The side gate of the royal temple, which led to the hidden paths connecting the beast garden and sand garden, suddenly burst open. More than ten swift horses galloped out, their riders wearing cloth headwraps and light blue robes, adorned with silver armor and snow-white brocade cloaks. They carried long sabers and short daggers at their waists, with ornately embroidered silk banners across their shoulders. Like arrows released from bows, they shot through the narrow passage beneath the cliff face, racing toward the endless snowy plains.

Simultaneously, the commanders of the palace guard stationed throughout the city received orders and began moving in different directions.

The main road before the palace was bustling with carriages and horses, teeming with activity.

Led by the powerful military families – the Kang, Xue, An, and Meng clans – the nobles either rode tall steeds or traveled in luxurious carriages, departing their mansions with private armies in tow, heading majestically toward the palace in an imposing display.

The chieftains of thirty-seven nomadic tribes who had submitted to the royal court were also invited to the palace.

The crowds gathered outside the main street. The noble families ignored each other, deliberately moving their carriages slowly to demonstrate their status – none wanting to appear overeager.

The neighing of horses, the rumbling of carriage wheels, and the snapping of banners in the cold wind merged into a great wave of sound that spread throughout the holy city’s streets and alleys.

The atmosphere was heavy, ready to explode.

The royal court had a tradition of Regent Kings serving as regents. Every time a new Regent King was to be appointed, it inevitably led to bloodshed. The noble families would engage in life-or-death struggles, resulting in casualties at best and armies massacring each other at worst.

During the last appointment of a Regent King, the Kang and Xue families, along with their allies, were all defeated. Before internal fighting could break out, Sudan Gu had already controlled the situation – that time was remarkably free of casualties.

This time, with four armies stationed outside the holy city and the Grand Minister’s intentions as clear as day, the conflict between the armies seemed inevitable.

The city’s common people hid in their homes, peering through window cracks at the scenes outside, trembling and silently praying that the four armies wouldn’t fight their way into the holy city.

People bowed and prostrated themselves toward the royal temple, reciting scriptures and offering sincere prayers.

No matter how the noble families fought, as long as the Buddha’s Son remained king, they could continue living peaceful lives.

…

Tanmoluojia returned to his meditation chamber.

Thin wisps of incense smoke lingered in the room. Yaoying was still unconscious, breathing softly with flushed cheeks.

Tanmoluojia stood before her, gazing down at her.

He knew why someone wanted to kidnap her at this crucial moment. He had only questioned Bisuo to confirm what he already suspected.

The instant Bisuo reported her abduction, Tanmoluojia understood.

A moment of delusion.

Neither wind nor banner moved, yet the heart moved.

He worried about the future of the royal court, and whether his subjects could live peacefully and escape the suffering of chaos. This time, he worried about a woman’s safety.

Princess Wenzhao was not one of his subjects.

Joy, anger, worry, thought, sorrow, fear, surprise.

The seven emotions and five desires were natural human conditions.

Yet practitioners were meant to maintain pure conduct, subdue the five desires, and cut off the seven emotions to achieve divine conduct and reach nirvana’s tranquility.

All forms are illusory.

All attachments are like dreams, bubbles, shadows – sand slipping through fingers.

Tanmoluojia bent down, picked up the scripture on the table, lowered the felt curtain, and retreated to a short desk by the window in the adjacent room. He sat cross-legged, facing away from the curtain, smoothed the papers, and continued transcribing scriptures.

The wind blows, clouds move, yet heaven remains still.

Water pushes, boats shift, yet shores stay unmoved.

When the heart is unmoved, neither wind nor banner moves.

A flutter of wings sounded by the window, a dark shadow wavered as the falcon landed before the short desk. Its feathers were disheveled as it gripped its leather tether in its beak, moving closer to him ingratiatingly.

Tanmoluojia didn’t look up, waving his hand, saying mildly, “You’ve made amends. I won’t punish you today.”

The falcon called twice released the tether, flapped its wings, and settled on its perch, narrowing its eyes.

The meditation chamber was as still as a deep pool, the gilt scroll-patterned incense burner quietly releasing wisps of blue smoke.

Tanmoluojia wrote the scriptures unhurriedly, his expression serene and detached.

The soft scratching of brush on paper continued until afternoon.

After writing the final line, Tanmoluojia set down his brush, lifted the scripture, placed it before the Buddha statue, and pressed his palms together, his full lips moving as he chanted softly.

Using killing to stop killing was unacceptable.

Yet in these chaotic times, mere tolerance and gentleness would only lead more innocent people to suffer the miseries of war, making life unbearable.

Footsteps sounded beyond the curtain as Yuanjue entered the meditation chamber, saying quietly, “Your Majesty, the carriages are ready. The ministers and nobles are about to enter the palace.”

Tanmoluojia opened his eyes.

The timing matched his expectations.

He went to the inner chamber to change into different ceremonial robes. Before leaving, he looked back toward the felt curtain.

Yuanjue, knowing Li Yaoying lay sleeping behind the curtain, kept his eyes lowered and didn’t dare make a sound.

“If Princess Wenzhao wakes, ask her to stay. Protect her well. Unless General Ashina comes personally, maintain strict vigilance.”

Tanmoluojia withdrew his gaze and instructed the guard Balmi.

Balmi respectfully responded, “This servant will surely protect the Princess.”

The wind howled as dark clouds gathered on the horizon.

Monk soldiers escorted Tanmoluojia as he stepped out of the meditation chamber. Standing before the steps in snow-white robes with gold embroidery, his garments billowing in the wind, his deep eyes sweeping around, his bearing was dignified and otherworldly.

The clouds hung low, the wind growing increasingly fierce. Though the courtyard was packed with people, not a single cough could be heard.

Guards and monk-soldiers in full armor knelt on one knee in the snowy courtyard, one hand on their swords, the other fisted against their chests as they gazed up at Tanmoluojia with fervent eyes.

Tanmoluojia looked down at everyone and said, “Four armies are arrayed outside the city. Follow me to the palace. Life and death are uncertain on this journey. Those who are fearful need not come.”

The guards immediately responded, “We do not fear death!”

Bisuo, kneeling at the front of the formation, stood and drew his sword, declaring loudly, “The palace guard will always be Your Majesty’s most loyal protectors, the Buddha’s Son’s most valiant servants. The four armies rebel and the court is unstable. The Buddha’s Son has the people’s hearts and universal support. We gladly give our lives for the Buddha’s Son, never shrinking from death!”

The other guards joined in the oath, their voices thunderous.

Amidst the soldiers’ roaring, a series of thunderous crashes came from outside the royal temple as the four armies’ cavalry, their patience exhausted, forced open the main gates. A commander from the Xue family led his subordinates directly into the temple.

The temple monks gathered in the main hall, sitting cross-legged and chanting scriptures, allowing the four armies’ cavalry to enter unimpeded.

The commander stood before the hall, sweeping a contemptuous glance over the monks. Gripping his sword with an arrogant attitude, he said, “All the lords have assembled. The King should hurry to the palace for council – don’t waste time!”

Guards rushed out from the corridor, demanding harshly, “Who are you to speak so loudly in the royal temple?! Do you not fear disturbing His Majesty?”

The commander smiled coldly and said, “I too am following orders. His Majesty surely won’t blame me.”

As he finished speaking, a cold, fierce wind swept toward his face. Silver light flashed and the commander startled, dodging aside.

With a sharp clang, a dagger embedded itself where he had just been standing, its handle quivering slightly.

If that blade had struck him, it would have cut to the bone.

The commander broke out in a cold sweat and looked up.

Guards in blue robes and white cloaks slowly descended the stone steps, dozens of eyes fixed on him. Behind the crowd, the Buddha’s Son Tanmoluojia in his ceremonial robes walked out unhurriedly, his gaze wise and his bearing elegant and composed.

Many of the four armies’ cavalry were common-born and had never had the chance to see the Buddha’s Son. Now, looking up at the legendary figure, their hearts trembled and they stood transfixed.

The guards escorted Tanmoluojia from the royal temple.

As news spread, commoners who had been lingering outside the temple gathered, kneeling on both sides of the street, prostrating themselves.

Someone took the lead, and the four armies’ cavalry began kneeling one by one, expressions reverent as they chanted Buddhist phrases.

The commander hadn’t expected the Buddha’s Son to remain so composed after Sudan Gu’s death. Seeing the people and soldiers’ deep devotion, he realized his show of force today had failed. He froze, deflating like a punctured balloon, his imposing manner instantly dissipating.

His eyes darted about before he plastered on a smile and hurried after the guards.

“Your Majesty, this humble officer was sent by General Xue Yanna to escort you.”

The guards laughed coldly and blocked the commander.

The commander dared not express his anger and could only follow beside the procession. All along the way from the temple to the palace, he wracked his brains trying to get closer, but couldn’t even touch the hem of Tanmoluojia’s robes.

…

In the palace’s main hall, the felt curtains hung high.

The officials and tribal chieftains who had already arrived sat in the hall. After a moment, hearing the bells chiming outside announcing Tanmoluojia’s arrival, they rose to welcome him.

This was Tanmoluojia’s first public appearance since last year. Everyone stole glances at him through the lowered brocade curtain, noting his calm expression and harboring their thoughts.

The tribal chieftains exchanged worried looks.

By now in the holy city, except for the royal temple, all other areas had fallen under the noble families’ control. The palace was surrounded by the imperial guard controlled by the noble houses. Though the Buddha’s Son had loyal guards, he had brought only a few dozen men to the palace. How could he escape if the noble houses turned hostile with such few men?

Moreover, four armies waited outside the city.

Everyone’s expressions varied.

A guard stepped forward to report that all the lords had arrived except for the Kang family and Xue Yanna.

The An and Meng families erupted in anger: “His Majesty has arrived yet they still don’t appear – they show no respect for the King!”

Tanmoluojia sat calmly on his throne, showing no reaction.

The An and Meng families tried to stir things up for a while, but seeing him remain perfectly composed without a ripple of emotion, they fell silent awkwardly.

Shortly after, shadows moved outside the hall doors.

Kang Mozhe and Xue Yanna entered with their entourages, sat down boldly, looked around, and only then stood to bow perfunctorily toward Tanmoluojia behind the curtain: “We are late.”

Tanmoluojia behind the brocade curtain said nothing, as if helpless before the two ministers.

Everyone whispered amongst themselves – with the Kang and Xue families acting so brazenly, surely the new Regent King would be chosen from one of these two houses.

The An and Meng families gnashed their teeth in hatred.

“Your Majesty.” The Meng family lord’s eyes flickered twice before he stepped forward and said, “Regent King Sudan Gu is dead. Court affairs cannot be neglected. We urgently need to appoint a new Regent King. Does Your Majesty have someone in mind?”

Others exchanged glances: the Meng family was the first to rush the Buddha’s Son to decide.

Xue Yanna and Kang Mozhe immediately grew wary.

They were determined to claim the Regent King position, but too many people coveted this prize, each wanting a bite. Everyone was an enemy, which was why the four armies lingered outside the city. The Meng and An families were weaker than their two houses – were they hoping to profit from others’ fighting?

Xue Yanna smiled coldly and said, “The Regent King should be chosen by the court ministers! I propose a martial arts tournament – whoever shows the greatest martial prowess becomes Regent King. Otherwise, how can everyone submit?”

Hearing this, the other three families sneered. Xue Yanna was in his prime – proposing a tournament clearly showed his ambition to become Regent King!

The An family lord said, “The Regent King must not only lead armies in war but also manage state affairs on the Buddha’s Son’s behalf. A martial arts tournament is unsuitable.”

Xue Yanna’s lips curled as he patted the sword at his waist, saying pointedly, “If not through combat, how can I make every warrior of the Xue family willingly submit?”

“Considering experience and service to the royal court, I nominate the Grand Minister!”

“The Grand Minister has served his position for many years. Though his contributions are great, he is advanced in age and unskilled in warfare. He cannot serve as Regent King.”

“I nominate Commander An!”

Everyone argued their position until red-faced, with the Kang and Xue families particularly confrontational.

The Meng family fanned the flames: “Today His Majesty summoned us to decide on the Regent King. Both the Grand Minister and General Xue wish to compete for it. This deadlock could harm relations between the houses – what should be done?”

The hall filled with clamoring voices.

Suddenly, a clap sounded from behind the brocade curtain.

Everyone gradually fell silent, turning toward the curtain.

Yuanjue stood before it and said gravely, “His Majesty says that before appointing a Regent King, one matter must be resolved.”

He paused, his gaze moving across each person’s face.

“First, we must discover who truly assassinated the Regent King.”

At these words, the hall erupted in shock.

Everyone exchanged startled glances, their eyelids twitching.

Sudan Gu’s death was suspicious – who couldn’t see that?

Years ago during the noble houses’ internal struggles, Sudan Gu had emerged unexpectedly to claim the Regent King position. The noble houses remained dissatisfied and had never stopped trying to assassinate him – everyone knew this.

While the Buddha’s Son was in seclusion, Sudan Gu died at the hands of bandits, but the Kang, Xue, and other families surely played some role.

Now Sudan Gu was dead, the Buddha’s Son had lost his support and emerged hastily from seclusion. He had stayed in the royal temple, possibly unable to even mobilize troops or fully understand what had happened. Before he could react, the noble houses approached the holy city, forcing him to quickly appoint a new Regent King – the Buddha’s Son was clever and understood the situation. He wouldn’t directly confront the noble houses since he still needed them to govern the realm.

For years, the Buddha’s Son had maintained a delicate balance with the noble houses, as had the houses among themselves.

After all, everyone understood that once that balance broke, no one could control the chaos.

Today, the Buddha’s Son who so well understood this balance refused to continue feigning ignorance, insisting on discovering the truth about Sudan Gu’s death.

Did the Buddha’s Son not fear the noble houses would fly into a rage and storm the holy city with their armies?

Before everyone could recover from their shock, Yuanjue turned to Xue Yanna and demanded harshly: “General Xue, someone has secretly informed His Majesty that you are the true assassin of the Regent King. Do you confess?”

In an instant, the hall fell so silent a pin drop could be heard.

Everyone stared in stunned disbelief.