The Three Teachings Converge into One: The Path of the Mortal and the Saintly is the Same

Poetry:

Tears streamed down my face as I bid farewell to the emperor at the imperial palace; turning back, I saw only the lamplight and recognized the mortal world.

The coming together and parting of relationships is the way of things; we face countless dangers and hardships together.

It is said that Su Qingxuan spoke passionately in the Golden Palace, requesting permission to go west. Although Emperor Jinghe was very reluctant to let him go, he was eventually moved by his sincerity of "creating peace for all generations" and issued an edict to bestow upon him the title of "Ambassador of the Western Regions with Imperial Authority", in charge of all affairs in the Western Regions.

Once the imperial edict was issued, the Six Ministries immediately sprang into action, selecting attendants, preparing ceremonial guards, allocating provisions, and preparing national gifts and classics. Carriages and horses crisscrossed Luoyang, and documents flew back and forth, creating a tense atmosphere.

The five-day deadline passed in the blink of an eye.

The eighth day of the sixth month of the twenty-fifth year of Jinghe was an auspicious day, suitable for travel.

At dawn, ten miles outside Luoyang City, banners fluttered and officials gathered in droves at the long pavilion.

Emperor Jinghe disregarded the ancient custom that "a monarch does not see off his subjects" and personally led civil and military officials out of the city to see Su Qingxuan off.

As the sun rose, its rays painted the newly green willows lining the official road with golden-red hues, illuminating the dark mass of people standing solemnly.

Three thousand elite Imperial Guards had already lined up, their black armor gleaming in the sun, their spears and halberds like a forest, their chilling aura soaring to the heavens.

The ceremonial procession prepared by the Ministry of Rites was magnificent: the emperor's ceremonial axe, yellow silk canopy, qilin banners, and imperial envoy plaques fluttered in the morning breeze. The procession included more than 500 people, including officials, interpreters, physicians, craftsmen, and servants, and more than 100 carriages.

The envoy was laden with silk, porcelain, tea, books, agricultural tools, and grain seeds to be bestowed upon the Western Regions. It also included specially collected classics of the three religions (Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism) and books on agriculture, sericulture, and various crafts. The scale and quality of the envoy's mission were the largest since the founding of the Great Xia Dynasty.

Emperor Jinghe was not wearing his bright yellow dragon robe today, but rather an ochre-yellow casual robe and a winged crown. He stood with his hands behind his back before the pavilion. His expression was calm, but his gaze remained fixed on Su Qingxuan, who was making final handovers with officials from various departments.

Today, the young prime minister donned an imperial robe with a qilin and python design, a jade belt around his waist, a seven-beamed crown, and held a three-foot-long golden staff. His posture was as upright as a pine tree, and in the morning light, he seemed to be enveloped in a faint halo, like a celestial being.

The officials stood in two rows on either side, civil officials to the east and military officials to the west, according to their rank.

Many elderly officials with white hair disregarded their decorum at this moment, frequently wiping their eyes with their sleeves.

Among them were many who had clashed with Su Qingxuan over political views and factions. However, at this moment, facing this young man who was willing to give up his central position and personally go to remote and dangerous places to open up new frontiers for the country, all past grudges vanished, and only pure admiration, concern and sighs remained in their hearts.

The time is approaching.

The Minister of Rites stepped forward and loudly recited the farewell eulogy, offering prayers to Heaven, Earth, mountains, and rivers, and beseeching for a safe journey and the successful completion of his mission. His deep voice echoed across the wilderness, adding to the solemnity and tragedy of the occasion.

The eulogy is finished.

Su Qingxuan straightened his clothes, held his staff, and stepped forward steadily. He stopped three zhang in front of Emperor Jinghe, bowed deeply, and spoke in a clear and melodious voice like the clinking of gold and jade:

"Your subject, Su Qingxuan, bids farewell to Your Majesty. On this journey to the Western Regions, I will certainly exert my utmost to spread Your Majesty's benevolence to this remote land, to open trade routes across thousands of miles, to secure the borders and strengthen the foundation of the nation, and to live up to Your Majesty's trust and the expectations of the people!"

Emperor Jinghe strode forward, disregarding the proper etiquette between ruler and subject, and firmly grasped Su Qingxuan's arms, lifting him up. Their eyes met, Emperor Jinghe's eyes already slightly red, his lips moving several times before he managed to suppress his surging emotions and say in a deep voice:

"My dear minister... there's no need for such formalities. This journey is ten thousand miles long, fraught with obstacles like mountains and passes, desert winds and sand, and the fierce Tubo tribes. Unpredictable events are at stake. I have no other instructions but to ask that you... take good care of yourself! This staff represents me, represents the Great Xia Dynasty, and also represents the bond between you and me... a bond of life and death entrusted to each other! I await your triumphant return in Luoyang!"

His voice choked with emotion as he finished speaking. He patted Su Qingxuan's arm forcefully, turned around, took a cup of imperial wine from the eunuch, and presented it with both hands.

Su Qingxuan accepted the golden cup with both hands, his gaze sweeping over the emperor before him, who was both a ruler and a friend. His temples were already streaked with gray, and the fine lines at the corners of his eyes were clearly visible in the morning light. In his eyes were reluctance, regret, reliance, and even more so, a heavy trust that was almost like entrusting the empire to someone else.

Su Qingxuan's heart burned with emotion. He tilted his head back and downed the imperial wine in one gulp. The strong liquor, as it went down his throat, transformed into a surge of heroic spirit and warmth. He threw the cup to the ground and declared loudly, "Your Majesty, take care! I am leaving!"

Just as he was about to turn around, Emperor Jinghe suddenly called him back and took out an object from his bosom. It was a palm-sized, warm and translucent mutton-fat jade pendant, on which winding dragon patterns and auspicious clouds were carved with extremely fine knife work.

Emperor Jinghe placed the jade pendant into Su Qingxuan's hand and whispered, "This is the 'Hidden Dragon Pendant' that I have worn for over thirty years. Seeing this pendant is like seeing me. Some of the Western Regions may recognize this item. If they encounter extraordinary obstacles, they may be able to use it... to gain a way out. My dear minister, you must... return safely!"

This statement is tantamount to bestowing upon the emperor's private seal, demonstrating unparalleled trust and reliance.

Su Qingxuan gripped the jade pendant, still warm from the emperor's touch, nodded emphatically, said no more, turned to face the officials and imperial guards seeing him off, raised his golden staff, and proclaimed loudly, "Depart!"

"Let's go!" The messenger's booming voice rang out.

The carriages started moving, their wheels rumbling. Su Qingxuan boarded the lead carriage, a large and sturdy one adorned with the imperial envoy's insignia. Dressed in a sharp-fitting outfit, he stood silently beside the carriage, spear in hand. He then mounted his horse and followed closely behind the carriage.

Just as the carriage was slowly moving forward and about to pass the crowd of people seeing them off, a sudden change occurred.

In the ranks of civil officials, the white-haired Minister of Rites, who had vehemently opposed Su Qingxuan's westward journey, suddenly took a few shaky steps forward. Facing the direction of Su Qingxuan's carriage, he lifted the front of his crimson robe and, as if overturning a mountain of gold and jade pillars, knelt down with a thud, his forehead touching the ground. Tears streamed down his face as he hoarsely cried out:

"Lord Su! Take care!"

This kneeling seemed to ignite some kind of emotion.

Immediately afterwards, the Minister of War, the Minister of Revenue, the Minister of Works... the six ministries and nine ministers, the censors, the Hanlin scholars, and even many officials of lower rank, all knelt down like wheat fields swaying in the wind.

"Prime Minister Su! Take care on your journey!"

"Lord Su! The Western Regions are bitterly cold; please take good care of your health!"

"I have offended you greatly in the past, Lord Su! I eagerly await your triumphant return!"

The shouts were initially chaotic, but gradually coalesced into a sincere and sorrowful wave of sound.

These officials, who are usually reserved, smooth-talking, upright, or pedantic, have now shed all their official masks, leaving only the most basic respect and concern.

Among them, some had impeached Su Qingxuan for his "radical" new policies, some had subtly mocked his "sudden rise to power at a young age," some had harbored resentment due to losses in their interests, and others had simply worked quietly without any deep connection.

But at this moment, facing this young prime minister who resolutely went to a place where he was on the verge of death, all the complicated emotions of officialdom were swept away, leaving only the recognition of being a "subject of the Great Xia" and the sincere admiration for the "national hero".

Su Qingxuan suddenly lifted the carriage curtain and looked at the group of kneeling officials in crimson and blue robes behind him, at those faces that were either familiar or unfamiliar, but at this moment they were all equally excited and sincere.

His heart felt as if it were being gripped tightly by an invisible hand, and a surge of scalding heat welled up from the deepest part of his heart, rushing straight to his eyes.

He suddenly remembered that just a few days ago in court, he had calmly examined these colleagues:

That Minister of Rites was too conservative and sometimes inflexible.

That Minister of War was impatient and lacked thorough consideration.

That censor who always finds fault might be trying to gain a reputation for being straightforward;

That taciturn Vice Minister of Works may be of mediocre ability...

In his eyes, they were all flawed and far from perfect. Sometimes he even felt that in the vast court, there were very few who could share his heart and mind and shoulder heavy responsibilities.

But at that very moment, watching them kneel and bid farewell with utmost sincerity, disregarding all etiquette, and hearing their hoarse blessings, Su Qingxuan suddenly realized—

I was wrong, and very wrong.

It was these "imperfect" officials who kept the Great Xia court running.

Even the most conservative Minister of Rites diligently upheld the national system of rites and regulations, which formed the framework of civilization.

Even if the Minister of War was impatient, he would work day and night to plan the defense of the famous border, which was the backbone of the country.

That nitpicking censor may have had impure motives, but his repeated remonstrations were, in a way, an attempt to correct the course of events.

That silent Vice Minister of Works may not have shown great talent, but river works, city defenses, and siege equipment—none of them could have been done without the meticulous work of these "mediocre" people.

They may have selfish motives, limitations, flaws, arguments, compromises, and mistakes, but it is these vivid and complex individuals who, with their wisdom, sweat, and even lives, collectively maintain the daily life of this vast empire and pass on the torch of millennia-old civilization.

No one is born a saint. This bustling world, this human realm, is made up of countless imperfect people, striving to achieve even a little bit of "better" amidst their imperfections!

The carriage continued on its way, and the figures of the officials who came to see them off gradually became blurred, but their shouts seemed to be imprinted on Su Qingxuan's heart.

His gaze went beyond the official road, looking into the distance.

Outside the ten-mile-long pavilion, countless people had gathered without anyone noticing.

They stood quietly on the edges of the fields and on the slopes along the road, supporting the elderly and carrying children, with baskets and rough pottery bowls in their hands, densely packed and stretching as far as the eye could see.

There was no commotion, no crowding; everyone simply watched in silence the massive procession and the imperial envoy's carriage, a symbol of hope and adventure.

Su Qingxuan's spiritual senses stirred slightly, and the faces, clothing, and expressions of those people were clearly imprinted in his mind:

There were elderly men with white hair, leaning on canes, their faces deeply wrinkled with a sense of vicissitude and anticipation;

There were farmers with dark skin and rough hands who stopped working in the fields and looked around with honest eyes.

There were women holding young children, their eyes gentle; and boys dressed in short tunics, their expressions a mixture of curiosity and awe.

There were even a few students dressed in Confucian robes, clearly from nearby academies, who solemnly bowed to the ground in the direction of the convoy...

In their hands, some carried earthenware jars, which probably contained homemade light wine or water;

Some were holding steaming hot pancakes and boiled eggs;

Some carried bamboo baskets filled with fresh fruits.

No one pushed forward, no one shouted; they just stood there quietly, expressing their deepest emotions in the simplest way.

They may not understand the "Silk Road strategy" or "eternal peace," but they only know that the young official in the car is a good official who pacified the northern frontier and allowed his relatives at the border to return alive.

He rectified the government and reduced the number of corrupt officials;

He was going on a long trip to a very dangerous place, all for the purpose of "making everyone's lives better."

An old farmer with a wrinkled face suddenly raised a rough earthenware bowl in his hand with trembling hands. The bowl contained murky rice wine. He bent down deeply towards the direction of the convoy and then slowly poured the wine onto the ground in front of him.

Then, the second, the third... more and more people silently poured their wine and water on the ground, as if they were performing an ancient and solemn sacrifice to commemorate the warriors who had gone far away and to pray for the protection of heaven and earth.

Su Qingxuan's vision blurred at that moment.

Tears could no longer be held back and silently streamed down her cheeks.

He didn't wipe away the tears, but let them flow freely, his gaze greedily sweeping over the unfamiliar yet kind faces, over their patched clothes, and over the simple light in their eyes.

He recalled the herdsmen in the snowstorm of northern Xinjiang who gave their last bit of dry rations to wounded soldiers.

It reminded me of the water towns of Jiangnan, and the farmers working hard in the fields.

I was reminded of the street vendors in Luoyang, struggling to make a living and hawking their wares.

He thought of the kind-hearted neighbors in Qingxi Town who greeted him with smiles...

Each and every one of them is so insignificant, born of the dust like blades of grass, toiling away, struggling for a mouthful of food, a piece of clothing, and a roof over their heads to shelter them from the wind and rain.

They will quarrel over petty gains, make mistakes out of ignorance, and exhibit greed, cowardice, and all sorts of human vices.

Yet it is they who, with their most resilient backbones, shouldered the burden of taxes and corvée labor, raised their children and grandchildren, passed down their dialects and customs, and protected the lights of their homes.

Scholars use their pens to record civilization, warriors use their blood to defend their land, farmers use their sweat to cultivate crops, craftsmen use their skillful hands to create objects, and women use their love to continue the bloodline...

They lived like blades of grass, yet shone like stars!

These millions of seemingly insignificant individuals, when gathered together, become the rivers of civilization, the backdrop of history, the most solid foundation of the nation, and... the ultimate destination for all of Su Qingxuan's ideals, moral principles, and vows throughout his cultivation!

Whether the classics of the three religions are dissected or combined, their core essence is ultimately to educate people's hearts, settle people on this shore, and enable billions of living beings to be free from suffering and attain happiness, and each to find their proper place.

Which of the Confucian ideals of "benevolence and love for others" and "the people are the most important," the Daoist ideals of "following the natural way" and "equalizing all things and oneself," and the Buddhist ideals of "universal compassion and salvation" and "equality of all beings" can exist apart from the living, flesh-and-blood "human being"?

The Way of Heaven is lofty and profound, but if it loses its compassion and care for the mundane world and ordinary people, then the so-called "Way" is nothing but a castle in the air, a rootless duckweed, and a cold, impersonal set of rules!

He had once thought that traveling the world, seeing all its landscapes, and comprehending the classics meant he had "seen through the illusions of the world." But only now, on the eve of his actual "departure," did he realize with a start that he had never truly "seen through" anything.

Never before had he been able to calm down and look at the world so intently, at all the incredibly lovely people who make up this world.

Their joys and sorrows, their loves and hates, their dreams and struggles, their kindness and flaws... all of these mixed together constitute the entirety of this world, and the most authentic and moving aspect of life.

And he will soon be gone—even if he becomes a god in the future and is able to return.

The mountains and rivers remain the same, but what about these people?

The kneeling officials, the silent common people, the emperor with eager eyes, and the parents leaning against the door of a small courtyard in Jiangnan, waiting for their son's return...

As time flows and the world changes, they will eventually grow old and return to dust. This scene, this person, this heart—once missed, it will be gone forever.

An unprecedented, profound and overwhelming sorrow and longing overwhelmed him like a tidal wave.

This sorrow stems not only from guilt towards parents, but also from the deep-seated pain of parting forever from this land, this era, and these hundreds of millions of vibrant compatriots.

He finally understood why his ancestor, Su Sheng, was willing to sacrifice himself and his soul to seal the Demon Lord.

Because when what you are protecting is no longer an abstract concept or dogma, but a concrete smile, a call, or a warm light, the impulse to give everything, even your life, for it is so natural and so strong.

If it were him now, if the Great Xia, if these lovely compatriots and comrades were facing a life-or-death crisis, he would not hesitate to stand at the forefront, even if it meant being shattered to pieces and his soul being scattered!

This is not based on any classical doctrine, but rather on the most instinctive and fervent emotional choice from the depths of one's heart.

Thinking of this, the sorrow in my heart caused by parting gradually transformed into a more powerful and resolute force.

His journey to the Western Regions was no longer just a political mission or a spiritual practice; it was also the most profound farewell ceremony he could offer to this land and its people.

Before ascending to immortality, he would devote all his wisdom and strength to clearing away the greatest hidden dangers for them and paving a path of peace that would last as long as possible.

This is Su Qingxuan's mission, his deepest gratitude to the mortal world, and a kind of fulfillment of the foundation of his Great Dao!

The carriage had moved far away from the crowd seeing them off and was now on the wide official road leading west. Su Qingxuan lowered the curtain, sat back in the carriage, and closed his eyes.

The tear tracks on her face had dried, leaving only faint traces. The deep sorrow between her brows had not dissipated, but was instead covered by a more expansive and resolute light.

He gently stroked the warm "Hidden Dragon Pendant" in his palm, then touched the several women's keepsakes in his bosom. Finally, all his emotions settled down, turning into a clear and tranquil peace.

The procession, in a grand and imposing manner, headed west.

The Imperial Guard cavalry led the way, followed by the ceremonial guards, with the carriages and supplies of officials, attendants, and craftsmen in the middle, and Su Qingxuan's imperial envoy's carriage at the front of the procession.

Chi Ying rode her horse to protect the carriage. She seemed to sense the drastic change in Su Qingxuan's state of mind inside the carriage. Although she did not turn around, her hand holding the reins tightened slightly.

After traveling about twenty li, they came to a fork in the road. The official road split into two, one continuing west and the other turning southwest. According to the plan, the group should continue westward.

However, the cavalry leading the way suddenly slowed down, and the column gradually came to a stop.

"Why did we stop?" Su Qingxuan asked from inside the car, his voice now as steady as ever.

Outside the carriage, a captain of the Imperial Guard quickly approached and bowed to report: "Your Excellency, someone has stopped the carriage at the intersection ahead. He claims to be an old friend of yours and requests an audience."

Su Qingxuan's heart stirred slightly, and his spiritual sense spread silently like mercury spilling onto the ground. In an instant, the scene at the intersection was clearly reflected in his perception.

His expression first faltered slightly, then became extremely complex, showing surprise, understanding, emotion, and even a sense of fatalism.

"Understood. Stop the carriage, I will go see him in person." Su Qingxuan calmly instructed, straightened his clothes, opened the carriage door, and got out of the carriage.

Chi Ying had already dismounted and was waiting to the side. Seeing him come out, she silently followed. The two of them walked one after the other through the standing guard and headed towards the intersection.

Beside the intersection, beneath several old willow trees, stood three graceful figures. They were not gathered together, but rather a few steps apart, seemingly having just met, exchanging glances with a mixture of surprise and scrutiny.

On the left was a woman dressed in a light blue scholar's robe and long skirt, with a moon-white gauze shawl over it. Her black hair was tied up with only an ebony hairpin, and her face was bare, without any makeup. This was Lin Wanqing.

Beside her followed a maid in green carrying a book box, which looked quite heavy.

Lin Wanqing was still holding a book in her hand, her fingertips gripping it slightly, which showed that she was not calm.

She saw Su Qingxuan approaching from afar, a very subtle ripple passing across her cool face. She then lowered her eyes, before slowly raising them again, her gaze clear and firm.

The person on the right was dressed in a simple black robe with a gray cloak over it. The cloak's hood was down, revealing a beautiful but slightly pale face. There was a lingering weariness and loneliness in her eyes. It was Xiao Lingyue.

She had nothing else in her hands, only a string of dark-colored sandalwood prayer beads on her wrist, each bead round and possessing an inner radiance.

She stood there quietly, like a solitary orchid in a secluded valley, out of place with the surrounding dust and noise. Her gaze was fixed on Su Qingxuan, calm as still water, yet deep within, there seemed to be an undercurrent of emotion.

The person in the center is the most eye-catching in terms of attire.

She was dressed in a crimson, narrow-sleeved, riding-friendly Hu-style outfit, with calfskin boots on her feet. Her black hair was tied high in a ponytail and secured with a gold ring. She was none other than Princess Jing'an, Xiao Lingxi.

Compared to when they parted in Qingxi Town a few days ago, she seemed to have lost some weight, and her brows held less of the carefree innocence and more of a stubbornness and determination. She even had a beautifully decorated short sword at her waist and a small satchel on her back, looking as if she were preparing for a long journey.

Upon seeing Su Qingxuan, her eyes instantly lit up. Her lips moved as if she wanted to shout something, but she held back. She just stared at him longingly, her eyes quickly reddening.

The three women possessed distinct personalities: one was as aloof as bamboo, as serene as an orchid, and as radiant as fire. Yet, they unexpectedly met at this crossroads on their westward journey because of the same person. The atmosphere became somewhat subtle.

Su Qingxuan walked closer, stopped, and slowly scanned the three faces, each with its own unique charm. He sighed inwardly, cupped his hands in greeting, and said in a gentle voice, "Miss Lin, Lingyue... Your Highness, Princess Lingxi, what brings you three here?"

Lin Wanqing was the first to curtsy, her voice still clear and melodious, but less distant and more resolute:

"Lord Su. Last night, Wanqing received a dream from the sage, who enlightened me, saying that you are about to embark on a long journey to take on a great mission, and that your path will be fraught with danger. Wanqing is not very talented, but she has some knowledge of classical text collation and document organization. She wishes to accompany you on your westward journey to organize the classics of the three religions and record the local customs and sights along the way. Perhaps she can do her bit to help."

Her tone was calm, and her reasons were plausible, but her hands, tightly gripping the book with slightly white knuckles, betrayed the turmoil in her heart.

Xiao Lingyue clasped her hands together and gave a slight bow. Her voice was ethereal and otherworldly, yet carried an undeniable firmness:

"Amitabha. Lord Su, last night I also received guidance from a virtuous Buddhist master who said that your journey to the West is related to the fate of all living beings, but calamities are lurking in the shadows. He specially bestowed this string of 'Seven Treasures Tranquilizing Sandalwood Beads' and instructed me to personally deliver it to you, and to accompany you on your journey, reciting scriptures and praying for blessings day and night to ward off disasters."

She raised her wrist, and the sandalwood prayer beads shimmered with a warm luster in the sunlight, with faint sounds of chanting emanating from them—clearly an extraordinary object.

She referred to herself as "I," yet said she would "accompany and protect," her reasons carrying the compassion of a nun, but unable to conceal her deep-seated feelings and determination.

Seeing that the two women had finished speaking, Xiao Lingxi could no longer contain herself. She stepped forward, disregarding all etiquette, her voice trembling with tears, yet unusually stubborn: "Brother Su! I...I also had a dream! An old Taoist priest with a white beard told me in my dream that you...you will soon leave this world!"

"I don't care if you're ascending to immortality or going anywhere else, I... I don't want to wait! I don't want to wait until I never see you again! I've studied Taoist magic, really! Although... although I'm not very good at it, I definitely won't hold you back! I'm going to the Western Regions with you! Wherever you go, I'll go!"

Her words were the most straightforward, the most impulsive, yet also the most sincere. She laid bare her dreams without any pretense, tears welling in her eyes, yet stubbornly refusing to fall.

Su Qingxuan was deeply shocked.

Three completely different omens: a Confucian sage, a Buddhist master, and a Taoist sage... This is no coincidence!

Is it the will of Heaven? Is it the pull of one's own ascending energy that triggered the spiritual awareness of those connected to them? Or... some arrangement by ancestors or elders of the sect?

He looked at the three women with mixed feelings. Lin Wanqing's reserved firmness, Xiao Lingyue's quiet decisiveness, and Xiao Lingxi's passionate persistence were like surging warm currents, impacting his already turbulent heart.

How should he respond? The road to the Western Regions is treacherous, and the outcome is uncertain. How could he let them risk their lives?

But their eyes, their reasons (however far-fetched), and their unwavering determination to be there all silently conveyed the same message—

They didn't want to have any regrets; they wanted to accompany him on his final journey.

Just as Su Qingxuan was in a state of confusion, unsure how to politely refuse, Chi Ying, who had been standing quietly behind him, suddenly stepped forward and stood beside him.

She was still dressed in her bodyguard uniform, her posture upright like a pine tree. Her gaze calmly swept over the three women before turning to Su Qingxuan. Her voice was not loud, but clear and firm: "Brother Qingxuan, I also had a dream last night."

Su Qingxuan suddenly turned to look at her.

Chi Ying's eyes were clear and unwavering: "In my dream, there was a senior who called himself the 'Sage of War.' He said... Your journey to the Western Regions will be fraught with calamities, and bloodshed is inevitable. He passed on to me a secret manual of military strategy for protecting battle formations, and instructed me to stay by his side to stop killing with killing and protect the path with war."

She paused, her gaze sweeping over Lin Wanqing, Xiao Lingyue, and Xiao Lingxi before finally settling on Su Qingxuan's face. She said, word by word, "Their reasons might be hard for you to refuse, or you might not know how to refuse them. But my reason is simple—wherever you go, I will be there. That was true before, that is true now, and that will be true in the future. Whether it's the Western Regions or the Yellow Springs, I will always follow you."

There are no fancy words, no moving vows, only the simplest and most direct statements, yet they contain the most profound and unquestionable affection and determination.

Chi Ying's words were like a boulder thrown into Su Qingxuan's heart lake, stirring up the last ripples.

He looked at the four women before him: Chi Ying, his childhood sweetheart and confidante through thick and thin;

Lin Wanqing, a woman of exceptional talent and deep understanding;

Xiao Lingyue, whose fate is full of twists and turns and whose deep affection is reserved;

Xiao Lingxi is innocent, carefree, and deeply affectionate.

They are of different backgrounds and have very different personalities, but at this moment, because of him, because of a shared premonition or dream, they have gathered here and made the same resolute choice.

Refuse? Use the dangers of the Western Regions as an excuse? But their eyes told him that no reason could stop them. Force their return? Putting aside Xiao Lingyue and Xiao Lingxi's identities, their current resolve was not easily swayed.

Moreover... deep within Su Qingxuan's heart, that corner that had just become incredibly soft due to his attachment to the mortal world, actually felt a subtle sense of comfort and warmth because of their arrival, a feeling he himself hadn't even noticed...

He recalled his reflections on the worldly beings when he bid them farewell—the Great Way is inseparable from the mortal world, and spiritual practice does not avoid entanglements.

If Heaven allows him to ascend at this moment, yet these women with whom he has a deep connection also sense his presence and arrive at the same time, isn't there a deeper meaning behind this? Would forcibly severing ties be contrary to one's own heart and against the will of Heaven?

Moreover, they each have their own support:

Lin Wanqing was well-versed in classical texts and could be of great use in organizing documents and exchanging ideas with scholars from the Western Regions.

Xiao Lingyue possesses Buddhist treasures, which may enable her to handle matters concerning the Buddhist kingdoms of the Western Regions;

Xiao Lingxi was born into the royal family, and her status as a princess might play an unexpected role in certain situations;

And Chi Ying was an indispensable helper and support to him.

If arranged properly, they may not be a burden, but rather a help.

More importantly... Su Qingxuan looked westward, his gaze seemingly piercing through mountains and rivers, seeing that vast and desolate land.

Yes, the road ahead is fraught with peril, and life and death are uncertain. If they were to accompany us, this final journey through the mortal world might... not be so lonely and cold.

A thousand thoughts finally dissipated into an almost inaudible sigh, and then Su Qingxuan's eyes regained their clarity and determination.

He met four pairs of eyes filled with expectation, tension, and determination, and slowly spoke, his voice calm yet carrying an undeniable power:

"The Western Regions are a long and arduous journey, the environment is harsh, the Tibetans are fierce and unpredictable, and the future is uncertain. It is definitely not a place for leisurely sightseeing; in fact, it could be life-threatening. Have you... thought this through?"

The four women nodded almost simultaneously, without the slightest hesitation.

Su Qingxuan's gaze swept over their faces one by one, as if trying to etch this moment into his heart. Then, he nodded slightly, his voice steady: "In that case... let's travel together."

He turned to the Imperial Guard captain and ordered, "Prepare carriages and horses for Miss Lin, Lingyue... Master, and Miss Lingxi, and have them join the group. Chiying, you are in charge of the overall arrangements and make sure their journey is safe."

He deliberately omitted Xiao Lingyue and Xiao Lingxi's true identities, referring to them only as "Master" and "Miss".

"Yes!" Chi Ying answered crisply, a hint of relief flashing in her eyes.

Lin Wanqing quietly loosened her grip on the book, her fingertips still trembling slightly. She gave Su Qingxuan a deep look, lowered her eyes, and said softly, "Thank you, Lord Su."

Xiao Lingyue clasped her hands together, murmured a Buddhist chant, and the Buddhist beads on her wrist shimmered slightly. In her lonely eyes, a faint light seemed to appear.

Xiao Lingxi burst into tears with a "waah," tears of joy finally streaming down her face. She wiped her face hastily, then smiled through her tears, exclaiming excitedly, "I knew it! Brother Su is the best!"

Su Qingxuan said no more, turned around, and walked towards his carriage. His back was straight, and his steps were firm.

He knew that the burden on his shoulders would be even heavier on this journey to the Western Regions. Not only would he have to fulfill his national mission and deal with unknown dangers, but he would also have to protect the safety of his beloved women.

However, the enormous emptiness in my heart caused by parting seemed to have been quietly filled. It was the entanglement of worldly attachments, and also the warm light on the road ahead.

The convoy restarted.

New members joined, and they journeyed westward, towards that vast and mysterious land.

The official road stretched out, dust rising in the air. Ahead lay distant mountains and unknown storms, while behind, the outline of Luoyang City was gradually disappearing, leaving only a faint bluish-gray hue on the horizon.

Inside the carriage, Su Qingxuan closed his eyes and concentrated, unconsciously gripping the warm jade kylin pendant in his hand once more.

The bonds of fate in this mortal world converged in this way. Was it a calamity or a blessing? A burden or a gift? He didn't know. But he knew that he would steadfastly walk the path he had chosen.

With deep affection for this land, with guilt towards loved ones, with responsibility towards all living beings, and with this unexpected convergence of heavy yet warm worldly attachments.

It is:

Though I left the capital and journeyed westward, my will remained unbroken; with my beloved and my white horse, we set off together.

Affection and destiny are not related to calamity; the true path always lies in inner peace.