Du Sinan.

Tanmoluojia ordered the ritual official Damo to write a stern letter pointing out that some in the delegation harbored ill intentions. The letter was delivered directly to the delegation. Li Zhongqian did not react, but others in the delegation were greatly alarmed and secretly worried.

These two letters were sent one after another.

On the fourth day, Yaoying finished writing her letter and waited for the physician in the corridor, but the physician didn’t come. She asked Yuanjue.

Yuanjue scratched his head: “The physician isn’t coming today.”

“Why isn’t he coming?”

Yuanjue said softly: “His Majesty is going out today.”

Yaoying asked in surprise: “Where is Master going?”

These past few days she had been sleeping in Tanmoluojia’s room, but he hadn’t mentioned going out. His leg was swollen and he couldn’t walk for long.

Yuanjue also looked bewildered: “I don’t know where His Majesty is going either.”

As they were talking, Bisuo walked over, holding several demon-faced masks with green faces and protruding fangs, and handed them to Yaoying.

“Princess, please come with me.”

He added.

“His Majesty’s orders.”

Yaoying was completely confused but followed Bisuo out of the royal temple and into a seldom-traveled alley.

A carriage waited in the depths of the alley, the guard driving it had his face covered, his features indiscernible.

Bisuo gestured for Yaoying to get in.

She put on the demon-faced mask, stepped on the footstool, and entered the carriage. The felt curtain lifted, and someone was already inside – dressed in monk’s robes, sitting solemnly in the corner, holding a piece of parchment, his sleeve falling to reveal a string of prayer beads, solemn and austere.

Yaoying was stunned.

The felt curtain dropped, and the carriage began to rock and roll forward. She looked at Tanmoluojia and asked softly, “Master, where are we going?”

Tanmoluojia looked at the parchment in his hand.

“Today is the last day of the festival.”

He said without raising his eyes.

Yaoying’s fingers trembled slightly, her throat tight.

The carriage entered the bustling main street, noisy voices penetrating the carriage. Yaoying lifted the curtain to look outside, just able to see the tall, colorful pavilion and high platform where dancers were performing gracefully, their colorful sleeves flying, their dance movements brilliant.

She wore the mask, chin propped in her hands, watching the singing and dancing on stage.

Behind her, Tanmoluojia sat with his back to her, reviewing documents, remaining calm and composed despite being in the busy marketplace, as if completely deaf to the waves of cheers and applause from outside.

After who knows how long, he finished reading a petition complaining about nobility, and rubbed his brow, his fingers lightly brushing the prayer beads.

A clear laugh, like pearls falling on jade, echoed by his ear.

His brows moved slightly.

She was laughing.

Not only laughing, but her hands were swaying gently to the rhythm, her clothes making rustling sounds as if she was dancing along.

Tanmoluojia didn’t turn around, lowering his head to look at the parchment.

He couldn’t participate in her mortal world, he could only let her see the singing and dancing she had missed in this way.

As long as she was happy.