Zhao Rou and Liu Yun rode side by side along the verdant mountain road. The breeze brushed their sleeves, setting their robes fluttering as the two young women laughed and chatted, the air light and carefree.
Liu Yun, reins in hand, muttered with mock complaint:
"This is far too convenient for Brother Tong. With us away, he's surely flirting again with Sister Qian!"
Her tone carried teasing and a hint of discontent, though her eyes gleamed with mischievous amusement.
Zhao Rou only smiled, serene and gentle:
"Brother Tong is a hero of men. And take Sister Qian—she traveled a thousand li alone to find him. For a young woman to take such a long road unescorted—what courage that takes! If you were Brother Tong, would you not cherish her all the more while we are gone?"
Liu Yun started, thought for a moment, then nodded slowly.
"You… you're not wrong. But still…"
Her words trailed off, as though something was caught in her throat.
Zhao Rou's eyes sparkled with playful light.
"Still what? Don't tell me you want to stay with Brother Tong instead? You should have said so earlier!"
At this, Liu Yun's cheeks flushed crimson.
"Sister Rou, don't speak nonsense!"
Zhao Rou laughed softly, eyes sly like a fox:
"I'm not speaking nonsense. Next time, I'll let you stay behind to keep Brother Tong company!"
Liu Yun burst out laughing despite herself, shaking her head:
"That might not be such a bad idea! But Sister Rou, would you really leave his side? Aren't you afraid I might steal him away?"
Zhao Rou's smile grew radiant, her voice calm and steady:
"You are still so childish. Brother Tong is my great hero. To be his wife already fills my heart. His kindness to me—I feel it deeply. As long as I know he holds me in his heart, I ask for nothing more."
Liu Yun sighed softly, her tone tinged with wistfulness:
"At first, I thought to follow your example, Sister Rou—like the two sisters Ehuang and Nuying of old, sharing one husband. But who would have thought Brother Tong already had another betrothed waiting?"
She looked off into the distance, her expression shaded with resignation. In these times, marriages were arranged by parents, and a woman's fate was seldom her own.
But Zhao Rou smiled gently, her tone warm and resolute:
"You think too much. To wed Brother Tong is already my fortune. To walk beside him is blessing enough. My duty is to be a good wife, not to claim him for myself alone."
Liu Yun could not help but laugh, feigning displeasure:
"But Sister Rou, it was you who first pushed me toward Brother Tong! What spell has he cast on you, that you are so steadfast, so willing to follow him to the ends of the earth?"
Zhao Rou paused, then her lips curved upward, eyes glowing with tender light.
"It is no spell. I simply love the chivalrous heart within him."
Her words were soft yet firm, her gaze brimming with boundless devotion—as though her destiny was already sealed: to follow Wu Tong all her days, with no regret.
Meanwhile, Wu Tong and Li Qian rode west together. Hooves drummed against the earth, echoing beneath the dying rays of sunset. A soft breeze stirred, lifting Li Qian's pale dress until she seemed a celestial maiden descended from the heavens. Side by side they traveled, the world shrinking until only the two of them remained.
Wu Tong glanced sideways, guilt shadowing his voice:
"Qian'er, I owe you an apology. When I left Guangzhou, I did not bid you farewell, and left you to worry."
Li Qian smiled softly, her eyes full of tender light, gazing at him with gentle reproach yet unyielding resolve:
"I only knew that I had to find you. If my betrothed was to wed another, what was I to do? How could I watch you leave me behind?"
She paused, sighing lightly:
"So I defied my family, fled home, and crossed a thousand li to find you. Though we had never met, your heroic deeds had long spread across the jianghu. Your name for righteousness was already etched into my heart. I knew my choice was right. I would seek my own happiness. And the man I chose to marry was none other than that great hero worthy of my life's trust."
Wu Tong's heart trembled with emotion. He leapt lightly behind her, encircling her slender waist in his arms, voice low and thick with guilt:
"Qian'er, all the hardship you bore—it was my fault. Had not your father granted me his teaching, given me the royal elixir, the 'Bee Pollen Pill,' how could I have risen on the jianghu and made a name for myself? A single drop of kindness must be repaid with a spring. All that I have achieved is by your father's grace."
Li Qian's heart swelled with warmth. She tilted her head back, eyes shining like starlight, her voice a tender whisper:
"Say no more. So long as your heart is true, that is enough for me."
She leaned gently against his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart. In that moment, the world vanished, leaving only their joined heartbeats, a melody sweeter than any song.
Unwittingly, the two who had begun on separate horses now rode as one, their figures pressed close, as if heaven itself had paired them. The sunset bathed them in golden light, cloaking their union in warmth.
By noon they stopped at an inn to rest. As they dined, they overheard men at a nearby table whispering:
"Have you heard? An Lushan will hold a Fengshan ceremony at Mount Hua on the twentieth of the tenth month!"
Another scoffed:
"The Fengshan rites are only for Mount Tai, never Mount Hua! Now he calls himself emperor of Yan, aping the First Emperor of Qin. It is all vanity and waste—a shameless tyrant's folly!"
A third leaned closer:
"Word is, the rebel armies plot to disrupt the ceremony in secret."
Wu Tong and Li Qian exchanged a glance. Finishing their meal, they set off toward Mount Hua.
At the mountain's foot they asked after the Beggar Sect. Soon, under a disciple's guidance, they came to a ruined temple in the hills. Inside, the elders of the Beggar Sect awaited.
Wu Tong and Li Qian dismounted and bowed:
"Junior Wu Tong and Li Qian pay respects to Elder Fei and the Four Elders."
The old sect master's face brightened with joy. Yet seeing no sign of Zhao Rou or Liu Yun, he frowned:
"Boy, did you mistreat Rou'er and Yun'er? Why are they not with you?"
Wu Tong recounted the affairs of Shaolin and Da Qin Temple. Hearing all, the Beggar Sect master nodded with approval.
"Boy, you handled it well. You are truly worthy of the Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness."
Just then a disciple rushed in:
"Report!"
Elder Fei barked:
"What is it?"
The disciple grinned:
"We raided the Yan army kitchens and brought back two roast sheep, two roast pigs, and several jars of wine."
Elder Fei's eyes lit up.
"Ha! So the Yan army feasts this well, eh?"
Laughter rippled through the hall. The old beggar clapped his hands and cried:
"Tonight we borrow flowers to offer Buddha—let us feast!"
At once the meat and wine were carried in, and the Beggar Sect roared with merriment, eating and drinking to their fill.
The next day, Wu Tong, Li Qian, and the elders gathered to discuss An Lushan's Mount Hua ceremony.
Li Qian asked:
"Elders, what is the Yan army's purpose at the foot of Mount Hua?"
Elder Song Ren replied:
"Our scouts say these troops are not fighters, but the vanguard to prepare the grounds for the Fengshan rites."
Elder Chen Yan added:
"It is said the commander is An Lushan's own son."
Elder Fei turned to Wu Tong:
"And what say you, boy?"
Wu Tong pondered, then answered:
"I would go myself, to spy within the Yan camp."
The old beggar chuckled inwardly. This lad is bold indeed. Surely he seeks more than scouting alone.
He said gravely:
"Without entering the tiger's den, how can one seize the cub? Deep infiltration is how the Hall of Loyalty gains its secrets. With your skill you can escape unscathed—but take care not to rouse suspicion."
Wu Tong bowed:
"I understand."
At once, Li Qian said firmly:
"Then I will go too!"