Chapter 15: Illusory Realm

Wen Bai kept Wei Li confined within his own residence, a place so vast that the servants and maids were countless. Wei Li was under house arrest in the west wing, which boasted beautiful scenery and a pleasant environment. Yet the dense, intricate blood sigils covering the area gave her a headache. Still, her days passed in relative leisure—so much so that she could sit at the end of the corridor, humming a tune and admiring the view. She thought this calm would persist, until the day she saw Wen Bai stumbling drunkenly toward her.

Wei Li had never seen Wen Bai so utterly inebriated. His face was flushed with drink as he pulled her tightly into his arms. Yet the strength of his grip only increased, as though he wanted to merge her entirely into himself. “I can't bear to see you living so freely without me, to see you happy with someone else. Why should you…? You said you liked me. How can you act as if nothing happened, as if my absence is nothing to you? You should be suffering. Without me, your life should be a living hell; you should pray day and night for Heaven to send me back to you, giving up dignity, giving up freedom. You ought to be an empty shell, because I am your heart, your life—you should worship me as your god!”

Wei Li didn’t catch all he said, only that his embrace left her breathless, her face flushed red as she struggled to break free. At last, Wen Bai released her, and she gasped desperately for air, her lips pale against her rosy cheeks.

After Wen Bai left, Wei Li trembled, her hands hanging uneasily at her sides, fingers clenching spasmodically against the seam of her trousers. Her eyelashes were thick, long, and dark as if dipped in ink. Suddenly, she raised her head and looked at the maid beside her. “I’m hungry.”

The maid dared not delay, though she knew her mistress could hardly stomach regular food. Since it wasn’t mealtime, she hurriedly brought some pastries and congee to tide her over.

Wei Li reached for an osmanthus cake, forcing herself to chew and swallow it. Instantly, her face drained of all color. Sometimes she frowned; sometimes she exhaled heavily. Soon, her mouth and tongue felt parched, her throat as if lined with scales. She began to scratch at her cheeks and neck. The maid noticed something was off—red welts had appeared on her face, neck, and limbs, swelling and spreading. She thought to fetch a doctor but realized Wei Li’s body was turning the color of a burning sunset, her breathing labored and shallow.

Terrified, the maid rushed off in panic to find Wen Bai.

Wei Li felt wretched, unable to sense her tongue or teeth, staggering outside as the world tilted around her. She did not know where she wandered—only that it was deep night, the sky cloudless, with a full moon sailing across a boundless sea, lonely and coldly radiant, washing earth and trees in argent light.

The night was utterly still…

Her chest felt as though weighed down by a thousand-pound stone. She could barely hold on. Up ahead, she saw the mountain god’s temple, and as she collapsed, a hand caught her.

“A’Li…”

The familiar voice soothed her, a spark igniting hope in the dry tinder of her heart—just as darkness swept over her once more.

The fox could not take human form, knowing he was no match for Wen Bai. He decided instead to seek out Guangzong at Baima Monastery. But at the gate, two stubborn monks barred his entry, insisting no demon could set foot on sacred ground. The fox protested he had already converted, but the monks not only refused to believe him, they threw him out. Infuriated, the fox could only sneak in under cover of darkness.

He soon found Guangzong’s quarters and overheard a conversation between Guangzong and the abbot within.

“Guangzong, let someone else undertake the task of redeeming Wei Li. You should remain at Baima Monastery and focus on your practice. It’s best for everyone,” the abbot said, gazing at Guangzong’s hesitant face in the candlelight, sighing resignedly.

“Abbot, your disciple is not yet enlightened. I beg you to grant me another chance.”

“I know you have a natural affinity for the Dharma. But you’re only thirty-some years old—how can you redeem such a creature? The world’s temptations are not so easily seen through.”

“Please, abbot, trust me.”

The fox grew impatient at this, bursting through the door. “Monk, you clearly have feelings for Wei Li but won’t face them, hiding here in the monastery. She’s been taken—save her or not, that’s up to you. But if you don’t want her, someone else will!” With that, he leapt from the window and vanished into the night.

Guangzong grabbed his robe from the rack, bowed deeply to the abbot. “Your disciple must go ahead. I will return to beg your forgiveness another day.” Then, following the fox’s lead, he too disappeared into the darkness.

Together, Guangzong and the fox arrived at Wen Bai’s estate, determined to take Wei Li away. Yet when they entered, the house was deserted, silent and empty. Suddenly, Guangzong spotted Wen Bai in a pavilion, calm and composed, as if expecting their arrival. Wen Bai sipped his tea. “So, my rival for Li’er isn’t just this damned fox, but you, monk!”

“That’s Wen Bai, Wei Li’s old lover,” the fox whispered to Guangzong.

“Where’s Wei Li!” Guangzong demanded, unwilling to waste words.

Wen Bai picked up a feather fan and waved it lazily. The air was thick with rising incense. Guangzong suddenly felt his body lighten, his vision spinning as if falling into an abyss. When he opened his eyes, all was brightness. The weather was fine, and Guangzong stood on a flight of steps, watching two butterflies flutter from beyond a high wall, gliding gracefully through patches of shade.

How did he get here?

He was dressed in white robes, elegant and striking, long black hair cascading to his waist. Wei Li wore a white brocade dress adorned with blossoms, a sheer white shawl draped over her shoulders. Her skin was luminous as snow, her hair adorned only with flowers, red and white, setting off her flawless, radiant face. She stepped forward, taking Guangzong’s hand, and he gazed at her, dazed and foolish.

“Mr. Wen, what are you daydreaming about?” Wei Li smiled—a genuine, heartfelt smile, different from her usual.

“Wei Li, you…” Guangzong’s head throbbed suddenly, unease gnawing at him as he looked at her, unable to recall the heartache he’d felt moments before.

“Mr. Wen, you’re acting very strange today.”

She took his arm, leading him forward. Distant thunder rumbled, heralding rain. Instinctively, Guangzong pulled her under the eaves for shelter. Wei Li let him lead her, a faint, indifferent smile on her lips. No sooner had they found cover than the rain began to fall in gentle sheets.

When the rain stopped, Wei Li led Guangzong home. It was not lavish, but artfully arranged—a table, a chair, everything carefully placed. Incense burned in the censer, and the maids went about their duties in perfect order.

The door creaked shut, leaving only the two of them inside.

Suddenly, Wei Li darted into Guangzong’s warm, broad embrace. “Mr. Wen…” Only when her lips brushed his did he snap to awareness. Her kiss was gentle, fleeting as a dragonfly on water. Seeing his dazed expression, she poked his cheek. “Mr. Wen, what’s gotten into you today?”

When he didn’t answer, she bent to kiss him more deeply. Guangzong looked at her, bewildered and helpless. Had he forgotten something? Everything felt so perfect it seemed unreal—what was it he’d lost?

That night, Guangzong held Wei Li as they slept. When he woke, it was late morning. He opened his eyes to find her gazing at him with a smile. He propped himself up and kissed her lips—it all felt so natural. Noticing the marks on her neck, he smiled, an inexplicable sense of peace and joy filling him.

The maids were already waiting outside to serve breakfast. Wei Li motioned them in. The meal was simple—porridge and steamed buns. Guangzong ate a little, then felt drowsy and dozed off. In his dreams, strange voices always called him to return… At that moment, a sense of déjà vu washed over him like a tide, and as he reached out for it, he woke in shock.

It was already evening. He was alone in the room. Guangzong wandered outside, stopping in a grove to watch the distant lantern lights. There stood a girl—the girl of his heart—so natural and familiar, yet he felt a lurking fear, as if he might suffocate or die at any moment.

He was truly afraid—afraid she might leave him.

“Mr. Wen, what are you thinking about?” Wei Li spotted him and came over, taking his hand with practiced ease. She looked exhausted, red veins in her eyes, a hint of weariness and melancholy, as though she hadn’t slept well.

In the courtyard, Wei Li had wine brought out. Guangzong raised his cup and drank. Under the moonlight, Wei Li’s skin was so fine it seemed poreless. He couldn’t help but smile at how beautiful she was. He’d always thought himself a good drinker, but after one cup his face flushed and he felt the heat. He reached out and touched Wei Li’s cheek, smiling unconsciously, his voice soft and gentle: “Will you always stay with me?”

“I will.” Wei Li didn’t hesitate, nestling into his arms.

Guangzong smiled lazily, finding a comfortable way to hold her. She smelled faintly of sandalwood; he inhaled deeply, greedily, savoring this rare moment of ease, wanting to keep her in his embrace for as long as possible.

“Mr. Wen, from now on I want you to hold me every day.” Wei Li wrapped her arms around his waist, looking up at him with drunken eyes, coquettishly.

“All right.” Guangzong soothed her gently, his voice as tender and sweet as spring water, his heart aching, his body nearly melting under her gentle gaze, almost bewitched.

Suddenly, all Guangzong’s worries drifted away. A strange sensation seeped through his veins, and the warm breeze slipping through the window caressed his skin, each pore tingling in delight, as if he held a precious jade beauty in his arms. An array of tender feelings blossomed within him.

Such a life—peaceful and serene—her face before his eyes when he awoke, her presence in his dreams at night. Amid this simple, fresh existence, a sense of intimacy and admiration welled up irresistibly.

“Will you marry me?” Wei Li looked up, her bright, profound eyes unwavering as they fixed on Guangzong.

“Yes.”