The plane to Chengdu, China, took 14 hours. Rui spent most of the flight sleeping, her head resting on Ye's shoulder. He stayed awake, flipping through a tattered book of Taoist spells, occasionally glancing down at her with a soft smile. Dao Feng slept across the aisle, snoring loudly, the Xuanqing Whisk tucked safely in his carry-on.
When they landed, the sun was just rising over Chengdu. The air was warm and humid, filled with the smell of spicy food and jasmine. A driver sent by Master Qingyunzi was waiting for them, holding a sign that read "Ye Shaoyang & Party." He led them to a black car, and they drove to Xuanqing Mountain—two hours outside the city, up winding roads lined with pine trees.
The mountain was breathtaking. Wooden temples clung to the slopes, their roofs curved like dragon wings. Vegetable gardens filled the courtyards, and the sound of a waterfall echoed through the valleys. A group of young Taoists—wearing gray Hanfu—waited at the mountain's entrance, bowing when they saw Dao Feng.
"Senior Brother Dao Feng!" one of them said, a boy of about 16. "Master's been waiting for you. He's in the main temple."
Dao Feng smiled, clapping the boy on the back. "Good to see you, Xiao Li. How's Master?"
"Still drinking too much rice wine," Xiao Li said, grinning. "But he's been checking the zombie king's seal every day. Said it's getting weaker."
They walked up the stone steps to the main temple. The temple's doors were made of oak, carved with scenes of Taoist deities. Inside, the air smelled like incense and sandalwood. Master Qingyunzi sat on a wooden throne at the front of the hall, wearing a white Hanfu, his long white beard flowing. He stood when he saw Dao Feng, his eyes filling with tears.
"Dao Feng," he said, his voice trembling. "You're home."
Dao Feng knelt, bowing his head. "Master. I'm sorry. I failed you. I lost the whisk, got trapped in the Yin Nest—"
Qingyunzi pulled him into a hug, cutting him off. "You're alive. That's all that matters. The whisk is back, and you're home. That's enough." He looked at Ye and Rui, his eyes warm. "Shaoyang. You did well. And this must be Agent Rui—Dao Feng told me about you. Medium, FBI. Impressive."
Rui bowed slightly, unsure of the customs. "It's an honor to meet you, Master Qingyunzi."
Qingyunzi laughed. "No need for formalities. Call me Qingyunzi. Now, let's eat. Xiao Li made congee and pickled vegetables—your favorite, Dao Feng."
They ate in the temple's kitchen, a small room with a clay stove. The congee was warm, the pickled vegetables spicy, and the conversation flowed easily. Qingyunzi told stories of the mountain—how he'd found Ye as a orphan, how Dao Feng had once tried to teach a stray monkey to draw talismans, how the zombie king's seal had been weakened by heavy rain the previous month.
After breakfast, Qingyunzi led them to the zombie king's tomb—hidden in a cave at the back of the mountain. The cave's entrance was blocked by a stone door, carved with ancient Taoist symbols. Qingyunzi placed his hand on the door, and it rumbled open.
Inside, the cave was dark. The only light came from the Xuanqing Whisk, which glowed faintly in Dao Feng's hand. At the center of the cave stood a stone altar, and on top of it was a small wooden box—the zombie king's seal. The air was thick with Yin energy, so strong Rui's jade pendant glowed bright blue.
"The seal is weak," Qingyunzi said, his voice serious. "The symbols are fading. If Zhou Lin comes here, he'll break it easily. We need to reinforce it—with the whisk, with talismans, with your medium energy, Rui."
Rui stepped forward, her hands glowing blue. She could hear the whispers now—loud, angry, desperate. Free me… blood… power…
"The zombie king's awake," she said, her voice shaking. "He's talking. He wants to be free."
Ye pulled out his peachwood sword, holding it high. "We won't let that happen. Dao Feng, use the whisk to channel yang energy. Qingyunzi, draw the reinforcing symbols. Rui, use your runes to repel the Yin energy."
They worked together, their movements in sync. Dao Feng held the whisk over the seal, its silver bristles glowing. Qingyunzi drew symbols on the altar with cinnabar, his hands steady. Rui threw rune chips around the cave, their blue light forming a circle around the altar.
The zombie king's whispers grew louder. The cave shook, and rocks fell from the ceiling. A burst of black smoke shot out from the seal, forming the shape of a man—tall, wearing ancient armor, his face a mess of rotting flesh.
"Fools!" he roared. "You can't keep me trapped forever! Zhou Lin will free me!"
Ye swung his sword, cutting through the smoke. The blade glowed gold, and the zombie king screamed. "Peachwood! I hate peachwood!"
Rui threw a handful of rune chips at him. They exploded in a shower of blue light, and the smoke dissipated. Qingyunzi finished the symbols, and the seal's glow brightened.
"It's done," Qingyunzi said, his breath heavy. "The seal is reinforced. Zhou Lin won't be able to break it—not easily, anyway."
They walked out of the cave, the stone door closing behind them. The sun was higher now, casting warm light over the mountain. Dao Feng stretched, his shoulders popping. "That was easier than I thought."
Qingyunzi shook his head. "Don't be fooled. Zhou Lin is clever. He'll find another way. We need to stay vigilant." He looked at Rui, his eyes soft. "You're welcome to stay on the mountain as long as you like, Rui. We have a guest room—small, but clean."
Rui smiled. "Thank you. I'd like that."
That night, they sat on the mountain's peak, watching the stars. Ye had brought a bottle of rice wine, and they passed it around, laughing as Dao Feng told stories of his time in the Yin Nest.
"This is nice," Rui said, leaning her head on Ye's shoulder. "Quiet. No spirits, no Corpse Fiends, no blood crosses."
Ye wrapped his arm around her, pulling her close. "It is. But I know you miss New York. Your job, your dad."
Rui nodded. "I do. But I'm glad I came. This place… it's peaceful. And I get to be with you."
Ye kissed the top of her head, his lips soft. "I'm glad you came too. I don't want to be without you."
Dao Feng fake-gagged, standing up. "I'm going to bed. You two can be mushy somewhere else."
Ye laughed, throwing a pinecone at him. "Goodnight, Dao Feng."
After Dao Feng left, Ye and Rui sat in silence, watching the stars. The mountain was quiet, except for the sound of crickets and the distant waterfall. Rui thought about her dad, about Mike, about the cases waiting for them in New York. But for now, she was happy. She was with Ye, on a mountain in China, safe and warm.
"Ye," she said, her voice soft.
"Hm?"
"I love you."
Ye's body tensed, then he turned to her, his eyes wide. "What?"
"I love you," Rui repeated, smiling. "I've loved you since we first went to the Yin Nest. Since you tackled me out of the way of that Corpse Fiend. Since you gave me that Guan Yin pendant."
Ye's lips curved into a smile—bright, warm, like the sun. He leaned in, his lips brushing hers. "I love you too, Rui. So much."
They kissed, the stars shining above them, the mountain quiet around them. For a moment, there were no spirits, no dangers, no adventures. There was just them.
And that was perfect.