Since Xu Qi’an left the capital, Huaiqing had never taken the initiative to contact him.
Xu Xinnian had just come to visit, discussing the oversights in the donation plan, and pointed out the new monarch’s lack of prestige and inability to control the court officials as a major problem.
“It would be great if big brother were in the capital!”
Xu Erlang sighed with such emotion.
Unfortunately, ever since Xu Qi’an started roaming the jianghu, he stopped contacting the capital and had never sent a letter home.
Huaiqing certainly knew that if Xu Qi’an were in the capital, his influence would be far greater. Moreover, judging from his previous style, blocking the Meridian Gate, beheading two Dukes, and killing the late Emperor, at his call, there would be no shortage of ministers willing to donate silver, as no one wished to cross this fellow.
But Huaiqing did not do so, not because it was inconvenient to ask, nor for lack of friendship. She simply felt that if Great Feng had really reached a point where everything required the efforts of a single person, then its fortune had well and truly run out.
“Did your Running Dog send you any letters?” Huaiqing asked.
“Of course!”
Lin’an raised her snow-white chin, saying proudly, “Loads of them.”
“In your dreams, perhaps.” Huaiqing ruthlessly exposed her.
“You…” Lin’an glared at her.
Huaiqing, in a good mood, picked up her teacup and took a small sip.
Lin’an stormed off angrily and gloomily returned to Shaoyin Palace.
“Your Highness, did you get bullied at Dexin Court again?”
Her maid covered her mouth and giggled softly.
Lin’an did not reply, lacking any real spirit.
She took the tea offered by her maid, but did not drink it, merely warming her hands with the cup.
After sitting for a while, Lin’an suddenly said,
“Sometimes I wonder if I actually matter to him at all.”
The maid naturally understood what she meant, and said gently, “Why does Your Highness feel that way?”
“I’m not as clever as Huaiqing, my temperament isn’t good, and I don’t have any cultivation. Back when he was still Silver Gong Xu, we, were princess and Silver Gong, I was very confident.”
“Confident enough to strike a pose before him every day,” the maid added quietly.
“But now, even as a princess, I can’t act like that anymore. I am simply useless to him.”
An unaccustomed sorrow appeared on Lin’an’s face.
These thoughts could only be confided to the maid she had grown up with.
The maid said, “This servant thinks that Silver Gong Xu likes Your Highness, and it has nothing to do with whether you are useful to him. If liking someone depends on them being ‘useful’, what is the point of such feelings?
“Your Highness only needs to be yourself.”
Lin’an suddenly became a little agitated:
“Then why doesn’t he contact me?
“When investigating cases before, he would only worry about Huaiqing, discussing everything with her alone.
“Now, he’s left the capital and there’s not a word from him. I had the Sitianjian send him a letter long ago, but he never replied.
“Now that brother emperor is in trouble, the only one I could rely on is him, but I can’t find him…”
As she spoke, her voice dropped and her head bowed, looking lonely and forlorn.
…
Dusk approached.
A faint golden streak swept across the skies over the capital and landed atop the Sitianjian’s Bagua Platform.
As the golden light faded, Xu Qi’an and his group of seven appeared.
The Jianzheng sat behind his desk, back to the crowd, overlooking the capital.
Miao Youfang looked around nervously, his legs even a little weak, this was his first time in the capital, his first time to ascend the legendary Stargazing Tower, and his first time meeting the Jianzheng.
White hair, white robes, truly worthy of a celestial being… Miao Youfang looked at the Jianzheng’s back, and couldn’t help but feel deeply moved.
It was also Li Lingsu’s first time in the capital and first time seeing the Jianzheng. Apart from being a bit nervous, he was generally still composed.
Luo Yuheng swept her wide sleeves, and set down the meditating, eyes-closed Arhat Duqing.
“You should go on ahead. I have words to discuss with the Jianzheng.”
Xu Qi’an glanced at the rest of the group.
I’d love to stay and listen, maybe I could hear some upper echelon secrets and guess at Xu Qian’s real identity… Li Lingsu’s curiosity reached its peak, but since Senior Xu had spoken, he could only leave obediently.
He watched as Li Miaozhen and the others descended the steps, and Xu Qi’an let out a breath. He finally no longer needed to pretend to be an expert.
“Jianzheng, the National Teacher and I captured Arhat Duqing in Yongzhou.”
Xu Qi’an cupped his hands in greeting to the Jianzheng.
The Jianzheng seemed not to have heard him, still with his back to Xu Qi’an and Luo Yuheng, utterly motionless.
Hope he isn’t dead… Xu Qi’an thought sarcastically, then heard Luo Yuheng say,
“His primordial spirit has left his body.”
Huh?
Xu Qi’an couldn’t hide his surprise, not because the Jianzheng could project his primordial spirit, but because, having often visited the Sitianjian and climbed the Bagua Platform, the Jianzheng always awaited visitors promptly.
What surprised Xu Qi’an was not the soul-projection itself, but what could have happened to warrant the Jianzheng’s absence even when ‘guests’ arrived at his home.
…
“It’s not everyday you come to the Sitianjian, let me show you around.”
Li Miaozhen, quite familiar by now, led the group down the stairs. Before long, they saw a white-robed arcanist passing by with a soft brush and paper in hand.
“Senior brother, do you know where Junior Sister Caiwei is?”
Li Miaozhen called out.
The white-robed arcanist replied, “Junior Sister Caiwei is in the library.”
Li Miaozhen was shocked, “Chu Caiwei is reading?”
Has the sun risen in the west?
“She can begin teaching disciples on her master’s behalf next year, so now she’s been staying in the library every day,” explained the arcanist as he hurried off.
Li Miaozhen had wanted Chu Caiwei as a guide, but seeing how busy she was decided not to bother her.
In any case, she and Chu Yuanzhen had visited the Sitianjian several times before and were not unfamiliar.
The party continued, Li Lingsu and Miao Youfang looking this way and that, curiously taking in the legendary Sitianjian.
This was the gathering place of arcanists. Only here could one see so many arcanists together.
Miao Youfang asked Li Lingsu in a low voice, “Why does every arcanist here carry pen, ink, and paper?”
All the way down, they noticed white-robed arcanists always kept paper and writing brushes with them, as if they might start writing at any moment.
Li Lingsu pondered for a moment, “Arcanists are generally studious.”
Miao Youfang suddenly understood, “So that’s it, so embarrassing, I only know how to write my own name.”
As they talked, they reached the seventh floor.
Li Miaozhen introduced, “This is where the alchemists gather. The Sitianjian’s medicine rooms are on this floor. We should hurry past.”
Li Lingsu was intrigued by her wary expression, “Is this floor forbidden in the Sitianjian?”
He spoke and then seemed enlightened. “Trade secrets?”
“No!”
Chu Yuanzhen said coolly, “It’s because all the arcanists on this floor are slightly mad. If you know nothing about alchemy, they’ll look down on you, and mock your lack of intellect.”
“How arrogant,” Li Lingsu said, “If you know a bit about alchemy, would they treat you as an honoured guest?”
“No!”
Master Hengyuan replied solemnly,
“If you show any interest in alchemy, they’ll recommend all sorts of bizarre foods for you to try, like fruits with eyes, roast chicken with two heads, et cetera. They might even encourage you to try human transmutation experiments.
“In all of the capital, only the Jianzheng and Sir Xu can keep them in check.”
“Sir Xu?” Li Lingsu was momentarily confused.
“Xu Qi’an!” said Hengyuan.
“Xu Qi’an, ah,” Li Lingsu realised, “I’ve long heard the name, but never had the chance to meet him. Now that I’m in the capital, I must pay a visit.”
The three holders of the Earth Book fragments exchanged indescribable looks.
“What does ‘human transmutation’ mean?” Miao Youfang took the chance to ask.
“For example, crossing you with a pig.”
Both Miao Youfang and Li Lingsu shrank their heads and picked up their pace.
The group quickly left the seventh floor, and on the sixth, encountered a group of white-robed arcanists.
“Daoist Li.”
One white-robed arcanist greeted them eagerly, then turned and gave them the back of his head before walking away.
“Zhuangyuan Chu.”
Another white-robed arcanist recognised Chu Yuanzhen, smiled in greeting, then suddenly turned around and showed them the back of his head.
Miao Youfang and Li Lingsu were stunned, looking at Li Miaozhen in confusion.
“For that group of people, showing the back of their head to you means respect,” Li Miaozhen said coolly.
She did not seem willing to explain further.
Miao Youfang and Li Lingsu nodded, indicating they understood.
But inwardly they thought, The rules of the Sitianjian are truly strange.
After visiting the sixth floor, they descended the steps to the fifth floor.
Along the corridor, three white-robed arcanists approached, and Miao Youfang and Li Lingsu took the initiative to greet them.
“Greetings, senior brothers.”
The three white-robed arcanists did not know these two, but they recognised Li Miaozhen and Chu Yuanzhen. They were just about to bow in return, when suddenly these two fellows turned their backs to them in unison, presenting the backs of their heads.
…The three white-robed arcanists immediately flushed red, feeling deeply humiliated, and swept their sleeves angrily:
“Who do you think you’re looking down on?”
They stormed off in fury.
“???”
Miao Youfang and Li Lingsu looked utterly confused, both turning to look at Li Miaozhen.
There was a hint of amusement in Li Miaozhen’s eyes. “I did say it was for that group of people.”
Li Lingsu’s face froze. “There’s a difference?”
Beside him, Chu Yuanzhen suddenly mused, “In a few years, perhaps when the disciples of the Sitianjian greet each other, they’ll be exchanging fruit and cakes.”
Poor Jianzheng… Li Miaozhen, Chu Yuanzhen and Hengyuan all thought at the same time.
Li Lingsu and Miao Youfang looked at each other, not understanding why the other three looked so complicated.
Li Miaozhen said, “Chu Yuanzhen, Master Hengyuan and I plan to go down to the underground to see a friend. The guest rooms are on the fourth floor. You can have the Sitianjian disciples show you the way.”
Miao Youfang was a little surprised. “We don’t need to be questioned? It’s our first time here.”
“No need!”
Li Miaozhen waved her hand. “They can’t be bothered. With the Jianzheng here, who would dare cause trouble?”
Li Lingsu said, “The underground of the Stargazing Tower? Miao Youfang and I will come with you.”
Li Miaozhen hesitated for a moment, then said, “Very well.”
The group went to the main hall on the first floor, opened the iron door inside, and descended the steep stairs into the depths.
Oil lamps embedded in the stone walls lit up the darkness.
“The underground of the Sitianjian is used to imprison convicts, but there are rarely any prisoners worth keeping round all year, so it’s usually used as the ‘guest room’ of Jianzheng’s two disciples, where they often stay.”
Li Miaozhen remembered to explain.
Why would Jianzheng’s disciples live in such a dark, damp place… Li Lingsu muttered inwardly.
The sound of footsteps echoed in the flickering corridor.
Suddenly, a deep voice came from behind a certain door:
“What are you doing here?”
The group stopped in front of the door, and Chu Yuanzhen replied:
“Senior Brother Yang, we’ve returned to the capital to visit you and Sister Zhong. After this, we’ll be wandering the jianghu and won’t be able to return for a long time.”
Li Miaozhen said, “What have you done this time, Senior Brother Yang?”
As long as Yang Qianhuan was underground, that meant he had been locked up by the Jianzheng again.
There was a few seconds of silence from Yang Qianhuan. Then, in a muffled voice, he said:
“It’s nothing major. This winter was bitterly cold. The people of the capital lacked coal and cotton. I wanted to empty the Sitianjian’s treasury to provide relief, but teacher Jianzheng disagreed and locked me up.
“The d… teacher Jianzheng always hinders me.”
Miao Youfang heard this and opened his eyes wide.
To think the Sitianjian could do such chivalrous deeds, my path is not lonely.
“Your noble character is inspiring!”
Li Lingsu praised, peering through the small window in the iron door, and saw a silhouette standing aloof inside.
The bearing of a true master!
At this moment, he heard the figure ask in an awkward tone:
“I’ve been here so long, I can’t find out what’s happening outside. Has there been any news of that Xu Qi’an, that running dog, after being away from the capital for over a month?”
…
Some time later, Xu Qi’an heard the Jianzheng let out a long breath, and knew he had returned.
I didn’t see his primordial spirit return at all… Xu Qi’an could not help but ask curiously:
“Where did you go, Jianzheng?”
“I fought Agaruka on the border of Leizhou.”
The Jianzheng picked up his wine cup and took a sip.
He did not mention the outcome, nor the motive behind the fight. He set down the cup, turned his head to look at the cross-legged Arhat Duqing.
The Jianzheng fought Agaruka on the Leizhou border? Was it because of me, or something else…?
As Xu Qi’an pondered this, the Jianzheng turned around, scrutinised him for a moment, looked at Arhat Duqing, and praised:
“You know how to find another way.”
Xu Qi’an knew he was referring to the daring plan to capture a top Buddhist expert and remove the demon-sealing nails, so he seized the opportunity and said:
“The National Teacher may have captured Arhat Duqing, but it is difficult to make him act. So we brought him back to the capital, leaving the decision to you, Jianzheng.”
Jianzheng dipped a finger in his wine and flicked out a droplet.
Snap!
The droplet struck Arhat Duqing on the brow. Xu Qi’an felt as if he had heard a deafening thunderclap, it was easy to imagine what Arhat Duqing was experiencing.
The old monk, with his long hair framing his cheeks, shook all over, and slowly opened his eyes as if waking from a deep dream.
He glanced at Jianzheng, Luo Yuheng and Xu Qi’an, pressed his palms together, and said,
“Amitabha. Greetings, Jianzheng.”
Jianzheng said coolly, “Remove the demon-sealing nails, I will keep you under the Stargazing Tower for three years. After three years, you are free to return to the Western Regions.”
Arhat Duqing pondered for a moment. “I have one more condition.”
The old monk looked at Xu Qi’an. “Release Jingxin and Jingyuan. I will remove three Demon Sealing nails for you.”
No threats or bribes, nor a fearless refusal. The moment he saw Jianzheng, Arhat Duqing compromised.
And Jianzheng had also made a suitable concession, so both sides reached an agreement.
“Three?” Xu Qi’an stressed.
Arhat Duqing pressed his palms together, lowered his gaze, and said calmly,
“Each Demon Sealing nail has a different undoing incantation. The nails are magical implements created by the Buddha, and I know the spells for three of them.
“If you wish to remove them all, the Bodhisattvas must act personally.”
The Bodhisattvas must act personally… Xu Qi’an almost wanted to pinch his brow.
The four great Buddhist Bodhisattvas, Agaruka, Samantabhadra, Dharmapara, and Vaidurya, each is unmatched, and every one of them covets my body.
To ask them to remove the Demon Sealing nails? Pure wishful thinking. If it ever came to that, Silver Gong Xu might as well pack himself up and post himself to them, the Buddhist sect would celebrate gleefully as they unwrapped their parcel… He silently mocked himself.
The Demon Sealing nails are one of Xu Pingfeng’s last manoeuvres, their purpose is to pin down Shenshu and pin down me. He was prepared for failure, even if he did not regain the fortune, he wanted to cripple me.
So the nails are hard to remove, which makes sense. If you could just grab any Arhat to resolve it forever, how would that be worthy of the scheme of a dignified second rank fortune refiner? Xu Qi’an could only comfort himself in this way.
“Which three nails?” Xu Qi’an asked.
“Two on the Governing Vessel, one at Baihui point,” said Arhat Duqing.
The Baihui nail was already pulled out by Shenshu. Phew, only one overlap.
This result was more or less in line with expectations.
“Thank you, Master. I will keep my word and release Jingxin and Jingyuan.” Xu Qi’an pressed his palms together courteously.
Seeing the deal struck, Luo Yuheng made a single-handed gesture, summoning back her iron sabre.
Arhat Duqing’s pupils flashed with golden Buddhist light, and his aura climbed higher and higher, vast and imposing.
Xu Qi’an walked to sit cross-legged in front of Arhat Duqing, his back to him.
Arhat Duqing paused for a moment, as if gathering power. Xu Qi’an could feel the aura behind him soaring, a feeling just like when Shenshu pulled out the nails with his severed arm.
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