Castle of Black Iron

——Paved with peach blossoms, the road is for Monarch Qianji; covered with red, they will open for you today every year under sunlight and in the breeze!

The grand welcome ceremony for Zhang Tie’s arrival could definitely be described in the above lines.

That poem was not created by Zhang Tie. Actually, Zhang Tie spotted this poem on the piece of red cloth being held high by some excited scholars with bamboo poles on the roof of a building.

The entire Xuanyuan Hill was in hubbubs. Zhang Tie’s fleet bathed the rain of brilliant peach flowers and the cheer of the onlookers on the way to Emperor Xuanyuan’s royal city.

When Zhang Tie’s fleet came to the entrance of the royal cemetery in Emperor Xuanyuan’s royal city, Zhang Tie saw Fang Qingming standing at the entrance of the royal cemetery and waiting for him.

After Crown Prince Changying was assassinated, he was buried in the royal cemetery in the Emperor Xuanyuan’s royal city in Xuanyuan Hill.

Zhang Tie’s first destination in Xuanyuan Hill was the royal cemetery. He would like to mourn for late Crown Prince Changying first. All the other major figures of the royal households and late Crown Prince Changying’s family had long been waiting for Zhang Tie in the cemetery. Those officials, officers and ambassadors in Xuanyuan Hill also followed him here.

One of the most important reasons why Zhang Tie chose to come to Xuanyuan Hill today was that it was Crown Prince’s memorial day.

Zhang Tie got off the vehicle and walked towards Fang Qingming who was standing at the entrance of the cemetery while holding Xuanyuan Zhu’s hand. The three princes then led Zhang Tie towards the mausoleum of Crown Prince Xuanyuan Changying, followed by all the others.

When he saw Xuanyuan Zhu getting off the same vehicle with Zhang Tie, Fang Qingming’s eyes sparkled with shock.

“My respect to you, Monarch Qianji!” Fang Qingming greeted Zhang Tie with full respect when he saw Zhang Tie approaching him. Xuanyuan Zhu called Fang Qingming, “Master.”

“Mr. Fang, long time no see!” Zhang Tie sighed when he saw Fang Qingming who was old and firm instead of being as young as that over 20 years ago, “Unexpectedly, the departure with Crown Prince Changying in Xuanyuan Hill is for always!”

“If His Highness knew that Monarch Qianji is back safe and sound, he would definitely be very happy!”

“Zhu said that Mr. Fang always lived in the cemetery and kept vigil beside Crown Prince’s mausoleum over these years.”

“A man cannot serve two masters. Now that I couldn’t protect His Highness with my weak ability, I would feel satisfied with guarding His Highness’ mausoleum!” Fang Qingming said as he made a hand gesture and led Zhang Tie inside the cemetery.

The royal cemetery was on a hill inside Emperor Xuanyuan’s royal city. This hill was verdant all the year round. The two sides of the aisle were full of solemn giant dark steel land turtles which carried 5-6 m high steles with inscriptions. These stony sculptures made the cemetery more solemn and respectful.

Besides the late empress, the most remarkable royal person being buried here was Crown Prince Changying.

With the guidance of Fang Qingming, Zhang Tie climbed the mountain for a short while along the broad main road before entering the exclusive cemetery of Crown Prince Changying.

The table and sacrificial articles had been prepared well for Zhang Tie.

Mrs. Xiao, the wife of late Crown Prince Changying, and all the concubines and descendants of late Crown Prince Changying were standing on both sides of the table and waiting for Zhang Tie. When Zhang Tie burned the joss sticks and scattered alcohol for late Crown Prince Changying, all the family members of Xuanyuan Changying bent over towards him.

With great ambitions, he was buried in the loess. As Zhang Tie’s old friend, he became white bones and rested with the evergreen mountain. When Zhang Tie recalled Crown Prince Changying’s voice and expression and watched this graveyard, he couldn’t help feeling sad.

“Brother Changying, you and I have parted with each other for almost 30 years. I’m especially here to visit you. As it’s your memorial day today, I will offer a demon’s head to you as the sacrifice. Hopefully, I’ve avenged your death and could help you rest in peace…” Zhang Tie heaved a deep sigh with tears at his eye corners. Meanwhile, he took out of the head of Sagus, an abyss monarch whose eyes were still wide open and put it onto the sacrificial table.

After hearing Zhang Tie’s words and watching Zhang Tie taking out of the head of a sage-level demon knight, all the others on the spot were greatly shocked. Mrs. Xiao and Crown Prince Changying’s concubines burst into tears at once. All the descendants of Crown Prince Changying then bent over deeply towards Zhang Tie. All the major officials and officers over there were greatly shocked as they sighed with moods.

“Monarch Qianji, thank you for taking revenge for His Highness. When Crown Prince was alive, he told me that only Monarch Qianji was his bosom friend in this world. After Monarch Qianji disappeared in the battle at Yinhai Desert, His Highness sighed day and night and didn’t have any appetite. If His Highness knew that Monarch Qianji was back safe and sound and had wiped out demons and evil forces as well as made Taixia Country and humans much more powerful than before, he would definitely feel happy for you!” Mrs. Xiao talked to Zhang Tie as she wiped off her tears.

“I hate I was back late. If I could come back a few years earlier, Brother Changying might not have died for the country!” Zhang Tie said as he shook his head.

“His Highness always said that human power was always limited. It’s not Monarch Qianji’s fault. Please don’t blame yourself!” Mrs. Xiao said as she took a glance at Fang Qingming.

Fang Qingming then implied the four royal knights beside him to carry a dark steel turtle with a huge stone stele on its back over here and put it in front of Zhang Tie and said, “Monarch Qianji, please leave memorial words for His Highness!”

There were already two rows of similar dark steel turtles in the Crown Prince’s cemetery. The giant steles on the backs of those turtles were all funeral orations and sacrificial couplets which depicted the lifetime meritorious deeds and meaningful events of Crown Prince Changying. Of course, those who were qualified to leave memorial words here were all top figures like three counselors and six lords.

Zhang Tie also spotted a memorial article left by Meng Shidao among them which was composed of thousands of words.

Watching the dark steel turtle and huge stele on its back, Zhang Tie only considered it for two seconds before reaching out a finger and leaving two lines of sublime words on it with his sparkling battle qi.

——Not being regretful about surname Xuanyuan, you’re still a hero after death!

Given Xuanyuan Changying’s lifetime meritorious deeds, he afforded such great praise and comment. Few crown prince in the history of humans could behave better and contribute more than Crown Prince Xuanyuan at the critical moment of the country.

…

After Zhang Tie’s mourning, all the officers, officials and ambassadors consecutively mourned Crown Prince Changying. Then, the welcome ceremony almost came to an end superficially.

After leaving the royal cemetery, Zhang Tie directly returned to Qianji Mansion.

Soon after Zhang Tie entering the gate of Qianji Mansion, Fang Qingming had paid a visit to him. Zhang Tie asked people to take Fang Qingming into the parlor of Qianji Mansion.

“Xuanyuan Zhu, the grandson of Monarch Qianji will administer affairs of state, Monarch Qianji will be conferred as Lord Xuanyuan and act as regent. Your position is above three lords. In this way, the friendship between Monarch Qianji and His Highness could be preserved; the descendants and royal households of Emperor Xuanyuan could still remain decent; the overall situation facing Taixia Country as a whole could be stabilized and people could be reassured; a new situation facing holy war could be opened up; Jinwu Palace’s foundation as the No. 1 clan in Taixia Country could be laid. Jinwu Palace doesn’t belong to royal households; however, it’s more like royal households. If Monarch Qianji agrees, it would bring boundless beneficence to Taixia Country and humans. Even our descendants would benefit from your kindness. Any other choice that Monarch Qianji makes would cause great casualties and turmoil across the country even humans. Besides, even the holy war would not come to an end in a short period of time. It’s my sincere words, please consider it carefully, Monarch Qianji!”

Before Zhang Tie opened his mouth, Fang Qingming had deeply bowed towards Zhang Tie and said without any polite greeting or prelude.

…