Chapter 387

“A place of hidden swords?” Xuanyuan’s eyes were deep. “You want to retrieve the sword I nailed into the earth’s ley lines? Since you already know I killed you, do you still expect me to help you?”

“It was I who drove you to desperation.”

“It was I who killed your friends.”

“It was I who pierced your skull with a single sword stroke.”

“Even so, you still think I’ll help you?”

Chen Ji thought for a moment: “You were forced to, weren’t you?”

Xuanyuan was slightly taken aback.

He walked to the edge of the Green Mountain cliff, quietly watching the clouds roll and unfurl beyond. The black clouds in the sky and the white clouds outside the cliff resembled heaven and earth, yin and yang, with the clear air in between like the primordial chaos newly torn open by Pangu.

Xuanyuan suddenly said, “So, even after two lives, you are still the one who understands me best.”

Chen Ji came to the cliff edge and stood beside him, the mountain wind whipping their hair. “Otherwise, this day wouldn’t have repeated itself for fifteen thousand years.”

Xuanyuan pointed at the battlefield: “For fifteen thousand years, I’ve replayed this day, repeatedly pondering if there was any other possibility, any chance of not delivering that sword strike. But even after fifteen thousand years of repetition, if I were to return to that day, I would still unleash that sword. It seems just as you told me, a king doesn’t need friends. No, a king cannot have friends.”

Chen Ji smiled: “That’s why I won’t be a king in this life. If you have another life, you shouldn’t either.”

Xuanyuan was silent for a long time: “Alright.”

The two stood quietly for a long time. Xuanyuan looked at Chen Ji: “There are no shortcuts on the path of solitary cultivation. I forged my sword seed through battle, step by step. If you retrieve the sword from the earth’s ley lines, you will inevitably miss out on some of the sword intent tempering. Remember, everything in this world is conserved. When you gain a shortcut, you’ve already lost much in secret.”

Chen Ji calmly replied, “I know. But I don’t have great ambitions or aspirations; I don’t seek immortality.”

Xuanyuan remained silent.

Chen Ji knew he was hesitating, but didn’t know why.

After a long time, Xuanyuan sighed softly, “The Azure Bird was still too daring. How could he send you out of the ‘Forty-Nine Heavens’? I should have killed him too back then.”

Chen Ji was puzzled: “What?”

Xuanyuan looked back at him: “If the Azure Bird is the one in this world who most wishes you to live, then I am the one who most wishes you to die. For fifteen thousand years, half my time has been spent regretting killing you, and the other half regretting not killing you sooner. If you had died in the heavy snows of East Kunlun that year, perhaps none of these later stories would have happened.”

Chen Ji asked curiously, “What happened in East Kunlun?”

Xuanyuan, however, did not answer the question: “Let’s make a deal. I’ll give you the location of the hidden swords, but on the day you achieve harmony with the Great Dao, you must choose my Dao, not yours.”

Chen Ji felt that Xuanyuan was speaking in too many riddles today, as if hiding too many secrets he couldn’t reveal: “What’s the difference?”

Xuanyuan casually said, “The Daos are incompatible. When the day comes for you to achieve harmony, you will naturally have to abandon one.”

Chen Ji pondered for a moment: “Whether I can even live long enough to achieve harmony with the Dao in this life is uncertain. If that day truly comes, who knows when it will be.”

“If even you cannot achieve harmony with the Dao in this world, then who can?” Xuanyuan burst into laughter. “I’ve waited fifteen thousand years; I can afford to wait.”

At this moment, Chen Ji heard a rooster crowing in his ear; dawn was breaking.

After more than ten rooster calls faded, Chen Ji opened his eyes on the bed. Xiaoman was uncharacteristically not napping by the bedside.

He rolled over and got up, walking barefoot to the desk to grind ink and spread out Xuan paper, meticulously recording all the hidden sword locations he had just heard, fearing any omissions.

“Forward from the ‘Sky-Splitting Gorge’ of Tianzi Capital... where the nine-folding waterfall resembles a dragon, a sword is hidden in the spring’s eye.”“North of Mount Chongwu, where the Yellow Sand River winds, a bronze ox carries a sword...”“Where red leaves drift across the mountains, a stone turtle swallows a sword...”“At the summit of Mount Fuyu, at the root of the Tiaoshui River...”“In the ‘Tiger’s Mouth Swallowing the Sea,’ a blade is hidden within the tiger’s tooth...”

The clues spanning tens of thousands of years were extremely vague. The only location he could be certain of for now was Tianzi Capital... specifically, a sword hidden in the spring eye of the Nine Dragon Waterfall at Huangshan Daoist Temple.

And some of these hidden sword locations seemed to be within the Jing Dynasty.

For instance, "Tiger's Mouth Swallowing the Sea" strongly suggested the Bohai Sea, while "Tiger's Tooth" could either refer to Weihai in the Ning Dynasty or Lushun in the Jing Dynasty.

Such speculation was useless; he would need to go to the Imperial Guard Commander's office, consult the maps, and search slowly.

Chen Ji picked up the Xuan paper and blew on the ink to dry it, only to hear Xiaoman's exasperated voice from outside the door: "What's wrong with you, little monk? You can't carry anything, you can't lift anything, and I have to cook vegetarian meals just for you every day! Can't you just eat meat with us?"

The little monk panted, "Benefactor Xiaoman, I am a monk; I cannot touch meat or fish. If I break the Bhikkhu precepts, my cultivation will be abandoned halfway. My master said that these four Parajika precepts, thirteen Sanghadisesa precepts, thirty Nissaggiya Pacittiya precepts..."

Xiaoman impatiently interrupted, "What are you mumbling about? Get the carrying pole balanced properly, you're spilling all the water!"

The little monk righteously insisted, "Anyway, I cannot break the precepts."

Xiaoman scoffed, "Well, it's not like you've achieved anything remarkable with your cultivation."

The little monk hesitated for a moment: "That's true."

Chen Ji folded the written paper and tucked it into his bosom. As he stepped out, he saw Xiaoman entering the courtyard first, carrying a food box, followed by the little monk with a carrying pole and water buckets, and finally, the little black cat bouncing along.

Chen Ji found it amusing: "Why is the little monk fetching water so early in the morning?"

Xiaoman quickly said, "He just sits around doing nothing all day; I have to find him something to do."

The little monk bent down to put the carrying pole down, rubbed his shoulders, and looked at Chen Ji: "Benefactor, yesterday when you went to the First Silkworm Altar, I first washed two sets of clothes and bedding, then helped Miss Xiaoman wash, sort, and chop vegetables. I also swept the floor, mopped the floor, and cleared spiderwebs. Amitabha, why don't you send this humble monk back to Yuanjue Temple?"

Chen Ji took the food box from Xiaoman and placed it on the stone table. Xiaoman tilted her head back, looking at the little monk with her nostrils flared: "Nonsense! When did I make you do so much?"

As Xiaoman spoke, she strained to keep her head tilted back, avoiding eye contact with the little monk, fearing he would see through her thoughts if their gazes met.

The little monk looked at her nostrils, then suddenly jumped up from the spot, craning his neck to meet her gaze mid-air, completely discerning her thoughts.

Xiaoman exclaimed in alarm, "Ah!"

She grabbed the little monk's arm with her left hand, clenched her right fist, pursed her lips, and bit her cheek, pounding loudly on his back.

Chen Ji took out the dishes from the food box: "I really didn't expect you two to be like this when you're together..."

At this moment, a knock came from outside the door.

The door was open. Chen Lizun stood outside, his body slightly turned: "Chen Ji, I have something to discuss with you."

Chen Ji got up and went outside, asking curiously, "What can I do for you, Uncle?"

Chen Lizun said gently, "The six rites for the family have been prepared. After the imperial examinations conclude, I will arrange for you to be entered into the main branch's family genealogy, and then go to the Qi Residence to propose marriage on your behalf to Miss Qi San."

Chen Ji was silent for a moment: "Uncle, can the betrothal gift ceremony be postponed?"

Chen Lizun said earnestly, "You're at the age to start a family. I had Xu Shu from the Imperial Astronomical Bureau calculate the dates. He said the eighth day of the third month is suitable for proposing marriage. Seven days after the proposal, we'll inquire about names and match horoscopes. Half a month after that, we'll confirm the engagement and present the betrothal gifts. Choosing the wedding date will take another two months, and the actual wedding ceremony will be another half a year after that, by which time it will be winter. You'll be twenty (by East Asian age reckoning) by then, which is just right."

Chen Lizun continued, "Xu Shu said a comet will appear next year, and if it does, the wedding will have to be delayed by another forty-nine days. He also calculated that something major will happen in the capital next year, good or bad, still unknown. If it's bad, it'll be delayed by another hundred and eight days... we can't afford to procrastinate."

Chen Ji listened, dumbfounded. Was this Xu Shu truly accurate in his calculations, or was he just spouting nonsense?

And the dates for weddings, funerals, and other ceremonies among the capital's nobility were decided by his mere word?

Chen Lizun smiled and patted Chen Ji's shoulder: "I heard you already privately gave Miss Qi San a hairpin. We're family; there's no need to be reserved or shy. Just wait for my good news."

Without waiting for Chen Ji's reply, Chen Lizun turned and left.

Chen Ji silently calculated. He didn't need to be present for the betrothal, and there were still over eight months until the wedding... that was enough time.

He called into the courtyard, "Xiaoman, keep an eye on the house. I'm going to the Commander's office."

Xiaoman replied, then ran out with a palm-leaf packet and handed it to Chen Ji. Chen Ji took the packet, exited through the side door, and casually tucked it into Sicao Gui's arms: "The egg pancake Xiaoman made today is quite tasty."

Sicao Gui no longer refused, tucking the palm-leaf packet into his bosom. "Young Master, please get in. Where are we going today?"

Chen Ji said, "To the Imperial Guard Commander's office."

Sicao Gui paused, surprised. Chen Ji hadn't reported for duty at the Imperial Guard on time in a long while; he was somewhat unaccustomed to him being punctual for once.

The carriage drove out of Fuyou Street. From a distance, the shouts of children could be heard: "Yesterday, Young Master Lin Chaoyang Lin and Young Master Yang of Hongnong had another excellent work at Bianyifang!"

Chen Ji lifted the curtain and saw a child holding a stack of bamboo paper, held high above his head.

A sedan chair stopped beside the child. The occupant inside handed out a piece of broken silver through the curtain, buying a sheet of copied poetry written on bamboo paper, and then the sedan chair moved on.

Servants from noble households also approached: "Child, my young lady asks if there are any new poems by Young Master Cui of Qinghe."

The child quickly replied, "Sir, Young Master Cui did not attend the literary gathering yesterday."

The servant waved his hand: "Let's go."

With the imperial examinations approaching, scholars from all over the land converged. The hustle and bustle of the capital was far more than just the announcement of names at Donghua Gate or the parade of the top three laureates; it was a grand event lasting a full month.

In recent days, the vendors in Panjiayuan Ghost Market in the outer city no longer sold antiques or secret methods but instead hid away to sell "exam predictions" in the early hours of the morning, each claiming to be a relative of the Education Commissioner or Deputy Education Commissioner.

On the Sky Bridge, people were also playing the "Crow Divination for Laureates" trick: craftsmen hung rotten meat on a "Kuei Xing Kicking the Dipper" painting, on which bamboo slips bearing candidates' names were hung. Whichever name the crow picked up was considered a sign of great fortune.

Gambling houses also opened bets on who would be this year's *Zhuangyuan*, *Bangyan*, and *Tanhua*.

It was extremely lively.

At this moment, the sound of copper bells echoed from Chang'an Street. Sicao Gui pulled the carriage to the side to yield.

Chen Ji peered through the window slit and saw a procession of monks slowly approaching, carrying a solemn and majestic Buddha statue.

Thirty-two monks carried an immense Sumeru throne. Beside the throne, other monks held a copper bell in their left hand and incense in their right. Occasionally, they would strike their hands together, causing sparks and clear sounds as the incense collided with the copper bell.

A parade.

Chen Ji had witnessed a similar scene in Luocheng. Back then, vendors on Anxi Street knelt in a row, praying for Buddha's blessings. This time, a noble on the roadside, arms crossed, scoffed, "They say this parade was arranged by Miss Yang from Wanfu Temple for Lin Chaoyang, to bless him to rank among the top three. It looks to me like the Yang family plans to secure a son-in-law from among the top scholars after the results are posted..."

Sicao Gui leaned back against the carriage, coldly watching while eating an egg pancake. He murmured, "Southerners are extravagant; they waste all their efforts on such useless things. This Wanfu Temple is also greedy for money; it's not even a single hair on the head of my Jing Dynasty's Kujue Temple."

Chen Ji smiled: "Lord Sicao always seems clear-headed."

Sicao Gui waited for the parade to pass, then urged the carriage forward again. "When my Tiger and Leopard Cavalry marches south, we will surely purge this decadent luxury."

Before reaching the Commander's office, the sound of hooves approached, running parallel to the carriage.

Chen Ji lifted the curtain and saw Qi Zhenzhuo riding a warhorse, excitedly saying, "Master, let's head to Xiangshan for an outing at noon! The Crown Prince is hosting a dinner there, and my sister has already set off."

Chen Ji remained in the carriage without answering.

Just then, two fast horses galloped from East Chang'an Avenue: "Great victory! Great victory!"

Chen Ji's heart jolted. He saw one courier carrying a bamboo tube marked "Six Hundred *Li* Urgent, Those Who Intercept Shall Be Exterminated." He dismounted and ran into the Ministry of War. Another courier rode his horse through Chengtian Gate, only dismounting before Wumen (Meridian Gate), handing the bamboo tube from his back to the Jiefan Guards, who then carried it with both hands into the palace.

Qi Zhenzhuo reined in his horse, confused: "Master, who were we fighting? Where did this great victory come from?"

Chen Ji frowned. Indeed, he hadn't heard of the Ning Dynasty fighting anyone. Where did this great victory come from?

Could it be Wang Daosheng?

Calculating the time, Wang Daosheng's Ning Dynasty reinforcements had been at sea for over half a month. He wondered what Mr. Feng was planning among them. If they had landed early and launched a surprise attack somewhere in Jing Dynasty, then this great victory truly might be Wang Daosheng's.

Chen Ji sat in the carriage, watching Sicao Gui turn his head, staring intently at the Ministry of War.

This was bad. Sicao Gui would likely contact Sicao Ding as soon as possible to investigate this great victory. If it truly was a victory report from Wang Daosheng, the other party might suspect him of leaking information.

He needed to get rid of Sicao Gui for now, and then plan after confirming what kind of victory report it was.

Chen Ji asked Qi Zhenzhuo, "What did you just say?"

Qi Zhenzhuo quickly replied, "We're going to Xiangshan at noon. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is hosting a banquet at Xiangshan tonight, and tomorrow is the spring hunt."

Chen Ji lowered the carriage curtain: "Alright."

Qi Zhenzhuo paused, then immediately said joyfully, "Great, great, great! I was worried Master wouldn't want to go!"