Chapter 225: Qingping, Part Two — Master Master Miaokong Acts

Gao Gao Lishi trembled as he presented to the Xiao Xie Xuan Emperor the two poems written by Brother Qian Chen on his robe.

The Xiao Xie Xuan Emperor glanced at the silk robe and shook his head with a smile: "You, Gao Gao Lishi, does the palace really lack this much silk? Go fetch ten sheets of golden-flower paper from the imperial treasury and give them to Li Bai."

Gao Gao Lishi bowed deeply, a hint of revenge for Brother Qian Chen's earlier order to remove his boots in his voice: "Your Majesty, golden-flower paper is worth a thousand times more than this rag. Isn't that too generous to him?"

Golden-flower paper is made by blending the essence of a hundred flowers with flowing flame-infused gold dust, painted with patterns of the Flower Goddess upon it.

A single sheet can bear talismanic inscriptions, even the spiritual essence of sword intent; even as talisman paper, it is of the highest grade. If it fell into Si Si Qingguo's hands, paired with supreme ink like Eight Treasures Vermilion, it could even imprint the full power of the Pingyang Merit Seal.

When Si Si Qingguo descended into this body, she dismissed every artifact and scripture in the Tang palace's secret vaults—yet she took every fine paper and ink from Princess Princess Yuzhen's residence.

With the might of the Tang Empire—its power to subdue the great clans, command the Three Teachings, and awe the four directions—its imperial craftsmanship rivaled even the courts of the Great Jin.

Yet Li Li Longji cared little for its value, and laughed: "If he can write several more timeless poems upon these sheets, I shall be even happier!"

Only then did he turn his attention to the verses written on the robe.

The Xiao Xie Xuan Emperor ordered Gao Gao Lishi to unfold the garment. The ink on its back resembled flying swords, sharp and piercing—anyone with weak cultivation could barely bear to look. Hang this writing in your home, and even ghosts and spirits dare not approach.

At the stroke's end, thick ink swirled like clouds and smoke; sword qi rose to bear a thousand juns, cascading downward. The brush moved with the fluid grace of a sword, alternating between urgency and calm, flowing in the rhythm of unrestrained expression.

Each character on the robe burst with bold, unrestrained energy; strokes flowed endlessly, carrying the perilous intent of a sword traveling a thousand li to slay demons—its sword essence rich, its hidden martial art profoundly exquisite.

The Xiao Xie Xuan Emperor's artistic discernment was unmatched by any scholar of the Tang.

"Excellent script!" he praised first, then sank into the ink, each character like a blade, and the verses themselves.

"Clouds think of her robes, flowers think of her face…"

At the first line spoken, many in the Chenxiang Pavilion turned to look—even Yang Imperial Consort, who had been manifesting her Heavenly Demon's Marvelous Form, paused and turned in surprise. The beauty of the Heavenly Demon was heart-stopping; merely turning her head made the pavilion seem brighter.

The poem whispered by the Xiao Xie Xuan Emperor now resonated perfectly with Yang Imperial Consort's Heavenly Demon's Marvelous Form!

At that moment, Yang Yang Taizhen appeared more than mortal. Around her, princes and dukes either stared solemnly, waiting for the next line, or turned away, unable to bear looking at her.

Yang Imperial Consort stepped forward gracefully and took the robe from Gao Gao Lishi's hands.

This startled the Xiao Xie Xuan Emperor. He had ordered Gao Gao Lishi to hold the robe precisely because Brother Qian Chen had worn it—and Yang Yang Taizhen's aversion to filth was even greater than his own. Why would she willingly touch a man's garment?

Yang Yang Taizhen whispered: "Clouds think of her robes, flowers think of her face… Spring breeze brushes the railing, dew on the flowers grows rich."

He He Zhizhang nodded at the first line—this magnificent imagination echoed the spirit of "Invitation to Wine" and "Mount Mount Tianmu." He could already sense the unique aura of Li Bai…

The praise of the Exiled Immortal was no empty flattery!

As Yang Imperial Consort recited the final two lines—"Had I not seen her on the peak of Qunyu, I would have met her beneath the moon at the Jade Terrace"—he nearly shook his head in delight, murmuring: "Brilliant! Brilliant!"

The immortal aura he most cherished had arrived!

The poem's initial outline, grand and magnificent, bore no trace of artifice. As the lines took shape, the immortal aura spread, enriched by perfect metaphors.

This was also what moved Gao Gao Lishi… After decades of studying the art of flattery, of making the Xiao Xie Xuan Emperor comfortable, he had never seen such a flawless poem describing a woman's beauty!

"What a pity!" Gao Gao Lishi sighed inwardly: "The more delighted the Tianhou Niangniang is, the more displeased His Majesty will be. Li Bai… Li Bai… you've flattered the wrong person!"

Indeed, as Yang Yang Taizhen's rapt expression deepened, the Xiao Xie Xuan Emperor's face twisted with the childish jealousy of a man.

"Ah! Had I known she'd love it so much, I should've let you submit the previous poem!" Gao Gao Lishi muttered. "The Emperor is magnanimous in many things, letting them pass with a laugh—but he also inherited someone else's petty nature. When it comes to what he truly loves, his jealousy runs deep."

In the eyes of Gao Gao Lishi, who knew him best, the Emperor was somewhat childlike.

"This Li Bai should leave Chang'an! If he stays, he'll have nothing but trouble!"

Far away, in Luoyang, waiting beyond the White Horse Dharma Realm, Master Sima Master Sima Chengzhen gazed toward the night sky over Chang'an, his thoughts drifting.

He sighed inwardly: "The Xiao Xie Xuan Emperor has treated me well."

"Had it not been for the urgent matter in Luoyang, I should have attended today's grand banquet. Otherwise, the Xiao Xie Xuan Emperor, in his ignorance, might provoke that one… The Tang Emperor's magnanimity may not come from him, but the Li family's pettiness? That is surely inherited from him."

"The Xiao Xie Xuan Emperor has already angered that one with the Demon Calamity. If anything else goes wrong, these little shoes…" Master Sima Master Sima Chengzhen shook his head, feeling a pang of sympathy for the Emperor.

The next poem: "Flowers and beauty delight each other, ever making the Emperor smile as he watches."

It pulled the earlier ethereal immortality back into the present moment of the Chenxiang Pavilion…

As Yang Yang Taizhen read these lines, she smiled. In an instant, the hundred flowers outside the pavilion lost their color; even the moon's reflection in the Dragon Pond dimmed before her radiance.

The Xiao Xie Xuan Emperor stared, spellbound by the beauty.

In the pavilion, countless princes and scholars spilled their wine. Only Brother Qian Chen and his companions kept watching An Lushan.

Seeing the Heavenly Demon General, whose inner demonic nature was boundless, still wore that simple, foolish expression, Brother Qian Chen sneered inwardly: If even this level of Heavenly Demon seduction can't move you, then you're no ordinary demon—you're a Great Heavenly Demon!

Yang Imperial Consort, having finished the poem, raised her eyes toward Brother Qian Chen's direction. Her beautiful gaze shimmered, her smile enchanting, her brow delicate as a moth's wing, her eyes like flowing light… Behind her, Gao Gao Lishi's gaze was filled with pity—as if whispering: "Young man, you're dead."

The Xiao Xie Xuan Emperor looked again at Brother Qian Chen—and his resentment deepened. This boy's face was actually quite handsome!

And younger than me… The Xiao Xie Xuan Emperor was so enraged he couldn't even drink his tea. He slammed down the cup and glared at Brother Qian Chen with unmistakable hostility—this fellow not only drank his wine with impunity, but flirted with his sister… Then he remembered… this man had written poems for Mei Fei too!

And for my sister, Chiying…

Enough!

Brother Qian Chen felt the Xiao Xie Xuan Emperor's gaze and returned it with equal hostility…

Wicked descendant!

What have you turned the Tang into? You nearly let a barbarian destroy it!

Brother Qian Chen's gaze back at Yang Yang Taizhen held no romantic sentiment… A shallow woman. Are you craving my poems? Oh… these aren't even my poems. You're craving the supreme demonic intent I embedded in them while contemplating the Heavenly Demon's Marvelous Form.

You feel your cultivation advancing, don't you? You've realized this poem helps you achieve the Immortal Body of the Heavenly Demon?

Hmph… Woman! Mature women are driven only by interest.

Mature demon women even more so.

The Xiao Xie Xuan Emperor set down his teacup and cleared his throat loudly: "It's late. The main banquet at the Huae Xianghui Pavilion is about to begin! All ministers and princes, follow me back to the pavilion!"

But Yang Yang Taizhen laid the robe down and sighed: "Alas, the poem seems to hold unspoken meaning…" She lifted her eyes slightly, gazing at Brother Qian Chen with a sly, fox-like cunning, deliberately flashing a mischievous smile as she whispered to the Xiao Xie Xuan Emperor: "Your Majesty, you haven't rewarded him yet!"

Gao Gao Lishi shuddered, sighing inwardly: "The Tianhou Niangniang means to kill Li Bai!"

He had served the Xiao Xie Xuan Emperor for so long—he knew Yang Imperial Consort was a woman not to be trifled with. Beneath her dazzling beauty lay the soul of a demoness. But didn't the Emperor love her precisely for that?

"Reward him!" the Xiao Xie Xuan Emperor said weakly. "Fine, Gao Gao Lishi, note it down. We'll grant the reward after the banquet."

As he spoke, he turned to the seemingly simple An Lushan, watching him struggle to rise from his bulky frame, as a clever eunuch hurried to assist him. Only then did he smile slightly—too much brilliance in a minister or subject is dangerous.

Men like An Lushan—slick, amusing, clumsy yet loyal—are rare indeed!

So rare!

At that moment, an obscure minor official suddenly stood up, bowing urgently to the Emperor: "Your Majesty, the Tianhou Niangniang says the poem may hold unspoken meaning. I may be able to explain it…"

This official wore no crimson or purple robe—no one knew how he'd even entered the Chenxiang Pavilion. To speak out as the Emperor rose to leave was brazen, even insulting. The Xiao Xie Xuan Emperor's brow slowly furrowed. He was not intolerant—he could chat freely with musicians and courtesans, and never grew angry at ministers who wrote satirical poems.

That was his artist's magnanimity.

But he was also Emperor, wielding life and death. One of the four ministers who had helped him crush Princess Wei Taiping, Guo Yuanzhen, had interrupted the imperial military review at Mount Lishan the year after the Xuanwu Coup—while the Emperor himself was drumming to rally the troops.

The Xiao Xie Xuan Emperor had nearly beheaded him.

This was what it meant to be utterly out of touch with timing.

The official saw the Emperor's displeasure but pressed on boldly. He was daring, meticulous, and possessed immense ambition. He had studied the Emperor's nature and knew that if his next words struck the right chord, he wouldn't be punished—he'd be favored.

"These two poems are indeed exquisite, but I believe one is missing—hence the unspoken meaning!"

"Oh?" The Xiao Xie Xuan Emperor finally stirred, sitting back down. "Li Bai himself hasn't said anything. How do you know a poem is missing?"

"I not only know one is missing—I can recite it," the official said solemnly: "A single red bloom, dew-heavy with fragrance. Clouds and rain over Wushan, in vain breaking hearts. Who in the Han palace compares? Poor Zhao Feiyan, leaning on her new makeup."

Brother Qian Chen suddenly saw in his eyes a flash of triumph, resolve, and murderous intent aimed squarely at him. Had his spirit not been immersed in the Dao Dust Pearl, reflecting the hearts around him like a still lake, he would never have imagined that an obscure official, with no prior connection to him, harbored such deep malice.

But as the official recited the poem Brother Qian Chen had never written, Brother Qian Chen smiled.

Aside from this reincarnated soul, who else could recite "Qingping Tune, Part Two"? Only someone from the same future timeline, who knew the plot—Master Master Miaokong!

"Finally, he moves!"

"No probing, no hesitation—he strikes to destroy my influence in the Tang. Master Master Miaokong's move is ruthless. And the point he chose? Brilliant."

Brother Qian Chen thought quietly.

At that moment, the Xiao Xie Xuan Emperor was deeply intrigued. He pursed his lips, a faint smile on his mouth: "Li Bai didn't write this. How can you recite it?"

The official bowed deeply, his posture proud: "Precisely because this poem was not written by him!"

The Chenxiang Pavilion erupted in murmurs as everyone turned to whisper among themselves.