Meng had left a whole night earlier, but perhaps because she worried about Zhang Xiaohua, or perhaps because she was waiting for him, she had not gone very far even by the time dawn broke.
Once daylight came, Meng slowed down even more. After traveling a short while, she would turn back to look, hoping to see her lover's tall, lean figure.
Unfortunately, even after noon had passed, she had still seen nothing. Just as Meng was growing disappointed, she suddenly sensed something in her heart. Turning around, her face immediately bloomed with joy. There, in the middle of the distant Official Road, wasn't Zhang Xiaohua riding that ugly mule?
Meng wept with joy. She wheeled Big White Horse around and galloped back to meet him. Once she drew near, she leaped from Big White Horse like a fledgling swallow returning to its nest and flew straight into Zhang Xiaohua's arms, fiercely wrapping her arms around his slender waist and refusing to let go again!
Knowing what was in her heart, Zhang Xiaohua held Meng as well, kissing her temple and ear as he whispered, "You've been traveling for so long, yet you've only gotten this far? If Shuiyunjian disciples had caught up, wouldn't that have made things even more troublesome?"
"How could I care about that? When I couldn't see you, my heart felt empty. Even if I reached the Incense-Passing Cult, my heart would still be at Shuiyunjian. Better to travel slowly and wait for you so we could go together!"
Zhang Xiaohua's heart warmed. He lowered his head and kissed Meng's cherry lips. Meng gave a soft "Mmm" and responded, and they kissed until heaven and earth seemed to collapse before finally parting. Looking at the rippling autumn waves in Meng's eyes and the rosy glow fluttering