The once desolate Xiama Wei finally brimmed with life. Li Yufu had already left the capital in haste, distancing himself from the turmoil. Wang Xiaoping, the Sword Obsession who had lost Shen Tu, remained at the inn, likely to be cursed endlessly for aiding a tiger. Wang entered a side room, closed the door, and refused visitors.
Then came the young monk Ben Nangu, rushing to Xiama Wei. After witnessing the bleak state of the young prince, he scratched his bald head. Xu Fengnian did not elaborate on his perilous “quarrel” within the palace, instead arranging for them to leave the capital together and visit Liangchan Temple. Unexpectedly, the young monk shook his head and said, “My master instructed me to accompany the prince to the Northern Wilderness and to teach him the method of sudden enlightenment.”
Xu Fengnian asked in surprise, “If you hadn’t come to the capital to meet the emperor, it would have been fine, but now that you’ve just left the capital and are going with me to the Northern Wilderness, won’t this clearly signal that your Liangchan Temple has completely broken with the court? Don’t you fear that the court might shut down the temple’s main gate in anger?”
Miss Lizzi paid no heed to such matters, focusing solely on building snowmen in the courtyard. After exhausting the snow in the backyard, she had previously made Xu Fengnian shovel snow from the outer courtyard and even the streets, filling baskets to bring back. By now, she had built thirty snowmen of various sizes, an awe-inspiring sight. The young monk Nangu grinned, “My master said that closing the temple is not a big deal. After all, the monks inside won’t starve to death. Without the usual comfort and warmth, the sincerity of the teachings will be stronger in times of hardship.”
Xu Fengnian said helplessly, “Your master certainly has a broad heart.”
Nangu looked troubled and worried, “I’m afraid I won’t be able to convey my master’s sudden enlightenment properly.”
Xu Fengnian lazily lay on a rattan chair, speaking in a casual tone, “Nangu, perhaps you and Lizzi should not go to the Northern Wilderness after all. Or maybe one day I’ll miss you and invite you to visit the Northern Wilderness.”
Miss Lizzi had used up all the snow, completing her final snowman. She came over, rubbing her frostbitten hands, and upon hearing these words, paused in shock. At first, she looked ready to argue fiercely, but then she recalled something, her face paled in fear, and she hesitated.
Clearly, she had belatedly remembered the nightmare of Nangu becoming a Buddha and leaving.
Xu Fengnian calmly said, “I believe in fate, better to believe in it than not. But belief doesn’t mean I have to accept my fate. I don’t care about your master’s thoughts or Lizzi’s father’s opinions. If you dare to go to the Northern Wilderness, I’ll tie you up and throw you to the Southern Sea, or the Eastern Sea will do. The sudden enlightenment of the Buddha’s teachings can spread easily in the Northern Wilderness, but you also said that the teachings are more sincere in hardship, so go through hardships elsewhere. For now, the Northern Wilderness won’t open its doors to you.”
The young monk Nangu, who was otherwise quite slow-witted except when discussing teachings, was immediately caught in a dilemma.
Xu Fengnian gave them no time to think, continuing mercilessly, “You should leave the capital immediately, so as not to be dragged down by me.”
Miss Lizzi’s eyes turned red, and she bit her lip.
Xu Fengnian frowned and said, “Don’t you understand the message of being asked to leave?”
Miss Lizzi’s voice trembled as she cried, “I haven’t seen you for a while, and your hair has already turned white. What if you die the next time I see you? I’ll only have you and Wen Hua left as friends, but I can’t even find Wen Hua. What should I do then?”
Xu Fengnian wanted to say something but stopped himself.
The young monk Nangu joined his palms in prayer and approached, while Xu Fengnian closed his eyes and softly said, “You can first pass through Xishu into Nanzhao, and then all the way to the edge of the Southern Sea. The journey is difficult, but relatively safe.”
Miss Lizzi, who had just grown from a girl into a woman, did not act spoiled or clingy this time. She turned her head to wipe her tears, sniffled, and softly said, “Then I’m leaving now.”
Xu Fengnian remained with his eyes closed, his heart as hard as iron.
She finally managed to move to the back courtyard gate, turned around, and said, “I’m really leaving now.”
Xu Fengnian remained unmoved.
Xuan Yuan Qingfeng quietly rolled her eyes.
After a while, Xuan Yuan Qingfeng couldn’t help but laugh and cry, as a small head peeked out from behind the door, teary-eyed. Then another bald head cautiously followed.
Xu Fengnian suddenly stood up, and both heads quickly hid back.
Xu Fengnian stepped over the threshold, saw her back turned to him, walked over, pinched her ear, turned her around, and smiled gently as he looked down at her, “Before, it was always me giving you gifts. This time, you and Nangu are going to the Southern Sea, so remember to help me pick out a few gifts. When we meet again, I’ll ask you for them. I’m being vulgar, so the gifts should be as expensive as possible.”
Miss Lizzi lowered her head and softly said, “Okay.”
Xu Fengnian turned to the monk Nangu with a smile, “Then I’ll leave this little sister to you. Take good care of her. Remember, ten thousand jin of rouge and powder are not worth as much as one living person.”
The young monk Nangu nodded.
At the entrance of the Xiama Wei inn, Xu Fengnian simply waved and turned away.
Leaving behind a young girl crying uncontrollably and a young monk who stood awkwardly.
Back in the courtyard, Xu Fengnian squatted in front of a small snowman at knee height, lost in thought.
His second sister, Xu Wei Xiong, had been a mischievous child since she was young. As a young girl, she once carved the words “Exile for Three Thousand Li” behind the statue of Zhenwu the Great Emperor on Wudang Mountain. At the time, the Daoist priests on Wudang Mountain considered it childish behavior without taboos. Now, thinking back, it seemed to come true, as he had traveled three thousand li from his first journey.
Xuan Yuan Qingfeng asked, “Are you the reincarnation of Zhenwu the Great Emperor?”
Xu Fengnian said calmly, “None of the people around me have had good fortunes. My mother lost the land’s sword immortal, my eldest sister has had a difficult fate, my second sister nearly died from plum wine, my teacher Li Yishan died of illness, and my younger brother might at any moment enter the realm of the finger for me. Aren’t you afraid?”
Xuan Yuan Qingfeng laughed heartily like a madman, holding her stomach, “How miserable! I’m so happy!”
Xu Fengnian exhaled heavily, not minding the madwoman’s schadenfreude, stood up, and said, “Go home.”
※※※
Shen Tu, the world’s greatest sword and talisman, returned to Zhenwu the Great Emperor. Zhao Danping’s face was dark and stormy as he silently calculated the heavenly omens but could not even find a hint. Bai Lian, the scholar, sucked in a breath of cold air and murmured the name of Wang Xiaoping, the sword Obsession. Sun Tanglu and several chroniclers instinctively lowered their heads, looking at their toes, afraid to look too closely at this omen, which was still unknown whether it was a good or bad sign. Zhao Ningshen, whose face resembled an old patriarch of Longhu Mountain, stood there Dulllike, muttering to himself and shaking his head repeatedly.
After Longhu Mountain surpassed Wudang, it gained fortune and prosperity, with golden lotus flowers blooming in the dragon pool, swaying gracefully. The Longhu Mountain immortals were also outstanding, and there was a tradition of harmonious coexistence between the Zhao clan and other surnames. After Qi Xuanzhen defeated the demon, the famous swordsman Qi Xianxia, who held a whisk as a sword, was renowned in the martial world, hailed as one of the leading swordsmen of the era. His name was aptly chosen; Qi Xianxia indeed had the bones of a hero and the aura of an immortal. With four living great Tian masters of the Zhao clan and Zhao Danping promoting his cause in the capital, and the younger Zhao Ningshen emerging unexpectedly, not to mention the assistance of Bai Lian, the scholar, Longhu Mountain appeared to be at the height of its prosperity. However, on the surface, it was impressive, but inside, the Tian masters were worried. The lotus flowers in the dragon pool were dwindling, continuing to wither, leaving the Tian masters puzzled and anxious.
The emperor calmly said to Zhao Danping, “Master Zhao, go to the Bureau of Astronomy.”
Zhao Danping accepted the order and hurried away.
Even after becoming the crown prince, Zhao Zuan still maintained the calm demeanor of a refined prince. The emperor turned and smiled, “Zuan, you lead Bai Lian and Ningshen around. If there is anything amiss, write a report for me afterward. Remember, don’t have someone else write it for you.”
Zhao Zuan nodded with a frown. This crown prince and the two Taoist priests strolled leisurely within the palace, walking aimlessly. Suddenly, Zhao Zuan smiled and asked, “Master Bai Lian, what if the eldest son of the Xu family is truly Zhenwu the Great Emperor? Wouldn’t that be quite troublesome?”
Bai Yu softly replied, “Being an immortal in heaven and a man on earth, even if that were true, it would be no problem. Eight hundred years ago, the emperor of the Qin dynasty claimed to be the reincarnation of Zhenwu the Great Emperor, yet he still failed to unify the Northern Wilderness, passing away in regret like any ordinary person.”
Zhao Zuan asked a very sharp question, “Master, people envy immortals for their longevity, and emperors of every dynasty have sought alchemists, either refining elixirs or seeking immortals, yet not a single emperor has lived to be over a hundred years old. Since your Longhu Mountain is the ancestral home of Taoism, have there ever been any senior Tian masters who truly attained immortality? I don’t believe in the tales of ascending to heaven in Taoist scriptures. Do you, Master Bai Lian?”
According to the laws of the Liyang clan, the crown prince could refer to himself as “I.”
Bai Lian laughed heartily, “When I was young, my master took me to Longhu Mountain, and I once asked him if there were immortals in the world. I’ll just repeat what my master told me. He said that Taoist priests seeking immortality is like a herbalist climbing a mountain to gather herbs. Some people are very lazy, but what is destined for them will eventually come. They go up the mountain once and collect precious herbs, returning with a full load. These people include Hong Xixiang of Wudang and one person from my own Longhu Mountain. But most people are diligent, and although their harvests may vary, they eventually gain something. Like the four great Tian masters of the Tian family, they have become immortal figures in the eyes of the world outside the mountains, only a thin line away from the true immortals of Taoism. Many more return empty-handed, but by frequently climbing the mountain, not only gathering herbs but also gazing at the scenery, one can broaden their horizons and refresh their spirits. Walking on the rarely traveled and arduous paths can also strengthen the body and prolong life. Indeed, many clumsy alchemists in previous dynasties have flattered emperors with the art of longevity, causing chaos in the court, which Bai Yu considers harmful and without benefit. However, the inner alchemy methods of Longhu Mountain do not mislead the masses with the promise of longevity, and thus are beneficial without harm. Whether it be emperors, ministers, or commoners, all can learn from them. Therefore, when the emperor first summoned me to the capital, like the crown prince, he laughed and asked me if there are immortal beings in the world and the supreme art of longevity, I answered that there are none. In fact, as a Taoist practitioner, Bai Yu naturally believes in the existence of immortals and the art of ascending to heaven. However, the duty of an emperor is not to seek personal blessings but to pursue peace for the world. The art of longevity is against the natural order, and emperors, who claim to be the sons of heaven, must work hard to attain immortality, which is particularly difficult and not favored by heaven. The movement of stars, the flow of rivers, the affairs of the court, and the cycle of life and death all follow the rules. The ranking of Confucianism above Taoism in this dynasty is because Confucianism emphasizes benevolence and righteousness within and etiquette outside, indeed a fundamental remedy for governing a country. However, there is no universal remedy for all diseases in the world. Taoism’s concept of quietude and non-action is another remedy, and the Buddhism that has spread from the East to the Central Plains is also a remedy. The emperor’s suppression of Buddhism is not against true Buddhism but against the false scriptures and monks, which is also a way to pave the way for the crown prince’s future ascension to the throne and the great amnesty of Buddhism. The bitter medicine is hard to take, and the emperor’s intentions are also well-meaning. The crown prince’s Bide one’s time and conceal one’s strength and deep understanding of the essence of Old Huang are indeed commendable, but he must also carefully appreciate them.
At that time, Crown Prince Zhao Zuan was not fully attentive to the debate between Buddhism and Taoism, but Bai Yu’s detailed explanation now captured his full attention, every word absorbed without missing a beat. Looking around and seeing no one nearby, he softly said, “The emperor regards Qingci Chancellor Zhao Danping as a mere entertainer, but I dare not treat Master Bai Lian in the same way! I hope that in the future, Master Bai Lian will be able to enter the court and serve as an official, not seeking personal longevity, but seeking the well-being of the people.”
In the future, naturally when Zhao Zuan ascends the throne.
Bai Yu smiled slightly, without giving a definite answer.
Zhao Zuan also smiled knowingly.
Zhao Ningshen had been in a daze, paying no attention to the conversation between the crown prince and Master Bai Lian.
Zhao Zuan led the two Taoist priests from Tian family to the outside of the Bureau of Astronomy and then left. Master Bai Lian looked at the Bureau of Astronomy’s tall building, which exceeded the standard specifications, and softly asked, “Have you figured it out?”
Zhao Ningshen nodded, “It is indeed Xu Fengnian without a doubt.”
Bai Yu did not show surprise or joy, but rather a sorrowful expression, murmuring to himself, “No wonder the first Tian master of Longhu Mountain appeared in the dragon pond, drawing heavenly script and leaving the prophecy of a horse trampling Longhu. However, even the feudal princes in the human world must not see each other. Liyang is currently at the peak of heaven, earth, and man, which explains why Xu Fengnian’s background is so tragic. Has anyone close to him ever achieved completeness or a good ending?”
With a sigh, Bai Yu patted the shoulder of the young Taoist priest beside him, “The solitary Hidden Zhao Huangchao did the act of Fate Alteration, and even managed to raise an evil dragon in the Mount Difei. I don’t believe you and I can’t do the same.”
※※※
Fifty miles outside the capital, there was a small town. When the Liyang Dynasty pacified the Central Plains and gathered the three teachings and nine streams of scholars, artisans, and other elites into the great jar, before the city expansion, a large number of people had to settle outside the city. As people moved away, the city became deserted, and eventually, later forces took over the abandoned nests. This Fulong Town, being close to the capital, was prosperous, nestled by mountains and water. Some of the best estates were still occupied by the capital’s nobility, used as retreats for spring outings, summer escapes, autumn tours, and winter snow appreciation.
In a quiet inn in Fulong Town, an old man with silver hair arrived. He was not particularly generous in his spending but exuded an extraordinary demeanor. The innkeeper and waiters were in awe of him. Usually, the old man in gray clothes would dine and drink alone, and no one dared to approach him.
Then came a pair of guests, who sat at the same table as the gray-clad old man.
The woman was as beautiful as a celestial being, carrying an elegant and long sandalwood sword case on her back, like a peerless beauty stepping out of a painting. Unfortunately, she had a cold and aloof aura that kept people at a distance.
The middle-aged scholar, who seemed to be her servant, had white hair at both temples and sat opposite the old man.
The gray-clad old man said indifferently, “Cao Changqing, having crossed the threshold of Tianxiang to become a Confucian sage, have you come here to show off your might or to stop me from killing Xu Fengnian?”
The Confucian scholar, now a sage, replied calmly, “I just happen to be waiting for Xu Fengnian to return something, so I came along to catch up. As for your feud, I won’t interfere.”
Han Diaosi, with his snowy hair, glanced at the princess of the fallen Western Chu, Jiang Si, and then withdrew his gaze, “I, Han Diaosi, may be a eunuch, but I know the emperor will not let down the people of the world. You, Cao Changqing, may not be acting out of personal interest, but you are harming the world for the sake of a nation. Restoring a country? Even if you are a land immortal, can you truly restore it?”
Cao Changqing shook his head, “Without doing one’s utmost, one cannot know the will of heaven.”
Han Diaosi sneered coldly, stood up, and said menacingly, “Tell Xu Fengnian, within five hundred to a thousand miles, I will definitely settle the score between us.”
Cao Changqing said nothing.
Han Diaosi threw a bag of silver on the table and walked out of the inn.
Cao Changqing looked at the princess, who calmly said, “He can only be killed by me.”
Even Cao Changqing, the Confucian sage who could withstand the Thunder of the Heart of Gu Jian Tang and Nan Hua, could do nothing about it.
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