While Lu Zhanyuan and Li Mochou wandered and played around the town, basking in the sweetness of their love, a heavy and gloomy atmosphere hung over the distant Iron Lance Temple.
Guo Jing and Huang Rong looked with complex expressions at the body of Yang Kang lying on the ground, their eyes a mix of pity and helplessness.
At that moment, Mu Nianci walked into the Iron Lance Temple, holding an umbrella with slow and heavy steps. Though her expression appeared calm, endless sorrow was hidden deep within her eyes.
She looked at Guo Jing and asked with a slightly hoarse voice, "Is it all over?"
"Junior Sister Mu, I am truly sorry. Yang, my brother, struck a blow against Rong'er's soft armor, which was coated in poison. He was poisoned and died!" Guo Jing's face was full of guilt, and he avoided Mu Nianci's gaze.
"It is retribution for the many evil deeds he committed himself!"
With that, Mu Nianci lowered her head to look at the infant in her arms with boundless maternal love. A flash of sorrow crossed her eyes as she murmured softly, "Only this poor child is to blame; he lost his father the moment he was born."
"Junior Sister Mu, is this your and Brother Yang's child?"
Guo Jing stepped forward and looked at the newborn baby in Mu Nianci's arms.
Mu Nianci looked calmly at Guo Jing and Huang Rong. "That's right. He was just born not long ago, and he doesn't even have a name yet!"
"Big Brother Guo, you and Yang Kang were sworn brothers. Why don't you give this child a name?"
"All right!"
Guo Jing lowered his head to look at the baby in Mu Nianci's arms and fell into deep thought.
"Child, your father made many mistakes during his lifetime, and in the end, he failed to repent in time!"
"I will give you a name now—Yang Guo, with the style name Gaizhi!"
"May you always correct your mistakes as you grow up, and grow into a true and upright man!"
With that, Guo Jing looked up at Mu Nianci. "Junior Sister Mu, what do you think of this name?"
Mu Nianci nodded at Guo Jing, then looked down at her son in her arms. "Yang Guo... Yang Guo... correct your mistakes whenever you make them... My son, from now on your name is Yang Guo..."
"Junior Sister Mu, now that you are carrying Brother Yang's flesh and blood, what are your plans for the future? Would you like to return to Peach Blossom Island with us?"
"I hoped for a single-minded heart, to grow old together and never be parted. Since we could not grow old together, let me spend the rest of these years alone."
As she spoke, Mu Nianci slowly walked over to Yang Kang's body. A trace of lingering affection and resolute determination flickered in her eyes as she gently closed his eyes, then said, "I will raise Yang Guo well, teach him right from wrong, and make sure he does not repeat his father's mistakes when he grows up."
***
In a remote village, in the open space before a small cottage, sunlight washed over Lu Zhanyuan as he finished his Qigong practice and slowly sheathed his sword.
"Wow!" Li Mochou cried out in pleasant surprise. "Brother Lu, in just a single year, you've already mastered our Ancient Tomb Sect's Jade Maiden Sword Technique to perfection!"
"Haha..." Lu Zhanyuan laughed heartily. "Mochou, you are no match for me anymore!"
"I never imagined your martial arts talent would be so extraordinary, Brother Lu. You're truly amazing!" Admiration and adoration filled Li Mochou's eyes.
"No, I need to step up my martial arts practice too!"
With that, Li Mochou walked quickly over to a nearby patch of open ground, picked up her sword, and with determination in her eyes, began to practice diligently.
Lu Zhanyuan walked to the side and sat down, watching Li Mochou's ethereal figure with a hint of indulgent affection as he sank into deep thought.
After a year of living together, their feelings had progressed by leaps and bounds. Short of the final step, they had already done everything else that lovers could do.
"Mochou, let's get married in a few days!"
Lu Zhanyuan walked over to Li Mochou just as she finished practicing, took out a towel, and gently wiped the sweat from her temples with loving eyes.
"Brother Lu, if we want to get married, we must first return to the Ancient Tomb and inform my master!" Li Mochou leaned gently into Lu Zhanyuan's embrace, a trace of worry flickering in her eyes.
"Don't worry, Mochou. I'll go with you to the Ancient Tomb!" Lu Zhanyuan reached out to gently stroke Li Mochou's long hair, his eyes filled with steadfast reassurance. "I believe that when your master sees how deeply we love each other, she will agree to our union!"
"I hope so!" Li Mochou found a comfortable spot in Lu Zhanyuan's arms and looked up at him with a mix of anticipation and unease. "Brother Lu, did you know that members of my Ancient Tomb Sect are not allowed to leave without permission? I sneaked down the mountain this time, and I don't even know if I'll still be able to see my master!"
"Mochou, I've told you before: no matter what happens, I will face the winds and rains ahead right by your side!"
"Mochou, you are so good to me!"
Moved, Li Mochou leaned up and kissed Lu Zhanyuan. Seizing the moment, Lu Zhanyuan wasted no time and launched a passionate counterattack.
***
On the way to the Ancient Tomb Sect, Lu Zhanyuan looked at the surrounding scenery and said to Li Mochou, "I've always longed to visit the Ancient Tomb Sect, as I've heard it is extraordinarily mysterious. They say the sect's martial arts are completely unique, and its rules are exceptionally strict."
"You mustn't be afraid once you meet my master, Brother Lu. The martial arts of our Ancient Tomb Sect truly have their unique aspects, especially the Jade Maiden Heart Sutra, which was created by Founder Grannys herself."
Along the way, Li Mochou alternated between worrying about her master's reaction and feeling reassured by Lu Zhanyuan's company. She would frequently fall into deep thought, and whenever Lu Zhanyuan noticed her mood shifting, he would find topics to distract her.
As they drew closer to the Ancient Tomb Sect, Li Mochou grew increasingly nervous. Her steps became heavy, but Lu Zhanyuan held her hand tightly, infusing her with strength. "Don't be afraid, Mochou. No matter what happens, I will be by your side."
"Mm, I know, Brother Lu!" Li Mochou gently rested her head on Lu Zhanyuan's shoulder.
The Ancient Tomb Sect was located deep within the Zhongnan Mountains, surrounded by a gloomy forest. The trees were tall and dense, their branches and leaves intertwined so that only faint, feeble beams of sunlight could pierce through the gaps, plunging the entire forest into perpetual twilight.
Gazing at the closed gates before her, Li Mochou's heart began to beat wildly. "Brother Lu, I'm ready."
With a trembling heart, she walked up to the gates and began to manipulate the hidden mechanism upon them.
"What's going on? Brother Lu, the gates won't open!" A wave of foreboding surged in Li Mochou's chest.
Lu Zhanyuan stepped forward, manipulated the mechanism twice according to Li Mochou's instructions, and turned to look at the somewhat panicked woman. "Mochou, this mechanism must have been altered; it doesn't open the way you described!"
Inside the ancient tomb, Lin Shiying heard the commotion and walked behind the heavy stone doors.
"Mochou, you needn't waste your energy. Your master has thoroughly altered the mechanism; you cannot get in!"
"Master! On my trip down the mountain this time, I met a man I adore. We are about to be married, and I have come especially to inform you!"
"What? You are getting married?"
"Yes, Master. He came with me and is standing right beside me now!"
Li Mochou turned her head and gazed at Lu Zhanyuan beside her with eyes full of love.
"Since that's the case, why have you come back? Go down the mountain with him and get married, and live your own lives properly!"
After her initial surprise, Lin Shiying returned to her usual detached state.
"Master! I have been an orphan since I was a child. You raised me, and I have long since looked upon you as my mother! Master, I want to see you one last time. Please preside over my wedding—I earnestly beg you to grant us your blessing!"
Li Mochou knelt before the gates of the ancient tomb and kowtowed.
"Foolish child... foolish child..." Lin Shiying let out a sigh from within, then fell into silent contemplation.
"Mochou, since your heart is already given, go then. Take your lover down the mountain! From this day forward, you are no longer a successor of the Ancient Tomb Sect!"
"Master, I beg you, open the door and let me see you one last time!" Li Mochou pressed herself against the ground, tears streaming uncontrollably from her eyes.
"My mind is made up; there is no need to say more!"
"Mochou, let's go. Take your lover down the mountain!"
With a pang of heartache, Lu Zhanyuan watched Li Mochou kneeling and sobbing on the ground. He stepped forward and helped her up.
"Don't be sad, Mochou." Deliberately raising his voice, Lu Zhanyuan shouted toward the gates of the ancient tomb: "This Lin Chaoying was unable to obtain the love she wanted, so she created this inhumane Jade Maiden Heart Sutra, completely stripping the people of your Ancient Tomb Sect of all human emotions and desires!"
"Ignorant junior, you know nothing yet dare to speak such nonsense!" Inside the door, Lin Shiying trembled with rage, her voice rising a notch.
"Haha..." Lu Zhanyuan threw his head back and laughed loudly. "Ridiculous! To claim I know nothing—I know far more than you can possibly imagine!"
Lu Zhanyuan gave Li Mochou a reassuring look telling her to remain calm.
"I know that Lin Chaoying could not have Wang Chongyang as her husband, and I know why she created the Jade Maiden Heart Sutra!"
"What's more, I know that because of Wang Chongyang, she grew to despise all men under heaven!"
"I even know..."
Lu Zhanyuan deliberately paused, a flash of shrewdness crossing his eyes.
"Know what?!" Lin Shiying's tone turned sharply eager.
"I know that because Wang Chongyang refused to take her as his wife, Senior Lin Chaoying's hair turned white overnight, and she took her own life in despair!"
"Senior, as Senior Lin Chaoying's maid, I am certain you are more than aware of this!"