From the series: The Eighty-One Cases of Journey to the West · The Great Tang Dunhuang Upheaval

Protectorate-General Prison, Watchtower.

The squad commander moved with composed deliberateness, ascending the watchtower one step at a time. His helmet had its visor pulled down, a cast-iron face guard covering his features with a fierce and snarling beast-face carving — his countenance concealed.

The four armored soldiers exchanged glances. Two of them pressed their hands to their broadswords and blocked the stairway entrance. “Which officer is this? Why is your visor down?”

The squad commander said nothing, drew a document from his lapels, and handed it to them. The two soldiers relaxed, reached out to take it, unfolded it — and found it blank within, not a single word. Their expressions changed in unison. At that very instant the squad commander closed the gap in a flash — a short sword drawn from his hand, thrust between the gaps of one man’s armor into his waist and ribs.

Before the man could even let out a cry, the squad commander had already stepped away, his body spinning, the short sword stabbing into the next man’s neck. The entire sequence unfolded as swift as a hare’s bolt and a hawk’s stoop — in the span of three people passing each other, two armored soldiers were already dead.

“Ah—!” The remaining two soldiers were terrified. One of them let out a great shout and went for his broadsword; it was barely half-drawn when the squad commander slid up to him, crashing shoulder-first into his forearm — driving the broadsword back into its scabbard. The soldier lurched forward and the short sword, pressed flat against his neck guard’s gap, slid into his throat — as though he had offered his own neck to it.

That soldier instantly went rigid. A great force suddenly came crashing in, spinning his body — and he intercepted the broadsword being swung down by the last soldier. A clang rang out, the blade striking his armor scales and sending sparks flying. The squad commander had already slipped out from under the last soldier’s armpit, a sword thrust punching through the gap in his underarm armor and driving straight into his heart.

Three people frozen in a grotesque posture for a brief moment, two of them slowly crumpling to the ground. From the squad commander’s appearance on the stairs to the death of all four soldiers — no more than two or three breaths had passed.

The squad commander was still for a moment, sheathed the short sword with a click onto the arm guard, then pulled down the face guard — and a clear, lovely face was revealed. It was Yu Zao.

Yu Zao’s expression was blank. She took a hard bow from the weapon rack, retrieved four quivers, then picked up the three crossbows on the watchtower — cocking and loading each one in turn, lining them up neatly on the table. Then she walked to the edge of the watchtower, looked toward where Xuanzang was being held, and took out a bawu pipe and blew a tune.

Cut bamboo from the southern hills for a bawu pipe — this instrument came originally from Kucha. It spread to Han lands, its melody turning wondrous, played for us by the Hu people of Liangzhou.

Li Chan heard the bawu notes and cracked a smile. He beckoned the two soldiers on duty over and the three of them entered the prison cell together.

“Go — take away the food on the floor.” Li Chan instructed.

The two soldiers obeyed, crouched down to gather up the food and dishes. Li Chan suddenly flipped out two daggers and drove them hard into the backs of the two men’s necks. The soldiers died instantly.

Both Xuanzang and Li Chunfeng were left dumbstruck.

“Your Highness — why kill them?” Xuanzang was somewhat agitated.

“Master, I am going to get you out.” Li Chan said.

“To get me out… you did not need to kill people for this!” Xuanzang said in distress. “These men are all innocents — killing without cause—”

“Master,” Li Chan interrupted him, “they are about to be swept up into rebellion and slaughter their way through Hexi.”

“But at this moment they are still soldiers of Great Tang—” Xuanzang said angrily.

Li Chan paid him no mind, found the keys on the two men, unlocked his and Li Chunfeng’s fetters. “Master, put on their armor.”

Li Chunfeng, with nimble hands, stripped the armor from the two men and began strapping it on. Xuanzang hesitated. Li Chan pulled the armor off and began fitting it onto him directly.

The two men donned their armor. Li Chan led them out of the cell, locked the cell door, and walked straight toward the prison exit.

The squad of patrol soldiers guarding the prison was divided into ten groups — five men per group, led by their own squad leader, cross-patrolling each other with no blind spots. The three had barely gone a short distance when a group of five soldiers came at them from the front. Seeing the heir Li Chan leading two armored soldiers, the soldiers thought nothing of it, clasped their hands in greeting, and crossed past them.

The three of them breathed a quiet sigh of relief and walked calmly onward.

But just as they crossed paths, one soldier happened to glance over, and saw that the back of Xuanzang’s and Li Chunfeng’s armor was drenched in bloodstains. He immediately cried out, “Something’s wrong!”

The soldiers were greatly startled and turned their heads to look. At the sight of the bloodstains, they instantly grasped what had happened. With a collective shout they all raised their spears and lances and began closing in to surround the three of them.

“Pay them no mind — keep walking.” Li Chan said quietly.

Xuanzang and Li Chunfeng exchanged a glance — they had already been discovered, so how could they possibly keep walking? Yet Li Chan remained utterly composed, not even turning his head.

Just then, there was a sharp whistle in the air, and with a “thud,” an arrow came hurtling through the sky and struck a soldier in the throat.

Xuanzang looked up and only then saw that on the distant watchtower stood an armored soldier, drawing the bow and loosing arrows in rapid succession. Snap snap snap — five arrows in a row, each finding its mark. Five soldiers were slain on the spot in an instant.

Xuanzang stared blankly at the bodies lying all around him, momentarily at a loss.

“Master, keep walking.” Li Chan said.

“You… do you intend to free me in this manner?” Xuanzang murmured.

“Master, how else do we get you out of here if not by killing?” Li Chan’s expression held a trace of sorrow and a trace of coldness. “Things have come to this point. Whether it is my father’s rebellion or the court’s pacification, in the end killing people is how problems get solved. I asked you to wear armor — not to conceal your identity, but to keep you from being struck by stray blades.”

Li Chan’s steps did not slow for an instant. As he spoke he walked onward calmly. Li Chunfeng gripped Xuanzang’s right arm and dragged him along in Li Chan’s wake.

By now the patrol soldiers throughout the area had detected the anomaly and were rushing in from all directions. Yet not one of them could come within ten paces of the three. Anyone who came within that range would find a precise arrow falling from the void, slaying them on the spot. All around the three of them, the ground was piled with bodies.

Li Chan walked forward without looking at the dead soldiers on either side, murmuring as he went: “Master, I also always think — every life took its parents decades to raise. Above them are parents white-haired and aged, below, infant children still wailing for milk — how precious is life! But they would exploit my unwillingness to kill and manipulate my life, control my happiness, humiliate my loyalty to my country — is that what I deserve?”

Li Chan cried out in fury, “I want to tell them — they are wrong! They are wrong! If only violence can make them see the error of their ways and repent, I will not shrink from using lethal force to solve problems!”

“Yet I can no longer claim the right to follow Buddhist teachings!” Li Chan’s eyes reddened.

By now a squad leader had led a portion of the soldiers to storm the watchtower. They all knew the archer was formidable and, raising large shields, they climbed the steps cautiously — and saw Yu Zao drawing her bow. With a collective shout, they were about to charge, when Yu Zao swiftly put down the bow and picked up a crossbow, loosing a bolt. The crowd panicked and dove behind their shields. Yet Yu Zao did not aim at the shields — the crossbow angled downward and hit the shield-bearer’s foot. The shield-bearer cried out in agony and pitched over, abruptly exposing the soldiers behind the shield. Yu Zao triggered a rapid volley — the crossbow bolts flew in quick succession, and the soldiers, unable to dodge, were struck one after another and tumbled down the steps in a heap.

Those behind were struck with fear and terror. For a moment none dared advance.

Yu Zao let out a cold laugh, picked up her bow again, and covered Li Chan’s trio from above with a rain of arrows.

Thus Li Chan brought Xuanzang and Li Chunfeng all the way to the prison gate, opened it. Four soldiers outside the gate rushed forward with shouts. Yu Zao loosed arrows in quick succession and all four were struck in the chest almost simultaneously, toppling to the ground.

Xuanzang stared blankly at the bodies on the ground, then turned back to look at the bodies in the compound, and could not contain the sorrow rising within him.

“Master, this way, please.” Li Chan said.

Outside the gate were hitching posts with horses. Li Chan untied four horses and gave one each to Xuanzang and Li Chunfeng. Everyone mounted together. Li Chan led a spare horse, urging his mount into a gallop, and the three of them rode at full speed toward the northwest corner of the prison. From a distance, Li Chan blew his bawu pipe toward the watchtower inside the high walls.

Yu Zao, gripping a crossbow, strode to the stairway entrance in great strides and kept triggering the firing mechanism — snap snap snap — pinning the squad leader and his men, who were shot sprawling and tumbling helter-skelter down the stairs in retreat. Yu Zao kicked the tables and other furniture atop the watchtower and jammed them across the stairway, then took out a length of rope, looped one end around a roof beam, gripped the rope, stepped back a dozen paces, and came charging out, leaping into the void off the watchtower. Using the rope’s pendulum swing in mid-air, she was about to land on top of the high prison wall.

The three of Li Chan’s party had just arrived below the high wall, watching Yu Zao in mid-air with taut nerves. Her bearing was lithe and splendid, like a magnificent dance. But at that very moment, the squad leader suddenly came rushing madly back up to the watchtower, let out a battle-cry, and hurled his broadsword — slicing through the rope on the roof beam with a single blow!

Li Chan watched helplessly as the rope in Yu Zao’s hand suddenly snapped, fluttering in the air. Yu Zao also lost her balance and plunged straight down.

“Yu Zao—!” Li Chan let out a frantic cry.

“Go—!” Yu Zao managed to say a single word before she fell like a broken-winged bird down inside the high wall.

Both Xuanzang and Li Chunfeng were thunderstruck. Li Chan gritted his teeth. “Go!”

Everyone dug their heels into their horses’ flanks. The three warhorses surged forward, leaving the spare horse behind.

Only then did the squad leader and his soldiers reach the watchtower balustrade railing, and they all loosed arrows together — but the shafts could not catch up, and fell one after another behind the horses’ hooves.

Guazhou’s western city, Yongfu Ward. In a secluded back alley, Li Chan led Xuanzang and Li Chunfeng hurrying along a street, and as they walked, Xuanzang asked, “Your Highness, where are we going?”

Li Chan said with bitter forlornness. “Originally the plan I worked out with Yu Zao was that after rescuing Master, we would leave together. But Yu Zao has been caught, and I cannot leave now. In a moment I will entrust Master to that person, and then I must go back.”

The group followed Li Chan into a warehouse in Yongfu Ward, passed through a courtyard full of kneeling camels, and entered a room inside — at which Xuanzang and Li Chunfeng were both left rooted to the spot. Lv Sheng and Li Zhi were seated within, smiling faintly as they looked at them, flanked by a dozen or so armed Li clan retainers bearing blades and bows.

Xuanzang looked helplessly at Li Chan — only now recalling that he had never told him about the incident at Fish Spring Station. Li Chunfeng felt around inside his sleeve and found that all his belongings had been confiscated during his arrest. He immediately drooped with dejection.

“Young Master Lv!” Li Chan clasped his hands.

“Where is Yu Zao?” Lv Sheng asked in surprise.

“Something went wrong — she slipped up,” Li Chan said. “I will not be leaving this time. I trouble Young Master Lv and Elder Li to escort my Master and Li Doctor out of Guazhou.”

“Your Highness—” Li Chunfeng was about to speak, but was tugged by Xuanzang.

“Your Highness, go!” Xuanzang said gently.

Li Chan nodded, then turned to Lv Sheng with a final word of caution. “Young Master Lv, my Master is in your care. Please get my Master to Yiwu as soon as possible — do not let him be entangled further in the chaos of Guazhou.”

“Your Highness may rest easy.” Lv Sheng smiled slightly and looked at Xuanzang with a savoring expression.

Li Chunfeng couldn’t help whispering in Xuanzang’s ear. “Master, go with the heir! This is our only chance!”

Xuanzang shook his head without speaking.

“Li Doctor, what are you saying?” Li Chan had not heard clearly.

Xuanzang smiled. “He says — protect Yu Zao well, bring her out through this crucible.”

“Yes, Master!” Li Chan paused briefly, yet said nothing more, turned, and departed.

At the door, Li Chan looked back. “Young Master Lv—”

“Yes?” Lv Sheng looked at him.

“When I go back, I will certainly be forced by my father to go through with the wedding. The wedding procession sets out from Ayuwang Temple at a quarter past the hour of Xu — the hour of the Dog.”

Li Chan said slowly. “You made a promise to Yu Zao — that you would take her flying through the sky.”

Lv Sheng’s face went rigid and it was a long moment before he nodded with a faint smile.

“I have never been the one she loves,” Li Chan said with a tinge of sorrow. “After you take her away — let her forget me and never come back.”

Li Chan sighed bitterly, yet his face wore a smile, and he turned and left the warehouse.

The retainers went and closed the warehouse doors. Lv Sheng looked at Xuanzang with an expression of complex emotions. “Master, why did you not leave with him?”

“He has already lost hope in life — why make him lose faith in you as well.” Xuanzang said.

Lv Sheng opened his mouth, yet had nothing to say.

Xuanzang said, “Lv Brother, the heir spoke truly — Yu Zao is the person most deeply wounded by this rebellion. She has lost her family, lost her country, lost her kinship, and her path forward is shrouded in fog. She can only hold to a faint hope to let herself smile. You promised you would hijack the bridal procession on the way, take her up into the sky to fly. I hope you will not let her down — not let her feel disappointed by the person she loves most.”

Li Zhi mocked him. “You monk — you can barely look after yourself, and still you meddle in others’ affairs.”

Lv Sheng said after a long while, “Master, this is something I cannot do.”

“Why?” Xuanzang asked.

“Because at this moment the rebellion is imminent, and I must strictly control the course of events — I cannot let Kui Mu Lang take control of my body.” Lv Sheng said sincerely. “And moreover, what we need most right now is to let Li Chan and Yu Zao’s wedding proceed smoothly, so as to assist Prince Linjiang in luring and capturing Niu Jinda. If I disrupt this ceremony, there is no telling what complications may arise.”

“You made a promise to Yu Zao, and just now made another promise to Li Chan!” Xuanzang was somewhat indignant.

“I had to put their minds at ease and make them cooperate in completing this wedding.” Lv Sheng said.

Xuanzang looked at him steadily, his eyes filled with disappointment. “Lv Brother, it was only today that you have become truly a stranger to me. These past days, whether it was you and the noble families slaughtering each other, whether it was the destruction of the Western Caves — I could understand all of that. Because to the world’s people, vengeance for vengeance, hate for hate, is the ordinary state of human affairs. This humble monk’s dharma is shallow and I can change nothing. Yet you should not betray a person’s deepest emotions. Yu Zao has trusted you and adored you since childhood, searching her whole life to find you. Not only have you betrayed that trust — you have used the means of deception to exploit her. Even when your body is occupied by that wolf, I still consider you to be Lv Sheng. But when your body is occupied by malice, what is the difference between you and that wolf?”

“I truly have wronged Yu Zao — call me a beast and I have nothing to refute.” Lv Sheng’s expression was filled with desolation. “If the debate between us from the seventh year of Wude had continued to this day, I would already have lost in utter defeat, left in a sorry state. Now I can only look up at the Master from the depths of an abyss — a peak beyond reach.”

Lv Sheng murmured, “Tell me — what am I to do with you two?”

“Do not show womanly compassion, Elder! These two cannot be kept!” Li Zhi said gravely. “I know you wish to send the Master to the Western Regions and let him journey to the west. But what of Li Chunfeng? They are fully aware of what role my Li clan played in this rebellion — and they know that the five great noble families were swept up innocently. If Li Chunfeng returns to the capital and the Emperor questions him, and he answers truthfully, my Li clan is finished!”

“Shut your mouth!” Lv Sheng said irritably.

“The five great noble families will have their names cleared!” Li Zhi said.

“Shut your mouth!” Lv Sheng roared.

Lv Sheng and Li Zhi glared at each other, neither willing to yield. Just then, Li Lie pushed open the door and rushed in. “Report, Family Head — Suzhou Prefect Niu Jinda has arrived at the Prefectural City Post-house north of Guazhou City!”

Both men immediately stopped their quarrel. Li Zhi hastily asked, “How many men did he bring?”

“Two tuan, totaling four hundred men — all elite cavalry from the military.” Li Lie said.

Elite cavalry were cavalry troops selected from those in the army who excelled in both riding and archery, and who surpassed others in ability and strength. They were led by an elite cavalry commander and constituted the military’s crack troops.

“Young Master Lv, neither Xuanzang nor Li Chunfeng can be released.” Li Zhi said. “Just as we discussed beforehand — once Li Yan gains the military authority of the three prefectures of Gua, Sha, and Su, this rebellion’s intensity will be far too great for us to control.”

“Yet,” Lv Sheng mused, “just as we discussed earlier — if Li Yan takes hold of the military power of the three prefectures of Gua, Sha, and Su, the ferocity of this rebellion will be completely beyond our ability to control.”

“This old man cares nothing if heaven collapses and the earth splits — I want Linghu to die! I want all five great noble families uprooted!” Li Zhi’s face contorted with ferocity. “This is my dream — and yours as well. Whoever breaks faith shall die!”

“Who do you threaten with death? With your handful of men?” Lv Sheng said with a chill in his voice.

Li Lie immediately shielded Li Zhi with his body. The Li clan retainers raised their bows and crossbows and trained them on Lv Sheng from all sides, the atmosphere at the flashpoint of violence. Lv Sheng was also affected by the killing intent, growing gradually unsettled in spirit, and from his fingertips there slowly emerged a brief stretch of dark, dense wolf claws.

“Lv Sheng,” Li Zhi blanched, knowing that once Lv Sheng transformed, his dozen or so men would be nowhere near enough for him to slaughter through, and he shouted desperately, “you have only just over twenty days left to live. Do you want to die with regrets, after three years of plotting? What becomes of Zhai Wen?”

Lv Sheng started, and murmured, “After I die—”

“After you die, the five great noble families will raise a toast in celebration! After you die, Zhai Wen will suffer bitter hardship!” Li Zhi shouted. “After you die — let the flood come, what does it matter!”

Lv Sheng’s eyes turned crimson. He clenched his fists tightly — the wolf claws pierced into his palms, drawing blood. He suddenly spun around to face Xuanzang. “Master, I am sorry for this life — I will repay you in the next!”

Li Zhi was overjoyed and shouted, “Kill them!”

Li Lie waved his hand, and the retainers’ bows and crossbows all trained on Xuanzang and Li Chunfeng at once, about to squeeze the triggers — when suddenly a mournful lowing of cattle rose from the courtyard, an agonized sound. Everyone was still in astonishment when “boom-boom-boom” — the door was smashed to four splinters, and seven or eight large bullocks came charging in, lowing pitifully. Blood gashes were visible on the animals’ rumps.

“Thud—!” One retainer had no time to dodge and was gored in the back by a bull, instantly launched into the air — bones broken, tendons snapped. Several others were knocked to the ground, and innumerable hooves trampled over them. The crowd scattered in all directions. Two bulls charged head-first into a wall, and with a “boom,” the rammed-earth-and-brick wall nearly collapsed, clouds of dust and lumps of ceiling plaster raining down.

“Master, Li Doctor — move!” A figure suddenly flashed out from behind the stampeding bulls — it was Li Chan.

Li Chan seized Xuanzang and Li Chunfeng and ran for his life.

“Stop them!” Li Zhi bellowed. Li Lie and the others tried to charge out, but were blocked by the maddened bulls.

Li Zhi grabbed a crossbow from one of the retainers in exasperation and triggered the rapid-fire mechanism. Bolts thudded “thud thud thud” into the doorframe — another bolt punching through Xuanzang’s monk robe. Xuanzang stumbled and fell to the ground, scrambled up again, rolled across the floor several times, dodging the volley of crossbow bolts, and burst out of the warehouse.

Li Chan had horses ready on the street outside. The three of them scrambled and tumbled into their saddles, dug their heels in, and the warhorses galloped off at full speed. Li Chan led them around a street corner and out of sight.

By this time Li Lie and his men finally came surging out. They loosed a few futile arrows, watching helplessly as Xuanzang and the others vanished around the corner.

Li Zhi and Lv Sheng also came running out. Li Lie, covered in dust and dirt, came up to meet them. “Family Head—”

Li Zhi gave him a hard slap across the face. “Pursue them!”

“Don’t bother.” Lv Sheng said.

“They are certainly going to find Niu Jinda!” Li Zhi said through gritted teeth.

“With Prince Linjiang also pursuing them, they will not find it so easy to see Niu Jinda.” Lv Sheng said. “We need only keep watch on two places — the Protectorate-General and the official lodgings. For them to find Niu Jinda, they cannot avoid these two locations. Send men to hide on the streets, and at the first sight of them, shoot to kill.”

Li Zhi thought for a moment and gave the order: “Li Lie, go yourself. Fail, and fall on your sword!”

“Yes!” Li Lie clasped his hands and accepted the order.

“If they could have assassinated the Master, the Master would already have died a dozen times over.” Lv Sheng’s expression was utterly desolate as he turned and walked off in another direction. “This friendship — in the end it falls to my hands to end it!”

Li Chan led Xuanzang and Li Chunfeng hurrying through the alleyways. Suddenly a crowd of soldiers came rushing past on the street ahead. Everyone quickly ducked behind a large cart and waited in silence as the soldiers passed.

A cavalryman came galloping from behind and shouted, “Who is the fire squad leader?”

The fire squad leader hurried out. “What is it?”

The cavalryman said, “Prince Linjiang’s orders — Xuanzang and Li Chunfeng are to be killed on sight. The other young scholar is to be strictly protected and must not be harmed!”

The fire squad leader said, “Of the three, apart from the monk, both scholars are young men of similar age — how do we tell them apart?”

The cavalryman said, “Simple — kill the monk on sight, and bind the scholars and send them to the Protectorate-General.”

“Understood!” The fire squad leader and his soldiers shouted in unison.

The cavalryman galloped off. The fire squad leader led his soldiers and continued searching.

Everyone let out a quiet breath, and all looked at Xuanzang together. Xuanzang smiled helplessly.

Li Chan said quietly. “Master, in a moment I will find a clothing shop and get you a change of clothes. This monk’s habit is far too conspicuous.”

“Your Highness, why did you come back?” Li Chunfeng asked.

Li Chan smiled wryly. “At the warehouse, when I heard you say something to my Master — though I didn’t hear it clearly, it was certainly not the words my Master relayed to me. I suspected something was amiss, so I paid attention. I saw that the atmosphere between you and Lv Sheng was quite tense — so I said nothing and kept a low profile.”

Xuanzang was quite impressed by Li Chan’s quick-wittedness. “Your Highness truly became much steadier and more composed overnight.”

“After that I doubled back and jumped into the warehouse, where I heard your exchange.” Li Chan shook his head repeatedly. “I really never imagined Lv Sheng could have become this kind of person — willing to let tens of millions of innocents perish in Gua, Sha, and Su just to take revenge on the five great noble families. We all misjudged him.”

“A man soaked in hatred for three years — I should have seen this coming.” Xuanzang said bitterly.

The three found a clothing shop. Li Chan paid for three sets of robes. Xuanzang also put on a cloth turban hat — though being bald he had no sideburn hair, and the hat sat rather oddly on him.

Xuanzang fiddled awkwardly with it, pressing his palms together. “Amitabha, this humble monk—”

Li Chan quickly tugged his arm down. “Master, please don’t say ‘Amitabha.'”

Xuanzang caught himself, and smiled wryly.

“Master, I will get you out of Guazhou now,” Everyone left the clothing shop and walked onto the bustling main street. Li Chan said, “I know Guazhou — from the garrison commanders right down to the street vendors. I’ll find a merchant caravan and have them escort you into the Mohe Yan Desert and on to the state of Gaochang.”

Li Chunfeng said, “Your Highness, I don’t want to go to Tianzhu!”

“You needn’t go to Tianzhu — but you must lay low for a time.” Li Chan said. “If I’m not mistaken, the relay road from Guazhou to Chang’an has certainly been blocked. You can’t get back. If you don’t want to be caught up in the chaos of Guazhou, go to Gaochang and wait a few months — see how things develop before deciding.”

Li Chunfeng was immediately dumbstruck. He knew Li Chan was absolutely right, and the very thought of having to go to Gaochang filled his heart with an unspeakable, wretched desolation.

“And you?” Xuanzang asked.

“I’m not leaving.” Li Chan said slowly. “Yu Zao was taken back to Ayuwang Temple by Wang Junshen. Master, you said before — every person’s life has a mission they must shoulder. The mission for Yu Zao and me is to carry our loyalty to our country. Whether by moral principle or imperial law — neither permits children to denounce their parents, and we will not denounce them. Only — we will stand up. We will make them know that they dare to betray their country, and their own children dare to betray them.”

Xuanzang was moved. “You intend to create a scene at the wedding banquet?”

Li Chan shook his head, saying bitterly, “They’re both our own fathers — how could we bring ourselves to lay hands on them? Yu Zao is in their hands, and it seems I must go through with this wedding. But at the banquet Yu Zao and I will make our move — protecting Niu Jinda and fighting our way out of Guazhou. We absolutely cannot let Suzhou’s military authority fall into Father’s hands.”

“With your father commanding ten thousand troops, trying to fight your way out of Guazhou with just the two of you — it’s a remote prospect indeed.” Xuanzang said.

“Yes — nine deaths and one survival.” Li Chan smiled. “But it doesn’t matter. As Yu Zao says — husband and wife share the same fate. We live together and die together.”

Xuanzang looked at him silently and for the first time felt a kind of deep admiration for this student of his.

“Getting to marry Yu Zao is the greatest happiness of my life.” The three walked toward the city gate. Li Chan, though steadier and more resilient than before, still had emotions that were soft at their core, and when he spoke of what moved him he could not help his eyes going red. “I wanted to bring her happiness for a lifetime, but tonight we are going to die. Our life together is too brief, too bleak — I wanted at least to let her have some joy before she dies, and so when she brought up the idea of having Lv Sheng hijack the bridal procession on the way and take her flying through the sky, I immediately agreed. I can’t give her the joy he can — if someone else can give it to her, that’s good too. This time I went back to the warehouse partly because I sensed something wrong, and partly because I wanted to work out the details with Lv Sheng. But in the end, even this one small wish of hers can no longer be fulfilled.”

Li Chan finally shed tears, choking up as he said, “Master — I want her to die with a smile on her face!”

Xuanzang stopped walking. He gazed at Li Chan and said softly, “Your Highness — this humble monk will grant your and her wish.”

“Master, you—!” Li Chan was stunned — and so was Li Chunfeng, equally astonished.

“This humble monk’s knowledge of dharma is shallow, and I understand nothing of magic arts or Taoist techniques.” Xuanzang said slowly. “Yet do not the dharma and the Tao alike exist for the salvation of the world’s people, to bring peace and joy to the human heart? Our lives in this world are dim and dark, yet this humble monk wishes to set off a firework in tonight’s Guazhou — to let our lives in this world burn bright.”

Guazhou’s western city, Xuande Ward.

Lv Sheng sat on the second floor of a wine house. This wine house stood close to the ward wall of Xuande Ward. The wall was only about one zhang high, and sitting on the second floor with a commanding view, one could see the crowded masses on Suoyang Avenue beyond the ward wall.

Jade Gate Pass Commissioner Pumi Di stood slightly hunched behind him, along with two Wolf Soldiers in ordinary dress.

Lv Sheng scanned the surroundings of Suoyang Avenue. “You said that an hour ago, Xuanzang and Li Chunfeng and Li Chan were in this vicinity and stayed for a long time?”

“Yes, Alang.” Pumi Di said. “They measured the height of the ward wall, the width of the road surface, and various distances. The three apparently talked for a long while before going their separate ways.”

“What on earth are they trying to do?” Lv Sheng was deeply puzzled. “There is nothing particularly notable about this area.”

Pumi Di was about to speak when Lv Sheng raised his hand to stop him, his gaze fixing intently on the main avenue. Only then did Pumi Di look over to see a troop of fifty armored cavalry advancing in formation, flying the banner of the Suzhou Prefect at their head.

Seated on the tall horse at the head of the formation was a man of upright bearing, tall and powerfully built — a man in his forties, standing at least six feet and five inches. It was not a time of war; he was dressed in a suit of light and practical leather armor. The troop of elite cavalry behind him, however, wore gleaming plate armor and carried lances and spears — and even as they passed through the city’s market streets, their eyes did not stray, and they moved in strict battle formation. A single glance told you these were the battle-hardened veterans of a hundred engagements.

This man must be the Suzhou Prefect Niu Jinda. Behind him were three ox carts loaded with congratulatory gifts he had brought from Suzhou. He was headed for the Protectorate-General to present his gifts.

The common people on Suoyang Avenue already knew this was the Suzhou Prefect arrived, and were not afraid of him — they stepped aside along the road, pointing at him and telling the people beside them the heroic tales of Wagangzhai’s warriors with animated expressions, as if they had personally witnessed it all.

In the midst of this clamor, Niu Jinda suddenly had a premonition, raised his head and looked to the side — and his gaze met Lv Sheng’s directly. Niu Jinda did not know Lv Sheng, yet his pupils contracted, as if he sensed a tremendous threat.

The two men held each other’s gaze across the distance for a moment, then both withdrew their eyes. Niu Jinda showed nothing, continued riding forward, and his formation quickly disappeared into the city gate of the eastern city.

“Formidable indeed!” Lv Sheng murmured. “A battle-hardened warrior of this sort — not a single one is to be trifled with. I merely had the faintest stirring of killing intent in my heart, and he sensed it.”

“However formidable he is, before Alang he is still only a mortal.” Pumi Di smiled.

“You don’t understand. Killing this man will not be easy.” Lv Sheng said. “All right — continue. What else did you find out? Is there any trace of Xuanzang?”

“This subordinate does not know where he is — only where he has been.” Pumi Di said. “He brought two rope-making artisans to a tannery and commissioned two thirty-zhang lengths of fine deer-sinew cord, no thicker than half a fen, reinforced by wrapping with fine hemp to increase their strength, the exterior dyed black.”

Lv Sheng was immediately astonished. “What is he trying to do?”

“This subordinate did not know either — by the time I arrived he had already left, having only said he would return to pick up the goods in one hour.” Pumi Di said. “After that I tracked his movements. He went to the western market and purchased some sulfur and saltpeter.”

Lv Sheng’s expression grew somewhat grave. “Sulfur and saltpeter are used to make subduing fire — why would Xuanzang buy these… Ah, he must certainly be buying them for Li Chunfeng. That man knows the method of the inner flame-subduing sulfur technique from the alchemical texts. Then what happened?”

“After that, Xuanzang engaged a few specialists from the various trade guilds at the eastern and western markets — one painting artisan, one leather-sewing artisan, two dye-washing artisans, two sculpting artisans, two ironsmith artisans, four papermaking artisans, and six woodworking artisans.” Pumi Di enumerated them one by one.

Lv Sheng was instantly as lost as if he had entered a sea of fog. After a long while he said, “What on earth does he want with all of this? Does he mean to build a house?”

“A house wouldn’t need dye-washing artisans.” Pumi Di reminded him quietly.

“I know that perfectly well!” Lv Sheng was irritated. “Then, where did he go?”

“Lost him.” Pumi Di said. “He took all these people somewhere, but we did not find out where.”

“And Li Chan and Li Chunfeng?” Lv Sheng asked.

“These two were not found either — they seem to have split up from Xuanzang and gone to procure large quantities of supplies and materials in various locations. It is not known what they intend to make.” Pumi Di said carefully.

Lv Sheng pondered at length, and then suddenly said, “You say Li Chan is still with them, has not returned to Ayuwang Temple?”

“Yes. This subordinate has people stationed at Ayuwang Temple and can confirm Li Chan has not returned.” Pumi Di said.

Lv Sheng looked at the sky. “By now it should already be the end of the hour of Shen — the hour of the Monkey. Li Chan and Yu Zao’s wedding procession departs Ayuwang Temple at a quarter past the hour of Xu — the hour of the Dog. Only a little over one hour remains. If he is not going to flee, is he not getting married?”

“He probably would not.” Pumi Di said. “Lady Wang is still in Ayuwang Temple. Li Chan would not abandon her and flee.”

“That is also true.” Lv Sheng’s expression became grave. He pushed back from the table and stood up. “Since he is not fleeing — he must be plotting something of great consequence, to disrupt tonight’s rebellion. You take me to the last place Xuanzang disappeared. I must find this man at once!”

“The heir is certainly not going to flee — Twelfth-Born is still in Ayuwang Temple and he won’t leave her.” In the back hall of the Protectorate-General, Wang Lize was smiling reassuringly as he offered comfort.

Li Yan paced back and forth like a caged beast, roaring, “If he is not fleeing, then where has he gone? Why has he not returned to Ayuwang Temple? Only one hour remains — without the groom, how can the wedding be held?”

“Your Highness, please be calm, please be calm.” Wang Lize urged, “All the guests have already arrived, and the heads of the Dunhuang noble families are all present too. When you go out to receive them shortly, you must not show the slightest anxiety.”

Li Yan nodded. “Have all the soldiers been positioned?”

“Both Guazhou garrisons’ troops are positioned in the area around the Protectorate-General — five hundred men in all. The three city gates of the eastern city are all on lockdown. The entire eastern city is tight as an iron barrel. At your single command, not even a fly can escape.”

Wang Lize said.

Li Yan’s anxious expression relaxed slightly.

At this moment the Protectorate-General’s general manager came to report: “Your Highness, Prefect Wang has sent Wang Junshen to request an audience.”

“Wang Junshen is here? Bring him in quickly!” Li Yan said immediately.

Li Yan composed himself and sat upright in the hall. Before long, the manager led Wang Junshen hurrying into the inner hall. Wang Junshen paid his respects to Li Yan.

Li Yan smiled and said, “Has Junke sent you on some errand?”

Wang Junshen said directly, “Your Highness, I have already reported to my father about the heir and Twelfth-Born breaking Xuanzang out of prison. My father, on hearing the heir has still not been found, is rather worried, and has sent me to hear Your Highness’s thoughts.”

“The insufferable wretch!” Li Yan cursed bitterly. “Tell Prefect Wang not to worry. As long as Twelfth-Born is safe and sound at Ayuwang Temple, he can’t run far. Before the hour of Xu, I will certainly capture this insufferable wretch.”

“If the heir can be found, a smooth wedding ceremony would naturally be best.” Wang Junshen said. “My father wishes to ask — should the heir not be found, does Your Highness have a contingency plan?”

“A contingency plan?” Li Yan was momentarily at a loss. He looked at Wang Lize and answered with some difficulty, “For a wedding affair like this, what contingency plan would there be? Does Junke have a good idea?”

Wang Junshen said gravely, “Your Highness — for you and me, what matters most about this wedding is luring Niu Jinda. It must be held, regardless of whether the lead principals are the heir and Twelfth-Born.”

“Ah?” Li Yan could not immediately comprehend it. “You mean… Junke means…”

“My father says,” Wang Junshen said word by word, “that if the heir cannot be found, Your Highness might find a man of similar build and appearance to impersonate the heir and bring the bridal carriage out from Ayuwang Temple.”

Li Yan and Wang Lize looked at each other in blank amazement.

Wang Lize couldn’t help saying, “But would Twelfth-Born agree?”

“She has no say in the matter.” Wang Junshen said. “My father will handle that — Your Highness need not worry.”

“And then, after entering the Protectorate-General?” Wang Lize thought it through. “The ceremonial rite of the room-strewing still needs to take place. As it stands, the guests in the central courtyard are all officials from the Protectorate-General and the prefectural and county offices, and heads of the Guazhou and Dunhuang noble families — they all know the heir!”

“My father says those people are all unimportant — what is important is Niu Jinda.” Wang Junshen said. “Niu Jinda is already on his way to the Protectorate-General. Your Highness needs to get Niu Jinda drunk before the bridal carriage arrives. Once the carriage arrives, strike immediately — before the false heir is unmasked!”

Li Yan understood Wang Junke’s plan. He pondered for a moment — although it was more rushed than the original scheme, there were no major flaws — and quietly nodded, “Lize, arrange this at once.”

Wang Lize accepted the order.

Li Yan asked, “When does Junke enter the city?”

Without Wang Junke present, he truly lacked confidence in being able to smoothly subdue Niu Jinda.

Wang Junshen smiled. “My father will assist Your Highness in capturing Niu Jinda. However, the three hundred and fifty elite cavalry Niu Jinda brought are stationed in the sheep-and-horse enclosure wall. My father hopes Your Highness will allow him to bring five hundred men into the sheep-and-horse enclosure and assist in subduing these bodyguards.”

Before Li Yan could answer, Wang Lize smiled. “That does not require your father’s trouble — Your Highness has already positioned a thousand armored soldiers in the sheep-and-horse enclosure. Subduing this elite cavalry will be no problem whatsoever.”

“Yes, since Your Highness has made arrangements, my father can also put his mind at ease.” Wang Junshen did not argue the point. “What my father is concerned about is whether Niu Jinda’s military tally is carried on his person, or is kept in the sheep-and-horse enclosure under the guard of the elite cavalry commander. Therefore — Your Highness must be sure not to allow a single one of the elite cavalry to escape at the time. If the tally cannot be obtained, even capturing Niu Jinda will be for nothing — all our efforts would be wasted.”

Li Yan’s expression grew grave. Wang Junke’s concern was indeed valid. Niu Jinda might very well not carry the tally on his person. Once the rebellion broke out, if even one elite cavalryman escaped and carried the tally out of Guazhou, everything would be ruined.

Li Yan was about to speak, but saw Wang Lize smiling. “Your Highness has also considered this — he will order Prefect Dugu to personally lead men in encirclement and arrest. Not a single person will be allowed to escape.”

“Then I am reassured.” Wang Junshen smiled.

Just then, a retainer came to report: “Your Highness, Suzhou Prefect Niu Jinda has arrived!”

Li Yan felt a jolt run through him. He closed his eyes, drew a long breath inward.

He knew: life or death, victory or defeat — the moment of reckoning had at last arrived.