The Path Toward Heaven

The Green Girl didn’t quite understand what Jing Jiu meant. She thought about it with a great effort, but failed to comprehend it. In the end she gave up the effort altogether, and asked, “Are you really not worried about Qin State and Zhao State? Bai Qianjun and that damned eunuch are truly fearsome; and Bai Zao is still in the Illusionary Realm.”

“Their affairs have nothing to do with me,” Jing Jiu said.

The Green Girl recalled the scene that occurred on this very bed more than ten years ago. “She liked you very much. I thought something might happen between you two, but I hadn’t realized you were such a relentless person.”

“It’s all unreal,” said Jing Jiu.

The Green Girl protested with widened eyes, “But you have just said that this world is becoming a real one.”

“In any world, those who will leave the world are unreal in the end,” said Jing Jiu.

This statement had a deep meaning. It referred not only to the world in the Green Sky Mirror, but also the real world outside.

Staring at Jing Jiu for a long time, the Green Girl suddenly asked, “What are you doing in this world anyway?”

“I want to obtain the Fairy Book,” Jing Jiu replied.

Every participant in the Illusionary Realm of the Green Sky Mirror had the come here to win the Fairy Book of Longevity.

This was a common answer, but it was also a simple and straightforward one.

The Green Girl asked while looking at Jing Jiu, “Given that I can’t help you, are you sure you can succeed?”

“The method I choose for the task is different from all others, and our paths are also different. Nobody knows whose path is the correct one until the very end,” said Jing Jiu.

…

…

As people tried to recall past experiences and sort out their memories, they tended to choose those significant events as the milestones. Unfortunately, the significant events were more often than not unpleasant ones, rather than the happy ones, like one of the elders of the family passing away while sitting on the bamboo chair, or many of the white banners being knocked over by the wind at the funeral for one of the family members.

For the regular folks, they would have a more solid group memory of the event when the standard of the funeral was high enough or the person who died was important enough, which would become one of the milestones for their life, such as the death of an emperor. However, as far as the death of the emperors was concerned, it was hard to differentiate between the unpleasant and pleasant events. It was because the death of an old emperor always ushered in a new emperor.

In the Royal Palace of Qin State.

The old man lying on the sick bed had wrinkles covering his face. His white hair was as dry as the frosty grass in the late autumn, his eyes sunken, his breathing shallow; it was evident that he was on the brink of death.

On Bai Zhou’s face, or Bai Qianjun’s, one couldn’t detect any sorrowful emotion. It was because he would be the new emperor of Qin State, and he didn’t have any affection for this old man. Though the period of more than twenty years had wiped out many memories, he could at least remember the fact that this old man was not his real father.

The old emperor lying on the sick bed was a member of the royal family located in a remote place. Relying on his talent of dealing with others and sudden courage at one time, he marched to Beihai County and attacked the County King and successfully obtained the position of County Governor. During the thirty some years of resisting the northern barbaric tribes, his weak personality was concealed increasingly better over the years. He had accumulated a profound force and resources and finally become the new emperor of Qin State due to the historical momentum. This episode of history could be called the “revitalization” or the founding of the state, so the deeds of the old emperor should be recorded in detail in the history book; unfortunately, he had a more outstanding son to shadow his success.

The young general of the past had become a godly killer for the northern state, and he could make any child stop crying at night when his name was mentioned. Even in the Royal Palace of Qin State, nobody dared stare directly into his eyes.

“I don’t like being called a godly person; I clearly know that I’m not. I also don’t like to be called the Grand Successor Emperor since I don’t think you or any other emperor before me are qualified to be titled before me. As such, I have decided to call myself simply the Emperor after taking the throne, using Bai as the family name. Does the title of the Emperor Bai sound good to you?”

Bai Qianjun continued, “The ceremony of crowning is ready, so you have to die tonight. Don’t waste my time.”

Having said that, he walked to the outside of the grand hall.

Staring at his back, the emotions of hatred and resentment filled the old emperor’s eyes.

There were abundant palace buildings in the Royal Palace of Xianyang. In terms of number of the buildings, the Scholar Palace of Qi State was the only equal.

Those palace halls were like the wild animals lurching in the darkness of the night, ready to jump out to pounce on their prey. When they were shone on by the starlight, these buildings looked even more hideous.

Bai Qianjun walked to the deepest end of a palace hall. He waved his hand to dismiss all the servants. He then followed the music of the zither to find that person.

The water of the pond under the corridor reflected the lantern lights, and a young woman played the zither delicately. Her white dress fluttered in the starry night, like the floating lotus flowers in the pond. The scene felt lonely and pitiable, which was consistent with the impression of an ill-fated princess being locked up in the Cold Palace. But as a matter of fact, the expression in her eyes was still and peaceful, devoid of either of those emotions.

“I’ll become the emperor tomorrow.” Bai Qianjun walked to her side and loomed over her, but the expression in his eyes was full of care and affection.

“Congratulations, Big Brother,” Bai Zao lifted her head and said with a small smile.

The emotions in Bai Qianjun’s eyes had disappeared, as he said, “We have the information from Qi State.”

Upon hearing this, the expression changed a bit on Bai Zao’s face. She was more concerned about the affairs of Qi State than the death of the Qin Emperor and the change of dynasties.

Of the twenty-six participants who entered the Illusionary Realm, many of them had already died. Of those who were still alive, all of their identities were ascertained, except for the disciple of the One-Cottage House. He had never shown up and hadn’t been discovered by anybody. He hadn’t left any trace in the Illusionary Realm, as if he had never come here at all. The name of this scholar was Xi Yiyun.

This was something Tong Yan wanted to find out the most, a feat he still didn’t know how Xi Yiyun had performed, even after being killed by Jing Jiu and driven out of the Illusionary World.

Bai Zao was also concerned about it. The intelligence organization of Qin State had been investigating the case for a great many years, and they finally found some clues in the early spring.

“His name is Yuan Qi here. He had studied with Master Mo, and then went to the Scholar Palace of Qi State, responsible for looking after the recordings and books. And he started giving lessons a few years ago.”

Bai Qianjun continued, “He hasn’t had any contact with the outside lately. It’s only that the disciple he took on lately had communications with the scholars in the Wansong Institute of Zhao State.”

Hearing “giving lessons”, Bai Zao had a general understanding of what this disciple of the One-Cottage House intended to do, but she still had some ambiguous issues.

“How could he hide his identity so well over all these years?”

Bai Qianjun’s expression grew a bit complex, as he replied, “It’s because…he doesn’t even know who he is himself.”

Bai Zao was taken aback slightly, and asked, “Did you mean that he has completely forgotten his identity?”

Bai Qianjun nodded in confirmation.

Bai Zao felt a bit surprised. “Are you sure about this?” she demanded.

Bai Qianjun said, “I have sent seven groups to test him. They are all certain that he has indeed forgotten his identity as the participant of the Dao Competition; all he wants to achieve is to save the world and take the path toward heaven.”

Gazing at the strings on the zither, Bai Zao fell silent. Living in the Illusionary Realm for too long would make the participants get involved in the mortal affairs and maybe forget the past experiences as a result; but Xi Yiyuan was not that sort of person, and what happened to him was more like the active effort of forgetting. Yet, why would he do it?

After a long moment of silence, she commented sentimentally, “It’s truly fabulous and clever.”

Bai Qinjun had the same view of the matter. “How should we deal with it?” he asked.

“Though the scholars of the One-Cottage House don’t cultivate, their Dao Heart is as strong as the solid rock, hard to be influenced.”

Bai Zao continued, “It’s better to kill him right now. Otherwise, he will become a big trouble later on.”

“I have also forgotten some things,” Bai Qianjun suddenly said. “If I don’t think about something, it will be forgotten. But if I don’t want to forget something, it will not be forgotten.”

His gaze was peaceful, but contained a hint of affection.

Bai Zao didn’t raise her head, as she asked, “Big Brother Tong Yan is gone; what are your thoughts?”

Bai Qianjun brought back his gaze slowly and looked at those unreal and reversed lights on the water of the pond. His voice sounded kind of chilly.

“I objected to him going to the capital of Chu State. He and you were too concerned about Jing Jiu.”

Yet, Bai Zao said dispassionately, “Big Brother is dead, which proves that I was right to pay sufficient attention to Jing Jiu.”

Bai Qianjun remarked after pausing for a while, “Young Sister, you are always right.”

“Yes,” Bai Zao said while glancing at him from the corner of her eyes, “but is there anything wrong?”

“There is nothing wrong. Everything is proceeding as you and Tong Yan have planned; and the Fairy Book will end up in our hands.”

A gust of night wind blew through the palace, breaking up the reversed lights within the sight.

“All of a sudden, there’s more I want to forget,” said Bai Qianjun while looking at a spot.

Having said that, he turned around and headed toward the outside of the hall, to prepare for tomorrow’s crowning ceremony.

Bai Zao looked at the water in the pond, without uttering a single word.

She knew what he tried to convey, but she thought it was a senseless idea.

The rippled reflection of the lights on the water of the pond gradually returned to its former condition.

She thought of the news from Chu State.

After issuing the decree of self-denouncement, Jing Jiu had been locked in the Cold Palace by the Grand Scholar.

The decree of self-denouncement was certainly not written by himself, but it must be his own idea to have himself locked up in the Cold Palace, which was similar to her own situation.

Thinking of the coincidence, Bai Zao smiled amiably, feeling it quite interesting.

…

…

Five more years had passed in the Illusionary Realm. The emperor of Qin State was brutal when governing the state. He placed heavy taxes on the inhabitants. He forced three thousand wealthy families in the western part of the state to move to Xianyang, causing an ample amount of complaints, all of which were soon suppressed. The populace could only glare at him and his supporters in secret. The thirty thousand cavalrymen led by him conquered the north of the land like a sharp sword piercing through a vulnerable body. Even those barbaric tribes were retreating because of them fearing the formidable strength of his army.

Zhao State, which was the only state that could compete with Qin State, encountered a significant event at the time. Their emperor was dying.

Their emperor was quite intelligent and capable, and knew how to govern the state with benevolence and discipline. Unfortunately, he was born with deficiency; he was physically too weak to have any offspring.

In the past five years, it was perhaps because of this issue that the atmosphere inside and outside the imperial court of Zhao State was rather peculiar. The Emperor had issued many decrees regarding the appointments and departures of the high ranking officials. The Emperor also tried to limit the power of the Intelligence Bureau and develop his own party of the palace. It seemed that all he did was to deal with Master Eunuch He. However, no matter how much the officials and populace of Zhao State, even the merchants of Qi State, desired for it to happen, the Emperor in the end didn’t do anything to harm Master Eunuch He. Instead, he trusted Master Eunuch He even more than ever; and the Emperor only drank the medicine that was prepared personally by Master Eunuch He.

The smell of the medicine in the grand hall was much fainter than before; it was because all the windows were open, so the smell could disperse to the outside.

“The Grand Scholar Zhang is fifty years older than us. No matter how healthy he is right now, he won’t live another twenty years.” The Emperor didn’t look better after having drunk the medicine. Propping against the head of the bed, he exhaled deeply twice before continuing, “In the future, you will be the only one in the world who can resist the Bai Emperor.”

He Zhan didn’t speak; and he didn’t advise him to take a good rest, because he was well aware that the Emperor will die in a few days in his current condition.

Seeing the expectant and pleading expression in the Emperor’s eyes, He Zhan fell silent for a moment and then patted on the back of his hand; but He Zhan still chose to remain silent.

The wind came in the palace hall from outside, so did the Empress.

She walked to the bedside with tears in her eyes. She nudged He Zhan aside rudely and then sat by the side of the Emperor and held up his hand.

As He Zhan was walking to the outside of the grand hall, he could vaguely hear an indignant sigh behind him.

…

…

The Zhao Emperor died the same night.

He Zhan witnessed the last breathing of the Emperor; then he gave all sorts of orders to deal with the aftermath. After all the necessary affairs were taken care of, He Zhan went back to his room to take a nap for an hour.

During the entire procedure, he didn’t do anything inappropriate, or disrespectful.

The Empress sent someone to follow him. After she was told that He Zhan didn’t go to the royal garden, she fell silent for a long time; it was unclear if she felt glad or disappointed.

Before dawn, the chancellors wearing the white robes stood both inside and outside the Royal Palace. And many chancellors came to the outskirts of the city, according to the set rules, to receive the new emperor.

The son of King Hejian was on his way to the capital to inherit the throne.

Normally, the matter had been decided five years ago, and the Crown Prince should have been raised in the Royal Palace, and inherited the throne directly inside the palace that day. Yet, for some reason, this recommendation was denied. It was rumored that Master Eunuch He didn’t like the son of Hejian King and opposed it in secret.

Time passed slowly, and the morning sun gradually shone on the eaves of the palace hall. The officials who went outside the city to receive the new emperor hadn’t returned yet.

The atmosphere inside and outside the Royal Palace was a bit depressing.

What had happened?

The horses’ hooves suddenly burst out on the street.

The message was sent in by the fast running horses.

And it was then delivered to the higher and higher ranking officials.

The chancellors and the kings standing by both sides of the stone steps in front of the grand hall stared at the official of Rites Ministry, as if they would like to eat him alive.

The official of Rites Ministry said nervously with a pale face, “The son of King Hejian…the Crown Prince…no…that person doesn’t want to enter the palace through Zhenming Gate, but Xihua Gate.”

Upon hearing this, it was deadly quiet in front of the grand hall. The officials eyed each other, not knowing what to do.

The Crown Prince would enter the palace through Zhenming Gate when he was sworn in for the throne.

The emperor would enter the palace through Xihua Gate when he returned as the emperor.

Thought it was seemingly a simple matter, it was actually extremely important.

Whenever it was the critical moment in the history, the imperial court often had someone who would bravely insist on the proper procedure.

The silence in front of the grand hall was broken soon.

A scholar of the royal institute came out and cited the regulations and the historical examples, to prove that it was only appropriate for the emperor to enter the palace through Xihua Gate.

Soon, a few officials uttered their support for the argument.

One had to take a big risk to earn a big merit; but the truly important figures present kept their reticence.

The noise of the officials debating the issue grew fainter, as all of them turned their eyes toward a same spot.

That place was not the highest spot, and it was even a bit far from the stone steps and in the shadows of the eaves of the grand hall; a man stood there.

“If he doesn’t want to enter through Zhenming Gate, he can go back where he came from.”

During the procedure of crowning the new emperor, He Zhan only uttered this one sentence.

At least it was how the event was recorded in the history book.

…

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