Chapter 383
Finding a needle in a haystack
Chapter 383 Finding a needle in a haystack
"The Hidden Sword Land?" Xuanyuan's eyes deepened. "You want to retrieve the sword I nailed to the earth's veins? Now that you know I killed you, do you still expect me to help you?"
"I'm the one who drove you to the brink."
"I killed your friends."
"It was my sword that pierced your skull."
Even so, do you still think I would help you?
Chen Ji thought for a moment: "You had no choice, did you?"
Xuanyuan was slightly taken aback.
He came to the edge of the green mountain cliff and silently watched the clouds roll and unfold outside the cliff. The dark clouds in the sky and the white clouds outside the cliff were like heaven and earth, yin and yang. The clear air in between was like the primordial chaos that had just been torn apart by Pangu.
Xuanyuan suddenly said, "So, even after two lifetimes, you are still the one who understands me the most."
Chen Ji stood beside him at the edge of the cliff, the mountain wind making their hair flutter: "Otherwise, this day would not repeat itself here for fifteen thousand years."
Xuanyuan pointed at the battlefield: "For fifteen thousand years, I have repeated this day, pondering whether there are other possibilities, whether there is a possibility of not thrusting that sword. But, I have repeated it for fifteen thousand years, and if I were to go back to that day, I would still thrust that sword. It seems just like what you told me, that a king does not need friends. No, a king will never have friends."
Chen Ji smiled and said, "So I will not be a king in this life. If you have an afterlife, you should not be a king either."
Xuanyuan remained silent for a long time before replying, "Alright."
The two stood silently for a long time. Xuanyuan looked at Chenji and said, "There are no shortcuts to the great path. I cultivated my sword seed by fighting my way through. If you take the earth vein sword, you will inevitably have less sword intent to temper it. Remember, everything in this world is conserved. When you get a shortcut, you have already lost a lot in the dark."
Chen Ji calmly replied, "I know. But I don't have much ambition or aspiration, and I don't seek immortality."
Xuanyuan remained silent.
Chen Ji knew he was hesitating, but he didn't know why he was hesitating.
Much later, Xuanyuan sighed softly, "Qingniao was far too audacious. How dare he send you out of the 'Forty-Nine Heavens'? We should have killed him too."
Chen Ji asked in confusion, "What?"
Xuanyuan turned to look at him: "If Qingniao is the person in this world who most wants you to live, then I am the person in this world who most wants you to die. In these fifteen thousand years, I have spent half the time regretting killing you, and the other half regretting not killing you sooner. If you had died in the snow of East Kunlun that year, perhaps there would have been no story like the one that followed."
Chen Ji asked curiously, "What happened in the Eastern Kunlun Mountains?"
Xuanyuan, however, gave an irrelevant answer: "Let's make a deal. I will give you the Hidden Sword Land, but when you attain the Dao, you cannot choose your path; you must choose mine."
Chen Ji felt that Xuan Yuan had spoken too many riddles today, as if he was hiding too many secrets that he couldn't tell him: "What's the difference?"
Xuanyuan casually said, "The Daos are incompatible. When you reach the point of merging with the Dao, you will naturally have to give up one of them."
Chen Ji pondered for a moment: "Whether I can live to the point of attaining the Dao in this lifetime is still uncertain. And when that day truly arrives, I don't know when it will be."
"If you can't achieve the Dao in this world, who can?" Xuanyuan laughed heartily, "I've waited for fifteen thousand years, I can wait."
Just then, Chen Ji heard a rooster crowing; dawn was approaching.
……
……
After more than ten rooster crows, Chen Ji opened his eyes on the bed. Xiao Man, unusually, did not doze off beside the bed.
He got up, went barefoot to the table to grind ink and spread out Xuan paper, and wrote down the places where swords were hidden that he had just heard, for fear of missing anything.
"Beyond the Heavenly Sky... the waterfall twists and turns like a dragon, and a sword is hidden in the spring..."
"North of Chongwu Mountain, where the Yellow Sand River meanders, stands a bronze ox carrying a sword..."
"Where the red leaves have all fallen from the mountainside, a stone turtle swallows a sword..."
"At the summit of Mount Fuyu, at the source of the Tiaoshui River..."
"A tiger's mouth swallows the sea, its fangs conceal sharpness..."
The clues spanning tens of thousands of years are extremely vague. The only place that can be confirmed at present is the Tianzidu... that is, the Jiulong Waterfall Spring in Huangshan Taoist Temple, where a sword is hidden.
And this place where swords are hidden seems to have some connection to the Jing Dynasty.
For example, "tiger's mouth swallowing the sea" sounds like the Bohai Sea, while "tiger's teeth" could refer to either Weihai in the Ning Dynasty or Lushun in the Jing Dynasty.
Thinking like that won't help. I have to go to the Imperial Guard Commander's office to look at the map and find it slowly by referring to the map.
Chen Ji picked up the Xuan paper and blew away the ink, but then he heard Xiao Man's urging voice from outside the door: "What's wrong with you, little monk? You can't carry anything, and I have to make you vegetarian meals every day. Can't you eat meat with us?"
The young monk, panting, said, "Benefactor Xiaoman, I am a monk and cannot eat meat. If I break the Bhikkhu precepts, my practice will be abandoned halfway. My master said that there are four Parajika precepts, thirteen Sangha precepts, and thirty renunciation precepts..."
Xiaoman said impatiently, "What are you babbling about? Pick up the carrying pole properly, you're spilling the water!"
The young monk said matter-of-factly, "Anyway, we can't break the rules."
Xiaoman said disdainfully, "But I haven't seen you achieve anything remarkable."
The young monk hesitated for a moment, then said, "That's true."
Chen Ji folded the paper he had written and stuffed it into his pocket. As he went out, he saw Xiao Man carrying a food box and walking into the courtyard first, followed by the little monk carrying a carrying pole and a bucket, and then the little black cat hopping and skipping at the very back.
Chen Ji found it amusing: "Why did the little monk go to fetch water so early in the morning?"
Xiaoman quickly said, "He stays at home all day doing nothing, we have to find something for him to do."
The young monk bent down and put down the carrying pole, rubbing his shoulders as he looked at Chen Ji: "Benefactor, yesterday when you went to the Silkworm Altar, I first washed two pieces of clothing and two sets of bedding, then helped Miss Xiaoman wash, pick, and chop vegetables, and also swept, mopped, and cleaned the cobwebs. Amitabha, why don't you send them back to Yuanjue Temple for me?"
Chen Ji took the food box from Xiao Man and placed it on the stone table. Xiao Man looked up at the little monk with her nostrils flared, "You're talking nonsense. I never asked you to do so many things."
When Xiaoman spoke, she tilted her head back and dared not look at the little monk, for fear that if she made eye contact, he would see through her thoughts.
The little monk looked at her nostrils, then suddenly jumped up, craned his neck, and stared at her in mid-air, seeing through her thoughts.
Xiaoman exclaimed in panic, "Oh no!"
She held the little monk's arm with her left hand, clenched her right fist, pursed her lips, bit her cheek, and pounded the little monk's back until it made a loud thud.
Chen Ji took the bowls and plates out of the food box: "I really didn't expect that the two of you together would turn out like this..."
Just then, there was a knock on the door. The door was open, and Chen Lizun stood outside, saying, "Chen Ji, I have something to discuss with you."
Chen Ji got up and went out, asking curiously, "What are your instructions, Uncle?"
Chen Lizun said gently, "The six rites at home have been prepared. After the imperial examination is over, I will arrange for you to be included in the eldest branch of the family genealogy and then go to the Qi family to propose marriage to Miss Qi the Third."
Chen Ji was silent for a moment: "Uncle, can the betrothal be postponed?"
Chen Lizun said earnestly, "You've reached the age where you should get married. I consulted Xu Shu from the Imperial Observatory, and he said that the eighth day of the third month is auspicious for proposing marriage. Seven days after the proposal, we should ask for your names and match your birth dates. Half a month later, we should accept your auspicious date, make an engagement, and exchange betrothal gifts. Choosing a wedding date will take another two months, and the wedding ceremony will take another six months. By then, it will be winter, and you will be twenty years old, which is just right."
Chen Lizun continued, “Xu Shu said that a comet will appear next year. If a comet appears, the wedding will be postponed for another 49 days. He also predicted that a major event will happen in the capital next year, but it is still unknown whether it will be good or bad. If it is bad, it will be postponed for another 108 days... It cannot be delayed.”
Chen Ji was dumbfounded by these words. Had Xu Shu actually calculated it correctly, or was he just spouting nonsense?
The dates for weddings and funerals of officials and nobles in the capital were decided by his single word.
Chen Lizun smiled and patted Chen Ji on the shoulder: "I heard that you have already given Miss Qi the hairpin in private. We are family, there is no need to be reserved or shy. Just wait for my good news."
Without waiting for Chen Ji's reply, Chen Lizun turned and left.
Chen Ji silently pondered. In order to compete for the throne, he could not go against the Chen family's wishes, but he had already made a marriage agreement with Qi Zhaoning, which would unnecessarily ruin her life.
It seems the best approach would be to persuade Qi Zhaoning to have the Qi family refuse the offer, thus balancing the matter evenly.
He called out to the courtyard, "Xiaoman, watch the house, I'm going to the Governor's Mansion."
Xiaoman responded and ran out with a bundle of palm leaves, handing it to Chen Ji. Chen Ji took the bundle and went out through the side door, casually stuffing it into Si Cao Gui's arms: "Xiaoman made some egg pancakes today, they were quite delicious."
Si Cao Gui didn't refuse again, and stuffed the palm leaf bundle into his robes: "Young master, where are you going today?"
Chen Ji said, "Go to the Imperial Guard Commander's Mansion."
Si Cao Gui was taken aback. Chen Ji hadn't reported to the Imperial Guard on time for a long time, and he was even a little unaccustomed to the occasional punctuality.
……
……
As the carriage drove out of Fuyou Street, the voices of children could be heard from afar: "Yesterday, Young Master Lin Chaojing and Young Master Yang of Hongnong created another masterpiece at Bianyifang!"
Chen Ji lifted the carriage curtain and saw a child holding a stack of bamboo paper high above his head.
A sedan chair stopped beside the child. The owner inside handed over a piece of silver through the curtain to buy a bamboo sheet with copied poems, and then the sedan chair was lifted and the family left.
A servant from a noble family came over and said, "Young lady, my mistress asks if we have any new poems by the young master of the Cui family in Qinghe."
The child quickly said, "Sir, the young master of the Cui family did not attend the literary gathering yesterday."
The servant waved his hand: "Let's go."
With the imperial examinations approaching, scholars from all over the country gathered in the capital. The excitement in the capital was far more than just the announcement of names at Donghua Gate; it was a grand event that lasted for a whole month.
In recent days, the vendors at Panjiayuan Ghost Market in the outer city have stopped selling antiques and door knockers, and instead hide in the early morning to sell "exam predictions," each claiming to be a relative of the education commissioner or deputy education commissioner.
On the overpass, a trick called "Crow Divination" was being played: craftsmen hung rotten flesh on a picture of Kui Xing kicking the Dipper, with bamboo plaques bearing the names of examinees. Whoever's name was carried away by a crow was considered a very auspicious sign.
Gambling dens also opened for betting, with people betting on who would be this year's top three scorers.
Extremely lively.
At this moment, the sound of copper bells came from Chang'an Street, and Si Cao Gui drove his carriage to the side.
Chen Ji looked out through the crack in the window and saw a group of monks carrying a solemn Buddha statue slowly approaching.
Thirty-two monks carried an enormous Sumeru pedestal. Beside the pedestal, another monk held a copper bell in his left hand and incense in his right. Occasionally, he would strike his hands together, the incense and the copper bell producing dazzling sparks and a clear, crisp sound.
Cruise.
Chen Ji had witnessed this scene in Luoyang as well. Back then, vendors on Anxi Street knelt in a row, praying to Buddha for blessings. This time, however, a high-ranking official stood by the roadside, arms crossed, and quipped, "It's said that this procession is from the Wanfu Temple, hired by the daughter of Han Zhang, the Vice Minister of Works, to bless Lin Chaojing and help him achieve the highest rank in the imperial examination. Judging from the Han family's actions, they seem to be planning to find a son-in-law right after the exam results are announced..."
Si Cao Gui leaned back in the carriage, eating an egg pancake while coldly observing the scene. He muttered, "Southerners are so extravagant, wasting their energy on such useless things. This Wanfu Temple is also greedy for money, not even worth a hair on my Jingchao Kujue Temple."
Chen Ji laughed and said, "Lord Si Cao is always so clear-headed."
After Si Cao Gui and his entourage passed by, they resumed their journey in the carriages: "When my Jing Dynasty leads its troops south, we will surely eradicate this decadent lifestyle."
Before even reaching the governor's mansion, the sound of approaching hooves could be heard, running alongside the carriage.
Chen Ji lifted the curtain and looked out. Qi Zhenzhuo was riding a warhorse and said excitedly, "Master, we're setting off for Fragrant Mountain at noon. The Crown Prince has hosted a banquet there, and my sister has already left."
Chen Ji remained seated in the car without answering.
Just then, two fast riders came from the east side of Chang'an Avenue, shouting: "Great victory! Great victory!"
Chen Ji was startled. He saw a messenger from the post station carrying a bamboo tube with the words "Urgent 600-li delivery, interceptors will be exterminated" on it, dismount and run into the Ministry of War.
Another messenger rode his horse through Chengtian Gate and dismounted before the Meridian Gate, handing the bamboo tube on his back to Xie Fanwei, who then carried it into the palace with both hands.
Qi Zhenzhuo, pulling on the reins, asked in confusion, "Master, who did we fight? And what great victory did we achieve?"
Chen Ji frowned. Yes, he hadn't heard of Ning Chao fighting anyone, so where did this great victory come from?
Could it be the King of Saints?
Judging by the time, the Ning Dynasty reinforcements led by Wang Daosheng have been adrift at sea for more than half a month. It is unknown what Mr. Feng is planning among them. If he were to land ahead of time and launch a surprise attack on a certain place in Jing Dynasty, then this great victory might really be Wang Daosheng's.
Chen Ji sat in the carriage and saw Si Cao Gui turn his head and stare intently at the Ministry of War.
Oh no, if it really is Wang Daosheng's victory report, the other side might suspect that I leaked the secret. I need to send Si Cao Gui away and wait until I confirm what the victory report is before we can make further plans.
After pondering for a moment, Chen Ji suddenly said to Qi Zhenzhuo, "I won't go on the spring hunt, you guys go."
Qi Zhenzhuo hurriedly said, "How can that be? I've already promised the Crown Prince I'd invite you. If you don't go, how am I supposed to explain it to him? Master, we haven't had a proper get-together with the Crown Prince since our last trip back to the capital. If you don't go this time, he'll probably start to have some doubts..."
Chen Ji knew that Qi Zhenzhuo would definitely come up with a good reason for him, but he still pretended to be reluctant: "This... alright."
Qi Zhenzhuo beamed: "We'll set off for Fragrant Hills at noon. His Highness the Crown Prince will be hosting a banquet there tonight, and tomorrow we'll be on a spring hunt."
Chen Ji lowered the carriage curtain: "Okay."
(End of this chapter)