Author: Chen Qingyang
[Chapter 31] Lin Xiaoyang’s Meeting with Tanya
Guard Shao Bernar brought Lin Xiaoyang and his wife to the tower. Tanya received them.
Hussel was astonished: “Reincarnated David… how is he a yellow-skinned Eastern man?”
The couple stood before Tanya, who scrutinized Xiaoyang and Huang Minhua.
Xiaoyang bowed: “Princess Tanya, I am David. This is Irene.”
Tanya smiled brightly: “You are David, and you are Sister Irene.”
Huang Minhua recognized Tanya: “You are Tanya!”
Hussel could not see the couple’s original souls and did not recognize them.
Tanya asked, “Did my cousin Maria send you here to find me?”
Xiaoyang said, “Yes.”
Tanya asked in surprise, “David, why didn’t you marry my cousin?”
“Maria is with Rolf.”
“Rolf? Why is my cousin with that scoundrel? What is she thinking?”
Xiaoyang gave a wry smile, “That is Maria’s decision. What can I say?”
“Do you resent Rolf?”
“A little, but it is her choice.”
Tanya sighed, “Ah, Cupid really plays mischievous games! Did my cousin send you to reclaim the Sun Staff?”
“Yes, Princess assigned us this task.” Xiaoyang looked slightly surprised; Tanya already knew their purpose.
Tanya said softly, “David, you fool! In your past life, you served my cousin blindly, and now again, you act as her errand boy. Is this a life worth living?”
Xiaoyang smiled bitterly, “As long as the princess is happy, I bless her and Rolf.”
“The Sun Staff,” Tanya continued, “I can let you take it, but heed my advice: do not trust my cousin and unlock the staff. Absolute power always invites absolute corruption, have you heard that saying?”
Xiaoyang was shaken, awakened by her warning: “Tanya, you mean…”
“If the staff is unlocked, Maria could control both the dark and human worlds. Such supreme power could bring endless calamity. Think carefully…”
Huang Minhua said, “But, husband, Maria is waiting for us to complete the mission.”
Tanya revealed, “I’ve kept this staff sealed for over three hundred years. To seal it, I made a pact with Satan, giving up my chance at love for life…”
Xiaoyang was moved: “Tanya… why endure such pain?”
Tanya continued, “As long as the seal remains, it’s just a normal token. It will remain here in Nether Valley. No one else can take it from me. Even if they do, without unlocking it, it has no power. You must consider the stakes.”
Xiaoyang thought for a moment: “If you guarantee the staff won’t fall into others’ hands, I’ll abandon this mission.”
Tanya smiled: “I promise, in your lifetime, I will protect this staff with my life!”
Xiaoyang decided resolutely, nodding: “Then, as you wish.”
Huang Minhua anxiously asked, “Husband, how do we report back to the princess?”
Xiaoyang held her shoulders and looked seriously: “Minhua, face reality. You are Huang Minhua; you don’t live for Irene. We should not be pawns in Princess Maria’s game.”
Huang Minhua’s eyes filled with tears: “Then let’s return to Taiwan.”
Xiaoyang: “It’s time for us to leave this place of strife.”
Tanya instructed: “Wait, I’ll have my subordinates bring the monster leaders to guide you safely out of the Monster Forest.”
Shao Bernar saluted and left on his flying dragon.
Yami and Colin escorted Xiaoyang and his wife to the forest edge to meet John’s group. The group stared at the monstrous pair; Ronn and Adorno wondered but didn’t ask.
Xiaoyang said, “These two leaders will ensure we leave the forest safely.”
Ronn realized, “Ah, these monsters obey the Nether Valley master.”
John, Stron, and Rolf did not see the staff in Xiaoyang’s hands, puzzled.
Xiaoyang pulled John aside: “The staff remains in Tanya’s care. I’ll explain the details later, quietly, on the way back.”
John agreed, understanding the stakes, though he worried about Rolf near Maria.
Xiaoyang said to John: “Once we leave the Nether Valley, we part ways. Please convey a message to the princess.”
“Speak. I will deliver it.”
“Tell her: spare us. Let Minhua and me be free in this life.”
John agreed: “Go, and return to Taiwan safely with Minhua.”
[Chapter 32] Princess Maria’s Repentance
01
In Sicily, in the dark, damp Bat Castle, morale plummeted upon hearing of Anderson’s death and Rolf’s escape.
In the council chamber, White Wolf and Black Bear generals met with witch Sumi and junior officers.
White Wolf despondently said, “Without the Ghost Emperor, only we remain. Soon the Dragon Knight’s Ironblood Guard or Father John and Stron’s exorcist forces will attack. With our current strength, we’ll be annihilated.”
Black Bear fumed, “Even if all is lost, shall we sit idle? My plan: capture more humans as hostages. When the enemy attacks, they serve as human shields. What do you think?”
The officers nodded. One said, “A good idea, General Black Bear.”
White Wolf and Sumi exchanged glances.
Sumi coldly said, “I hate to dampen your spirits, but I foresaw the Ghost Emperor’s demise via the crystal ball. Yet you still gamble, despite knowing the risk. I can only say—retreat while you can!”
Sumi left, and the remaining officers looked at each other.
White Wolf said, “I agree with Sumi, but if you want to gamble, I’ll follow and go to hell with you.”
Before Black Bear could act, the next day the Dragon Knight’s Ironblood Guard had already sealed all Bat Castle exits, preparing a fire attack: pouring barrels of kerosene into the tunnels. In daylight, even escaping ghosts would be cut down; sunlight would ignite their bodies.
A guard reported: “General, disaster! The Dragon Knight’s guards and police have surrounded us, preparing to pour kerosene into our castle…”
White Wolf calmly said, “They plan a fire attack. I choose to surrender to the princess and preserve our men. Black Bear, your decision?”
Black Bear, after a long silence: “Better to live dishonorably than die here.”
White Wolf said, “Sumi, negotiate on our behalf.”
Sumi, the only one who could walk in daylight due to her evolved vampire nature and dragon-blood pill, went to negotiate.
Sumi told the Dragon Knight, “They’ve agreed to surrender to the princess.”
The Dragon Knight gave her dragon-blood pills to administer. Two quarters later, about a hundred surviving soldiers emerged under strict guard and were taken to the Luzern Lake Paradise Hotel, then to the Sky Castle for treatment and transformation.
02
After leaving the Monster Forest, it gradually disappeared into the mist. Yami and Colin waved goodbye. Xiaoyang realized Tanya was fulfilling her promise; the Nether Valley would be sealed permanently.
Passing the Lime Forest Mountains, lizard leader Lawang, informed by scouts, and his officers awaited David at a lava cave. Lawang wanted to meet this Eastern-faced youth personally.
John’s group arrived. Lawang approached Ronn: “Old wolf, greetings.”
Ronn teased: “Old bug, is this your way of welcoming me? I thought you’d avoid me forever.”
Lawang laughed awkwardly: “Please forgive past offenses.”
Lawang bowed to Xiaoyang: “Young hero, you must be David. I’ve long admired you.”
Xiaoyang humbly replied: “Let bygones be bygones. We only passed through out of necessity.”
Lawang warmly shook his hand: “No grudges, David. I respect your attitude.”
All reconciled.
The group passed through Hell Valley to the wolf clan territory.
John said, “Xiaoyang and Minhua will part ways here; they won’t return to the Paradise Hotel with us.”
Adorno, Rona, and Kaise were surprised. Adorno wanted to ask why but John’s glance stopped him.
Adorno whispered: “Boss, you’re a good man. I’ll miss you. You’re always welcome back to the hotel.”
Xiaoyang said, “Thank you. Please help care for my grandfather, Huang Lihua, and let him know if he wants to see us, we’ll be in Tamsui, Taiwan.”
Adorno: “Tamsui, Taiwan, got it.”
Huang Minhua asked, “Husband, we’re not returning to the hotel?”
Xiaoyang: “I don’t wish to stay there. We were just passing through…”
Minhua nodded: “True. Let’s live the life we want, away from strife.”
The three companions hugged the couple goodbye.
Ronn, delighted, said, “David, settle here with your wife. Though it’s no paradise, there’s no human intrigue.”
Xiaoyang smiled: “We’ll stay a few days.”
The valley had gentle slopes, a clear stream at the bottom, hundreds of stone houses, and a five-hectare square—the wolf clan village.
Ronn’s group welcomed the couple with a bonfire party, music, dancing, feasts of roasted deer and lamb, wine, and fruits. Ronn sighed, “Anderson’s ambition led to his doom. Evil cannot triumph forever. That’s why David, you appear to settle things.”
Xiaoyang said, “The desire for power is truly terrifying. Once it spirals out of control, it can turn into obsession, driving people to expand their influence by any means necessary, harming countless innocents.”
Ron suggested, “Brother, if you don’t mind the remote mountains and forests here, my wife and I would be delighted to have you and your wife stay with us for a long visit.”
Xiaoyang replied, “Brother Ron, your kindness moves me. My wife and I must first return to the Far East to handle some family matters. When we come back to Europe in the future, we will definitely visit and stay with you.”
Ron said, “Then it’s a promise. You’re always welcome to come back.”
Xiaoyang extended his hand and high-fived Ron: “Good brother, it’s a promise.”
In the grand hall of the Sky Castle, Princess Maria personally received the companions of this mission—but David and his wife were absent, and the long-coveted Sun Staff was nowhere to be seen.
Maria thought, “David didn’t bring the Sun Staff back… something must have changed. Could it be that Tanya persuaded him…?”
Princess Maria shook hands with everyone, commending Chen John and the others for their arduous journey, deliberately avoiding mention of the mission.
After everyone else had left, Chen John returned to the council hall and briefly explained Xiaoyang’s decision: “Princess, when David met Tanya, it seems he was persuaded by her. He decided to let Tanya keep the Sun Staff and take Eileen back to live in Ron’s wolf tribe settlement.”
Upon hearing this, tears welled in Maria’s eyes. Holding back her grief, she asked, “Did David leave any other instructions?”
Chen John said, “David asked me to deliver this message to the princess: ‘In this lifetime, please allow Xiaoyang and Huang Minhua to live freely.’”
Tears streamed down Maria’s pink cheeks as she shook her head and sobbed, “David, I love you. Please forgive me for selfishly making this choice!”
John, witnessing this scene, was deeply moved by the tragic fate of these two lovers.
[Chapter 33] Huang Lihua Arrives in Tamsui
At Ciampino Airport on the outskirts of Rome, Xiaoyang and his wife pulled their suitcases to the boarding gate.
Xiaoyang held Minhua’s hand and said, “We’re about to leave Europe, Minhua. These past two years have felt like a dream.”
Minhua replied, “I never imagined meeting you by Lake Lucerne and sharing such a fantastical journey with you.”
Xiaoyang said sentimentally, “Yes! When we first arrived in Paris, I never expected to be drawn into the rivalries among vampire groups, let alone imagine that my past life was David, entangled with the vampire world in so many ways.”
Minhua said, “That’s all behind us now. From here on, we can live a simple life, without worrying about the vendettas between humans and demons.”
On the Tamsui River in early summer, the golden riverside bustled with tourists like schools of fish migrating upstream. A couple of street artists had set up a portrait stand on the sidewalk, each painting visitors.
A medium-built young man, dressed in a dark blue robe with a red flat cap and round spectacles, approached the stand. He looked at Minhua’s side profile as she painted and chatted with customers. When Minhua turned and saw him, she leapt from her seat, exclaiming, “Grandpa, is it really you? Grandpa!”
Xiaoyang, hearing Minhua’s call, looked up and saw Huang Lihua. The surrounding tourists were puzzled by the sight of a young woman warmly calling out to a young-looking man in old-fashioned clothes, addressing him as “Grandpa.”
Huang Lihua raised his right index finger to his upper lip, signaling Minhua not to cause a scene, and continued to focus on her painting. Xiaoyang brought a chair for Huang Lihua and handed him a canned coffee: “Please sit for a while, senior. Minhua and I will chat with you later and take a walk nearby.”
“Seeing you two live such a leisurely life makes me happy,” Huang Lihua said.
“Grandpa, I told Xiaoyang you’d definitely come to Taiwan to see us. My intuition is always right.”
After completing their customers’ portraits, Xiaoyang and Minhua hung a “Break” sign and the three chatted at the stand.
“Actually, Princess Maria once entrusted me with a task. She wants you to return to the Paradise Hotel to oversee detective work in the dark world,” Huang Lihua said.
Xiaoyang and Minhua asked in unison, curious: “Detective work in the dark world?”
“You are both living humans. Disguised as travel writers, you would secretly investigate whether any vampires or human-demons are still coexisting within human society, continuing to harm humans. If you discover these two types of monsters, you are to report to Father Chen John, and the princess will assign appropriate personnel to eliminate them.”
Xiaoyang asked, confused, “Human-demons? Living among humans?”
“Human-demons are those consumed by the desire for power, willing to do anything to achieve their goals. They hold significant resources and outwardly appear as religious leaders or philanthropists, but use their power to gain huge benefits, harming those around them.”
“I understand. Maria wants me as her private detective. But wouldn’t Father Chen John be more suitable for this kind of work?”
Huang Lihua explained, “Father John’s identity is sensitive. Moreover, he is already renowned in the dark world and is not suited for such tasks.”
Xiaoyang said, “Honestly, senior, I’ve never had grand ambitions. I just want a simple life with Minhua, with no desire to wade into messy affairs again.”
Minhua firmly said, “Grandpa, neither of us plans to return to Paradise Hotel.”
Huang Lihua’s face showed a faint, bittersweet smile: “When I first saw you two at the scenic spot with your portrait stand, I realized the princess’s expectations would not be met. Honestly, I don’t want you wading into trouble again—you have your own future. There’s no need to accept Princess Maria’s orders for risky work. But I worry that if I fail to convince you, the princess may send Grand Master Rufus after you. Rufus is now the chief steward at the castle, holding great power in the Sky Castle.”
Xiaoyang asked casually, “Even though Rufus is powerful, can he really drag us back to Lake Lucerne in Switzerland?”
“Kidnapping? Probably not. But since you’ve drunk the dragon marrow elixir given by the princess, you’ve developed martial skills and strong inner potential. You may not fully understand its power; anyone who drinks it is susceptible to the princess’s spells and could be forced to serve her.”
Xiaoyang pressed, “Forced to serve the princess? Would she really cast a spell on Minhua and me?”
Lihua said worriedly, “It’s possible. If Rufus finds you and you refuse to return, he may convince the princess to use a spell to compel you.”
Xiaoyang frowned, “When we left the Nether Valley, I asked Father Chen John to deliver a message to the princess, asking her to let us live freely this lifetime.”
Lihua’s eyes brightened: “I believe Father John conveyed your message. The princess values her sentiments; having heard your wish, she likely won’t trouble you.”
Xiaoyang pondered, “If she can control us with a spell, why didn’t she just use it in the Nether Valley to take the Sun Staff from Tanya? Why go through all this effort to make us her detectives?”
Lihua thought for a moment: “Perhaps the spell couldn’t reach the Nether Valley, or maybe she had some reservations. What exactly happened, I can’t figure out.”
Xiaoyang asked, “If the princess uses the spell and we resist, what would happen?”
Lihua said, “I’ve heard from dragon knights that those who resist the spell after drinking the elixir may suffer backlash, losing their sanity and becoming insane.”
Xiaoyang sighed deeply, “If the princess insists on pushing us to the brink, I’d rather go mad than be controlled.”
Lihua comforted him: “I think the princess understands your temperament. She wouldn’t harm you, so don’t be too pessimistic.”
Xiaoyang asked, “Is there any way to break the princess’s spell?”
“I’ll ask a dragon knight. He has long followed the princess and may know a solution. Give me some time; when I return to Lake Lucerne and the Sky Castle, I’ll consult him. Meanwhile, it’s best you hide somewhere secluded and avoid using your powers, leaving no traces for Rufus to detect.”
Xiaoyang nodded: “Though Taiwan is small, finding a remote place to live self-sufficiently won’t be hard.”
Lihua said, “Exactly. Once I leave Taiwan, find a deep mountain or cape to settle down, so Rufus won’t sense you.”
Minhua suddenly had an idea: “We could buy a yacht and hide at sea, stopping at different ports for supplies. That way, Rufus won’t easily track us.”
Lihua applauded: “Excellent idea. You’ll need cash for the yacht. I have a Swiss bank account saved for your post-marriage business. It will be useful now. I’ll transfer it to you once I return to Switzerland.”
Minhua hugged Lihua, beaming: “Thank you, Grandpa! I’m so glad you’re here!”
Huang Minhua linked her left arm with Lihua’s and her right with Xiaoyang’s, strolling along the riverside. The golden coast, gentle sea breeze, and warm sunlight created a perfect leisure afternoon.
[Chapter 34] The Spell’s Solution Was Actually Simple
Huang Lihua returned to Switzerland, wired the cash, and then went to the Paradise Hotel. The steward, Wilson, seeing him return alone, realized he hadn’t completed the princess’s task.
Wilson reminded him, “Lihua, the princess is waiting for you at the castle.”
“I’ll rest briefly and then see her,” Lihua said, carrying his suitcase upstairs.
In the Sky Castle, Maria awaited him in the hall, accompanied by a dragon knight and Grand Master Rufus.
Lihua bowed, saying, “Princess, I failed to complete the task. Please punish me.”
The princess turned calmly: “I know you did your best. If even you couldn’t convince them, it shows how deeply I hurt David’s heart.”
Lihua felt reassured by her words. Rufus, unsurprisingly, said, “David and Eileen refused to return. I will go personally to persuade them to serve you.”
The dragon knight warned, “Grand Master, they’ve changed. Using force may not work.”
Rufus sighed: “I won’t use force. But if I still fail, the princess may consider other measures…”
Maria raised her hand, stopping him: “I won’t treat David like that. He saved my father’s life in the past and helped me this life. I cannot bear to hurt him again.”
Seeing this, Lihua felt a stone lift from his heart, realizing that the solution to the spell was simply “compassion.” The princess was truly a heroine who valued her emotions.
Rufus sighed: “Since the princess won’t use force, even if I find the couple, my persuasion may fail.”
Maria instructed: “Go deliver a handwritten letter to David.”
Rufus agreed: “Understood. I hope this completes one of the princess’s worries.”
Maria then called Lihua: “Artist, you know Chinese. I want you in the study to help write this letter.”
He followed her into the study, a round room with white marble walls, a stained-glass window overlooking the garden, circular bookshelves, a harp, and an oval desk with two Chinese Buddhist sutras on it.
Maria picked up the Śūraṅgama Sūtra, pointed to a passage, and asked him to copy it:
"You carry my destiny. I still owe you a debt. Thus, through countless eons, we remain entangled in the cycle of life and death. Your love is in my heart, and I have compassion for your form. Through countless eons, we continue to be bound by this karmic connection. As a result, the cycle of karma and its consequences persists."
While copying, Lihua reflected: “The princess is truly pained… she only loves Xiaoyang…”
Maria handed him a handkerchief: “This poem is for David. Have Father Chen John translate it into Chinese and include it with the letter to Rufus.”
Knowing This Life
Once we meet, we know each other; better than not meeting. How to part without pain, to avoid longing through life and death. – “Qing Monk” Cangyang Gyatso
In the worldly crowd, I thought entering the monastery would erase sorrow and desire. Only after meeting you did I realize—you are the unescapable lesson of my later life.
In the valley, I am the wandering evening cloud. You are the sunlight piercing my shadowed heart, illuminating the valley. Morning bells echo as I hang like a pinecone on a branch, plucked and nurtured by you, waiting to awaken and bear fruit of wisdom.
If heaven has compassion, should I believe in reincarnation? I trust you to guide me to the shore of wisdom. Though I once feared love would harm my path, I am fortunate to know you. Through mountains and rivers, hand in hand, I finally awaken: true detachment and love are beyond human grasp.
Reading each line, Lihua felt Princess Maria’s deep, enduring love for David, transcending past and present lives. Tears shimmered in his eyes for these star-crossed lovers.
Grand Master Rufus, carrying the princess’s handwritten letter, arrived in Taiwan. Disguised, he searched from cities to villages, coast to mountains, but could not sense David’s presence. On the golden Tamsui riverside, he gazed at Guanyin Mountain shrouded in clouds, thinking, “In such a vast crowd, finding the Lin couple may be sheer luck.”
Meanwhile, on an uninhabited island in Penghu, Xiaoyang and Minhua hung cleaned fish to dry on their yacht’s deck, storing them as long-lasting provisions.
“Minhua, are you used to life away from the world?”
“Very well! Fresh seafood every day, seabirds for company, painting in my leisure. I have nothing to complain about.”
“I worry following me to the ends of the earth might have been hard on you.”
Minhua smiled: “I don’t feel wronged at all. Wherever you are, it’s paradise with you.”
~The End~
