Chapter 110

·

·

·

Protagonist:

Shaowei

Liu Qi

Grabbing back at those pitch-black limbs that came twining, she charged into the great mountain from which those limbs protruded, heading straight for their source of power, taking the least time, the fastest strides, walking the shortest, most direct path — just as straight as the palace corridor she treads beneath her feet at this very moment.

Shaowei had never seen a walkway so straight and level, so broad and solid, so utterly free of dust.

It was merely a road, yet as Shaowei walked upon it, she finally gained a tangible sense of those two mysterious, intangible words: power.

She felt herself drawing near to the mountain's mine-heart, as if she were about to touch it.

Shaowei's heartbeat unconsciously began to quicken; she lifted her eyes to look ahead.

Towering palace walls, forests of palace halls, stretching beyond sight — all of it far surpassing the majestic regulations of the ordinary world, delivering the most direct visual shock, making one feel instinctively small, willing to prostrate and submit.

Shaowei's nature destined her never to easily birth a heart of prostration, yet she was indeed struck by what lay before her; only upon entering this mountain did she realize she had never seen such a towering, oppression-laden giant mountain, and she unavoidably felt a trace of bewilderment, a trace of vigilance, but more than that, anxiety and urgency.

She wanted to break into a run, to run desperately like that year in the heavy snow when she rushed to save Mother.

Only faster, faster still, not delaying a single moment, sparing not a shred of strength, charging straight to the very end, clawing out that mine-heart treasure with sharp talons, finding that person quickly and rescuing them — only then could she soothe the seething anxiety boiling inside her body.

Her breathing grew rapid along with her heartbeat; Shaowei clenched her ten fingers inside her sleeves, her neatly trimmed short nails still digging into flesh, she commanded herself to be calm, to suppress the impetuosity and recklessness in her nature.

Jiang Fu had said, many struggles in the end are a game of human nature; then gathered inside this great mountain are the victors on that game-board of human nature.

A reckless wild beast charging in would only die under sharp arrows and blade edges, without even a chance to see those victors.

She had to break in; first she must hide the beast's impulse, learn to be human, then with a human shell disguise herself as the gods and ghosts that humans fear.

Shaowei strove to calm the shock brought by facing this mountain for the first time, and the unease and restlessness born from that shock.

Reason alone was no longer enough to suppress the surging emotions; her eyes had reddened slightly; Shaowei drew a deep breath, forcing herself to regulate her breath from within.

She summoned the mindset of static sitting, slowly covering the agitation.

The skill of Covert Aura Technique also circulated throughout her body, bit by bit planing down hard sharp edges, also concealing traces of her martial skill.

All sharp traits were hidden away, leaving only the simplest, calmest true appearance — like a tiger that has shed its claws and killing intent, leaping forth from the thicket of reason, and when it landed again, it had turned into a lithe, agile civet cat, retaining innate wildness yet no longer possessing lethal force.

Nearing the front of Weiyang Palace, the figures of many officials appeared one after another; they had just taken leave from inside Weiyang Palace, and because of the destruction of the Taizu Mausoleum, their complexions were all uneasy.

Among these officials were many who had been participants in the February 2nd Grand Festival of Worship; at this moment they all subconsciously cast their gazes toward that little witch approaching them.

It had been a good many years since anyone had seen a person dressed in witch attire approach Weiyang Palace.

Even those witch-doctors admitted into the Taiyi Shu, once they entered the Taiyi Shu, had to follow orthodox medical theory, change into uniform dress; the characteristics belonging to witches were diluted, and the methods belonging to witches would be layered under surveillance.

The last one to enter Weiyang Palace dressed from head to toe as a witch maiden was that Previous Great Wu God who was executed by cruel punishment.

Watching that back — far younger than that Great Wu God of that year — step through the gates of Weiyang Palace, the hearts of all the officials held no verdict; no one could predict her fate from here on.

The palace chambers and imperial court are a slaughterhouse of power; the more massive and firm the root system, the higher and steadier one can stand — but these witch folk are different; their ladder to heaven is built only from the ethereal clouds and mist exhaled by gods and ghosts; even if it can reach heaven in a single night, a single gust of wind is enough to make this ladder collapse and vanish.

As it happens, Shaowei's purpose aims only at that instant of ascending to heaven; cleaving mountains and severing seas, swaggering and deceiving, not for a long stay — she only needs to possess that moment's perspective and power, to help her find and take away that person.

This is very risky, but she is willing.

Shaowei followed the inner attendant, walking into the palace courtyard of Weiyang Palace.

At this time, a group of youths dressed in broad blue-grey Daoist robes were crossing a corridor in the palace courtyard.

Chiyang set up a seven-day Talisman Array for the Son of Heaven, to bolster Dragon Qi and ward off upheaval and the impact of evil spirits; the array could not be completed by one person, so eighteen Heavenly Opportunity Candidates were summoned from Xian Tai Gong to participate together.

The youths were in the bloom of youth; among them perhaps hid a Tianji Incarnation, inspiring hope at first glance.

These eighteen youths — some were those who performed outstandingly on ordinary days, some were those favored by the Daoist Officials; Ming Dan belonged to the latter.

This was Ming Dan's first time entering the palace; although she had participated in quite a few sacrifices before, in the previous two years Chiyang had been traveling outside, there was no true Sect Master in Xian Tai Gong to lead and hold the fort, so unfamiliar youths like her naturally had even less qualification to enter the palace.

Even though she had been here for several days, everything her eyes fell upon still left Ming Dan feeling shaken.

Only upon arriving here did she realize that the Xian Tai Gong she had once admired amounted to nothing at all; the splendor of this place exceeded the scope of what she could imagine; even what she saw in dreams could not match one in a hundred of it.

Not only the palace architecture; the inner attendants, palace maids, and officials walking here — their meticulous steps and bearing together constructed a majesty even more solid than the palace halls themselves.

There is absolutely no place in the world more honorable than this; if one could stay here forever…

Ming Dan's heart surged; she couldn't help but raise her head again, secretly turning to look out the corridor at the hall courtyard.

Her gaze reached out inch by inch into the distance, until a figure in attire distinctly different from everyone else intruded into her vision, causing her eyes to unconsciously pause.

On a witch robe of dark blue-black base color were embroidered strange patterns of five colors; colorful ropes bound the waist from which hung small copper bells; two black braids hung down the front; on her forehead dangled what looked like low-quality beads and shells found anywhere; after scanning these strange yet utterly un-noble adornments, Ming Dan finally looked at that face — though it was only a side profile, but, but…

She trembled her eyes in disbelief, her expression changing abruptly; she retreated a step in panic, bumping into the companion behind her.

Amid the slight commotion, the guiding inner attendant turned back, frowning: "What's wrong?"

Ming Dan's face was snow-white, her voice slightly trembling: "Insect, there's an insect…"

That inner attendant's face showed impatience: "You were invited precisely to drive away the hundred insects and evil spirits; this is Weiyang Palace, don't make a fuss over nothing and disturb His Majesty and the nobles; all of you remember yourselves, pull yourselves together, hurry along…"

A companion girl at her side gently tugged Ming Dan's sleeve, using her eyes to comfort her not to be afraid, it's just an insect.

Ming Dan steeled herself to look toward the corridor again, only to see that witch-robed figure had already stepped onto the stone steps of the Main Hall; the back view was upright, at a glance her bearing could be called pure and peaceful.

How could it be Shaowei? Shaowei would never have such a bearing…

Every time Shaowei appeared before people she seemed ready to fight; reckless, impulsive; besides her Mother, she simply didn't give anyone a good face, nor did she listen to anyone's arrangements or orders; just like a wolf cub on Tianlang Mountain, lacking human nature and unopened human intelligence — frightening yet not inspiring heartfelt submission.

Even if she didn't die, even if she luckily survived, even if she came to Chang'an… the first thing she would do would surely be to seek her Mother; how could she possibly dress like this and appear in the Imperial Palace, even looking as if she were about to face the current Son of Heaven?!

This makes no sense at all; no, this is absolutely impossible!

It must be paranoia, seeing wrong… Ming Dan convinced herself, making herself stay calm and not lose composure again.

Arriving at the hall chamber for chanting scriptures, her state of mind still not fully calmed, Ming Dan still chose a position toward the rear, sitting cross-legged on a cushion.

The eighteen youths sat down in three rows; sitting cross-legged facing them at the highest place was precisely Chiyang, whisk cradled in arm.

Snow-white Daoist robe and black outer robe formed a stark contrast; on a bloodless face a pair of eyes were closed, frost-white eyelashes hanging quietly; at a glance she seemed a cold jade sculpture, making one dare not look directly.

A young Taoist knelt beside Chiyang, leaning close to his ear and whispering a brief sentence.

That little witch has entered the palace.

Chiyang's lowered eyelashes remained still as if molded.

【63】 The insect chirps emitted by that little insect all came true.

The chirping of that little Insect Seed had all come true.

As he had perceived, indeed no great mourning occurred, but unexpectedly, the Taizu Mausoleum suddenly collapsed...

The two characters "Return Dragon" were not funeral rites but terrain, because the two characters "Break Earth" that followed immediately also confused his sight.

But he indeed had not divined the matter of the mausoleum collapsing; to be precise, it is impossible for anyone to divine the occurrence of such a precise event. Such matters do not reflect in star phenomena; what star phenomena display are the Qi mechanisms of the living. The dead are extinguished; how can matters related to the dead be divined? Only because the Taizu Mausoleum concerns the Dragon Vein was he able to divine that the East Side would see a change, the Qi mechanism omen of the danger of colliding with the Dragon Body.

Since Master's death, in this world among those who observe stars and divine measurements, no one can surpass him and Shixiong. Moreover, even if such matters were swapped to him and Shixiong, it would also be impossible to divine the specifics. How exactly did that little witch do it?

Doing tricks under strict guard at Changling is fundamentally impossible.

Then, could it truly be that the Taizu Emperor descended as a deity?

Or... like his Shixiong, possessing the ability of innate knowledge?

Yes, he and Shixiong clearly have the same comprehension, the same acquired knowledge, but Shixiong from birth could cry and laugh to determine fortune and misfortune. Her eyes could from time to time see Qi mechanism flows that others could not see. So many matters, even if they could not be divined, Shixiong could still see... This is an innate ability that no matter how he strives afterward he cannot reach. Truly unfair.

And the unfairness in this world, how could it stop at just this one kind.

Chiyang's eyelashes finally moved imperceptibly.

He slowly opened his eyes, pale pupils looking toward the palace chamber exterior.

So, will it be another detestable "innate knowledge"?

In the three-legged incense burner nearby, green smoke curled, accompanied by the sound of the youths reciting Taoist scriptures, seemingly possessing a wondrous magic power that soothed all restlessness and worry.

Shaowei's five senses were all excellent. She smelled the faint, drifting incense in the various palace chambers, heard the faint, miscellaneous sounds from all around, and stood outside the palace door waiting for the eunuch to go announce her.

The announcing eunuch had not yet returned, and successively several officials came out from the palace interior.

Shaowei stood to the side without speaking. Those officials at most only glanced at her, and did not linger to scrutinize.

Until a figure wearing a blue-green deep-robed garment appeared before Shaowei, standing quietly for a moment.

Shaowei then raised her head, seeing a youthful face, wearing a Faraway Travel Crown, with jade feather tassels, adorned with white pearls — precisely Crown Prince Liu Cheng.

Four eyes met for a moment. Seeing he wanted to speak but stopped, yet still did not leave, Shaowei could only lower her head, bow, and perform a greeting.

This action, however, caused Liu Cheng to suddenly retreat two steps. He asked somewhat stammeringly: "You... you are here to have an audience with Imperial Uncle?"

Shaowei rarely heard nonsense to this degree. Only because the other party was the Crown Prince, she could only answer him with the same nonsense: "Precisely."

Liu Cheng inexplicably breathed a sigh of relief. That nonsense of his just now was actually to confirm... confirm whether she still had traces of Taizu on her. Also, Taizu could not possibly always descend as a deity.

It was just that what he saw and heard in the shrine that day truly brought him a great shadow.

At this moment, seeing the young girl before him, her demeanor no longer the pressing murderousness of that time, her answers also very normal, Liu Cheng, besides feeling at ease, could not help but size her up.

The young girl's appearance was extremely spirited. Her pair of eyes pitch-black and bright. Her figure straight. Faintly, her whole person carried a faint, clean fragrance of grass and trees...

Shaowei was very unaccustomed to being looked at like this. At this moment, although she was in a state of pressing down and binding tight all bad emotions, she still could not help but look back.

Meeting that crystalline bright gaze, Liu Cheng instantly snapped back to his senses.

At this time he suddenly realized, the person before him actually did not panic in the slightest. Changling had an incident, Imperial Uncle's mood was very bad, and she was clearly entering the palace for the first time, yet she could actually be this calm...

This was an ability Liu Cheng could not conceive of. And that silent gaze clearly was not very willing to chat with him. From beginning to end, she only said the two words "Precisely."

He squeezed out an awkward smile, saying: "I am going to the side hall to recite Taoist scriptures and pray for blessings and auspiciousness together with the Immortal Master... so I will leave first."

Shaowei naturally nodded.

Waiting until Liu Cheng stepped down the stone steps, Shaowei's gaze silently followed him for a moment, looking toward the side hall where he was headed.

Immortal Master? Chiyang?

Hearing footsteps again emerging from within the palace, Shaowei reined back that thread of anger attempting to break out of prison.

After another two officials came out, that eunuch finally returned, and said to Shaowei: "His Majesty summons you."

Shaowei then entered the palace, to have an audience with that rumored Imperial Face who controls life and death under heaven.

Shaowei knelt properly in the great hall, hands folded before her eyes, bowing low in salute.

The last time she performed such a grand rite was in her previous life when she first returned to Chang'an and kowtowed to her paternal grandfather, Marquis Lu.

The great hall at this moment was actually as solemn and quiet as the mourning hall at that time. Shaowei noted that in the hall, besides the Emperor on the dais and the attending eunuchs, only Yan Xiangguo, one minister, remained.

A moment later, a slightly hoarse, resonant voice sounded from above, asking: "What is your name?"

Shaowei raised her head slightly, straightened: "Huali."

That voice, devoid of discernible like or dislike, asked again: "From the South?"

Shaowei: "Precisely."

That person asked again: "Fatherless and motherless from childhood?"

All questions that one check of the roster would know. They must have already been investigated. Shaowei pondered in her heart, her face betraying nothing, but her answer was no longer an affirmative one: "Can't remember clearly."

The Ren Emperor raised his eyes slightly: "How could one not remember one's birth parents clearly?"