Chapter 88: Going Up the Mountain, Entering the City, and Attending the Palace

The black-robed old monk, Yang Taisui, born to the esteemed Yang clan in Dongyue, was studious from a young age and extensively read in family lore. At thirteen, he became a monk, mastering the scriptures of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism. He was particularly skilled in yin-yang numerology. Although a monk, he studied Taoist arts and military theories under a Taoist priest from Qingxu Palace. At twenty-four, he traveled to Longhu Mountain and was reprimanded by Grand Celestial Master Qi Xuanzhen after a face reading. Instead of anger, Yang Taisui rejoiced. He was subsequently recommended to serve the Crown Prince in the capital, later recited sutras for the late Empress Dowager, and presided over the Royal Yongfu Temple. He assisted the former emperor in securing the throne, and during this period, accepted several high-ranking imperial eunuchs as Bodhisattva precept disciples.

After the realm was pacified, the black-robed old monk politely declined the title of National Preceptor. At Yongfu Temple, he devoted himself to studying Buddhist teachings, having long severed ties with his family and having no connection to the current powerful elites. At Xilei Wall, he had earnestly tried to dissuade Xu Xiao from killing the great scholar Fang Xiaoli, but to no avail, leading to rumors of their severed friendship. For nearly a decade, he lamented the disarray and unclear principles within the Chan (Zen) Buddhist lineage. He founded the "Xiang Yuan Shuo" (Theory of Phase Completion) and authored works such as "Eight Schools of Original Meaning" and "Sutra for Dispelling Delusion and Salvation." Yet, he never engaged in any Buddhist debates, calling himself "The Elder Who Does Not Debate Monks." Despite his contributions to the nation's establishment, he embraced solitude, serving only as a tutor to imperial princes and grandsons. Three years ago, he resigned as abbot of Yongfu Temple and chief palace monk, traveling alone across the land, his whereabouts elusive. Today, he appeared in Tai'an City solely to escort the King of Northern Liang to the capital. However, upon seeing the black-robed monk, Xu Xiao, the "Butcher," insisted on walking into the city, leading to the current scene: Xu Xiao walking side-by-side with him towards the palace gate.

Dressed like a wealthy man with his hands tucked into his sleeves, Xu Xiao strolled leisurely down the capital's main thoroughfare, chuckling, "Yang Taisui, I heard you took a closed-door disciple who went to Shangyin Academy? Let me tell you beforehand, playing around is one thing, but if they cause serious trouble, neither of us should interfere to protect them. Also, were the Talismanic Armored Figures sent by your disciple? Don't let it happen again. I'm very curious, the Talismanic Armored Figure was already stripped of its armor and skin by your Bodhisattva precept disciple Han Diaosi back then, so why are there five more Talismanic Armored Figures now? What insidious plan are you up to, you old bald donkey? What, are you still holding a grudge against me? You're so petty, like a woman. Is it just because I didn't agree not to kill that scholar back then? We've had a life-and-death friendship for decades, are you just going to throw it away?"

The black-robed monk stiffly replied, "None of that concerns me."

Xu Xiao narrowed his eyes, observing the somewhat unfamiliar atmosphere of the capital after many years, and pouted, "Tell me honestly, is that kid his illegitimate son? Otherwise, how could he have gotten the Talismanic Armored Figures from Han Diaosi, and how could he make Han Diaosi, that human cat, so submissive and act like a slave?"

The old monk frowned, his already fierce and stern face becoming even grimmer. He exuded an intimidating presence without anger. As they walked through the bustling crowd, the monk's guidance ensured that no one could approach him and Xu Xiao, like fish gliding through waterweeds.

Xu Xiao chuckled, "Bald donkey, if you don't deny it, I'll take that as an answer."

The black-robed monk still offered no explanation or rebuttal, his mind serene and undisturbed. Xu Xiao teased, "Oh, Yang Taisui, Yang Taisui, sometimes I really admire you. Serving a ruler is like serving a tiger, but if you live another twenty or thirty years, you might assist three imperial reigns, and everyone will be willing to treat you like a Bodhisattva. Look at Longhu Mountain; they'll stop at nothing to solidify their National Preceptor status. There's an old fellow who risked two cycles of his lifespan, even using techniques to defy heaven and change destiny. And you? You do nothing, just eat vegetarian food and chant sutras all day. If you find the capital boring, you just go for a walk outside the city. That's the life of an immortal. Bald donkey, when are you going to meet my eldest son Fengnian? He's not like me; he believes in Buddhism, so maybe you two will get along."

The old monk shook his head, softly reminding, "We've arrived."

At the end of the road, the main gate of the imperial city was visible.

The current dynasty held morning court every ten days. Court had already begun, so Xu Xiao was a bit late. Outside the gate, only carriages, horses, and family retainers were parked; no high-ranking officials were visible. This first gate of the imperial city featured three archways, grand eaves, and multiple ridges. On either side stood a pair of white jade lions and dismounting steles. Above the gate hung a couplet, written by the founding Grand Academician, which read: "Sun and Moon Shine Brightly, Mountains and Rivers are Majestic." To the north, on both sides, were ten-section long corridors known as the Thousand-Step Corridor, with continuous eaves and ridges, guarding the Hall of Preserving Harmony, which served as the main throne hall.

The black-robed monk Yang Taisui sighed, "Are you going to court dressed like that?"

Xu Xiao laughed, "I'll change into a new set of clothes in the carriage. I haven't had a chance to wear them in Northern Liang. I've gained a lot of weight these past years living a life of leisure, so I wonder if they'll still fit. It'll be troublesome if they don't."

The old monk wore a rare expression of headache and helplessness.

Xu Xiao laughed heartily and walked towards a carriage with only a few royal retainers left; the iron cavalry under the royal banner naturally couldn't be brought so close to the imperial city walls, as it would be improper. The black-robed Yang Taisui did not move, remaining standing about a zhang (approx. 3.3 meters) from the gate, his expression forlorn. Back then, he was a monk seeking merit and fame, while Xu Xiao had already made a name for himself with his black armor from Jinzhou. He advised the former emperor, and Xu Xiao served as the vanguard; one civil, one military, they complemented each other perfectly. At that time, the former emperor regarded them as his left and right arms. They once climbed the Hall of Preserving Harmony together within that great gate to drink wine and discussed major world affairs under the moonlight. Xu Xiao, not well-read, was always pressured by them to recite crude and vulgar poetry, which invariably drew laughter. After drinking, they would lie haphazardly, not caring whose arm served as a pillow. Their last close gathering was when Xu Xiao returned to the capital after destroying Western Chu to be enfeoffed as Grand Pillar of the State. But only words were exchanged, no longer the uninhibited camaraderie of before. After that, Yang Taisui no longer participated in politics, only discussing Chan (Zen) and poetry. Later, the former emperor instructed him to have a farewell drink with Xu Xiao. This act allowed that unique woman to enter the palace alone, a white-robed sword. After that, he no longer had the face to see Xu Xiao.

Xu Xiao hadn't gone far from the carriage when another carriage galloped towards them, its coachman sweating profusely. Xu Xiao waved to Han Laishan, a junior fellow disciple of "Spear Immortal" Wang Xiu, to not worry. He barely dodged the hooves of two tall horses, simply signaling a retainer of the royal estate to retrieve a pre-prepared outer robe from the carriage, ready to wear for morning court.

But as the saying goes, "A good horse is ridden, a good person is bullied." Xu Xiao did not mind the carriage collision, but the coachman, from a noble's residence, found the hunchbacked old man an eyesore. Mistaking him for an insolent retainer of some official, and already in a foul mood because his master inside was late for court due to illness and had been urging him fiercely, causing him much scolding, he angrily swung his whip at Xu Xiao. Xu Xiao merely smiled, making no move, but Han Laishan grabbed the whip, pulled the coachman down, and stomped on his chest, breaking two ribs with a crack.

A middle-aged Confucian scholar in a fourth-rank cloud-goose official robe stepped down from the carriage. Seeing his servant brutalized, he flew into a rage. Finding the old man unfamiliar, he disregarded propriety and began shouting curses, primarily rebuking whose servant dared to act so arrogantly and violently outside the imperial city. He pointed at Xu Xiao's nose and demanded his master's name, threatening to personally impeach him before the Emperor during court. His arrogance was fiery. This scholar held a fourth-rank position, equivalent to a provincial governor, as the Left Administrator of the Crown Prince's Household, a highly coveted and esteemed post in the Eastern Palace. Moreover, his father, Liu Binzhong, was a Grand Academician of the East Pavilion, a high-ranking official who had served two reigns. The highest official ranks in the current dynasty were the Three Halls and Three Pavilions. Although the East Pavilion was the last, not all such positions were filled. Including the Wuying Hall, Huagai Hall, and Yuange, there were only four such positions in total. Liu Binzhong, as one of these four, was exceptionally honored. Adding to their prestige, his elder brother, Liu Tiren, was a Silver-Green Guanglu Doctor, making the father and two sons serving in court a widely celebrated tale. If not for this, he would not dare to casually threaten impeachment right outside the imperial city gate, as officials attending morning court were not ordinary individuals.

Xu Xiao watched the fourth-rank Left Administrator of the Crown Prince's Household spluttering, smilingly dismissing it. A retainer jumped off the carriage with a parcel, which, when opened, revealed a corner of court attire. The Confucian official from the Liu family glanced at it, instinctively pausing. "Is this old man an official too? But among civil and military officials, I haven't heard of such a style of official uniform!" In this world, official uniforms were far more strictly regulated against "unauthorized use" than the size of residences; once proven, it would lead to imprisonment and exile. When the parcel was completely opened, the Left Administrator of the Crown Prince's Household, surnamed Liu, completely widened his eyes. "A python robe? Is that a blue satin, flat gold embroidered five-clawed python robe?!"

Since ancient times, the python robe was a dragon-like garment, similar to the five-clawed dragon robe worn by the emperor, but with one less claw. Like the dragon robe, it was embroidered with "river teeth and sea water." The current dynasty explicitly stated that only imperial princes could wear five-clawed python embroidery. Only the imperial family could use bright yellow, golden yellow, and apricot yellow colors. There were five types of dragon/python postures for the "water" motif: bent upright water, straight upright water, upright and recumbent three-river water, upright and recumbent five-river water, and fully recumbent water. Strict rules dictated which rank used which posture, with fully recumbent water being the most esteemed, known as "regiment dragon."

Liu watched wide-eyed as the old man's attendant helped him put on the python robe, swallowing hard. A "regiment dragon" python robe. Five-clawed dragons, even one more claw than Grand General Gu Jiantang! The blue satin material indicated that he was not an imperial relative, but a non-imperial prince? Counting on his fingers, how many non-imperial princes were there in the dynasty?!

The old man put on the only such python robe in the entire dynasty, clearly indicating he was going to court. What's more, besides wearing this formidable python robe, he also took a sword. Who could wear a sword to court?!

Even if Liu were an idiot, he would now know who the old man in front of him was! It was Xu Xiao, King of Northern Liang.

The hunchbacked old man, now in his magnificent, striking python robe and carrying the Northern Liang saber, walked directly towards the southern gate of the imperial city.

The Left Administrator immediately knelt on the ground with a thud. He no longer had any thought of going to court, just desperately kowtowing, leaving a pool of blood on the stone slab.

Xu Xiao, in his python robe, entered the imperial city.

The gateway was somewhat dim. Upon exiting, the "Butcher" shielded his eyes from the warm sunlight, squinting as he looked towards the grand hall.

Two rows of military officers in front and behind him knelt in unison.

The eunuchs, as if facing a great enemy, one by one, raised their voices and shouted: "The King of Northern Liang enters the Hall!"

The hunchbacked old man walked slowly with a slight limp, seemingly unconcerned that His Imperial Majesty, Grand Tutor Zhang Julu, Grand General Gu Jiantang, and the entire court of civil and military officials were waiting anxiously. He silently counted his steps, finally ascended the steps, looked back at the city gate, smiled, and muttered to himself, "I'm old."