There were only three horses. Ping'an and Guo Baiyu rode one horse. Zhao Renshu and Hu Qingge rode another. The Xiao sisters rode the last horse. After half a day on horseback, the group came to a crossroads. Zhao Renshu stopped his horse.
"Why do you stop?" Xiao Hui asked.
Zhao Renshu sighed. "None of your business."
"Since we are here, do you want to visit her?" Guo Baiyu asked Ping'an softly.
Ping'an nodded, a wistful look in her eyes.
"Renshu, Peace Town," Guo Baiyu instructed, his voice gentle.
The group turned right, heading toward Peace Town. The road felt intimately familiar. This was the road where, five years ago, Ping'an had first met Guo Baiyu. She hugged Guo Baiyu tightly, a wave of memories washing over her.
When Ping'an heard the evening bell, it reminded her of when she used to clean the local temple. Most of the time, she would go alone, but sometimes, Grandma Xiong would accompany her. Grandma Xiong would sit under the tree and listen to the morning prayers of the monks. When the sun went down, Ping'an would carry Grandma Xiong on her back, and they would walk down the two hundred steps.
When the lovers passed the small pavilion by the roadside, it reminded Ping'an of the times she and Grandma Xiong used to rest there. Ping'an always knew that Grandma Xiong was afraid that she would be tired after coming down from the local temple, so she always pretended to be tired herself and asked them to rest.
As they approached the town, Ping'an recalled the exact spot where she had met Guo Baiyu for the first time on that same dirt road. She had been minding her own business and hadn't even known that someone was walking the same way as her until white boots approached her, and a voice asked her for directions. She held Guo Baiyu tightly now, the memory vivid.
"Baiyu, this is the place where we met," Ping'an murmured.
Guo Baiyu smiled slightly. "You didn't even notice that I was walking behind you until I approached you and asked for directions."
Ping'an looked at Zhao Renshu. "Renshu, Baiyu and I met here."
Zhao Renshu grinned. "Mm..." he hummed, acknowledging the spot.
Ping'an wondered if she had not met Guo Baiyu that day, maybe now he would still be the young master and heir to the Guo family's fortune. Maybe he had already married Lady Wu and even had children, but she met him on this road that day, and his life changed from being the most respected family member to someone the Guo family refused to recognize. Everything Guo Baiyu had worked so hard to accomplish was destroyed in the blink of an eye because of her. This thought hurt her heart deeply. The tears she shed soaked Guo Baiyu's robe.
Guo Baiyu knew that Ping'an had always felt guilty inside. She always blamed herself for causing Guo Baiyu to leave everything behind. He comforted her gently. "Don't cry. Are you having those regretful moments again?"
"Baiyu," Ping'an whispered, her voice choked with emotion, "if I were stronger or pretended that I was not so hurt, you would still stay with your family. You don't have to be a wandering hunter with Renshu and me."
Guo Baiyu held Ping'an's left hand tightly. "I am not a wandering hunter. We have a home, and our home has a name."
"Living on the mountain is not as comfortable as living in Guo Manor," Ping'an countered, tears still falling.
"The soft bed in Guo Manor is not as comfortable as when I lie on the hard bamboo bed next to you," Guo Baiyu replied, his voice firm and sincere. He scoffed softly. "Ping'an, don't regret it, because I have no regrets."
"Do you really speak from the bottom of your heart?" Ping'an asked, looking up at him.
"I speak from the bottom of my heart," Guo Baiyu affirmed, his eyes unwavering.
They did not enter the town but separated from the main road and entered a dirt path. After half an hour, they saw a tomb by a tree.
"We are here," Zhao Renshu said, his voice quiet.
"Tomb? Why?" Xiao Hui asked, confused.
"This has nothing to do with you," Zhao Renshu replied, his tone dismissive.
A small butterfly flew towards Xiao Hui, landed on her open palm for a moment, and then fluttered away.
"Renshu, we must leave," Xiao Hui said, her playful demeanor gone. "Father asked us to go back. There seems to be a problem."
"What is it?" Xiao Dan asked, her brow furrowed.
"Other subordinates want to surrender to the wolf clan," Xiao Hui explained, her voice grave.
"Those old fools," Xiao Dan muttered, shaking her head.
Zhao Renshu handed Xiao Hui a paper talisman. He smiled at the two sisters. "When you need us, please call for us."
"Umm... I can't be your wife, but it's good enough to be your friend," Xiao Hui said in her sexy voice, a hint of lingering flirtation.
Zhao Renshu's right arm rested lightly on Xiao Hui's shoulder. He teased, "You are too beautiful for me."
Xiao Hui giggled. "Anyway, you are too handsome for me."
Zhao Renshu smiled at the two Xiao sisters. "Good luck, sisters."
Ping'an looked at the Xiao sisters. "Be careful," she urged softly.
Guo Baiyu nodded to the two sisters. "Until next time."
The Xiao sisters transformed into their true form; two white foxes ran away, leaving the lovers behind with Hu Qingge.
Guo Baiyu reached into his bag and took out nine incenses. Hu Qingge, unwilling to participate, stayed behind with the horses. The lovers walked to the grave of Grandma Xiong. Boss Xiong had done a great job keeping Grandma Xiong's grave tidy.
Zhao Renshu summoned a fire talisman and burned the incenses. Zhao Renshu gave each of them three incenses. The lovers respectfully paid tribute to Grandma Xiong.
"It looks like it's going to rain," Guo Baiyu observed, looking at the darkening sky.
"Let's rest in town tonight, and we will part ways tomorrow," Zhao Renshu suggested. "Early tomorrow. We don't need to let anyone know."
"Renshu..." Ping'an began, her voice hesitant.
"Ping'an, listen," Zhao Renshu interrupted, frustration in his voice. "I can't fix her. No matter how clear my words are, she doesn't listen to what I say." Zhao Renshu sighed. "If I can avoid her, then I will avoid her. I have drawn a line between her and me. I have nothing to say or persuade her."
"I understand," Ping'an said softly.
"If you understand, then don't say anything," Zhao Renshu said, still firm.
"Alright," Ping'an conceded.
"Let's go to town," Guo Baiyu said, wrapping up the discussion. "We rest for one night and leave tomorrow morning."