Yi Ning suddenly realized she was touching a monk when the man in plain clothes and kasaya stiffened. Assuming he wasn’t accustomed to a woman’s touch, she withdrew her hand and said, “Forgive my impulsiveness, Master. By killing their leader, haven’t you made them target us? You’re out of arrows, and while I’d like to help, I can’t. Or are you truly capable of fighting a hundred men as the legends say?”
Even the most skilled martial artists practicing Baduanjin or Yijin Jing could only face twenty opponents at most. Fighting a hundred was mere hearsay.
Dao Yan drew his bow again. “If we don’t lure them away, your third brother will be in greater danger.”
The arrow whistled through the air, toppling a rider and his horse, and kicking up a cloud of dust. Dao Yan’s aim was impeccable! As some Shenji Camp soldiers rushed to help their fallen comrade, the rest gave chase. Dao Yan immediately turned the carriage around, heading for the wilderness.
Yi Ning tensed as she saw the Shenji Camp soldiers readying their crossbows. Crossbow bolts were far more powerful than arrows and could easily penetrate wood. She tapped the carriage wall, relieved to find it was likely reinforced with molten iron, impervious to crossbow bolts.
The carriage sped along, pulled by a purebred Ferghana horse, its muscular body straining with effort. Yi Ning struggled to maintain her balance, her tailbone aching from the jolts. Seeing twenty to thirty Shenji Camp soldiers in pursuit, she didn’t dare distract Dao Yan.
How could they shake off these pursuers?
Luo Shenyuan hadn’t lingered at the mountain temple for long.
His objectives were twofold: rescue Luo Yi Ning and capture Zeng Yingkun. He wanted both. The fire at the back of the mountain was his doing. It wasn’t difficult to deduce that Lu Jiaxue had imprisoned people at Daci Temple. Lu’s guards frequently visited the temple, and its recent food consumption had noticeably increased. Following these clues, they quickly located the captives.
So he planned a diversion, hoping to rescue Luo Yi Ning and, if possible, capture Zeng Yingkun as well.
The plan was thorough, but the team sent to rescue Zeng Yingkun would face Lu Jiaxue directly. They were elite soldiers. If they didn’t report back within half an incense stick’s time, he would leave immediately.
Those men would become sacrificial pawns, likely to die.
Luo Shenyuan tapped his fingers on the windowsill, counting time with his eyes closed. Hearing no commotion outside, he suddenly opened his eyes and ordered, “Leave now!”
The two guards in the room immediately went to prepare the carriage. As Luo Shenyuan stepped out under escort, he saw Lu Jiaxue already waiting at the door with his men.
Lu Jiaxue sat on horseback, looking down at them with a cold, expressionless face. He had likely just arrived from the back of the mountain.
His reaction was indeed swift!
Luo Shenyuan smiled and said, “Commander Lu? What a coincidence. I came to visit Master Dao Yan but couldn’t find him. I was just leaving when we met. You seem to be in a hurry?”
Lu Jiaxue smiled back, “Lord Luo doesn’t know? Someone tried to raid a prisoner transport at the back of the mountain, setting fire to three buildings. Fortunately, we’ve contained the blaze. We caught the arsonists, and when we were about to send them to the commander’s office, they attempted suicide by poison. I managed to save a few by breaking their jaws. After some interrogation, we should uncover the mastermind.”
Luo Shenyuan remained calm. “Arson in a Buddhist sanctuary. How unfortunate.”
Lu Jiaxue chuckled lowly, “I hear Lord Luo is skilled in interrogation. Would you care to offer some advice?”
“I wouldn’t dare presume,” Luo Shenyuan bowed. “If Commander Lu is interested, I can have my servants send some books to your residence. They detail various torture methods, including over thirty techniques for skinning alone, divided into five categories. That would be the best way for you to learn. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I must take my leave.”
Luo Shenyuan had brought over a hundred men with him, all carefully trained loyalists. They surrounded the area, so he wasn’t worried. If Lu Jiaxue dared to make a move, he’d be the one trapped.
Maintaining his smile, Luo Shenyuan discreetly signaled. His hidden men immediately sprang into action.
Lu Jiaxue had anticipated this, inwardly cursing himself. He had underestimated Luo Shenyuan, which was humiliating. Had he been more cautious, Luo Shenyuan wouldn’t have stood a chance of taking Luo Yi Ning from him.
Luo Shenyuan also reflected on the situation. He would have to retreat, for now, abandoning any hope of capturing Zeng Yingkun. It was clear he couldn’t match Lu Jiaxue in combat; the man’s fighting prowess was terrifying. If Luo Shenyuan hadn’t planned this ambush and caught Lu Jiaxue off guard, he would have been doomed.
Lu Jiaxue’s expression turned cold and grim, realizing Luo Shenyuan must have already helped Luo Yi Ning escape.
Dao Yan had followed him for five years, showing interest in nothing but Buddhism. After his service against the Japanese, the emperor wanted to grant him the rank of third-grade commander, but he refused. Lu Jiaxue believed him to be a genuine monk, even expanding Daci Temple for his comfort. He never imagined Dao Yan would conspire with Luo Shenyuan to deceive him.
Luo Shenyuan, despite his youth, was exceptionally cunning. Few could outsmart him; even Cheng Lang, who was quite capable, was no match.
As Luo Shenyuan walked out of the courtyard, Lu Jiaxue spoke coolly from behind, “Luo Shenyuan, since you refuse to divorce your wife, don’t blame me for what comes next. I had some respect for your talents and considered sparing you.”
“Do as you wish, my lord,” Luo Shenyuan replied from a distance.
Lu Jiaxue chuckled again, “My relationship with her… is far more than just that of an adoptive father and daughter.”
Luo Shenyuan’s silhouette didn’t seem to falter.
Lu Jiaxue hadn’t brought enough men this time, and the Shenji Camp reinforcements outside were likely intercepted by Dao Yan. He refrained from moving against Luo Shenyuan. There would be time later. If Luo Yi Ning was unwilling to accept him now, she would eventually return to his side. Of course, if she continued to resist, his patience wouldn’t last forever.
Lu Jiaxue took a deep breath. When he realized the opposing force wasn’t as numerous as he’d thought, he understood it was a diversion. He immediately turned back, but it was too late. Luo Yi Ning had already been taken! Luo Shenyuan had deployed many loyal troops in the surrounding area, and Lu Jiaxue wouldn’t act rashly now, as he hadn’t brought enough men to gain an advantage in battle.
But he wasn’t one to give up easily. After all, she was his wife.
Lu Jiaxue pulled his horse’s reins, turning it around to gallop towards the main road.
The mountain weather changed as quickly as a child’s mood.
The sun had been shining moments ago, but now dark clouds gathered, and torrential rain began to fall.
Fortunately, Dao Yan knew the mountain well. After several twists and turns to shake off the Shenji Camp pursuers, he led her to a small earth god temple to shelter from the rain.
As they disembarked, Yi Ning nearly slipped on the wet footboard. Dao Yan glanced back, seemingly urging her to hurry. The cold rain soaked them quickly, and Yi Ning bit her lip as she stood up, her barely healed ankle twinging from the awkward movement.
The mountain was known for its wild ginseng and Rhodiola, and monks often came here to gather herbs and rest. The temple, though small with just one main hall and two side rooms, was clean and well-equipped with a kang bed, tables, chairs, and a stove for cooking and warmth. Yi Ning opened a window for ventilation and saw the heavy rain turning the path into mud. The carriage stood in the courtyard, the horse shaking its wet mane helplessly.
There was no stable, and the building was too small for the horse to enter.
Luo Yi Ning found a bucket in a corner of the dilapidated temple, intending to collect rainwater to boil for drinking and to ward off the chill. She was menstruating and particularly susceptible to cold. Without her maids to assist, she had to manage on her own. Moreover, her clothes were soaked through with no spare garments available. The wet fabric clung uncomfortably to her skin, cold and heavy. She wanted to light a fire to dry herself and warm up.
Seeing her with the bucket, Dao Yan said, “It’s raining heavily outside. If something happens to you, I’ll have to rescue you. Don’t move.”
Reluctantly, Yi Ning put down the bucket, feeling increasingly cold.
Seeing this, Dao Yan slowly closed his eyes, sat cross-legged on the kang bed, and resumed chanting sutras while counting prayer beads.
After a while, Yi Ning tried to light the stove. The late autumn rain was bitterly cold, especially in the mountains, and her single blue silk jacket was soaked through. She knew how to start a fire, but her dizziness and weakness made it difficult. Her hands hurt from striking the flint, but she couldn’t produce a spark.
Master Dao Yan had barely acknowledged her since bringing her inside.
Eventually, he seemed to take pity on her. A hand adorned with prayer beads took the flint from her, striking it a few times to ignite the tinder, then placing it in the stove to light the charcoal.
The room began to warm up, no longer bitingly cold. Yi Ning didn’t sit on the kang bed but curled up in an armchair, resting her chin on her knees to dry off quickly by the fire. Although her third brother Luo Shenyuan had initially wanted to kill her, it was important to maintain a good relationship now. Curious about Dao Yan’s connection to Luo Shenyuan, she asked, “Master, have you and my third brother been fellow disciples since he was a child?”
“This humble monk first met him when he was already eleven years old,” Dao Yan said calmly. “Come sit on the kang bed. I’ll take the armchair.”
“I’m fine… You sleep on the kang bed,” Yi Ning felt she could stay more alert in the armchair.
She didn’t even look up. The blood marks from earlier were visible on her porcelain-like neck. Though exhausted and unwell, she remained vigilant, afraid to fall asleep. After all, Dao Yan had wanted to kill her earlier.
Dao Yan sat down to chant sutras again, ignoring her refusal as if he had never spoken.
Yi Ning recognized it as the Heart Sutra yawned, and forced herself to stay awake.
Looking past the screen, she saw the horse had found shelter under the temple eaves. The heavy rain had subsided, leaving the mountain shrouded in mist. Only the dim outline of distant peaks was visible. She wondered if Luo Shenyuan had left and when she could leave… She longed to return to the familiar comfort of the Luo family home, a place of warmth and belonging.
But then she recalled Lu Jiaxue’s words. As long as she remained Luo Shenyuan’s wife, he wouldn’t leave the Luo family alone.
Yi Ning leaned against the armchair, feeling lost and sad. Perhaps it was the rainy night, or the cold, or the fact that Dao Yan seemed unwilling to speak with her, but the silent darkness felt oppressive. If Luo Shenyuan didn’t find her, wouldn’t she have to spend the night in these mountains? Wet and cold as she was, staying here overnight would surely result in a high fever.
As darkness fell completely, the mountain night grew even colder. Yi Ning closed the screen.
Dao Yan put away his prayer beads and went out briefly. When he returned, he held a small sweet potato, about half the size of his palm, which he tossed into the stove. It made a crackling sound.
“This is all there is for your dinner, wild-grown on the mountain.”
Yi Ning hadn’t felt hungry, but when the aroma of the roasted sweet potato filled the air, she found herself wanting to eat. It was still hot when she took it out. She peeled it and offered half to Dao Yan, who didn’t refuse, likely aware of how scarce food was in the mountains.
Perhaps due to her chill, she felt dizzy and congested, with little appetite and unable to taste much. But she knew she needed to eat, so Yi Ning forced down most of her small portion. At least it was warm and soft, better than having nothing.
Halfway through her meal, Yi Ning suddenly heard the sound of a carriage outside.
Dao Yan became alert at the noise, reaching for his longbow. But then a knock came at the door, followed by a calm, steady voice: “It’s me. No need for alarm.”
Yi Ning’s body reacted to his voice before her mind could process it, her eyes welling up involuntarily.
Luo Shenyuan had come for her!
Dao Yan looked towards the door, where a tall figure now stood, folding an umbrella before opening the door. Only then did Dao Yan lower his bow, no longer on guard.
Yi Ning felt like crying. Luo Shenyuan entered and, seeing her bedraggled state, frowned with concern. In a few strides, he reached her, unclasping his cloak to wrap her from head to toe. When he touched her forehead, he found it burning hot!
“How did you end up like this?” Luo Shenyuan pulled her into his embrace.
During her menstrual cycle, Yi Ning was more susceptible to chills, though she wasn’t usually so delicate.
Feeling more vulnerable than usual, she relaxed completely in his presence. Clinging tightly to him, she called out, “Third Brother,” her voice already hoarse.
Dao Yan finally spoke up: “She fell in the rain earlier.” His tone was indifferent.
Holding her, Luo Shenyuan could feel how feverish the young woman had become. He asked, “I remember you keep some medicinal herbs here. Why didn’t you brew her a decoction for wind-cold?”
“I didn’t know she had caught a chill,” Dao Yan replied. She had stubbornly sat in the armchair earlier, refusing to take the bed when offered. He had assumed she was fine. After all, for him, getting caught in the rain and having wet clothes was a minor inconvenience.
Luo Shenyuan sighed. His senior disciple brother rarely interacted with women and wouldn’t have considered such things. Yi Ning was the type to never show weakness in front of strangers. It didn’t matter now; he was going to take her home anyway. They should leave immediately.
His familiar, comforting scent enveloped her. Yi Ning wrapped her arms around his waist, inhaling deeply the pleasant smell mixed with the dampness of rain from his collar. She said, “It doesn’t matter. I’m just glad you found me… This place is so remote, I was afraid you wouldn’t be able to find it.”
“It’s alright now. Everything’s fine,” he held Yi Ning, patting her back. “Of course, I would find you.”
After thanking Dao Yan, Luo Shenyuan first carried Yi Ning back to the carriage. She was already drifting in and out of consciousness, so he let her rest in the carriage. Then he returned to the temple to speak with Dao Yan: “You probably won’t go back to Daci Temple… You can stay at my residence in Xinqiao Hutong for now. There’s a small Buddha hall inside.”
Dao Yan shook his head, “Monastic discipline is strict. I’d rather stay here.”
Luo Shenyuan didn’t insist. After all, Dao Yan often wandered without even basic shelter. At least here he had three dilapidated rooms to protect him from wind and rain. He added, “You’ve betrayed Lu Jiaxue this time. It’s not safe to stay here; he’ll find you sooner or later. You might as well continue your wandering travels.”
“Don’t worry, he won’t kill me,” Daoyan said, then slowly closed his eyes again.
Luo Shenyuan took a final look at his senior brother without saying anything. Indeed, Lu Jiaxue wouldn’t kill him; Daoyan was a special case. However, Lu Jiaxue would no longer trust him.
Bidding farewell to Daoyan, Luo Shenyuan boarded the carriage. Without a stove inside, Yi Ning had curled up tightly in her cloak, shivering from the cold. She wanted to strip off her wet clothes but felt it inappropriate in front of Luo Shenyuan. Instead, she wrapped her cloak tighter around herself.
When he finally entered, the carriage started moving. Yi Ning, unable to bear the cold any longer, burrowed into his arms, seeking warmth.
Luo Shenyuan, taken by surprise, opened his arms to let her settle into his lap. He wiped her damp hair and held her tighter. “Are you uncomfortable? We’ll be home soon.”
Of course, she was uncomfortable! She clung to his waist tightly, like an octopus wrapped around him.