Outside the forbidden forest, the townspeople still stood, waiting to see what would happen next after the screeching sounds that had escaped from the forest. They watched in silence as the black fog that had covered the forest for many years began to disappear.
One man looked at the forest, then at the townspeople standing beside him. He scratched his head and said, dumbfounded, "What is going on?"
"Does this sacrifice work?" another man asked with doubt in his voice. "The fog's starting to clear up; this must mean that the two-headed dragon is satisfied with our offering."
"Thank heaven," one woman sighed, relief washing over her. "Now we can be at peace again."
The priest and his followers knelt and bowed to the sky. When they looked up, they saw three figures walking towards them.
"They must be gods!" two women shouted loudly; their voices filled with awe.
The priest and his followers bowed three times again in fervent reverence.
As the believers knelt and the three people drew closer, the kneeling faithful realized that these three were not gods. These were the very individuals they had offered to the two-headed dragon. Their mouths fell open. Everyone questioned how they were still alive.
Guo Longtong ran towards the three friends, "Baiyu..." His three best friends followed closely behind him.
Boss Xiong saw Ping'an and Xiong Grandma. He, too, rushed towards them, followed by Madam Xiong and Xiong Lifeng. Even with his face injured, Boss Xiong somehow reached the three friends first.
"Mother... Mother!" Boss Xiong shouted, rushing to his mother, who was still being held by Guo Baiyu. "Let my mother down!"
When the others arrived, Guo Baiyu gently placed Grandma Xiong on the ground.
Guo Longtong hugged Guo Baiyu, tears streaming down his face. "Baiyu... I thought you were dead! I can't believe you're still alive. This must be due to the protection of our ancestors." He sniffed and wiped his tears.
Zhao Renshu's health continued to deteriorate, but he still managed a weak smile. "Told you so, we'll be the first to come out alive."
"Mother... Please wake up! I am so sorry!" Boss Xiong cried, shaking Xiong Grandma. He then looked up at Ping'an, stood, and raised his hand to hit her, but his hand was stopped by the weak Zhao Renshu, who pushed Boss Xiong's arm away.
Guo Baiyu stood protectively next to Zhao Renshu.
"You.... You murderer!" Boss Xiong shouted angrily, his face contorted in rage. "When you were born, you killed my beloved wife. Now, because of you," he pointed his finger at Ping'an, his voice venomous, "you are the cause of my beloved mother's death! I curse you! I curse you to die a terrible death!"
The weak Zhao Renshu breathed heavily, his voice raspy. "If I hear another word out of your mouth insulting her again, I will curse you so that you can never speak again." He coughed several times, a deep, rattling sound.
"From now on, you and I are strangers," Boss Xiong declared, his voice cold. "You can't attend my mother's funeral." He picked up Xiong Grandma's body and started walking away.
"We have always been strangers," Ping'an uttered softly, her voice filled with a quiet finality. "Goodbye, Boss Xiong."
Boss Xiong carried Xiong Grandma's body, followed by Madam Xiong and Xiong Lifeng. The Xiong family disappeared into the gathered townspeople.
"Baiyu... I'm going to faint... I need you to carry me now," Zhao Renshu whispered, his voice fading. Then he blacked out. He heard Guo Baiyu and Ping'an calling his name, but he was too weak to respond. Their voices sounded so far away. Then everything went black.
In Zhao Renshu's dream, he found himself standing in front of a very large treehouse. He slowly climbed the steps to the door. Although the tree house was not familiar to him and he believed he had never been here before, there was a feeling in his heart that this was his home and where he belonged. He gently pushed the door open, and looking to his left, he saw a beautiful woman sitting in front of a mirror, combing her hair. She turned around and said, "You are here. Help me comb my hair."
Zhao Renshu walked behind the woman and began combing her hair, but when he looked in the mirror, his heart almost dropped because he saw himself in woman's clothes, and an unknown man was brushing his hair. The handsome, white-haired man smiled at him with his piercing blue eyes.
Zhao Renshu jolted up from his dream and smelled a strong scent of medicine. He opened his eyes and saw Guo Baiyu sitting at the table, reading a book.
Zhao Renshu was relieved. He softly murmured, "It is only a dream."
Guo Baiyu noticed that Zhao Renshu was awake. He put down his book and walked to the bed.
"How are you?" Guo Baiyu asked, his voice calm.
"What is this place?" Zhao Renshu asked, his eyes scanning the unfamiliar room.
"The Guo residence," Guo Baiyu replied simply.
"Ping'an?" Zhao Renshu asked, a note of concern in his voice.
"She is getting your meal," Guo Baiyu informed him.
"Why don't I smell food, instead of this bitter medicine?" Zhao Renshu complained, wrinkling his nose. "I want food. I'm hungry."
"Don't complain too much. The food is on the way," Guo Baiyu said, a hint of amusement in his tone. He felt Zhao Renshu's pulses. "You seem fine."
"I've told you that sealing a portal requires a lot of spiritual energy," Zhao Renshu explained. "I'm weak from spending too much spiritual energy. I just need food to boost my energy. You should worry about your arm."
"It's fine," Guo Baiyu replied. "I don't consider myself a doctor, but I have studied medicine for many years. I can treat my own wounds."
"Wow... The young master of Guo family is very talented," Zhao Renshu mocked playfully. "He's good at almost everything."
"With that attitude, you must be out of danger," Guo Baiyu deadpanned, a slight smirk on his face.
Ping'an walked in with a tray of food.
Zhao Renshu was very happy to see Ping'an and the delicious food. He jumped out of bed. He took two steps toward the table and fell. Fortunately, Guo Baiyu caught him before he hit the ground.
"I didn't realize that I was so weak," Zhao Renshu admitted, a sheepish look on his face.
"You passed out for two days," Guo Baiyu stated.
"What?" Zhao Renshu exclaimed, surprised.
"You transferred some of your spiritual energy to Xiong Grandma and used all of your spiritual energy to seal the portal. This is why you are so weak." Guo Baiyu explained.
Guo Baiyu helped Zhao Renshu to the table, and the three friends began to eat their meal.
"Ping'an, do you remember what we talked about back in the temple?" Zhao Renshu asked, his eyes serious.
"Yes," Ping'an replied.
"Now, would you like to come with me?" Zhao Renshu pressed.
Guo Baiyu looked at Zhao Renshu, then at Ping'an, his expression expectant.
"What about what I offer you?" Guo Baiyu asked, his voice calm. "Will you be willing to go with me?"
"Hey!" Zhao Renshu slammed his chopsticks on the table. "That's unfair! I was unconscious, remember what we agreed on?"
"Regardless of both your offers, I haven't decided yet," Ping'an replied, her voice firm.
"Fine... at least visit my place," Zhao Renshu urged, a hopeful glint in his eye. "You might like it. Also, I haven't been home for many years."
"Okay. I have no attachment here anymore," Ping'an agreed, a touch of sadness in her voice.
Zhao Renshu looked at Guo Baiyu. "You, before I fully recover, you need to protect me. You promised." He winked at Guo Baiyu.
"When will you leave?" Guo Baiyu asked, ignoring the wink.
"The sooner the better," Zhao Renshu smiled. "How about tomorrow?"
"How about the day after tomorrow?" Guo Baiyu countered.
"Why?" Zhao Renshu asked, a slight frown on his face.
"We need to prepare and hire a carriage driver," Guo Baiyu explained patiently. "Your two silver ingots will not be enough to buy yourself a carriage and horses."
"Fine," Zhao Renshu grumbled, a pout on his face. "Mister the Master of all preparations."
The three friends laughed and enjoyed their dinner at the table.
Two days later, Guo Longtong and his friends bid farewell to Guo Baiyu, Zhao Renshu, and Ping'an.
"Baiyu.... When are you coming back again?" Guo Longtong asked, his voice filled with sadness.
"Might not be until the spring or summer," Guo Baiyu replied.
"Childe Guo, good luck on your journey home," Li Dachin said. "I really wish you could stay for the Lantern Festival."
"There will always be next time," Guo Baiyu replied with a smile.
Li Dachin handed Guo Baiyu a bag. "I made some snacks for the three of you. If you are hungry, you guys can eat them."
"Thank you, Childe Li," Guo Baiyu said, accepting the bag.
"It's time to go!" Zhao Renshu shouted impatiently. "We may not get to the next town before sunset."
The friends and family bid farewell.
Guo Baiyu walked into the carriage, and the four friends waved goodbye.
The three friends sat on the wooden bench inside the carriage.
"Now I understand why they say it is easier to capture a spirit than scholars saying goodbye," Zhao Renshu complained, rolling his eyes.
Guo Baiyu rolled his eyes at Zhao Renshu.
"It only takes a few minutes to say goodbye, but you took almost two hours. Unbelievable!" Zhao Renshu continued his complaint.
Guo Baiyu ignored Zhao Renshu. "How are you feeling?" He turned to Ping'an.
"I have said goodbye. I'm not sad anymore," Ping'an replied, a faint smile on her face. "I think this place makes me sad because it holds so many unpleasant memories."
Zhao Renshu stretched out his hand and gently pinched Ping'an's right cheek. "That's the spirit!" He smiled. "We will never set foot in this stupid, brainless town again."
"I can't do that. I have family here," Guo Baiyu interjected, a slight frown on his face.
"Then you will visit this town alone," Zhao Renshu declared. "Don't bother inviting us, because we will not be coming with you."
When Guo Baiyu shook his head, Ping'an and Zhao Renshu both smiled at him.