Once everyone had either died or departed, the vast Muliang Plain suddenly fell silent. In that boundless wilderness, only the two reunited after their long separation remained.
The wind whipped around them. A little while later, when the exhausted princess had calmed somewhat, Zhang Xingyan said to her:
"Ju Ying, let's go too. The smell of blood is too strong here. You won't feel well if you stay."
The Hall Master who had swept aside a thousand soldiers with a raised hand now spoke with extraordinary tenderness. Hearing him, the strong-willed princess felt her nose sting. Holding back her tears, she answered softly:
"Yes. Xing Yan, whatever you say..."
"All right."
With Ju Ying's assent, Zhang Xingyan gave a piercing whistle, and the white horse on the distant hillside raced over like lightning. Ju Ying was utterly spent, so Xing Yan no longer troubled himself over propriety between men and women. He reached out, gathered her limp body into his arms, and pushed off the ground, floating onto the warhorse. Then Zhang Xingyan cried, "Hyah!" The Susuang Wind God Horse galloped a few strides toward the northern wilderness before its four hooves quietly left the ground. Rising gracefully into the air, it flew toward the vast lands to the north.
It had been afternoon, yet before they knew it, the sun was sinking in the west. After so many days fleeing for her life, the royal princess could finally rest peacefully against her beloved's chest. With her face tilted, bright eyes open, and lovely lashes trembling faintly, she quietly watched the sunset. There was nothing remarkable about that evening's setting sun. Through the faint, chilly mist borne on the wind, Ju Ying saw the yellow sun struggle briefly above the western mountains before falling beyond them. The evening clouds filling