Atop the walls of Gaochang City not far away, Qu Wentai and Zhang Xiong’s hearts were at their throats as they anxiously watched the area outside the city. By now, after the delay caused by Xuanzang and his companions, the gathered merchants and civilians outside the city had all entered, and the city gates were closed. However, Qu Wentai and Zhang Xiong remained uneasy. Both men, having spent half their lives in military service, knew that Gaochang’s royal city was in imminent danger. One misstep, and today could mark the end of the Gaochang kingdom.
“Taihuan,” Qu Wentai furrowed his brow, “Why are these allied forces from the three kingdoms lingering outside the city? Why do they surround the Third Prince and the monk without making a move?”
Zhang Xiong shook his head, “Your Majesty, they seem to be talking. The distance is too great; I can’t make out what they’re saying.”
“Could you see the face of that masked knight from earlier?” Qu Wentai rubbed his eyes. “My eyesight has deteriorated these past two years! Everything looks blurry.”
“Your Majesty, he somewhat resembled Ashina Nishu,” Zhang Xiong replied.
Qu Wentai was shocked. “Nishu? Isn’t Nishu at the Great Clear Pool? That’s thousands of miles away. How could he suddenly appear among the allied forces?”
Zhang Xiong smiled bitterly, “Your Majesty, you know Nishu’s relationship with Long Shuangyuzhi. Given his temperament, wouldn’t he rush back from anywhere once he heard the Third Prince had taken Long Shuangyuzhi?”
“It’s over! It’s all over!” Qu Wentai’s face turned ashen. “With Nishu here, I’m afraid even Khagan Tongyehu won’t side with us. Is Gaochang truly doomed to fall?”
“Your Majesty, don’t worry,” Zhang Xiong hurriedly said. “The situation is extremely complex. Master Xuanzang has long been prepared. With him here, he will surely protect Gaochang and keep it safe.”
“Oh?” Qu Wentai was surprised. “How can the monk repel these five thousand troops?”
“Well…” Zhang Xiong smiled wryly. “Only the Master knows the specific details. I only know a little, but the Master repeatedly instructed me not to tell you. He fears you might lose patience and do something rash.”
Qu Wentai looked at Zhang Xiong in astonishment. He wanted to ask more but, trusting Xuanzang, he simply nodded and said nothing further.
“Your Majesty,” Zhang Xiong continued, “Although the Master is here, we can’t let our guard down. It seems if Nishu were to attack the city, he’d likely choose the North Gate. I’ll go and gather our main cavalry forces at the North Gate. If anything happens, we’ll be ready to protect Your Majesty.”
Qu Wentai nodded silently. As Zhang Xiong was about to leave, he quickly added, “Taihuan, send my guards to protect Deyong. If the city falls, have them kill the Queen immediately and escort Deyong out of the city.”
“As you command,” Zhang Xiong quickly descended from the city wall.
Outside Gaochang City, amid the military formation, everyone turned pale with fright after hearing Xuanzang’s words. Even Long Shuangyuzhi couldn’t help but shudder, staring at Xuanzang.
“That’s impossible!” Nishu shouted. “Who is Qu Deyong? A lifelong warrior, roaming the Western Regions. His central troops are the elite of the Western Regions. How could Shuangyuzhi kill all his men at will?”
Long Tujizhi also laughed loudly, “The monk has truly lost his mind. If my daughter could kill all of Gaochang’s cavalry and central troops, I would have led my army to attack Gaochang’s royal city long ago. Why waste words with that old fool Qu Wentai?”
Xuanzang smiled slightly, “But the Princess indeed accomplished this. Lord Ashina, the Western Regions are known for alfalfa, which is the best fodder for warhorses. Correct?”
“That’s right!” Nishu nodded.
“This humble monk has heard that in alfalfa fields, there often grows a grass called Rena grass, which closely resembles alfalfa.”
Nishu, having grown up around horses, naturally knew this: “Yes, Master. This rena grass is rare nowadays. It’s poisonous; if horses eat it by mistake, it causes their blood to heat up. Often, they can’t gallop for long before sweating profusely, their hearts unable to cope, eventually bursting and causing death. So, whenever herders spot this grass, they burn it along with its seeds. It’s becoming increasingly scarce.”
“But scarce doesn’t mean non-existent, right?” Xuanzang asked.
Nishu nodded in surprise, “Of course, it’s certainly impossible to eradicate. What exactly are you trying to ask, Master?”
“This humble monk wants to know what would happen if a person ate this grass,” Xuanzang inquired.
“If a person ate it…” Nishu paused, “I’ve heard of people eating it. After consumption, their blood flow accelerates, their face flushes, and their heart races. But as long as they don’t engage in strenuous activity, it subsides after a while. This grass is now rarely heard of even among Western Region people. Master, where did you learn about this?”
Xuanzang pointed at Ashu, “Ashu told this humble monk. He’s a Sogdian from Samarkand.”
Nishu had a sudden realization, “Oh, Samarkand is near Fergana. Fergana is famous for its ‘blood-sweating’ horses, and its pastures are lush. There must still be rena grass there. But Master, what does this grass have to do with Shuangyuzhi?”
“It’s certainly related,” Xuanzang said. “The central troops’ main duty is to protect the royal palace, and their camp is just south of the palace walls. Their food is mainly supplied by the palace. If the Princess ground this rena grass into powder and had someone put it in the mutton soup for the central troops, what would happen?”
Nishu’s expression slowly changed. After pondering for a long while, he nodded slowly, “If the soldiers drank this mutton soup, their blood would naturally heat up. Under rapid movement, their hearts might burst, leading to death.”
“Hmph, nonsense!” Long Tujizhi sneered. “Those central troops would only suffer if they ran or exercised vigorously after drinking the soup. Who knows when they would run or exercise? But you just said my daughter could cause these central troops to die at any time. Master, how do you explain this?”
“Rena grass is not the only factor,” Xuanzang said. “Suppose that over the past half month, the central troops have been consuming rena grass daily, but in small amounts, slowly accumulating the toxin in their blood. Then, suddenly, at a certain moment in a confined space, these troops inhale a smoke containing a drug that stimulates blood flow. Dragon King, what do you think would happen?”
Everyone was stunned, staring at Xuanzang, then at Long Shuangyuzhi, involuntarily shuddering. Only Qu Zhisheng seemed confused as if he hadn’t understood.
Xuanzang continued, “Why didn’t the exiles die? Because they were secretly stationed in the wells and canals, where the Princess couldn’t reach them. Why didn’t the central troops outside the hall die? Because although they had eaten the rena grass, they hadn’t inhaled the smoke made from this powder.”
“Impossible!” Nishu jumped up, shouting, “Where is there such a drug? Wouldn’t that mean one could kill invisibly?”
“Bah! Xuanzang,” Long Tujizhi was furious, “You demonic monk, this is pure nonsense! What rena grass, what kind of drug, it’s all fabricated! It’s all your speculation! Monk, based on this made-up story, you want to condemn my daughter? Do you think my curved sword can’t cut off your head?”
“This humble monk is not lying,” Xuanzang said calmly. He took out a cloth package from his robe and slowly opened it. “Please look, everyone. This is the powder of rena grass.”
Long Tujizhi’s face changed, staring at the package, momentarily speechless. Nishu’s expression became grave. He took the package, opened it, and indeed saw a pinch of yellowish-brown powder. He brought it to his nose and sniffed, immediately sneezing, his face flushing. He quickly composed himself, and after a while, his complexion returned to normal. He nodded silently, “This is indeed rena grass. Master, where did you get this?”
“After Qu Deyong’s coup, the King of Gaochang ordered Zhang Xiong to take control of the Ministry of War and the central troops’ camp,” Xuanzang explained. “This humble monk privately asked him to control the logistics officer of the central troops’ camp. After secret interrogation by the Great General, five baskets of rena grass powder were found in the officer’s secret residence, three of which were already empty.”
Everyone fell silent.
Xuanzang then took out a small porcelain bottle from his robe and handed it to Nishu, “This is the black powder this humble monk scraped from the mouth of King David’s bottle last night. This humble monk doesn’t know what it is, but I believe that after consuming rena grass if one ignites this powder and inhales it, it would recreate the tragic scene of hundreds of central troops falling dead that day.”
Nishu carefully took the small porcelain bottle and opened it. Indeed, there was a fingernail-sized amount of black powder inside. He couldn’t bring himself to question Long Shuangyuzhi directly, so he glanced at Long Tujizhi and asked, “Dragon King, do you have anything else to say?”
“Hmph,” Long Tujizhi said coldly, “Who can prove that this was scraped from the mouth of King David’s bottle?”
Nishu pointed at the bottle beside Qu Zhisheng, “Do we need to scrape some more?”
Long Tujizhi was speechless for a moment, then said, “Great Setu, this monk is speaking nonsense. Based on his empty words, you would suspect my daughter? I don’t believe these two substances could silently cause death. How could such things exist in this world?”
Ignoring him, Nishu suddenly stood up, walked to face the five thousand cavalry, and raised the porcelain bottle in his hand, shouting, “Warriors of the Western Regions! Now a great Tang monk suspects the Princess of Yanqi, presenting this evidence, claiming it can cause death! The King of Yanqi doesn’t believe it, and I dare not believe it either. Is there anyone among you brave enough to test this poison, to reveal the truth to the world?”
His words caused an immediate stir in the ranks. Xuanzang was shocked, “Lord Ashina, why sacrifice an innocent life—”
Nishu waved his hand to interrupt him, his face ashen, “Master, we warriors of the Western Regions value our reputation above all. Your accusation against Shuangyuzhi is the greatest insult to me! If no one dares to test this poison, I will taste this mixed poison myself to prove the innocence of the one I love!”
As Xuanzang was about to speak again, Qu Zhisheng silently stepped forward and reached out to take the porcelain bottle from Nishu’s hand, about to pour it into his mouth. Nishu quickly snatched it back, “Are you mad?”
“If you don’t believe it, neither do I,” Qu Zhisheng said, his eyes red as he looked at Nishu. “Why should only you die for Shuangyuzhi? Is her honor more important than my life?”
Nishu was furious but said nothing, coldly laughing as he took back the bottle, “Qu Zhisheng, our business isn’t finished. I’d rather not let you die like this.”
“So you think I’ll die if I eat this?” Qu Zhisheng smiled sadly. “I won’t die, because I believe in Shuangyuzhi.”
Nishu was taken aback, finding himself at a loss for words.
At that moment, a knight from the ranks rode out, dismounted in front of them, and knelt on the ground, “Lord Ashina, I am a Dragon Knight of Yanqi. I am willing to use my life to verify the Princess’s honor!”
Nishu nodded, “Brave warrior, what is your name? I will ensure the King of Yanqi takes good care of your family.”
“No need,” the knight said confidently. “I believe I won’t die!”
“Good!” Nishu shouted, throwing the rena grass to the knight. The knight opened the bag and swallowed it in one gulp, then took a wine flask from his saddle and gulped down several mouthfuls of wine, washing down the rena grass.
Everyone watched him silently, with Xuanzang’s face full of concern. After a moment, the knight’s face suddenly flushed red, as if he had drunk several flasks of strong wine. Nishu sighed, took his hand, and led him upwind. He then took out the black powder from the porcelain bottle and lit it with a fire starter, and indeed, the fingernail-sized black powder emitted a thick smoke, swirling and rising like boiling soup.
Everyone’s mood became heavy.
Without hesitation, the knight brought his nose to the smoke and inhaled. Instantly, his body shuddered, he clutched his throat, his eyes bulging and bloodshot. Nishu was startled and quickly let go of him, moving far away. The knight struggled, waving his arms as if trying to walk over, but after a couple of steps, he fell face-first to the ground, dying instantly.
“Amitabha,” Xuanzang chanted with folded hands, his eyes filled with tears.
For a moment, there was complete silence. The bright sunlight shone on the faces of these thousands of people, all covered in cold sweat and pale.
Nishu’s expression was pained, the muscles on his face twitching. He silently glanced at Long Shuangyuzhi but asked Long Tujizhi, “Your Majesty, do you have anything else to say?”
“I…” Long Tujizhi’s forehead broke out in a sweat as he stammered, “Frame-up! This is completely a frame-up!”
“So, the Master is determined to accuse me?” Long Shuangyuzhi suddenly turned her head and sighed softly.
“Shuangyuzhi, I don’t doubt you!” Before Xuanzang could speak, Qu Zhisheng rushed to declare. His expression was agitated, his face flushed. He then turned to glare at Xuanzang angrily, “Master, what grudge do you hold against me? Why are you falsely accusing Shuangyuzhi?”
“Third Prince, wake up!” Xuanzang sighed deeply.
“I won’t wake up!” Qu Zhisheng cried out in pain, “Master, I can’t lose Shuangyuzhi! We truly love each other. Ahriman has blessed me with happiness in this life. Master, I can’t live without Shuangyuzhi!”
He rushed over to Long Shuangyue, grabbed her hand, and said eagerly: “Shuangyue, I believe you. Let’s go! Let’s leave the Western Regions. We’ll go to the Tang Dynasty, to Jiangnan. What do you say? What do you say?”
But Long Shuangyue didn’t even glance at him. She yanked her hand away and coldly stared at Xuanzang. After a moment of silence, Xuanzang spoke calmly: “Princess, every game must come to an end. Just as human life ultimately returns to dust. Your plan has succeeded. You hold the knife while I am the fish on the chopping block. Gao Chang is now at the mercy of your iron hooves. However, this humble monk hopes that the person you’ve deceived won’t leave this world with regrets.”
“Well said, Master! Very well said indeed!” Long Shuangyue laughed coldly. She straightened her posture, instantly transforming from a fragile, delicate young woman into the cold and imposing princess from outside Yiwu City. Qu Zhisheng stared in disbelief, suddenly feeling uneasy. Even Ni Shu seemed uncomfortable.
She glanced around and chuckled: “Master, you truly are wise. That day outside Jiaohe City, I told you my plan and made a bet with you. I never imagined you’d be able to unravel all the details so thoroughly.”
Xuanzang smiled bitterly: “The Princess flatters me. I merely deduced that since King David’s Bottle could grant three wishes, there must be three interconnected schemes. There’s one thing I still don’t understand – how did you revive Qu Deyong? And what was your plan after his revival?”
“Hahaha!” Long Shuangyue laughed heartily. “Master, your curiosity is insatiable. Indeed, reviving Qu Deyong was part of a final plan. But the current situation is even better than anticipated. I can destroy Gao Chang without executing that last scheme. Since you don’t understand, Master, you’ll just have to remain in the dark!”
Xuanzang was speechless. He shook his head and said no more. But this exchange had driven Qu Zhisheng into a frenzy.
“No!” Qu Zhisheng cried out in anguish. “This is impossible! Shuangyue, Xuanzang is forcing you to say this, isn’t he? I’ll kill him right now!”
Filled with murderous intent, Qu Zhisheng pulled a curved sword from a dead guard’s body and advanced menacingly toward Xuanzang. Through gritted teeth, he said: “Master, I’ve always respected you and never been discourteous. Why are you harming me?”
“Third Prince, outside Yiwu City, this humble monk told you that all beings in the three realms are ill, and the root of their illness is attachment to self. You may not distinguish right from wrong, but you must discern truth from falsehood.” Xuanzang calmly gazed at the sword’s edge. “This monk has only ever had the intention to save people, never to harm.”
“I don’t want your salvation!” Qu Zhisheng shouted, his expression distorted. “What business is it of yours whether my life is true or false? As long as I’m happy, that’s enough! What right do you have to interfere? Though I’ve believed in Buddha since childhood, my Shuangyue is worth more than all the Buddhas in this world. Even three thousand great worlds can’t compare to her!”
With that, he brought the sword down. The blade’s gleam reflected in Xuanzang’s eyes. Xuanzang sighed deeply but didn’t try to dodge.
“Qu Zhisheng!”
At Long Shuangyue’s angry shout, Qu Zhisheng’s body trembled. He quickly stopped his attack and turned back, looking at her expectantly with a forced smile: “Shuangyue, you don’t want me to kill him? Then I won’t. Let’s leave, alright? We’ll find a beautiful, peaceful place in the Tang Dynasty and spend the rest of our lives there quietly. What do you say?”
Long Shuangyue sneered: “Qu Zhisheng—”
“Don’t say it—” Qu Zhisheng’s whole body shook. Suddenly, he covered his face and fell to his knees, sobbing uncontrollably. “I beg you, Shuangyue, don’t say anything. Whatever you want to say, don’t let me hear it. I don’t care, whether your love for me was real or fake, I don’t want to know. I just want to be with you. Shuangyue, don’t wake me up. Shuangyue…”
Qu Zhisheng lay on the ground, weeping bitterly. At this moment, no one was guarding King David’s Bottle. A’shu quietly crawled over, picked up the bottle, and struggled to hide it under the broken carriage. Zhu Gui noticed in time and gave him a cold look. A’shu sheepishly let go of the bottle and crawled back behind Xuanzang.
Zhu Gui glanced at the bottle, sighed, and no longer cared about guarding it. He walked to Qu Zhisheng’s side, put an arm around his shoulders, and remained silent in sorrow.
Seeing Qu Zhisheng in this state, Long Shuangyue felt a twinge of pity. She sighed: “Qu Zhisheng, get up.”
Qu Zhisheng slowly raised his tear-stained face: “Shuangyue, are you willing to come with me now?”
Long Shuangyue was silent for a moment, then said: “Qu Zhisheng, I want you to understand something. You are a prince of Gao Chang, and I am a princess of Yanqi. From the moment we were born and saw this world, we were destined to be enemies. We could never be together.”
“No!” Qu Zhisheng wiped his tears. “Shuangyue, we can love each other. For you, I’ll give up this country, this identity.”
“But I can’t,” Long Shuangyue said calmly. “When I was fifteen, my father let me sit beside him during court sessions. That’s when I understood that as a princess, my duty was to make our country prosperous and powerful. By any means necessary, at any cost. I know I’ve hurt you deeply this time, but I want you to understand that since I pretended to fall in love with you, entered the Gao Chang palace, and carried out my plan, I’ve never regretted it, nor have I ever felt guilty towards you.
Because since my childhood, I’ve held one belief: the people of Gao Chang are my enemies. My innate mission is to destroy them. As the saying goes, ‘All warfare is based on deception.’ When two countries clash, it’s all about trickery. In my heart, Gao Chang was a battlefield, and the days I spent with you were also a battlefield. In the palace, I deceived you, but it’s no different from killing you in war. Third Prince, you are a good person, but in politics and war, it’s often the good people who die.”
“Shuangyue…” Qu Zhisheng didn’t say anything more. He just stared at her blankly, then suddenly went limp and sat on the ground. Zhu Gui quickly went to support him.
Long Shuangyue turned to gaze at Ni Shu, smiling faintly: “Ni Shu, although we are betrothed, if you don’t agree with me, you can break off the engagement.”
Ni Shu smiled bitterly: “From the moment I first saw you three years ago, I fell in love with you. When your father agreed to my proposal, I naturally understood that it was just for Yanqi’s needs, not because you loved me. Shuangyue, don’t worry. If I could understand this three years ago, why wouldn’t I understand it now?”
Long Shuangyue’s expression remained neutral: “Thank you.”
Ni Shu smiled confidently: “But Shuangyue, one day, I will make you fall in love with me.”
“Is that so?” Long Shuangyue smiled. “I look forward to it.”
Long Tuqizhi finally relaxed completely and laughed heartily: “Ni Shu, you’ll be my son-in-law from now on! After we destroy Gao Chang and cut off Qu Wentai’s head, I’ll hold your wedding ceremony!” He turned to ask his daughter: “Shuangyue, shall we lead our troops to attack the city now? The Gao Chang royal city must be in chaos. We can surely capture it in one swift strike!”
Long Shuangyue nodded and mounted a warhorse. She looked up, gazing at the distant Gao Chang city. After months of scheming and great effort, she finally held Gao Chang’s fate in her hands, but there was no excitement on her face. The cavalry of the three allied countries were all eager and impatient, waiting for her order to attack the city. Long Shuangyue glanced at Qu Zhisheng, a hint of desolation in her expression.
“Father,” Long Shuangyue said.
“Yes?” Long Tuqizhi ran over happily. He had always followed his daughter’s lead in recent years, and her brilliant plan’s success made him even more admiring. “Daughter, what is it?”
Long Shuangyue pointed her horsewhip at Qu Zhisheng, Xuanzang, and the others, saying: “Order the army to clear a path. Let these people go.”
Long Tuqizhi hesitated for a moment and whispered: “But there are Gao Chang’s descendants among them!”
Long Shuangyue didn’t answer, simply saying calmly: “Let them go.”
“Alright!” Long Tuqizhi nodded reluctantly. He walked up to Qu Zhisheng, kicked him, and said, “Hmph, you little brat, you’re lucky. Get lost!”
Qu Zhisheng rolled on the ground, covered in dust. He slowly got up, his face a ghastly mix of tears and dirt. By now, Long Shuangyue had led the three allied armies into an attack formation. Everyone had their bows drawn, waiting for her command to spur their horses and charge.
“Hahaha!” Qu Zhisheng suddenly laughed miserably. He ran to pick up King David’s Bottle and stood in front of Long Shuangyue’s horse, staring at her with a crazed expression.
Long Shuangyue frowned: “What are you doing with that broken bottle? Get out of the way quickly, or you’ll be trampled to a bloody pulp by the horses.”
But Qu Zhisheng just giggled, caressing the bottle as if it were a newborn child. He mumbled: “Akamana, come out. Let me be with Shuangyue. You promised!”
“Have you gone mad?” Long Shuangyue exclaimed. “This was all just a ruse!”
“Third Prince!” Zhu Gui hugged him, crying out in pain. “Wake up! Third Prince!”
Xuanzang also saw that something was wrong with Qu Zhisheng. It seemed the emotional shock had been too much, and he had lost his mind.
Qu Zhisheng just smiled foolishly, talking to the bottle: “Akamana, why aren’t you answering me? What do you want? Do you want to drink my blood? Here, I’ll give it to you. Drink your fill. Bless me and Shuangyue to love each other forever, alright?”
With that, he took the curved sword and slashed his arm. The blade cut deep, and blood gushed out. He laughed maniacally: “Come, drink! Drink!”
He put the wound to the bottle’s mouth. The blood flowed towards the tin seal on the bottle. Somehow, this seal with just a six-pointed star imprint could quickly absorb blood. The blood from his arm surged into the bottle. Qu Zhisheng watched excitedly, dancing about while holding the bottle.
Long Shuangyue sighed deeply: “Zhu Gui, quickly take him for treatment!”
“Third Prince, please don’t frighten your old servant anymore. Let’s go!” Zhu Gui cried as he tried to take the bottle away. A’shu ran over to help, and the three of them started struggling over the bottle.
Xuanzang watched and sighed incessantly. Long Shuangyue also shook her head and raised her arm, saying: “All troops, listen to my command! Go around them and attack Gao Chang City!”
The military horns immediately sounded. Amidst the mournful blaring, the cavalry began to spur their horses, ready to charge. At that moment, the three people struggling suddenly stopped and stared blankly at King David’s Bottle. Long Shuangyue sensed something unusual and looked down. She was shocked to see a wisp of black smoke rising from the mouth of the bottle!