Chapter 864

Tongyuan led only two monks across the Five Bright Bridge, while Long Xuan'en's palanquin was lifted directly onto the front square; five hundred Feather Forest Army lined both sides, and a hundred Imperial Guard split into two rows flanking the palanquin. All horses and carriages were left outside the square; after crossing the Five Bright Bridge one had to climb the steps, and to show respect for the Heavenly Dragon Temple, the horses and the five hundred Feather Forest Army were all stationed downhill, not accompanying the Emperor up the mountain.

The palanquin slowly descended before the Five Bright Bridge, a young eunuch came forward and knelt before it, someone inside lifted the bead curtain, and Long Xuan'en stepped out trembling, placing his foot on the young eunuch's back; with the support of two eunuchs, his foot finally touched solid ground. Long Xuan'en raised his head, narrowed his eyes, and gazed ahead at the Heavenly Dragon Temple; the moonlight lay like water, shrouding this vast complex of buildings in even greater mystery.

Tongyuan crossed the Five Bright Bridge while the two monks stayed behind; he alone went forward to meet Long Xuan'en, walking slowly between the ranks to the front of the palanquin, palms together in respect, saying, "Heavenly Dragon Temple's Tongyuan pays his respects to Your Majesty!"

Hu Xiaotian stood aside, observing this abbot of the Heavenly Dragon Temple; Tongyuan was about forty, with jet-black whiskers, a square face, and an upright appearance—looking at his physiognomy, he lacked the kind brows and gentle eyes expected of a high monk, instead bearing the stern, formidable demeanor of a vajra arhat, making one reluctant to approach him.

Long Xuan'en smiled and said, "Greetings, Master Tongyuan! It has been a while since We last saw you."

Tongyuan replied, "Seeing Your Majesty in good health, this humble monk feels greatly relieved."

Long Xuan'en said, "We have already sent someone to inform you of this; starting today, We intend to fast and chant sutras for one month within the Heavenly Dragon Temple—I wonder if Master has made suitable arrangements for Us?"

Tongyuan answered, "All arrangements have been made; We have selected the Universal Virtue Hall on Western Mountain as Your Majesty's place of retreat."

Long Xuan'en nodded and said, "Very well; this time We will disturb your tranquility."

Tongyuan said, "Your Majesty's presence brings glory to our humble temple; all of Heavenly Dragon Temple have long looked forward to this."

Hu Xiaotian couldn't help but want to laugh at this; though it's said monastics don't tell falsehoods, that clearly isn't always true, and he could guarantee that Tongyuan's words were entirely against his conscience—Long Xuan'en had arrived at the Heavenly Dragon Temple with such a grand display, and for this month he would be sequestered there for retreat. Ordinary pilgrims certainly wouldn't get a chance to go up the mountain, it was said that all the main approaches to the Heavenly Dragon Temple had been sealed off by the Feather Forest Army, and troops of the imperial guard were deployed all around Mount Luojia. Under these circumstances, even the monks of the Heavenly Dragon Temple would likely be uneasy.

Long Xuan'en said, "Master Tongyuan, please do not stand on ceremony because of Our status; if you feel that We have caused you any inconvenience, speak freely—here you are the hosts."

Tongyuan respectfully replied, "Your Majesty understands the greater good; this humble monk thanks You on behalf of the entire monastic community."

Long Xuan'en said, "Actually, even if you didn't mention it, We know that the five hundred Feather Forest Army will not accompany Us up the mountain; they will remain stationed downhill, and under normal circumstances they will not interfere with your monks' regular activities."

Tongyuan bowed with palms together and said, "Thank You, Your Majesty!"

Long Xuan'en added, "These hundred Imperial Guard will accompany Us up the mountain. We have also considered them, for wearing official attire and carrying weapons into this Buddhist holy ground risks disrespect to the Buddha, and We wish to avoid disturbing the monastics as much as possible. We plan to have them all shave their heads and beards, don monastic robes, and fast and chant with Us on the mountain for one month. What does Master Tongyuan think?"

Upon hearing Long Xuan'en's proposal, Tongyuan naturally welcomed it, for the Heavenly Dragon Temple is a Buddhist pure land, housing over twenty thousand monks alone, and only a small fraction of them knew that the Emperor of Dakang had come to the temple to fast and chant sutras. If those hundred Imperial Guard followed in their official garb, brandishing swords and spears, they would surely alarm the monastics; Long Xuan'en's suggestion truly considered the temple's concerns, and Tongyuan respectfully said, "Thank You, Your Majesty, for Your consideration of the monastics."

Hu Xiaotian had the sharpest ears; hearing this, he silently cursed his bad luck. He had thought coming along meant a month's confinement, but he never expected that even his hair would have to be shaved off—damn it, this isn't modern society where a shaved head grows back in a few weeks; he had finally managed to grow a head of lustrous black hair, and now, at the Emperor's word, he wondered how long it would take to grow back.

Qi Damen also strained his ears to listen to the exchange between Long Xuan'en and Tongyuan, but his hearing was clearly far inferior to Hu Xiaotian's, and he could only catch bits and pieces.

Hu Xiaotian jabbed him with his elbow and whispered, "We're going to become monks, and you didn't even give me a heads‑up."

Qi Damen stared at Hu Xiaotian, bewildered, and said, "Commander Sir? What does becoming a monk have to do with anything? Your humble servant… truly has no idea!"

Hu Xiaotian snorted coldly, "Just keep pretending with me; the Emperor has already decided that we're all going to shave our heads and take the monastic vows!"

"Ah?" Qi Damen exclaimed in shock; he really had no idea.

Hu Xiaotian was also speaking deliberately alarmist; Laohuangdi had only said to shave their heads, not that they should become monastics.

Qi Damen was badly frightened; he had never heard of this before. If the Emperor ordered them to take monastic vows, his word is law, and they'd likely be stuck in the Heavenly Dragon Temple with no way out—Mu Rongzhan hadn't mentioned this to him earlier, so how could things have become so uncertain upon arriving at the Heavenly Dragon Temple?

Long Xuan'en had already entered the Heavenly Dragon Temple accompanied by Tongyuan; the reason for choosing this moment was twofold: first, he had consulted diviners and found that this time would not offend the Buddha; second, it was also to avoid drawing attention from the temple's monastics as much as possible.

Hu Xiaotian led those hundred-odd Imperial Guard into the Heavenly Dragon Temple as well; Qi Damen had originally thought Hu Xiaotian was just joking with him, but before long they were escorted to the Purification Altar—of course this purification was nothing like the one in the palace—and a young eunuch came over to convey the Emperor's order to Hu Xiaotian, instructing that these guards should bathe and change clothes at the altar, and incidentally shave off their hair and beards.

When conveying the order, Hu Xiaotian added a malicious twist: he didn't just say they were to shave and bathe, but told the guards that the Emperor wanted them to take monastic vows at the Heavenly Dragon Temple, which terrified them; yet an imperial command cannot be defied, so they had no choice but to obey.

Soon two monks came in with razors; these six were in charge of shaving their heads.

Hu Xiaotian knew avoiding a clean shave was impossible, so he stepped forward first to set an example, thinking that the tonsure monks sent by the Heavenly Dragon Temple were still few in number—with over a hundred Imperial Guard, only two monks had arrived; wouldn't they have to keep shaving until dawn?

Hu Xiaotian had just seated himself when the monk smiled and said, "Don't move, sir; it'll be over shortly." As he spoke, he raised the razor; the blade flashed, and as it went up and down in his hand, Hu Xiaotian's hair fell away in strands, feeling the sharp edge scrape his scalp continuously. In less than half a minute, his full head of black hair was completely shaved off, leaving a gleaming, bald pate.

Done!

Upon hearing that, Hu Xiaotian reached back to feel his scalp—smooth and oily, not a single stray hair remained—and he couldn't help but marvel inwardly at the speed of the blade; sure enough, the Heavenly Dragon Temple harbored hidden talents, for even this tonsure monk was no ordinary person.

Seeing Hu Xiaotian suddenly turn into a bald monk, the guards couldn't help but burst out laughing.

Hu Xiaotian glared at them and snapped, "What are you laughing at? Do you think you can disturb the Emperor and get away with it? Hurry up and shave your heads clean!" The guards fell into neat rows and began shaving.

Hu Xiaotian soaked in the hot pool, then donned a gray monk's robe, instantly becoming a handsome young novice; glancing over, he saw Qi Damen also sporting a shaved head, who came over in his robe with a mournful face and said, "Commander Sir, could it be that the Emperor really intends for us to take monastic vows?"

Hu Xiaotian rolled his eyes and said, "The Commander Sir is still in Huangcheng; I'm merely his deputy."

Qi Damen was left speechless by Hu Xiaotian's retort. He knew he had offended this superior, but he wasn't afraid. Hu Xiaotian's deputy commander post was merely a figurehead; among these guards it carried no sway whatsoever, let alone any influence.

In the distance a young eunuch approached; Hu Xiaotian spotted him from afar as Yin Zheng and went forward to meet him.

Yin Zheng had assumed Hu Xiaotian was a monk of the Heavenly Dragon Temple; only upon drawing near did he realize it was him, and he couldn't help but chuckle, making a flower‑like hand gesture while covering half his mouth—a move that would be coquettish on a woman, but coming from a eunuch it was rather off‑putting.

Hu Xiaotian suppressed his disgust and said, "Grand Eunuch Yin, what orders does the Emperor have?"

Yin Zheng said, "I was wondering who it was—turns out it's Commander Hu!" His gaze lingered twice on Hu Xiaotian's forehead, which was reflecting the moonlight.

Hu Xiaotian gave a wry smile and said, "Do we really need to use such formalities between us brothers?"

Yin Zheng replied, "I thought you'd forgotten your brothers after your promotion, Elder Brother."

Hu Xiaotian said, "We've known each other since humble beginnings; as the saying goes, 'When wealthy and noble, do not forget old friends,' and I could never forget you, my brother."

Yin Zheng's expression showed some emotion, but Hu Xiaotian knew this man was no simpleton—having managed to serve as a close attendant to two emperors, Yin Zheng certainly possessed qualities beyond mere flattery; he must have some background in the palace. Hu Xiaotian himself had been thrust into the Heavenly Dragon Temple in a daze, knowing little of the Emperor's intentions, and the only way to obtain inside information was through Yin Zheng.

Yin Zheng said, "With those words from Elder Brother, I would gladly go through fire and water for you."

Hu Xiaotian glanced around, saw Qi Damen still watching from afar in the distance, and whispered to Yin Zheng, "This isn't the place for catching up; we'll talk later when the chance arises."

Yin Zheng nodded and said, "The Emperor has already gone ahead to the Universal Virtue Hall; you are to split your forces into three groups: twenty will go to the Five Observances Hall to attend to the Emperor's meals, fifty will guard the various approaches to Western Mountain, and the remaining thirty will accompany the Emperor into the Universal Virtue Hall."

Hu Xiaotian nodded repeatedly and said, "Then I'll accompany the Emperor there."

Yin Zheng said, "The Emperor has named Qi Damen."

Hu Xiaotian said, "And what about me?"

Yin Zheng replied, "The Emperor has assigned you to oversee the affairs at the Five Observances Hall."

Seeing many readers debating whether Zhangyu uses the early‑morning update method to double‑count updates, this really need not be worried about—Zhangyu's integrity would never stoop to such tricks. The output this month has already proven that, on top of the guaranteed two updates per day, there is an Extra chapter every day; unless Zhangyu calls for an update‑ticket exchange, other periods are normal updates. Although today did not reach the ideal ticket count, Zhangyu still delivered Four more, perhaps he has grown accustomed to bursting out updates; you all no longer regard Zhangyu's four chapters as a burst, feeling a bit let down. Given the nature of his work, writing is limited to afternoons and evenings; he has already done his utmost, and we hope everyone can be more understanding. If there are Monthly Tickets to spare, please give one more in support; if even this effort cannot earn a Monthly Ticket, Zhangyu can only sigh in vain longing for tickets. (To be continued~^~)