From the eastern direction, a force wearing black cloaks used the cover of night and the chaos in the allied army to quietly approach the Holy City. They had wrapped cloth around their horses’ hooves, the sound of their approach masked by the strange explosive sounds.

Silver light flashed in the sky as thunder continued to boom. The fires in the allied army camp grew larger, the flames illuminating their shadowy outlines.

The soldiers on the city walls were so tense their feet went weak, not daring to call out: this force numbered only a few hundred – if the Northern Rong allied army discovered them, none would escape!

Suddenly, the rumble of war drums sounded from the allied army camp as Northern Rong cavalry charged out in pursuit, rushing toward the reinforcements.

Everyone stood up, hearts in their throats, no longer caring about anything else as they shouted to the force below the walls.

“Watch out!”

“Hurry!”

The force discovered the pursuit and quickened their pace. In the roaring firelight, their faces became increasingly clear.

Soon, everyone recognized the banner flying high among the forces and couldn’t believe it, freezing in shock.

Bi Suo, Yuan Jue, and the others trembled.

The force skillfully avoided the chevaux de frise and galloped to the base of the city wall. Their leader pulled their reins to a halt, looked up at the wall, and removed their mask.

Just then, a beam of silver light split the night sky, pouring down to envelope her. Bathed in the brilliant radiance, she was beautiful and graceful, captivating – like a goddess who had fallen from the clouds along with the silver light.

The royal court soldiers stared at her dumbfounded.

She raised her head, looking at Tanmoluojia in his monastic robes atop the wall as their gazes met across the distance.

“Luojia!”

She called out with a smile, her eyes brighter than the stars above.

Behind her, sparks flew from the allied army camp as an iron cavalry force closed in pursuit, silver light flickering as thunder exploded at ground level.

She smiled slightly, and the entire night sky suddenly brightened.

Tanmoluojia looked down at her, motionless, his kasaya robe fluttering.

In the next instant, he suddenly grabbed his sword, his figure like lightning as he rushed down from the wall.

Bi Suo came to his senses, his lips trembling as he urged soldiers to open the city gates.

Since returning from the Sand City, Tanmoluojia had seemed strange and frightening to all who were close to him.

He led the soldiers in defending the city, comforted the people, punished the noble families, freed the slaves – he seemed the same as before, but everyone knew he was different. He was like a deity on high – compassionate, but without a trace of emotion.

Even when the Northern Rong allied army nearly broke through the city gates, he had only slightly furrowed his brows.

Until this moment, until Princess Wenzhao softly called him “Luojia,” he truly came alive again.

The city gates opened wide as Tanmoluojia charged out through the gateway, racing toward Yao Ying.

Flames shot skyward from the allied army camp, burning half the sky red. Corpses were piled everywhere as cavalry pursued from different directions. Scattered soldiers ran about screaming wildly everywhere across the hills and plains. The sounds of whinnying horses, agonized screams, roaring fires, and furious shouts… it was like the asura realm from his dreams.

He would sink, falling forever into hell.

In the bloody wind and black smoke, that graceful figure suddenly descended from heaven, wearing a cloak of cold silver light as she galloped toward him. Her hood was blown back by the wind, her black hair flowing like a waterfall.

In all heaven and earth, only that figure remained.

He had thought he would never see her again.

Tanmoluojia stared at her unblinking, afraid that with one blink everything before him would vanish.

The sound of hoofbeats drew closer, each beat like a step across his heart.

She suddenly gripped her reins, stopping several yards away from him, narrowing her eyes as she gave a light snort.

The two faced each other in silence.

Their surroundings suddenly grew as quiet as deep water. All the chaotic noise receded as Tanmoluojia heard his heartbeat, slow and composed, beat by beat.

“What brings Princess Wenzhao here?”

His voice was cold and steady.

Yao Ying smiled brightly: “This princess has thought of you day and night, so I came to find you.”

The royal court soldiers rushing over to provide support gaped at each other in astonishment.

Tanmoluojia’s face remained expressionless, his jade eyes deep.

“Princess, I am a monk.”

Yao Ying spread her hands: “This princess doesn’t mind that you’re a monk.”

Tanmoluojia closed his eyes for a moment. When he raised them again, his gaze was sharp and profound: “I have been afflicted by backlash from my techniques. My days are numbered.”

Yao Ying looked at him, her expression gradually softening: “Then let’s cherish our remaining days together, alright?”

Tanmoluojia was silent for a long while, emotions surging in his eyes.

The long wind howled.

Yao Ying smiled: “What’s wrong? Has the Dharma Master forgotten that night? Forgotten how you held me and promised never to deceive me again? Forgotten…”

Her vision went dark as her voice suddenly cut off.

Hooves crushed the accumulated snow as he suddenly spurred his horse forward, pulled away her hand gripping the reins, and reached out to draw her directly from horseback into his embrace. His scent mixed with the smell of blood overwhelmed her as his cold fingers threaded through her long hair, his jade eyes fixed on her.

She breathed softly, raising her hands to cup his much-thinner face as her eyes gradually reddened.

“Luojia, you deceived me again.”

Tanmoluojia held her, his whole body trembling as he lowered his head, tightened his arms, and kissed her lips.

This kiss was urgent and dominating, fiercely parting her moist lips – completely different from his previous kisses on the top of her head. The arms around her tightened further as his taut muscles quivered beneath his kasaya.

A current of electricity coursed through her entire body as Yao Ying shuddered, raising her arms to embrace his waist.

With a clattering cascade of falling weapons, the royal court soldiers on and below the city walls stood frozen like wooden chickens.

Before thousands of troops, their Buddha’s Son, wearing his kasaya robes, had kissed Princess Wenzhao.