I was a mineral prospector in Chengdu, who transmigrated into the body of a mortal sword immortal.

The courtyard fell silent once more, save for the faint, rhythmic beat of the street-cleaning drums—symbols of the curfew—emanating from outside the window of Chang'an. Li Bai stood in the darkness, like a frozen statue. After a long while, he slowly exhaled a breath of stale air, which condensed into a white mist in the cool air before quickly dissipating. He walked to the door, listened intently for a moment, and confirmed that there was no further sound in the alley. Then, he gently pushed open the back door, his figure as weightless as a falling leaf, silently slipping into the depths of the alleyways completely swallowed by the night, heading in the general direction of Du Fu's residence as he remembered it, merging into the slumbering shadows of Chang'an.

The night wind, carrying the chill of late autumn, swept across the deserted streets. The towering city walls sliced ​​the sky into narrow strips. In the distance, the footsteps of the patrolling guards and the occasional clang of metal armor stood out starkly in the silence. Li Bai moved along the base of the wall, his steps so light they made no sound, even the rustling of his robes against the wall was deliberately controlled. His divine sense, centered on himself, spread outwards like ripples on water, with a radius of about thirty feet—a range that allowed him to sense danger in advance without alerting any cultivators or formations that might be present in the city due to excessive power.

At the crossroads ahead, a group of four warriors carrying torches passed by. The torchlight illuminated their reddened faces and the white breath they exhaled, their armor reflecting a dull light. Li Bai paused slightly, as if blending into the shadows of the wall. He held his breath, his heartbeat slowing to almost a halt. The warriors passed by unnoticed, their footsteps fading into the distance, the torchlight disappearing into the depths of another alley.

Li Bai continued on his journey.

Du Fu's residence was in Chongrenfang, south of Chang'an, a relatively remote area, a gathering place for many frustrated officials and scholars. The houses here were mostly low and old, and the alleys were narrow and winding. Li Bai navigated the labyrinthine lanes by memory, occasionally leaping onto rooftops to orient himself from above. In the night, the rooftops of Chang'an stretched out in a continuous, undulating pattern, like black waves, with only the distant imperial city and palace city faintly lit—a world apart.

About half an hour later, Li Bai stopped outside a small courtyard.

The courtyard wall was made of adobe bricks, not high, and covered with withered grass. The gate was made of two old wooden doors, through which a faint, flickering, dim yellow light shone. There were only three main rooms in the courtyard, with low side rooms on both sides. Some odds and ends were piled up in the yard, and a wooden bucket sat beside a well. Everything seemed simple and impoverished.

Li Bai's divine sense swept across the courtyard.

There was a person in the middle room of the main house.

The man sat at a worn wooden table, a dimly lit oil lamp casting a faint, flickering flame. He wore a faded dark blue robe, his hair simply tied back with a wooden hairpin, his back slightly hunched. He held a pen in his hand, frowning in thought as he stared at an open scroll of paper, occasionally writing a few words, then pausing to shake his head and sigh. The lamplight cast his long shadow on the mottled wall.

It is Du Fu.

Li Bai could clearly sense that he was the only person in the room. There were no unusual auras or lurking figures within a radius of thirty feet.

He took a deep breath, moved slightly, and like a ghost, vaulted over the earthen wall, landing in the courtyard. He landed without even disturbing the dust on the ground. He walked to the window of the main house; the paper window was torn in several places and patched with paper. Through a larger hole, he could see Du Fu's profile.

More than a year had passed, and Du Fu seemed to have aged. His cheeks were thinner, the wrinkles around his eyes were deeper, and his brows were habitually furrowed, carrying an inescapable worry. He was writing with great concentration, his lips moving silently, as if he were carefully choosing his words.

Li Bai stretched out his finger and gently tapped three times on the window frame.

The sound was very soft, but clear enough in the quiet night.

Du Fu, inside the room, jolted, his pen falling to the paper with a "thud," the ink spreading out in a blur. He abruptly turned to look at the window, a look of surprise and wariness flashing in his eyes, his body tensing slightly.

"Who?" His voice was low, with a slight, almost imperceptible tremor.

"Zimei, it's me." Li Bai's voice came through the window paper, equally low, yet perfectly clear.

Du Fu was stunned.

His eyes widened, his expression shifting from wariness to disbelief, then from disbelief to immense joy, finally overshadowed by deeper worry. He abruptly stood up, his movement so sudden that he knocked over the wooden stool behind him with a loud bang. Without bothering to right it, he rushed to the door, his hands trembling as he pulled open the latch.

The door opened.

The person standing outside the door wore a dark blue, worn-out cloth robe and carried a long, cloth-wrapped object on his back. His face was handsome yet weathered, and his eyes were deep and unfathomable. Who else could it be but Li Bai?

"Taibai...is it really you?" Du Fu's voice choked. He grabbed Li Bai's arm, his touch icy cold, yet undeniably real. He looked Li Bai up and down, his eyes instantly reddening. "You...you're still alive? Where have you been for the past year? The court says...says you..."

"Let's go inside and talk." Li Bai grabbed Du Fu's wrist with his other hand, feeling its warmth and strength. He slipped into the room, closing and bolting the door behind him.

The oil lamp's light was dim, yet it was enough to illuminate their faces.

Du Fu then released his grip, took a step back, and carefully examined Li Bai once more. His gaze fell on the long, cloth-wrapped object behind Li Bai, then moved to Li Bai's face, his eyes filled with complex emotions: "Taibai, you...you've changed. Not just in appearance, but...the feeling you give off entirely. What have you been through in the past year?"

Li Bai did not answer immediately. He looked around the room.

The room was small and sparsely furnished. There was a wooden bed with thin bedding; a worn-out wooden table and two stools (one of which was now overturned); a wooden chest with peeling paint; and some books and miscellaneous items piled in the corner. The air was filled with the smell of cheap lamp oil, old paper, and a faint musty odor. On the scrolls of paper spread out on the table, the ink was still wet; it contained poetry, the handwriting slender and vigorous, yet conveying a sense of melancholy.

"Sit down first." Du Fu righted the overturned stool, wiped the surface with his sleeve, and gestured for Li Bai to sit down. He himself sat down, his hands on his knees, his fingers unconsciously twisting together, revealing his inner turmoil.

Li Bai sat down on the stool, took off the bundle from his back, and leaned gently against the table.

"Zimei," Li Bai said calmly, "I am indeed still alive. In the past year or so, I have gone to Mount Shu."

"Mount Shu?" Du Fu was taken aback. "You went there to seek immortals and visit Taoist masters? No wonder... no wonder the court stopped pursuing the matter later. There were rumors that you might have been taken away by a hermit in the mountains, or... met with misfortune. But it seems someone in the palace said that this matter should not be investigated too deeply, and that the only thing to be said to the outside world was that you resigned from your post and went on a long journey, and your whereabouts were unknown. Later, no one mentioned it again."

Li Bai's heart skipped a beat: "Someone from the palace has spoken? Who is it?"

Du Fu shook his head: "I don't know the specifics. But the person who could suppress this matter and prevent the Ministry of Justice and the Court of Judicial Review from investigating further must be someone extremely powerful. I suspect it might be related to... Princess Yuzhen? She has always admired your talent and is a devout follower of Taoism. Or perhaps it's the intention of someone higher up."

Li Bai remained silent for a moment. It was indeed possible that Princess Yuzhen was Emperor Xuanzong's sister. But could the "higher level" be Emperor Xuanzong himself? Why?

"Let's not talk about that now." Du Fu leaned forward, lowered his voice, and his eyes showed even more worry. "Taibai, why did you risk returning to Chang'an? Do you know what the situation is like in Chang'an right now? Do you know... that Lady Yang has already..."

"I know," Li Bai interrupted him, his voice still calm, but something in his deep eyes suddenly contracted, like a pebble thrown into a cold pool. "I heard rumors at a tavern outside the city. It's said that Lady Yang has been made the Princess Consort of Prince Shou."

Du Fu sighed deeply, a sigh filled with helplessness and sorrow.

"It's true." Du Fu's voice was even lower, almost a whisper. "It was about half a year ago, in October of the twenty-eighth year of the Kaiyuan era. The process... was somewhat rushed and unusual."

"Explain in detail." Li Bai's fingers tightened slightly on his knee.

Du Fu composed himself and slowly said, "The woman of the Yang family, named Yu Huan, was originally the daughter of Yang Xuanzhen, the registrar of Shu Prefecture. She lost her father at a young age and was raised by her uncle Yang Xuangui in Luoyang. She was exceptionally beautiful, knowledgeable in music, and skilled in singing and dancing, and had already gained some fame in Luoyang. Last year, His Majesty's most beloved Consort Wu Hui fell seriously ill, and Prince Shou, Li Mao—Consort Wu Hui's own son—held a selection of young women in Luoyang to pray for his mother's well-being and enter a Taoist temple for blessings. Yang Yu Huan was chosen and entered the temple as a female Taoist priest, with the title Tai Zhen."

Li Bai listened quietly, and these accounts were largely consistent with historical records.

"Consort Wu Hui passed away last December," Du Fu continued. "His Majesty was deeply grieved. This spring, for some reason, His Majesty saw Yang Taizhen, who had accompanied Prince Shou, at a royal family banquet. Although she was wearing a Taoist robe at the time, she had already returned to secular life and was living in Prince Shou's residence. It is said that His Majesty was astonished by her beauty and praised her in public, saying, 'Her appearance is exceptionally beautiful, and she is suitable to serve in the inner palace.' As soon as these words were spoken, everyone present was astonished."

"Suitable for the inner palace..." Li Bai repeated these four words, his voice devoid of emotion, but under the table, his nails were digging deeply into his palms.

"Prince Shou's expression changed immediately. Although Consort Wu Hui had passed away, her influence remained, and Prince Shou was His Majesty's beloved son; this matter could have been covered up." Du Fu's voice carried a hint of sarcasm. "But strangely, just over a month later, an imperial edict was issued, officially bestowing upon Lady Yang the title of Princess Consort of Prince Shou. The speed was astonishing. There were rumors that Consort Wu Hui had taken a liking to Lady Yang before her death and intended to make her her daughter-in-law, so she did her best to facilitate this while she was ill; there were also rumors that His Majesty... after that family banquet, couldn't forget Lady Yang, but due to etiquette, he could only bestow her upon Prince Shou first to save face."

Du Fu paused, glanced at Li Bai's expression, and seeing that he remained expressionless, continued, "The investiture ceremony was quite grand, but those in the know could see that Prince Shou showed little joy. Lady Yang... I once saw her from afar at a Buddhist ceremony held at a temple built by imperial decree, when she had become Prince Shou's consort."

Li Bai's breath hitched almost imperceptibly for a moment.

"She was dressed in the magnificent robes of a princess, adorned with floral hairpins, her makeup exquisite, surrounded by maids, sitting beside Prince Shou." Du Fu's voice carried a hint of reminiscence. "She was beautiful, so beautiful that one dared not look directly at her, like a fairy who had stepped out of a painting. But..."

He paused for a moment, seemingly considering his words.

"However, there was little joy in her eyes like that of a newlywed. Instead... instead, there was often a faint melancholy in her expression, and her eyes would occasionally wander, gazing into the distance, lost in thought. Although it was only a brief glance, I could sense that she was not happy. That loneliness beneath her splendid clothes and adornments was like an invisible mist, enveloping her."

Silence fell over the room.

The oil lamp flame flickered, bursting into a tiny spark with a soft crackling sound. The dim light and shadows danced on the wall, distorting and warping the two figures' shadows.

Outside the window, the sound of the night watchman's clapper could be heard in the distance; it was already the second watch of the night.

Li Bai slowly closed his eyes.

In my mind, the image of our first meeting in Chengdu flashed before me: the girl who, lifting her skirt, frolicked in the stream, turning back to smile sweetly at him. Her eyes were so bright, her smile so genuine, as if all the sunshine in the world had gathered upon her.

Then came the image of them drinking under the moon, her chin resting on her hand, listening to him describe the skyscrapers, iron birds, and the wonders of telepathy in "another world," her eyes filled with curiosity and a touch of longing. She said, "Brother Taibai, the world you described is wonderful. Can the people there freely choose who they like?"

He still remembers his answer at the time: "Yes. There, if two people are in love, they can stay together."

She smiled, but there was a hint of melancholy in her smile: "It's so good."

And now...

Despite her magnificent attire and royal status, the princess's brows were furrowed with worry and her eyes were vacant.

Bird in a cage.

A fairy in a painting.

Li Bai opened his eyes, and the cold flame deep within them seemed to intensify even further, yet his surface remained calm and undisturbed.

"What is the court's attitude towards me now?" he asked, his voice somewhat hoarse.

Seeing Li Bai's calm demeanor only fueled Du Fu's anxiety. He understood Li Bai; beneath the calmest exterior lay a turbulent undercurrent.

"Openly, no one mentions it anymore. Secretly… I don't know either." Du Fu shook his head. "But now that you've returned, and even sneaked into Chang'an, if discovered, it will be a serious crime of dereliction of duty and unauthorized return to the capital. If people also find out that you had a past relationship with Yang… and Princess Shou, that would be an even greater disaster! Taibai!"

Du Fu suddenly grabbed Li Bai's wrist with great force, his eyes filled with pleading: "Listen to my advice! Now that you've escaped and the court is no longer pursuing the matter, leave Chang'an and stay far away from this place of trouble! Whether it's the Shu Mountains or Jiangnan, the world is vast, where can't you find refuge? Don't... don't get involved with anyone or anything related to the royal family again! It's a whirlpool, an abyss! Once you're caught in it, there's no going back!"

His voice trembled slightly with excitement, and his fingers were icy cold.

Looking at the genuine worry in Du Fu's eyes, Li Bai felt a surge of warmth in his heart, but even more so, a cold resolve.

He gently patted Du Fu's hand, then withdrew his own hand.

"Zimei, I understand your feelings." Li Bai's voice was soft, yet carried an undeniable firmness. "Thank you for telling me all this. I will remember this kindness."

"Li Bai!" Du Fu exclaimed anxiously, "Are you going to...?"

"I must see for myself," Li Bai interrupted him, standing up. "I must see for myself whether she is doing well. I must see for myself what the Prince Shou's mansion is really like."

"Are you insane!" Du Fu stood up, his face pale. "That's a prince's residence! It's right next to the palace, heavily guarded! How do you plan to get in? Even if you could, if you're discovered, it's a capital offense of trespassing and plotting rebellion! You'll be dead!"

Li Bai did not answer, but simply bent down, picked up the package leaning against the table, and put it back on his back.

"Taibai!" Du Fu stood in front of him, tears welling in his eyes. "We've known each other for a long time, and I consider you a close friend. I can't just watch you go to your death! Lady Yang is now the Princess of Shou, that's an unchangeable fact! Even if you see her, what can you do? Can you take her away? Can you stand against the entire royal family, against the entire Tang Dynasty? Wake up!"

Li Bai looked at Du Fu and suddenly smiled.

The smile was faint, yet it carried a kind of carefree spirit that Du Fu had never seen before, a spirit that was almost melancholic.

"Zimei," he said, "some things, even knowing they are impossible, we still do. Some roads, even knowing they are dead ends, we still walk. This is not madness, it is... an obsession."

He walked past Du Fu, went to the door, and placed his hand on the latch.

"I'm leaving. Don't mention tonight's events to anyone. Take care."

"Li Bai!" Du Fu wanted to say something, but Li Bai had already unlatched the door, slipped out, and his figure instantly disappeared into the darkness outside the door.

Du Fu chased after them to the gate, only to find the courtyard empty and the cold moonlight shining on the high wall in the distance.

The night wind blew in, making his robe flutter and chill him to the bone.

He stood at the door, gazing in the direction where Li Bai had disappeared. After a long, long time, he finally let out a long, heavy sigh.

That sigh contained worry, helplessness, pity, and a deep sense of powerlessness.

He knew he couldn't stop Li Bai.

Just as he could not stop the surging tide of history, he could not stop the growing crisis and darkness beneath the increasingly decadent facade of prosperity.

He closed the door, walked back to the table, and looked at the ink stain on the paper and the poem he had just written next to it:

"Behind the red gates, meat and wine go to waste, while on the road, the bones of those frozen to death lie."

Prosperity and decline are but a hair's breadth apart; the sorrow is beyond words.

He picked up his pen, wanting to continue writing, but felt as if the pen weighed a ton.

Finally, he put down his pen and blew out the oil lamp.

The room was plunged into complete darkness.

Meanwhile, in the darkness of Chang'an City.

Li Bai stood on a high rooftop, the night wind ruffling his robes and hair. He gazed northeast, where the outlines of the imperial city and palace city lay like lurking beasts in the night. Adjacent to the northeast corner of the palace city was a large complex of mansions, sparsely lit, which was the Prince Shou's Mansion.

His eyes were sharp as swords, piercing through the darkness of the night, as if he could already see that magnificent yet cold cage.

Next target – Prince Shou's Mansion.

He wanted to confirm it with his own eyes.