Chapter 83: Clad in the Five-Clawed Dragon Robe, Only the New Tang is Home
The two had already reached the top of the earthen slope when Zhong Ming turned his head and pointed toward Wangxian City. “Look, that is the last city on the frontier of the New Tang. That is where you should be.”
Turning back, Zhong Ming then pointed to the Muddy Village. “Our village is too small, the temple is too humble, and the malevolent winds are strong. I, Zhong Ming, am not as capable as my father. Your Highness, forgive me for being unable to help.”
Li Jianye’s expression was bitter, and he remained silent.
The wind after the rain was still somewhat chilly, stirring the sleeves of Li Jianye’s robe. He felt cold, his scholar’s garment tightening around him.
“Within three days, I hope Your Highness can move away from Muddy Village.”
With no expression, Zhong Ming descended the slope slowly, closing his eyes. He suppressed a long sigh deep in his throat.
Zhong Ming had to take responsibility for the people of this village; he could not risk a hundred lives just to gamble with Li Jianye’s fate.
He could not afford to gamble, and neither could Muddy Village.
“I can tell you this: Qin Xiong has left Luoyang. If you return to Luoyang quickly before the whole world knows of your death, there might still be a chance to turn the tide.”
Having said this, Zhong Ming did not look back and strode forward.
Upon the slope, Li Jianye’s face was complex—frowning at times, bitterly smiling at others, and in the end, laughing madly. “People say the emperor’s life is glorious, but they do not know that everyone in the royal family wears shackles!”
With a thud, Li Jianye knelt, mud splattering across his robe, and bowed deeply to Zhong Ming’s retreating figure.
Hearing the sound behind him, Zhong Ming, who had feigned a heart of stone, softened inwardly and squeezed out that long sigh once more.
“You must leave. I can protect Wang Ye’s life. You know the immortal from Nanhang who came a few days ago—he owes me a favor.
“If you are willing, Wang Ye can flee to Nanhang, where no matter how powerful Li Shicheng is, he cannot snatch him away from the hands of the Nanhang immortal. This will secure your lineage.”
This time Zhong Ming did not linger and hurried onward. This was the final line he could draw for Muddy Village.
“Thank you, sir!”
Li Jianye was covered in mud, disheveled and embarrassed, but he did not care. The gratitude in his eyes when he looked at the young man was profound.
This was the first time since arriving in Muddy Village that he had addressed Zhong Ming so respectfully as “sir.”
...
That afternoon, in Muddy Village, the carpenter Li wore a long robe embroidered with a five-clawed golden dragon and loudly recited: “Mountains never tire of height, seas never tire of depth. Duke Zhou once spat out his food; the world’s hearts all turn.”
On this day, a hidden crown prince who should have been dead emerged from Suiyun Mountain.
The former crown prince Li Jianye, protected by the leader of the Imperial Guards Hu Su, entered Wangxian City with Crown Princess Zhen and his eldest son Li Guangling and youngest son Li Muyun.
The magistrate He of Wangxian City was so frightened he ran all the way from the county office to the northern street to kneel and welcome the return of the former crown prince.
The immortal Yu Tu of Baiyu Capital was also alarmed by the news and personally rode a moon rabbit to escort Li Jianye to reside in the Baiyu Capital mansion.
From the moment Li Jianye entered wearing the crown prince’s dragon robe, the news spread like wildfire throughout New Tang, stirring Luoyang.
But no one knew that overnight, Li Jianye gained two strands of white hair on his forehead.
Nor did anyone know that within the Eastern Palace of Luoyang, the crown prince—also clad in a five-clawed dragon robe—sighed: “Brother, I will pretend you died at the frontier. Why did you have to fight so desperately with me... Isn’t living better?”
...
Night fell within the Baiyu Capital mansion.
Yu Tu sat in the parlor speaking with Li Jianye by candlelight; no one was permitted entrance to this courtyard.
Outside the courtyard, Tian Xingjian smiled and said, “Interesting, truly interesting. I never imagined Li Jianye would dare to emerge from that mud pit.”
Yi Chongtian followed behind, echoing, “Uncle Tian has good taste.”
Casting a glance at Yi Chongtian, Tian Xingjian suddenly stopped smiling and scowled. “What are you laughing at? Is this funny?”
The temperamental Tian Xingjian’s eyes burned with anger as he murmured, “Grandfather was indeed more cunning. This bet, I lost.”
...
Far away in Luoyang, inside the grand Tian family estate.
An elderly man with white brows and beard sat in the courtyard, listening to a servant’s report while rubbing a chess piece silently for a long time.
“Master, Li Jianye’s return to the capital is an opportunity for our gentry clan. What do you think?”
The revered scholar, Tian Yizheng, known as the Qilin Son, placed a chess piece on the board and smiled. “This piece I place here is a deadlock that can be revived. If you don’t focus now, you’ll lose.”
The two gentlemen in the courtyard were Tian Yizheng, the current prime minister and sole first-ranked official after Qin Xiong’s resignation, and Pang Xiao, the Minister of Personnel, also from the Tian family estate.
Together, this master and disciple duo held power enough to sway the entire court.
...
In Muddy Village, inside Zhong Ming’s small courtyard.
Li Wangye’s cries echoed continuously; he sobbed uncontrollably. Zhong Ming tried to console him for some time, but to no avail. It was only when Feng Mufei shouted, pointing a finger at him, “You are an elder of Penglai, how can you cry so easily?” that Li Wangye stopped.
Still choked with emotion, he whispered, “Brother Zhong Ming, does Father not want me anymore?”
Seeing Li Wangye’s tear-filled eyes, Zhong Ming forced a smile and lied, “No, your father will return soon.”
Li Wangye asked again, “Then what is Father doing?”
“Your father is helping you and your brother reclaim what is rightfully yours.”
Standing, Zhong Ming gazed toward the border city with a complicated expression.
...
The hidden crown prince emerged from Suiyun Mountain, and the news was quickly spread by interested parties throughout Luoyang. The next day, a battalion of the Imperial Guards departed Luoyang to escort the former crown prince back to the capital.
On the border city side, Yu Tu personally sent Baiyu Capital immortals to escort Li Jianye back.
The crown prince remained the crown prince; those once under his protection in the royal court now stood to invite the eldest crown prince’s return to the capital.
Though he appeared as dignified and commanding as before, how his return to Luoyang would unfold would only be known when he stepped into the capital.
After this hidden crown prince left, Muddy Village remained the same.
Only now, the earth tremors grew more frequent, sowing unease among the people. Some even intertwined these tremors with the hidden crown prince’s reappearance, saying: “Crown Prince Li Jianye follows the will of Heaven. This return to the capital even Heaven aids him.”
“Earth dragon turning” was said to portend Li Jianye’s resurgence.
Amid such upheaval within New Tang, spies from Nanhang and Houchen infiltrated repeatedly to observe Li Jianye and Li Shicheng’s movements, reporting back to their countries.
Zhong Ming did not believe these rumors. He knew the earth dragon’s turning was unrelated to Li Jianye.
The earth tremors were growing simply because the upheaval of Suiyun Mountain was nearing its end.
On the night after Li Jianye’s departure, a tremendous rumble came from Suiyun Mountain, accompanied by a strange roar.
It sounded like a powerless wail and a fearful roar, lasting a long while before ceasing.
Startled awake by the roar, Zhong Ming hurried outside. From the direction of Suiyun Mountain rose a dazzling radiance, shining with myriad colors like auroras, bathing the mountain as bright as day.
Inside the house, Liang Yu’s snoring continued unabated; only he was immune to such disturbances.
Muddy Village, shrouded in darkness, began lighting lamps as many villagers came out to watch.
Staring at the brilliant glow, Zhong Ming frowned and murmured, “What exactly is that?”
“A spiritual vein.”
Yu Bai, who had somehow appeared on the roof, looked toward Suiyun Mountain as well. After a moment, she jumped down beside Zhong Ming.
Tracing the shape of a mountain with her fingers, Yu Bai explained, “It is a spiritual vein, also called a spirit mountain, formed by the essence of heaven and earth. For cultivators, it is like a treasure trove. Spiritual veins produce immortal spirit stones.”
“Immortal spirit stones have many uses; primarily, they help cultivators accelerate their training.”
“So, you immortals actually come here for these immortal spirit stones?”
Zhong Ming frowned, pondering. The spiritual vein was like a gold mine to mortals—once discovered, everyone would swarm to it.
Yu Bai nodded. “Something like that. Actually, cultivators aren’t as comfortable as you imagine. We’re not true immortals; we age and die. To cultivate, we must seek resources everywhere, striving to achieve eternal life within our limited lifespans.”
“So your descent from the heavens isn’t to bless the world, but to seize these spiritual veins—these earthly resources?”
Zhong Ming struck the core of the matter and finally understood why celestial palaces descended.
These immortals were no merciful bodhisattvas; they were humans with desires. If there were no profit, why waste such effort coming from the upper realms to the mortal world?
Yu Bai cleared her throat, giving no direct answer.
After a long pause, she said, “Don’t look anymore. It has little to do with you. Spiritual veins are prized treasures fought over by great celestial palaces. Mortals like you shouldn’t dream of a share.”
“I’m not looking for a share. That thing is useless to me.”
Saying this, Zhong Ming turned to go inside and sleep, hoping that perhaps upon waking he would see his uncle’s return.
Being clever, Zhong Ming guessed that Yang Yanlang’s month-long journey to Suiyun Mountain was related to the spiritual vein. Now that the vein had surfaced, it meant Yang Yanlang could return.
Just as Zhong Ming turned, a sudden explosion erupted from the village.
With a thunderous boom, a thatched roof was blasted into the sky, scattering debris and straw mixed with sand everywhere.
The blast came from the direction of the courtyard of the Taoist master Zhang Daozhen and his disciple. Zhong Ming glanced over and thought grimly: This is bad. I wonder what mischief those two Taoists have been up to, blowing up their own home.
...
Without hesitation, Zhong Ming hurried toward the Taoists’ courtyard.
Yu Bai glanced over and wanted to follow, but at that moment Li Wangye woke, rubbing his eyes as he stood in the yard, whispering tearfully, “Brother Zhong Ming, I’m scared!”
Seeing Li Wangye wiping his tears, Yu Bai clicked her tongue. “Such a troublesome little brat.”
Though complaining, she turned to comfort him. “Don’t be afraid, Sister is here.”
Holding Li Wangye, she brought him back inside, though her curiosity still flickered toward the explosion’s direction.
Zhong Ming hurried to Zhang Daozhen’s courtyard, where a crowd had already gathered.
Seeing Zhong Ming, Lu Dashu quickly pushed through the throng. “Make way! Mr. Zhong is here.”
Navigating through, Zhong Ming entered the yard. The small thatched hut had collapsed; not only was the roof gone, but even the mud walls were half destroyed.
From the smoke emerged the old Taoist Zhang and the young disciple, coughing.
Zhong Ming hurried over. “Old Taoist, what happened? How did you blow up your house?”
“Cough, cough, Brother Zhong, master was refining pills and blew up the furnace.”
The young disciple Zhang Nianchen quickly explained as the old Taoist held his little alchemy furnace, which was shattered, resembling a blossoming lotus.
Zhong Ming pulled the two Taoists close to inspect and asked, “Are you both alright?”
Zhang Nianchen hurriedly waved his hands. “We’re fine, we’re fine.”
Only then did Zhong Ming relax and turned to the villagers. “Master Zhang was refining pills and blew up the furnace. It’s nothing serious. Everyone, please disperse!”
From the crowd came laughter. Lu Dashu said, “As long as no one’s hurt. Master, you should watch your pill refining next time. I’ve never heard of someone blowing up their whole house from it.”
Amid the laughter, the crowd gradually dispersed.
Zhong Ming turned back and sighed. “Old Taoist, this isn’t pill refining; it’s practicing explosives. Just don’t blow yourselves to ascension someday!”
Zhang Daozhen, who had said little, frowned and asked, “Explosives? What is that? Some kind of explosive pill?”
Frowning, Zhong Ming did not know how to explain explosives to them and just waved his hand. “As long as you’re okay. If not, you can stay at Liang Yu’s house for a few days. This place is uninhabitable. Tomorrow we’ll have someone help repair it.”
“That works.”
Zhang Daozhen remained calm despite his white beard being blackened by the blast. Zhong Ming thought to himself: That is the steadiness of a true cultivator’s heart!
The two Taoists, looking like wandering refugees, followed Zhong Ming as the three headed toward Liang Yu’s home.
Along the way, Zhang Daozhen cradled his broken alchemy furnace like a treasure, whispering mysteriously to Zhong Ming, “Brother Zhong, I managed to refine the Stone Essence pill.”
“You blew up the furnace and still managed that?”
Curious, Zhong Ming asked.
The old Taoist explained, “I don’t know how. For days the Stone Essence wouldn’t melt. But tonight, it finally began blending with the medicine liquid. Then the rumbling at Suiyun Mountain happened, and my furnace exploded. But I checked inside the furnace—the medicine had solidified into pill form. It should be refined.”
The broken furnace still had its lid, half wrapped in his worn robe, so Zhong Ming could not see the pill clearly.
As long as they were unharmed, Zhong Ming was unconcerned. His dantian was healed, so he didn’t care much about this pill.
“Let’s head home first.”
Returning to Liang Yu’s courtyard, Yu Bai had disappeared, likely back inside.
Liang Yu’s house was too small, cluttered with all sorts of things. There was no room for three to sleep, so they settled around the stone table in Zhong Ming’s courtyard.
Once seated, Zhang Daozhen finally set down the furnace and said, “Brother Zhong, disciple, come have a look. Tell me what kind of pill this is.”
Zhang Daozhen was blind and could not see, so he was anxious.
When the lid was slowly lifted, a radiant beam like the brilliance of Suiyun Mountain shot from the furnace.
A small, irregular diamond-shaped pill, like a tiny stone, flew out and landed beside the furnace.
The radiant light receded, gathering above the stone into a palm-sized humanoid figure, which leapt and slapped Zhang Daozhen’s face.
The slap twisted Zhang Daozhen’s mouth, and the figure cursed angrily, “Damn it! Is it because you covered me that I couldn’t get out? Nearly suffocated me!”
The slap left Zhang Daozhen stunned, and Zhong Ming and Zhang Nianchen, watching this strange humanoid, were equally dumbfounded.