Wang Baobao and his group had a large horse-drawn carriage. Wang Baobao rode alongside the coachman, while his sister and several other noblewomen sat inside. Zhuang Xuexian and his companions, on the other hand, traveled on horseback. The closer they got to Phoenix Mountain, the more crowded it became. When they were still several miles away from the foot of the mountain, they could already see the line of people ascending, forming a winding, fiery dragon.
Wang Baobao, sitting at the front of the carriage, suddenly leaned back to look behind him. He saw Zhuang Xuexian and Fu Yi sharing a horse, their posture… incredibly intimate.
They were pressed so close together, it was almost as if Fu Yi was being cradled in Zhuang Xuexian’s arms.
When Zhuang Xuexian noticed Wang Baobao looking back, he quickly waved at him. Fu Yi rested his chin on Zhuang Xuexian’s shoulder, watching Wang Baobao through the terrifying mask of a rakshasa.
Wang Baobao immediately shrank back.
Perhaps because so many people were wearing frightening masks tonight, Wang Baobao felt a chilling sensation, as if he were traveling alongside demons.
Upon reaching the foot of Phoenix Mountain, they were greeted by a grand and imposing procession for the deity worship. Dozens of bare-chested, muscular men adorned with colorful feathered headdresses carried a massive phoenix lantern nearly two stories tall. The lantern was entirely covered in layers of shimmering, iridescent silk, with a majestic phoenix head raised proudly toward the sky. The tail feathers were the most magnificent—long plumes cascaded like a waterfall, with multicolored feathers layered in a soaring posture, radiating a dazzling brilliance. Beside them, dozens of people held torches, their flames leaping and blazing fiercely, illuminating the surroundings as bright as day. Surrounding them were over a hundred shamanesses dressed in green feathered garments, holding lanterns shaped like various birds, creating a magnificent scene of “a hundred birds paying homage to the phoenix.” And that was without even mentioning the countless paper lanterns held by the common folk, converging at the foot of the mountain into a sea of light that transformed into a fiery dragon, winding its way along the mountain path to the Phoenix Temple at the summit, lighting up half the sky.
Li Qing reined in his horse and exclaimed in awe, “How lively!”
At that moment, the procession was preparing to ascend the mountain, with drums and gongs resounding in unison. They dismounted their horses and carriages in the open area outside and followed the crowd inward. Li Qing put on his mask and glanced back, faintly spotting Ying Qi and the other guards dressed in ordinary clothing, blending into the crowd. He then glanced at the emperor.
Wearing masks should make things safer, as long as no chaos erupted.
Fortunately, he had made thorough arrangements, and there were plenty of soldiers on-site. Many barricades and checkpoints had also been set up at the mountain gate.
Wang Baobao jumped down from the carriage and remarked with surprise, “They’re managing things so strictly this year.”
He turned to help his sister down from the carriage. His sister said, “The emperor is in the city this year, so naturally, they’re afraid something might happen. Have you seen your brother-in-law?”
Wang Baobao scanned the area and replied, “Over there.”
His brother-in-law was a somewhat pedantic and frail scholar, thin and wiry. Yet, at this moment, he was actually wearing a suit of armor, a precious sword hanging at his waist, personally standing guard under the vermilion mountain gate. Beside him stood familiar faces—all officials from the Western Capital.
This year’s arrangements were far too meticulous!
It seemed that with the emperor in the city, everyone was being extra cautious, fearing any mishap.
Indeed, when the emperor was far away, incidents could be covered up. But now that he was in the city, with his notoriously bad temper, everyone just wanted peace and quiet.
What a terrifying emperor!
As Wang Baobao’s sister walked inside, she glanced toward Zhuang Xuexian and his group. Now that the two parties had separated, she whispered, “Is that the son-in-law Zhuang Xuexian recruited at Ruyi Tower?”
Wang Baobao hummed in agreement, “Yes.”
Wang Baobao’s sister remarked, “They truly are an unexpected pair.”
Wang Baobao chuckled, “Aren’t they?”
Judging by appearances alone, these two were indeed surprising. Most ordinary people, upon hearing that two men had come together through a thrown embroidered ball, would likely imagine them as a pair of dashing, frivolous figures.
But these two…
He glanced over at Kuang Xuexian and his companion. Even in this crowded throng, he had to admit that Kuang Xuexian and that Zhang Ji were truly a pair of striking, elegant beauties.
Kuang Xuexian led their master and servant forward, looking at the officials and soldiers holding various weapons with some surprise. “It wasn’t this strict last year!”
The surroundings were too noisy, so Li Qing replied loudly, “There are too many people—it’s better to be strict!”
The procession for the ritual had already begun ascending the mountain, and the crowd immediately followed, naturally forming two lines at the mountain gate. This was the most crowded moment, with so many people that Kuang Xuexian soon lost track of where Wang Baobao and the others had gone. He turned to look at Fu Yan, who wore a Rakshasa mask and was dressed in simple, elegant attire, standing out even more as refined and serene amidst the crowd. Without hesitation, he firmly grasped Fu Yan’s hand and led him forward, using his other arm to gently shield him from the jostling crowd.
Fu Yan was taken aback but said nothing, allowing himself to be led. After just a few steps, the noise seemed to fade away. He lowered his head slightly, watching Kuang Xuexian’s back.
Kuang Xuexian’s figure was delicate and slender, almost fragile, yet at this moment, he was fully protecting Fu Yan under his wing, just as he had done earlier on the street while watching the imperial procession.
In fact, from the moment they stepped out today, Fu Yan had noticed a subtle change in Kuang Xuexian’s attitude toward him.
He had become gentler.
It seemed that after learning about his illness, Kuang Xuexian had softened.
Fu Yan cherished this feeling of being protected by Kuang Xuexian. Throughout his life, he had experienced all kinds of treatment—arrogant commands, fawning servility—but gentleness felt like a distant memory. In the hazy recollections of his childhood, only his mother had ever sung softly to lull him to sleep. The details were blurred, the faces indistinct, but the feeling of that gentle, soothing melody lingered.
Given his special status, perhaps only as Zhang Ji could he receive such tenderness.
Amidst the chaotic, boisterous excitement, this feeling suddenly seized his heart. The restless, vague emotions he had felt earlier coalesced into a clear, sharp awareness.
For a moment, he felt adrift, as if he would obediently follow Kuang Xuexian even to the depths of hell.
At the foot of the mountain gate, they finally walked side by side. The gate was towering, with phoenixes carved on either side of the eaves, their tail feathers gracefully drooping. Beneath the exquisitely crafted phoenix-adorned eaves hung pearl-like lanterns, creating an ethereal, otherworldly atmosphere. The crowd had thinned here, and Kuang Xuexian was about to let go of Fu Yan’s hand when he realized Fu Yan was holding on tightly. He had only taken Fu Yan’s hand instinctively in the crush of the crowd, but now, turning his head, he saw Fu Yan looking at him through the terrifying Rakshasa mask.
On someone as elegant as Fu Yan, the dark, monstrous mask evoked an inexplicable sense of allure. Kuang Xuexian’s heart warmed as Fu Yan intertwined their fingers and led him through the mountain gate.
At that moment, Li Qing lifted his mask and glanced at the deputy garrison commander and other officials.
Recognizing him, the officials perked up, finally realizing that the tall, elegantly dressed man wearing the Rakshasa mask walking ahead was none other than the emperor.
Now, with an air of grace and confidence, he strode up the mountain, hand in hand with a green-robed gentleman wearing a white fox mask.
Everyone was stunned for a moment. Su Hui was the first to snap out of it and quickly gestured to the soldiers beside him. A dozen soldiers, under the pretense of maintaining order on the road, followed with their halberds.
Their arrangements for the night were meticulous. The Emperor wore a mask and blended into the crowd, with only a few high-ranking officials aware of his presence. Soldiers maintained order along the entire route, and finally, those officials joined the festivities with the people, ascending the mountain not far from the Emperor. Additionally, among the crowd were highly skilled Black Armor Guards, ensuring multiple layers of protection—a foolproof plan.
Su Hui watched the Emperor from afar through the crowd and noticed his own wife and brother-in-law mixed among them. Just as he was about to catch up to speak with them, he saw his brother-in-law suddenly quicken his pace and catch up behind the Emperor.
His heart skipped a beat as he watched the Emperor, the young gentleman he was holding hands with, and the attendant Li Duzhi ahead all turn around.
The crowd was large and noisy, making it impossible to hear what they said. Su Hui froze in place. He had no idea how his brother-in-law had managed to connect with the Emperor!
His colleagues beside him were equally astonished, whispering, “Sir, isn’t that your brother-in-law?”
Wang Baobao was quite famous in the Western Capital—notorious as a playboy, yet doted on by the Deputy Garrison Commander’s wife, with no one able to rein him in.
His love for wearing purple and adorning himself with flowers was well-known throughout the Western Capital!
Wang Baobao had approached Kuang Xuexian to share his new discovery. Someone was sneakily watching Kuang Xuexian!
“Those few wearing strange doll masks to the left ahead!”
Kuang Xuexian followed his gaze and indeed saw several young men wearing ghost doll masks—three or four of them, huddled together and looking back at him.
When they noticed him looking, they immediately turned away.
Kuang Xuexian overheard them say, “We’re wearing masks, what’s there to be afraid of?”
He recognized them—they seemed to be the same troublemakers he had beaten up earlier. Even with his mask on, could they still recognize him? Their obsession ran deep!
Fu Li asked him, “Do you know them?”
Kuang Xuexian replied, “No.”
Wang Baobao said, “It’s fine. My brother-in-law is right behind us. Just stay alert.”
Li Qing, however, grew tense: What if they weren’t watching Kuang Xuexian but the Emperor instead!
His mind raced with scenarios of assassins lying in wait to seize the opportunity to strike the Emperor. Growing increasingly anxious, he gripped the dagger at his waist, his eyes never leaving those men.
Unexpectedly, the men began walking faster and faster, on the verge of disappearing into the crowd. He immediately signaled to the Black Armor Guards beside him, who silently quickened their pace to pursue them.
Kuang Xuexian was still worrying about what to do if those men came seeking revenge—whether his fighting skills would frighten Fu Li and the others. Yet, as they continued, he never saw the troublemakers again.
A roaring bonfire had already been lit in front of the Phoenix Temple. The priestesses began chanting loudly, likely a sacrificial song accompanied by suona horns and drums. It sounded like a funeral dirge—both eerie and magnificent, sending shivers down one’s spine. Kuang Xuexian held Fu Li’s hand, looking around curiously.
Fu Li asked, “I think I saw those men being arrested by the officials earlier for acting suspiciously.”
Kuang Xuexian exclaimed, “Huh?”
He turned to look at Fu Li, who gently turned his face back and said, “It’s about to burn!”
Fu Li seemed genuinely interested in the ritual and wanted Kuang Xuexian to focus. A hundred meters away, behind the Phoenix Temple.
The temple was thick with the scent of sandalwood, the smoke spilling beyond the walls and settling among the pine branches. A few young troublemakers huddled shivering at the base of the wall.
Ying Qi stood with arms crossed, watching them coldly.
Who was this? Why were they being seized? They had only been looking!
Outside, the festivities seemed to be reaching their final climax, with cheers beginning to rise.
The grand finale was the casting of a phoenix lantern, nearly two stories tall, into the bonfire. Dozens of strong men chanted a countdown, and the crowd joined in: “Three, two, one!”
The massive phoenix lantern toppled into the flames. With a whoosh, sparks erupted like swarms of fireflies, followed by another roar as the entire structure ignited, illuminating the temple grounds as bright as day. Flames shot skyward, the heat intense. Kuang Xuexian instinctively moved to shield Fu Yi, only to find himself pulled into an embrace.
The fire was so hot, it seemed to warm him everywhere. He felt that after spending the whole day together, they had made significant progress.
This must mean they were officially together! He grabbed Fu Yi’s wrist, excitement surging through him like a wildfire. He even felt a slight physical reaction.
He didn’t know if Fu Yi felt the same, only sensing Fu Yi’s cheek pressed against the side of his neck, skin burning hot.
The crowd began singing and dancing around the blazing phoenix. A hundred bird-shaped lanterns were also tossed into the fire, completing the grand ritual of “a hundred birds paying homage to the phoenix” and the phoenix’s rebirth from ashes. On the other side of the bonfire, Su Hui and the other officials watched as the emperor held the young man in his arms, utterly stunned.
They couldn’t believe this was the same fierce dragon from Fengluan Palace who had made them hold their official hats as targets for his archery practice!
“Sir, who is that young man in His Majesty’s arms?”
“You ask me, who should I ask?”
“I’ve never heard of anyone serving by His Majesty’s side.”
“He’s not from the traveling palace, is he?”
Su Hui spotted Wang Baobao dancing his way over and grabbed him.
“I ask you—you were just talking to them earlier. Do you know them?”
Wang Baobao followed his gaze and saw Fu Yi holding Kuang Xuexian, standing just outside the circle of dancers.
Tsk, such public intimacy between two men—what impropriety!
“Them? That’s my friend Kuang Xuexian, and the new live-in son-in-law he found!”
Su Hui: “…”
The officials: “Huh?!”
Everyone stood frozen as if turned to stone by the wind, while Wang Baobao had already slipped back into the crowd, dancing away. He loved to dance so much that the plum blossoms on his hat shook loose. Su Hui dragged him back again. “Are you talking about the pair—the Rakshasa and the white fox?”
Wang Baobao said, “Yeah, the two holding each other tight.”
Just as Su Hui was about to ask more, he noticed the emperor seemed to glance in their direction.
Even through the roaring flames, he felt an instant chill from head to toe, a bone-deep cold. He felt he had stumbled upon a tremendous secret!
He quickly released Wang Baobao, who pushed up his mask to look at him. “What’s wrong, brother-in-law?”
Su Hui hurriedly said, “Nothing, nothing. Go on dancing.”
Wang Baobao returned to the crowd, this time dancing his way over to the emperor and suddenly stopping. Whatever he said even drew the attention of Eunuch Li.
Su Hui: “…”
The officials felt as if they had been forced to learn an earth-shattering secret about the emperor—but instead of excitement, they felt only terror!
One by one, they hastily lowered their heads. They had seen nothing at all!
At that moment, a sudden “boom” echoed from the city below the mountain, startling everyone and drawing their gaze downward.
They saw a mushroom-shaped fire cloud soaring into the sky, shaking the mountain beneath their feet violently. Shouts of alarm erupted from the crowd, followed by another, even more deafening “boom.” Two mushroom clouds rose into the air, carrying raging flames that shot toward the heavens. Amid the billowing smoke and fire, dozens of fiery phoenixes suddenly ascended, crisscrossing and colliding with one another as if performing a blood-drenched dance of self-immolation in the flames, ultimately merging into a towering column of crimson fire and smoke.
For a moment, everyone on the mountain was left speechless by the spectacle.