Chapter 901

A young monk in gray robes walked out slowly from the courtyard gate leading to the Sutra Pavilion; Hu Xiaotian saw him clearly; this young monk was Mingjing; he had met him once before when accompanying Qiqi to offer incense at the Great State Temple.

Translation: "A young monk in gray robes walked out slowly from the courtyard gate leading to the Sutra Pavilion; Hu Xiaotian saw him clearly—this young monk was Mingjing, whom Hu Xiaotian had met once before when accompanying Qiqi to offer incense at the Great State Temple."

A young monk in gray robes walked out slowly from the courtyard gate leading to the Sutra Pavilion; Hu Xiaotian saw him clearly; this young monk was Mingjing; he had met him once before when accompanying Qiqi to offer incense at the Great State Temple.

Mingjing approached Mingyuan and whispered, "Senior brother, the uncle has ordered that we must not use force arbitrarily."

Translation: "Mingjing came to Mingyuan's side and whispered, 'Senior Brother, the uncle-master ordered that no one may use force without permission.'"

ordered that no one may use force without permission

Mingyuan nodded, yet he gave no command for the monk‑warriors to put down their eyebrow‑level staffs.

Translation: "Mingyuan nodded, but he did not order the staff monks to put down their eyebrow-level staffs."

Mingjing's gaze fell on Hu Xiaotian, and the two locked eyes. Hu Xiaotian noticed that Mingjing's eyes were exceptionally clear, like a limpid spring through which one could see to the bottom; his look was frank and unblemished, revealing no joy, anger, sorrow or pleasure on his face, and he remained consistently gentle.

Translation: "Mingjing's gaze fell on Hu Xiaotian; they stared at each other. Hu Xiaotian noticed that Mingjing's eyes were exceptionally clear, like a limpid spring through which one could see to the bottom—his gaze was frank and unclouded, showing no joy, anger, sorrow, or pleasure on his face, remaining constantly gentle."

Hu Xiaotian recalled the little novice monk telling him that Mingjing was the most profoundly learned in Buddhist doctrine among the young generation of Tianlong Temple; observing his words, deeds and bearing, he could already see the great difference between him and his fellow monastic peers, and although young, every gesture already bore the bearing of a senior master.

Translation: "Hu Xiaotian recalled the little novice monk once telling him that Mingjing was the most profoundly versed in Buddhist doctrine among the young generation of Heaven Dragon Temple; observing his words, deeds, and demeanor, Hu Xiaotian had already sensed the great difference between him and his fellow junior monks, and although young, his every gesture already bore the bearing of a master."

Mingjing placed his palms together and said to Hu Xiaotian, "Sir, the Sutra Pavilion is a forbidden area of Tianlong Temple; even ordinary monks are not allowed to enter, so please do not disturb the temple's rules."

Translation: "Mingjing placed his palms together and said to Hu Xiaotian, 'Sir, the Sutra Pavilion is a forbidden area of Heaven Dragon Temple; even ordinary monks may not enter. Please do not disturb the temple's rules.'"

Hu Xiaotian raised the imperial edict in his hand and asked, "Which carries more weight, the temple's regulations or the emperor's decree?"

Translation: "Hu Xiaotian raised the imperial edict in his hand and asked, 'Which is greater, the temple's regulations or the emperor's edict?'"

Mingjing replied calmly, "Since the emperor has come to Tianlong Temple to cultivate Buddhism, he has already let go of all worldly concerns; furthermore, he previously told the abbot that during his stay at Tianlong Temple he will never use his authority to oppress others, nor will he set foot outside the Puxian Institute even a single step."

Translation: "Mingjing replied calmly, 'Since the emperor has come to Heaven Dragon Temple to cultivate Buddhism, he has already let go of all worldly affairs; moreover, the emperor previously told the abbot that during his stay at Heaven Dragon Temple he would never rely on his authority to overwhelm others, nor would he set foot outside the Universal Virtue Court even a single step.'"

Hu Xiaotian chuckled and said, "Tianlong Temple is truly impressive—even the emperor must abide by your rules."

Translation: "Hu Xiaotian chuckled, 'Heaven Dragon Temple is indeed impressive—even the emperor must obey your rules.'"

"The emperor does not pay respect to Tianlong Temple or to anyone in it; he pays respect only to the Buddha." Mingjing's handsome face remained as calm as an ancient well.

Translation: "'The emperor does not revere Heaven Dragon Temple, nor anyone in it; he reveres only the Buddha.' Mingjing's handsome face remained as calm as an ancient well."

Hu Xiaotian nodded and said, "All right, but tonight an ugly monk with a chicken‑breast front and a luo‑guo back sneaked into the Puxian Institute intending to assassinate the emperor. We pursued him and saw him flee all the way to the Sutra Pavilion."

Translation: "Hu Xiaotian nodded and said, 'All right, but tonight an ugly monk with a chicken-breast front and a luo-guo back sneaked into the Universal Virtue Court, intending to assassinate the emperor. We pursued him and saw him flee all the way to the Sutra Pavilion.'"

chicken-breast front and a luo-guo back

Mingjing asked, "Sir, do you wish to search?"

Translation: "Mingjing asked, 'Sir, do you wish to search?'"

Hu Xiaotian said aggressively, "Not searching is fine, provided you hand over that person to me." His aim is to stir up the stagnant waters of Tianlong Temple, for only in muddied water can one profit; he brought men to cause a ruckus in the Sutra Pavilion, his chief motive being to learn the layout around the Sutra Pavilion; if the monks, under pressure, allow passage, that would be even better, and Hu Xiaotian could then amend the map that Bu Wu had given him.

Hu Xiaotian said aggressively, "Not searching is fine, provided you hand over that person to me."

His aim is to stir up the stagnant waters of Tianlong Temple, for only in muddied water can one profit; he brought men to cause a ruckus in the Sutra Pavilion, his chief motive being to learn the layout around the Sutra Pavilion; if the monks, under pressure, allow passage, that would be even better, and Hu Xiaotian could then amend the map that Bu Wu had given him.

Translation: "His aim is to stir up the stagnant Heaven Dragon Temple; only then can he fish in troubled waters, bringing people to cause a disturbance at the Sutra Pavilion. His main motive is to ascertain the situation around the Sutra Pavilion. If these monks, under pressure, grant passage, that would be even better—Hu Xiaotian could then revise the map that Bu Wu had given him."

Bu Wu

Mingjing said, "Sir, if you wish to search, this matter must be reported to the abbot; if he agrees, you may enter and search, though the earliest would be tomorrow." No matter how forceful Hu Xiaotian was, Mingjing showed no trace of anger, remaining calm and composed, while the monk‑warriors behind him were already fuming, their skill levels obvious at a glance.

Translation: "Mingjing replied, 'If you wish to search, you may, but this matter must be reported to the abbot; if the abbot agrees, you may enter to search, though the earliest would be tomorrow.' No matter how forceful Hu Xiaotian was, Mingjing showed no trace of anger, remaining calm and serene, while the staff monks behind him were already furious, their relative skill levels obvious at a glance."

Hu Xiaotian secretly admired that such a young monk possessed such profound cultivation, no wonder Tianlong Temple regards him as an outstanding figure among the younger generation. Although he had come to cause trouble, he had no intention of immediately turning against the temple's monk‑warriors; his true purpose was, first, to openly observe the surroundings of the Sutra Pavilion, and second, to create a disturbance. He did not fear a major incident, for in the end he had the pretended emperor to back him up.

Translation: "Hu Xiaotian secretly admired him—such a young monk possessing such cultivation, no wonder Heaven Dragon Temple regards him as an outstanding figure among the younger generation. Although he had come to cause trouble, he certainly did not intend to turn against the temple's staff monks and fight them right then; his true purpose was first to openly observe the surroundings of the Sutra Pavilion, and second to create a disturbance. Anyway, he wasn't afraid of a big affair, for the false emperor would back him up in the end."

He smiled and said, "This little monk looks kind; have we met somewhere before?"

Translation: "He smiled and said, 'This little master looks kind. Have we met somewhere before?'"

Mingjing replied, "On the first day of this year's lunar new year, I and this benefactor should have met in the pagoda grove of the Great State Temple."

Translation: "Mingjing said, 'On the first day of this year's lunar new year, this poor monk and you, sir, should have met in the pagoda forest of the Great State Temple.'"

Hu Xiaotian's heart skipped a beat; he had not expected Mingjing to have already recognized him, and the monk's memory was truly astonishing. He chuckled, "No wonder he looks so familiar; we might even say we are fated to meet."

Translation: "Hu Xiaotian's heart skipped a beat—he had not expected Mingjing to have already recognized him; this person's memory is truly astonishing. He chuckled and said, 'No wonder I find you so familiar. Speaking of which, we could be considered fated to meet.'"

Mingjing said, "I hope you will understand our difficulties."

Translation: "Mingjing said, 'I hope you will understand our difficulties.'"

Hu Xiaotian said, "Considering our prior acquaintance, I don't want to make things difficult for you; how about this: the imperial edict cannot be defied, and the emperor has ordered us to search. As his subordinates, disobeying would be rebellion, so I will bring my men to search the periphery of the Sutra Pavilion; you should have no objection, right?"

Translation: "Hu Xiaotian said, 'Considering our previous acquaintance, I also don't wish to make things difficult for you. Here's what we'll do: the imperial command cannot be defied; the emperor has ordered us to search, and if we, as subordinates, do not obey, that would be rebellion. I will lead my brothers to search around the Sutra Pavilion—young master, you should have no objection, right?'"

Mingjing said, "Please, sir, go ahead."

Translation: "Mingjing said, 'Please, sir, go ahead.'"

Hu Xiaotian waved his hand; ten men guarded the gate of the Sutra Pavilion while he led the others to encircle and search the pavilion, noting the features of the surrounding roads as they went, to be marked on the map later. His purpose in causing trouble tonight was to make the Tianlong Temple monks suspect that the pretended emperor had ulterior motives, thereby laying a groundwork for Bu Wu's future infiltration of the Sutra Pavilion. With tonight's incident as a basis, if anything should happen to the Sutra Pavilion later, the monks would first suspect the old emperor, and perhaps from tonight onward they would begin to doubt the true motive behind the old emperor's visit to Tianlong Temple.

Translation: "Hu Xiaotian waved his hand; ten men guarded the gate of the Sutra Pavilion while he led the others to surround it and begin a search, noting the road features as they went, to be marked on the map later. Hu Xiaotian's purpose in causing trouble tonight was to make the Heaven Dragon Temple monks suspect that the false emperor had another motive, thereby laying an ambush for Bu Wu's future infiltration of the Sutra Pavilion. With tonight's events as a foundation, if the Sutra Pavilion encounters trouble later, the temple monks will first suspect the old emperor, and perhaps from tonight onward they will question the old emperor's true motive for coming to Heaven Dragon Temple."

Long Xuan'en sat in the meditation chamber, his expression wavering; Liu Huchen closed the door and transmitted his voice secretly, asking, "Elder brother, why are you still not resting?"

Translation: "Long Xuan'en sat in the meditation room, his expression wavering; Liu Huchan closed the door and transmitted his voice secretly, asking, 'Elder Brother, why are you still not resting?'"

Long Xuan'en likewise replied via voice transmission, "It seems Hu Xiaotian has already seen through my identity."

Translation: "Long Xuan'en likewise transmitted his voice secretly: 'Hu Xiaotian seems to have seen through my identity.'"

Liu Huchen said, "That shouldn't be possible; with your disguise skills, elder brother, how could he see through it?"

Translation: "Liu Huchan said, 'That shouldn't be possible; with your disguise technique, Elder Brother, how could he see through it?'"

Long Xuan'en slowly shook his head and said, "Based solely on appearance and demeanor he certainly could not see through it, but he had previously mentioned some matters of the illusory Mount Penglai Lingxiao Palace; in answering unintentionally I might have revealed a flaw."

Translation: "Long Xuan'en slowly shook his head and said, 'Based solely on appearance and demeanor he certainly could not see through it, but he had previously mentioned some things about the Misty Mountain Lingxiao Palace, and in answering unintentionally I might have revealed a flaw.'"

Upon hearing this, Liu Huchen startled, his face turning grave, and said, "No wonder his actions and demeanor today are completely different from before."

Translation: "Liu Huchan heard this, startled, his face grave: 'No wonder his actions and demeanor today are completely different from before.'"

Long Xuan'en said, "My master has always warned me to be on guard against this brat, but I never expected him to be this formidable. Tiger Chan, do you have confidence that your martial arts can surpass his?" His true identity is that of Chi Feixing, a disciple of Hong Beimo, skilled in the art of disguise and having received Hong Beimo's true transmission in mechanisms; this time, posing as Long Xuan'en to come to Tianlong Temple to pay homage to the Buddha, was also at Hong Beimo's behest.

Long Xuan'en said, "My master has always warned me to be on guard against this brat, but I never expected him to be this formidable. Tiger Chan, do you have confidence that your martial arts can surpass his?"

His true identity is that of Chi Feixing, a disciple of Hong Beimo, skilled in the art of disguise and having received Hong Beimo's true transmission in mechanisms; this time, posing as Long Xuan'en to come to Tianlong Temple to pay homage to the Buddha, was also at Hong Beimo's behest.

Chi Feixing

Liu Huchen slowly shook his head and said, "I also underestimated him; Liang Baoping and Pingchuan couldn't last even a single exchange against him."

Translation: "Liu Huchan slowly shook his head and said, 'I also underestimated him—Liang Bao and He Pingchuan couldn't last even a single exchange under his hands.'"

Chi Feixing coldly replied, "What good is superb martial arts if I don't believe he can escape the Violent Rain Pear Blossom Needles?"

Translation: "Chi Feixing said coldly, 'What good is martial prowess if it cannot save him? I don't believe he can escape the Violent Rain Pear Blossom Needle.'"

Liu Huchen asked, "Elder brother, are you planning to strike at him?"

Translation: "Liu Huchan asked, 'Elder Brother, are you planning to strike at him?'"

Chi Feixing shook his head and said, "Now is not the time; our master has given no order, so we must still wait patiently." After a pause he added, "He must certainly be concealing something about the incident in the Cleft Cloud Valley, and the disappearances of the fourth and fifth brothers are surely related to him."

Translation: "Chi Feixing shook his head and said, 'Now is not the time; the master has given no order, and we must still wait patiently for a while.' He paused and added, 'He must certainly be concealing something about the Split Cloud Valley incident, and the disappearance of Old Four and Old Five is surely related to him.'"

Liu Huchen gritted his teeth and said, "I will surely kill this brat to avenge my two brothers."

Translation: "Liu Huchan through gritted teeth said, 'I will surely kill this brat to avenge my two brothers.'"

Chi Feixing said, "Our master ordered us to find the book *Qiankun Kaiwu*; we have been here for over half a month and found nothing, I fear we will disappoint him."

Translation: "Chi Feixing said, 'The master ordered us to find that book, the Classic of Opening Heaven and Earth, but after more than half a month we have found nothing; I fear we will disappoint the master.'"

The Tianhe Garden in the northern suburbs of Kangdu is the most renowned royal garden of the state of Dakang. Inside the Lingfeng Hall, the elderly emperor Long Xuan'en suddenly awoke, leaping up from the dragon bed with his forehead drenched in cold sweat. His movement startled the attendant old servant Wang Qian, who rushed forward and asked, "Your Majesty, have you had another dream?"

Translation: "The Dakang Tianheyuan lies in the northern suburbs of Kangdu; it is Dakang's most renowned imperial garden. Inside Lingfeng Hall, the old emperor Long Xuan'en suddenly awoke, jerking upright from the dragon bed, his forehead covered in cold sweat. His movement woke the attendant old servant Wang Qian, who hurried forward and said, 'Your Majesty, have you been dreaming again?'"

Long Xuan'en raised his sleeve to wipe the cold sweat from his forehead and whispered, "Is it morning yet?"

Translation: "Long Xuan'en raised his sleeve to wipe the cold sweat from his forehead and whispered, 'Is it dawn yet?'"

Wang Qian replied, "It is bright; Master Hong is waiting outside."

Translation: "Wang Qian replied, 'It is bright; Mr. Hong is waiting outside.'"

Long Xuan'en asked, "When did he arrive? Why didn't you wake me?"

Translation: "Long Xuan'en said, 'When did he arrive? Why didn't you wake me?'"

Wang Qian said, "Master Hong's intention is that he wants Your Majesty to rest well."

Translation: "Wang Qian said, 'Mr. Hong's intention is that he wants Your Majesty to rest well.'"

Long Xuan'en nodded and said, "Let him in; I am already awake."

Translation: "Long Xuan'en nodded and said, 'Let him in; I am already awake.'"

As Wang Qian was about to convey the edict, Long Xuan'en changed his mind: "No, I will go out to meet him."

Translation: "As Wang Qian was about to convey the summons, Long Xuan'en changed his mind: 'No, I will go out to meet him.'"

Hong Beimo had been waiting outside for half an hour; his complexion still looked somewhat pallid, and he occasionally coughed lightly—a lingering injury from his great battle with Ji Feihua that had damaged his meridians, and his recovery would not be swift.

Translation: "Hong Beimo had been waiting outside for half an hour; his complexion still looked somewhat pallid, and he would occasionally cough lightly—the meridian injuries from his great battle with Ji Feihua had not healed, and recovery would not be a short-term matter."

Upon seeing Long Xuan'en emerge, Hong Beimo hastily rose and said, "Your servant Hong Beimo pays his respects to Your Majesty; may the emperor live ten thousand, ten thousand, ten thousand years!"

Translation: "Seeing Long Xuan'en emerge from within, Hong Beimo hastily rose and said, 'Your subject Hong Beimo pays homage to Your Majesty; long live the emperor, long live, long live, ten thousand times long live!'"

Long Xuan'en laughed and said, "I used to love hearing others call me 'ten thousand years,' but now the phrase sounds especially grating; even if I were to live a hundred years, I doubt I could, so is

Translation: "Long Xuan'en laughed, 'I used to love hearing others call me ten thousand years, but now I find those words especially grating—not even ten thousand years, for even if I lived a hundred years I doubt I could; is "ten thousand years" a mockery of me?'"

I, your servant, dare not.

Translation: "'Subject dare not!'"

Long Xuan'en laughed, "It's not about you—let's go out for a walk."

Translation: "Long Xuan'en laughed, 'It's not about you; come, let's go out for a walk.'"

The emperor and his minister exited Lingfeng Hall and followed the outer wooden walkway toward Cui Ping Mountain. The post‑rain morning air was exceptionally fresh, a thin morning mist drifting in the sky. Long Xuan'en inhaled deeply, stretched his arms, and told Hong Beimo, "I like this place far more than the palace. Though the palace halls are grand, the dim lighting makes me feel uneasy—nothing compares to the openness and freshness here."

Translation: "The sovereign and minister exited Lingfeng Hall, following the outer wooden walkway toward the verdant screen mountain; the post-rain morning air was exceptionally fresh, with a faint morning mist drifting in the sky. Long Xuan'en drew a deep breath, stretched his arms, and said to Hong Beimo, 'I prefer this place to the imperial palace; though the palace halls are vast, the light is dim, making my mood uncomfortable—nothing compares to this openness and freshness.'"

Hong Beimo replied, "Your Majesty, you can simply rest here for a while."

Translation: "Hong Beimo said, 'Your Majesty can just recuperate here for a while.'"

Long Xuan'en asked, "How is Tianlong Temple doing?"

Translation: "Long Xuan'en asked, 'How is Heaven Dragon Temple?'"

Everything is as usual.

Translation: "'Everything is as usual.'"

Long Xuan'en paused, staring at the small lake below the mountain, his gaze growing distant. After a moment he said, "I don't know why, but I keep feeling that Chu Fufeng is still alive."

Translation: "Long Xuan'en stopped walking, gazed toward the small lake below the mountain, his eyes growing somewhat bewildered, and after a while said, 'I don't know why, but I always feel that Chu Fufeng is still alive.'"

Hong Beimo replied, "I saw his head with my own eyes; Your Majesty, you need not worry."

Translation: "Hong Beimo said, 'I have personally seen his head; Your Majesty need not worry further.'"

Long Xuan'en sighed, "These past two days I've been having the same dream over and over." He did not reveal the dream's content.

Translation: "Long Xuan'en sighed, 'These past two days I have been repeatedly having the same dream.' He did not speak of the dream's content."

Hong Beimo said, "Ji Feihua is surely the last remnant of the Chu family."

Translation: "Hong Beimo said, 'Ji Feihua must be a remnant of the Chu clan.'"

Long Xuan'en said, "If I haven't found his body after a day, I can't rest easy."

Translation: "Long Xuan'en said, 'If a day passes without finding his corpse, my heart feels ill at ease.'"

Hong Beimo replied, "Your Majesty, don't worry—I will certainly find his whereabouts."

Translation: "Hong Beimo said, 'Your Majesty need not worry; I will certainly discover his whereabouts.'"

Long Xuan'en said, "Tell me honestly—have you been thinking of killing Hu Xiaotian?"

Translation: "Long Xuan'en said, 'Tell me frankly, have you harbored murderous intent toward Hu Xiaotian?'"

Hong Beimo replied, "Your Majesty, surely you know his connection to Ji Feihua."

Translation: "Hong Beimo replied, 'Your Majesty surely knows his relationship with Ji Feihua?'"

Long Xuan'en said, "I kept him alive to use him as leverage against the Xu family of Jinling, but I didn't anticipate that the old matriarch Xu would be so cold‑hearted—she ignores her own daughter, son‑in‑law, and even her blood‑related grandson, showing she doesn't care at all about Hu Xiaotian's life."

Translation: "Long Xuan'en said, 'The reason I spared his life was to use him to pressure the Xu family of Jinling, but I never expected that Old Lady Xu would be so ruthless—faced with her daughter and son-in-law, even her own lineal grandson, she pays no heed, showing that she does not value Hu Xiaotian's life at all.'"

Hong Beimo said: "I have always believed that Your Majesty is too kind to the Xu family."

Long Xuan'en nodded: "I owe them a favor, so I don't want to push things too far. For now, don't move against Hu Xiaotian—I still have use for him."

"Yes!"

Hong Beimo said: "Your Majesty, have you heard that the Yongyang Princess wants to reorganize the Divine Strategy Office?"

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