“This is my daughter!” Aunt frowned, picking up Lingyin and placing her on her lap.
“Doesn’t she take after me?” Aunt asked, somewhat displeased.
Not at all, she looks nothing like you… The old lady’s face froze for a moment, her gentle smile quickly returning as she said, “Now that I look closely, her features do resemble yours. It was my mistake.”
Indeed, her features resembled the coachman outside.
The rest of the journey passed in silence.
Xu Pingzhi drove the carriage to the vicinity of Guanxing Tower. First, he heard the clamor of voices, then as he turned the corner, he saw a vast sea of people.
He quickly scanned the crowd, estimating at least one or two thousand people in his view alone. And this was just a small portion of the citizenry. One could only imagine how many people were gathered in all directions around Guanxing Tower—a truly staggering number.
“This is even livelier than the Spring Festival…” Xu Pingzhi reined in the horses, stopping the carriage on the outskirts.
“Why have we stopped?” Aunt’s voice came from inside the carriage.
“The road ahead is blocked by people,” Xu Pingzhi explained. “We’ll have to get off here.”
Aunt lifted the carriage window and, with her husband’s assistance, disembarked. Xu Lingyue also alighted with her father’s help, while the little one was carried down by Xu Pingzhi.
The old lady frowned slightly. She was accustomed to having maidservants bring a small wooden stool for her to step on when getting in and out of carriages. This situation felt unfamiliar.
Fortunately, the carriage was simple, and its floor wasn’t far from the ground, unlike her luxurious carriage made of golden silk nanmu wood, which stood as high as a person’s waist.
She easily jumped down from the carriage.
Xu Pingzhi waved over a nearby Imperial Guard and instructed, “Keep an eye on the carriage.”
As he spoke, he showed his Imperial Guard badge.
The young guard respectfully acknowledged the order.
Xu Pingzhi led his family around the crowd towards a pathway cleared by the Imperial Army. The path was flanked by soldiers, separating the commoners and forming a “safe passage” for officials and nobles.
At the entrance to the path, two Imperial Army soldiers crossed their spears, blocking Xu Pingzhi and his group.
Xu Pingzhi produced the badge Xu Qi’an had given him. The soldiers glanced at it and let them pass.
“Ning Yan’s status is getting higher and higher,” Aunt said gleefully. “My lord, I never dreamed we’d be sitting among the capital’s dignitaries.”
Xu Xinnian couldn’t help but feel a twinge of jealousy, snorting, “Mother, you’ll become a noble lady yourself someday.”
Xu Pingzhi delivered a verbal backstab: “First, think about how you’ll keep your position in the capital.”
Xu Xinnian immediately deflated.
According to the academy’s intentions, they wanted to find a way to send him to Qingzhou, far from the capital, to make a name for himself.
But Xu Xinnian didn’t want to go. Going to Qingzhou meant being far from his parents, elder brother, and sisters. If he couldn’t return to the capital after his three-year term, he’d have to serve another three years elsewhere.
Three years after three years, only able to see his family during brief visits to the capital to report on his work.
Of course, there was another reason. If he couldn’t enter the Hanlin Academy, he’d essentially lose his path to the Grand Secretariat.
Father’s words “My son has the talent to become Prime Minister” would truly become empty talk.
As they finished walking down the “safe passage,” the family looked up and saw a vast square with many pavilions set up. Civil officials, military officers, and nobles sat in their respective areas, orderly yet demarcated.
Additionally, there were many noble ladies and young misses, most of whom had brought their entire families to watch the debate.
For these aristocratic women, the face of the Great Shang was secondary; watching the spectacle was of utmost importance.
Xu Pingzhi scanned the area while leading his family towards the section for the Department of Celestial Observation. In the main seat sat a man in cyan robes with graying temples.
On either side of him were rows of Golden Gong Bearers, with Silver Gong Bearers behind them. The Bronze Gong Bearers had been assigned to stand guard and weren’t privileged to sit in the pavilion to watch the show.
Xu Pingzhi approached with his family, gave a quick bow, and swiftly led his wife, children, and the unfamiliar woman to their seats.
The renowned Wei Yuan and the Golden Gong Bearers didn’t acknowledge him, which made Second Uncle Xu breathe a sigh of relief. Being inconspicuous was for the best.
The old lady also felt relieved. Being unnoticed was indeed good.
…
Among these pavilions, the most lavishly constructed was a resting platform draped in yellow silk. Tables were arranged at the bottom of the canopy, where members of the royal family and imperial clan were seated.
The Empress and Imperial Concubine Chen, who had nearly come to blows in the palace, were also present. Everyone was chatting and laughing amiably as if they had always been harmonious sisters without any discord.
All four princesses were in attendance, with Princess Huaiying seated in the place of honor and Princess Biaobiao beside her.
Among the princes, the Crown Prince was still confined and unable to leave, but all the others had come.
For the royal family, this debate was not merely a spectacle but a matter concerning the face of the court and the royal family.
“Where’s Xu Qi’an? Why hasn’t he come out? Can he defeat those monks? How do the monks plan to debate?” Princess Lin’an chattered incessantly, her bright peach blossom eyes darting around, unable to spot her “dog slave.” She felt a bit deflated.
“It’s hopeless!” The Seventh Prince shook his head. “That Xu Qi’an is a mere warrior. How can he debate with the Buddhist sect? Moreover, with his meager cultivation, how can he possibly cope?”
The Third Prince laughed in agreement: “Unless the Buddhist sect challenges him to a poetry competition.”
The princesses and princes couldn’t help but laugh.
Lin’an flew into a rage, glaring fiercely at her brothers and sisters, “You’d be happy if he loses? Should I cast a Buddha statue for each of you?”
The Third Princess frowned, “We were just joking, Lin’an. What’s the matter with you?”
The other princes also frowned.
Ever since the Favored Concubine Fu incident, Lin’an’s temper had become volatile. She was no longer courteous to her brothers and sisters, and her words were increasingly harsh.
Princess Huaiying calmly said, “If it were a Taoist debate, naturally the stronger would win, and the same goes for other systems. But Buddhism is different. Buddhism emphasizes enlightenment, the Buddha’s heart, and Zen insight.
“Xu Qi’an is indeed only a seventh-rank warrior, and there are many with higher cultivation than him. But what use is higher cultivation? Can it be higher than that of the Arhat who crossed suffering?”
Huaiying’s words always left people speechless and unable to refute.
The princes and princesses fell silent.
…
In the pavilion adjacent to the royal family’s, Prime Minister Wang Zhenwen sipped his wine, noticing that his daughter’s gaze was constantly directed towards the area where the Department of Celestial Observation was seated.
He frowned and asked, “Mu’er, what are you looking at?”
Miss Wang withdrew her gaze, responding with a faint smile, “Daughter is seeing the renowned Lord Wei for the first time. He truly has an extraordinary bearing.”
As she spoke, she glanced at a certain exceptionally handsome young man from the corner of her eye.
“By the way, why haven’t we seen His Majesty?” Miss Wang smoothly changed the subject, diverting her father’s attention.
Prime Minister Wang turned his head to look at the royal pavilion and smiled, “The two in the palace are fighting fiercely, and His Majesty finds it troublesome. He’s probably observing from the Eight Trigrams Platform right now.”
Miss Wang responded with an “Oh,” then asked, “Father, what is the purpose of the Western Regions delegation’s visit to the capital this time? Their unreasonable proposal for a debate is truly perplexing.”
Delegations don’t just come without reason; there must be a purpose. The provocative actions of the Buddhist sect over the past few days made people realize that this Western Regions delegation’s visit to the capital was not with good intentions.
“Perhaps it’s related to the Sangbo case,” Prime Minister Wang said nonchalantly.
Miss Wang frowned slightly, extracting two pieces of information from her father’s response. First, even her father, as Prime Minister, wasn’t very clear about the situation. Second, the Sangbo case seemed to hide deeper implications.
Just as she was about to inquire further, Prime Minister Wang waved his hand impatiently, “You’re a young lady, don’t concern yourself with court affairs. Save that clever mind of yours for your future husband.”
Miss Wang pouted and said no more. Taking advantage of her father’s inattention, she once again cast her gaze towards the Department of Celestial Observation.
After the debate ends, I’ll host a literary gathering at our mansion… she thought to herself.
Meanwhile, Xu Pingzhi, drawing on his years of experience working in the capital, scanned the pavilions one by one, recognizing some important figures, though, of course, there were many more he didn’t know.
However, using the royal pavilion as the core, he knew that the closer one was, the higher their status.
Suddenly, he had the illusion of stepping onto the stage of power in the capital, and all of this was brought about by Ning Yan… After this debate, if Ning Yan emerges victorious, he will become famous throughout the capital and all of Great Shang… If he loses, he may face prolonged public disdain, and if the history books record it, he’ll bear infamy for ages to come.
Thinking of this, Second Uncle Xu felt quite conflicted.
“My lord, look at that princess. Isn’t she the one who came to pay respects to Ning Yan that day?” Aunt was also observing the scene and recognized Princess Huaiying, as pure as a lotus and radiant.
Xu Pingzhi grunted in response to his wife.
Aunt continued, “The princess in the red dress beside her is also very pretty, but… her eyes seem to be alluring. She doesn’t look very proper.”
Xu Pingzhi was startled and said in a low voice, “Don’t talk nonsense. Don’t discuss the princesses carelessly in this setting. Do you want our entire family to be executed?”
Aunt quickly shut her mouth.
“What’s wrong with speaking about it? None of the Great Shang royal family are any good,” the old lady said coolly.
We don’t know you, so keep your opinions to yourself… Xu Xinnian grumbled inwardly.
Xu Pingzhi exhaled and forced himself not to engage with that woman, warning his wife and children, “In such occasions, it’s best to observe and listen more and speak less. If you do nothing, you can’t go wrong… Lingyin?!”
The last two words came out in a changed tone.
At some point, Lingyin had toddled over to the cyan-robed eunuch. She tilted her face up, pointing at the food on the table, and said with longing:
“Uncle, may I eat some of your food?”
Seeing this scene, Xu Pingzhi felt a tingling sensation from his tailbone to the top of his head.
The Golden Gong Bearers around Wei Yuan simultaneously furrowed their brows, wondering where this impudent child came from.
Zhang Kaitai, who had paid respects to Xu Qi’an before, recognized the little one and quickly said, “Lord Wei, this is Xu Ning Yan’s young sister.”
The Golden Gong Bearers’ gazes softened as they looked at Lingyin, thinking that this child was not shy and had great courage, surely destined for greatness.
Wei Yuan picked up a piece of preserved fruit and handed it over.
Lingyin took it and devoured it in a few bites.
“That’s not how you eat preserved fruit. The longer you keep it in your mouth, the longer the sweetness lasts,” Wei Yuan said with a smile.
“By the time it’s fully sweet, others will have eaten all the preserved fruit,” Lingyin raised her little eyebrows:
“If I keep eating without stopping, it will always be sweet… Uncle, I want more.”
Wei Yuan smiled and fed her a few more pieces of preserved fruit. After eating for a while, Lingyin said somewhat embarrassedly, “Why isn’t Uncle eating?”
Wei Yuan shook his head with a smile.
“So you’re not eating it yourself,” Lingyin blinked her pure and clear eyes, cautiously probing, “Uncle’s not eating, so I’ll finish them all.”
“You can eat them all?” Wei Yuan laughed, glancing at Lingyin’s little belly, and then at the table full of fruits, preserved fruits, and exquisite pastries.
“Lord… Lord Wei…” Xu Pingzhi came over, bowing stiffly, trying hard not to let his voice tremble: “My daughter is naughty, please don’t take offense.”
Wei Yuan lifted his sleeve slightly and handed Lingyin a golden pear.
Seeing this, Jiang Luzhong smiled and said, “Lord Wei is just chatting with the child. You may go back now.”
Xu Pingzhi looked at the little one, then at Wei Yuan who was ignoring him, and turned back reluctantly.
“Father, what are you afraid of? Elder Brother is a Silver Gong Bearer, highly favored by Lord Wei. Lingyin will be fine,” Xu Er’lang said.
Xu Pingzhi sighed.
Young people wouldn’t understand how terrifying Wei Yuan could be. Those who had experienced the battle at Shanhai Pass would never think of Wei Yuan as a kind and gentle person.
Time passed slowly. The food in front of Wei Yuan diminished. He looked at Lingyin’s little belly and frowned, then placed his hand on her head.
Then, he continued to press and knead various parts of the girl’s body for a long time.
“What a pity,” Wei Yuan said regretfully.
“Foster father, what’s wrong?” Yang Yan asked.
“This child has strong bones and a vigorous spirit, with a deep innate foundation. However, her tendons and bones lack flexibility, making her unsuitable for martial arts,” Wei Yuan shook his head.
“No wonder she eats so much. This little girl must be a glutton,” Nangong Qianrou mocked.
“Tui tui tui…” Lingyin spat at her, her small eyebrows rising: “You’re a bad person.”
She still remembered this beautiful sister who had come to their home and lied about her big brother’s death, causing her father and mother to cry for a long time.
Nangong Qianrou snorted coldly, pulling out a handkerchief from her bosom to wipe the saliva off her trousers.
Imperceptibly, time had advanced to the Hour of the Snake. Master Du’e, who had been meditating cross-legged under the pavilion, opened his eyes and said in a resonant voice: “Supervisor, do you know of the Sumeru in a mustard seed?”
“Mere child’s play!”
From the ninth heaven above came the Supervisor’s scornful laugh.
Everyone present, whether dignitaries or commoners outside, became excited and emotional.
The real show was about to begin!
Suddenly, Master Du’e took a golden bowl from his sleeve and gently tossed it out.
“Bang!”
The golden bowl, weighing over a thousand jin, smashed into the stone slab, cracking it and embedding itself deep into the ground.
A pure golden light rose from the bowl, expanding in the sky, revealing a tall mountain with winding stone steps extending to the end of the mountain forest.
At the summit, a temple was faintly visible.
“Godly technique…” Aunt was stunned her mouth agape.
Except for the martial artists with cultivation, all ordinary people who witnessed this scene couldn’t control their expressions. A commotion arose.
“Foster Father, what is ‘Sumeru in a mustard seed’?” Nangong Qianrou frowned.
“It’s a Buddhist allusion,” Wei Yuan glanced at Xu Lingyin, who was oblivious to her surroundings, and said calmly:
“Sumeru hidden in a mustard seed, a mustard seed containing Sumeru. Legend has it that Buddha held a mountain called Mount Sumeru in his hand. It was his domain, and wherever he went, his domain was there.”
Yang Yan remembered the Battle of Shanhai Pass twenty years ago and the scene of Buddhist monks transporting troops. He suddenly realized: “A Buddha’s realm in one’s palm?”
Wei Yuan nodded: “Inside the golden bowl is a mountain.”
“Jingsi, enter the mountain and take charge of the second checkpoint,” Master Du’e instructed.
The handsome monk in cyan robes stood up, bowed with his hands clasped, and then, in front of countless eyes, stepped into the golden bowl.
The next moment, a young monk climbing the mountain appeared in the painting unfolding in the sky.
He climbed the steps unhurriedly, reaching the middle of the mountain and sitting cross-legged.
Streams of golden light poured down from the sky, gathering on him. In an instant, his body was covered with a layer of golden light, making him appear as if cast in gold.
…
“So this world has the Sumeru in a mustard seed,” Xu Qi’an marveled.
Yang Qianhuan, standing with his back to him, nodded: “Sumeru in a mustard seed, also known as the Buddha’s realm in one’s palm. However, this should be an ownerless world hidden in the golden bowl.
“If it were a ‘Buddha’s realm’ with an owner, the outcome would be determined by a single thought of its master. This is still fair.”
Chu Caiwei stuffed a bag of pastries into his arms, saying sweetly: “Xu Ning Yan, go on, eat these while climbing the mountain.”
“…Thank you, I’m not hungry,” Xu Qi’an politely declined.
Behind him, a group of white-robed Taoists cheered: “Go on, Young Master Xu. Although we don’t know why Master Supervisor chose you, he must have his reasons.”
“You must return victorious, Young Master Xu.”
Let’s talk about victory later. With such a good opportunity, in front of the entire capital, I’ll show off first… Xu Qi’an patted Yang Qianhuan’s shoulder and said:
“Senior Brother Yang, after today, you’ll understand what it means to perform miracles in front of people!”
…
Outside the venue, on the roof of a tavern, the cyan-robed swordsman Chu Yuanzhen stood shoulder to shoulder with the burly bald man Hengyuan, watching the brilliantly golden young monk Jingsi. The top scholar clicked his tongue:
“Body forged in golden light. This Sumeru world has enhanced Jingsi’s Vajra body. With Xu Ning Yan’s current strength, it’s impossible to break through.”
Hengyuan felt somewhat conflicted. By rights, as a Buddhist disciple, he should stand on the side of Buddhism. But he was also a citizen of Great Shang, and the one fighting was Xu the Great Benefactor.
“By the way, what happened last night? Why didn’t you receive my message?” Chu Yuanzhen asked.
“Daoist Jin Lian blocked it,” Hengyuan said.
This morning, when Chu Yuanzhen came to find him to “watch the show” together, he also asked about the message from last night. After comparing notes, they both concluded that Daoist Jin Lian had blocked Number Four.
“I know Daoist Jin Lian blocked my message, but why?” Chu Yuanzhen expressed his confusion.
“Daoist Jin Lian didn’t want you to reveal that Xu Qi’an was representing the Department of Celestial Observation in the debate?”
“Heh, does that make sense to you?” Chu Yuanzhen sneered.
“It doesn’t,” Hengyuan shook his head.
“I feel this matter isn’t simple,” Chu Yuanzhen mused. He didn’t dwell on this issue and instead said:
“You stayed at the Three Yang Relay Station for three days. Did you gain anything?”
“The Diamond Sutra cannot be easily passed on. Great Uncle Du’e told me that if I want to see the Diamond Sutra, I can return to the Western Regions with him and cultivate on Mount Sumeru for three years,” Hengyuan said.
“Until you become a Buddhist inside and out, with no more connection to Great Shang?” Chu Yuanzhen’s lips curled in a mocking smile.
“It’s not like that,” Hengyuan argued: “Not just anyone can cultivate the Diamond Sutra. Aren’t you curious why it’s Jingsi who’s facing the challenge and not others?”
Chu Yuanzhen’s heart stirred: “In the Western Regions delegation, only Jingsi has mastered the Diamond Sutra?”
Hengyuan nodded: “One must either be born with the Buddhist root to comprehend its mysteries, or go to Mount Sumeru to listen to the dharma, where there might be a slim chance of understanding the Diamond Sutra.”
Chu Yuanzhen suddenly thought of something and clapped his hands, somewhat annoyed: “So you’re saying that even if Xu Qi’an wins the debate and obtains the Diamond Sutra, it would be useless?
“Because a lustful person like Xu Qi’an couldn’t possibly have the Buddhist root.”
Hengyuan was silent for a moment, then slowly nodded.
As they talked, they heard Master Du’e proclaim loudly: “This debate shall be called ‘Mountain Climbing’! If you reach the summit and enter the temple, and still refuse to convert to Buddhism, then we Buddhists will be considered defeated. The Department of Celestial Observation has three chances.”
Hearing this, Wei Yuan smiled.
“Mountain climbing…” Yang Yan pondered: “The journey must be fraught with difficulties. One misstep, and defeat is certain.”
After Master Du’e finished speaking, he said no more and began to meditate quietly.
Inside and outside the venue, the audience waited for a long time but still didn’t see the Department of Celestial Observation send anyone to take up the challenge. Discussions began to arise.
“Why is there no movement from the Department of Celestial Observation? Could it be that they’re afraid?”
“Where’s the Supervisor? Say something, Supervisor!”
“What’s going on? If the Department of Celestial Observation is afraid, why did they agree to the debate? Do they want to bring more shame to Great Shang?”
Suddenly, someone exclaimed joyfully: “Someone’s coming out of Guanxing Tower!”
In an instant, countless heads turned, and countless gazes fixed on the main door of Guanxing Tower.
From the hall on the first floor, a cloaked figure slowly walked out. He was carrying a wine jar, wearing a hood, and his head was lowered, obscuring his face.
As the cloaked figure stepped onto the stairs, a deep chanting voice spread throughout the venue, accompanied by a surge of energy entering everyone’s ears.
“At fifteen or twenty, a youth in green robes wields a sword and roams the jianghu.”
As the cloaked figure took his second step, the low voice suddenly became high and resonant: “As the great roc rises with the wind in a day, soaring straight up ninety thousand li.”
This… In the pavilions, many civil officials unconsciously stood up, paying tribute with their gazes to that figure.
The cloaked figure took his third step, pointing to the sky with one hand, his voice changing from high to majestic: “Where the sea ends, the sky becomes the shore; at the peak of martial arts, I stand supreme!”
Inside and outside the venue, many martial artists raised their eyebrows, their expressions peculiar. Some jianghu figures outside even responded by stirring their energy.
The cloaked figure took his fourth step, letting out a long cry: “A body that has fought across three thousand li, a sword once worth a hundred million troops.”
Wei Yuan raised an eyebrow, his body leaning slightly forward.
The military officers abruptly stood up.
The cloaked figure took his fifth step, sighing softly: “If Heaven had not birthed me, Xu Ning Yan, the Nine Provinces would be in eternal darkness!”
Xu Xinnian trembled with anger. This was his life’s masterpiece, created in a moment of despair.
His elder brother was truly shameless.
In his anger, he looked around and saw the stunned faces all around. They were staring at the cloaked figure entering the scene with such focus.
When I recited this poem, I was mocked by my family, but when my elder brother recites it, he commands the attention and admiration of thousands… Xu Xinnian thought bitterly:
The elder brother is truly shameless.
In his vexation, Xu Xinnian glanced at the woman beside him. She was gazing at the cloaked figure, somewhat entranced.
Biaobiao stared at the cloaked figure, her eyes seemingly unable to contain anything else.
Huaiying’s eyes sparkled with an unusual light. For the first time, she felt that this man was so dazzling.
Xu Qi’an didn’t recite any more poetry. Carrying the wine jar, he entered the scene step by step, finally stopping beside the golden bowl. Then, he removed his hood and tilted his head back to drink.
The wine flowed down his chin, soaking his collar, wild and unrestrained.
Suddenly, he smashed the wine jar on the ground. Amidst the shattering sound, he laughed wildly:
“The heroes of the world come from our generation, once entering the jianghu, years fly by. Grand plans and great undertakings are discussed with laughter, life’s perfect intoxication cannot be surpassed.”
With a wild and unrestrained laugh, he leaped into the golden bowl.
At this moment, the entire venue fell silent.
After a long while, suddenly, the clamor came, like a tidal wave sweeping across the entire scene.
“Great Shang must win!”
“Great Shang must win!”
This grand entrance, these lines of masterful poetry being born, instantly overwhelmed the Buddhist sect in style and looked down upon them in momentum.
It also restored confidence to the people of the capital.
The civil and military officials slowly nodded, showing expressions of approval. So Xu Qi’an’s grand entrance had a deep meaning.
It swept away the declining morale and rallied the spirits.