Inside one of the guest rooms of the Sunset Sect, Xue Horan sat quietly at the table, his gaze fixed on the burning candles. He was waiting patiently for Yongzheng, who had left earlier that day for a discussion with Dong Shun and Rao Zhengsheng.
It was late when Yongzheng finally returned. He closed the door behind him and sat down opposite Xue Horan. He reached into his inner robe and handed a letter across the table.
Xue Horan looked up. "What is this?"
Yongzheng replied, his voice flat, "It's from Rao Zhengsheng."
Xue Horan opened the letter. It contained a single, simple sentence: an instruction to meet his Eldest Senior Brother in his room at one in the morning. He looked at Yongzheng, confused. "It says to meet da shixiong in his room at one in the morning."
Yongzheng looked back, his expression deliberately neutral. "You can go meet him."
Xue Horan knew Yongzheng's habits well: he was the type of person who would never voice his possessiveness publicly, but the quieter he became, the stronger his internal jealousy. Xue Horan stood up and moved past Yongzheng, noting the subtle tightening of Yongzheng's brows—a clear sign of his unspoken displeasure. He smiled and walked behind him, wrapping his arms around Yongzheng and resting his head on his left shoulder.
Xue Horan murmured softly, "If you don't want me to go, you can express it freely."
Yongzheng, avoiding the core of the matter, deflected the concern. "He is your da shixiong; perhaps you have something important to discuss with him."
Xue Horan gently kissed his neck, cutting through the strained politeness with affection. "Yongzheng, let's go home. We are not built for the martial art world." He smiled. "Besides, I like our quiet Island, where we could enjoy the sunrise and the sunset freely. I prefer the sound of sea currents rushing to shore than the voices of martial artists who debate which sect or clans are good and evil."
Yongzheng reached out and grabbed Xue Horan's hands. He turned his head and stared at the side of Xue Horan's face. "So, you are not waiting to see the double wedding in fifteen days?"
Xue Horan smiled, shook his head, and said, "For me, no celebration is better than enjoying the stars together, and the food tastes better at that noodle stall by the pier."
Yongzheng chuckled lightly. Xue Horan stretched out his head and kissed Yongzheng on the cheek.
Yongzheng said, his resistance gone, "Alright, then let's go home."
After leaving Yan Zhanjin, Bazar Batu walked toward the room. He opened the door, and there stood Kuo Lok, naked in front of the bed. Seeing Kuo Lok's powerful, muscular body, Bazar Batu's jaw dropped, and the bowl of medicine he was carrying slipped from his grasp, shattering on the ground.
Kuo Lok smiled faintly. "Close the door."
Bazar Batu quickly turned and shut the door. Kuo Lok then reached out, wrapped his strong hand around Bazar Batu's waist, and kissed his forehead.
Bazar Batu managed to whisper, surprised, "Lok gege, you didn't ask."
Kuo Lok lifted Bazar Batu effortlessly into his arms. "Does a husband need permission to make love with his wife?" He lowered his head and claimed Bazar Batu's lips in a deep kiss. He carried Bazar Batu to the bed. Still kissing him, Kuo Lok pulled the rope, and the bed drapes fell, cloaking them in sudden, intimate privacy.
The mountain air of the late evening was cool and heavy, carrying the distant, melancholic call of an owl hooting and the ceaseless, rhythmic sound of crickets mating in the underbrush.
They walked slowly down the gloomy, narrow mountain road. The darkness was profound, broken only by the dim, steady glow of the moon filtering through the dense canopy above. Zhu Mingyang kept his eyes fixed on the path, his face a mask of tense worry and steadfast resolve.
His hand was clasped tightly around Gu Yingjie's own, a desperate anchor in the night. Gu Yingjie leaned slightly on his lover. Their shared focus was solely on the slow, deliberate rhythm of their footsteps, a small act of hope against the night's despair.
As they walked, small clusters of fireflies would occasionally flicker, their cold, living lights momentarily dancing in front of them, only to vanish into the deep shadows, offering a fragile, fleeting beauty to their difficult journey.
Gu Yingjie spoke softly. "Mingyang, if Zhanjin knows that we left without saying goodbye, he will be mad."
Zhu Mingyang smiled gently. "I don't like saying goodbye. What about Chief Gu?"
Gu Yingjie replied, "He wants me to meet him this evening. I declined."
Zhu Mingyang asked, surprised. "Why?"
Gu Yingjie explained, "I know what he wants to say to me. Since I don't agree to return to the Gu Household, there is no reason to see him."
Zhu Mingyang agreed. "Let's go home." He suddenly stopped and stared at the two figures standing a short distance ahead.
Yongzheng asked them, "How was it?"
Xue Horan immediately feigned injury. "Yongzheng, I feel that my sprained ankle is recurring, and it hurts as soon as I press it down."
Yongzheng stepped in front of Xue Horan with concern. "I will carry you back to the dock."
Gu Yingjie walked up to them. "What are you two doing here?"
Yongzheng looked at Gu Yingjie and Zhu Mingyang, a knowing smile touching his lips. "The same reason as you two."
Zhu Mingyang asked, amused. "Where are you two going?"
Yongzheng answered, "We are going home. How about you two?"
Zhu Mingyang smiled brightly. "We are also going home."
The four of them walked down the mountain road together and merged onto the main road. Zhu Mingyang stopped and pointed to his right. "We are heading this way."
Yongzheng pointed to his left, matching the smile. "We are heading that way. Take care."
Zhu Mingyang and Gu Yingjie chorused, "Safe journey back home."
The four heroes parted ways on the night of the full moon and went back to their own homes, leaving the turbulent martial world behind them.
Inside Ma Jingguo's section of the Sunset Sect, Yong Taihua stood at the open bedroom door. He knocked, walked into the room, and sat at the table opposite Mu Dishi.
He looked at his master with a warm smile. "Shizun, I'm getting married in fifteen days."
Mu Dishi replied curtly, "I know. Chief Tang told me."
Yan Zhanjin walked in, placed a bowl of medicine on the table, and pushed it toward Mu Dishi. "Here, take it. This will help with your blood circulation." He added, in a surprisingly generous tone, "Although you lied to us, since Ma Jingguo decided to help us, then I forgive you."
Mu Dishi reached into his sleeve, took out a small, old wooden box, and pushed it across the table to Yan Zhanjin. "For you."
Yan Zhanjin picked up the box, turning it over dismissively. "I would rather you give me gold than this old wooden box."
After drinking the medicine, Mu Dishi gently put the empty bowl down. His gaze shifted, locking onto the plain object in Yan Zhanjin's hand. "It may be an ordinary old wooden box, but the contents in it are not ordinary," he stated, his voice now serious. He stared down at the simple box. "This box is the reason many martial artists risked their lives to breach the Mu Treasure Cave."
Yan Zhanjin blinked, examining the object with renewed interest. "Huh? This?" He turned the box around, his curiosity piqued. "What's in the box?" He flipped the lid open—but the box was empty. He frowned deeply, his excitement dissolving into confusion. "Why give me an empty box?"
Mu Dishi explained, his voice low and secretive. "The treasure that everyone is looking for in Mu Treasure Cave is that box, but the treasure isn't inside the box—it's under the box."
Yan Zhanjin put the box back on the table. He was skeptical. "It's just an ordinary box. What treasure is hidden in there anyway?"
Mu Dishi answered calmly, revealing the ancient secrets. "The Mu acupuncture needles technique and the process of how to make the corpse preservation powder."
Yan Zhanjin's lips trembled with sudden, profound excitement. "What..." He quickly picked up the box and carefully examined the bottom.
After a closer look, Yan Zhanjin found a tiny hole at the bottom. He took out a silver needle, inserted it into the hole, and pressed it. The bottom of the box instantly fell off, revealing three neatly handwritten sheets of thin sheepskin hidden inside. He snatched the three thin brown sheets and hugged them to his chest in pure delight.
Yan Zhanjin smiled ecstatically. "Aw… Mu Dishi…"
Mu Dishi watched the display of joy, a small flicker of warmth in his eyes. "I have nothing else to give you, but there is a small box of money in the bamboo hut under the bed. When you get home, go take it as your wedding gift."
Yong Taihua smiled. "Thank you."
Mu Dishi looked at the two of them, his customary coldness returning. "Anything else?"
They shook their heads.
Mu Dishi dismissed them. "Then you two can leave."
The two chuckled lightly and were about to leave when they heard three distinct knocks outside the door. Mu Dishi raised his head and identified the visitor. "Cao gongzi."
Yong Taihua took the cue. "We will take our leave now." He grabbed Yan Zhanjin's arm, and the two quickly left the room.
Cao Wenyan stepped fully into the room after the others left. "Mu gongzi, are you going to stay here?"
Mu Dishi looked at him with cool finality. "No... I will leave early tomorrow morning."
Cao Wenyan asked, surprised, "With Ma Jingguo?"
Mu Dishi simply nodded.
Cao Wenyan offered his farewell. "I'm here to say goodbye. After the wedding, I will return to Beixing Sect."
Mu Dishi acknowledged the plan with a nod. "That's good." He then looked up at Cao Wenyan, his gaze sincere. "Cao gongzi, although our relationship might not be one that you wish it to be, for me, you are the only friend I have left, and I want you to know that I cherish our friendship very much."
Cao Wenyan's expression was one of quiet acceptance. He had finally faced the reality that Mu Dishi's only had eyes for Ma Jingguo. With Ma Jingguo now an undefeated martial artist accepted by many, Cao Wenyan knew his own hopes were utterly defeated.
"Mu gongzi, I too, cherish our friendship very much," Cao Wenyan said, offering a genuine, accepting smile. He reached into his robe and placed a Beixing Sect jade tally on the table. "As a friend, since you no longer have your internal energy, your old enemies will surely come for you. But with this with you, those who want to hurt you will have to think twice."
Mu Dishi picked up the jade tally, a rare, gently quick smile crossing his features. "Thank you."
When Ma Jingguo finally came back, it was already midnight. Ma Jingguo climbed slowly into bed, trying to be as quiet as possible.
Mu Dishi spoke suddenly in the dark. "You are back."
Ma Jingguo quickly wrapped his arms around Mu Dishi. "Did I wake you up?"
Mu Dishi replied, "No." He paused, then asked, "Are you planning to stay?"
Ma Jingguo kissed Mu Dishi's temple. "I have prepared the horse. We will leave tomorrow."
Mu Dishi scoffed quietly, a sound of profound relief. "Good."
Ma Jingguo then asked, his voice soft, "Where shall we go?"
Mu Dishi said, "Let's go see my parents, and then we can go north to Tianshan."
Ma Jingguo questioned him gently. "Aren't we going home?"
Mu Dishi corrected him. "You once told me that Tianshan is also our home. Moreover, we have to bring money to the caretaker."
Ma Jingguo kissed Mu Dishi deeply. "You are right. Tomorrow we are going to Mu Village, after that we will go to Tianshan." He kissed Mu Dishi again. "After that, we can decide where to go next."
Mu Dishi relaxed in the embrace. "I don't care where we go; your embrace is always my safest home."
Ma Jingguo smiled, hugging him tighter. "The place that has you is the place I call home." He kissed Mu Dishi's forehead. "Goodnight, xiao shushu."