"But think about it, it was originally agreed that they would guard the subterranean people in the human world. To suddenly go back on that promise, the Princess and the High Priest certainly wouldn't have agreed. And so, he wasn't given the key to the underground passage—the Golden Eye Silver Pearl. Hearing this, you should all understand why that craftsman secretly made the Golden Eye Silver Pearl, shouldn't you?" Wang Mu said.

Old Li and I both nodded. Wang Mu continued, "Actually, you might not have guessed correctly. When the craftsman first finished the Golden Eye Silver Pearl and handed it over to Grandpa Laba, he actually intended to use the power of the Laba family to issue a warning to the Princess and the High Priest. The meaning was that if the High Priest didn't agree to let him go to the place of eternal life, he would forge a second one. But neither the Princess nor the High Priest paid him any mind. After all, he was still a Guge person; when one attempt failed, he didn't publicize the matter but silently set about making the second Golden Eye Silver Pearl. Who knew that the Laba family would then present the first Golden Eye Silver Pearl as tribute to Sheng Tai... which is why the incident of him being caught stealing from Sheng Tai's manor occurred. It’s just... I don't know why he later took his own life without a word." Wang Mu added, "Suicide is never good; the gods will not forgive him."

What seemed like a simple matter turned out to be so convoluted, with everyone scheming for their own ends. Only I was dragged into it all unknowingly.

Wang Mu finished speaking in one breath; her eyes were still covered by cloth, so she couldn't see anyone's expression. But she was an exceedingly clever person. Hearing her, she let out a little snort of laughter and said, "After hearing all this, you must be wondering: if even those who achieve immortality still need unprotected living people on the surface to guard them, why did the craftsman desire eternal life so much? Right?"

Just as I was about to ask that very question, hearing her say it, I quickly agreed, "Yes, yes... that part really doesn't make sense."

Wang Mu said, "If no one guards those exits, and if those greedy little people find out, who can guarantee that the people below will remain unharmed? Look, even the Guge ruins have been dug three feet deep! In this society today, is there anything that can be buried underground without being found? No, right?"

As she spoke, Zhuoma Yangjin suddenly gave a small exclamation, "Oh! How did we get here so fast?"

"Here?" The rest of us asked almost simultaneously, "The exit?"

Who knew that Zhuoma Yangjin smiled shyly and said, "No, no, I mean... well... since things are this way, why don't you all come meet my grandfather?"

The moment the words left her lips, Wang Mu cried out, "Princess! Are you mad? Take them to see the High Priest!"

"The High Priest?" A shock went through me. "Yangjin, your grandfather is the High Priest?"

Wang Mu said, "Luo Lian, the Princess is standing right in front of you. Is the High Priest really that shocking to you?"

Nie Jiong had mentioned taking us to see the High Priest before, and I had dismissed it as him making up a character to trick us. I never expected that now, someone called the Princess was offering to take me to meet the legendary High Priest of the ancient Guge Dynasty. I couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement.

Old Li felt the same way. "We can see him right away?" he asked eagerly.

Zhuoma Yangjin replied gently, "Certainly not right away... but soon enough. If... if you don't mind, we can all go see my grandfather together. He dotes on me, so he will likely be very friendly to you too."

Wang Mu seemed worried, and she asked Zhuoma Yangjin hesitantly, "Princess, isn't it a bit improper for you to bring two strangers, especially outsiders, to see the High Priest so rashly?"

At that moment, I wished I could stuff a cloth in Wang Mu's mouth. Can't you just not be such a spoilsport for once? I thought inwardly.

Fortunately, Zhuoma Yangjin did not heed Wang Mu's suggestion and flatly denied her words, "There is nothing improper about it. Besides, Luo Lian... Grandpa won't be distant with anyone anyway."

Now that’s more like it, I thought to myself.

We rested a while longer. Zhuoma Yangjin personally inspected the blindfolds on each of us, ensuring they were tightly opaque before continuing, just as before, taking my hand and Old Li's, leading Wang Mu as they turned a few corners, beginning their passage through the long darkness again.

Along the way, Zhuoma Yangjin spoke very little. I couldn't tell how long we traveled, but just as I was feeling dizzy and unable to hold on, I suddenly inhaled a breath of cool, fresh air. Immediately, Zhuoma Yangjin let go of our hands and said, "We're here. You can take off the cloths now."

I quickly removed my blindfold, and the blinding sunlight made me dare not open my eyes fully. "Where is this?" I asked Zhuoma Yangjin, my eyes still shut.

"A secret place; I can't tell you the name. However... you two are the first outsiders to set foot here in three or four hundred years," Zhuoma Yangjin said with a touch of pride.

Wang Mu grumbled discontentedly, "She knows she’s the first in three or four hundred years... but doesn't look at the simpletons she’s brought along!"

I immediately understood why Wang Mu had repeatedly tried to stop Zhuoma Yangjin from bringing us here—that was the reason! It seemed Zhuoma Yangjin truly was... Ah, thinking of this, a sudden, inexplicable sadness washed over me. But I quickly pushed those other thoughts away. Acting as if nothing was amiss, I said, "Then Old Li and I feel immensely honored." As I spoke, I squinted slightly, trying to slowly adjust to the harsh sunlight.

After a while, my eyes felt better. Looking around, we were in a densely wooded area, with a thick layer of fallen leaves underfoot that rustled loudly with every slight movement. Sunlight pierced through the canopy in streaks like wheat awns, making my heart flutter uneasily and obscuring my view of the distance.

Wang Mu asked, "Princess, did you call for someone to meet us?"

Zhuoma Yangjin nodded, walked naturally over to take my hand, and courteously greeted Old Li, "Li Zeng, you must be tired from the journey."

Old Li quickly responded politely, then winked furtively at me, meaning, You lucky dog, you're quite the charmer.

I pretended not to notice his gesture and asked Zhuoma Yangjin, "When will the people coming to meet us arrive?"

Zhuoma Yangjin glanced at me and smiled sweetly. "Very soon." Her smile mixed with threads of sunlight, and a strange, stirring warmth suddenly flooded my heart. I couldn't help but grip her hand tightly, and for a fleeting moment, I almost fell in love with her. ‘Every morning I wake up, and you and the sun are there—that’s the future I want.’ I didn't know where I had read that line, but it perfectly matched my feelings at that moment—though, it was only for that single moment.

A little while later, very distinct footsteps could be heard from the distance. Zhuoma Yangjin's face brightened. "They're here." Fearing she might slight Old Li, she explained to him again, "Our people are arriving."

Old Li smiled knowingly and positioned himself a short distance away from me. Upon seeing those people, Wang Mu immediately dropped her cheerful expression, bowing her head slightly and standing subserviently beside Zhuoma Yangjin. Zhuoma Yangjin was no longer as gentle and endearing as before; she held a serious expression, not even glancing at Wang Mu beside her, waiting in silence for those people to approach. However, she never let go of my hand.

Before long, the group drew near—a sizable contingent of about twenty or thirty people, all clad in brown sheepskin Tibetan robes. They were also carrying three palanquins. As soon as they caught sight of Zhuoma Yangjin, they immediately knelt respectfully halfway and greeted her in unison in Tibetan—likely addressing her as Princess.

Zhuoma Yangjin raised her hand slightly, and the people stood up, quickly approaching us.

When they were close, Wang Mu immediately placed both hands on one of Zhuoma Yangjin's arms. Zhuoma Yangjin then released my hand and said, "You and Li Zeng will ride in separate palanquins." She repeated this instruction to Old Li. Old Li nodded to show he understood. Once the orders were given, a palanquin carried by twelve bearers arrived before her. Someone immediately lifted the exquisitely decorated curtain, shimmering with traditional Tibetan eight auspicious symbols, inviting Zhuoma Yangjin to board. Zhuoma Yangjin glanced at me, and with Wang Mu assisting her, she ascended the palanquin.

Then, an old man with deep wrinkles, whose age was impossible to discern, approached. "The two of you, please," he said, bowing and gesturing an invitation. His spoken Chinese was not very fluent. Following him were two four-bearer palanquins with cinnabar-red bases and gold-threaded edges.

I had never encountered such a procession and was momentarily unsure how to respond. Old Li said "Thank you" and had already boarded his palanquin. I paused, then forced a smile like Old Li, thanked the old man, and without further thought, climbed into the remaining palanquin.

As soon as I was seated securely, someone called out sharply in Tibetan, and only then did I feel the palanquin sway slightly. They continued their journey through the forest.

The entire group of twenty or thirty people moved with incredible swiftness, like the wind. Besides the rustling sound of leaves underfoot, there was complete silence. I couldn't help but think of the legendary martial arts masters known for their agility.

Unlike the palanquins in the movies, there was no small window for viewing the scenery outside. None at all. When I tried to lift the curtain to peek out, the old man immediately stopped me. "Please do not open the curtain," he said laboriously in Chinese, while simultaneously trying his best to offer a gentle smile in my direction. However, I could clearly perceive the displeasure in his eyes regarding my action, so I quickly settled back into my proper posture.

After walking for about another hour, we reached an unknown destination, and the palanquins suddenly stopped. Immediately, I heard someone shouting respectfully in Tibetan, followed by Zhuoma Yangjin’s voice, and then a chorus of uniform voices, both male and female, old and young. Following this, someone rushed to lift my palanquin curtain—it was the same old man. He bowed deeply and said, "Mr. Luo, please alight." I eagerly jumped down without caring for propriety—it was suffocating inside the palanquin, especially knowing I was being carried by several strong men.

Old Li also alighted. Zhuoma Yangjin turned back and smiled at us; still supported by Wang Mu, she stood before a dark mass of people.

Wang Mu glanced at us, then turned and whispered something to a young man standing nearby who appeared to be a servant. That man quickly walked toward us. He said with profound deference, "Please follow me to freshen up. The High Priest will receive you shortly." His Chinese was extremely stiff; after listening for a long time, I finally understood what he meant, so I motioned for Old Li to follow him with me.