The sky darkened ominously as ink-black clouds roiled overhead. Thunder crashed like thousands of mountain peaks crumbling. Silver lightning danced between the surging layers of dark clouds. The howling wind sent stones tumbling across the ground.

Yao Ying shivered in the cold, wrapping her fur coat tightly and securing her sleeves as she led her horse, stumbling through the treacherous valley. Strange rocks jutted up along the path, with steep mountain slopes offering no flat ground for travel. She had fallen several times on this difficult journey, scraping her knees and arms painfully. The sky quickly grew dark, leaving no chance to check her wounds beneath her clothes.

Bi Suo walked ahead of her. He glanced up at the approaching rain clouds, then looked back at Yao Ying swaying unsteadily in the fierce wind. Frowning, he said, “Princess, the wind is too strong. Let’s come back tomorrow.”

The wind was so strong his voice was lost among the flying sand and stones, forcing him to shout again.

Yao Ying stood hunched against the wind, her eyes gleaming like bright pearls behind her windbreak mask as she stared at him intently.

Bi Suo said helplessly, “The path ahead isn’t suitable for horses, and it’s getting dark too quickly. I need to return. The army won’t break camp tonight – we can rest and come back in the morning when the wind dies down.”

Yao Ying glanced at the pitch-black valley ahead and released her horse’s reins. “Then I’ll go in on foot. General, just point me in the right direction.”

Hearing her calm but determined tone, Bi Suo knew he couldn’t dissuade her. He sighed quietly, took the reins from her hand, secured both their horses, and continued leading her forward.

Yao Ying took the cloth bundle from her saddle, slung it across her back, and followed him.

In the dim light, they could barely see a few steps ahead. The valley walls grew steadily higher as they climbed up the rocks. Suddenly, the stone beneath her foot loosened, sending her tumbling into a pile of rocks. She lay there dazed, unable to recover for several moments.

Bi Suo’s breath caught in fear. He jumped to her side and helped her up, asking, “Are you hurt anywhere?”

“I’m fine.”

Yao Ying shook her head and got up, practically crawling forward on all fours.

Lightning split the sky overhead as torrential rain poured down. The world filled with the sound of falling water as their clothes, headwraps, and windbreak masks were quickly soaked through, clinging coldly to their skin.

Her body was stiff with cold. Despite wearing leather gloves, her hands were covered in wounds.

After climbing for what seemed like forever, Bi Suo’s voice finally called out: “Princess, we’re here.”

He straightened up and pointed to a dark entrance.

“It’s right here… Princess, the Regent’s dissipation of power is even more dangerous than last time. You must be careful.”

Heavy rain continued to fall as rocks occasionally tumbled down the cliff faces with intermittent crashes.

Yao Ying stood at the entrance, soaked through and shivering. She wiped away the wet hair plastered to her face and walked in step by step.

Bi Suo remained where he was, watching her trembling figure disappear into the darkness.

Deep in the valley, it was cold and dark, impossible to see anything. Rainwater dripped steadily through cracks in the rocks.

Yao Ying felt her way forward in the darkness, trying to light a fire only to find the tinder in her bundle had been soaked by the rain.

Shivering violently, she pulled off her drenched mask, her face as pale as snow, and walked deeper while hugging herself.

“General Su?” she called out softly, her voice echoing in the narrow space.

Suddenly a light breeze swept past and a hand shot out of the darkness, gripping her wrist. Before she could cry out, another hand seized her throat, callused fingers brushing against her wet skin as they pressed against the side of her neck.

She couldn’t breathe, her whole body trembling.

Outside the valley entrance, a flash of blue lightning split the night sky, illuminating the vast landscape and briefly lighting up the valley, revealing the silhouette of the man beside Yao Ying.

He stood silently in the darkness, looking down at her. His face was covered in horrific scars with a touch of crimson between his brows. His jade-green eyes were ice-cold, devoid of joy or sorrow, without a trace of warmth. In the lightning flash, he looked like a demon.

The lightning flickered, alternating between bright and dark.

In the bright moments, Yao Ying could see his disfigured face. In the dark, only his cold eyes remained visible.

He said nothing, clearly not recognizing her. His gaze was distant and frigid, with red bloodshot lines crawling through his eyes.

It was terrifying.

Through the sound of pouring rain, Yao Ying caught the scent of blood on him. She was freezing, her wounds stinging, nearly suffocating. She raised her free hand, slowly reaching for his face.

“Look at me.”

“I’m Li Yao Ying.”

She met his gaze, her eyes slightly red as water dripped from her wet temples. Her fingers reached behind his head, hooking around his neck to gradually pull him closer until she could see her pale face reflected in his eyes.

“Are you going to kill me?”

Their eyes locked, their breaths mingling. She was ice-cold, while a chill radiated from his entire being.

In the next instant, he suddenly released her and pushed her away.

“Stay away from me.”

His voice was deep and hoarse as he turned to walk deeper inside, his boots crunching over loose stones as his footsteps gradually faded.

Yao Ying’s throat burned as she coughed. She hurried after him.

His strides were long and he quickly vanished from sight. As Yao Ying stumbled after him, there was suddenly a loud crash ahead. His tall figure abruptly stopped moving, followed by several muffled groans before he collapsed against the valley wall.

Yao Ying’s heart pounded as she ran over, lifted him, and turned his face toward her. Her fingers came away sticky with blood.

His eyes were tightly shut, unconscious.

She held him as they sat by the cold valley wall.

Rain mixed with sand and gravel poured down, pelting their heads and bodies. His scarred face was covered in blood and grime.

Yao Ying’s hands trembled. She closed her eyes briefly, holding him while her fingers gently caressed his face, slowly unwrapping layer after layer of headwraps. She continued downward, carefully feeling her way before pulling forcefully.

A flash of lightning illuminated the valley. Beneath the scars, mud, and blood, a face of exceptional beauty gradually emerged.

The Regent Su Dangu was Tanmoluojia.

Yao Ying’s expression remained calm as she set aside the mask and headwraps. She took out a clean handkerchief and wiped away the mud and water that had splashed onto the man’s face and neck.

She had confirmed his identity at that time when he had nearly lost control of his powers and almost entered qi deviation.

Confined since childhood, growing up weak and sickly, he had to hide his condition due to political instability, unable to let news of his illness spread until he was finally exhausted…

Before, she hadn’t understood why Su Dangu’s sword technique was so fierce and sharp, yet somehow carried an undertone of vast, surging compassion. Later she suddenly realized – because he was Luojia.

…

When returning to the Holy City from Gaochang, Yao Ying had planned to tell Tanmoluojia that she knew his dual identity. At the time, Zhu Lüyun was also in the Holy City and had written her a letter. She had taken the letter to find Luojia… but he had been very cold toward her.

Yao Ying had been confused for quite a while, staring at him intently for a long time. He had ignored her as she circled halfway around him, still saying nothing.

When he was the Buddha’s son, he had been aloof and distant from her, as if Su Dangu was a different person entirely.

Yao Ying thought that for him, wielding a blade and killing indiscriminately had been choices made out of necessity. He surely didn’t want to recall those things, and the fewer people who knew this secret, the better.

And she was just an outsider who shouldn’t pry into his secrets.

If Bi Suo and the others knew that she was aware Su Dangu was Tanmoluojia, they might have to choose between silencing her permanently or letting her go.

That early spring morning, while playing with Garuda, Yao Ying had carefully considered the situation. She didn’t want to put Tanmoluojia in a difficult position, so she firmly decided to keep her knowledge hidden and pretend she didn’t know they were the same person.

…

The heavy rain continued to pour down.

Yao Ying steadied herself and used her last bit of strength to move Tanmoluojia to a dry spot and lay him down properly, then took out some medicine pills and fed them to him. On the way to the valley, Bi Suo had told her she needed to stay close to him and help him regain consciousness – as long as he woke up, there wouldn’t be serious trouble. Once he woke again, he should be fine.

She undid his clothes to wipe him down. He usually wore loose robes that made him look thin, but without clothes, his body showed smooth, well-defined muscles. Yao Ying paused, staring at the bandages wrapped around his shoulder. This arrow wound was from when he had saved Li Zhongqian.

He had traveled thousands of li alone to rescue Li Zhongqian, breaking the siege of Gaochang, then silently departed while still wounded. If she hadn’t been determined to thank A’bi in person but couldn’t find him, growing suspicious and asking Li Zhongqian and Mo Biduo detailed questions about A’bi, she would never have discovered that A’bi was him.

Initially, she had only suspected, but when she went to Pratyekabuddha’s room and smelled the familiar scent of the medicine pills he had to take regularly, suspicion turned to certainty. She hadn’t even sought confirmation from Pratyekabuddha, coming straight here instead. A few days later, he would have returned to the Holy City.

Yao Ying lifted the bandages to check his wound, applied medicine, and wrapped it again before redressing him and replacing his headwrap.

After finishing, she was so exhausted her limbs trembled. Her body felt like ice, even her heart was cold. She took out the sheepskin coat from her bundle and draped it over herself, leaning against the valley wall curled up in a ball. She lightly kicked Tanmoluojia with her foot, the corner of her lips curling up in a small smile.

“Monk, you deceived me.”

And not just once.

She wasn’t angry at all.

She just felt sad.

…

In the middle of the night, the wind and rain stopped. All was quiet except for the steady sound of water flowing through rock crevices.

Tanmoluojia slowly regained consciousness. He kept his eyes closed while circulating his qi to regulate his breath. His dantian grew slightly warm, and after his blood circulation had normalized, he slowly opened his eyes. Everything was dark, with only faint light filtering through the cracks, reflecting off pools of water on the ground.

He was about to continue regulating his breath when a cough suddenly sounded beside him.

Then another, accompanied by suppressed gasping.

Tanmoluojia opened his eyes, his gaze falling on a dark figure beside him as his pupils dilated.

Yao Ying sat leaning against the valley wall next to him, her face pale and brows furrowed tightly, eyes squeezed shut as she coughed repeatedly. Her bound hair had come loose, hanging wet around her shoulders as she trembled continuously.

Tanmoluojia froze, his face expressionless.

The next moment, clarity returned to his eyes. He brushed aside the messy hair from her cheeks, his fingers touching her neck – wet and clammy.

Her body was ice-cold, like a block of ice, shaking uncontrollably with painful-sounding coughs.

Tanmoluojia had always been detached and clear-minded, unperturbed by anything, viewing life and death as mere illusions. But now, each cough that reached his ears crashed like waves against a shore, leaving him somewhat at a loss.

Yao Ying huddled tightly, shivering violently.

Tanmoluojia picked her up, tucking the sheepskin coat more securely around her and carefully wrapping her up before leaving the valley. He used his internal energy to leap down the cliff, his toes finding purchase on the wet rocks as he moved like lightning.

The body in his arms kept shaking. He gathered his qi and ran at full speed, covering two li in one breath. In the distance, a flickering light appeared. Several horses were eating grain cakes in a mountain hollow while Bi Suo, wrapped in a cloak, dozed by a campfire.

He approached carrying Yao Ying.

Bi Suo awoke at the sound of footsteps, raised his eyes to meet Tanmoluojia’s gaze, and was so startled he fell over. Before he could get up, he quickly explained, “Princess Wenzhao came here on her own!”

“The Princess knew you saved her brother and was worried about your injury, so she searched for you.”

Tanmoluojia set Yao Ying down. “Clothes. Medicine for cold.”

Bi Suo hurriedly pulled out clothes and handed them to Tanmoluojia. He had returned to camp once, seen the heavy rain, and brought back some clothes and food, planning to look for them at daybreak. He hadn’t expected Tanmoluojia to come find them himself.

Tanmoluojia first tried to give Yao Ying medicine, but she kept her lips tightly closed, refusing to take it. He let her rest her head on his leg, his fingers holding her chin as he made her take the medicine.

Then he opened her collar, but suddenly stopped, glancing up at Bi Suo.

Bi Suo quickly jumped up and walked away without looking back.

Tanmoluojia lifted Yao Ying closer to the fire, brushed aside her hair, and undid her clothes.

In the firelight, her snow-white skin was smooth and delicate as jade, gleaming brilliantly, her shoulders soft and rounded.

Tanmoluojia closed his eyes, quickly wiping down Yao Ying by touch alone and changing her into dry clothes. When he opened his eyes again, he poured a bowl of hot water that had been warming by the fire and helped her drink a few sips, then felt her forehead – the fever had subsided somewhat.

He helped arrange her hair, gazed at her for a long moment, then let go.

With her wet clothes changed, Yao Ying felt much better and wasn’t coughing as much. Sensing the person who had been caring for her was about to leave, she instinctively grabbed his sleeve.

Tanmoluojia lowered his gaze to look at her fingers gripping his clothes.

Under the boundless sky, the bonfire burned quietly.

He stared at Yao Ying, his mind empty, yet somehow filled with every thought possible.

As he was lost in thought, his sleeve was tugged. Yao Ying’s eyelashes fluttered as she opened her eyes, her hazy gaze falling on his face.

He remained perfectly still.

Yao Ying had just woken and was still somewhat dazed. After a moment, she recognized who was before her, and her eyes lit up. Still gripping his sleeve tightly, she struggled to sit up, when her brows suddenly knitted together as she clutched her chest, coughing and gasping violently.

Tanmoluojia leaned forward to help her sit up and poured a bowl of water for her to drink, but she pushed it away and suddenly grabbed his collar, her face almost touching his.

Her cheeks were flushed, her mind unclear, but her wet eyes were bright and focused.

“Su Dangu,” she asked, enunciating each word, her breath mingling with his, “do you like me?”

There was a crash as the ceramic bowl was knocked over, spilling half its contents.

The horizon began to lighten as dawn broke through the clouds, the wind whistling.

She had asked Su Dangu.

Tanmoluojia came back to his senses and picked up the fallen bowl, refilling it with hot water.

Yao Ying’s lips twitched as she watched him busy himself. She coughed a few times, her eyes wide as she stared at him: “You… answer me first… do you or don’t you?”

As she spoke, she coughed heart-rendingly, until tears fell from her eyes.

Tanmoluojia looked at her, holding the bowl steadily to her lips.

Yao Ying continued coughing.

Tanmoluojia remained silent, averting his gaze. But as his eyes swept past, his brows suddenly furrowed. He raised his hand to brush aside the hair on Yao Ying’s forehead.

He hadn’t dared look at her closely before, and only now in the daylight did he notice the red swelling on her forehead.

“Be good, drink some water,” he said softly, gentle yet brooking no refusal.

Yao Ying’s heart trembled. For some reason, a sudden wave of bitter emotion welled up in her heart. She looked straight into his eyes. “If you don’t answer, I’ll just keep waiting until you do. Su Dangu, do you like me?”

Her bright eyes were clear to their depths, her gaze gentle yet determined as she looked at him.

He was a monk – he could give her nothing.

Tanmoluojia shook his head in denial, but then heard a familiar voice softly say, “Yes.”

After a long moment, he realized.

It had been his own voice.