Chapter 80: Clouds Shroud the Moon

Suddenly, the young man seated before the imperial bed opened his eyes. All the flickering candles were extinguished in an instant. Yet, in the next moment, the pitch-black Ganlu Hall was once again ablaze with light. Changsun Wuji’s face shifted dramatically as he glanced at the lantern beside him; the candle inside burned brightly, as if it had never been snuffed out.

“Did my eyes deceive me?”

Changsun Wuji furrowed his brow, focusing his gaze on the young man. The young man's eyes glittered, his pupils seeming to hold within them the sun, moon, and stars. In his hand, unnoticed before, appeared a blood-red jade token.

“Your Majesty, the arsonist from last night in the Western Market has been apprehended. He is now being escorted to the Demon Suppression Institute, where Baolin is overseeing him personally.”

The man in white robes spoke, his lips curling into a faint smile, his voice ringing softly like a bronze bell. Yet his gaze was not fixed on Li Shimin, but rather on Yuchi Jingde, clad in golden armor, whom he acknowledged with a smile. Yuchi Jingde nodded wordlessly in return.

“Very well. I wish to interrogate this man myself. By the way, last night, Wei Qing, the assistant of the Grand Court, submitted a talisman, but I forgot to show it to you. According to Xuancheng, it’s a talisman of invocation, of tremendous power.”

Li Shimin seemed to recall something. He beckoned, and a nearby attendant eunuch brought forth a sandalwood box. Li Shimin opened the lid himself and took out a palm-sized golden talisman, adorned with strange symbols and, to the north, a fierce demonic effigy.

The man in white robes examined it for a moment, his brows knitting slightly before returning to normal.

“This is indeed an artifact of the Underworld Dao Sect, called the Twelve Demon Lords Talisman. It is a powerful creation, blending stolen Buddhist arts with their own Daoist techniques. But the person apprehended by the Yin-Yang Temple is not a disciple of the Underworld Dao Sect.”

“What do you mean, Master?” Li Shimin, puzzled, was about to ask further when he saw the man in white robes’ eyes suddenly brighten, his expression turning grim. This was none other than the legendary Yin-Yang Temple’s Abbot, a master of the Divine Realm, Tan Zongxiao. On the night of the Western Market fire, someone used the Five Elements Transference Technique to extinguish the blaze. Li Chunfeng suspected this very man.

“This talisman is not so simple! The Underworld Dao Sect’s arts cultivate power with the attribute of wood. In the cycle of the Five Elements, wood gives rise to fire. Hence, all their Yin-Yang arts—be it talismans, incantations, soul arts, or even elemental techniques—cannot stray from either wood or fire. But this talisman has been tampered with; its attribute is earth!”

Tan Zongxiao gently rubbed the talisman with his fingertips, which instantly shimmered with silver light. Li Shimin, watching from nearby, saw clearly—the silver gleamed like powdered silver under the candlelight.

“Since ancient times, it’s said that deep in the mountains of Yuzhou dwells a snake called Ba. Born extraordinary, the largest can reach a hundred feet, swallowing clouds and emitting mist; the smallest, less than a foot, darting like the wind, killing unseen. This snake carries innate earth essence and is worshipped by some locals as the incarnation of the mountain deity. Grinding its shed skin into powder allows any talisman to assume the earth attribute.”

“Indeed, such creatures exist in the old mountains around Bazhong, Yuzhou. In the thirteenth year of the Great Enterprise, when I served as a subordinate general under Liu Wuzhou, I encountered this snake. It was a hundred feet long, as massive as a mountain. I was no match, barely escaping with my life. Thinking back, the snake must have long since attained spirit form.”

Yuchi Jingde glanced at Tan Zongxiao, his eyes flickering, as if haunted by a terrifying memory. Li Shimin’s face darkened as he sank back onto the imperial bed.

“What are your thoughts, gentlemen?”

“Your Majesty,” Tan Zongxiao replied, bowing as he finally rose from his chair.

“In today’s empire, there are many Yin-Yang sects, but only a few dare oppose the court. Among them, those who cultivate earth techniques are led by the Great Wilderness Divine Sect. Next are the barbarians from the Nine Venoms Cave in Bazhong, Yuzhou. If my guess is correct, these two factions may be in collusion, seeking to stir chaos in Chang’an for their own gain!”

“If these two are indeed allied, they would pose a formidable threat. The Great Wilderness Divine Sect resides in the western desert, controlling dozens of states in and beyond the Western Regions, and even maintains close ties with Tokharistan and Persia. Should they scheme against us, the western borders of Tang would be imperiled. As for the Nine Venoms Sect of Bazhong, Your Majesty may recall two years ago, the governor of Yuezhou urgently reported that a self-proclaimed Nine Venoms disciple attempted to incite plague in Yin County. Similar events occurred in Yizhou and Yongzhou as well.”

Yuchi Jingde tightened his grip on his horse lance, his tone suddenly heavy. As a general of the imperial army, he had seen countless deaths; such men are rarely shaken. Yet now, he was clearly troubled.

“Hmph, Nine Venoms Sect! These descendants of the Ba people have ever been a thorn in my side. In previous dynasties, rebellion was rife in Yuzhou, Bazhou, Tongzhou. After the Supreme Emperor founded the realm, I personally marched to suppress and pacify them many times. Since my ascension, taxes around the Ba Mountains and Qinling have been reduced yearly; whenever disaster strikes, the Treasury allocates the most funds. These unruly folk simply do not appreciate kindness!”

Li Shimin, enraged, slammed his palm onto the bed frame, causing the imperial bed to shake violently. The sound was so loud that the eunuchs and palace maids nearby covered their ears. Tan Zongxiao and Yuchi Jingde exchanged glances, bowing their heads even lower.

After several tense seconds, Li Shimin’s expression gradually calmed. He looked at Tan Zongxiao and said, “In seven days, the imperial examinations begin; the Yin-Yang Temple must resolve all matters before then. Since I am the ruler of this realm, I must ensure all my subjects can live and thrive under Tang’s reign. Whether it is the Great Wilderness Divine Sect or the Underworld Dao Sect, should they cause further trouble, I will destroy them!”

“Your Majesty’s benevolence and love for the people will surely bring Tang to everlasting glory. As for these troublesome matters, leave them to us; there is no need for undue concern.”

“Indeed. So long as I draw breath, no one shall lay hands on Tang’s lands. Your Majesty, the hour grows late; you should rest.”

“Very well. Morning court awaits; I must sleep. You have both worked hard, you may withdraw.”

Li Shimin nodded and closed his eyes, weary. Yuchi Jingde bowed and departed Ganlu Hall swiftly, but Tan Zongxiao remained where he stood.

“Is there something else, Master?”

“Your Majesty, though the recent rebels in Chang’an have been apprehended, one among them is special. Two months ago, he appeared in Xuanzhou, slaughtering thirteen government soldiers in an abandoned temple at Black Tiger Ridge. Moreover, an Yin-Yang priest from the Divine Spirit Shrine lost an arm to him.”

“Xuanzhou? Two months ago… I recall ordering you to search for the remains of the Eastern Jin sage monk Dao’an. The matter was dropped due to Master Xuanzang’s protest. Since this man is an enemy of the court, let the Demon Suppression Institute interrogate and punish him—why bother consulting me?”

Li Shimin frowned but did not open his eyes, seemingly unconcerned. Tan Zongxiao shook his head, smiling faintly.

“If it were so simple, I wouldn’t trouble Your Majesty. Though I haven’t witnessed it myself, the jade token sent by Wei Tunyun states this person has just entered the Void-Seeking Realm, yet possesses advanced Buddhist arts. Your Majesty now favors the Buddhist sects, and is always magnanimous to their disciples. I fear mishandling this case could offend the Buddhists and disrupt Your Majesty’s plans.”

“A Buddhist disciple? From the Northern or Southern school? Could it be… even the Ashless Buddhist Mountain is involved?”

Li Shimin’s voice turned icy, his eyes snapping open. His mood was clearly sour.

“Your Majesty, rest assured—his background remains to be investigated. Whether he’s from Ashless Buddhist Mountain or not, it’s too soon to say. What I wish to point out is that, given his cultivation, he might be capable of killing thirteen government soldiers, but to wound a Divine Spirit Shrine priest? That would be beyond his ability. Two months ago, the ancient Qi master Ao Tian transformed into a corpse demon, and the leader of the Upper Heaven Sect went personally to suppress him. At that time, a youth wielding the Yin-Yang Wandering Immortal Sword appeared. This treasure is one of Daoism’s five sacred weapons, possessing boundless power.”

“The Yin-Yang Wandering Immortal Sword!”

Li Shimin’s eyes flashed, then he closed them again.

“Investigate thoroughly. Whether he is Buddhist or Daoist, I will not wrong him. Handle this as you see fit. The Yin-Yang Temple must act covertly; on the surface, let the three judicial offices investigate. I suggest the Grand Court take the lead. We must determine if he’s a killer and whether he opposes the court—these matters must be clarified.”

“Your Majesty is wise. It is indeed improper for the Yin-Yang Temple to interrogate him. The Divine Spirit Shrine has already transferred him to the Grand Court; tomorrow, I’ll have Wei Tunyun inspect him personally.”

Tan Zongxiao bowed once more to Li Shimin, then slowly withdrew from Ganlu Hall. Night had deepened, and a gentle rain fell from the sky. Outside the hall, Tan Zongxiao looked up at the four corners of the night sky; his form blurred like a reflection struck by a stone, gradually dissolving into darkness.

Meanwhile, above a temple outside Chang’an, two rings of light suddenly appeared. At first, they were the size of fists, growing larger and larger. As they settled atop the roof, their true nature was revealed: “rings” formed from countless talismans, hovering behind the heads of two monks.

“Brother Huijing, look at the celestial signs above Chang’an—the yin and yang are in chaos, disaster clouds loom thick. I fear a great demon is about to be born.”

“Brother Huineng, your spiritual vision is keen. The Emperor of Tang owes many karmic debts. Though he has ascended to the throne, clearing each one will not be easy. Master was right—Chang’an is facing a great calamity!”