Before the sermon ended, Cui Xun had already left the altar and returned to the inn. As on the previous night, he had rented an entire floor. Being alone, if he had taken two rooms, it might have aroused suspicion. Renting a whole floor would, at most, lead the innkeeper to think he was a pampered young master who refused to share quarters with those of lower status, which was safer.

Cui Xun knew that although he had killed the ten Daoist priests who had been spying on his residence, Pei Guanyue would not let the matter rest. He would send people to follow him. Once Pei Guanyue discovered that the “Cui Xun” sitting in the carriage was an impostor, he would certainly search everywhere for him. Therefore, Cui Xun needed to deal with Pei Guanyue thoroughly before he could discover Li Ying.

The current plan was to eliminate Lingxu Mountain Man as quickly as possible, then rush from the ghost village to Gongzhou City at full speed; otherwise, delay would lead to complications.

Previously, Cui Xun would have had more reliable methods to eliminate Lingxu Mountain Man, but now, to dispose of him quickly, he had no choice but to take a gamble.

He said to Li Ying, “The patterns carved on the bronze lamp hanging at the altar are identical to those on the soul-binding talisman. I’ve heard that Daoists have an evil technique called the Life-Borrowing Lamp. As the name suggests, it transfers others’ lifespans to oneself. But if the Life-Borrowing Lamp is extinguished, all the borrowed years must be returned. That bronze lamp is very likely a Life-Borrowing Lamp.”

Li Ying thought for a moment and said, “Most of the followers listening to the sermon have swallowed the soul-binding talismans. Presumably, having the Life-Borrowing Lamp hanging at the altar strengthens the soul-binding spell in their flesh, making their souls more easily controlled by the Daoist priest.”

Cui Xun said, “After so many years, Lingxu Mountain Man must have borrowed a considerable amount of lifespan. If we find a way to extinguish the Life-Borrowing Lamp, all the years he has borrowed will have to be returned. According to his original lifespan, he would become a dead man.”

After hearing this, Li Ying hesitated: “But what if what you’ve heard about the Life-Borrowing Lamp is false? Or what if that bronze lamp isn’t a Life-Borrowing Lamp? If we rashly try to extinguish it, won’t we alert him to our presence?”

Cui Xun shook his head: “A person’s life is always a gamble. Win, and you get what you desire; lose, and you die. I’ve gambled many times, and I’m not afraid to gamble again.”

Li Ying opened her mouth slightly. She thought of many things. Yes, Cui Xun’s entire life had indeed been a desperate, high-stakes gamble. This gamble began when Guo Qinwei asked him to save his life, resulting in his capture by the Turks. Guo Qinwei had bet that the Turks wouldn’t kill him, but never imagined that his fate in Turkish lands would be worse than death. Later, upon returning to Chang’an, he willingly became a blade in his mother’s hands. He gambled that once he had power, he could clear the Tianwei Army’s name, but in the process, he gained a notorious reputation and accumulated countless scars. She couldn’t bear it. She wanted to dissuade him, but she knew she couldn’t change his mind. She could only try to add more weight to his side of the scale, helping him win the final victory.

So she nodded: “Yes, let’s figure out how to get that Life-Borrowing Lamp.”

While she was discussing with Cui Xun, they suddenly heard a commotion from downstairs.

It was Lingxu Mountain Man.

Earlier, when Li Ying had touched the teahouse owner’s talisman, Lingxu Mountain Man had traced the talisman’s aura to the inn. The innkeeper recognized him: “Celestial Master, what brings you here today?”

The teahouse owner, Zhang Silang, stood beside Lingxu Mountain Man, who smiled and said: “I divined that someone with a Daoist affinity is staying at your establishment, so I’ve come to meet them.”

“Someone with a Daoist affinity?” The innkeeper thought for a moment. The first person who came to mind was the beautiful young gentleman who had rented the entire second floor, so beautiful he hardly seemed human. But he quickly dismissed this thought. The young man was indeed beautiful, but his eyes were as cold as frost, and his entire demeanor was so aloof it kept people at a thousand miles’ distance. He didn’t look like someone with Daoist affinity at all.

Yet Zhang Silang told him: “The Celestial Master is referring to the young gentleman who stayed at your inn last night.”

“That gentleman has a Daoist affinity?” The innkeeper was slightly surprised, but he still pointed the way: “He’s in a room on the second floor.”

Lingxu Mountain Man and Zhang Silang went to the second-floor room. Zhang Silang knocked on the door. Cui Xun and Li Ying exchanged a glance, and Li Ying immediately hid behind the screen. Emerald ghost fire ignited in her palm, leaped into the air, and transformed into a luminous light that covered her entire form. Even with Lingxu Mountain Man’s strong Daoist abilities, he wouldn’t be able to discover her presence right away.

After she had concealed herself, Cui Xun slowly went to open the door. He stood in the doorway, with no intention of letting Lingxu Mountain Man and Zhang Silang enter. He planned to give a few perfunctory responses and then send Lingxu Mountain Man away. But before he could speak, Lingxu Mountain Man looked him up and down and smiled: “Young patron, observing your countenance, you have considerable Daoist affinity. Would you allow this poor Daoist to enter and discuss this further?”

Cui Xun replied directly: “No.”

Having said this, he was about to close the door, but Lingxu Mountain Man held it open and smiled: “Why must the patron refuse so abruptly? Why not hear this poor Daoist’s teachings before making a decision?”

He walked straight into the room. Cui Xun was held back by Zhang Silang, who rattled on: “Young gentleman, the Celestial Master has taken a liking to you and wants to instruct you in Daoist techniques. This is an opportunity many seek but cannot obtain.”

Cui Xun saw Lingxu Mountain Man enter the room and look around, his eyes sweeping over the screen. Anxious, Cui Xun broke free from Zhang Silang and quickly stepped in front of Lingxu Mountain Man, frowning: “Celestial Master, I have no interest in Daoist cultivation. Please seek opportunities elsewhere.”

Lingxu Mountain Man stared at him for a moment, then chuckled. He sat down casually at the table with no intention of leaving. Zhang Silang also entered, standing respectfully at Lingxu Mountain Man’s side.

Lingxu Mountain Man gestured for Cui Xun to sit opposite him, as if he had something to say. Cui Xun pressed his lips together and sat down impatiently. Lingxu Mountain Man said, “The patron’s demeanor reminds me of my most accomplished disciple.”

Cui Xun was contemplating how to make him leave, so he didn’t respond. Lingxu Mountain Man continued: “That disciple of mine was naturally intelligent, capable, and resourceful. If he had continued following me, he would certainly have attained the Dao by now.”

Cui Xun had no patience to hear about his disciple. He said, displeasedly: “I need to rest. Please leave promptly, Celestial Master.”

Lingxu Mountain Man smiled: “The patron needn’t keep me at a distance. For someone as clear-minded and perceptive as yourself, why suffer in the entanglements of the mortal world? Why not follow this poor Daoist to the temple for cultivation, transcend life and death, and one day achieve immortality?”

Cui Xun coldly replied: “I don’t want immortality. I prefer to remain entangled in the mortal world.”

Lingxu Mountain Man was momentarily stunned. In all his years of preaching, this was the first time he had encountered someone who claimed not to want immortality. On second thought, he suspected this might be Cui Xun’s excuse to drive him away. However, he didn’t want to leave so soon. The talisman’s aura had stopped at the door, but upon entering, he had found nothing. To leave now would be too frustrating.

He examined Cui Xun. The young man before him was pale, but his face was still as beautiful as jade and pearls. A handsome young gentleman, a beautiful ghost girl, a man and woman alone… perhaps…

Lingxu Mountain Man suddenly thought of a way to detect the girl’s presence. He said to Cui Xun, “This poor Daoist sees that the patron’s complexion is unwell. Why not let me check your pulse?”

Cui Xun directly refused, but Zhang Silang said, “Young gentleman, the Celestial Master’s medical skills are famous in Taoyuan Town. He has saved many people who were near death. Just let him check your pulse.”

Cui Xun was impatient, but Zhang Silang continued to prattle on. Seeing this, Cui Xun realized that the two wouldn’t leave today unless he allowed Lingxu Mountain Man to check his pulse. Reluctantly, he placed his wrist on the table. Lingxu Mountain Man stroked his white beard and put his hand on Cui Xun’s pulse. After a moment, his expression suddenly became grave: “Patron, your body is severely depleted, which is truly concerning. I fear you have only ten years of life remaining.”

Upon hearing the words “ten years of life,” Cui Xun’s expression remained unchanged, without a trace of surprise in his ink-black eyes. However, behind the screen, Li Ying, who was concealing herself with spiritual energy, heard these words, and her heart surged with emotion, causing the emerald luminous shield protecting her form to tremble.

Lingxu Mountain Man acutely sensed a hint of the person he was seeking in the room. Maintaining his composure, he continued to Cui Xun: “Patron, have you been taking stimulant medicines lately? This poor Daoist advises you to stop as soon as possible. Such medicines may show rapid effects, but they severely damage the body. If you don’t stop using them, I’m afraid that of your remaining ten years, you may not even have five left.”

Behind the screen, Li Ying’s mind became even more disturbed, and the emerald luminous shield concealing her form trembled uncontrollably, revealing her inner turmoil. Just as she was about to be discovered by Lingxu Mountain Man, Cui Xun abruptly withdrew his wrist from Lingxu Mountain Man’s hand and said coolly: “Celestial Master, you are a Daoist priest, not a divine physician. How could you possibly determine a person’s remaining years?”

Lingxu Mountain Man smiled: “This poor Daoist’s medical skills are probably superior to some divine physicians.”

Zhang Silang added, “Indeed, the Celestial Master has cured many people. Even my daughter was healed by him.”

Cui Xun stood up, his tone quite discourteous: “Even among divine physicians, there are many charlatans, let alone a Daoist priest. I know my lifespan clearly and don’t need others to play mystical tricks. Gentlemen, please leave.”

These words showed no respect for Lingxu Mountain Man at all. Coming from a noble family and accustomed to proper manners, Cui Xun had never been so impolite before, even in disputes. Li Ying should have noticed this anomaly, but she was too distressed to think about it. Lingxu Mountain Man, despite losing face, wasn’t angry. Having sensed the presence he sought and confirmed she was indeed in this room, his purpose was achieved. So he rose, bringing the indignant Zhang Silang with him, and left with a smile.

As soon as Lingxu Mountain Man departed, Li Ying urgently emerged from behind the screen. Her first question to Cui Xun was: “Is what that evil Daoist said true?”

Cui Xun’s expression returned to normal. He asked: “What did he say?”

“He said you have only ten years left. Is that true?”

Cui Xun replied: “This is just something the evil Daoist made up to disturb your mind. Even the Imperial Physicians have never said I have only ten years left, so how could he be so certain?”

This statement from Cui Xun was indeed true. The Imperial Physicians had only vaguely mentioned that his remaining years were few, without specifying ten years. But he knew his own body well. Whenever it rained, all his old wounds ached terribly, and with the cold disease deeply settled in his bones, he endured constant pain. For such a broken body to have even ten more years would be an unexpected blessing.

Li Ying asked again: “Then is it true that you’ve been taking stimulant medicines?”

This question Cui Xun dared not answer. He avoided Li Ying’s gaze. He had promised her he wouldn’t lie again, so he dared not say it was true or false.

His reaction made Li Ying increasingly suspicious. She clenched her teeth, stepped forward, and began searching his body. First, she searched the pouch at his waist but found nothing. Then she searched his sleeves. She felt his right sleeve and discovered something like a porcelain bottle. She looked up at him once, then snatched out the white porcelain bottle. She opened the stopper and saw that the bottle contained red pills. The top of the bottle was slightly empty, indicating that some pills had already been consumed. Li Ying smelled the red pills; a pungent odor assaulted her nostrils. She raised the white porcelain bottle in disbelief: “What is this?”

Cui Xun lowered his eyes, afraid to answer. Li Ying said, “Cui Xun, look into my eyes and tell me, what is this?”

Cui Xun slowly raised his head to look into her eyes. His gaze was like a dark pond, revealing no emotion. He opened his mouth to answer, but Li Ying interrupted: “Cui Xun, think carefully before you speak. Do you remember what you said when you asked me to stay after receiving a hundred lashes? You said you wouldn’t lie to me again, you said there wouldn’t be a second time. So I ask you, what exactly is this medicine?”

When she mentioned the beating, Cui Xun was immediately at a loss for words. Li Ying’s heart sank with realization, and she laughed bitterly: “I wondered why your cold disease didn’t improve in Chang’an but got better here. It seems I was the only fool.”

She clutched the white porcelain bottle and smashed it violently on the ground. The bottle shattered, and the bright red pills scattered across the floor.

Cui Xun stared blankly at the fragments for a long time before raising his head and struggling to speak: “Bright Moon Pearl…”

“Don’t call me Bright Moon Pearl,” Li Ying said mockingly. “I don’t want to hear it.”

But Cui Xun still said: “Bright Moon Pearl… listen to me…”

His voice already carried a hint of pleading, but Li Ying covered her ears: “I don’t want to listen.”

She glared at Cui Xun: “You knew how much I wanted to spend a long time with you, but what did you do? Cui Xun, I hate you, I won’t forgive you!”

These words made Cui Xun’s face turn deathly pale. She said she hated him, she wouldn’t forgive him. His heart felt as if it were being sliced by knives. It seemed the entire world had darkened again, and he had once more fallen into the Asura realm, with no chance to gaze upon the bright moon.

He couldn’t say a word. Li Ying, with tears in her eyes, gave him one hateful look, bit her lip, and prepared to leave the room. She never wanted to see Cui Xun again!

But Cui Xun quickly blocked her way. He tried to smile and said with difficulty, “It doesn’t matter if you hate me, but don’t neglect what’s important.”

He continued: “Those people are still waiting for you to save them. You are a princess of the Great Zhou. It’s not worth abandoning your duties as a princess because of me.”

He lowered his eyes: “After saving them, you can hate me all you want.”

Li Ying gritted her teeth. She glared at Cui Xun, truly hating him. She wanted to question him right then and there, demand to know what she meant to him, ask if he had ever considered her feelings at all. But the words reached her lips, and she swallowed them.

As he had said, those people were still waiting for her to save them.

She turned and sat at the table, saying calmly: “You’re right. I cannot abandon my duties as a princess of the Great Zhou because of you.”

She added: “You’re not worth it.”