Chapter 11: The Outcast Disciple Han Li

The moonlight was bright and clear, and beneath the snow-covered Forbidden City, an extraordinary tranquility reigned. Inside the Qianqing Palace, however, the lamps blazed brightly—the young Tianqi Emperor had not yet retired, and wrapped in a fox-fur cloak, he was reading the routine memorials that had just been delivered.

Reading these memorials opposing the reinstatement of Xiong Tingbi, Zhu Youxiao could not help but sneer coldly. Setting aside history for the moment, looking at the current situation—if Liaoyang were lost again, the whole front would truly collapse in a rout, and the Later Jin's sphere of influence would expand at one stroke all the way to Liaodong, coming and going as if through uninhabited land!

And in history, when an ordinary emperor spoke, everything was easy to handle and everything could be done—yet somehow this rule did not apply once it came to the Ming dynasty. The emperors of the Ming were never able to have things their own way. Just those petty Censors and Supervising Secretaries of the sixth and seventh rank submitted memorials cursing people every single day, refusing to let you do anything you wanted—they could annoy a man to death.

And sure enough—no sooner had he begun to think of reinstating Xiong Tingbi than the cursers came calling.

"Your Majesty, these are all routine memorials opposing the reinstatement of Xiong Tingbi. It is getting late—Your Majesty should rest early!" Wang An said in a low voice, afraid of disturbing the emperor lost in thought.

Even without reading these memorials, Zhu Youxiao knew exactly what was written in them. Rather than give himself a headache, he snapped the memorial shut and tossed it aside.

That night, Zhu Youxiao slept soundly—but many people in the capital, he reckoned, were probably tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep.

Early the next morning, no sooner had Zhu Youxiao gotten out of bed than Wei Zhongxian came hurrying in to pay his respects, flattering him: "Your Majesty is a true dragon descended to earth, of imposing bearing and noble mien..."

Paying no heed to Wei Zhongxian's sycophantic words, Zhu Youxiao frowned and asked: "Spare me that. How is the matter I entrusted to you progressing?"

Nodding vigorously, Wei Zhongxian said cautiously: "Reporting to Your Majesty, it is done. The man is waiting in the warm chamber."

"Oh, is that so?" It had to be said, Wei Zhongxian's efficiency was passable—he had found the man in half a day.

The moment he stepped into the warm chamber, Zhu Youxiao saw an old Daoist looking around left and right. Seeing no one about, a greedy gleam immediately leaked from his eyes—clearly he had taken an interest in the treasures here. Any single item in this place, taken out, would be worth a small fortune.

"Ahem, ahem." Seeing this, Wei Zhongxian coughed awkwardly by way of reminder.

"This poor Daoist offers his greetings." Hearing the cough, the old Daoist showed no alarm, calmly turning around to make a bow with clasped hands.

His clothing was neat enough, but his cloth satchel was stuffed so bulgingly full—who knew what was inside. Zhu Youxiao could not help but find it amusing. This old Daoist was plainly a wandering swindler at first glance. Not bad—just what he needed. All right, he would do.

Waving his hand, Zhu Youxiao spoke: "Very well, all of you may withdraw!"

"Your Majesty, this—!" Everyone was taken aback, exchanging glances with one another. Seeing that Zhu Youxiao's attitude was resolute, they dared not hesitate, hastily nodding in assent before bowing and backing out of the room.

Walking slowly to his dragon throne and taking a seat, Zhu Youxiao asked with a smile: "Under whose school did you study?"

"Reporting to Your Majesty, this poor Daoist studied under the Celestial Masters Sect." The Daoist dared not be remiss, hastily bowing as he spoke—but before he could finish, Zhu Youxiao cut him off.

"So it is the Qingyun Sect after all. I have heard of it—the Qingyun Sect has a long and storied history, famed throughout the world for its Zhuxian Sword Formation. Located on Qingyun Mountain, it is the leader of the righteous path, and has on many occasions turned the tide, saving the world's people from fire and water. The Qingyun Sect cultivates the supreme wondrous art—the Taiji Xuanqing Dao—whose spells are exquisitely subtle beyond compare, emphasizing communion with heaven and earth in a single breath, the body made one with nature, using the body to command nature's creation and transform it into great power. It is even more renowned throughout the world for the 'Divine Sword Imperial Thunder Art,' one of the Qingyun Sect's mountain-guarding supreme techniques."

Zhu Youxiao's fingers slowly tapped against the armrest of the dragon throne, each faint, light sound landing one by one, without a single miss, in the old Daoist's heart.

What is this? What Qingyun Sect? The old Daoist did not know what to say. He wanted to interrupt and explain, but dared not—so he could only stand there awkwardly and timidly in place.

"It is only that I have heard this Qingyun Sect has always been hidden deep in the clouds, unseen by ordinary men. I never imagined I would have the fortune to encounter a distinguished disciple of the Qingyun Sect." As Zhu Youxiao spoke of the Qingyun Sect, his face was filled with longing. After a long moment, he seemed to snap back to himself, raising his head to look at the Daoist and ask: "May I ask the Daoist's esteemed name?"

"This poor Daoist..." The old Daoist was just about to give his name and take the opportunity to explain, but before he could open his mouth, his words were cut off by Zhu Youxiao again.

"So it is Han Li, the outcast disciple of the Qingyun Sect!" Zhu Youxiao put on a look of sudden realization, and the expression on his face immediately grew excited: "Never mind that—the Qingyun Sect is a supreme immortal sect. Since the Daoist and I are fated to meet today, I shall naturally devote the full strength of the realm to the Daoist's cultivation, in hopes that the Daoist may one day return to the Qingyun immortal sect. Attendants!" So saying, Zhu Youxiao called out toward the door.

Hearing this call, the door was pushed open, and Wei Zhongxian and Wang An hurried in from outside. Seeing that Zhu Youxiao was unharmed, they finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"Wei Zhongxian, you have rendered great service in finding me Daoist Han of the Qingyun Sect—you deserve a reward!" So saying, Zhu Youxiao instructed Wang An: "There is a tribute jade ruyi in my palace—bestow it upon him."

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Wang An hastily bowed.

Seeming stunned by Zhu Youxiao's words, Wei Zhongxian wore a face of utter bewilderment. What Qingyun Sect Han Li? This man was just a swindler the Eastern Depot had recruited—he even held leverage over him in his own hands. How had he become Han Li of the Qingyun Sect?

But even if Wei Zhongxian had doubts at this moment, he dared not voice them. He hastily knelt to the ground and said loudly: "This servant thanks Your Majesty for the reward."

This reward of a jade ruyi was no ordinary thing. Although the jade ruyi was originally a tool for scratching itches, its name sounded auspicious, and when bestowed by His Majesty, it signified that a matter had been handled well and the Emperor was most satisfied.

Wei Zhongxian accepted the reward and left, while the Daoist Han Li stood there utterly bewildered. What was all this about? Was this emperor insane? How was he Han Li of the Qingyun Sect? And that Eunuch Wei of the Eastern Depot—he knew perfectly well who he was, so why didn't he say a word for him? Why did he just accept the reward and withdraw? Was he just abandoning him?

Zhu Youxiao glanced at Wang An, then instructed: "Daoist Han prefers quiet. Find a secluded garden to house him, and have some clever attendants wait on him. Without my decree, no one is to disturb Daoist Han's cultivation—understand?"

"Rest assured, Your Majesty—this old servant understands!" Wang An hastily bowed in assent. Having served in the palace for so long, how could he fail to read between the lines? On the surface it was to look after him well; in reality, it was to place him under guard.

Of course, it was still far better than a true imprisonment—at least he would eat well and sleep well, with no torture applied. This sort of business, Wang An knew very well indeed.

"Then have someone take Daoist Han below to rest." Zhu Youxiao nodded with satisfaction.

After the outcast disciple of the Qingyun Sect, Han Li, had been led away, Zhu Youxiao picked up his teacup and took a sip.

Glancing at Wang An, Zhu Youxiao said with a smile: "Everyone in this palace is trying to probe what I am thinking. Well then—let some news leak out. The brush-holding eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial, Wei Zhongxian, who by imperial decree serves as Director of the Eastern Depot, was promoted to the post of Depot Director precisely because he rendered meritorious service by presenting the Qingyun Sect's outcast disciple Han Li. Also—that dream of mine was interpreted by this Han Li as well. It was he who told me to replace Yuan Yingtai with Xiong Tingbi."

"This palace is nothing but a wall with holes on all four sides—no secret can be kept in it." Saying this, Zhu Youxiao gave a bitter smile, then let out a soft sigh.

Though the Emperor's voice was very calm as he spoke, Wang An felt somewhat uneasy at heart. He kept his head lowered, unclear on what his master intended to do. But he knew this was not something he could ask about—to ask would be to court death.

Without the slightest hesitation, without the slightest wavering, Wang An hastily said: "This old servant understands!"