Chapter 1847: Imperial Monarch (I)
Chapter 1847: Imperial Monarch (I)
A smile appeared on the Song Emperor's face as he stepped forward.
"Let us proceed."
Light and shadow shifted through the hall, and searing water and fire began flowing over the steps. He strode through the doors, an imperial canopy immediately appearing above him. It started to sway amid a splendid mingling of purple and white qi.
The [Orthodox Nature Palace] lay deep within the imperial grounds, separated from the Song Emperor's residence, the [Great First Palace], by only the [Hall of Manifest Might]. It was often used to receive Profound Holders. Ordinary officials had no access to it.
Paved passageways known as [Dragon Tails] ran along either side of the palace. At its center stood a ninety-meter square ceremonial hall, with golden iron phoenixes extending through its full height. As the Song Emperor passed through, water fell, fire subsided, and golden plates sounded with deep, resonant clangs.
Only upon leaving the hall did Yang Ruiyi raise his head slightly. A man in an ink-black robe stood beside the pavilion, with Li Jiangliang attending him, his eyes lowered in silence. Another man stood opposite them, his expression dark and sinister.
Only then did Yang Zhuo lift his eyes, which had remained as placid as still water.
A beast lay within the hall, resembling both a tiger and a wolf, yet neither. Two razor-sharp jade-white horns rose from its head. It was reclined on the floor, the powerful contours of its spine faintly visible beneath rows of scales. One eye flicked toward him, dark golden rings interlocking within it. Scales overlapped beneath its eyelid like the tracks of remorseful tears.
The Emperor of Great Song stared for a moment. The coldness and wariness coiled within him gradually ebbed, leaving his expression unreadable. Li Zhouwei's golden eyes met his own from afar, studying him carefully.
Before the hall stood a splendid canopy and a gathering of high officials. The majestic imperial robes, however, hung empty in the air. Above their heavy collar was nothing but a floating helmet.
A green-purple feather adorned the helmet, with gold patterns on either side. There was no Song Emperor Yang Zhuo beneath the imperial robes, only a suit of armor.
A long, drawn-out announcement rang out.
"Summon the King of Wei for an imperial audience!"
The voice was clear and melodious, like a jade vessel shattering and golden beads scattering. Emperor and king averted their eyes at the same time. The reclining beast vanished, a human form appeared beneath the imperial crown, and the intangible phenomenon that had enveloped heaven and earth dispersed.
The sun was sinking on the horizon. The King of Wei stood perpendicular to the ceremonial hall, where light met shadow. Threads of golden-red sunset passed through the tips of his black hair and streamed eastward, making Yang Ruiyi blink against their glare.
"Greetings, your majesty!"
Crimson light fell upon the green-black imperial robes as they slowly emerged from the shadows. The Song Emperor descended from the ceremonial hall and nodded.
"Your great victory at Baixiang Valley brings me much comfort, King of Wei!"
"It was all thanks to the imperial court's gracious favor as well as Cultivation and Martiality's protection."
The two moved into the elevated pavilion, while everyone else withdrew below it. Only Li Jiangliang accompanied them, taking a jade flask and pouring wine for both. Yang Zhuo lifted his chin slightly.
In an instant, water and fire in six different colors emerged from his eyes. Everything around them seemed to cease moving.
The Song Emperor said coldly, "Withdraw."
Li Jiangliang stood with his eyes lowered, noticing nothing. The words seemed to pass through his ears unheard. Only Li Zhouwei narrowed his eyes slightly, remaining silent.
The coldness in the Song Emperor's eyes deepened as he said evenly, "I said, withdraw."
The clouds trembled overhead, and an unseen darkness enveloped the place. Only then did layers of shadow seem to slip out of the pavilion, curling beneath the steps to wait in silence.
The Song Emperor's expression eased slightly. Glancing at the man before him, he said, "Your slaying of Guangchan was no feat of Cultivation and Martiality's power, King of Wei. It was a deed of great valor and mighty immortal prowess. Even here in the depths of the palace, I found it heartening."
With composed elegance, the emperor raised his cup. "This cup celebrates your casting off your cloak and slaying the enemy general!"
Li Zhouwei raised his cup and drank with him, then said with a slight smile, "Without the pursuit of cultivating the Truth, Tingzhou could not have been preserved. How could we have reached this day?"
Yang Zhuo's expression remained unchanged as he replied, "The King of Qi once tended horses, and ranked beneath common soldiers. The Emperor of Liang once guarded the frontier, confined to its bitter hardships. Those destined to become Imperial Monarchs pass through obscurity and ascendancy. In obscurity, Cultivation and Martiality cannot illuminate them. In ascendancy, no mighty rival can restrain them. Thus, to attain the Dao and seek the Golden Core Realm, they must step beyond another's sheltering wings."
He smiled and asked without reservation, "You seek to become an Imperial Monarch, King of Wei. Is that not so?"
Those words should have left Li Jiangliang drenched in cold sweat and speechless with fear. Yet he noticed nothing, standing blankly in place.
Li Zhouwei set down his cup and smiled calmly. "Vast as the world is, there is no land beyond Majestic Light's reach. Broad as the central lands are, there is no person beyond the Underworld's power to banish. Your subject does indeed seek the Dao, but even the Emperor of Wei would not dare claim to stand beyond all sheltering wings. Your majesty gives me too much credit."
Yang Zhuo sipped his wine in silence. After a long while, he said, "At least you have a chance to part a little of the glowing mist and glimpse the clear sky, King of Wei."
As his words fell from his lips, the setting sun sank below the horizon. Pale purple darkness spread across the sky, and soft moonlight spilled over the entire palace complex.
The King of Wei seemed not to have heard him, seemingly examining the wine in his cup.
The Song Emperor rose and paced quietly within the pavilion. "Tianwu received Wei's Mandate of Heaven and campaigned through Jianghuai. The immortals bowed in submission, and the region was pacified without slaughter. He fostered the immortal sects and allowed a hundred temples to flourish.
“He established Great Ning's dynastic rule upon the foundations he laid as King of Jianghuai, yet he did not take the title of Imperial Monarch. Tianwu became an emperor in pursuit of Truth. He did not attain Truth in pursuit of an imperial throne.
"You need not harbor doubts, King of Wei. Great Song has no ambition to conquer the world. Everything beyond Jianghuai may become Wei's territory. Unless I, Yang Zhuo, perish before attaining the Dao, no one in Great Song will obstruct your pursuit of it."
He turned toward the bright moon in the sky and reiterated, "Your pursuit of the Dao, not merely your attempt to attain a Golden Position."
The King of Wei looked up, his golden eyes bright in the night. He watched the Song Emperor quietly raise his cup, moonlight lending the emperor's face a striking clarity.
The Song Emperor said, "Ning received its dynastic fortune from Wei. I shall repay that gift with Wei's own dynastic fortune."
Li Zhouwei rose. Without bowing or offering a formal salute, he raised his own cup, a sincere smile appearing on his face. "Thank you, fellow Daoist."
Yang Zhuo laughed heartily, all the coldness and solemnity vanishing from his face as he exclaimed, "Well said, fellow Daoist!"
Being addressed as a fellow cultivator seemed the highest praise, pleasing him more than the entire world calling him 'Your Majesty'. Yang Zhuo could not suppress the smile curling his lips.
His laughter grew quieter and soon faded. He gazed at the moonlight for a long time before imperial dignity returned to his face.
The Song Emperor spoke, "Small though Jianghuai is, it encompasses two provinces. Shanji, too, is narrow, yet festers like an abscess upon Jiangnan. If pacified, these lands could accommodate two military commands and several immortal sects. Do you have any plans, King of Wei?"
Li Zhouwei replied calmly, "In Great Zhao, authority has slipped from the throne. The prominent clans are beset by doubts, and the northern Buddhist factions distrust one another. The gates of Jianghuai have long harbored thoughts of rebellion. Only the Pavilion of Profound Order holds them in check.
“If we can sway a few of its subordinates, bring Baiye region and Chengyun Gate's adherents into our fold, and entice them with Cultivation and Martiality, we can campaign against White Sea Stream, conquer Shanji Prefecture, and hunt down Lanyan. Jianghuai would then submit at the mere circulation of a proclamation.
"The Qing Family of Western Shu shows its subordinates no kindness. Though protected by formidable mountains and rivers, they pride themselves on their immortal nobility and mistreat those who wield divine abilities. Their followers dare not rebel, yet their hearts incline toward our imperial court. Once the broader situation changes, we need only dispel their fears, and they too may surrender to Song."
The King of Wei paused briefly, then continued, "The Celestial Dynasty's favor rests with the Immortal Dao, yet we have few cultivators with divine abilities. We should avoid slaughter in Jianghuai and Shu, rather securing their submission through generous benevolence. But once I cross Profound Truth, pass Bianyan, station my army at Lower Luo, and campaign against the Buddhist lands, there shall be slaughter and no quarter. We shall display our might in full, showing that our Celestial Dynasty's benevolence and power know no bounds."
Yang Zhuo's eyes brightened slightly. He nodded and raised his cup. "With the King of Wei campaigning north, I have no cause for worry!"
Li Zhouwei drank his wine. Then, the Song Emperor called out, "Attend me."
The command rolled like heavenly thunder, shattering the frozen silence. Outside the courtyard, the wind howled once more, rustling the kudzu leaves that covered the walls.