The meditation room was swept and clean. There were several jujube trees growing at the four corners of the courtyard. The branches, which had lost their scales, were filled with silvery-white flowers, like clusters of pearls. The sunlight poured down, and the lush branches and leaves were shining with a faint luster.

Tanmarajiva did not turn around, his slender white fingers continued to turn the pages of the sutra, his back in the cassock looked gaunt and vigorous.

"What is it?"

he asked softly.

Ashina Bisha knelt outside the door, hesitated for a moment, blushed slightly, raised her head and puffed out her chest, and said word by word: "Your Majesty, I like Princess Wen Zhao of Wei. She is beautiful, strong, and brave. I admire her and want to protect her so that she can laugh without worries every day."

The wind blows through the courtyard, and the branches of the date trees, which are covered with flowers, sway gently, sending out lingering fragrance.

Tanmarajya was silent for a while, his eyes slightly lowered: "Bisa, Princess Wen Zhao is a princess of the Great Wei, not a princess of the royal court."

Bi Su smiled and said, "I know that Princess Wen Zhao is not a princess of the royal court. King, I am not here to ask you to arrange a marriage for me... I am here to seek your permission."

He paused for a moment and looked at Tanmarajiva's back with a serious expression.

"King, do you allow me to like Princess Wen Zhao?"

Tanmarajiva stopped flipping the pages of the sutra.

Bisha continued, "Princess Wen Zhao stayed in the royal court on the pretext of following the example of Madana. Although the king is a Buddhist who has long since transcended all desires and transcended life and death, and has cut off all desires, he will not be moved by the princess. However, I respect the king, so I still have the courage to ask... King, can I like the princess?"

Tanmaraka twirled the beads in his hand and said, "Bisa, you shouldn't ask me."

Bi Su was startled for a moment, then smiled bitterly.

Yes, he shouldn't have come to ask Luo Jia. Princess Wen Zhao was not a treasure to be sold at a price. She was a living person. If he really liked Princess Wen Zhao, he should have mustered up the courage to pursue her even if the king disagreed.

He looked at Tanmaraka and said, "I understand."

Tanmarajiva lowered her eyes and continued to read the sutra: "Princess Wen Zhao is young, and has been stranded in a foreign land, worrying about her day and night. Bisha, you must not treat her with disrespect."

Bi Suo came to his senses and bowed his head to the ground: "I swear that I will never disrespect the princess just because I admire her, and I will never take advantage of her and force her. If I break this oath, the king will punish me!"

He waited for a while, grabbed his sword, left the meditation room, stood at the doorstep, and looked back at Tanmaragha's back.

Before his death, Master said that the karmic connection with Luoga has not yet been severed.

In the past, Bi Suo did not take this prophecy seriously. However, after he met the bright and beautiful Princess Wen Zhao and spent a few days with her, his master's instructions echoed in his mind again and again.

He was afraid that Master’s words would come true.

One thought can make you a Buddha, one thought can make you a devil. Luo Jia is different from others. If he is moved, he will know the taste of love...

Bisha looked solemn.

There were footsteps behind him, and Prajna approached stealthily: "General Ashina, do you really admire Princess Wen Zhao?"

Bi Su nodded and said in a loud voice: "Yes, I love the princess, and my heart is as clear as the sun and the moon!"

He stopped talking and turned away.

Prajna watched his tall figure disappear beside the jujube trees, rubbing her hands in excitement: General Ashina is a romantic man, and at the age of thirteen he was able to win the hearts of young ladies from noble families. Over the years, the general's romantic affairs have never stopped. Now that he has fallen in love with Princess Wen Zhao, the king can finally get rid of the princess!

The wind whistled through the empty and cool corridor and rushed into the meditation room. The pages of the book on the desk were blown up by the wind. Tanmaraka lowered his head and silently read the scriptures. His cassock brushed against the long desk, making a rustling sound.

Half an hour later, footsteps were heard in the corridor again.

Yuan Jue stood outside the door and clasped his fists: "King, the people in Sand City sent back a message that Prince Haidu Aling did not return to Beirong."

The Northern Rong had no fixed capital. Wherever the Wakhan Khan's camp moved, the Northern Rong's tent would be there. After the Northern Rong and the royal court signed an alliance, the Wakhan Khan's condition really improved. For a while, the saying of destiny was rampant, and Tanmo Luojia's reputation rose to a new level. The Wakhan Khan made a prompt decision and decided to move back to Yizhou to avoid losing morale. Haidu Aling was on a diplomatic mission to the royal court. According to the schedule, he should have returned to the Northern Rong by now, but the herdsmen there did not see him.

Tanmaraka's face was calm, and he stroked the beads with his fingers: "Increase the security in all parts of the palace."

It is fate that makes you agree.

…

The royal court was scorching hot during the day and chilly at night. The cold moonlight poured down like frost covering the ground.

In the room, a small candle flickered. Yao Ying and his personal guards sat on a felt carpet to discuss the resettlement of Han people from Shazhou and Guazhou.

A few days ago, she asked Xie Qing to make a sand table and lay out the general terrain of the northern route of the Western Regions. She explained to Xie Chong and others: "The Western Regions are mostly deserts. The trade route relies on this narrow strip of oasis. There are post stations along the way. Because of the war, many post stations have been abandoned. The Hu merchants who control the trade route can often control the trade of an area. When dealing with them, you should take a long-term view and would rather give up more profits and cooperate with them. If we can gain a firm foothold in the royal court, we will be able to rescue more people in the future."

Xie Chong and his companions listened carefully and asked, "Princess, are we going to do business with the Hu merchants in the future? When it comes to leading troops to fight, I can still boast a few words, but when it comes to doing business, I know nothing at all..."

Yao Ying looked at him and said, "There are wars all over the Western Regions right now, and many small tribes that thrived on trade routes have declined. At this time, the caravans that can still travel between countries have armed support behind them. What you need to learn is how to deal with them. They are well-informed and may be able to help us pass on messages."

Merchants from the Western Regions during the war often had close ties with various tribes. They used gold, silver and treasures to win over powerful nobles, influence local situations and facilitate their trade. These people could even mobilize troops.

Xie Chong understood a little bit, nodded repeatedly and said with a smile: "As long as the princess doesn't let me manage the accounts, it's fine!"

Xie Peng rolled his eyes at him and said, "Let you take care of the accounts? Then we'll just have to wait for the worst!"

The others burst into laughter.

The discussion lasted until midnight, and then everyone left.

Xie Qing stayed behind and took out the military book Yao Ying had given her a few days ago: "Princess, I have read it all."

The pronunciation of the whole word is a bit heavy, and it is not difficult to hear the pride in it.

Yaoying didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Is this something to be proud of?

"Ah Qing, these military books are for you to study carefully. You can keep them and read them several times. You don't have to return them."

Xie Qing let out an "oh" and took back the military book.

Yao Ying whispered, "Ah Qing, we are in the royal court right now. If you come across something you don't understand, you can ask Bi Suo and the others for advice. Although the military books of the two countries are different, the principles are the same."

Xie Qing nodded.

She was born with supernatural powers and practiced martial arts with her brothers since she was young. However, because she was a girl, her father never taught her how to deploy troops. She never thought about going to the battlefield before, but just wanted to be a competent bodyguard. Now they are living outside, and the personal soldiers all listen to her command. The princess asked her to learn the art of war, so she studied hard.

The princess never looked at her differently because she was a woman. She was neither partial nor curious. It seemed that in the princess' eyes, this was the most normal thing.

She couldn't let the princess down.

Xie Qing put away the military book, looked at the moonlight in front of the window, and suddenly asked: "Princess, if our news is sent back to the Central Plains, will the Central Plains respond?"

Yao Ying nodded: "Yes."

She was certain that there would be a response from the Central Plains, because she regarded Li De, Li Xuanzhen and the ministers in the court as politicians. No matter what kind of entanglements there were between them, politicians would not refuse a profitable deal. Moreover, there were rising stars from aristocratic families like Zheng Jing in the court, and there were humble families like Du Sinan who were ambitious, eager to make achievements, and would do anything for their future. Among these people, there were many who had a long-term vision and cared about the country and the people, and someone would always give a response.

As for the personal grudges between father and son, brothers and sisters, there will always be a time to settle them.

Xie Qing frowned: "What about after returning to the Central Plains? Princess, you have to think about yourself."

"I understand." Yao Ying yawned, her voice soft and lazy, "Returning to the Central Plains is not returning to Chang'an. I know what I am doing. Ah Qing, I am doing this not only for the overall situation, to eliminate the war, but also for my own benefit. Don't worry."

Xie Qing hummed, and seeing that she looked tired, he stood up and moved the candle away: "Princess, please settle down earlier."

Yaoying's eyelids felt heavy. She changed her clothes, lay down and fell asleep soon after. In a daze, she suddenly felt something strange and woke up with a start. She just in time to hear a few footsteps coming from the roof.

Someone is walking on the roof!

Yao Ying listened carefully and heard several muffled noises coming from the yard. People fell to the ground one after another. Xie Chong shouted, but was interrupted by someone and the shouting stopped abruptly.

There were sounds of footsteps in the corridor and shadows of people swaying in front of the window.

Yao Ying's heart was pounding. She fumbled in the dark to get out the dagger, climbed up, walked barefoot, and tiptoed to hide behind the door.

With a creaking sound, the bolt was picked open from the outside, a pair of hands pushed the door open, and several dark shadows rushed into the room and ran directly towards the bed.

"Princess!"

Xie Qing and Xie Peng shouted loudly, and the courtyard was filled with flashing swords and sabers. The personal guards yelled and fought with the men in night clothes. The corridors were filled with people inside and outside.

Yao Ying hid behind the door, holding the dagger tightly in her hand.

The dark shadows ran to the couch, lifted the thin blanket, and when they didn't see Yao Ying, they immediately turned around and searched around.

One of the black shadows narrowed his eyes, turned around suddenly, and flashed. In the blink of an eye, his tall and mighty body was in front of Yao Ying. He stretched out his ape-like arm, and grasped her wrist tightly with his big hand, exerting a little force.

There was a crisp sound of "click", Yao Ying's hands trembled, and the dagger in her hand fell to the ground.

A few low laughs came from behind the man's mask, and the laughs were uninhibited and unrestrained: "Princess Wen Zhao, you always like to hide in places like behind the door."

Yao Yinghun's blood froze as he met those sharp light yellow eyes and widened his eyes: Haidu Aling!

Haidu A Ling sneered, pinched Yao Ying's chin with his rough fingers, and said contemptuously: "I said, you can't escape from my palm."

Yao Ying's teeth were chattering as she tried to tear his arms away, but her hands and feet were stiff and she couldn't move at all.

Haidu A Ling laughed softly, leaned over and picked her up, his golden eyes full of the desire to conquer his prey: "Princess, you've had enough fun outside, it's time to go back."

He carried Yaoying out of the corridor, climbed up the courtyard wall in a few steps, and his figure rose and fell several times with agility. In the blink of an eye, he had passed a row of rooftops.

Xie Qing and his companions watched Yao Ying being taken away with bloodshot eyes. They chased after her with knives in hand, but were entangled by other masked men. After a hard fight, when they looked up again, they saw nothing but a silver moonlight in front of them. Where was the shadow of Yao Ying?

"Princess!"

Xie Chong yelled anxiously.

Yao Ying was taken out of the palace. She could no longer hear the anxious calls of her guards. All she could hear was the whistling wind and Haidu Aling's slow and steady breathing. His strong and powerful arms held her tightly, like an iron hoop, making it impossible for her to move.

She shivered slightly, and as she was getting farther and farther away from the palace, she gathered all her strength and bit Haidu Aling's neck.

Haidu A Ling chuckled, dodged nimbly, grabbed her chin, and blew hot air on her nose: "I haven't seen you for a few days. How did the princess learn to bite people?"

At this moment, a gorgeous golden arc of light suddenly flashed under the cold moonlight.

Haidu Aling sensed the danger sharply, his pupils suddenly shrank, he hugged Yaoying tightly, and jumped up.

The arc of light was faster than his movements. It caught up with him in an instant, leaped onto his back, and slashed down with its sharp claws.

The hard and flexible leather armor was torn open and the clothes were torn to pieces.

Haidu Aling groaned, his arms twisted with muscles, and he slapped the air with one palm. His body swayed slightly, and he shook off the black shadow, jumped onto the top of a roof tile, turned around and stared at the black shadow coldly.

Yao Ying looked in the direction he was looking.

A colorful cheetah slowly stepped out of the darkness, with a sturdy body, a light and elegant posture, and its yellow eyes flashing with a strange phosphorescence.

Haidu A Ling took off his mask, revealing a ferocious look. He put Yao Ying down, drew his sword, and said with a cold look in his eyes: "Sultan Gu, I have wanted to meet you for a long time!"

There were a few rustling sounds on the roof tiles, and the leopard lifted its tail and ran to the east.

The moonlight was clear, the night wind was howling, and under the sparkling moonlight, a tall and thin figure stood on a roof, holding a long sword in his hand. He was dressed in black, with a terrifying face, calm and indifferent, as if he wanted to blend into the endless silent night.

Just like a Shura walking out of a den of evil, cold, murderous, fierce and merciless.

Haidu Aling looked at him coldly and raised his long sword.

Sultan Gu stood facing the wind, motionless, his black clothes fluttering in the wind, outlining his slender figure. Although he was thin, he was full of accumulated strength and his whole body was filled with strong and masculine tension.

Yao Ying looked at him in a daze.

Haidu Aling stepped forward, gave a light rebuke, and advanced. The motionless Sultan Gu suddenly drew his sword, and his figure was as fast as a rabbit and a falcon. The sword flashed, and two agile figures entangled with each other.

Yao Ying stood on the roof, swaying left and right in the wind, her heart pounding, and she stared at the two of them intently.

Haidu Aling was agile and powerful. He attacked fiercely, with each strike of his sword carrying ferocious force.

Sultan Gu Ling was fierce and ferocious, with a majestic aura. Every blow he made was ruthless and merciless, but when he turned and moved, he had a solemn and ancient calmness and steadiness, with a hint of sadness.

After exchanging more than a hundred moves, the two were still evenly matched. The two forces collided violently, the roof tiles shattered, and dust fell.

Haidu Aling was impatient and had fought for a long time without any results. He flew into a rage and forced Sultan Gu into a corner. With a loud shout, all his muscles bulged, he raised his long sword and chopped at Sultan Gu.

This attack condensed all his might, like Mount Tai pressing down on one's head, any Buddha standing in the way will be killed!

Yao Ying held her breath nervously.

Sultan Gu stood tall with a solemn expression on his face. He held a long sword in his left hand. He was full of power and tyranny. He actually broke through Haidu Aling's attack!

Haidu Aling took a step back, groaned again, and blood flowed from the corner of his mouth.

He glanced behind him and found that his men had not caught up with him. With a gloomy look in his eyes, he suddenly took a few steps back, rushed to Yao Ying, hooked her waist, turned around and ran away.

"Sultan, let's meet on the battlefield someday and see who's better!"

Before Yao Ying could call for help, a fierce gust of sword came from behind her. Amid the rustling of robes, several Sultan Gu rushed up to her, their figures like ghosts, and chopped off Haidu Aling's right arm with one sword.

Haidu Aling's heart trembled with fear and he dodged the long knife. Sultan Gu rushed forward, grabbed Yaoying's shoulders and pulled her into his arms.

Yao Ying felt a cold light flash in the corner of her eyes and shouted, "Be careful!"

A short knife emerged from Haidu Aling's sleeve and pointed directly at the Sultan!

Sultan Gu said nothing as his tall figure swooped forward like an eagle swooping at a rabbit. He hooked Yao Ying's waist with his right hand and passed by Haidu Aling. He slapped out with his left hand with a fierce and unstoppable palm.

Haidu Aling narrowed his eyes, put away his dagger, and stepped back.

Yao Ying's heart was beating fast and she was covered in cold sweat. In panic, she grabbed Sudangu's neck, pressed her body tightly against his chest, and trembled slightly.

Sultan Gu held her in his arms and flew quickly across the rooftops, stopped on a courtyard wall, turned around and looked towards Haidu A Ling.

"Princess Wen Zhao is the king's daughter, Modanga. If it happens again, I will show no mercy."

He spoke word by word in a hoarse voice.

Haidu Aling's face was as gloomy as water. He glanced at Yao Ying who was curled up in Sultan Gu's arms, his mouth twitched a few times, and he turned around and walked away.