Snowflakes drifted down continuously in the mountains, with white mist blanket spread everywhere. Looking up along the mountain peaks, one could see a lone pine tree stretching horizontally across a deep ravine, appearing majestic and perilously steep. Despite the falling snow filling the sky, it stood proudly erect. Suddenly, a fierce wind swept through, causing the pine branches to sway up and down as if about to snap. Yet in the snowy mist, there appeared to be someone leaning against the tree trunk, seemingly sleeping soundly, not forgetting to pull up their blanket.

“Lord Ma…” Just as he was rubbing his eyes, his body swayed and he heard someone calling beside his ear: “Lord Ma…” Ma Renjie woke up. He stared blankly at that pine tree, but the figure had vanished in a flash. He rubbed his eyes, thinking it must have been his imagination, then picked up his walking stick and slowly climbed the stone steps, appearing quite labored.

The weather was very cold, and the stone steps before him seemed to lead to the Southern Heaven Gate, steep and high. Watching Ma Renjie with his lame leg battling wind and snow, the steps icy and slippery, it appeared both difficult and dangerous. Two military officers hurried over, saying: “Lord Ma, let us carry you up.” Just as they were about to help, several attendants had already blocked them, saying softly: “Don’t meddle. Have you forgotten who he is?” The words “Minister of War Ma Renjie” flashed through the minds of all the officers, and they immediately came to their senses, hastily bowing and stepping back: “Yes, yes.”

The wind was fierce and snow heavy, causing the entire mountain range to shiver. At the mountain gate, soldiers were arranged in rows numbering in the thousands, each wearing fine steel armor. Their banners bore neither “Loyalist Army” nor “Zhengtong,” but rather “Golden Guards,” “Prefecture Army,” “Tiger Forest,” and “Feathered Forest” – four divisions. Needless to say, this place was Hongluo Mountain, where Emperor Zhengtong’s imperial retinue was stationed.

At this time, Ma Renjie had come through the snow specifically to seek audience with the current emperor. The current one being the emperor. As the saying goes: “Serving the emperor is like accompanying a tiger,” and also “Troubles come only from sticking one’s neck out.” From the first day Ma Renjie entered the court, not a single day passed without troubles, nor a day without sticking his neck out. Yet his official position kept rising – first County Magistrate of Kaiyang, then Prefect of Datong, then Ministry of Revenue Secretary, and finally promoted to Minister of War. However, on the very day he ascended to the Southern Heaven Gate, his life’s path suddenly became treacherous, because he was crippled.

Ma Renjie was a straightforward man who always spoke his mind directly. For this, he had repeatedly angered Emperor Zhengtong, though he had never been beaten. Because of this, he became even bolder in his speech, until he finally got into serious trouble – forty strokes of the punishment cane cost him one leg.

But Ma Renjie’s beating was not in vain. Like the martyrs of this dynasty, the more he was beaten, the stronger and more vigorous he became. Each time he fell and got back up, his reputation grew by several degrees. Now his prestige was so high it nearly matched that of the former Minister of War Gu Siyuan, who died in prison. Throughout the realm, none failed to respect him.

Unlike the Jingtai Dynasty, the Zhengtong Dynasty had no arch-villains like Jiang Chong and Liu Jing, but it did have the “Paper-Paste Three Grand Secretaries” and the “Clay-Molded Four Ministers.” Before this bunch of paper and clay figures, Ma Renjie stood out too prominently. “Only mediocrity escapes envy” – some ministers were jealous of him, privately mocking him as someone who “sought fame by acting upright” and “got promoted by taking beatings on the buttocks.” After hearing this, Ma Renjie would always just laugh it off. However, his disciples would always coldly retort: “Come on then, if getting beaten is so easy, why don’t you all take a beating too?”

When he was being beaten that year, Ma Renjie’s cries were so pitiful they could be heard a li away. Many scholars mocked him for being spineless, pampered and soft, crying at the first beating. Ma Renjie was powerless to refute this. That day he was carried home by his family, his two legs forever unequal in length, his spine also injured from this, never again able to sleep on his back, only on his side. Whenever cold weather came, he would be in such pain that his whole body trembled – unable to sit, unable to stand, even lying down was painful, as if he were constantly in a mountain of knives and cauldron of oil. And he was only forty-four years old.

A human life of a hundred years passes in the blink of an eye, yet for those in hell, it seems far too long. However, Ma Renjie was not without opportunity to ascend to heaven. The night before his punishment, he had a dream in which the Asura King descended and asked if he wanted to seek protection. Ma Renjie refused candidly, saying: “If I don’t enter hell, who will?” And also: “Having just been beaten today, I have no face to meet the world’s people.”

Ma Renjie had known early on that he would certainly be beaten. Moreover, it could be said that if he hadn’t been beaten, he would have felt guilty for the rest of his life. Therefore, he bore no hatred toward Emperor Zhengtong, nor even toward the northwestern rebels. But he could not forget a group of people – a group of self-proclaimed noble, self-righteous “pure stream scholars” who never forgot to “give fifty lashes to each side.” They were forever standing by with folded arms, forever speaking coldly… watching as people ahead fell one by one, yet still laughing heartily… The lowest level of hell is reserved for those who stand by and watch.

Ma Renjie understood in his heart that after he fell, the Zhengtong Dynasty would also end. Because the “Asura King” was about to depart from heaven and take control of all earthly matters. At that moment, the world would become a quiet purgatory, henceforth all six realms would fall silent, never again to hear a single sound…

While lost in thought, attendants on both sides whispered: “My lord, watch your step.” Ma Renjie looked up and realized he had already passed the steps and entered “Hongluo Temple.”

Hongluo Temple, also called “Huguo Zifu Chan Temple,” held court-ordained dharma assemblies for three consecutive days on the fourteenth, fifteenth, and sixteenth of the first month each year, praying for blessings and rain, hoping for favorable weather in the coming year. However, this year was different – the rain prayer assembly had not yet finished when floods had already inundated the capital.

Ma Renjie bowed his head and sighed, slowly walking into the Great Hero Hall. The monks around had already heard the tap-tap sound of his walking stick and came forward one by one to pay their respects and inquire after his health. Walking along, he slowly came to the Patriarch Hall. Before even entering the great hall, he could already hear the rumbling commotion. Focusing his gaze, he saw inside the doorway civil and military officials gathered as usual, whispering among themselves with heads together.

Hongluo Temple, like an ordinary Buddhist monastery, was divided into the “Heavenly King Hall” and “Great Hero Hall.” As for the “Patriarch Hall,” it had become a place for officials to discuss matters these past few days simply because the emperor had moved his retinue here.

As the saying goes: “Without connections at court, don’t be an official,” and also: “Local sparrows have many helpers.” Although Ma Renjie was Minister of War, because of his lame leg, he had few close friends in daily life. Unless absolutely desperate, officials rarely associated with him. Standing before the hall, he waited but saw no colleagues come over to greet him, feeling rather lonely. Looking left and right, he suddenly noticed about a hundred carriages parked in the distant courtyard, loaded with baggage and valuables, with family servants standing guard.

He quickly asked his attendants: “Whose carriages are these?” “In response to your lordship…” The attendants bowed and answered: “The largest few belong to Grand Secretary He, the smaller ones behind belong to Second Grand Secretary Chen, then Third Grand Secretary Zhang, Fourth Grand Secretary Mou, Minister of Justice Zhao…” Ma Renjie stared blankly, suddenly seeing a young master standing by the carriages directing servants to move household goods. He quickly asked: “Who is this person?” The attendant replied: “That’s Grand Secretary He’s second son-in-law.” Ma Renjie asked again: “What about that young lady beside him?” The attendant replied: “That’s He Ningxiang, Grand Secretary He’s youngest daughter.”

Grand Secretary He’s entire family had arrived – sons and daughters-in-law, daughters and sons-in-law all came up Hongluo Mountain, not forgetting to bring all their household goods. What did this mean? Ma Renjie took a deep breath and looked around, seeing that all the baggage and valuables in the courtyard came from civilian officials’ families, while not a single family member of the “Zhengtong Army” or “Loyalist Army” was to be seen. He exhaled lightly and said: “Very well, let’s enter the hall.” He picked up his walking stick and was about to go in when an attendant said: “My lord, Hong Mingchong of the ‘Provincial Criminal Investigation Department’ requests an audience.”

Ma Renjie turned to look and saw a man walking slowly toward him – it was indeed Hong Mingchong, the chief constable of North Zhili. In the distance, several other men were talking with heads lowered – they were the Commander of the Banner Guards, along with officials from the Censorate and Court of Judicial Review. The Ministry of Justice, Censorate, and Court of Judicial Review were collectively called the “Three Judicial Offices.” Adding the “Banner Guards” made up the total law enforcement power of the capital. But seeing Hong Mingchong’s slow steps, Ma Renjie couldn’t help but cry out, already knowing what this meant.

If good news were being delivered, this group of constables would surely be walking briskly, extremely excited. If danger were approaching, they would surely be running frantically with alarmed expressions. Being so listless like this, he had to prepare for the worst.

In the silence, Chief Constable Hong slowly approached, looking worried and hesitant to speak. Ma Renjie spoke for him: “Failed?” Chief Constable Hong said in a low voice: “Yes… urgent report from the city – our forces encountered that fellow in the west of the city, but he managed to break through successfully. Now our forces are scattered, with skilled fighters fleeing and escaping… that fellow has disappeared without a trace…”

Ma Renjie had long expected this outcome and would not explode in rage. He simply said: “Very well, thank you all for your hard work.” Everyone was stunned for a long while, looking at each other. They had expected to receive a slap, but Minister Ma actually thanked them instead?

Chief Constable Hong asked in a low voice: “My lord, then shall we… shall we continue hunting for ‘that fellow’?” Ma Renjie slowly raised his hand to stop him from speaking: “What happens next is not my responsibility.” Chief Constable Hong murmured: “Then… then whom should this humble official seek?” Ma Renjie said: “You need not seek anyone. You should all go home.” Everyone was dumbstruck: “What? Go home?” Ma Renjie said: “You’re tired too after a whole night. Hurry home and rest, spend more time with your wives and children. Tomorrow morning an imperial edict will naturally be issued.”

Everyone felt uneasy about their failure, and hearing that an edict would be issued made them even more terrified: “Is His Majesty going to… punish us?” Ma Renjie laughed: “Don’t worry, there are many guilty people – how could it be your turn? Besides, if His Majesty really wanted to punish someone, he’d probably have to go home and look in the mirror first, wouldn’t he?” Ma Renjie had made another wild statement against his superior. Everyone’s hair stood on end, and they couldn’t help but glance at his lame leg. Ma Renjie said: “Enough talk, I’ll enter the hall first.”

Chief Constable Hong quickly said: “My lord… what exactly should we do now? Please… please explain clearly…” Everyone still wanted to ask more, but Ma Renjie wouldn’t say another word. He had done all he could. What happened next depended on what “those above” thought. If even “those above” couldn’t handle it, there was still someone behind “those above” waiting to come forward and clean up the mess…

Entering the hall, he heard thunderous laughter all around, with string and wind music in the distance playing “North Zhenggong” – a joyous atmosphere. In the hall, officials’ family members and officials themselves were chatting and talking, everyone with happy expressions as if they were still celebrating New Year. Walking along, he heard people discussing concubines, talking about feng shui, congratulating promotions, and even discussing the Eighth Prince’s situation, still scheming for the throne. This scene was exactly: “Until you reach the Yellow River, your heart won’t die; until you see the coffin, you won’t shed tears.” Who knew if the Ten Kings of Hell would establish a crown prince and consider accepting these people as advisors?

The great hall was packed with people, making movement difficult. Ma Renjie walked along silently with his head down when he suddenly heard someone say: “Brother He, is your house in Nanjing still empty?” “It’s empty – cramming in a hundred or so people, we could barely make do…” Finally someone was looking ahead! As the northern saying goes: “The old lady’s dog – eats and then leaves.” Now with the Beijing war situation undecided, this group had already set their sights on Nanjing – truly far-sighted. Unfortunately, Emperor Zhengtong was no fool either. Before leaving, he would surely leave a few people for the hungry ghosts to kill. These would likely be them.

The officials laughed and chatted happily, each with their own plans. Ma Renjie remained calm-faced as if it didn’t concern him. Walking with his head down, someone suddenly approached from the front. Seeing his iron-gray complexion and anxious demeanor, it was Minister of Justice Zhao. A true master of officialdom had arrived.

First-rank crane, second-rank golden pheasant – since the court used various beasts to denote official ranks, officials naturally had different temperaments like insects and birds. This Minister Zhao had survived through the “Zhengtong,” “Jingtai,” and “Wuying” dynasties without falling, relying on an innate ability – he could foresee everything. Whenever reign titles were about to change or the state about to collapse, he would sense it like a rat on a sinking ship. Indeed, at this moment while other officials were still laughing and dreaming, this man was already grief-stricken, having apparently foreseen something again.

Minister Zhao was the court’s rat, while Ma Renjie was like the court’s crow, specialized in bringing news of death. Upon seeing him arrive, Minister Zhao trembled even more violently. Ma Renjie didn’t waste words and asked directly: “Minister Zhao, where is His Majesty?” Minister Zhao replied hoarsely: “His Majesty… His Majesty is still napping in the meditation room… we’ve requested audience several times but he won’t get up…”

Emperor Zhengtong was old and weak, his energy not what it once was. Once he fell asleep, unless the founding emperor came with his mighty staff to wake him, who could rouse him? Ma Renjie smiled and said calmly: “No matter, I’ll go wake him in a while. I can definitely rouse him.” Minister Zhao’s teeth chattered as his eyes glanced at Ma Renjie’s right leg – the one that was perfectly intact.

Ma Renjie smiled slightly and asked again: “Where is Her Majesty the Empress?” Minister Zhao said in a low voice: “You’d have to ask Grand Uncle Qiong about that. Without his presence, who would dare disturb her…” Her Majesty the Empress was naturally beautiful and constantly changing clothes in her room. If some blind person barged in and the emperor felt his wife had been ogled, even a centipede would be beaten lame.

Ma Renjie smiled and was about to say more when a woman hurried over, grabbing Minister Zhao and shouting: “Master! A servant just reported that someone delivered coffins to our house – who did this?” Another woman cried: “Yes! Seventy-five coffins, exactly matching the number of people in our household – how inauspicious!” Seeing Minister Zhao bow his head silently while trembling even more violently, apparently having foreseen the coffin prices, he couldn’t help but make his move.

Ma Renjie really couldn’t suppress his laughter, burst out laughing, patted his shoulder, then turned and left. Just as he was about to look for Wu Dingyuan’s whereabouts, he suddenly saw a crowd of people in front of him, with the continuous sound of clicking abacus beads. He heard someone say: “Seven hundred twenty thousand divided by ten million…” “It’s not ten million, it’s twelve million four hundred ten thousand.”

Ma Renjie’s gaze shifted and he saw Grand Secretary He, immediately stopping. He saw this old gentleman stretching his neck, watching another elderly man operating an abacus. That person was Yellow Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, with “Fourth Grand Secretary Mou” and “Third Grand Secretary Zhang” also present – all key figures of this dynasty.

If compared to various beasts, Wu Dingyuan was an ox, specifically tilling the fields for his master. Ma Renjie was a crow, specifically warning of misfortune. As for Grand Secretary He and this group of old ministers, they were like peacocks and cranes raised by wealthy households – neither harmful nor beneficial, existing purely for decoration. Therefore the people honored them as “Paper-Paste Three Grand Secretaries, Clay-Molded Four Ministers.” Their officialdom skills had reached such perfection that sometimes even Ma Renjie couldn’t understand them.

Rarely seeing the “Paper-Paste Grand Secretary” working an abacus as if doing serious business, Ma Renjie carefully squeezed over to listen quietly. That Yellow Minister’s arithmetic wasn’t very good. After working for a long time, he finally said: “Alright, I’ve calculated it. Seven hundred twenty thousand divided by twelve million four hundred ten thousand… equals seventeen and two parts three li six hao one miao one hu…”

Third Grand Secretary Zhang said: “One miao one hu needn’t be counted – too hard to calculate.” Second Grand Secretary Chen said: “Right, just call it eighteen. How long does it take to kill one person?” Ma Renjie was slightly startled, not knowing why they would use the word “kill”? While puzzling over this, he heard Grand Secretary He say: “This old man once saw it in the Western Regions – killing one person takes about one incense stick’s time.”

Yellow Minister frowned: “How long is one incense stick?” This question stumped Grand Secretary He. Seeing that he never sought precise understanding in daily life, only knowing to sigh that “time flies like an arrow, years pass like a shuttle,” but not knowing exactly how long one incense stick was, he mumbled: “This… probably about half a double-hour.” Second Grand Secretary Chen said: “One incense stick doesn’t take that long. Be more precise.” Grand Secretary He said: “To be precise, you’d have to ask someone from the Imperial Observatory…” Fourth Grand Secretary Mou said: “The Imperial Observatory Director is a fifth-rank official – not qualified to enter the Patriarch Hall.” Third Grand Secretary Zhang pondered: “Then let’s find a Five Classics Scholar, or a Spring Official would work too…”

While they were discussing, a young man of fifteen or sixteen rushed in from outside the hall, grabbed Yellow Minister and shouted: “Father! I want to go down the mountain – the temple is no fun!” Yellow Minister comforted him: “Don’t worry, wait until father finishes his business, then I’ll take you lantern-viewing, alright…” Yellow Minister had this son in his old age and was naturally extraordinarily devoted to him. Grand Secretary He had many illegitimate children and was tired of looking at them. He turned around and suddenly saw Ma Renjie, immediately overjoyed: “Oh my! Minister Ma is here! Quick, quick, tell this official – how long is one incense stick?”

Hearing this, everyone turned around and indeed saw Minister Ma. They also knew this person was a capable young minister, shrewd and capable, knowing everything. They all pressed him: “Yes! Brother Ma, quickly tell us – how long is one incense stick?” Ma Renjie coughed and said: “One incense stick equals one ke.” The ministers pondered: “How long is one ke?” Ma Renjie said: “One ke equals one hundred fen, one fen equals one hundred miao. One ke is ten thousand miao.”

Third Grand Secretary Zhang looked completely bewildered: “What miao? Is there such a thing?” Ma Renjie said: “The use of miao began at the founding of the dynasty. In the seventeenth year of Hongwu, the jiazi year was designated as the first year, with a cycle of three million six hundred fifty-two thousand four hundred twenty-five fen. Dividing by four gives one xiang, dividing by twenty-four gives one jie. Taking the daily cycle as ten thousand fen, every one hundred eighty-two thousand seventy fen and eighteen miao makes one run. This is called the Great Unification Intercalary Response.”

Ma Renjie was reputed to be well-versed in “Strange Gates and Escaping Techniques” and indeed deeply understood celestial calendar methods, speaking with great authority. However, Grand Secretary He, never seeking precise understanding, still looked confused: “This… after hearing you explain at such length, exactly how long is one incense stick?”

Ma Renjie said: “One incense stick is ten thousand miao. Eighty thousand miao is approximately one double-hour. In short, one double-hour can roughly burn eight incense sticks.” Grand Secretary He finally understood and quickly said: “Quick, quick, quick! Eight incense sticks equal one double-hour. Killing one person takes one incense stick – how many double-hours to kill eighteen people?”

Yellow Minister worked his abacus and mumbled: “Two double-hours plus two ke…” The ministers, who had been tense, suddenly felt relieved and laughed: “So quick to finish killing them all – what’s there to fear? Come, come, let’s all go snow-viewing.” Fourth Grand Secretary Mou said: “Don’t rush to play – let’s go find Wu Dingyuan and report the numbers to him.” Grand Secretary He said: “Right, right, right – Dingyuan works too hard normally, we should share some of his worries…”

Watching everyone leave, Ma Renjie’s gaze turned and he saw a stool placed in a corner of the hall with a military general sitting on it – indeed it was “Grand Commander of the Zhengtong Army” Wu Dingyuan. Yellow Minister hurried to follow the group over, but Ma Renjie held him back, saying: “Minister Huang, what exactly are you calculating? Could you let this subordinate know?”

Yellow Minister smiled: “So you don’t know yet! Well, this seven hundred twenty thousand is the Zhengtong Army, and this twelve million four hundred ten thousand is…”

The son beside him laughed and chimed in: “I know – those are hungry ghosts!” Ma Renjie’s mouth fell open as he realized what they were calculating. Yellow Minister patted his son approvingly and smiled: “Look here – seven hundred twenty thousand divided by twelve million four hundred ten thousand equals roughly eighteen. So for the Zhengtong Army to kill all ten million hungry ghosts, each person need only kill eighteen. Killing one takes one incense stick’s time, so to kill eighteen would take…” The son chimed in again with a laugh: “Two double-hours plus two ke.”

With a thud, the walking stick hit the ground as Ma Renjie collapsed into his attendants’ arms. Yellow Minister was stunned and was about to come check on him, but Ma Renjie had already struggled to his feet, gasping: “Quickly take me to see Wu Dingyuan. Quickly.”

“Excuse me, pardon us, excuse me.” The hall was full of high officials and nobles, so the attendants couldn’t push roughly and could only struggle forward with difficulty. Ma Renjie was also sweating profusely, pressing forward with his walking stick when suddenly there was an angry roar: “Silence!”

Clang! A teacup smashed to the ground, shattering to pieces. The great hall fell quiet as everyone focused their gaze and saw a large man standing beside the Arhat statue, his eyes blazing with fury – it was Wu Dingyuan. Seeing him surrounded by Grand Secretary He, Third Grand Secretary Zhang and others, there had apparently been an argument.

The old ministers said in bewilderment: “Brother Wu, why are you… why are you being fierce? We’re kindly giving you advice – what’s with this temper?” Wu Dingyuan sat down, holding his head in silence. Gao Jiong and Cen Yan all rushed over, speaking in low, comforting tones. Ma Renjie’s gaze swept around but didn’t see Staff Officer Xi or Gong Zhi.

Seeing Grand Governor Wu’s strange behavior, everyone naturally didn’t dare say more. However, Grand Secretary He had known him for years, having met him when he was still a “Commissioner,” and relying on his seniority, said: “Brother Dingyuan, don’t lose your temper. Listen to what we have to say properly.”

Second Grand Secretary Chen also said: “Yes, you mustn’t act on ignorant impulses. We’ve calculated it for you – if you mobilize all seven hundred twenty thousand Zhengtong Army troops back to Beijing, in just two double-hours plus two ke you can resolve the capital’s crisis…”

Third Grand Secretary Zhang said: “Yes, and if you add the Loyalist Army, it wouldn’t even take one double-hour. Why not do something so beneficial?”

“Silence!” Wu Dingyuan suddenly looked up and roared, his voice like thunder, causing the entire great hall to fall quiet again. The old ministers were frightened – some fell to the ground, others trembled. Grand Secretary He was extremely alarmed and angry, shouting loudly: “Wu Dingyuan! What… what are you doing? Where is our strategy unworkable? Speak!”

Wu Dingyuan trembled slightly with rage and said hoarsely: “Have you… have you ever killed anyone?” Everyone looked at each other – with their scholarly weakness, having never even entered a kitchen, where would they have killed anyone? While they stammered, Fourth Grand Secretary Mou suddenly said: “What if we haven’t? Our loyal hearts serving emperor and country are no different from yours.”

Everyone cheered in approval. Wu Dingyuan hung his head and covered his face, unable to speak. Seeing the old ministers still wanting to pester him, Gao Jiong said: “Your lordships, why don’t you let this humble one ask you a question in return – do you know what must be prepared before killing someone?”

Yellow Minister was about to speak when his son beside him laughed and answered for him: “Knives! Don’t you need to prepare knives for killing? What else would you need?”

Yan Feng said: “Wrong. Before killing, you need to prepare a shovel and a bag of lime.” Yellow Minister asked blankly: “A shovel? What’s that for?”

Cen Yan stepped forward, looked Yellow Minister up and down, and murmured: “To kill someone as tall as you, we’d need to dig a pit at least this big…” He gestured toward the ground, saying: “After throwing the corpse in, you’d need to sprinkle a layer of lime this thick, otherwise within ten days there’d be a plague.”

Third Grand Secretary Zhang frowned: “What? Can’t we use burning?” Gao Jiong said coldly: “Grand Secretary Zhang, do you know how many jin of firewood it takes to burn you to ash?”

Third Grand Secretary Zhang became furious: “Impudence! How would this official know?” Gao Jiong wasn’t afraid of him and said directly: “To boil one jin of water takes half a jin of firewood – and that’s just boiling water. If you’re burning corpses, the fire must stay completely hot, otherwise it will only char and stink without burning to ash.”

Fourth Grand Secretary Mou stroked his beard and smiled: “So there’s such learning in killing people. Don’t worry – with one order from this official, however much coal, charcoal, lime, and iron shovels you need can all be prepared within one day…” Just as he was speaking happily, someone suddenly said: “Grand Secretary Mou, how many people do you think we need to kill? Five? Ten? A hundred? A thousand?”

Everyone turned to look – it was Ma Renjie who had arrived. He surveyed the assembled ministers and said quietly: “Please forgive this official’s directness. You want to kill tens of millions of living people. Regardless of male or female, young or old, all to be killed without question. I ask you – who in this world could be so ruthless?”

The most important thing for killing is neither steel blades nor coal, but people. Without executioners, no one can kill anyone. In the silence, the great ministers looked at each other and blinked.

Suddenly the sound of clicking abacus beads started up again as Yellow Minister began calculating: “Suppose burning one corpse takes fifty jin of firewood, then burning twelve million four hundred ten thousand corpses would require six hundred seventy-eight million…” While he was calculating, his son beside him started making noise again: “Father! I don’t want to stay in the temple – I want to go down the mountain to play!”

Second Grand Secretary Chen laughed: “Isn’t this little Yuan? You’ve grown so big! Do you still remember who I am?” The world is divided into six realms. Looking at that youth – plump and chubby with rosy red cheeks – he looked like a little Maitreya Buddha. Seeing Grand Secretary Chen produce a red envelope, the youth was all smiles as he thanked him and accepted it.

Poor Ma Renjie had spoken at length but it was like playing music to a cow. Grand Secretary He approached and persuaded: “Brother Dingyuan, it’s not that we are iron-hearted and stone-cold, but truly the state has state laws and families have family rules. Quickly give the order and summon back your seven hundred thousand Zhengtong Army…”

Just as he was speaking, Wu Dingyuan rose from his seat and said: “Grand Secretary He, please go mobilize someone else’s troops. Wu’s brothers won’t do this kind of thing.”

Grand Secretary He frowned: “Why not?” Wu Dingyuan said: “They still want to be human beings in the future.”

Third Grand Secretary Zhang said indignantly: “What? Protecting home and defending country makes one unfit to be seen?” Wu Dingyuan turned his back to everyone, struggling to suppress his fury: “Your lordship, do you know… what color are a killer’s eyeballs?”

Third Grand Secretary Zhang said: “What color? Could they be green?” Amid the laughter, his official robe tightened and his heels actually left the ground. Wu Dingyuan looked down with tiger-like eyes, his own eyes filled with bloodshot veins, gasping: “Tell me… what color are a killer’s eyeballs?”

Third Grand Secretary Zhang said in alarm: “Red… red…” “Yes… after you’ve killed someone, everything you see in your eyes is red…” In an instant, Wu Dingyuan reached out his ice-cold iron hand and gripped the youth’s head, saying hoarsely: “After you kill a child this age, it’s not just your eyeballs that turn red… even your heart turns red… everything before your eyes is stained with blood, and you can never change back for the rest of your life… After you exterminate entire families…”

The youth became frightened and cried out loudly, trying to break free from Wu Dingyuan’s iron grip. Yellow Minister said frantically: “Your lordship, what are you doing? Please release my son…” Cen Yan and Gao Jiong also came up, saying urgently: “Grand Commander, quickly let go.”

Everyone hurried to persuade him, but Wu Dingyuan seemed unaware, only heard him gasping in a low voice: “My brothers have fought for ten years, and someday they still hope to return their armor to the fields, raise children, and become ordinary common people again. Whoever wants to force them to become executioners…” He backhanded a heavy palm strike toward the Arhat statue and shouted sternly: “Wu will kill him immediately!”

Bang! The Dragon-Subduing Venerable statue broke in two, its upper half smashing through the screen wall and flying out. All the officials’ families in the hall immediately screamed in terror. Yellow Minister was scared out of his wits, dragging and grabbing to snatch back his son. Wu Dingyuan’s rage was still not spent as he raised his vinegar-bowl-sized fists to pummel the Tiger-Subduing Venerable.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Wu Dingyuan had gone mad. After smashing the Tiger-Subduing Venerable, he pounced toward the Five Hundred Arhat statues, crying out mournfully: “Five Hundred Venerables! Quickly manifest! Kill me immediately!”

Ma Renjie pulled his attendants over and said in a low voice: “Quickly go invite Minister Yang over. Quickly.” The Grand Commander had gone mad. Watching him like a crazed dragon, officials’ families in the hall were crying and screaming as they scattered in all directions. Several attendants rushed out of the hall to find Yang Suguan, but distant water couldn’t save a nearby fire. Gao Jiong feared his superior might accidentally harm innocents, so he could only join with Cen Yan and Yan Feng to restrain him. The three men together were like ants trying to shake a great tree – they couldn’t budge him an inch.

Just as he was about to destroy everything in the hall, there was a hissing sound as a palm reached out halfway to actually catch Wu Dingyuan’s heavy punch. “A generation’s true dragon” possessed unparalleled courage and strength. Even if the Five Tiger Generals of Angry Cang were here, they wouldn’t dare face his edge directly. Yet this person used a single arm to force him to stop – without tremendous divine strength this would be impossible.

Everyone fell quiet, wondering if Yang Suguan had arrived. All around was completely silent as everyone turned to look. Before them stood an elderly man with white beard and white hair, two long white eyebrows hanging down – he appeared to be hundreds of years old. He seemed like the “Dragon-Subduing Venerable” descended to earth.

The old man raised his palm and pressed downward, as if wanting to force the “true dragon” to kneel. All around was shocked, but Wu Dingyuan just gave a cold laugh. His left fist withdrew, then suddenly he looked up and howled wildly, his iron palm striking out with all his body’s strength like an avalanche. The old man said nothing and backhanded a wooden sword. In an instant, everyone’s vision blurred, feeling as if the scenery before them was high on one side and low on the other, as if the sky had been cut open.

With a thunderous sound, a surge of air flow反激而出 forced Wu Dingyuan to withdraw his iron palm to protect his face, while the others felt sharp pain in their eyes and closed them one after another. Seeing this person’s martial arts so incredibly high it was rarely seen in the world, Gao Jiong was greatly alarmed and fearing his boss would suffer a loss, quickly drew his waist knife to force the opponent back. But hearing a “buzzing” sound, the blade tightened – Gao Jiong’s sword was actually caught between two fingers, then a great force came that dragged him to the ground.

Cen Yan and Yan Feng were extremely alarmed and were about to step forward to rescue him when they heard Wu Dingyuan say grimly: “Everyone stand back.” Wu Dingyuan was about to enter the fray. Seeing him sullen all day with his mind not quite right, rarely had such a peerless master come – meeting his match, this was exactly what he desired. For a moment his whole body was brilliant with purple qi, solemn and magnificent.

Just as both sides were about to fight, a middle-aged man hurriedly blocked in front of Wu Dingyuan, shouting: “Wait! Wait! He’s one of us! All of us!” Facing the old man with a smile: “Master Uncle, this is the Marquis of Mighty Valor, the number one master of the current Zhengtong Dynasty – Lord Wu Dingyuan…”

Everyone focused to look – this middle-aged man was a familiar face. It was Yan Song, head of Emei Sect. This person controlled the “Xuling Taimiao Cave Heaven” and ranked alongside Shaolin, Wudang, Kongtong, and Jiuhua as one of the great leaders of the orthodox sects. Who would have thought that white-browed old man was actually his “Master Uncle”?

Grand Secretary He was greatly surprised and quickly asked: “This old gentleman is…” Yan Song said: “This is the number one master of our mountain during the Longqing years, known as ‘Sword Without Sword’ – Old Master Bai Yuntian.”

The old man lowered his face, his two white eyebrows covering his eyes so one couldn’t see his joy or anger. He held Gao Jiong’s sword, slightly bent his index finger and flicked it. The blade seemed to come alive, buzzing as it flew past everyone and steadily inserted itself back into the sheath at Gao Jiong’s waist.

This person’s martial arts were far above Yan Song’s. Seeing this skill, the ministers were dumbstruck, and immediately the hall burst into prolonged applause. Yan Song didn’t say much, only leaned to the old man’s ear and whispered: “Master Uncle, the Prince has arrived.”

Everyone turned to see a child slowly approaching. He wore white clothes as if in deep mourning. Walking to the old man, he held back tears and said: “Grandfather.” Prince Zai Yun of Hui had arrived. Seeing him dressed in mourning clothes, everyone couldn’t help but be astonished. The old man didn’t say much, only took Zai Yun’s hand, and the old and young left the hall together.

Everyone was completely bewildered and turned to look outside the hall. Suddenly they saw a great banner standing there – it was the “Loyalist Army” flag. Large numbers of soldiers in white clothes and white armor, all dressed in mourning, were escorting a coffin toward a side hall.

Third Grand Secretary Zhang looked horrified and quickly grabbed Yan Song, asking in a trembling voice: “What? Who died?” Yan Song sighed: “Haven’t you heard the news yet, your lordship? This morning Prince Hui died for his country in the western suburbs. His Majesty received the tragic news and ordered the Prince to escort the remains up the mountain for viewing.”

Hearing that Prince Hui had died, the old ministers were naturally shocked. Grand Secretary He said in a low voice: “That was Zai Yun just now, wasn’t it? Why did he call that old man grandfather?” Yan Song said: “Old Master Bai’s daughter married Prince Hui – they are father-in-law and son-in-law. He came out of the mountains this time originally for his grandson’s Eastern Palace succession, but unexpectedly…” He sighed deeply and said no more, only cupped his hands toward Wu Dingyuan and headed outside the hall.

Everyone was stunned – none had expected Prince Hui to die midway. Wu Dingyuan had nothing to say and just turned to leave the hall and depart. This Prince Hui was originally one of the “Four Princes of Linhui Deqing” and also Grand Commander of the “Loyalist Army,” having always been at odds with Wu Dingyuan. Now he had died for no apparent reason, and when His Majesty became angry and investigated, Wu Dingyuan would probably not escape blame.

With this in mind, everyone again put their heads together discussing the rise and fall of the court situation, inevitably speculating again about who would inherit the Eastern Palace succession. Ma Renjie sighed. He had originally wanted to discuss military affairs with Wu Dingyuan, but unexpectedly the Grand Secretaries’ interference meant nothing could be accomplished. He understood that Wu Dingyuan was about to have audience with the emperor and was about to follow when his attendants caught up from behind and whispered: “My lord, we found Grand Secretary Yang.”

Ma Renjie quickly asked: “Where is he?” An attendant said: “He went to Hongluo Pagoda.” Ma Renjie shuddered slightly: “Hongluo Pagoda? What’s he doing there?” The attendant said: “According to his subordinates, he went to listen to stories.”

Ma Renjie was stunned for a long moment: “Listen… listen to stories?” The attendant coughed: “Yes. That’s what his subordinates said.” Hongluo Pagoda was a Buddhist stupa enshrining the Red Spiral Heavenly Maiden, otherwise empty. Who could Minister Yang be listening to tell stories? Could there really be ghosts and spirits in this world?

Ma Renjie knew he couldn’t figure it out, shook his head, tapped his walking stick on the ground, and limped away.