Chapter 891: 【Changing Appearance】(Part 1)

Yin Zheng escorted Hu Xiaotian to the gate; seeing no one nearby, Hu Xiaotian used voice transmission to say to Yin Zheng: "Little Yinzi, I've always treated you as a brother—do you really consider me your elder brother in your heart?"

Yin Zheng's expression changed at the words, and he replied in a trembling voice: "Elder brother, where does this come from? I have always been completely open with you, holding nothing back."

Hu Xiaotian asked: "How long have you served the Emperor?"

Yin Zheng answered: "It's been some days, but not too long."

"Do you know the eight guards attending the Emperor?"

Yin Zheng shook his head: "I don't know them; they're all people sent by Mr. Hong of the Heavenly Mechanism Bureau, and the Emperor trusts Mr. Hong the most."

Hu Xiaotian asked: "When was the last time Mr. Hong came to see the Emperor?"

Yin Zheng thought hard, then said softly: "It was the day before the Emperor set out for Heaven Dragon Temple, shortly before you went to the palace to see him."

Hu Xiaotian was half‑believing, half‑doubting; he could not yet decide whether Yin Zheng was a man of Hong Beimo. This kid, able to serve two monarchs, is certainly no ordinary person—even in the imperial palace such talent is rare.

Yin Zheng asked: "Elder brother, are you suspecting me of something?"

Hu Xiaotian lowered his voice: "The Emperor might want to kill me; you'd better stay away from me from now on."

Upon hearing this, Yin Zheng's face changed again: "How could that be? The Emperor has always favored you greatly."

Hu Xiaotian said with deep meaning: "A ruler's heart is unfathomable; I too thought my loyalty did not deserve such treatment."

Yin Zheng replied: "That won't happen; His Majesty would never treat you like that."

Hu Xiaotian shook his head and strode away from the Puxian Hall.

Returning to the Five Observances Hall, he immediately smelled the aroma of food; it was two imperial chefs who, because Hu Xiaotian had returned, specially prepared a few of their signature vegetarian dishes, knowing this master was hard to please. If they didn't serve him well, there would be no good days ahead.

Although Hu Xiaotian had nibbled half a grilled fish the night before as a snack, it could not compare to the chefs' fare; he enjoyed a hearty meal.

Huang Luosheng stood nearby, smiling warmly, and asked cautiously: "Commander Sir, how do you find the flavor?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "Not bad, not bad! It would be even better with wine and meat."

Huang Luosheng flattered: "Sir, don't worry. When we return to the palace, I'll personally prepare a fine spread of my specialty dishes for Commander Hu."

Hu Xiaotian secretly thought: Huang Luosheng is also adept at reading expressions; such people excel at flattery. As the Emperor's personal chef, maintaining good relations with him is necessary. Hu Xiaotian said: "Then I thank you first. Master Huang, I have a question: how has the Emperor's diet been lately?"

Huang Luosheng replied: "The Emperor's palate has become much blander; he's not as picky about dishes as before."

Hu Xiaotian asked: "How about the Emperor's appetite?"

"His appetite has actually increased considerably. I originally thought he couldn't adapt to the temple's austere fare, but now it seems I was overthinking."

Hu Xiaotian nodded, noting the change in taste; it seemed this fellow was almost certainly a false emperor. Hong Beimo, Hong Beimo! What gall you have, daring to impersonate the Emperor! I will surely expose your deceit. Though I think so, now Hong Beimo's entourage are all his confidants, and everyone believes in this false emperor—what can I use to uncover him?

Hu Xiaotian had eaten and drunk his fill, stretched lazily, and walked out the door—only to see Zuo Tang and a group of guards standing afar, whispering; upon seeing Hu Xiaotian emerge, they simultaneously fell silent.

Hu Xiaotian's keen hearing had already caught them discussing Qi Dainei's affairs; he lazily waved at Zuo Tang, who, having almost been knocked down by him that day and terrified, hurried over at a trot and respectfully said: "Commander Hu, what are your orders?"

Hu Xiaotian asked: "What are you talking about?"

"Nothing……"

Hu Xiaotian's gaze turned icy, making Zuo Tang shudder; he whispered low: "It's just… saying that Qi Dage hasn't come back……"

Hu Xiaotian sighed: "I fear he may not return!"

Zuo Tang's heart sank; his first thought was that Qi Dainei might have been harmed by him—but then he felt Hu Xiaotian wouldn't dare such a thing, given the Emperor's presence, and he didn't dare act recklessly.

Hu Xiaotian said: "Considering we've worked together, I kindly advise you to keep your distance from those close to the Emperor from now on."

Zuo Tang asked: "What do you mean, Sir?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "Let me ask you—have you ever seen those eight guards who attend the Emperor?"

Zuo Tang shook his head.

Hu Xiaotian added: "Originally protecting the Emperor personally was the duty of our imperial guards, yet now the Emperor has transferred eight guards from the Heavenly Mechanism Bureau, clearly showing he doesn't value us; from now on, you brothers had better look out for yourselves—although this is a pure Buddhist sanctuary, risks still remain."

Zuo Tang listened, bewildered, about to ask more, but Hu Xiaotian had already stepped toward the exit. Having eaten his fill, he needed to go into seclusion for seven days; he must cherish this time and learn some hidden arts from Bu Wu. Though Heaven Dragon Temple appears harmonious on the surface, inside it is exceedingly complex; having spent these nine days here, Hu Xiaotian has already endured much turmoil, and a single misstep could truly prevent his return.

Hu Xiaotian went to find Supervisor Tong Jing and told him the Emperor's order to go to Split Cloud Valley for seven days of wall‑facing meditation. Tong Jing had not received any notice from the temple, so he sent a novice monk to inquire; after the abbot replied, someone was assigned to lead Hu Xiaotian to Split Cloud Valley.

Hu Xiaotian wondered: "Master Tong Jing won't see me off?"

Tong Jing replied: "Since you've already been there once, benefactor, I needn't make the trip again. Remember, besides Split Cloud Valley, you'd best not set foot elsewhere."

Hu Xiaotian nodded and followed the guiding novice monk toward Split Cloud Valley. Midway, they met a handsome young monk coming the other way; Hu Xiaotian felt he looked familiar, and upon reflection realized it was the young monk he had met when accompanying Qiqi to the Great State Temple to sweep the pagoda during the New Year.

That monk lowered his brows and eyes, gazing straight ahead, clearly not noticing Hu Xiaotian, the passing monk. After he walked by, Hu Xiaotian asked the novice: "Who is that monk?"

The novice followed his gaze and said: "You mean Senior Brother Mingjing; he is the most profoundly learned in Buddhist doctrine among our Ming generation, and the most likely of the temple's younger generation to become abbot."

Hu Xiaotian rubbed his bald head: "That impressive?"

Hearing Hu Xiaotian's casual profanity, the novice hastily put his palms together: "Amitabha, my apologies!"

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "It's my mistake; what are you apologizing for?"

The novice said: "In this pure Buddhist ground, benefactor, you must not speak recklessly; the Buddha will hear."

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "Have you ever seen the Buddha?"

The novice shook his head: "My master said the Buddha resides in our hearts."

Hu Xiaotian suddenly recalled a song and sang softly: "Little monk goes down the mountain to beg for food; the old monk warned that women down the mountain are tigers—if you meet one, flee a thousandfold, passing village after village; the little monk wonders why the tiger's harmless appearance is still cute? The old monk secretly tells his disciple that such a tiger is the fiercest; the little monk, frightened, runs off: 'Master… terrible terrible terrible tiger has rushed into my heart, into my heart…'"

As Hu Xiaotian's voice rang out, the novice's tender chant joined in: "Amitabha, my apologies!"

Returning to Split Cloud Valley, Hu Xiaotian first placed the oil, salt, sauce, and vinegar he had brought from the Five Observances Hall into the stone hut; the clear stream held plenty of fish, perfect for these seven days of snacking. He then took out the map given by Elder Bu Wu, sketching several different locations according to his memory; revising and re‑labeling the map was no one‑day job, but fortunately Bu Wu hadn't rushed him, so he should have enough time to perfect it.

Bu Wu indeed kept his promise, arriving punctually each dawn to guide Hu Xiaotian's martial arts; for two straight days he taught nothing new, merely correcting Hu Xiaotian's deficiencies in the Art of Soaring. Hu Xiaotian quickly realized the greatest benefit of cultivating the Art of Soaring was the ability to control his internal breath—formerly, breath regulation was done seated, but after mastering the Art of Soaring he could adjust his qi while leaping and gliding. His deep inner strength soon showed a huge advantage: after only three days of practice he could leap five zhang into the air and dive down nearly twenty zhang, and could perform three consecutive aerial lifts—whereas before he needed the Golden Spider Eight Steps to climb three levels of caves, now a single leap with three lifts would get him inside.

Remembering he had only seven days of wall‑facing, Hu Xiaotian naturally felt anxious; if Bu Wu spent all seven days teaching just this one skill, it would be a waste. After that evening's practice he could not help but ask Bu Wu: "Master, how would you rate my grasp of the Art of Soaring?"

Bu Wu replied: "Not bad."

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "Then could you teach me another skill?"

Bu Wu said: "Compared to ordinary folks it's fine, but it still can't match a true master."

"That's something I certainly can't compare to you, Master."

Bu Wu snorted coldly: "Even compared to Yuan Kong before his martial arts were lost, you'd still fall short—his Emptiness Zen lets him float and hover in midair, and with your impatience what profound martial art could you possibly learn?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "Master, it's not that the disciple is impatient, but that I have little time left, and the time left for you also seems not much. If we want to sneak into the Sutra Pavilion before the Emperor leaves Tianlong Temple, you still need to teach me some kung fu that is powerful and can be mastered in a short time."

Bu Wu said: "Power? If your internal energy can be freely released and retracted, that already counts as great power. Alright, I will first teach you a most practical kung fu."

"What kung fu?"

Bu Wu said: "You've always been worried about easily exposing your identity, right? If you can change your physique and appearance, it's practically becoming another person; even if others see you, they may not recognize you. This kung fu is called 'Changing Head and Face'!"

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