As they had guessed, Xuanzang indeed got lost in the underground canal system!
After falling from the tavern, Xuanzang was dazed from the impact. The woman immediately hoisted him onto her horse, binding his hands and feet with rope and laying him across the saddle. As they galloped away, Xuanzang felt his insides churning from the rough ride, unable to utter a word.
When the strong wind arose, Xuanzang tightly shut his eyes. He sensed the woman lifting him off the horse, setting him upright to walk on his own. Unable to open his eyes in the swirling sand, Xuanzang could only move forward as the woman pushed him along. After just a few steps, the ground suddenly gave way beneath his feet. Before he could even cry out in alarm, he plummeted into the darkness of a vertical shaft. His feet briefly touched a surface about ten feet down, but it abruptly slid sideways into the shaft wall, leaving Xuanzang to fall freely once more.
This descent seemed endless, plunging through darkness. Xuanzang thought he might be falling straight into hell itself. Suddenly, he heard the rush of water and landed with a splash on something soft. Water sprayed all around him. Xuanzang opened his eyes in astonishment but could see nothing in the pitch blackness. By the faint light filtering down from the shaft above, he discerned that he was lying in a sheepskin boat floating on a river! The boat, tethered in place, rocked wildly in the current.
As he took in his surroundings, a shadow suddenly blocked the light from above. The woman had jumped in after him. Xuanzang started in surprise, hastily moving aside as she landed beside him. She then felt along the shaft wall, found a chain, and pulled hard. The cover of the vertical shaft silently closed, plunging the underground canal into complete darkness.
“Why have you abducted this humble monk, benefactress?” Xuanzang asked softly.
The woman did not answer. She retrieved a torch from the boat, lit it with a flint, and secured it to the front of the vessel. The faint glow illuminated a few feet around them. Suddenly, there was a flash of steel as the woman drew a knife and cut the rope tethering the boat. The small craft lurched forward, propelled by the current. Xuanzang tumbled over while the woman remained steadfast.
In the torchlight, the small boat raced through the dark canal like an unbridled horse. It rose and fell, crashed left and right, tossing its two occupants about. They nearly rolled into the water several times. Had the boat not been made of animal hide, it surely would have broken apart.
The woman focused intently on steering, her golden mask glinting in the firelight. She maintained an air of icy detachment, completely ignoring Xuanzang.
This underground river originated from the Tianshan Mountains. With its steep descent and swift current, the sheepskin boat bobbed half-submerged like a gourd, tossed about violently. Given enough time, they would either drown or be battered to death. Fortunately, after about fifteen minutes, the river forked. The boat collided with the canal wall, finally slowing its pace.
Xuanzang’s heart raced as he caught his breath. Pitch darkness surrounded them, cold and gloomy. The rumbling of water echoed through the tunnel, instilling a suffocating fear. Xuanzang silently recited the Heart Sutra. He surmised they had fallen into an irrigation canal system. It likely began with a main channel from the foot of the Tianshan Mountains, then branched off into smaller canals in the irrigated areas, where vertical shafts would appear for ventilation.
“Venerable monk, I apologize for any offense. Please forgive any rudeness on my part,” the woman suddenly said as they reached calmer waters. Her voice was melodious yet slightly husky.
Xuanzang smiled wryly. “Amitabha. Many people have said such things to me, yet they proceed to do as they please regardless. There’s no need for you to be polite, benefactress.”
The woman fell silent for a moment. “From your tone, it seems you still harbor some resentment. I had no choice but to act as I did for the sake of my greater plan. Moreover, given your wisdom, you must have realized I don’t intend to kill you. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have gone to such lengths to abduct you.”
Xuanzang nodded in agreement. “Indeed, killing me would have been far easier. Even with the general’s protection in Gaochang, a single arrow from afar could have ended my life. Destroying the tavern and using this underground canal system was much more troublesome.”
“The venerable monk is perceptive,” the woman said coolly.
“This humble monk is quite confused,” Xuanzang replied candidly. “Even now, I don’t understand why you’ve brought me here or what you intend to do.”
The woman didn’t answer immediately. After a pause, she said softly, “What a curious monk you are. Finding yourself in peril, you ask not about life and death, but about motives. Venerable monk, are you not afraid of dying?”
“Of course, this humble monk fears death,” Xuanzang replied with surprise. “I fear dying before completing my spiritual cultivation and seeing the Tathagata. However, even this dark canal is part of my journey to Spirit Mountain. If I die here, I will still see the Buddha. So in that sense, I am not afraid.”
“Abandoning concerns of life and death for the sake of one’s convictions. You and I are both fools, venerable monk!” The woman sighed deeply. “But your foolishness far surpasses mine. Even in this situation, you speak with such wit.”
“This humble monk’s journey to Spirit Mountain is meant to break through such attachments,” Xuanzang said. “So tell me, benefactress, what is your attachment?”
The woman fell silent again, focusing on steering the boat around another fork in the canal. Finally, she answered, “You’ll find out soon enough.”
They continued in silence, with Xuanzang unaware of her background or where she was taking him. He could only drift along in the sheepskin boat. The underground canal system twisted and turned in all directions. Xuanzang could only determine they were heading south, as the current grew increasingly gentle beneath them. After an indeterminate distance, ventilation shafts began to appear overhead, spaced about every hundred yards. Daylight filtered down through these shafts. Though it didn’t directly illuminate the canal, they no longer needed the torch.
Xuanzang deduced it must be dusk by now. He had spent nearly two hours in the underground canal.
They came to a side passage where the woman had Xuanzang disembark from the boat. She cut the ropes binding his arms with her short sword and gestured with her hand. “We’ve arrived. This way, venerable monk.”
Xuanzang looked around. To their left was a wide corridor, rising three feet above the water level and completely dry. They climbed up and walked about fifty yards before the corridor suddenly opened into a vast hall. The hall was dimly lit, with torches lining the walls. It was filled with people—over a hundred adult men whose cold eyes gleamed eerily in the torchlight as they stared at him.
On either side of the hall were more than a dozen caves of varying sizes, storing all manner of supplies, most wrapped in oilcloth. One cave contained hundreds of long spears!
Xuanzang was startled. Upon closer inspection, he saw another cave stacked with straight swords, their sharp blades haphazardly wrapped in hemp cloth with the tips exposed. The remaining caves held armor, bows and arrows, and other equipment.
“Amitabha…” Xuanzang gazed at the woman. “You’re planning a rebellion?”
The woman chuckled and walked directly into a cave at the far end of the hall, gesturing in invitation. “Please, venerable monk.”
The others returned to their respective dwelling caves, leaving two men with drawn swords to guard the entrance. With no other choice, Xuanzang entered. The interior was not large, containing only a couch and a felt mat for sitting. The woman invited Xuanzang to sit and brewed him tea. She brought out sesame cakes, biluo cakes, and vegetarian naan bread. “Please eat first, venerable monk. You likely didn’t have a proper meal in Gaochang. The food is simple, not as good as the tavern, but please have some to regain your strength.”
“It’s not that I didn’t eat well—I vomited it all up on horseback,” Xuanzang said with a smile.
At that moment, a thin elderly man entered and bowed deeply to the woman. “Greetings, my—”
The woman cut him off. “Mr. Xue, please keep Venerable Xuanzang company while he eats. I have matters to attend to.”
“Yes, of course!” Mr. Xue replied respectfully.
“Take good care of the venerable monk, but don’t let him leave,” the woman instructed before departing without further acknowledgment to Xuanzang, who watched her intently, deep in thought.
“Venerable monk, please eat,” Mr. Xue said, sitting across from Xuanzang and pushing the food towards him.
Xuanzang pressed his palms together in thanks. He was indeed hungry and broke off a piece of biluo cake to chew slowly.
Biluo cakes were a type of filled pastry popular in Chang’an, with specialized shops dedicated to making them. Mr. Xue watched with a look of nostalgia in his eyes. “Years ago in Chang’an’s Western Market, there was a shop called ‘Noble Family Delicacies.’ The chef’s surname was Han, and his cherry biluo cakes were exquisite—the cherries inside retained their color, red and appetizing.”
“That shop is still there,” Xuanzang nodded. “I’ve heard that Han Yue has passed away, so I never had the chance to taste his creations.”
“Indeed!” Mr. Xue said. “It’s been twelve years since I was exiled from Longxi. Time flows like a river—even if Han Yue were still alive, I could never taste his food again.”
Twelve years ago was the first year of the Wude era. Xuanzang chewed the biluo cake slowly and said, “Exiled from Longxi in the first year of Wude… You must be a relative of the Hegemon-King of Western Qin. Judging by your manner of speech, surname, and age, you’re likely a close relative of Xue Ju?”
The Hegemon-King of Western Qin was the title of Xue Ju, one of the warlords at the end of the Sui Dynasty. The Old Book of Tang described him as “majestic in appearance, fierce and skilled in archery, unparalleled in martial prowess.” He raised an army in the 13th year of the Daye era, occupying Longxi and proclaiming himself Hegemon-King of Western Qin before declaring himself emperor with his capital at Tianshui. Xue Ju and his son Xue Rengao were the most formidable early opponents of Li Yuan and Li Shimin.
The Li father and son suffered defeat after defeat, with all eight Tang generals suffering major losses. Even renowned commanders like Murong Luohou, Li Anyuan, and Liu Hongji were captured. It wasn’t until Xue Ju died suddenly and Li Shimin personally led a campaign that they defeated Xue Rengao at Qianshui Plain. After Xue Rengao surrendered, Li Shimin escorted him back to Chang’an where he and dozens of his officers were executed, finally allowing Tang forces to pacify Longxi.
Mr. Xue looked at him in surprise. “The venerable monk is indeed perceptive. I am Emperor Wu’s cousin and Rengao’s uncle.”
Emperor Wu was Xue Ju’s posthumous title, though it wasn’t widely used as he hadn’t even been buried before Li Shimin destroyed Xue Rengao. Xuanzang nodded. “After the Tang emperor pacified Longxi, he severely suppressed the Xue clan. I presume you led your clansmen across the Mohe Yandiqie Desert to seek refuge in Gaochang at that time?”
Mr. Xue shook his head. “We first sought refuge with the Eastern Turks, then moved south to the Karluks, then sought protection from the Shatuo people, and finally reached Yiwu. They called us ‘Sui Dynasty refugees’ and feared offending the Great Tang, so they drove us out. We had no choice but to come to Gaochang. When we left Longxi, there were 1,963 of us. Now only 876 remain.”
He spoke matter-of-factly, but Xuanzang could envision the hardships endured by these refugees over twelve years as they trekked across deserts, grasslands, the northern territories, and the Western Regions.
“The Tang emperor is merciful. Though you are descendants of the Xue clan, he would not mistreat innocent people like yourselves. Why endure such suffering in exile thousands of miles away?” Xuanzang sighed.
Mr. Xue smiled proudly. “People think Emperor Wu and Rengao were fierce, violent, and bloodthirsty, but they don’t understand the pride of our Xue clan! If we fail in our ambitions, we’d rather wander to distant lands than live as beggars under the feet of the victors!”
Xuanzang shook his head. “You’re still dependent on others here in the Kingdom of Gaochang. I understand your intentions—you want to incite rebellion and seize the Qu family’s throne. As Han Chinese, you believe that since Gaochang is a Han kingdom, it would be easy to rule if you could take it over. But the Qu family has reigned for over 120 years and is deeply entrenched. As an outsider, not only would the noble families of Gaochang reject you, but the surrounding nations would not allow an unknown person to control Gaochang.”
“The venerable monk’s insights are correct, but I still must try,” Mr. Xue said calmly. This Mr. Xue was extremely composed, quite unlike the impetuous and violent Xue Ju and his son.
Xuanzang thought for a moment, then smiled. “Since you’re so confident, the person sheltering you in Gaochang must be of high status. Is it that woman wearing the golden mask? Who exactly is she?”
“I cannot say,” Mr. Xue smiled, pouring a cup of tea. He said earnestly, “Venerable monk, your ambitions are lofty. Gaochang is merely a pile of grass and wood along your journey of thousands of miles. Why involve yourself in this conflict? The young lady instructed that as long as you don’t interfere with our plans, we’ll naturally allow you to continue westward after we succeed. Though you’re confined underground here, you’ll want for nothing. Please stay for a while, venerable monk!”
Xuanzang nodded without speaking and quietly finished his meal. Mr. Xue arranged for him to sleep on the couch while he kept watch nearby. Xuanzang didn’t mind and fell into a deep sleep.
After an unknown length of time, Xuanzang was roused from his satisfying slumber by the sound of footsteps outside. He opened his eyes to see an armed refugee hurriedly approach, whispering, “Mr. Xue, we’ve captured two people!”
Mr. Xue awoke as well. He rubbed his face, stretched, and gave Xuanzang a long look. “Please wait here, venerable monk. I’ll go take a look!” He then walked out.
Xuanzang stood up to follow but was blocked by the two guards at the cave entrance. He could only stand inside and peer out. He saw a group of noisy refugees dragging two people into the great hall—a young man and a child of eight or nine years old!
Xuanzang was shocked and called out, “Third Prince, Ashu…”
It turned out these two were none other than Qu Zhisheng and Ashu!
The previous night, after finding the ventilation shaft opening, they didn’t dare descend and instead kept watch. At about 8 AM, Zhu Gui finally sent a trusted subordinate on horseback with a canal map and a small sheepskin boat. Zhu Gui, knowing the treacherous currents in the underground canals and fearing for Qu Zhisheng’s safety, had gone to great lengths to procure a sheepskin boat small enough to fit through the shaft opening.
Seeing that Zhu Gui hadn’t come himself, Qu Zhisheng felt somewhat angry. “Why didn’t the Attendant come himself?”
The servant quickly knelt. “Your Highness, today His Majesty announced that envoys from the Kingdom of Yanqi will soon arrive at the capital. He ordered a banquet to be prepared in the palace and commanded the Chief Steward to make thorough arrangements. The Chief Steward said he feared His Majesty would discover his secret assistance to you. While his own life matters little, he couldn’t bear it if His Majesty became displeased with you because of his actions. That’s why he couldn’t come in person.”
Understanding Zhu Gui’s predicament, Qu Zhisheng sent the servant back. He and Ashu then found a way to pry open the shaft cover, revealing the dark opening below. They had brought ropes, which they tied to a large rock. First, they lowered the sheepskin boat, and then Qu Zhisheng descended the rope to secure the boat. He placed a torch at the bow, and Ashu followed him down.
Their underground journey mirrored Xuanzang’s exactly. As soon as they cut the rope, the small boat shot forward, propelled by the current. Both cried out in surprise as the boat raced along in the torchlight. Neither was as skilled at steering as the masked woman, and they were tossed about, nearly falling into the river several times.
As they sped along, the two analyzed where Xuanzang might have gone based on the water flow and branch canals. The canal map, a secret document from the Ministry of Revenue, was extremely detailed. It showed both surface and underground canals with different line types, even indicating the width and length of waterways through line thickness.
Using the surface canals as reference points, Gaochang’s irrigation system descended from the Tianshan Mountains with a main north-south canal called the Manshui Canal. This canal ran through Gaochang’s royal city, disappearing into the desert about ten li south of the city. The main underground canal ran parallel to the Manshui Canal and shared its name, as it was a secret system.
The northernmost branch of the main canal was the east-west Elm Tree Canal. South of that was the Sesame Well Canal, running northeast to southwest.
South of the Sesame Well Canal was a dense network of underground canals.
“I believe that woman must have taken the monk into the royal city, so she would have entered a branch canal south of the Sesame Well Canal,” Ashu analyzed, studying the map.
“Why is that?” Qu Zhisheng asked, puzzled. “Couldn’t she have just followed the Manshui Canal directly into the city? Why take a detour?”
“Because once in the city, the Manshui Canal has ventilation shafts every hundred yards. At dusk, people come to draw water from the canal. Someone could see them at any time. Is that woman as foolish as you?”
Hearing this reasoning, Qu Zhisheng nodded repeatedly. “Ashu, except for Shuangyu Zhi, you’re the smartest person in the world.”
Ashu was nearly apoplectic with frustration. Ignoring him, he continued his analysis: “Look at the water flow. It only slows down after being divided by the two large canals, the Elm Tree and Sesame Well. So it’s most likely she would find a place to surface at the next dark canal.”
Qu Zhisheng examined the water system map in the torchlight and nodded. “Very possible. The next one is a cross-canal called the Yellow Canal. Look, where the Yellow Canal intersects with the Manshui Canal, there’s a protruding wall to divert water… Wait, wait, we’re about to crash into it!”
The protruding wall loomed directly in front of their boat. Qu Zhisheng, terrified, pushed hard with the oar, barely avoiding a collision as they entered the calmer Yellow Canal.
Both sighed in relief. Ashu agreed, “The Yellow Canal or Zhang Canal are possibilities, but to enter the city, the most convenient would be… ah, the Shi Family Canal. She would follow that canal where it turns south. Zhisheng, turn in there.”
Qu Zhisheng steered the boat into the Shi Family Canal. After a while, it branched again. One branch headed east, called the Seven Gates Valley Canal, the main water supply for the eastern irrigation system. The main canal continued straight south into Gaochang’s royal city.
By now it was the dawn of the second day. Ventilation shafts appeared overhead every hundred yards, allowing daylight to shimmer on the water below. With the current gentler, boat travel became slow. The two abandoned their craft and continued on foot along the earthen banks flanking the canal. Once inside the city, navigation became even more difficult. The canal network was incredibly dense, reaching nearly every household’s courtyard. City dwellers relied on these canals for water, either drawing directly from ventilation shafts or digging wells. As well-digging was too expensive for ordinary families, almost everyone used the canals for their water supply.
As the two pondered their next move, they discovered a new clue—a trail of damp footprints along the canal banks!
“These must be the monk’s footprints!” Ashu exclaimed joyfully.
Qu Zhisheng shook his head. “People often come down to the city canals. Many families have basements built right next to them. In summer’s heat, people come here to cool off.”
Ashu snorted. “It’s the dead of winter now. Who would come to cool off? Besides, judging by the footprints, there were over twenty people. Since the monk was abducted, his captors must have had quite a few people assisting them. I believe these are indeed the monk’s tracks.”
Ashu looked triumphantly at Qu Zhisheng, who surprisingly smiled broadly. “Ashu, that’s exactly what I was thinking too. Alright, let’s follow these footprints!”
Ashu was speechless with frustration—this had been his idea!
As they followed the trail, with the wet prints gradually fading, they came upon another dark canal. Qu Zhisheng was surprised. “How can there be a dark canal in the city? And why are there no ventilation shafts?”
Ashu shook his head, equally puzzled. They lit torches and entered the dark passage. After a few steps, they encountered an iron grate. The bars were as thick as a baby’s arm, welded solidly in place. Try as they might, they couldn’t budge it even slightly. It looked sturdy enough to resist even a sword strike.
As they stood there dejected, the noise alerted the guards inside. Four or five warriors armed with bows came to investigate. Qu Zhisheng and Ashu were shocked to find guards in the canal and turned to flee, but an arrow whizzed past, embedding itself in the canal wall. They froze—in the straight, unobstructed tunnel, the guards could easily kill them with a single shot if they wished.
Only then did they realize they had stumbled into the lair of some dark force. Though unaware of Mr. Xue and the Sui Dynasty refugees’ identities, they knew they were in grave danger. To their joy, however, they finally saw Xuanzang.
“Venerable monk!” Qu Zhisheng and Ashu cried out in delight, trying to approach but were blocked by the refugees.
Xuanzang asked in surprise, “How did you get captured?”
Qu Zhisheng explained ruefully how they had searched for Xuanzang and discovered the shaft in the desert. Xuanzang thanked them profusely: “This humble monk is ashamed to have caused such trouble for the Third Prince.” He looked kindly at Ashu. “And you’ve suffered as well!”
“Master!” Ashu’s eyes reddened. “Since you disappeared, I… if I couldn’t find you, I’d never return to Samarkand.”
“Ha!” Before Xuanzang could respond, Mr. Xue laughed coldly. “What a big fish we’ve caught. Third Prince, I hear the Yanqi delegation has already reached Gaochang and will soon arrive at the royal city to negotiate with Qu Wentai. I wonder who would offer me more if I handed you over now—your father or Long Tuqizhi?”
“Long Tuqizhi is here too?” Qu Zhisheng was shocked.
Mr. Xue nodded. “Long Tuqizhi personally led the delegation to Gaochang to discuss arrangements for escorting the Yanqi princess back to her country.”
“Never!” Qu Zhisheng’s eyes immediately reddened with rage. “Whoever dares to let Shuangyu Zhi return, I’ll destroy them!”
Mr. Xue was taken aback and then laughed. “The Vase of King David isn’t in your possession. How could you destroy anyone? Third Prince, don’t forget you’re my prisoner now.”
“You don’t believe me? Try it and see,” Qu Zhisheng said proudly. “Now that I’ve made a pact with the demon in the vase, it must fulfill its promise no matter where I am!”
Mr. Xue smiled. “Is that so? I certainly don’t believe it!”
Just then, Mr. Xue’s eyes suddenly widened, his face contorting in horror. Everyone turned to look, startled to see one of the guards outside inexplicably clutching his throat, eyes bulging with blood seeping from them, making choking sounds before collapsing.
Another guard cautiously touched him and cried out in alarm: “Mr. Xue, he… he’s dead!”
Before anyone could react, this guard’s eyes also bulged grotesquely. Without a word, he fell dead.
Everyone was stunned, staring in disbelief, unsure what to do.
Xuanzang was the first to recover. He suddenly rushed out. The two refugees guarding him were caught off guard, hesitating with their swords, unsure whether to strike. In that moment of indecision, Xuanzang reached them and pushed them aside. “Quick, run!”
The alert Ashu pulled Qu Zhisheng into the tunnel, with Xuanzang close behind. The three ran frantically. As they entered a tunnel, they saw several refugees ahead who shouted and charged towards them.
“That way—” Xuanzang urgently pointed to another tunnel.
The three ran in that direction, but as they reached the entrance, they saw more refugees rushing towards them from the opposite side. With no choice, they darted about the tunnels like headless flies. Refugees converged from all directions, about to surround them.
At that moment, Ashu suddenly ran towards another tunnel. Xuanzang was alarmed: “Ashu, come back! There are people there!”
Ashu reached the tunnel entrance and peered inside, his face lighting up. “Master, there’s no one here! Quick, come!”
Xuanzang and Qu Zhisheng were stunned—they had just passed this tunnel and had seen two refugees at its end. But there was no time to think. They followed Ashu to the tunnel entrance and were astonished by what they saw.
There had indeed been guards at this tunnel entrance! But now there was no one—because the refugee guards had inexplicably fallen dead, their eyes bulging, their expressions terrifying, identical to the two who had died in the hall!
“Aha!” Qu Zhisheng exclaimed joyfully. “Venerable monk, it’s the demon from King David’s Vase protecting me!”
Ashu scoffed, “If you call it, will it answer?”
Qu Zhisheng glared at him angrily. Xuanzang urged, “This is no time for arguments. Hurry!”
A’shu ran ahead, with the other two following behind. He darted into a side passage, then ran back, shouting, “Master, there are people this way!”
He then peeked in another direction and called out, “Master, hurry, there’s no one here!”
The three of them rushed into that tunnel, only to discover that “no one” meant no living person. Several corpses lay on the ground!
Everyone felt an eerie sensation as if King David’s genie Akamana was indeed invisibly lurking in the shadows, clearing the path for them. With A’shu’s small frame leading the way, the three encountered nothing but fallen bodies wherever they went, facing not the slightest hindrance!
By now, none of the fugitives dared to give chase.
In a place hidden from Xuanzang and his companions, Master Xue stood frozen before a corpse, his face etched with indescribable fear. The fugitives remained silent, their bodies trembling uncontrollably.
Master Xue’s voice was hoarse as he asked, “Did you… see it?”
A fugitive, shaking violently, finally mumbled after a long pause, “We saw it clearly… a demon… he’s not human, he’s a demon…”
The three sprinted through the dark underground channels. Without torches, they could only stumble along, feeling their way through the maze of tunnels in search of an exit.
Feeling they had escaped their pursuers, the three finally stopped, gasping for breath as they sat on the ground, unable to rise.
After a brief rest, Xuanzang asked, “Third Prince, how did this situation become so strange? Why are the fugitives dropping dead one after another? Could it truly be the power of King David’s bottle?”
Qu Zhisheng boasted proudly, “Of course! I’m his master. He’ll certainly help me until my wish is fulfilled.”
Xuanzang frowned in deep thought, “Then why did he intervene this time without you making a wish?”
Qu Zhisheng was dumbfounded, “Well… perhaps the bottle felt it couldn’t let me die here?”
Xuanzang couldn’t help but smile bitterly. He then asked about their journey here. A’shu recounted how Dragon Frost Moon had brought him to eavesdrop on the Gaochang court discussion, and how Zhu Gui had revealed the secret of the underground channels. Only then did Xuanzang realize that his disappearance for a day and a night had triggered political turmoil in Gaochang!
Xuanzang’s mood grew heavy, “The Princess is truly cunning! Her plan unfolds seamlessly. Initially, this poor monk thought she had kidnapped me merely to prevent my involvement, but it turns out she had a second motive. In an instant, she plunged Gaochang into chaos.”
A’shu nodded, “Through you, Master, the Princess shattered Gaochang’s balance of power in one fell swoop.”
Their cryptic conversation irritated Qu Zhisheng, “Master, A’shu, what are you talking about? Which princess do you mean?”
Xuanzang pondered for a moment, then sighed, “Third Prince, there are some matters this poor monk doesn’t know how to explain to you. Let me ask you this: does your second brother aspire to sit on Gaochang’s throne?”
“Of course!” Qu Zhisheng nodded, “Everyone in the court and country knows this, even Father.”
“Then how can your second brother become king?” Xuanzang inquired.
Qu Zhisheng thought for a moment, then shook his head, “It’s difficult! My eldest brother is the Crown Prince. My second brother has no hope in this lifetime.”
A’shu sneered, “Why no hope? Even Li Jiancheng of the Great Tang is still the Crown Prince!”
Qu Zhisheng was stunned, “You… you mean my second brother plans to rebel?”
“Doesn’t he?” A’shu retorted.
Qu Zhisheng was speechless, finally nodding reluctantly, “If Father were to pass away, I fear my eldest brother couldn’t suppress the second. They would inevitably come to blows.”
Xuanzang continued, “Then if His Majesty is still alive, Third Prince, what must your second brother resolve first if he wants to rebel?”
Qu Zhisheng pondered, “Eliminate my eldest brother! Those two have been at each other’s throats for years.”
“Besides eliminating your eldest brother, what else must he resolve?” Xuanzang pressed.
Qu Zhisheng thought hard, looking troubled. Suddenly, a light dawned in his eyes, and he exclaimed, “Eliminate General Zhang Xiong! The General commands the army and has a good relationship with my eldest brother. Without dealing with the General, my second brother wouldn’t dare rebel!”
“Correct,” A’shu praised, “Third Prince, you’re truly clever.”
Qu Zhisheng beamed with joy.
Xuanzang continued, “So, Third Prince, consider this: if a masked woman kidnapped me in Jiaohe City under the General’s protection, what would be the consequences?”
Qu Zhisheng, being quite intelligent, immediately understood, “I see! My eldest brother is the Crown Prince and the Duke of Jiaohe. Jiaohe City is nominally under his management. If you were kidnapped in Jiaohe City, not only would the General bear direct responsibility, but my eldest brother would also be implicated!”
“The Third Prince speaks truly. It’s killing two birds with one stone,” Xuanzang sighed. “Because of this poor monk, at yesterday’s court meeting, the General was stripped of his military power. Gaochang’s internal power balance was instantly lost, creating the perfect opportunity for the Second Prince and plunging Gaochang into a succession crisis. This was that woman’s scheme.”
“Master, the woman you speak of… who is she?” Qu Zhisheng asked, terrified.
A’shu was about to speak, but Xuanzang held him back.
“Third Prince,” Xuanzang smiled, “if this poor monk were to tell you that the woman is Princess Dragon Frost, what would you think?”
“Master, please don’t speak nonsense!” Qu Zhisheng shook his head sternly. “Frost Moon wouldn’t do such a thing. We dream day and night of being together. Why would she kidnap you and throw Gaochang into chaos?”
“Indeed!” Xuanzang, not wishing to say more, sighed, “Why would she kidnap this poor monk?”
Qu Zhisheng’s face flushed red with humiliation. A barrier seemed to have formed between them in just a few words, and they all fell silent as they continued forward.
Not far ahead, the three finally saw a vertical ventilation shaft above them. However, the shaft was two to three zhang high, and no one could reach it. Although some grape vines grew in the channel, they couldn’t support a person’s weight. Unable to climb up, they had to continue searching for a lower shaft. Just then, Master Xue and the fugitives caught up with them. In the straight channel, they spotted them at once. The fugitives shouted and gave chase, but they seemed somewhat fearful and didn’t move quickly.
“Run!” Xuanzang called out, and the three began sprinting along the earthen platforms on both sides of the channel.
Turning into a cross-channel, they saw a lower ventilation shaft not far away, about eight chi high. Though still well above human height, Xuanzang had a plan. He whispered, “Third Prince, this poor monk will draw them away. You and A’shu hurry to the palace and report to His Majesty!”
“Master—” Qu Zhisheng was about to object, but Xuanzang had already crouched down, “Third Prince, Master Xue is under orders not to kill this poor monk. Hurry!”
Qu Zhisheng had no choice but to step on Xuanzang’s shoulders. Xuanzang straightened up, lifting him. Qu Zhisheng grasped the edge of the shaft opening and climbed up. Xuanzang then crouched down for A’shu to climb up as well.
A’shu firmly refused, “Master, what will happen to you if I leave? I must stay with you!”
“A’shu—” Xuanzang was about to reason with him when he saw Master Xue and his group approaching. He quickly grabbed A’shu and ran.
Qu Zhisheng waited to pull A’shu up, but seeing them run away so quickly, he hadn’t yet reacted when Master Xue and his group arrived. Qu Zhisheng hurriedly hid to avoid being discovered by Master Xue.
He looked around and realized he was in the backyard of a house, filled with grape vines. It was winter, and the vines had lost all their leaves, standing bare and dry. Due to the cold weather, no one was in the backyard. He quickly and quietly opened the back door and stepped out onto the street.
Qu Zhisheng initially couldn’t orient himself, but after walking a few steps and turning a corner, he found himself at the northern end of the main north-south street of the royal city, just over a li away from the palace!
Qu Zhisheng was shocked, realizing how truly dangerous these fugitives were to Gaochang! To be able to attack the royal city from such proximity was indeed unpredictable. Even more worrying was the possibility that no one knew if the underground channels might lead directly into the palace! It seemed that while the channels provided great convenience for Gaochang’s water supply and irrigation, they also posed a hidden threat.
As he walked along the street, he noticed something unusual. Although it was still bustling with merchants and travelers haggling and competing fiercely, there were now many more guards at each street corner. Qu Zhisheng felt uneasy and didn’t dare to be careless. He bought a Hu-style hat to cover his face and headed towards the royal city. The distance wasn’t far, and he soon arrived at the palace gates. On both sides of the tall palace walls, Gaochang troops were densely packed, fully armed, and on high alert. His heart sank as he approached a leather goods shop and asked the owner, “Uncle, may I ask why there are so many troops around the royal city today? Has something happened?”
The shopkeeper, a Gaochang native, glanced at the palace gates and sighed, “Today, the King of Yanqi arrived with his delegation, reportedly to demand the return of the Yanqi Princess. Alas, I fear that if negotiations break down, war between the two countries will be inevitable!”
Qu Zhisheng suddenly understood. The shopkeeper continued with a worried expression, “If war breaks out, the Silk Road will be cut off. It’s one thing when the Great Tang and Eastern Turks fight—we small countries can’t interfere. But for us small Silk Road nations to fight among ourselves would truly destroy the Silk Road. We’d all face national ruin and homelessness. What’s the point of it all?”
Qu Zhisheng felt somewhat embarrassed, realizing that this potential war was being triggered because of him.
Knowing the inside story, he didn’t dare to approach the main palace gate directly. Instead, he secretly made his way to the back palace’s side entrance. The Gaochang Palace didn’t have many eunuchs or palace maids, so for major banquets, they often had to borrow staff from city taverns and noble households. Today, to entertain the Yanqi delegation, many temporary workers have been recruited. People were coming and going through this back door, continuously bringing in food ingredients, charcoal, utensils, and grape wine.
He tried to sneak in with the flow of people. The royal palaces of the Western Regions were not as strict as those in the Central Plains, and especially today, with all the chaos, he managed to slip inside.
Knowing the urgency of the situation, Qu Zhisheng knew he had to inform Qu Wentai. However, worried about Dragon Frost Moon, he first hurried back to his palace. As soon as he entered, he began calling out loudly, “Frost Moon! Frost Moon!”
At that moment, Dragon Frost Moon was in the main hall, giving orders to several trusted palace maids. Although she had already made thorough arrangements for Dragon Tuqi’s visit to the Gaochang royal city, she was still filled with anxiety.
“Go to see Father immediately and tell him to proceed according to the original plan,” Dragon Frost Moon instructed, then added after a moment’s thought, “But the tone should be more intense. Don’t worry about angering the Gaochang people.”
A palace maid nodded in agreement.
“Also, tell Father not to get involved in Gaochang’s internal conflicts,” Dragon Frost Moon further advised. “In short, no matter who holds power in Gaochang, we only want one thing—the Silk Road—”
Just then, Qu Zhisheng’s loud calls rang out. Dragon Frost Moon sprang to her feet, her face lighting up with joy, “Amitabha Buddha, this fool has finally returned safely!” Saying this, she quickly lifted her skirts and ran out of the hall. Her face was instantly covered with tears, and she threw herself into his arms, “My love! My love! Where have you been all night? I couldn’t sleep at all!”
“It’s my fault, it’s my fault,” Qu Zhisheng apologized repeatedly, then said, “Frost Moon, listen to me. The second Brother might be planning a rebellion. You should find a place to hide for now. Go to the family temple in the palace!”
Dragon Frost Moon was stunned.
“I must tell Father immediately!” he said, turning to leave. Dragon Frost Moon bit her lip, a strange light flashing in her eyes. Suddenly, she struck the back of his neck with her palm.
Qu Zhisheng never imagined Dragon Frost Moon would attack him. Just as a look of shock crossed his face, his vision went black, and he collapsed.