At the top of the Star-Observing Tower, the Supervisor had left the Eight Trigrams Platform at some point, his gaze fixed sharply on the engraving knife in Xu Qi An’s hand.
“Have you chosen him as well?” At this moment, this “deity” in the hearts of the Great Feng’s people, who had presided over the capital for five hundred years, muttered to himself.
“Hahaha…” Emperor Yuanjing laughed heartily, hands clasped behind his back. Standing in the tallest building of Great Feng, listening to the jubilant cheers of his subjects, this was a victory for Great Feng, and his victory as well. The Buddhist sect was now under his feet.
“What a splendid refusal to kneel,” Emperor Yuanjing sighed. “How many years has it been since the capital has seen such an outstanding young talent?”
“Aah!” Biaobiao let out a piercing scream, stomping her feet in excitement. “He won, Huaiqing! The dog slave won! He’s my man, he’s my man!”
Huaiqing gazed at the unconscious Xu Qi An, her eyes seemingly entranced.
She was an exceptionally brilliant woman, noble and proud. Even the top scholar was merely passable in her eyes. Among the countless talented youths in the capital, only Wei Yuan had truly earned Princess Huaiqing’s admiration.
Chancellor Zhao Shou was a respectable elder, but not enough to earn her admiration.
At this moment, Huaiqing recalled Xu Qi An’s various achievements: his debut in the tax silver case, secretly plotting against the son of the Vice Minister of Revenue, Zhou Li, eliminating the hidden danger.
Then joining the Night Watchmen, slaying the Silver Gong with his blade, being imprisoned, accepting a dangerous mission, investigating the Sangbo case… Almost single-handedly completing the investigation of the Yunzhou case, then dying in battle among four hundred rebels, returning to the capital… Ordered to investigate the Favored Consort case.
In between, every few days, a timeless masterpiece would appear, greatly encouraging the Confucian scholars of Great Feng.
And now, representing the Imperial Astronomical Bureau in a battle of wits against the Buddhist sect, striking twice with his blade, forcefully restoring the confidence of the capital’s citizens.
In one debate, he dissolved the old monk’s obsession with the Bodhi tree, causing an esteemed Second-rank Arhat to have an epiphany, comprehending the Mahayana Buddhist teachings.
Then, when the clear light came from beyond, he shattered the Dharma body with one strike, destroying the Arhat’s Dharma treasure.
Princess Huaiqing had never seen such a brilliant man, never before.
As the womenfolk cheered and the civil and military officials laughed heartily… Amidst the explosive cheers, Xu Pingzhi slumped in his chair, as if all his strength had been drained.
He had come so close to losing the son he had raised to the Buddhist sect.
Amid the capital citizens’ fervent cheers and passionate shouts, the protagonist Xu Qi An was ignored. Xu Er Lang silently walked over and carried his elder brother on his back.
In the end, I bore all the burden alone… Xu Er Lang thought.
He carried Xu Qi An towards the group of Night Watchmen, his gaze catching the engraving knife Xu Qi An was tightly gripping.
What is this thing? It seems to be an engraving knife.
Judging by its shape, it appeared to be a “pen” used by scholars in ancient times. Back then, there was no paper, and text was recorded on bamboo slips. Scholars held engraving knives, writing their heaven-spanning and earth-connecting talents on bamboo slips.
Where did this engraving knife come from… When no one’s paying attention later, I’ll secretly take it from Big Brother! Xu Er Lang felt a bit covetous; such antiques were very tempting to scholars.
Arhat Du’e stood dazed on the spot, not grieving over the damage to his Dharma instrument, the golden alms bowl. He regretted that such a naturally gifted Buddhist disciple had not converted to Buddhism.
“Grand-uncle…” Monk Jingchen gazed at Xu Er Lang’s retreating back and at Xu Qi An on his shoulders, saying in a deep voice, “Benefactor Xu is a genius bestowed upon Buddhism by heaven, the creator of Mahayana Buddhist teachings. Grand-uncle must bring him back to the Western Regions.”
Arhat Du’e pondered for a long while before sighing deeply, “Let it be. The karmic connection is not yet ripe.”
Monk Jingchen was unwilling to give up. He seemed to think of something and looked back at the Star-Observing Tower, opening his mouth, but ultimately chose to remain silent.
…
The battle of wits between the Buddhist sect and the Imperial Astronomical Bureau had ended, but the afterglow of this brilliant spectacle continued.
In a certain tavern, a middle-aged man wearing a worn blue robe, carrying an empty wine jug, stepped over the threshold into the ground floor hall and went straight to the counter.
“Innkeeper, I heard that if I tell you about the battle of wits, you’ll give me a free jug of wine?”
The goateed innkeeper nodded with a smile, “You can also drink while you talk, and my humble establishment will throw in a plate of peanuts.”
The middle-aged man hesitated for a moment. He had originally planned to take the wine home to drink, but the innkeeper was offering too much. He said, “Alright, I’ll drink here then. Quick, bring the peanuts.”
The innkeeper waved his hand, calling over a waiter to bring a jug of wine and a plate of peanuts for the middle-aged man in the worn blue robe.
The blue-robed man took a sip of wine, tossed a couple of peanuts into his mouth, and slowly began:
“When that Buddhist Arhat threw his golden alms bowl to the ground, the weather immediately changed, thunder and lightning intertwined, and the sky transformed into a Buddhist realm. This Buddhist realm had four levels. The first level was called the Eight Sufferings Array. This array was formidable, said to be used by high-ranking Buddhist monks to temper their Buddhist hearts…”
“The second level was called the Vajra Array. Innkeeper, do you know who presided over this Vajra?”
The middle-aged man looked at the innkeeper condescendingly.
“Isn’t it just that little monk from the Southern City?” the waiter sneered.
“Yeah, it’s just a little monk,” a guest at a nearby table chimed in.
“You all know about it?” The blue-robed middle-aged man was stunned.
“Wasn’t he cut down with one slash by our Silver Gong Xu? What Invincible Vajra, they’re all paper tigers, bah!” The guest who spoke was filled with the pride of a capital resident.
Just a day ago, when mentioning the little monk Jingsi, they would have gnashed their teeth, asking, “With so many experts in Great Feng, can’t we even deal with a little monk?”
Impotent rage.
But now, when mentioning that Vajra little monk, even the common folk proudly straightened their chests and sneered disdainfully: Nothing special.
This was the face that Xu Qi An had fought back bit by bit during the battle of wits, the confidence he had gradually rebuilt.
The blue-robed middle-aged man looked at the innkeeper in surprise: “You already knew all this, so why set this rule?”
“Different people see different things. It’s about filling in the gaps,” the innkeeper said with a smile. “Today I was minding the tavern and couldn’t go watch the battle of wits. It’s one of life’s great regrets.”
“I can only savor it afterward, have a little drink, and turn regret into a pleasant affair.”
The blue-robed middle-aged man nodded and continued: “…After that Silver Gong Xu came out, with each step he recited a line of poetry…”
“Wait.” The innkeeper suddenly called for a stop, saying, “The sea ends where the sky becomes the shore, at the peak of martial arts, I stand supreme. Are you sure there was this line of poetry? Several people before you told me about this part, but none mentioned this line.”
The blue-robed middle-aged man nodded vigorously: “Yes, there was this line. I’ve studied for over a decade; how could I forget a few lines of poetry?”
“Hmm… that’s strange,” the innkeeper frowned.
At this moment, a jianghu warrior coughed and said in a low voice, “Innkeeper, those who told you about this, were they all jianghu heroes?”
The innkeeper asked in return, “Is there a problem?”
“Ha!” The jianghu warrior waved his hand. “It doesn’t matter for you ordinary folks, say what you will, but as martial artists, who would dare to say such things in public? That’s either asking for death or a beating.”
The innkeeper suddenly understood. Martial artists were fond of bravery and fighting, and they couldn’t stand people being arrogant. They often drew their swords over a few inappropriate words. Such incidents happened frequently even in the strictly regulated capital.
“I’ve collected another good poem. This is a poem by the Poetry Champion Xu! Quick, prepare some paper and a brush for me.” The innkeeper became excited and instructed the waiter.
…
Hanlin Academy.
The Hanlin Academy belonged to the Inner Cabinet, responsible for compiling books and histories, drafting edicts, serving as tutors for royal family members, and acting as examiners for the imperial examinations.
The three most prestigious positions in the court were the Censors of the Censorate, the Six Offices of Scrutiny, and the Hanlin Academy.
In terms of status, the Hanlin Academy ranked first, because it had another title: the training ground for future prime ministers.
All the past Chief Ministers of Great Feng had come from the Hanlin Academy. In other words, only the elite from the Hanlin Academy could enter the Inner Cabinet, become Grand Secretaries, or even be appointed as Chief Minister.
The only exception was that nobles or princes could directly bypass the Hanlin Academy and enter the Inner Cabinet to wield ministerial power.
However, civil officials couldn’t do this. If they wanted to enter the Inner Cabinet, they had to go through the Hanlin Academy. Only first and second-rank scholars could enter the Hanlin Academy.
At this moment, a eunuch on duty in Emperor Yuanjing’s bedchamber was standing in the great hall of the Hanlin Academy, berating the elite scholars.
“Isn’t this victory in the battle of wits due to His Majesty’s merit-based selection? Isn’t it because the court cultivated Silver Gong Xu? Look at what you’ve written. You’re all first-rank graduates, yet you can’t even compose history properly.”
The eunuch threw the book to the ground. “Rewrite it.”
The faces of the elite scholars present changed. They had rushed back to the Hanlin Academy after the event, not even stopping to eat, writing with fervor.
Today’s battle of wits would undoubtedly be recorded in history books and passed down to future generations. But how to write it was a matter of great subtlety.
Such events that boost national prestige would certainly be recorded positively in history books, symbolizing honor and glory.
The one in power, Emperor Yuanjing, wanted to bask in this glory.
Of course, other emperors faced with such an opportunity would make the same choice as Emperor Yuanjing.
A young Compiler spoke in a deep voice: “The person was chosen by the Supervisor, and it was Silver Gong Xu who exerted effort in the battle of wits. What does this have to do with His Majesty? As Compilers of the Hanlin Academy, we not only write history for the court but also future generations.”
The eunuch sneered, speaking in a sarcastic tone: “Your ability to enter the Hanlin Academy is His Majesty’s grace. Entering the Inner Cabinet is just a matter of time. The sun and moon shine upon you, your future is limitless.”
“But if you displease His Majesty and he assigns you elsewhere, tsk tsk, that bright future will lose not just its sunlight and moonlight, but even its starlight.”
“His Majesty intends to keep the length unchanged, detailing the battle of wits and His Majesty’s process of selecting the worthy. As for praising Silver Gong Xu’s merits, he’s still young, there will be plenty of opportunities in the future.”
“Do you understand, gentlemen?”
The young Compiler grabbed an inkstone and hurled it at the eunuch, hitting him in the chest. The ink-stained the python robe black, and the eunuch groaned, stumbling backward.
“You dare strike me?” The eunuch was furious.
“I struck you deliberately,” the Compiler pointed at the eunuch and berated him: “When the Western Regions delegation entered the capital, first there was the Vajra holding court in the Southern City, and the Buddhist master preaching in the Northern City; then the Dharma body descended, questioning the Supervisor.”
“Afterwards, the Imperial Astronomical Bureau battled with the Buddhist sect, and Poetry Champion Xu turned the tide, defeating the Buddhist sect’s sharp momentum. Without him, the court would have lost all face this time. Why can’t we praise his merits? Why should we reduce the writing about him? I admire this young hero in my heart. If he were a scholar, I would take him as my teacher.”
“Get out of here! The Hanlin Academy is not a place for a castrated dog like you to run wild.”
“Get out!” The other elite scholars grabbed whatever they could reach and hurled it at the eunuch – brushes, ink, paper, inkstones, books, brush holders…
The eunuch fled in a sorry state, leaving the Hanlin Academy.
…
Lingbao Temple.
A woman wearing a magnificent palace dress, with a skirt trailing on the ground and precious ornaments on her head, entered the inner courtyard. Her demeanor was dignified, and her voice gentle as she instructed:
“You two go down first. I have something to say to the National Preceptor.”
The two maids who had accompanied her retreated from the courtyard.
The woman suddenly became lively, lifting her skirt and running into the quiet room, shouting: “National Preceptor, why didn’t I see you during today’s battle of wits? Did you see today’s battle?”
In the quiet room, Luo Yuheng, wearing a dark Daoist robe and a lotus crown, her hair neatly combed to reveal a smooth forehead and peerless beauty, sat cross-legged on a cushion. She looked at the woman who had barged in so casually and said calmly:
“I wasn’t interested.”
“Then you missed quite a show.” The veiled woman sat down by the table and said: “Today’s battle of wits was splendid, even more interesting than a theater performance. Let me tell you about it…”
She chattered away, vividly describing the process of the battle of wits to Luo Yuheng.
“You say he broke the Eight Sufferings Array with one slash?” Luo Yuheng frowned.
“Yes, it was very impressive. What’s wrong?” The veiled woman asked.
It’s the Supervisor helping him, even mobilizing the power of all living beings for him… Luo Yuheng pondered for a moment, then said: “Continue.”
The veiled woman then told her about how Xu Qi An broke through the Vajra Array with one slash. Luo Yuheng didn’t comment. When she heard about him discussing Buddhism with the old monk and causing Arhat Du’e to have an epiphany, the woman sighed:
“Although I still don’t understand what’s so great about Mahayana Buddhism, it sounds very impressive.”
Mahayana Buddhism… Does he have such insight? A look of shock flashed in Luo Yuheng’s beautiful eyes.
“All of this is nothing. The most exciting part was the fourth level… When the golden Dharma body appeared, forcing that rascal to kneel, that’s when the most interesting scene unfolded…”
The veiled woman’s eyes sparkled as she gulped down some tea.
Luo Yuheng smiled and said: “Drink slowly. Nanzhi, have you noticed something?”
“What?”
“In the past, when you came to my temple, you always complained about being bored and wanting to go out to play. But now, you no longer say you’re bored. Not only that but in everything you tell me, you always end up talking about Xu Qi An after a few words.”
The veiled woman was stunned. She stared at Luo Yuheng for a moment, then suppressed her lively demeanor, becoming once again the dignified and reserved noble lady, with a faint sense of detachment. Her tone was calm: “What do you mean?”
Luo Yuheng shook her head with a smile: “I just want to remind you that you have a husband. Your husband is Prince Huai, a Third-rank martial artist. He’s guarding the border and not in the capital.”
“But he has many confidants and ears in the capital. You shouldn’t have too much involvement with that Xu Qi An, otherwise, you’ll be harming him.”
The veiled woman snorted, her tone proud: “How could I possibly be involved with a rascal who frequents brothels? Are you insulting me?”
“That’s good then,” Luo Yuheng nodded and said: “Actually, even if you didn’t tell me, I would know what happened afterward. The Dharma body must have shattered for no reason, or perhaps the Supervisor intervened?”
Just now, she had sensed a surge in the power of all living beings, and then everything had returned to calm.
It must have been either the Supervisor assisting secretly or intervening openly.
After all, in the capital, Emperor Yuanjing’s fortune was insufficient, and his cultivation was weak. Only a Master of Rituals could mobilize the power of all living beings. A First-rank Master of Rituals – the Supervisor!
“No,” the veiled woman shook her head, her tone cold.
This petty woman, always putting on airs… Luo Yuheng smiled and, holding her teacup, asked: “No?”
“It was a beam of clear light descending from the sky that broke the golden Dharma body and the Buddhist realm,” she said softly.
“I was close by at the time and saw it. It was an engraving knife.”
An engraving knife?!
It was as if a thunderbolt had struck her ears. Luo Yuheng’s hand trembled, and hot tea splashed out. Her beautiful face suddenly froze.
It wasn’t the Supervisor… The Supervisor couldn’t possibly control a Confucian engraving knife… Luo Yuheng said in a deep voice: “Engraving knife? Where is the engraving knife? What happened afterward? Tell me in detail.”
Her tone conveyed urgency and a hint of undisguisable excitement. The veiled woman had never seen Luo Yuheng display such rich emotional fluctuations. She asked curiously: “What’s wrong with you?”
“Hurry and tell me!” Luo Yuheng leaned forward, actually shouting.
“…The engraving knife just broke the Dharma body.”
“Did the engraving knife disappear after breaking the Dharma body, or did it remain at the scene? Did… did Xu Qi An touch the engraving knife?” Luo Yuheng stared at her intensely, as if this point was very important.
“Yes, he stabbed through the Dharma body in the temple with one thrust.” The woman raised her right arm, making a forward “stabbing” gesture.
Luo Yuheng was dumbfounded.