Chapter Seventy-Five: A Second Chance in Desperation

Guan Wen regained his composure, gazing up at Gu Qingcheng as she slew the venomous snakes, his heart overflowing with gratitude beyond words. Silently, he vowed: If I survive this ordeal, I will repay her with my life, unwavering for the rest of my days.

It seems we’re destined to die together this time! Guan Wen, wake Baoling—see if she has any last words to leave behind. Gu Qingcheng could no longer remain calm.

Of the three, only she was a formidable bounty hunter, while the other two were ordinary folk with no strength to defend themselves. Thus, it was up to her alone to stand against danger and protect them.

Baoling was awake, but barely clinging to life, her speech weak and feeble: In my dream... I broke the seal. It was the dream soul seal of Princess Chizun of Nepal and Princess Wencheng of the Tang Dynasty... Inside it lay the secret to exorcising demons... We must bring it back... take it home to study, then we can achieve our goal. In the dream... I saw them, it was so wonderful... Such a world, they were true... fearless sages, seeking nothing for themselves... sages...

Guan Wen held her, his heart wrung with agony, yet powerless to do anything.

Suddenly, two tears fell, landing upon Baoling’s face.

You... cried? For me... you cried... Don’t cry, don’t cry... I’m fine, I’ll be fine... The exorcism mission hasn’t succeeded yet, I cannot die... Baoling’s head lolled to one side, and she fainted silently.

Xiao Huo—Xiao Huo—think of something! Quick! Gu Qingcheng cried out, looking upward, her blade slashing incessantly, slicing falling venomous snakes as deftly as a chef chops vegetables.

Take the tortoise shell from the white copper pillar—even if there’s a sliver of hope, I’ll get you out. Gu Qingcheng commanded loudly.

Guan Wen leaned forward, retrieved the tortoise shell, and placed it in an inner pocket.

Guan Wen, I want to say something to you. If I don’t say it now, I won’t get another chance. I think... I think I may have... fallen in love with you. Never before has a man haunted my dreams so, impossible to let go. I came to Tibet only to hunt down Jin Chan Zi, a henchman of the Azure Dragon Society, planning to stay just two months. I didn’t expect to meet you. Perhaps this is fate, just as the masters of arcane arts say. When I jumped down just now, it was to trade my life for yours. Since I’ve fallen for you, I must accept fate. Whether or not you love me, I will do this, with no regret or complaint. Gu Qingcheng spoke as she sighed repeatedly, for this love had come too late and would leave too soon, fleeting as a rainbow after rain, as ephemeral as the imprint of a bird in snow.

Guan Wen sighed softly and replied, “What you did for me today, if ever you face peril, I will do the same for you. What you said today is what I wished to say. When we first met, I thought myself only a commoner, unworthy of you…”

He noticed that Xiao Huo often stole fervent glances at Gu Qingcheng, revealing his feelings. He had once believed that Gu Qingcheng and Xiao Huo were like eagles soaring high above the Tibetan plateau, destined to be the perfect pair.

No more words, to understand your heart is enough, more than enough, hahahaha… Gu Qingcheng laughed, her blade flashing ever faster.

Congratulations to you both… congratulations… Baoling’s lips moved faintly, mumbling in her delirium.

Guan Wen felt a pang, for he knew both girls held equal places in his heart, equally impossible to part with. If all were to die together here, it would be a loss of the most cruel kind.

Suddenly, from the outer cave wall came three thunderous crashes, glass shattering, the ring of snakes losing its outer support and dispersing in all directions. Within minutes, the snakes vanished without a trace, fleeing into the deep, boundless underground spaces.

Beneath estates like the Summer Palace, extensive drainage systems led to distant rivers. Furthermore, if Kale had intentionally cultivated them, he would have dug multiple cellars for breeding venomous snakes. To eradicate them all was now an impossible task, and the ecological harm to the region was unknowable.

Gu Qingcheng ceased her slashing, bent over, panting heavily, supporting herself with the tip of her kukri knife. “It’s over… it’s over… we’re saved…”

This round of victory and defeat had been perilous and twisting, several times nearly plunging everyone into Kale’s deadly trap. Fortunately, Gu Qingcheng’s stubborn resistance had seen them through.

From the shadows to the right, Xiao Huo dragged Kale out, holding an assault rifle, his face covered in cold sweat. “Sister Gu was frightened. The mechanism failed to lift the glass floor, so I had to use the crude method: explosive rounds shattered the outer wall, releasing the snakes. Anyway, the Summer Palace has long been abandoned, no innocents will be harmed.”

Gu Qingcheng was too exhausted to speak, managing only to wave feebly at Xiao Huo before collapsing.

“Thank goodness… I fulfilled my duty…” She mouthed her last words to Guan Wen.

The entire next day, Guan Wen drifted in and out of consciousness.

He lay on the sofa, forcing himself not to sleep too deeply, for before him, two large beds held Gu Qingcheng and Baoling. One had exhausted her mind unraveling the secret of the white copper pillar; the other had spent all her strength jumping into the ring of snakes to protect Guan Wen.

Both had needles in their hands, receiving a continuous infusion of antibiotics and glucose nutrients to purge the snake venom and restore their strength.

All Guan Wen could do was watch over them, until they awoke safely.

The sun rose and set, and dusk of the second day arrived.

Xiao Huo appeared quietly at the door, signaling to Guan Wen to step outside.

Guan Wen stood gently, walked out, glancing back at the sleeping figures, then carefully closed the door.

“Mr. Guan, let someone else take over for a while. Let’s get some fresh air on the balcony.” Xiao Huo was exceedingly polite.

The two went to the west-facing balcony, gazing at the gray mist spreading from the Kathmandu valley, both feeling somewhat oppressed.

“This time, I must apologize. I trusted Kale, and brought everyone into peril. I hope Sister Gu is all right; otherwise, I could never forgive myself.” Xiao Huo slapped the railing, his face full of remorse.

In truth, Guan Wen felt regret as well. Amidst such complexity and danger, he had been unable to defeat the enemy or protect the girls he loved. He loved them, yet when they needed rescue, he could do nothing, ultimately relying on Xiao Huo to save them all.

He looked down at his hands. Though he had not held a paintbrush in some time, they were still the slender, elegant hands of an artist—never to become the hands of a swordsman or gunman.

“Xiao Huo, we’re lucky to have you. Don’t blame yourself—coming to the Summer Palace was everyone’s decision,” he said.

Xiao Huo leaned on the railing in silence, then suddenly shook his head. “Mr. Guan, to be honest, I used to really like Sister Gu. She’s exceptional, beautiful, decisive, carefree—one in a million. I knew I wasn’t good enough for her, but still hoped I could stay by her side, silently accompanying and helping her, hoping she’d eventually grow fond of me. But yesterday, when she jumped into the snake pit to save you, my dream shattered. She can take me as a friend, but only a friend—I’ll never have a chance for more. Well, it’s better this way. From now on, love will no longer occupy my mind.”

He was a rational, almost cruel young man. When speaking of his love for Gu Qingcheng, his eyes were filled with pain, as if a knife was twisting inside him; as soon as he declared himself free of love, his gaze regained its calm, returning to that cold-blooded killer, cut off from all emotion.

“She loves you, willing to give her life for you—congratulations.” Xiao Huo smiled softly, extending his hand to Guan Wen. “Now let’s get down to business.”

Business meant interrogating Kale, right there on the balcony overlooking the scenery. During Guan Wen’s day of unconsciousness, Xiao Huo had already called in twenty friends from Kathmandu, who had taken full control of the Summer Palace.

Kale remained cocky, standing carelessly, occasionally shaking his arms so the handcuffs rattled noisily.

“Say something, won’t you?” Xiao Huo asked, smiling indifferently.

“What’s there to say? Winners and losers, the mighty brought low—what else is worth saying?” Kale tilted his head, shooting Xiao Huo a provocative glance.

“Tell us your plan—what did you want from Miss Baoling? Tell us about the globe, the white copper pillar, the origins of the Azure Dragon Society’s scheme… everything you can think of. Kale, we were friends once. Don’t force me to do something extreme.” Xiao Huo spoke sincerely.

“You probably don’t know—if I fail to send a success signal within seventy-two hours of entering the villa, my people will attack from all sides, solving the problem violently. Now, check the time—how much is left? Xiao Huo, I’ll give you a chance to switch sides. Think about it—if you get rid of this fellow, we could work together. The lock on Mount White Copper has been opened. Soon, we’ll crack the tortoise shell code and return to Mount Niseri to find the great treasure of Tibetan Buddhism…”

Kale, unafraid, actually began trying to persuade Xiao Huo.

“The tortoise shell is a clue to the treasure? Kale, I have a question. It’s said the Azure Dragon Society is backed by three major European consortiums and two global crime syndicates. Do you really lack money? Would you care about the treasure of Tashilhunpo Monastery? At this point, you still refuse to reveal the Society’s true intentions?” Xiao Huo asked.

Kale gave an evil smirk. “I only want the treasure—nothing else matters.”

“Tang Jue—” Xiao Huo suddenly called out a name.

Kale was startled. “Who are you calling? Me?”

Xiao Huo nodded. “Of course—who else? The eighth and most powerful of the Eight Tiger Generals of the Tang Clan of Sichuan—Old Eight, Tang Jue.”

Kale paused, staring at Xiao Huo for a long time before slowly lowering his head.

Xiao Huo breathed a sigh of relief. This kind of interrogation was a fierce contest on the psychological level; if you could crush the opponent’s mental defenses immediately, the rest would be easier.

“You are indeed Tang Jue—I wasn’t wrong.” Xiao Huo clenched his fists, circling Kale several times, his brows tightly knit.

“Xiao Huo, since I’ve fallen into your hands, I accept my fate,” Kale said.

“You nearly succeeded—handcuffing me and Sister Gu, imprisoning Mr. Guan and Miss Baoling. If you hadn’t been so greedy, the four of us would be dead and buried by now.” Xiao Huo spoke with deep emotion. After all, they had come from Tashilhunpo Monastery, all the while hiding such a venomous snake among them—just thinking about it made his skin crawl.

Kale mused softly, “Greedy? Who isn’t greedy in this world? Money, power, territory… the more the better. Who would ever say they have too much? Xiao Huo, have you considered—after so much effort to bring you all here, could it really end so simply?”

There was an unspeakable evil in his voice. His once youthful and handsome face twisted rapidly, as if an evil spirit was writhing inside.

“Kale, we were friends. If you turn back, I absolutely won’t trouble you. When we return to the Zhangmu border, I’ll let you go,” Xiao Huo said.

Kale let out a series of strange laughs. “Not trouble me? Well, I should thank you then? But do you think there’s any chance to walk out of the Summer Palace alive?”

He raised his hands and pointed northwest. “Xiao Huo, see that dark pine forest? That’s the starting point of a mystical formation. If you were to arrive here by helicopter, from above you’d see the estate’s perimeter forms a giant encircling ring, composed of eight colors and eight shapes of pine trees, divided into eight gates: rest, harm, life, obstruction, scenery, death, fright, and opening. Its origin lies in the ancient Chinese ‘Eight Trigrams Diagram’, but what I arranged has been twice refined by Japanese sages and thrice fused by Thai masters—a brand-new hybrid. It’s the essential foundation for the Tang Clan’s gu technique—”

Xiao Huo’s expression changed, clutching his chest, his voice squeezed from between his teeth. “You’ve put a gu curse on us?”

“Yes.” The muscles in Kale’s jaw knotted and trembled.

“I was too careless!” Xiao Huo staggered backward, then suddenly looked up at the sky. “Mr. Guan, look—look at the sky!”

Guan Wen looked up. A massive black cloud was descending, enveloping them and the entire Summer Palace.

“Xiao Huo, I have indeed cursed you all. It’s the supreme secret art I spent twenty years developing—the ‘Eight Lives and Eight Deaths of the Heavenly Dragon.’” Kale laughed wickedly. “All the ups and downs we’ve experienced have merely set the stage for this art. Now, the outer formation is complete, my preparations finished, and it’s time for the next step: extracting all the secrets from your minds. You were right—the Azure Dragon Society cares about global trends. Last time, we took tons of gold from the Egyptian pyramids—why would mere treasure matter to us? What we want is the secret within the ‘Xizang Demon Suppression Map,’ hahahaha…”

Guan Wen felt his heart pounding wildly. The scene before him warped, sometimes drawing near, sometimes receding.

“Don’t hurt… Baoling and Qingcheng…” He leaned against the railing, clutching his chest, watching helplessly as Xiao Huo collapsed backward.

“Hurt them? How could I? They are the keys to unlocking the door to Mount Niseri—the treasures of the Azure Dragon Society…” Kale’s laughter grew closer, ever more piercing.

Guan Wen’s legs felt as heavy as lead, his throat constricted by the onrushing black cloud, unable to move or cry out.

“The tortoise shell—where is it? Give it to me—that is the sole key to deciphering the long scroll of history, hahahaha…” Kale’s hand reached for him, like the grasp of a giant spirit, impossible to resist.

Baoling, Qingcheng… As consciousness faded and he sank into the cloud, Guan Wen’s final thought was of the two names he could not let go.