Journey to the West 81 Cases: Chronicles of the Western Kings (Sifang Pavilion) - Chapter 15

On the top of the walls of Gaochang City, Qu Wentai and Zhang Xiong also heard the wailing sound of the horn. Their hearts sank, knowing that the coalition forces of the three kingdoms were about to launch an attack.

Zhang Xiong carefully observed the enemy’s formation, remaining silent for a long time.

Qu Wentai hurriedly asked, “Taihuan, how do you think they will attack?”

“It’s hard to say.” Zhang Xiong shook his head. “The cavalry’s mobility is too strong, making it difficult to predict the direction of the attack. But one thing is certain: for the cavalry to attack the city, they must dismount. They came in haste and did not bring siege equipment. Now, it’s too late to make ladders. The only option is to find some logs to break through the city gate. Outside our city, there are no civilian houses, but there are some tall poplar trees. Your Majesty, as long as we see where they are cutting down the poplars, we can roughly determine the direction of their attack.”

Qu Wentai was about to respond when he suddenly froze. He saw a thick black smoke rising from the military formation outside the city. He was no stranger to this smoke, having seen it at least three times before, but never as thick as this time!

“The King David’s Jar!” The two exclaimed in shock.

“Ah-ha, the King David’s Jar!” No sooner had they spoken than someone ran up the tower steps, eyes gleaming and face ecstatic.

It was Mohe Duo!

It was indeed the King David’s Jar.

First, the three who were pulling at each other were stunned. Qu Zhisheng, jolted by the black smoke, regained some clarity and, in his shock, loosened his grip, causing the King David’s Jar to fall to the ground with a thud.

Then, Long Shuangyuezhi, Nishu, Long Tuqizhi, and others, even the coalition forces of the three kingdoms behind them, were stunned. Everyone momentarily forgot to charge, dropping their bows and arrows and staring dumbfounded at the legendary Jar of gods and demons.

“Shuangyuezhi…” Nishu murmured, “Is that you?”

His words made no sense, but Long Shuangyuezhi clearly understood and shook his head in a daze. “No. Look at this smoke.”

Everyone stared at the rising smoke. It was extremely eerie, its color different from what Long Shuangyuezhi had produced. The black smoke was tinged with a hint of blood-red, the two colors intertwining yet distinctly separate. Strangely, the smoke seemed to have a life of its own, not rising as a whole mass as before, but starting as a thin wisp from the Jar’s mouth, gradually thickening as it ascended to a height of about ten feet, remaining dense and undispersed. The black smoke enveloped the outside, while the blood-red substance inside rolled and twisted, as if lightning was forming in the chaos, with something assembling and transforming within.

Xuanzang, deeply shocked, hurriedly ran over and pulled Ashu closer. Nearby, Zhu Gui also fearfully pulled Qu Zhisheng away.

Xuanzang whispered, “Ashu, what just happened?”

“I don’t know!” Ashu said, puzzled. “I was helping Chief Steward Zhu grab the Jar from his chest when it suddenly became scorching hot, and then… it started smoking…”

For the first time, Xuanzang felt a bit uneasy, a deep worry showing in his eyes, as he muttered, “Could it be that I was wrong?”

But Qu Zhisheng, looking at the smoke, burst into mad laughter and shouted, “Akamana, come out! Come out quickly!” As he laughed, he pointed at the cavalry before him, “Kill all these people for me! Kill them! Kill them!”

The soldiers of the three-nation coalition retreated in horror, their ranks thrown into chaos with cries of men and horses. It took a while for order to be restored. The black smoke continued to billow, but no demons appeared to speak. Long Shuangyuezhi breathed a sigh of relief and turned to the cavalry with a smile, “There are no ghosts or gods in this world. Perhaps my Moxiyan stone isn’t completely used up yet!”

Before she finished speaking, a sharp whistle suddenly echoed through the air, like a swift wind sweeping across the ground. Immediately, the leading knight let out a cry and fell off his horse, dying almost instantly.

Long Shuangyuezhi was stunned, “No! This can’t be!”

Nishu, also pale-faced, jumped off his horse and quickly ran to the fallen knight’s body to examine it closely. Xuanzang also came over to inspect the body. The two removed the armor and thoroughly checked the corpse but found no wounds.

“Master…Master…” Nishu trembled all over, “What is this? He hasn’t eaten Renna grass!”

Xuanzang’s face was grim. He lifted the corpse’s eyelid and his arm trembled. There, in the pupil, was a tiny blood spot the size of a millet grain!

Xuanzang gasped, “Amitabha Buddha, I’ve seen this kind of death before! When I was trapped in the canals by the fleeing Sui rebels, those chasing me later died in this exact manner!”

Before he could finish speaking, another sharp whistle echoed, and another cavalryman fell dead from his horse. The cavalrymen were terrified. Then came a series of shrill whistles, and the cavalrymen fell like cut wheat. The three-nation coalition fell into disarray, with men shouting and horses neighing in fear.

No one saw where the deadly weapon came from or how the men were dying. Even the bravest and most fearless knights could not help but be terrified when faced with an invisible enemy they could not fight.

“Hold the formation! Hold the formation!” Long Shuangyuezhi was also flustered. She carefully observed each person, seeking the truth, but found nothing. This princess, known for her wisdom, felt an overwhelming sense of powerlessness, truly experiencing the dilemma that Qu Wentai had once faced.

On the walls of Gaochang City, Qu Wentai, Zhang Xiong, and Mohe Duo were also dumbfounded. They didn’t know what was happening, only seeing the coalition cavalry repeatedly falling and the ensuing chaos in their ranks.

Zhang Xiong suddenly said, “Your Majesty, this is our chance to turn defeat into victory!”

“You mean—” Qu Wentai suddenly realized.

“Though I don’t know what’s happening outside the city, the coalition’s morale is already unstable. I have gathered a thousand elite iron cavalry. If we charge out now, we can surely break their ranks!” Zhang Xiong declared boldly.

“Good!” Mohe Duo also eagerly added, “Zhang Xiong, if you dare to attack, my thousand auxiliary troops will assist you! But after we defeat the coalition, the King David’s Jar must be given to me!”

Zhang Xiong and Qu Wentai looked at each other. Qu Wentai, being a shrewd leader of the Western Regions, knew the power of those thousand auxiliary troops. After a brief thought, he realized the importance of the nation’s survival and decided not to care about the King David’s Jar. “Alright! Da She, order the troops to attack immediately!”

Zhang Xiong and Mohe Duo hurried down the city tower to gather their cavalry. Zhang Xiong had long been prepared, and Mohe Duo had already assembled his auxiliary troops, intending to protect himself if the city fell. Now, the two forces combined. Zhang Xiong ordered the gates to be opened, and with a furious roar, two thousand iron cavalry charged out like a raging torrent.

The gate was just over a mile from the coalition forces, the perfect charging distance for the cavalry. At this distance, both the riders and their horses reached their peak power, acting like two sharp daggers piercing straight into the coalition forces!

Long Shuangyuezhi and Nishu knew trouble was coming and desperately tried to regroup their forces. However, the coalition cavalry kept falling one after another, retreating in fear until they were seventy to eighty yards away from the King David’s Jar, finally leaving the deadly vortex. Yet, this retreat planted a fatal seed. On the battlefield, any retreat, regardless of the reason, triggers a chain reaction. The death of comrades, the unknown terror, the chaos in formation, and the collapse in morale turned the once fierce coalition cavalry into a flock of lambs awaiting slaughter.

Zhang Xiong and Mohe Duo charged out suddenly. The short distance between them and the coalition troops left no time for the latter to react. The two iron streams crashed into the formation. In cavalry battles, victory relies on mobility and speed. If one side stays put while the other charges at high speed, the formation will immediately collapse. Zhang Xiong and Mohe Duo , veterans of countless battles, understood this well. After breaking into the enemy formation, they maintained their momentum, slaughtering coalition soldiers with their curved blades while leading their cavalry to and fro, shredding the dense formation to pieces.

The battlefield turned into a hell on earth. Screams, shouts, the clash of blades, the sound of steel slicing through flesh, the pounding of iron hooves, the falling of bodies and horses, the whistling of arrows—all these noises shook the earth. The once yellow sand was quickly soaked with blood, turning into a muddy blood-soaked ground!

“No!” Long Shuangyuezhi, though unharmed and protected by a group of cavalry, felt her heart wrench at the sight before her. She couldn’t believe it. Her meticulous plans had pushed Gaochang to the brink of destruction. Just a wave of her hand could have wiped Gaochang off the map. Why had everything suddenly turned upside down? The demon from the King David’s Jar, a mere illusion she had crafted, how had it suddenly gained real power?

Long Shuangyuezhi watched in a daze as her soldiers were slaughtered like sheep. Anger surged within her, and she spat out a mouthful of blood, falling from her horse.

“Princess!” The cavalry around her were terrified. They jumped off their horses and lifted her up. Long Shuangyuezhi gritted her teeth but remained unconscious.

At this moment, Nishu, hair disheveled, fought his way out. Seeing Long Shuangyuezhi unconscious, he rushed to her side, “Give the princess to me! Follow me and charge out!”

The cavalry quickly handed her over to him. Nishu placed her on his horse and, protected by a group of riders, desperately fought his way out.

Outside the battlefield, Xuanzang watched the carnage in horror, his face pale. He held Ashu tightly, silently reciting Buddhist prayers, feeling an indescribable sorrow. Beside him, Zhu Gui guarded Qu Zhisheng, both stunned by the brutal slaughter before them. The King David’s Jar lay nearby, the smoke slowly dissipating, but neither paid it any mind.

“Quick, run!” Suddenly, a shout rang out from the battlefield. Xuanzang looked up to see Nishu, covered in blood and wielding a curved blade, breaking through the chaos, protecting the unconscious Long Shuangyuezhi.

“Nishu!” Qu Zhisheng roared in anger, “Put down Shuangyuezhi!”

He looked around, found an untended horse, mounted it, and called to Zhu Gui, “Banyan, give me the King David’s Jar!”

“Alright, alright,” Zhu Gui agreed, struggling to lift the King David’s Jar.

Qu Zhisheng secured the Jar to his horse with the reins, then spurred his horse and chased after Nishu.

“Master, I’m going too!” Ashu quickly ran to the side, grabbed a horse, and jumped on it, chasing after them.

“Ashu!” Xuanzang was extremely anxious. At this moment, Zhu Gui also found a horse and planned to chase after Qu Zhisheng. Without hesitation, Xuanzang took it from him, mounted it, and rode off after Ashu.

“Hey, Master, why did you take my horse!” Zhu Gui shouted, jumping up and down, but Xuanzang was already far away.

Desperate, Zhu Gui searched frantically and finally found another horse. Just as he mounted it, an arrow whistled through the air, hitting the horse’s neck. The horse neighed loudly and collapsed, throwing Zhu Gui to the ground. Before he could get up, he heard Mohe Duo shouting, “Qu Zhisheng, stop! Your father promised me that the Jar is mine!”

He led a dozen auxiliary soldiers out of the formation, chasing after Qu Zhisheng.

Zhu Gui stared blankly at the battlefield. By now, the coalition forces had been completely defeated. Of the five thousand cavalry, nearly three thousand were dead. The battlefield was littered with the corpses of men and horses, a gruesome sight. The remaining soldiers fled in panic under Long Tuqizhi’s command, with Zhang Xiong relentlessly pursuing them, driving them into a hopeless situation with less than a thousand men.

Those who chased and those who fled, the battlefield that had been like hell on earth moments ago was now eerily silent. It was noon, and the sun shone down on the blood-soaked ground. Some had just died, their blood still flowing, and the cold air was filled with steaming heat. Overhead, vultures circled, ready to feast on the bodies, patiently waiting for the final moments of the wounded and struggling.

Zhu Gui watched silently, then sighed deeply, “When this game ends, who will truly be the prey in the pit?”

At this moment, the gates of the royal city opened, and the sound of hooves shook the ground. Qu Wentai, seeing the victory, led his army out of the city. Zhu Gui straightened his robes, a faint smile on his face, and walked towards Qu Wentai.

Xuanzang galloped, soon catching up with Ashu. The two of them followed Qu Zhisheng’s path, heading towards the Flaming Mountains.

Outside Gaochang City were sprawling vineyards, and further north was the desolate sand dunes leading to the Flaming Mountains. After traveling a dozen miles, they reached the foot of the mountains. Following the river valley into the newly formed valley, they began to ride along the narrow mountain path on the western bank, heading deeper into the valley. The Flaming Mountains on both sides glowed fiery red under the dim sunlight, like two blazing furnaces, making one feel as if they might turn to ash at any moment.

The mountain path was winding, and they couldn’t see Qu Zhisheng ahead, nor Nishu and Long Shuangyuezhi. However, the echoing hoofbeats in the valley reassured them that they wouldn’t lose the trail.

“Ashu,” Xuanzang looked at Ashu’s tense and focused expression and couldn’t help but sigh, “Is the King David’s Jar so important to you? Is it worth risking your life for?”

Ashu hesitated, “Master, you know?” Xuanzang nodded silently. Ashu showed a look of shame, “I’m sorry, Master, I lied to you.”

“It doesn’t matter,” Xuanzang waved his hand with a smile, “This humble monk is like the wooden fish in a monk’s hand. As long as it fulfills your wish, feel free to strike it.”

“Master, I…” Ashu’s eyes reddened, “Master, no one in this world has ever treated me as well as you have.”

Xuanzang sighed deeply, “You are still a child. When you grow up, you’ll understand that the ones who care for you the most are your family. They are the ones who truly care for you in this world.”

“Family…” Ashu muttered, tears streaming down his face. He wiped his tears away, seeming to make up his mind. Looking up at Xuanzang, he said, “Master, I lied to you. I am not from Samarkand; I am Persian!”

“I know,” Xuanzang replied with a smile.

Ashu was stunned, “You knew that too?”

Xuanzang nodded, “When I buried your uncle Yazdin, I found documents from Parthia and Mariv, countries west of Samarkand, near Persia. So you must have come from Persia, passing through Parthia and Mariv, and then through Samarkand to reach the Western Regions.”

Ashu was genuinely shocked, “Then why did you…”

“Why didn’t I expose you?” Xuanzang smiled, “You were just a child, alone in a foreign land, trying to hide your identity. How could I reveal your secret? Ashu, do you really have a father?”

Ashu showed deep longing, “Yes.”

“Then my promise still stands,” Xuanzang said, “I will take you back to your homeland, to your father’s side.”

Ashu was filled with bitterness, “But Master, I can’t go back.”

Xuanzang was astonished, “Why?”

Ashu hesitated for a moment before saying, “Master, let me be honest with you. My uncle Yazdin was actually a secret envoy of the Persian emperor. He traveled all the way to the Western Regions with a secret mission from the emperor, which was to escort the King David’s Jar to the Tang Dynasty!”

Xuanzang was taken aback, “The King David’s Jar is to be sent to the Tang Dynasty by the Persian emperor?”

“Yes,” Ashu replied, “I don’t know the exact reason. I’m still young, and there are things my uncle wouldn’t tell me. When we left, my uncle swore to the emperor that even if he couldn’t be buried in the Tower of Silence, he would complete the mission. My family is a prominent one in Persia, and my father wanted me to experience the prosperity of the Silk Road so that I could take over the family business. That’s why he had my uncle bring me eastward. But then my uncle…” His voice choked, and he wiped away his tears, “Master, the King David’s Jar was lost while in my uncle’s care. I must help him find it and deliver it to the Tang Dynasty!”

Xuanzang furrowed his brows, deep in thought. After a while, he asked, “Was it you who sneaked into the post house in Yiwu and tried to assassinate Qu Zhisheng? And killed his three guards?”

“It was me,” Ashu admitted frankly, “But I didn’t want to kill anyone. I just wanted to take the King David’s Jar. I hit them on the back of their heads with a brick.”

Xuanzang couldn’t help but laugh. This child was truly bold, daring to sneak into the post house and render the seasoned palace guards helpless.

Seeing Xuanzang’s silence, Ashu thought he was angry and felt anxious. He turned his head to look at Xuanzang, “Master, please help me.”

“Ashu,” Xuanzang thought for a moment, then said, “Buddhism teaches about the arising and ceasing of causes and conditions. Because this ceases, that ceases. Because this arises, that arises. Since the King David’s Jar has come to Gaochang, it naturally has its cause and will have its effect. These matters are beyond your control. You are still young, and you shouldn’t take on responsibilities you cannot bear. Just as when the royal city of Gaochang was on the brink of destruction, many brave warriors with swords in hand and horses under them still watched the flames from the city walls, weeping in sorrow, unable to prevent the fall. Ashu, I don’t want you to sacrifice yourself in vain for this evil object.”

“Master,” Ashu said softly, “I understand what you mean, but this is my mission. Without the King David’s Jar, my life has no meaning. Master, I want to fulfill my mission and then stand under the Persian sun.”

Xuanzang said nothing more, silently feeling a deep sense of emotion.

By this time, the two had already ventured deep into the Tianshan Mountains. The path was covered in a blanket of snow, making it very slippery. They slowed down and proceeded with caution. As they were moving forward, Xuanzang suddenly stopped his horse.

The road had come to an end. Ahead was a low ridge, where Nishu stood holding Long Shuangyuezhi’s hand. Their horses were left at the foot of the hill. Perhaps because there was no path ahead, the two of them were looking out, somewhat perplexed. At the foot of the hill, Qu Zhisheng was climbing up with the King David’s Jar in his arms, already close to the two.

Ashu was overjoyed and jumped off his horse. “Master, let’s go!”

Xuanzang quickly stopped him. “Wait, Ashu, don’t you find this ridge peculiar?”

Ashu looked around, puzzled. Xuanzang pointed to the surroundings, “Look, we are deep in the Tianshan Mountains, with winter snow covering every peak. Why is there no snow on this ridge?”

Ashu then noticed that indeed, the ridge was bare, with exposed rocks and vegetation, no large trees, and only low wild grass. Strangely, much of the grass was green and thriving, as if the harsh winter cold couldn’t touch this place.

As they hesitated, they heard the urgent and muffled sound of hooves from the valley behind them. Turning around, they saw a group of a dozen riders galloping down the mountain path. Though their faces were indistinguishable, their attire revealed them to be Mohe Duo’s men.

“Let’s go up first,” Xuanzang decided quickly, pulling Ashu up the ridge.

The higher they climbed, the stranger it felt. The temperature rose, and they soon felt overheated, as if a giant furnace beneath the ridge was roasting the mountain.

By this time, Qu Zhisheng had reached the ridge. He placed the King David’s Jar on the ground, wiped the sweat from his face, and looked at Long Shuangyuezhi with a gentle expression, “Shuangyuezhi, don’t be afraid, I’m here to save you.”

“Bah!” Nishu angrily drew his curved blade and pointed it at him, “Qu Zhisheng, don’t think I fear you!”

Qu Zhisheng kicked the King David’s Jar at his feet and sneered, “Nishu, the Jar has proven to be a true demonic artifact, and Shuangyuezhi did not deceive me. Why are you still entangling with her?”

Nishu, both anxious and furious, glanced at the King David’s Jar with fear in his eyes, “You… Are you mad? Shuangyuezhi was only deceiving you; she never loved you!”

“Bullshit!” Qu Zhisheng roared, drawing his curved blade and placing it against his own arm, “Whether she loves me or not, let’s let the King David’s Jar decide!”

As he spoke, he was about to cut himself. At that moment, Xuanzang and Ashu climbed up the ridge and quickly shouted, “Third Prince, don’t be rash!”

Xuanzang ran towards Qu Zhisheng while shouting. As he got closer, he was shocked to see that behind Nishu and Long Shuangyuezhi, flames were raging, making it seem like the entire mountain was on fire. The intense heat felt like standing inside a furnace!

Looking closely, Xuanzang realized that behind the ridge was a massive sinkhole filled with fiery red coal. The coal was exposed and piled up like a mountain. Who knows how many years it had been burning, but it had turned the entire ridge red, burning day and night. Xuanzang suddenly understood, recalling the previous day when the princess had pleaded with him to have her and Qu Deyong’s bodies buried together in the flaming furnace in the Tianshan Valley. This was the place!

Xuanzang stopped behind Qu Zhisheng, the heat wave making it impossible to move any closer. Nishu and Long Shuangyuezhi, ahead, had truly reached a dead end.

Seeing Xuanzang approaching, Qu Zhisheng immediately pointed his curved blade at him, coldly saying, “Master, isn’t it enough that you’ve brought me to this point?”

Xuanzang replied sincerely, “Third Prince, I am a follower of Buddhism and would never wish harm upon anyone. I came here to prevent you from making a grave mistake.”

“What grave mistake could I make?” Qu Zhisheng sneered.

Xuanzang pointed to Long Shuangyuezhi, “If you push any further, are you willing to see her jump into the fiery furnace?”

Qu Zhisheng seemed to notice for the first time that there was a burning coal field behind Long Shuangyuezhi. He was startled and quickly dropped his blade, his face filled with anxiety, “Shuangyuezhi, why… why did you come to such a dangerous place? Come back! Please, come back!”

Nishu was furious, thinking, wasn’t it you who forced her here? Now you’re pretending to be concerned, what kind of trick are you playing?

Long Shuangyuezhi, knowing Qu Zhisheng well, couldn’t help but give a bitter smile. “Third Prince, deep down you know whether I deceived you or not, don’t you?”

Seeing her hair singed by the burning coal, Qu Zhisheng was extremely anxious and pleaded, “Shuangyuezhi, it doesn’t matter if you deceived me. Just come over here first, okay? It’s too dangerous there… too dangerous!”

“Dangerous?” Long Shuangyuezhi glanced at the burning coal beneath her feet and gave a desolate smile. “Third Prince, ever since I leaped off the ochre slope on horseback outside Jiaohe City, I’ve bet my life on this game. I followed you to the Gaochang Palace, plotting to overthrow Gaochang, surrounded by enemies. One mistake, and I’d die without a grave. It’s a miracle I’ve lived this long.”

Qu Zhisheng looked at her in pain, saying, “Shuangyuezhi, everyone thinks I’m crazy or stupid. But I haven’t gone mad, nor am I a fool. The master and others have always wanted me to believe you were deceiving me, that you came to me to destroy Gaochang. I didn’t want to believe it. Why? It’s not because I’m confused about right and wrong, but because I want to hold on to the most beautiful memories with you. Truly, Shuangyuezhi, the month you spent with me was the happiest time of my life. It’s my most cherished memory. Since you are going to leave me eventually, why can’t I keep this memory to accompany me? Why must I face the truth?”

“But,” Long Shuangyuezhi was taken aback, “my feelings for you were all fake!”

“Fake?” Qu Zhisheng smiled gently, “Master, tell me, what is true? What is false? In Buddhism, this world is all illusion, but to me, even the ants underfoot live in reality. Shuangyuezhi, even if you deceived me, weren’t you wholeheartedly acting? Didn’t you immerse yourself in the role of someone who loved me?”

Long Shuangyuezhi listened, her expression dazed as she slowly recalled the moments she had shared with Qu Zhisheng in Gaochang’s royal city.

“Shuangyuezhi, if you truly put your heart into being with me, that’s love! In this lifetime, have you ever been so devoted to anyone else?” Qu Zhisheng smiled happily, reaching his hand out to her. “Come, Shuangyuezhi, if you want to leave, then go! I’ll just assume you have left me, but I will always believe we were in love.”

Long Shuangyuezhi seemed a bit lost, “Was that love?”

“Yes,” Qu Zhisheng nodded affirmatively.

“No!” Nishu shouted, “Shuangyuezhi, where is your wisdom? Where is your intelligence? He’s deceiving you!”

Qu Zhisheng glared angrily at him, “Nishu, let me ask you, do you love her?”

“Yes!” Nishu shouted without hesitation.

“So do I,” Qu Zhisheng nodded. “Then, who loves her more, you or me?”

“I do! Of course, it’s me!” Nishu shouted, “Three years ago, I fell in love with her at first sight. The King of Yanqi agreed to my proposal and promised her to me. Because I loved her and cared for her, I decided to wait three years to marry her. Would you endure waiting three years for the one you love?”

“Very well,” Qu Zhisheng said with unwavering determination as he walked up to Nishu, the two men glaring at each other.

“Nishu,” Qu Zhisheng said with a touch of sadness, “I am destined to lose Shuangyuezhi in this life. But I believe my love for her is deeper than yours. Today, let’s make a wager!”

“Ah-ha, they are here!” Mohe Duo’s voice came from the hillside. Xuanzang and Ashu turned to see Mohe Duo leading a dozen auxiliary soldiers up the slope, half-surrounding them with bows drawn and arrows aimed.

Qu Zhisheng glanced at Mohe Duo but ignored him, staring coldly at Nishu, “Our wager will be to see who loves Shuangyuezhi the most!”

“How do we wager?” Nishu asked.

“Have Shuangyuezhi stand aside,” Qu Zhisheng said calmly.

Nishu was puzzled. Qu Zhisheng threw his curved blade aside and sneered, “Afraid I’ll harm you? This is between two men; no need to involve a woman.”

A Turkic warrior couldn’t tolerate such humiliation. Nishu’s face turned ashen, and he gently pushed Long Shuangyuezhi to the side. Long Shuangyuezhi whispered, “Nishu, don’t gamble with him.”

Nishu also threw his blade aside and proudly declared, “I, a descendant of Ashina and progeny of the Wolf Ancestor, would never fear a mere wager. Qu Zhisheng, how do you want to bet?”

“The King David’s Jar is right here,” Qu Zhisheng pointed to the Jar beside him. “I, Qu Zhisheng, will make my final wish to Akamana today: We will jump into the fiery furnace together. Whoever loves Shuangyuezhi more, let the King David’s Jar allow him to survive!”

Xuanzang and everyone else were stunned. Even Mohe Duo, halfway up the mountain, was taken aback. This prince of Gaochang was truly mad. The burning coal field below could melt steel, let alone a living person. Even if the King David’s Jar were thrown in, Akamana would be finished.

“You… you’re out of your mind!” Nishu wiped the sweat from his face, glancing at the fiery furnace behind him, momentarily speechless.

“Haha, am I crazy?” Qu Zhisheng laughed loudly, then turned back to Long Shuangyuezhi with a sorrowful smile. “Shuangyuezhi, I’ve gone mad for you.”

With a roar, he lunged forward, grabbing Nishu by the waist. They both tumbled down the cliff, unable to avoid each other, rolling into the fiery furnace.

“Ah—” Xuanzang and Long Shuangyuezhi screamed simultaneously, rushing to grab them but too late. They were already rolling down the slope. Xuanzang and Long Shuangyuezhi reached the cliff edge, nearly falling over. Fortunately, Ashu ran over, grabbing Xuanzang, who in turn held onto Long Shuangyuezhi. Despite Ashu’s small stature and limited strength, the added leverage prevented them from falling.

Once Long Shuangyuezhi regained her footing, she quickly let go of Xuanzang and rushed to the cliff edge, looking down and temporarily sighing in relief. The cliff was not a sheer drop but an eighty-degree slope with many protruding rocks. Nishu clung tightly to one of the rocks, while Qu Zhisheng held onto his waist, his feet kicking at the rocks below but refusing to stand on them, trying to drag Nishu down.

Nishu’s face was red with strain, his hands sizzling on the scorching rock, but he dared not let go.

“Qu Zhisheng, let’s talk this over, come up quickly!” Long Shuangyuezhi, her face pale with worry, quickly untied her belt and lowered it. Xuanzang lay beside her, helping to hold the belt. Even lying on the cliff, the heat from the burning coal field made it hard to keep their eyes open, their scalps feeling as if they were being scorched.

Nishu, clinging to the rock, saw the belt but dared not let go to grab it. He held his breath, unable to speak. Qu Zhisheng, hanging in the air, heard Long Shuangyuezhi’s voice and murmured, “Shuangyuezhi, do you know what the happiest thing in the world is?”

“I don’t know. Come up and tell me, alright?” Long Shuangyuezhi was extremely anxious but could do nothing.

“It is to live for you and die for you,” Qu Zhisheng choked. “Shuangyuezhi, I truly love you, but I am not destined to be with you in this life. This Nishu, I know you don’t love him. Your father only married you to him for his power. So I will drag him to die with me. Live freely in this world.”

“That’s… that’s nonsense.” Nishu finally managed to say, nearly losing his grip and hastily holding on tighter.

Tears streamed from Long Shuangyuezhi’s eyes. “Zhisheng, is this how you love me? By dragging Nishu to die with you, you may find peace, but his death will bring the wrath of the Turkic khanate upon me. How can I bear that?”

Qu Zhisheng had not considered this, hesitating momentarily. “Master, please tell the Khagan that Nishu died by my hand. Ask him not to trouble Shuangyuezhi.”

“Third Prince,” Xuanzang said, “Nishu is the leader of the ten Turkic tribes. Even if the Khagan forgives, do you expect me to persuade each of the ten tribes individually? Come up now. The Princess has seen your heart. I believe you can find a happy resolution.”

“She doesn’t love me.” Qu Zhisheng broke down in tears. “Even if I wait until all the snow on Tianshan melts and all the water in Jiaohe dries up, I can never make her love me.”

At this moment, Nishu was unable to hold on any longer. His hands slowly slid downward, and he didn’t dare to speak. He only looked up at Long Shuangyuezhi with a pleading expression. Long Shuangyuezhi said sorrowfully, “Qu Zhisheng, do you really want to force me to death? Fine, if you want to die, I’ll die with you!”

As she spoke, she loosened her belt, stood up abruptly, and leapt down. Xuanzang was horrified, rushed over to grab her, and dragged her to the edge of the cliff. “Princess, you mustn’t! Ashu, hold the belt tightly!”

Ashu hurriedly lay on the ground and grabbed the belt.

Long Shuangyuezhi’s legs dangled below while her arms were held by Xuanzang. Qu Zhisheng shouted from below, “Master, what’s wrong with Shuangyuezhi?”

“She’s trying to jump down!” Xuanzang shouted back, “I’m barely holding on to her.”

Qu Zhisheng was terrified, his voice trembling, “Master, please hold on tight. Don’t let her fall. Shuangyuezhi, please don’t scare me, okay?”

Long Shuangyuezhi’s expression was desolate, “Zhisheng, Nishu, I don’t know who I love, but I know that the ones who love me the most in this world are you two. If you die, why should I live? My fate is already sealed, so let my life end here too. Isn’t it better if the three of us die together?”

“No!” Qu Zhisheng cried bitterly, “Shuangyuezhi, please come up, okay?”

“If you die, I must die too,” Long Shuangyuezhi replied.

“I…” Qu Zhisheng glanced down at the fiery furnace below, his face filled with reluctance, as if it were paradise. “Master, I beg you, hold on tight. Shuangyuezhi, I won’t die, and neither should you. Please, I beg you. If you truly love Nishu, I will let you both go! As long as you’re happy for a lifetime, I’ll do anything.”

“Okay!” Long Shuangyuezhi said, “You let Nishu go, and you both come up.”

Qu Zhisheng sighed deeply, “I will let Nishu go, but I won’t come up. Shuangyuezhi, this is my final resting place. I wish you and Nishu a lifetime of happiness! When your child grows up, bring him here to see me, and I’ll be content. Shuangyuezhi, farewell.”

[1] Stone coal, also known as coal, was used relatively early in the Western Regions. According to the “Records of the Western Regions” written by Master Dao’an of the Eastern Jin Dynasty: “Two hundred li north of Quci (Kuqa) there is a mountain. At night, it emits firelight; during the day, only smoke. They extract stone coal from this mountain, smelt the iron from this mountain, and it is constantly supplied to the thirty-six kingdoms.”