Middle-aged Love Patch

Just before collapsing from exhaustion, Xu Youyuan finally reached the summit, hauling her leg onto the last step. The sight of the sprawling temple before her made her vision blur and split—Jinshan Temple seemed to double, birds swarmed the sky, and golden light radiated everywhere, the dazzling effects making her eyes ache.

Catching her breath, both Xu Youyuan and Shi Yue noticed how eerily quiet Jinshan Temple was—not a single monk in sight, not even the young novice who had guided them earlier.

Was this how the temple welcomed visitors?

Xu Youyuan raised a finger to her lips in a "shush" gesture, and the two crept forward cautiously.

A few young monks were sweeping the courtyard. Pressed against the wall, Xu Youyuan and Shi Yue communicated via their private voice channel.

Shi Yue: "Should we take them out? That little monk earlier had such incredible lightness skills—are we even a match for these novices?"

Xu Youyuan: "Look, they don’t have status bars above their heads. We can’t defeat them. I think this level is testing our stealth—we need to find Xu Xian inside the temple without being spotted by the monks."

Right on cue, a system prompt appeared:

[System Notification: Enter Jinshan Temple and locate Xu Xian without being detected by the monks.]

Xu Youyuan pointed triumphantly at the bright blue text floating in the air.

Shi Yue reached out and pinched Xu Youyuan’s cheek, catching her completely off guard. Before Xu Youyuan could react, Shi Yue quickly stood and darted toward the temple, crouching low. Xu Youyuan wanted to kick her in the rear but held back, fearing the movement might give them away. She filed it away for later—revenge would come in due time.

The young monks swept in silence, their detection range marked by red circles radiating from them. Stepping into those circles would trigger discovery, likely failing the mission.

Shi Yue slipped past two monks, hugging the wall as she made her way to the eastern annex.

Built into the mountainside, Jinshan Temple’s pavilions and terraces rose in layers. From the annex, Shi Yue could see the towering scripture depository behind the main hall.

She remembered from The Legend of the White Snake 2021 that Xu Xian and Fa Hai had hidden in the depository, with a crowd of monks chanting around Xu Xian, trying to cleanse him of demonic influence and even persuade him to take monastic vows.

As they carefully avoided the monks’ sightlines, the two continued their private exchange.

Xu Youyuan asked, "How did Bai Snake and Xu Xian reunite in the movie?"

Shi Yue: "Fa Hai initially tried to convince him to become a monk. He was almost successful, but when Xu Xian heard Bai Snake was coming, he wavered. Fa Hai refused to let him leave. Later, the flood drowned so many people—even Jinshan Temple, high as it was, got submerged, along with nearby villages. Fa Hai had no choice but to drag Xu Xian out. He’d planned to capture Bai Snake immediately, only to discover she was pregnant. Then came the Leifeng Pagoda scene."

Xu Youyuan: "So Bai Snake will come here eventually. Her ultimate target is Jinshan Temple. Once she unleashes the flood, the entire Gaowei Mountain will be underwater, and we’ll die no matter which platform we’re on. We need to get Xu Xian out before that happens. The question is how to reunite him with Bai Snake once we find him."

Shi Yue: "Let’s find the depository entrance first."

After crawling through every patch of grass in the temple, they finally located the entrance—only to find two burly warrior monks guarding it.

Shi Yue studied them. The monks held staffs, their faces stern and golden, their chests broader than Xu Youyuan’s. They looked formidable.

Huddled behind a pillar, Shi Yue and Xu Youyuan exchanged uneasy glances.

How to get past them? The monks only had "Warrior Monk" floating above their heads—no status bars. A direct fight was impossible, and they’d likely lose anyway.

Shi Yue: "The movie only showed the protagonists’ perspective. It never mentioned warrior monks guarding the depository."

Xu Youyuan signaled for patience.

Xu Youyuan: "Remember the novice who brought us here? In most story logic, he wouldn’t just serve as a guide. He was terrified of us—maybe he thought we were with the snake spirits. Since he ran back in panic, he’d definitely report to his seniors or the abbot.

"Right now, most monks are probably in the depository with Fa Hai, harassing Xu Xian. Look how many floors that depository has—it can fit a lot of monks. The ones left outside are just sweeping novices who can’t handle major issues. My guess is that little novice will come looking for the warrior monks. Once they leave, we can slip in."

After five more minutes of waiting, the young novice indeed came running, sweating profusely, and told the warrior monks that two female demons had chased him and might have sneaked into the temple. The monks hurried off with him—but Xu Youyuan and Shi Yue’s hopes sank.

Only one warrior monk left.

"Damn it," Xu Youyuan cursed. "Guess we’ll have to lure this one away ourselves."

She scanned the area and spotted the monks’ dormitory. An idea struck her. Dodging the novices’ sight, she and Shi Yue slipped inside.

Shi Yue: "What are you looking for?"

"Disguises."

"Huh?"

Xu Youyuan didn’t have time to explain. She rummaged around the sleeping quarters until she found a bundle-shaped item—inside was a disguise: monk robes.

"This is a common game mission trope. Put these on, and the novices and warrior monks will treat you as one of their own. Even if they see you, they won’t attack. That way, you can gather clues from dialogue and lure the monk away."

Shi Yue: "...Wait, why does it sound like you’re assigning the bald-head role to me?"

Xu Youyuan coughed. "I’m too old to know how to talk to youngsters. You and that young warrior monk are about the same age—you’ll have plenty to chat about."

Shi Yue: "...I see right through you. You just don’t want to wear this."

Xu Youyuan swiftly draped the robes over Shi Yue and admitted cheerfully, "Exactly!"

How to describe this adorable, delicate-looking young monk? Fair-skinned with bright eyes, his sweet features still carried traces of Shi Yue’s likeness, even in the form of a fifteen- or sixteen-year-old boy.

Xu Youyuan covered her mouth, barely stifling laughter. This was basically a boy version of Shi Yue—just bald.

"Go ahead, laugh it out," Shi Yue said, palms pressed together in resignation as she watched Xu Youyuan’s face turn red with suppressed mirth. "We’ll move once you’re done."

"No, no, I’m good. Let’s go!"

Back at the depository entrance, Shi Yue noticed the warrior monk’s red detection circle had turned white.

She approached and struck up a conversation, returning with a satisfied grin.

"Got a lead. The monk started complaining about rats in the dormitory—he’s terrified of them. He wants me to buy rat poison for him."

"It seems the key is the rat. If we can find it, we might be able to scare him away."

"Where's ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‍the easiest place to catch a rat?"

Xu Youyuan and Shi Yue said simultaneously, "The kitchen!"

Carefully avoiding the sweeping monk, they made their way to the kitchen. After searching around, Xu Youyuan spotted the rat on the stove.

The rat's beady eyes met Xu Youyuan's for a split second before it darted away, disappearing in an instant.

"You don’t expect us to catch it bare-handed, do you…?" Xu Youyuan shuddered. "That’s disgusting."

Shi Yue grabbed a long wooden spoon. "We’ll knock it out with this, then toss it at the warrior monk."

Xu Youyuan took the spoon while Shi Yue picked up a dustpan. They moved cautiously, one in front of the other, scanning for the rat.

"There!" Shi Yue whispered sharply in Xu Youyuan’s ear.

The rat was darting between two rice jars. Xu Youyuan lunged forward, swinging the spoon—it struck the rat’s hindquarters.

The rat squealed and bolted, scrambling along the edge of the jars. Shi Yue slammed the dustpan down, trapping it underneath. The rat struggled, making the dustpan shift slightly across the floor.

Shi Yue pressed down firmly, immobilizing it. Xu Youyuan grabbed a flour sack, emptied it, and turned it inside out before slipping it over her hand like a glove. She was ready to grab the rat through the fabric.

"On three," Shi Yue said. "I lift, you grab."

Xu Youyuan’s vision swam at the thought of touching the creature, but she steeled herself. "Go!"

At "three," Xu Youyuan pounced, seized the rat, and flipped it into the sack. Shi Yue quickly tied the opening shut with a rope.

The rat writhed uselessly inside. Xu Youyuan wiped sweat from her forehead, refusing to dwell on the sensation, and handed the sack to Shi Yue.

"Go. The warrior monk still doesn’t suspect you. You handle the scare."

Shi Yue crept toward the monk, who was yawning—completely off guard. She released the rat.

It streaked past the monk’s feet. When he realized what it was, he shrieked, dropped his staff, and fled in panic.

"Now!"

They slipped into the Scripture Hall, immediately choking on the thick incense smoke.

An eight-meter-tall Buddha statue loomed inside, its back against the wall, surrounded by shelves of scriptures on three sides.

The hall had four floors, each packed with monks chanting with closed eyes—an eerie sight.

A man in gray robes, his hair tied up in a netted scarf, sat with his back to them before an elderly white-bearded monk. The old monk murmured incantations, a glowing alms bowl beside him.

These two had to be Xu Xian and Fa Hai.

Shi Yue whispered, "What now? Grab him?"

Xu Youyuan hesitated.

[System Alert: Persuade Xu Xian to leave Golden Mountain Temple within 120 seconds, or the mission fails.]

A red countdown appeared above the hall. Xu Youyuan and Shi Yue cursed and rushed forward, pointing at Xu Xian.

"Your wife is searching everywhere for you, frantic! Why are you hiding here? Go home with her!"

Xu Xian turned slowly. He was delicate-looking, though worn.

Above his head floated:

[Xu Xian remains unmoved.]

Xu Youyuan and Shi Yue exchanged glances. "Too generic. We’re on the wrong track."

"She is not my wife," Xu Xian said flatly before turning back to Fa Hai, resuming his chanting.

[Xu Xian grows even more resolute.]

Xu Youyuan muttered, "We need trigger words. Was this scene in the original movie?"

Shi Yue scoffed, "Of course not."

[Countdown: 110 seconds]

"No time. Throw everything at him—quantity might hit the mark."

Shi Yue sighed, "I have zero experience persuading men."

Xu Youyuan rapid-fired:

"You believe this bald fraud calling your wife a snake? He’s jealous! It’s all Fa Hai’s scheme to divide you!"

"Even if you divorce, face her properly! Hiding here? Pathetic!"

"What’s so great about being a monk? Baldness is not a universal look!"

[Xu Xian remains unmoved.]

[Xu Xian remains unmoved.]

[Xu Xian remains unmoved. Mildly amused.]

Xu Youyuan rolled up her sleeves, ready to throw hands. Shi Yue held her back. "Let me try."

Shi Yue softened her tone:

"Has anyone ever treated you better than your wife?"

"Does it matter if she’s human or snake? Remember how she loved you?"

"Even a human couldn’t match her devotion."

Xu Xian’s indifference held firm.

Xu Youyuan cut in:

"‘Ten years to share a boat, a hundred to share a bed’—you’d waste that rare—"

Shi Yue elbowed her. "What is that?"

"Legend of the White Snake theme song. Classic."

"This is White Snake 2021. This Xu Xian’s never heard of your nostalgia bait."

"...Right."

[Xu Xian thinks you’re deranged.]

Shi Yue pulled Xu Youyuan back as the timer hit 30 seconds.

What could reach a cowardly, wishy-washy man like Xu Xian?

Xu Youyuan sat abruptly, mirroring the monks’ posture.

28… 27… 26…

Once time ran out, the flood would trigger again.

The seconds drained. Xu Youyuan stayed silent.

Shi Yue braced for failure.

Xu Youyuan asked suddenly, "How does this version end?"

Shi Yue answered, "When Fa Hai nearly kills the white snake, Xu Xian finally breaks, lunges to save her, and gets thrown into the water. Fa Hai spares the snake because she’s pregnant."

"What’s the pivotal shot?"

"Close-up of the white snake’s agony."

"Just that?"

"Yeah."

Xu Youyuan inhaled sharply and stood.

[12 seconds]

She knelt before Xu Xian, level with Fa Hai.

"You know how good she’s been to you. You’re not heartless."

[Keyword detected: "heartless."]

[Xu Xian is listening.]

"But you’re afraid. Afraid she’s a snake. Afraid she’ll devour you one day."

[Keyword detected: "you’re afraid."]

[Xu Xian agrees.]

"But haven't you considered—if she wanted to eat you, wouldn’t she have done so long ago? Does she care about those few ounces of flesh on you? No. She’s here to repay a kindness, to return the favor of you saving her life. You must’ve cultivated blessings for lifetimes to earn this kind of fortune."

[You’ve spoken the keyword "repay a kindness"] [Xu Xian is almost convinced]

Xu Xian finally lifts his head and looks at Xu Youyuan.

[Countdown: 5 seconds]

"The most important thing is," Xu Youyuan says with utmost sincerity, "even though she’s a snake..."

[Countdown: 3 seconds]

"She’s beautiful. Could you ever marry anyone more beautiful than her in this lifetime?"

[Countdown: 2 seconds]

Xu Xian’s eyes suddenly shine with dazzling clarity.

[Countdown: 1 second]

[You’ve spoken the keywords "beautiful," "more beautiful"] [Xu Xian is convinced]

Shi Yue: "…?"

"You bald old monk! Return my husband to me!"

Outside Jinshan Temple, dark clouds loom as the White Snake and Green Snake stand side by side, their auras radiating urgency and fury as they shout at the temple:

"If you dare harm my husband, I will reduce Jinshan Temple to rubble without hesitation!"

A demonic wind howls, and floodwaters begin to rise. Just as the White Snake and Green Snake prepare to cast their spells together, they spot a familiar figure at the temple gates.

"Sister!" The Green Snake immediately grabs the White Snake’s arm. "Look!"

The White Snake sees Xu Xian, her heart trembling. She rushes forward in an instant, landing before him.

"Husband, did that bald old monk hurt you?"

Xu Xian cups the White Snake’s peerlessly beautiful face, tears of joy streaming down. "No… no, I was just foolish for a moment, nearly falling for a villain’s scheme. Let’s go home together!"

The White Snake nods repeatedly, overwhelmed with emotion.

Standing not far away, shivering in the wind, Xu Youyuan and Shi Yue are momentarily speechless.

[System prompt: Please return to the second platform immediately and board the train to the third platform to clear this level.]

The journey to the third platform goes smoothly. Upon arrival, a glowing portal hovers in the air—the gateway to clearing the level.

As they approach it, Shi Yue can’t help but ask curiously, "How did you even come up with that way of persuading Xu Xian? That logic was bizarre."

Xu Youyuan laughs. "I just told him something brutally practical."

"So, you’re the type who cares about looks? You’d like anyone as long as they’re pretty?"

Xu Youyuan pauses at the portal’s edge and asks, "Depends on how pretty."

Shi Yue is still searching for a reference when Xu Youyuan adds:

"Prettier than you?"

Before Shi Yue can react, Xu Youyuan flips backward and vanishes into the portal…