Chapter 130: The Throne of the Human Emperor

From the moment Lu Xin entered the underground palace of the Xiao residence until he departed, Madam Xiao had maintained a pleasant, smiling demeanor. Even when Yuchi Baolin acted with overbearing force, she never truly lost her temper. Yet, a single statement from Yuchi Baolin now caused her expression to shift drastically, her brows knitting tightly. A cold snort from Madam Xiao caused the temperature in the entire secret chamber to plummet instantly.

Across the four walls, a layer of frost could be clearly seen spreading. Yuchi Baolin stood motionless, his voice growing increasingly chilling.

"So, Madam Xiao practices a water-element cultivation technique. Water generates wood—no wonder you were able to obtain treasures from the Guixu Secret Realm. It is a pity, however, that rare treasures belong to those with the virtue to hold them. You gave it to the wrong person, Madam."

"Get out. I, Long Wan, will never conduct any business with your Yuchi family again."

Madam Xiao spoke coldly to the walls. As her voice fell, the rock walls were completely blanketed in ice, obscuring any sign of hidden compartments. Upon hearing this, Yuchi Baolin said nothing more; he threw his head back in a long laugh, then turned and strode out of the chamber with his hands clasped behind his back.

A few minutes later, the door to the secret chamber suddenly slammed shut. Madam Xiao walked to the central axis on the western side of the room and pressed her hand against the floor. A moment later, a thin fissure cracked open in the ground. The roots of a deep crimson plant emerged from the depths, winding around Madam Xiao’s arm and climbing upward until they touched her crown acupoint. Madam Xiao closed her eyes, her entire body bathed in an eerie red glow.

Meanwhile, Lu Xin had already left Yongxing Ward, heading straight for Longshou Plain outside the city. Throughout the journey, Zhao Li had not spoken another word. Perhaps it was because he had failed to purchase the Dragon Saliva Grass for Lu Xin, and the fourth leader of the Nine Stars Gang had lost his confidence. It was not until the two passed through Jinguang Gate that Lu Xin stopped to bid him farewell.

"Brother Zhao, thank you for taking me to the Xiao residence to acquire the Dragon Saliva Grass. I have pressing matters to attend to, so let us part ways here."

"Very well, Brother Lu. Please, attend to your affairs first. As for the matter the Nine Stars Gang needs your help with, there is no immediate rush."

Zhao Li, being a man who understood the situation, saw that Lu Xin was dismissing him and immediately returned the salute. After speaking, he turned and walked back through Jinguang Gate. He then entered Qunxian Ward and soon circled back to the West Market. The street where the apothecary was located remained bustling, crowded with an endless stream of people. As soon as Zhao Li reached the door of the shop, the short, scrawny thug rushed up to him.

"Brother Li, the second leader sent someone to ask how things are progressing."

"It’s a long story. How are the preparations within the gang? Autumn is almost upon us. Once this season of peak Yang energy passes, the power of the Fengdu Ghost Realm will double. It will be much harder to retrieve that thing then."

Zhao Li frowned as he spoke, walking into the shop and grabbing a kettle from the table to gulp down two large mouthfuls of water. Upon seeing this, the thug immediately closed the shop door and leaned in, whispering, "Everything is almost ready. The second leader says we only lack a master to locate the dragon veins and suppress the Yin and Yang. The entire gang is looking to you, Fourth Leader. Also, it seems the imperial court has sensed something and has begun to make moves. In short, the elders of the gang insist that this must be done before the arrival of autumn."

"After the Great Heat comes the Start of Autumn. First, the cool winds arrive; second, the white dew forms; third, the cold cicadas cry. Counting the days, there isn't much time left. Hmph, those old fogies—they truly think life is nothing but leisure."

After finishing the water and hearing these words, Zhao Li was suddenly enraged and slammed his hand against the table. The little thug was so terrified that his face turned pale, and he scrambled backward. Despite Zhao Li’s usual cheerful, roguish appearance, he was truly terrifying when he lost his temper.

***

Regardless of what the Nine Stars Gang was plotting after the chaos in Chang'an, Li Chunfeng had entered a state of seclusion immediately upon receiving the Dragon Saliva Grass. Lu Xin soon descended from Longshou Plain, skirted around Xuanwu Gate outside Chang'an City, and entered Yongfu Ward via Tonghua Gate. By then, the setting sun had dipped behind the mountains, and night was falling.

Perhaps the guards at the Prince of Hejian’s mansion had seen Lu Xin before, or perhaps Li Xiaogong had given prior instructions. As Lu Xin approached the gate, one of the guards walked up to meet him. Under the night sky, the corridors of the Prince’s mansion were lit with lanterns, winding like a long dragon or a brilliant river of stars. Light is the sign of humanity moving toward civilization, signifying that the fear of darkness can no longer dominate the human heart.

Yet, Lu Xin suddenly felt a sense of weariness. This world was still too unfamiliar and too cold to him. Just like this vast mansion, home to thousands—how many of them truly felt at home here?

Li Xiaogong was still entertaining Kong Wen. Inside the palace hall, there was singing and dancing, with wine cups clinking among many guests Lu Xin had never met. Based on their attire, they appeared to be imperial officials and wealthy merchants from Chang'an, numbering at least twenty or thirty. Several middle-aged men dressed as scholars were gathered around Kong Wen, offering toasts and conversing with great excitement.

Seeing Lu Xin’s arrival, Li Xiaogong personally came down to welcome him and seated him right beside his own place. Lu Xin naturally wanted to decline, but Li Xiaogong’s grip was firm, allowing no room for resistance. Assuming the Prince must have something to say to him, Lu Xin did not persist in his refusal. However, this scene caused the distinguished guests present to glance sideways, their faces showing expressions of disbelief.

A young man who appeared not yet twenty was actually sitting shoulder-to-shoulder with the Prince of Hejian. Such treatment was reserved only for royalty. Lu Xin’s identity immediately became the subject of private gossip among the guests.

"Your Highness, this gesture will make me the target of everyone’s envy."

"Hahaha, not at all. These people below are all my good friends. Besides, this is not the imperial court; there is no need to be so formal."

Although Lu Xin shared the mat with Li Xiaogong, he sat with perfect posture, refraining from touching the wine on the table and treating his host with the utmost respect due to an elder. After all, the man before him was a battle-hardened founding general. With so many eyes watching from below, he was not foolish enough to be insolent in front of the Prince of Hejian. In this era, knowing how to conduct oneself was a profound discipline, especially when dealing with a high-ranking prince—rules were paramount.

"This is top-grade plum wine offered as tribute from Yuezhou. It relieves summer heat, stimulates the appetite, and is sweet and delicious, with health-promoting benefits."

Li Xiaogong raised his cup to signal for Lu Xin to drink. Upon hearing this, Lu Xin, who had intended to politely decline, had his expression shift. He respectfully picked up the wine flagon, poured a cup, and held it to his nose—it was indeed that familiar scent. Seeing this, Li Xiaogong set down his empty cup and smiled meaningfully.

"If not for your master last night, I would have fallen victim to those petty scoundrels. Now, not only Yu’er, but I, Li Xiaogong, owe you and your master a massive debt of gratitude. As the saying goes, a kindness received should be repaid with a gushing spring. I know you are not the type to leverage favor for gain, so I will not offer mere material trifles. Outside the Hongwen Hall earlier, I called you my foster son. How about you call me foster father now?"

After speaking, Li Xiaogong narrowed his eyes and stared intently at Lu Xin. The latter was startled, nearly knocking over his wine cup.

For a Prince to adopt a foster son was a momentous affair. Moreover, Li Xiaogong was in the prime of his life, a renowned founding general deeply favored by the Emperor. Even if he no longer intervened in court politics, everyone from the Emperor down to the civil and military officials had to show him respect. To become Li Xiaogong’s foster son was equivalent to obtaining a protective talisman, enough to walk sideways through Chang'an.

Lu Xin had originally thought Li Xiaogong’s words outside the Hongwen Hall were merely a matter of convenience. Now, it seemed the Prince was in earnest.

"Your Highness, this gesture truly fills me with trepidation. With my master still present, I cannot make such a decision on my own. I ask that you retract this order."

"Hahaha, I expected you to say that. Very well, this matter indeed requires your master’s consent. But I have already spoken, and there is no reason to take it back. You may discuss it with your master and respond later. Whether you agree or not, my initial intention remains unchanged; you need not have any concerns."

"Thank you for your understanding, Your Highness. However, you invited me to sit here not just to discuss this one matter, right?"

"Hahaha, the person I value is indeed exceptionally intelligent."

Li Xiaogong let out a long laugh and poured himself another cup of wine. He did not drink it immediately, instead turning his gaze toward the dancers in the hall.

"The imperial examinations have concluded. The Emperor has ordered officials from the Ministry of Personnel, along with the Hongwen Hall, the Imperial Academy, and the Crown Prince’s Chongwen Hall, to grade the papers overnight. The results will be posted before noon tomorrow. At that time, the Emperor will invite the top three scholars—the Zhuangyuan, Bangyan, and Tanhua—to tour the Imperial Garden and witness the marriage alliance between our Tang prince and the Tujue princess."

"The Emperor is doing this deliberately to show the Tujue, is he not? To demonstrate that our Great Tang is brimming with talent and that the nation’s destiny is flourishing."

"Exactly. The Tujue have always been fierce and barbaric. Since the founding of our Tang Dynasty, they have constantly harassed our northern borders. In the ninth year of Wude, just as the Emperor ascended the throne, the Tujue mobilized two hundred thousand troops in a massive invasion, burning and looting all the way to the Gaoling and Jingyang areas. Had the Emperor not personally led the campaign, the consequences would have been unthinkable. In the last two years, although the Tujue have quieted down, they have always looked upon our Tang with predatory intent. Although Khan Jieli initiated this marriage alliance, the Emperor does not fully trust them."

"One must always be prepared; alliances through marriage have never been reliable since ancient times. In my humble opinion, the Tujue are wolves with wild ambitions, and the Emperor should make plans early."

"Hahaha, that is precisely what I wanted to tell you. When I brought you away from the Hongwen Hall today, the Emperor knew of it within moments. Can you guess his reaction? Far from blaming me, he ordered me to invite you and your master to meet him at the palace tomorrow. I know this may be difficult for you, but the Emperor’s command cannot be defied. When you return, speak well with your master so that I do not lose face before the Emperor."

After saying this, Li Xiaogong laughed heartily and drank his wine. Although Lu Xin’s face remained expressionless, he was joyous inside. Li Shimin’s move played perfectly into the hands of him and his master.