Wu Tong and Liu Yun parted ways with Li Zhuer, the "Thunderbolt Blade" He Ping, and the three escorts. Driving carriage and horse in turn, the pair made their way to the Water-Moon Nunnery. Along the road they inquired of its location, and by dusk they arrived. From within came the faint sound of chanting sutras; the place exuded the serene purity of blue lamps and ancient Buddhas, with the soft tapping of wooden fish echoing through the quiet halls. The air was tranquil, the architecture solemn and sacred.
This was where the nuns lived and prayed. Two little girls were playing in the front court. When they suddenly saw Wu Tong and Liu Yun arrive by carriage and horse, they stared wide-eyed, then called out brightly:"Uncle!""Auntie!"
Hearing this, several nuns came out from their chanting to see. Wu Tong and Liu Yun quickly dismounted. Liu Yun was first to step down, Wu Tong hastening after her. They bowed low."Junior Wu Tong and Liu Yun pay respects to the venerable masters."
The nuns, seeing their courtesy, smiled warmly. Then out stepped the famed Abbess of Tianshan herself. At the sight of them, she started in surprise."Hall Master Wu—what brings you to our humble nunnery?"
Wu Tong answered, "It is a long story. Might we speak inside?"
The abbess led them along a mossed stone path into the cloister. The place was tranquil and refined, and the two visitors felt their hearts broaden in its serenity. It had been months since the great battle with the Tibetans, when all the heroes had gone their separate ways.
Seated within, Wu Tong recounted everything—their departure from the Fire-Worship Hall, their journey to Luoyang to learn of military affairs, how he himself had witnessed An Qingxu murder his father to seize the throne. Shocked by such treason, he had hastened to Lingwu to report to the court, receiving rewards and further missions. He told of how they were sent to the Western Regions, where they had encountered Nine Heavens Palace assassins hunting Lan Yu the "Heavenly Dog Star" and Fang Cen the "Nine-Tailed Fox," and how they had saved the orphaned daughter, Lan Jingtong. Deprived of her parents, the girl swore to learn martial arts. Wu Tong, seeing her determination, urged her aunt Lan Xin to send her here, to the Water-Moon Nunnery, to study.
He went on to speak of the supposed official they had rescued on the road—only to discover it was Li Zhuer, the very man An Qingxu sought to kill. They had escorted him home, and he in gratitude bestowed upon them a cart of silver and jewels. They had brought it here, offering it as a donation for the building of the nunnery—and to see the little girls again.
The abbess listened gravely, then said:"The ancients say: A scholar must be steadfast, for the burden is heavy and the road long. To take benevolence as one's duty—is that not heavy? To devote one's life unto death—is that not long? The Tang lies in peril. Yet Master Wu does not shrink from duty, bearing the weight of the realm. Truly you are worthy of your title."
Wu Tong replied, "Confucius said: It is man who broadens the Way, not the Way that broadens man. I, a wanderer of the jianghu, was fortunate to be recommended to court by Senior Han Zhen, to receive the state's grace. I am bound to repay it. This life I dedicate to upholding the Tang. I shall die with no regrets."
As he spoke of the loyal hall masters of old, his voice rang with passion. The abbess, hearing, was struck with awe. This youth is no common man. Among the martial world, who can match such character and skill? Truly, Han Zhen was right to favor him.
She nodded. "A true man should stand between Heaven and Earth thus. Hall Master Wu, your deeds win my admiration. You have traveled far. Supper awaits you—let it welcome you and wash away the dust of the road."
Wu Tong and Liu Yun both bowed. "Our thanks, Reverend Abbess."
Dinner was vegetarian, yet rich in fresh winter fare. A steaming hotpot bubbled in the center, fragrant and warming.
Lan Jingtong picked up a piece of tofu, her eyes lighting up. "This tofu is so soft! Better than any I've ever had!"
The abbess smiled. "It is made here by our own hands, with a broth of special herbs. It has its own flavor."
Liu Yun tasted a spoonful of soup. "Sweet and fragrant indeed—so different from what one finds outside. I never imagined vegetarian dishes could be so delicious."
Wu Tong laughed heartily. "Men of the jianghu boast of meat and wine, yet tonight this humble vegetarian feast surpasses a thousand delicacies!"
Lan Jingtong blinked mischievously. "Then Uncle Wu—will you become a vegetarian now?"
Wu Tong roared with laughter. "If such delicacies were set before me daily—why not?"
Lan Xin chuckled softly. "Jingtong, eat—don't chatter so, or you'll choke."
All burst out laughing. Though the fare was simple, the warmth of heart and hearth outshone any banquet of riches.
The next morning, the abbess and the two girls stood before the Water-Moon Nunnery, waving farewell. Wu Tong and Liu Yun rode off, the snowy peaks of Tianshan surrounding them, glaciers glittering in silver light. Liu Yun, dazzled by the beauty, urged her horse ahead, calling, "Brother Tong, let's ride over there!"
But then—a massive beast blocked their path. The horses shrieked in terror and reared. Taken unawares, Liu Yun fell from her saddle, striking the snow and losing consciousness.
The creature was a snow ape. With a roar, it lunged forward, seized Liu Yun in its huge arms, and bounded away toward the mountaintop. Its speed was breathtaking. Wu Tong, shocked beyond words, sprang after it in desperate pursuit. But the ape moved with uncanny agility, leaping through icy gullies as though flying.
Wu Tong's heart blazed with fear. He followed as best he could, leaping ravines, eyes locked upon the white figure. Yet in the blink of an eye, the snow ape vanished without a trace.
Wu Tong's chest heaved, his voice bitter: "Wu Tong, Wu Tong! If today you cannot even save your own wife, how will you ever achieve great deeds?"
Snow whipped down in blinding gusts. His thoughts churned in chaos. He recalled the moment he had first met Liu Yun at the inn—her youth and beauty that had captured his heart—and never dreamed he would one day wed her. How fortunate he had been!
He forced himself to calm. Only in clarity lies hope. Only if I keep my wits can I find her, can I tell her how deeply I love her. In that instant, resolve steadied him.
Though the storm raged fiercer, he pressed against the cliffside, braving the wind and snow, step by step searching the icy walls for any trace the snow ape might have left…