章 90: 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."
週次パワーステータス
-- 推薦
ランキング 
-- 推薦
チケット