Chapter 86

Everyone knew that the Duke of Zhao, Chen Gong, was the newly arrived and favored

minister of the Emperor. Chen Gong had won the Emperor's heart, and had even

offered the Tai'e Sword to him, even going as far as to submit a recommendation for

the Hehuan Sect to him so that the powers would be split between them and the

Buddhist Sects, conveniently substituting Huanyue Sect's original influence and power

at the Emperor's side.

Yuwen Yun couldn't be any more eager to check and balance

their powers. Chen Gong, as a result received his grace, like that of success following

well-placed conditions.

Liu Fang affirmed Puliuru Jian's words: "They mean to eliminate him completely. Many

have spoken about Yuwen Qilang's innate talent and intelligence. His Majesty is afraid

of sowing the seeds of disaster for the future, leading to a great disaster that may

come to him."

While both men were talking, Yuwen Song had already stopped in his tracks. He gazed

up at the three men approaching him, as though he did not know how to react.

Baoyun smiled at him: "Yuwen Qilang. I must ask you not to run any further. His

Majesty gave us an order, saying it didn't matter if we brought you back dead or alive.

So if you behave and come back with us, it'll prevent you from experiencing a lifetime

of suffering."

Puliuru Jian watched from afar, sighing inwardly to himself. He could only think: could it

be that the final blood tie to the Imperial Yuwen household is destined to meet his end

here?

Just as he thought this, he saw a man's silhouette fly through the city. Upon seeing that

the gates had been closed, the man leapt upwards, as though he were treading upon

clouds. Each step took him higher. The soldiers on the city walls had yet to react before

the man had already flown over them, before gracefully returning beneath the walls.

His steps light as air, his feet clear of dust. A great bow of light stretching through the

sky, aloof and distant like that of a strong wind.

This sort of qinggong method had been applied with absolute perfection. If both Liu

Fang and Puliuru Jian were in complete awe of it, then it would go without saying what

the other soldiers thought.

"To the three opponents who have formerly lost to me before, I must ask that you

forgive this poor Daoist for appearing late."

Shen Qiao, with Dou Yan in his arms, almost seemed to have fallen from the sky before

the three men.

As this was not their first meeting, self-introductions became unnecessary. Yan Shou

had lost one of his arms to Shen Qiao, so the moment he laid his eyes on him, his

desire to kill him was clearer than ever—it was perhaps stronger than the hate that

filled everyone else's heart at the sight of him.

Chen Gong, however, revealed a smile: "It has been some time since we met in

Ruoqiang. Shen-daozhang, I trust that you have been safe and well?"

Shen Qiao appeared as though he had no desire to speak with him. He did not even

find it worth the effort to respond with even a single word.

Had it been the Chen Gong of before—whose self-esteem was strangely high, yet

looked down on himself upon meeting someone else—it was very likely that he would

have exploded with rage, pulling up his own sleeves and ready to beat the other man

down. However, time had passed. Now, with his higher position, his influence was

stronger. The scope of his mentality had also appeared to have broadened along with

it. He did not fly into a rage at the sight of Shen Qiao's cold gaze. Rather, he spoke to

the other man in an amicable manner, advising him in earnest: "Shen-daozhang.

Buddhism and Daoism has been prohibited for such a long time. But now that His

Majesty has ascended the throne, he has released these restrictions placed upon

Buddhism and Daoism. Daozhang, do you understand what His Majesty means by

this?"

Shen Qiao remembered when they had first met at the ruined temple, Chen Gong had

looked upon even a lurou jiabing as though it were a rare treasure, and he could barely

read more than a handful of characters. Yet here he was, bringing up the fact that the

former Emperor had once prohibited the practice of Buddhism and Daoism.

One could

only fear that the stepmother that had once driven Chen Gong out couldn't possibly

have dreamed that his stepson would end up as he did today. Upon comparing these

two things, Shen Qiao could only think of the good and bad fortune one comes upon

in life— that which was unpredictable, that of being born into chaotic times.

However,

if one was willing to forego their personal integrity and sense of shame, then all they

would need was wild ambition and courage to be able to become an inspiring example

for others to better themselves, like that of Chen Gong.

"What does he mean by it?" Shen Qiao asked, detachedly.

Chen Gong smiled: "His Majesty does not have any prejudices against Buddhism or

Daoism. So long as both pledge allegiance to the court, His Majesty will treat them as

his equals. Shen-daozhang, you are from Xuande Mountain. You were selected as

zhangjiao—you, who did not pass onto others what he himself was set on doing. Yet

you were taken advantage of by some malicious fiend who seized the position of

zhangjiao from you. If you are so willing, His Majesty would be happy to use all his

power to support you in once more taking the position back. Now, Xuandu Mountain's

present status is gradually being replaced by Qingcheng Mountain. If you have the

Imperial Court's support and wish to restore to Xuandu Mountain the glory of the best

Daoist sect in the world, then all you'd have to do is snap your fingers and you'll have it

done. What do you think about this?"

As clever as Dou Yan was, she did not quite understand most of this conversation which

had involved the influential parties of jianghu. However, she could hear the enticing

tone in Chen Gong's voice. Though there were three men on his side, it seemed that all

of them were afraid of the strength of the man who was presently carrying her. This was

why it was to their benefit to lead him on instead, so that they could avoid a battle.

Would he be persuaded? Dou Yan felt somewhat nervous. She could not help but exert

more of the strength with which she used to cling to the lapels of the man's outer robe.

Out of the corner of her eye, she could see that Yuwen Song, whose hand was being

held by Shen Qiao, seemed quite nervous as well, despite the serious expression he

wore. It was clear that he had the same worries as she did.

Baoyun began to speak, picking up where Chen Gong had left off: "That's right.

Shen-daozhang, just as there is no long-lasting friendship in this world, there are no

long-lasting enemies, either. Though there were some misgivings between you and the

Hehuan Sect, it was because the two of us had different points of view, and each

adhered themselves to their own views while demeaning the other. Sang Jingxing once

said to me that the reason why you had fallen into his hands that day was completely

because Yan Wushi had you under his control and presented you to him with both

hands. He had even lured Sang Jingxing in with his words, leading him to lose sight of

himself. In the end, we share the same enemy, don't we? And that enemy is precisely

Yan Wushi. His Majesty's talent is one that can reach all over this land. We once did not

get along on good terms with the Buddhists, yet now, we are willing to serve His

Majesty with our utmost power.

If the Daoists become a part of us, then we would

become a legend to be told across the country. Once all the world is united, the Daoist

sects' statuses will rise as a boat does with the tides. With how favorably His Majesty

views the Daoists, he could even make you a National Teacher, not to mention the

zhangjiao of Xuandu Mountain again. His Majesty himself would certainly be very

happy to allow for that."