Chapter 155

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Protagonists:

Shaowei

Liu Qi

"Impatience is the most useless thing." Red Yang still had his eyes closed: "She bears an unknown power, able to probe future events; until now, its boundaries remain indiscernible... already caught in the net, the more rashly one moves, the faster this net's tightening accelerates."

His voice was uncommonly calm, counter-questioning his disciple: "Shunzhen, do you still remember what you and I must do?"

"This disciple has not forgotten for a single day... Master once said, this world will fall into chaos, the Liu surname realm will inevitably split and collapse, this is Heaven's Dao fixed number." Shunzhen's face was firm and cold: "This disciple follows Master only to hasten this fixed number's arrival."

Back then his father was slaughtered along with his entire household simply for refusing to forge weapons for the court; only he survived by Master's grace. His enemies are the entire court, these ugly arrogant power-holders; he must personally watch them slaughter each other and fall into purgatory.

Yet that variable who appeared out of nowhere blocked the way forward; she had shown herself in the capital for mere months, yet brought countless upheavals.

This person should have died in the Changling trap, but she did not die, and from then on it was out of control, soaring skyward, growing fierce and strong with speed, soon becoming a threat to Master; this time she presses step by step, putting Master's prestige and safety in a precarious position.

"No need to worry for Master." Red Yang opened his eyes, speaking slowly: "Before Heaven's Dao fixed number, this Master's life or death is unimportant."

"This disciple is also willing to die for this Dao!" Shunzhen's anxiety would not dissipate: "But exactly how can we exterminate this person?"

"There will be a chance... to speak of victory or defeat now is still too early." Red Yang's voice was low and slow: "First let that power from outside the world try once more."

Shunzhen knew the "power from outside the world" Master spoke of was the Master behind Song Ya, but that person's true identity was mysterious to the extreme; to this day he still did not know it.

But matters having come to this, Shunzhen could not help but worry: "If this outside power still cannot eliminate her..."

Red Yang's pale pupils twitched slightly; yes, if the outside power still cannot kill her, if it still fails, if it still cannot succeed... he too has been searching for another way all along.

"Heaven's Dao will surely send guidance." Red Yang closed his eyes again, suppressing the heart demon struggling to break free, and ordered: "Prepare bathing items... cleanse the dusty heart completely, only then can one sense."

Seeing two red spots emerge on Master's neck, Shunzhen immediately agreed and withdrew to prepare.

Red Yang had two ailments, one of the body, one of the heart. The two often interacted, making him wish for death.

After spring arrived the bodily ailment flared frequently; even taking medicine twice daily could not fully control it. The heart ailment, after years of spreading growth, had long since become a heart demon; only personally witnessing Heaven's Dao purge everything could truly resolve it.

【22】 Before that, whenever this heart demon appeared, he must offer and feed it, lest it devour him.

Before that, whenever this Heart Demon appeared, he had to worship and feed it, or it would devour him.

Night black as ink, Red Yang wore black robes, walking slowly into an old dilapidated empty courtyard; several gray rats squeaked as they climbed to his feet.

Inside the dark room strung with spider webs sat a bathtub; warm water within steamed with threads of heat; the black cloak fell at his feet like a shed snakeskin; Red Yang, covered in red spots, submerged into the tub.

Before long, Shunzhen arrived carrying a wooden bucket; dark red liquid poured from it into the bathtub; crimson quickly stained the entire tub, merging with the red spots into one indistinguishable hue.

Red Yang closed his eyes, letting out an extremely faint sigh; snow-white hair floated in the water, also dyed red, like strands of winding crimson thin snakes swimming.

He soaked there, tilting his head to look at the roof, murmuring: "Shixiong, we both know Heaven's Dao has a fixed number... therefore my life's number is heaven-ordained, this is what I was born to bear, I was originally already willing to accept it."

"Since it is so, why must there be a variable beyond the fixed number?"

Pupils seemingly also stained vermilion, his voice trembled faintly like water ripples: "How unfair this variable is; we should only exterminate and correct it... why do you insist on acting contrary to reason, opposing Heaven's Dao, abetting this unfairness?"

Amid a stench of blood, his gaze seemed to pierce the roof, seeing that moon disk; tone growing ever more mocking: "The moon's changeability cannot compare to you; you are the most hypocritical pity-monger in this world."

"Enough, I will no longer ask you why." After a long while, he closed his eyes, speaking slowly: "You will see; I will make you see what ought to happen."

The moon hung in the sky, silent and wordless.

Until the moonlight faded, dawn broke, and the crimson sun once again began to scorch the land's living beings.

Crops in the fields withered day by day, yet farmers still refused to give up, carrying water to irrigate daily; but available water in the ditches was already scarce, the small river cracked dry, the great river's water also dropping rapidly.

The common people began to panic; that prophecy named 【Red Sun Chaos Day, World Dries to Bones】 spread alongside the drought. Since ancient times, natural disasters have been seen as Heaven's punishment; this time with such a pointed omen, the people increasingly believed this drought was the work of Demon Evil.

Lower officials submitted memorials to the court, detailing the matter, beseeching the Son of Heaven to soothe the people's hearts.

Red Sun Demon Evil — what incarnation exactly? Without that thunder-fire on the fifth night of the fifth month, going only by the two words "Red Sun," no one could easily suspect that Immortal Master of Dao-bone immortal bearing; but with the thunder-fire preceding, how could it not make people overthink?

For officials, those at the highest position share a consensus: matters involving gods and ghosts, once public opinion's momentum is formed, better to believe it exists and soothe hearts.

This day, in the great hall, the first official finally stepped forward to speak plainly: "Taoist Red Yang now bears suspicion of Demon Evil; the people's complaints fill the roads; hope Your Majesty will soon distinguish and decide, settle the people's hearts, pacify Heaven's anger!"

Like a giant stone falling into a well, shockwaves echoed; soon several officials voiced agreement, requesting the Emperor decide.

There were also those unwilling to follow along, righteous and stern: "Since entering the capital, Immortal Master Red Yang has stood alone, upheld integrity, never committed evil deeds; to punish him based on some obscure unclear matter — would that not make everyone in court fear for themselves?"

Speaking, he looked at those colleagues proposing to dispose of Red Yang, solemnly saying: "If tomorrow a stone floats up bearing your name and surname. The day after another stone floats bearing my name as well — are we all to die ten thousand deaths?"

"Immortal Master Red Yang said yesterday in Xian Tai Gong: if his one death can resolve the drought crisis and settle the people's hearts, he is willing to submit to disposal — rumors rise on all sides, yet the Immortal Master never rebutted; his character is evident!"

"Yet the people's hearts are shaken; can we just let it develop?"

"The source of the people's shaken hearts is the drought; disaster relief is the root —"

"The people's wisdom is unopened; those words are precisely wild fantasy and obscure talk! Disaster relief is certainly urgent, but who knows when the disaster will end?"

The two parties argued; the Emperor's face looked ugly.

The Emperor knew clearly in his heart: these two factions of ministers each had their asserted schools of thought; one faction wished to promote Confucian learning to govern the state, weaken the divine and ghost beliefs, and valued virtue and education more; therefore they did not agree to dispose of Red Yang. Rather than judging the matter on its merits, it was a contest of ideological schools.

The palace interior's argument voices did not cease; the Emperor spoke to scold and interrupt the various voices; he temporarily pressed down the Red Yang matter and discussed disaster relief countermeasures with the ministers.

Before this, those responsible for responding to the disaster were all lower officials; now the drought has become a major trend; the court must dispatch usable people to go take charge of coordinating all affairs.

During the personnel selection, someone proposed letting Sixth Prince Liu Qi take charge of disaster relief matters.

The Emperor seemed to hear a joke, counter-questioning the proposer: "What disaster relief ability does he have? Enough to shoulder this post?"

"Your Majesty's words are overly modest; Sixth Prince is a Dragon Son; from childhood what he studied and was exposed to are all state affairs; his insight and capability are certainly not lacking. And the fifth night fifth month banquet guarding the carriage again shows Sixth Prince's decisiveness is extraordinary; he surely does not lack decision-making ability."

"There is one more point, equally critical —" that official said: "Sixth Prince previously shot and killed Zhu Zhi; among the people he bears the name of auspicious omen incarnation; if he goes to relieve the disaster, his auspicious name will surely soothe the people's hearts."

Soon officials echoed this: "Son goes in father's stead; also displays Your Majesty's love for the people."

Another said, if worried Sixth Prince lacks experience, just select a few more officials versed in practical affairs to assist left and right.

The Emperor listened for a long time, then calculated days in his mind, finally looked up at Liu Cheng: "Crown Prince, what do you think?"

Liu Cheng hurriedly answered: "This child minister believes Sixth Brother should undertake this post; only to share Sovereign Father's worries; tempering him a bit is also good."

The Emperor then looked at Yan Xiang and the Yushi Daifu; this was no major matter; both said, entirely up to Your Majesty's decision.

The disaster relief measures had not yet been fully discussed when an eight-hundred-li urgent report arrived from outside the hall: Runan Commandery Commander Ping Peijun had murdered the Runan Commandery Governor, raised troops in rebellion, and seized control of inside and outside Runan.

Runan Commandery was a vital grain storehouse, and the capital's disaster relief still needed to draw grain from there; Ping Peijun's rebellion at this time was a capital offense, the court officials were shaken, and the Emperor was furious.

Only after the sky had completely darkened did the officials gradually leave Weiyang Palace, while Yan Mian, Tai Yan, Rui Ze, and the nine senior ministers were detained until late at night before reluctantly departing.

The Emperor was exhausted, having barely eaten all day; he forced down half a bowl of meat soup, then waved his hand to have it taken away.

He returned to the Bedroom Palace, walked to the book desk, took out a box containing a white bone inscribed with golden characters—the bone left behind by Baili Youyi.

Heart Departure Arises, Mars Arrives, Heavenly Mechanism Returns, Zicheng Flourishes...

The Emperor's gaze flickered uncertainly, his sight slowly passing over the first six characters to settle on the last six.

The first six characters were what he was unwilling to face, but by now he could no longer deny them; and precisely because the first six had been confirmed, the last six became all the more credible.

In the dim lamplight, the Emperor's fingers rested upon the two characters "Heavenly Mechanism," as this emperor already trapped in difficulty sought a hope of turning the tide for this land, by any means.

The atmosphere at Xian Tai Gong grew increasingly tense; no one dared to joke casually, and the former peace and ease of immortal grace was gone.

Immortal Master Chiyang was deeply mired in accusations of demonic heresy, yet still came to Xian Tai Gong on schedule to manage affairs and teach immortal arts and talismans; moreover, having previously declared his willingness to await any disposition for the sake of the common people, this stance caused many in Xian Tai Gong to speak up for him, arguing endlessly with the outside rumors.

More Taoists chose silence, while many veteran Taoists busied themselves privately with another matter: the Emperor had issued a secret order for them to accelerate deciphering the birth time pillar of the Heavenly Mechanism.

Originally, the people of Xian Tai Gong, following Baili Youyi's notes, had deciphered the Heavenly Mechanism Incarnation's birth eight characters into only six characters, lacking only the time pillar.

Many masters had declared that if it were the Heavenly Mechanism, extraordinary signs would appear before eighteen years of age, yet these Tianji Candidates were all sixteen, and the Emperor could wait no longer, only wishing to quickly determine who the Heavenly Mechanism was.

The Taoists who had once followed Baili Youyi were now all calculating the Heavenly Mechanism time pillar, seeking answers in ancient books, notes, and star disks.

In addition, the inner attendant who delivered the order specially conveyed that His Majesty had said this matter need not alarm Immortal Master Chiyang.

Xian Tai Gong was bustling with activity, while inside and outside the Imperial Court there was endless discussion over the "Red Sun Chaotic Birth" theory, and the common people and students' discussion of exterminating demonic heresies grew increasingly fierce.

Shaowei, ever attentive to shifts in the wind, was anxious as if on fire.

Shaowei knew clearly that the first official to propose disposing of Chiyang at court had been pushed by Liu Qi, and the commotion among the students outside the city also had his instigation, while her own people were fanning the flames everywhere; yet all this still had not made the Emperor decide.

She had not yet declared her position: first, there was no suitable event as cover, and it was not proper for her to rashly reveal her intentions—this was Liu Qi's reminder.

Second, Shaowei had her own calculation; she had originally thought that forcing Chiyang into danger might lead him to use Jiang Fu as a hostage to negotiate with her, but there had been nothing; not only nothing, but Chiyang the dog thief remained calm, continuing to pose as a noble figure willing to sacrifice himself for the common people, psychologically provoking her.

This matter was more difficult than imagined; inside the Shen Ci shrine, Shaowei looked out through the window, feeling that the resentful sun was clearly roasting her five viscera and six bowels.

One last fire was still lacking; how should this fire burn to truly reduce Chiyang to ashes?

Shaowei leaned over the desk examining some unimportant official documents, her thoughts long since flown away, and without realizing it she bit her lip.

Seeming to sense Shaowei's growing anxiety, Zhan Zhan could no longer lie asleep with a clear conscience; it jumped from the mat onto the desk and changed to dozing while squatting.

When the shift ended, Shaowei grabbed the dozing Zhan Zhan, slung it over her shoulder, left the Shen Ci shrine, and boarded a carriage.

Along the way, Shaowei noticed that the eyes that had secretly watched her in recent days had completely disappeared.

She had never been able to determine whether those eyes came from Chiyang, just like the source of the two flying arrows at Five-Five Palace.

If it were Chiyang, why no longer watch her? Was it because he could not protect himself and did not want to create more trouble, giving her evidence to make an issue of?

If it were not Chiyang, why had these people given up halfway? Had they truly given up, or were they temporarily hiding in the dark just to make her lower her guard, then prepare to strike at her again?

Pondering halfway, Shaowei looked at the passing places through the summer lattice carriage window; when passing a lacquerware shop, she ordered the coachman to stop.

That place had originally been a wine shop; because business had not picked up, a merchant from Shu Commandery had recently taken over the shop and changed it to selling lacquerware, those lacquerware from Shu Commandery and Guanghan Commandery, painted exquisitely, so that even from outside one could see the brilliant colors.

Naturally the prices were very high, thus attracting only noble families.

The coachman poked his head to look into the shop, seeing that it was indeed exquisite; no wonder even the Young Master, who usually did not like to stroll, had been drawn in, probably dazzled by the choices, making a fine selection.

Shaowei entered, merely glanced at the shelves; seeing the shopkeeper come forward, she said nothing, turned her back to the others, and drew half of the short knife from her wide sleeve.

This attitude could truly be called getting straight to the point with a single blade; the shopkeeper understood, smiling: "Honored guest has discerning taste; please follow this humble one to the second floor to view."

The goods sold on the second floor were even more luxurious, and there were quiet rooms separated for honored guests to rest.

The shopkeeper brought the person to before a quiet room, pushed the door open only halfway, raised a hand to invite, then withdrew himself.

Master has ordered that if someone arrives, there is no need to announce; just bring them in.

Shaowei pushed the other half of the door open herself, stepped inside, and closed the door with one hand behind her; the quiet room was arranged with elegant simplicity, not cramped at all, quiet as if no one was there.

Shaowei came before a half-rolled bamboo curtain, reached out to lift the bamboo curtain, and poked her head in to look; on the cushion bed lay a man sideways, wearing a green robe and tall stature, a jade hairpin crowning his hair, one hand propping his head, eyes closed as if asleep; on the screen beside him lay a black cloak.

Shaowei stared at him for a moment; seeing he was completely unaware, she walked closer, yet this person still had no reaction; she called in a low voice: "Liu Qi."

The other was like a statue, not even his black eyelashes trembling a bit, his breathing almost inaudible; Shaowei had to extend her index finger to poke his shoulder, but saw his body go limp from the poke and fall to the side, smashing the cushion bed with a "thud."

Shaowei, who had not used much force, widened her eyes; only then did the man's mouth corner finally twitch; she immediately reacted, raised her hand and struck him fiercely; Liu Qi raised his hand to block, finally opened his eyes and laughed heartily, sitting up straight while laughing and explaining: "Enough, enough, calm your anger; I really was tired just now, and it was not all pretense."

Shaowei raised her eyebrow and snorted, sitting at the other end of the cushion bed; Liu Qi poured tea for her to apologize.

Taking that cup of tea, Shaowei then asked: "Why have you asked me to come here?"

"After Five-Five I haven't seen you; how is your injury?" Liu Qi asked before answering.

Shaowei reacted, then followed his gaze to look at her right shoulder arm, and truthfully said: "Such a small injury I long forgot."

Others would long have healed, but she had long forgotten; Liu Qi then continued: "I will leave the city tomorrow for disaster relief, and will not be able to return for a period of time."

"They really sent you for disaster relief?" Shaowei said: "I fear this is not a good thing."

Liu Qi curiously: "How do you see that?"

Shaowei: "If it were a good thing, I fear it would not fall to you."

Liu Qi laughed, nodding in agreement: "Simplifying the complex, truly insightful."

The schemes at court would not cease because of busy affairs, and busy affairs could also fill schemes.

"Having something to do is an opportunity; man proposes, heaven disposes; the soldier comes, the general blocks." He poured tea for himself while saying: "Do not worry about me."

Shaowei nodded and drank tea.

Liu Qi's motion of pouring water paused, a smile of unknown meaning appearing at his mouth corner.

"How do you think the Emperor views it?" Shaowei's mind was full of her own business; she set down the tea bowl, adopted a serious expression, and asked: "Regarding Chiyang, his attitude remains unclear to this day; are there other considerations in this?"

Liu Qi's expression also became serious; he said: "Perhaps there is indeed a reason I do not know; I will have someone secretly investigate. But this matter is indeed no small matter, and we should observe the wind direction for a few more days; there is no need to act hastily for now."

Shaowei grunted an "en" in displeasure, just about to say something more, when she heard Liu Qi say: "There is another matter; there is news from Chenliu Commandery."

Shaowei's spirits lifted, and she straightened up: "How is it?"

?? is a five-thousand-word big Chapter, slightly making up for it. Thank you everyone for your support, love, and understanding!