True Immortal Ruyi lowered his head.
His gaze fell on Pipa's face as she lay in his arms.
For a while, he seemed to have frozen into a clay statue.
Then Pipa stirred ever so faintly. She lifted her head and looked at Guanyin.
"Very well, Bodhisattva. Then let me live one more day."
True Immortal Ruyi paused at her words, swallowed the bloody taste in his throat, and suddenly grew very calm. His voice deepened at once.
"Ruyi thanks you for your mercy, Bodhisattva."
Guanyin looked at them without another word and dipped the Willow Branch into the Jade Pure Water Vase.
The tip of the branch lifted a droplet of water. Guanyin raised her hand and gently tapped it, sending the droplet into the center of Pipa's brow.
A faint layer of white light spread from her forehead.
Pipa's body trembled lightly, as though some power had been poured back into her. Her body, which had already begun to turn translucent, slowly became solid again. Her chest rose and fell, her breathing gradually steadied, and some color returned to her face.
True Immortal Ruyi watched her without moving. Only when Pipa slowly sat up and met his eyes did his taut shoulders ease and a long breath leave him.
Guanyin withdrew the Willow Branch.
Pipa said, "This disciple thanks you, Bodhisattva."
Guanyin looked at her and nodded slightly, saying nothing more.
The wind blew past them, and for a moment, everything fell quiet.
The female officials gradually dispersed the people and palace attendants still kneeling at the foot of the long stairway.
Now only Xuanzang and his disciples, Guanyin Bodhisattva, the Queen, and True Immortal Ruyi, who held Pipa tightly, remained on the steps.
The Queen had intended to invite everyone into the hall, but seeing True Immortal