Chapter 790: Those Magnificences (Part 1)

Lotus Peak was unprecedentedly lively, likely due to the spiritual aura of Mount Wudang, where people from all walks of life could enjoy themselves harmoniously. Against this backdrop, the return journey of Wang Yuanran’s group from Taoshu Town at the foot of the mountain appeared particularly dismal, with almost everyone injured. Their departure, in particular, was more ostentatious than their arrival, as the hospitable Griffon Cavalry Captain Luo Hongcai dispatched a hundred riders for their personal escort. Meanwhile, something else left the mountain guests utterly perplexed. It was rumored that Vice Minister Zhao Youling of the Central Secretariat, Minister of Personnel Yin Maochun, the newly appointed Huainan Dao Military Commissioner Han Lin, and the children of Duke Yan, upon reaching the foot of the mountain, even prompted the King of Beiliang to personally descend and welcome them. Both parties seemed to feel they had "met too late."

The starkly different treatment of the two groups of aristocratic scions almost led people to believe that Liyang was on the verge of a dynastic change. This continued until a shocking rumor began to circulate: Qi Jiajie, the capital’s foremost swordsman among the Ten Martial Arts Masters of Daxueping, had inexplicably vanished. He was not seen among the departing group, having been replaced by Chai Qingshan from Dongyue Sword Lake. After much deliberation, everyone finally realized the truth: the King of Beiliang was truly cunning and ruthless. Not only had he secretly dealt a severe blow, but he also intentionally sought to make those powerful figures restless. If this news reached the Central Plains, influential figures like Zhao Youling would be relatively safe. As close ministers to the Emperor, they could find an opportunity to clarify the situation, and given the current Emperor's wisdom and magnanimity, which were no less than that of the late Emperor, he certainly wouldn't fall for Beiliang's scheme of discord. However, Han Lin, who had just left his position as Vice Minister of Punishment in the capital, would be in deep trouble. Would the arrogant soldiers of Huainan Dao not seize this handle to cause trouble?

With this understanding, everyone felt even more sympathetic towards Yin Changgeng and his promising young peers. The literati from Jiangnan Dao, in particular, vowed not to let Beiliang’s crude tactics succeed. Once they returned to Jiangnan, they would spare no effort in the literary and scholarly circles to prove the innocence of Yin Changgeng, Han Xingyan, and others, demonstrating that these future pillars of the Liyang Dynasty had suffered immense injustice at the foot of Mount Wudang. Many refined scholars even agreed to visit the newly appointed Huainan Dao Military Commissioner together on their return journey to show their support. Minister Han had always been known in the capital’s official circles for his courage in offering counsel and engaging in profound philosophical discussions. Such a loyal and virtuous official must not be allowed to suffer setbacks in the provinces! Since they were all scholars, even if they had never met Minister Han, it was their bounden duty to assist him!

Master Bailian recently made two friends on Mount Wudang: Griffon Cavalry Captain Luo Hongcai and Sui Tieshan, the second-in-command of Youzhou Intelligence. In candid conversations with them, he learned about the happenings both on and off the mountain. Especially regarding the righteous indignation of the Jiangnan literati, Bai Yu merely smiled, yet his reflections grew deeper. It wasn't just the petty calculations of the elegant scholars, nor merely that Xu Fengnian had personally set off for Liuzhou, temporarily taking over the position of Liangzhou General, which was originally held concurrently by Beiliang Protector-General Chu Lushan. More importantly, it was the customary silence of Beiliang when comparing the two situations. Even when Sui Tieshan spoke of the Central Plains literati's actions, he merely treated it as a joke. Even Captain Luo Hongcai, who had survived multiple piles of dead bodies on the border, showed no trace of resentment or bitterness in front of Bai Yu.

The impression they gave Bai Yu was that Beiliang had a deep-seated misunderstanding of the Liyang imperial court and simply didn't take them seriously. "Liyang, you curse me? Curse all you want, I won't bother with you." "Draw a knife on you? They might think about it, but they wouldn't actually do it." This was because, seemingly from Grand General Xu Xiao to the new King of Beiliang, Xu Fengnian, they were accustomed to venting their anger on the Northern Mang barbarians, disinclined to bicker with those scholars. Of course, if people like Wang Yuanran were eager to "reincarnate" and came running to Beiliang, sporting a "punch me" look, then it would be simple: why not hit them? And they would strike without hesitation, ensuring that their parents wouldn't recognize them.

Bai Yu resided in a secluded hut within Ziyang Palace on the mountaintop. Unlike other distinguished guests from out of town who were neighbors, Bai Yu's dwelling was surrounded by Wudang Taoists. It was a place vacated by a Taoist of the "Jing" generation who had temporarily descended the mountain for a matter. Many Taoists came to visit Master Bailian, seeking Bai Yu's guidance on scholarship. It was only after True Master Chen Yao, the Disciplinarian, gave them a lecture that Bai Yu found peace and leisure. In truth, Bai Yu himself didn't dislike such interactions; like spring frogs and autumn cicadas, heard in different contexts, they might sound cacophonous or profoundly serene, a world of difference. Bai Yu actually knew that when Zhao Ningshen said he would "atone" and cultivate on Mount Wudang for ten years, it was partly out of curiosity: how could this mountain, despite its overtly secular atmosphere and being a Taoist ancestral ground where Taoists of all generations offered fortune-telling and letter-writing services every ten days, consistently produce eccentric Taoists like Huang Manshan, Wang Chonglou, Hong Sixiang, and Li Yufu, especially in the last century after Patriarch Lü? None of them wished to ascend to immortality, yet the incense offerings here surpassed those of Longhu Mountain?

If one doesn't become an immortal, what is the point of cultivating the Tao?

Chang Sui, Xu Huang, and a few others visited Bai Yu after hearing that Master Bailian was residing in Ziyang Palace. Perhaps wary of speaking too deeply after a brief acquaintance, both parties tacitly confined their conversations to local customs and steered clear of military and state affairs. However, Li Dongxi and the little monk Nanbei, with whom he had a brief encounter before, visited and gave Bai Yu a big surprise. The young girl came directly, carrying live chickens and ducks. Perhaps they were exhausted from flapping all the way, as the poultry looked listless and resigned when she entered. The girl said that it seemed even non-family Taoists from Longhu Mountain could eat meat, and these chickens and ducks were bought by her in Taoshu Town at the foot of the mountain. She picked out the two largest ones for Master Bailian to nourish himself. The girl also thanked Master Bailian for treating them to tea at the Celestial Master's Residence back then, which made Bai Yu truly laugh and cry at the same time, thinking to himself that this girl was indeed very nostalgic. At dinner, the young girl personally went to the Ziyang Palace kitchen and stewed a large pot of chicken for Bai Yu. The little monk Nanbei didn't dare to sit at the table to eat, instead squatting by the doorway and chanting "Amitabha" repeatedly. As a result, Bai Yu had barely taken a few bites when a woman, guided by a small Taoist boy, arrived furiously to demand an explanation, followed by a white-robed monk. Bai Yu quickly put down his chopsticks and stood up to greet them. After seeing Master Bailian, the woman's expression softened somewhat, but she still muttered under her breath, "This girl, a gift is a gift, but what kind of foolish daughter steals the biggest chicken and duck from home to give as a present? She's just like her father, doesn't know how to manage a household!"

The white-robed monk sat down and gestured for Bai Yu to continue eating, saying with a smile, "I hear the Elder True Master of the Wu family, bearing an imperial decree, is already at the foot of the mountain, though for now, he has no intention of ascending. But with Han Gui from Qingshan Temple and you, Master Bailian, it seems you're ganging up on this humble monk who is fighting alone."

Bai Yu suddenly asked an untimely question, "Sir, do you know who the leader of Zhao Gou is?"

Li Dangxin, however, answered with a non sequitur, "For Master Bailian, personally bestowed by the late Emperor, to address me as 'Sir,' it truly overwhelms this humble monk."

Bai Yu, who was always gentle and courteous in his interactions, was uncharacteristically assertive, "Some say it's Yang Taisui, who died outside the pass; some say it's Han Shengxuan, the 'Human Cat' who died suddenly; and others say it's Liu Haoshi, the gatekeeper of Tai'an City back then."

Li Dangxin stated directly, "Cao Changqing visited this humble monk at Liangchan Temple back then. Even he, Zhao Gou's greatest sworn enemy, wasn't entirely clear. Cao Changqing could only guess it was that reclusive Imperial Tutor, Yuan Benxi. However, of the five true operators of Zhao Gou, Cao Changqing encountered three. He killed one who was embedded in Guangling Dao. Of the remaining four, one used to control all qi practitioners in the northern lands but is now isolated. Another is a Jianghu figure who controls everything nominally associated with the Ministry of Punishment's bronze fish pouches. There's also one who replaced the deceased one, monitoring the activities in Guangling Dao. As for the last one, their identity is shrouded in mystery. I only heard that they might be an important chess piece responsible for targeting Beiliang. As for who it is, perhaps no one knows after Yuan Benxi 'vanished,' not even His Majesty the Emperor."

Li Dangxin asked curiously, "Why does Master Bailian ask about this?"

Bai Yu smiled slightly, "I plan to stay in Qingliang Mountain for two years, and I'm afraid I might die there."

Li Dangxin frowned, "You suspect that person is inside the Beiliang King's Residence? That's impossible, with Xu Xiao and Li Yishan..."

Bai Yu shook his head, interrupting him, "It doesn't have to be someone who has been lurking for a long time. It could be someone who arrived later, such as... Song Dongming, the Deputy Military Commissioner of Beiliang Dao."

Li Dangxin rubbed his bald head, pondering in silence.

The white-robed monk smiled, "Regardless of whether Song Dongming is a Zhao Gou agent, Master Bailian's tactic of 'killing with a borrowed knife' is not very admirable."

Bai Yu, who had barely eaten a few mouthfuls, put down his chopsticks and smiled, "One should not harbor malicious intentions, but one must be vigilant against the malicious intentions of others. Regarding Song Dongming's identity, I merely made a baseless guess. However, since I've decided to survive two years in Beiliang, I'll have to employ some unconventional methods. To be honest, even if you hadn't come today, I would have sought you out tomorrow to implore you to accompany me to Qingliang Mountain. Therefore, I feel quite guilty about eating Miss Dongxi's meal. If I weren't so greedy, I wouldn't have been able to take even a single bite."

The white-robed monk murmured to himself, "If the leader of Zhao Gou truly is Yuan Benxi, then Song Dongming, who was initially favored but later abandoned as the Crown Prince's tutor, could indeed be a Zhao Gou agent. But at the same time, assuming both are Zhao Gou figures, Song Dongming might have completely committed himself to serving Beiliang."

Bai Yu nodded, "The Liyang Emperor's killing of Yuan Benxi, 'Half-Inch Tongue,' was not merely a case of discarding a tool after use. Naturally, he feared the Zhao Gou power Yuan Benxi wielded. After the late Emperor's death, Yuan Benxi became too unpredictable for the current Emperor. Compared to the thunderous snoring of Beiliang's iron cavalry, seemingly far at the doorstep, Yuan Benxi was like a faint breath by one's bedside, hard to sleep with, even if quiet. Yang Taisui is dead, Liu Haoshi is dead, Han Shengxuan is dead, Xie Guanying has left. Who else in Tai'an City can counterbalance Grand Master Yuan, who was an equal to the late Emperor? Furthermore, if Yin Maochun or someone else was Yuan Benxi's final choice for an overt Crown Prince's tutor, and Song Dongming was relegated to a hidden figure, even if Song Dongming lost heart due to Yuan Benxi's death, I still fear what might happen if..."

Li Dongxi's head was spinning from listening to all this, so she simply ate rapidly, ignoring the troublesome conversation.

The woman scooped a bowl of white rice for the little monk Nanbei, piling some vegetarian dishes on top, and the little monk squatted by the doorway to eat.

The white-robed monk looked at Master Bailian and smiled, "Seeing is believing."

Bai Yu self-deprecatingly replied, "I must have disappointed you, Sir."

Li Dangxin sighed, looking down at the table full of food, "Beiliang now has the scent of the imperial court. It looks good in color, aroma, and taste, but eating it might be another matter. It seems being an emperor truly isn't much fun. No wonder that kid surnamed Xu..."

Li Dongxi suddenly slammed her chopsticks down, "Dad, you can ramble on to people all you want, but all this food was made by me!"

The white-robed monk immediately told his wife to get another set of bowls and chopsticks, and before even eating, he gave a thumbs-up, exclaiming, "Delicious!"