Chapter Sixty-Two: The Princess of Chaoge

At some unknown point, Gu Qingcheng had returned to the doorway, quietly watching everything happening inside the room.

After the young man had kowtowed a dozen times, he finally straightened up, his face filled with endless anxiety. “Senior, I don’t know how to address you. If I’ve said anything wrong, I beg your forgiveness.”

“There’s no need to say any more,” Baoling shook her head again.

“He hasn’t spoken—how do you know what he wants to say?” Gao Xiang interjected.

“There are things you don’t understand, but others might,” Xiao Huo replied with a gentle smile.

Gao Xiang spun around, staring directly at Xiao Huo. “I don’t understand—do you?”

Xiao Huo, calm but unyielding, answered, “I don’t understand, but I don’t ask. If you don’t understand, you shouldn’t interrupt recklessly. Beware of trouble caused by loose lips, and illness by careless words.”

Gao Xiang let out a cold laugh. “Baoling is my friend. Of course, I have the right to ask.”

Xiao Huo smiled and shook his head. “I didn’t say you couldn’t ask. I’m just reminding you—heaven gave us two ears and one mouth so that everyone listens more and speaks less.”

Gao Xiang erupted in anger. “And what are you, meddling in my business with Baoling?”

His outburst drew the attention of everyone in the room, overshadowing the ongoing conversation between Baoling and the young man.

In an instant, Gu Qingcheng stepped inside, stopping at Xiao Huo’s side, placing a hand on his shoulder.

“Gu Jie, Mr. Gao is used to smooth sailing in big business; it’s made his temper grow. He’s a friend to Mr. Guan and Miss Baoling. I thought it necessary to remind him not to be too arrogant. Don’t you agree?” Xiao Huo said, unruffled.

“For my sake, Xiao Huo, let it go,” Gu Qingcheng said.

Xiao Huo considered, then sighed softly. “Very well. I’m still waiting on some information. If my suspicions about him are confirmed, Gu Jie, I’ll ask you not to stand in my way.”

Gu Qingcheng sighed as well, saying only, “Do me this favor—don’t let it come to a quarrel.”

Xiao Huo’s dark brows lifted, and his smile returned. “Who would dare refuse Gu Jie’s request? Anyway, today’s most important matter is resolving the Kanna family issue. All other trivialities can be set aside.”

His quiet concession left Gao Xiang feeling as if he had punched empty air. Unable to gauge his opponent’s strength, he could only stand there, breathing heavily.

From their first meeting at Dead Man’s Cliff, Gao Xiang and Xiao Huo had never gotten along. That things had erupted now was hardly a surprise. Xiao Huo’s retreat didn’t mean Gao Xiang had gained the upper hand; it was clear to everyone that he was only biding his time, like a leopard withdrawing before the hunt.

“That’s good,” Gu Qingcheng breathed a sigh of relief.

“I’ll go,” Baoling said.

Kalle was overjoyed, bowing deeply again. “Thank you, Senior. The Kanna family has been plagued by the Princess of Zhaoge for generations. We’ve invited every renowned shaman from Nepal and neighboring countries, but none could unravel the mystery of the manor. Your willingness to come is the greatest blessing for the Kanna family.”

“But I’ve already lost that key. I’m afraid I won’t be able to fulfill everyone’s wishes,” Baoling replied, her words full of guilt.

Kalle quickly reassured her, “Senior, your wisdom is unmatched. As long as you’re there, you’ll surely find a way.”

Their conversation was disjointed, the plot leaping from point to point. Guan Wen could only grasp the general idea after much deliberation.

It seemed that Master Tianjiu’s judgment was entirely correct—Baoling was indeed the reincarnation of the Princess of Zhaoge from the Kanna family in Nepal, having fully inherited the thoughts and memories of that girl from centuries ago. The nightmares that haunted her, every detail, were all lived experiences from her past life—real and undeniable.

Kalle carried a bulging black leather satchel slung over his shoulder. When he entered, the flap was open, revealing several items wrapped in black plastic. Clearly, these were meant to be shown to Baoling, to verify Master Tianjiu’s assessment. In other words, before entering the room, Kalle had harbored doubts about the reincarnation of the Princess of Zhaoge and intended to test Baoling. However, Baoling had already read his gestures and recalled numerous details from the princess’s past, thoroughly convincing Kalle.

Kalle stood up, and Xiao Huo introduced everyone to him.

When he reached Gu Qingcheng, Kalle bowed deeply and respectfully. “Miss Gu, thank you for looking after me in Egypt. If you hadn’t used your military connections to rescue me from the Pyramid’s guardians, I might have died in a foreign land. That time, I stole a few treasures from the pyramid. I’ve kept the best one for you—a razor-sharp dagger, said to have been used by the High Priests of Pharaoh Khufu for embalming mummies.”

Gu Qingcheng waved her hand with a smile. “You’re too kind. It was nothing.”

Xiao Huo interjected with a laugh, “Gu Jie wouldn’t covet your gifts. If she wanted anything, she has friends in Egypt on both sides of the law who’d gladly offer her treasures. Alright, Kalle, everyone’s pressed for time. Since we’re going to Nepal, let’s not delay.”

Kalle then took out an itinerary and frankly told everyone he had already arranged all the necessary permits and clearances for the trip to Nepal. As soon as Baoling agreed, they could depart at any time.

Like Xiao Huo, this young man was highly efficient and thorough. Before even meeting Baoling, he had prepared everything that needed to be done.

“I’m sorry, everyone. I’d like to speak to Mr. Guan alone,” Baoling said, rising.

The others quietly withdrew. Xiao Huo, understanding, closed the door behind them, leaving only Guan Wen and Baoling in the room.

“I noticed you’ve been frowning all along. You seem unhappy with my decision—is that so?” Baoling asked.

Guan Wen looked at the table covered in maps, documents, and the itinerary. Before speaking, he sighed. “Baoling, I’m not against you going to Nepal. I just think you’re already tormented by nightmares and unable to cope. If you go there, and the spirit of the Princess of Zhaoge latches onto you again, your body won’t withstand it. The spirit is the foundation of the body. If that’s destroyed, your life will be in grave danger. I think you should wait a while, at least recuperate away from the plateau before dealing with this.”

“You care about me?” Baoling’s lips curled in a mischievous smile, a hint of playfulness lighting up her wan, sickly face.

Her complexion was poor, bluish and sallow, her movements and words weak and lifeless. In this state, she was highly susceptible to altitude sickness and serious complications.

“This is no time for jokes, Baoling. You need to recover your strength in order to handle more important matters,” Guan Wen replied. Of course he cared for her, though he’d never said it outright.

“Guan Wen, going to Nepal is the most important thing. If I truly am the Princess of Zhaoge in my past life, I need to return to where she lived to awaken more memories, to sort through what she did and find a solution. You know as well as I do—we’re searching for a way to banish evil, while the dark forces below are preparing to break the seal and conquer the world again. I’m willing to give up my life, like Master Tianjiu, and fight to my last breath. If that’s my ending, I’ll have no regrets.” Baoling smiled faintly.

Compared to Gu Qingcheng, she was frail, but only physically. In wisdom and foresight, they were equals.

“Then… I’ll hire the best doctor in Shigatse to come with us. If anything happens on the road, we’ll be prepared,” Guan Wen suggested as a compromise.

“Alright. Thank you,” Baoling nodded.

A hush fell over the room, so quiet they could hear the others pacing outside.

Guan Wen’s intention was to preserve Baoling’s life first, lest she overexert herself and follow in the footsteps of those Tibetan sages who had wasted away. In his heart, Baoling and Gu Qingcheng were equally important.

“Miss Gu is a good person,” Baoling broke the silence after a while. “She’ll be a great help to you. Last time, when you were exploring the base of Dead Man’s Cliff, she was so worried she couldn’t sit still at the top. In the end, she couldn’t help but go down to meet you. Men probably all want such a capable woman by their side, don’t they?”

Guan Wen stayed silent, unable to deny his feelings for Gu Qingcheng.

“If anything happens to me, I truly hope you and Miss Gu can be together—work hand in hand, build a future, have many children, and a happy family,” Baoling said with a bitter smile.

Guan Wen felt a wave of sorrow. “Nothing will happen to you. Everyone here will protect you.”

Baoling sighed softly. “Guan Wen, you know, some things in metaphysics are unpredictable, beyond human will. When I see Kalle now, it’s as if I see everything in the Summer Palace. I guess his backpack has a digital camera or something, full of photos of that mysterious manor for me to identify. But he doesn’t know—there’s no need; I already have those images in my mind. That’s why I must go to Nepal and unravel the mysteries within me.”

Guan Wen nodded. “Alright. It’s decided.”

The Princess of Zhaoge was another clue in their quest to banish evil. Since the trail at Tashilhunpo Monastery ended at the black abyss below Dead Man’s Cliff, taking a new path through the Kanna family’s old home in Nepal seemed a viable option.

“Baoling, I actually enjoy hearing you talk about those dreams. Of course, we know they’re more than just dreams—they really happened in the Princess of Zhaoge’s life. Reincarnation is truly a wondrous thing. For me and the others to accompany you to Nepal is a fortunate destiny,” Guan Wen sighed from his heart.

“Give me another hug. Perhaps after leaving Tashilhunpo Monastery, I’ll be different,” Baoling said with a faint, bittersweet smile, opening her arms to him.

In her face, Guan Wen saw too much helplessness, so many things she had no choice but to accept, a tragic resolve like the wind at the cold waters of the Yi River.

He walked over, gently embracing her shoulders, holding her soft body in his arms.

“Remember me,” Baoling whispered, her voice trembling.

“You’ll be fine,” Guan Wen said firmly.

“But people always change. I’ll change, and so will you. I saw that change in the way you looked at Miss Gu. I grew up in an orphanage—never dared to hope for much from people or fate. Now, before everything changes, I only ask that you remember me—” Baoling’s tears soaked Guan Wen’s right shoulder.

Suddenly, she opened her mouth and, through his shirt, bit down on the muscle of his shoulder.

Guan Wen didn’t feel pain; instead, it was Baoling who trembled all over from biting so hard.

She held on for more than ten seconds. When she finally let go, the tip of her teeth was stained with his blood.

“Only this way will you never forget me.” She was so sorrowful, like a wounded kitten, her voice nasal and low as she curled up in Guan Wen’s arms. “I still have many memories about cats—do you want to hear them?”

Guan Wen pressed his chin into her hair, answering in a near whisper, “Tell me. I want to hear.”

His shoulder burned with pain, but he cherished the sensation—for the weight of her bite was the measure of his weight in her heart.