Chapter 56: "I Pray to All Buddhas, Not for Myself..."
A thousand miles away, in Dingzhou.
The arrival of spring brought little warmth to this land north of the Wei River. On the city walls, battered and blackened by cannon fire, a banner bearing the character "Wei" fluttered in the wind.
Beyond the wilderness, Pei Song's army retreated like a dark tide. Yet no one on the city walls celebrated their victory.
Pei Song sat on horseback, locking eyes for a moment with the indistinct dark figure on the battlements before turning his horse around. He tugged lightly on the reins and commanded, "Hyah!"
This battle—he hadn't won.
But neither could it be called a defeat.
Dingzhou had fallen to Wei Qishan, yet Pei Song had diverted his forces mid-campaign to seize Mozhou, one of the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun.
Their contest would continue on the next battlefield.
On the Dingzhou city walls, Wei Qishan watched the retreating Pei army and remarked, "He is a formidable opponent."
No one had anticipated that when Pei Song saw the tide turning at Dingzhou, he would use himself as bait to remain there. Under the guise of transporting supplies, he had dispatched troops to detour and attack Mozhou.
An eagle's cry pierced the sky, the wind whipping at his cloak.
He raised an arm to receive the northern messenger eagle. Its iron-hook talons gripped his arm wraps as it landed on his forearm.
Wei Qishan retrieved the letter from the eagle's message tube. After reading it, his expression hardened beneath his coarse, short beard. Gazing back toward the horizon, he said, "But the truly cunning fox has gone south."
The trap he had set in Xinzhou had been dismantled.
With rebel kings proliferating in the south, he had gained no advantage, leaving only a mess for Pei Song.
The true beneficiary was that Hanyang Princess of the fallen Liang Dynasty.
After this campaign, she would become renowned throughout the land not merely for her beauty—once hailed as the greatest of the Liang Dynasty—but for far more.
In the biting spring wind, Pei Song rode steadily, deep in thought.
A Hawk Hound messenger galloped urgently toward him from ahead. Reining in sharply before him, the man tumbled from his horse and raised the military dispatch overhead: "Master, urgent news from Tongcheng!"
Pei Song's personal guards, riding alongside him, retrieved the dispatch and presented it to him.
After reading it, Pei Song's aura turned icy, but he remained silent, merely waving for the Hawk Hound to withdraw.
Gongsun Chou's carriage drew up alongside. Lifting the curtain, he observed Pei Song's displeased expression and asked, "Tongcheng has no renowned generals stationed there—it isn't even a garrison town. Could something have gone wrong with Pei Yuan's mission as well?"
Pei Song handed him the dispatch.
After reading it, the wrinkles on Gongsun Chou's already weathered face seemed to deepen further. He pondered, "That rat of a Tongcheng magistrate fled south with the official silver, only to be intercepted by those remnants of the previous dynasty. Disguised as refugees, they slipped away to Pingzhou. With those rebel prefectures blocking the way, Pei Yuan couldn't pursue them with the main army. That woman... her cunning borders on the supernatural!"
He paused, then added, "But you need not worry, my lord. No matter how many tricks those remnants of the previous Liang Dynasty employ, they are mere stratagems, not true military strategy. They will never achieve greatness. However, that guard of hers—the one skilled with the Five-Foot Miao Blade who nearly severely wounded Pei Yuan... with such divine prowess, eliminating him would be like plucking the fangs from the tiger's mouth of Hanyang."
Pei Song said, "I have plans to deal with him."
He lifted his gaze to the light snow dusting the distant green mountains and asked, "Has there been any word from our envoy to Southern Chen?"
Gongsun Chou replied, "Not yet. But the terms you offered are generous. Southern Chen is unlikely to refuse."Pei Song lowered his eyelids slightly and said, "It doesn't matter if they refuse."Under Gongsun Chou's puzzled gaze, he gently nudged his horse's flank, urging it forward: 'This way, we can also gauge the weight of the chips Changlian Wang has left in Southern Chen.'"
Gongsun Chou's worry turned to delight, and he cupped his hands respectfully: "My lord is wise."
Pei Song tightened his grip on the reins: "For now, we've merely been outmaneuvered by that Wen woman using Tongcheng. In warfare, one never focuses on a single victory or defeat. Her methods differ from her father and brothers—she excels at seizing the initiative."
Just as when she disrupted grain and medicine prices, she spread rumors of bulk purchasing in advance, causing merchants to hoard supplies. She successfully inflated prices that should have risen months later, precisely when his army had just arrived at Yongcheng.
This recent defeat in the south was also due to her preemptive spread of rumors about his assassination, coupled with fake conscription notices in Tongcheng. The panic that should have taken much longer to ferment rapidly spread throughout the region.
Many rebellious provinces and commanderies were forced into action by that very panic and the pressure from Xinzhou.
With just a light pluck of the strings, she effortlessly manipulated the entire southern situation.
He had suffered two silent defeats at her hands.
But there wouldn't be a third.
The wilderness wind stirred the strands of hair across Pei Song's forehead. He raised his eyes and slowly stated: "Yet what I excel at most is also seizing the initiative."
"Dang—"
The ancient temple bell tolled leisurely. Before the Ten Thousand Buddhas Cave, eternal candles burned bright. The entire cliff-face, carved into the mountain, was covered with thousands of Buddha statues—some compassionate, some sorrowful, some stern, some wrathful. The main Buddha at the center of the hall stood as tall as the triple-roofed main temple, its half-closed eyes gazing down with what seemed like sorrow and compassion upon those worshiping below.
Wen Yu knelt quietly on a prayer mat, hands pressed together in prayer. Her exquisite brows and jade-like profile were adorned with pearl hairpins, yet none could overshadow her world-toppling beauty. The dawn light streaming through the temple windows and the candlelight from the altar intertwined upon her face, lending her entire being an almost divine aura in that fleeting moment.
Her golden-orange gauze robe, made of some unknown material, seemed to ripple with flowing light under the morning rays and candle flames.
A young novice chanting nearby kept his eyes tightly shut, tapping his wooden fish, not daring to open them easily.
A gaunt elderly monk entered the hall, raising one hand in a Buddhist salute as he chanted: "Amitabha."
Only then did the young novice open his eyes, returning the salute: "Master."
The old monk said: "You may withdraw."
The novice retreated with palms pressed together.
The old monk gazed at the woman kneeling on the prayer mat, her golden-orange sleeves spread behind her, and closed his eyes as he said: "What the benefactor seeks is not within this temple."
Wen Yu's dark lashes lifted as she slowly opened her eyes, like a phoenix surveying the world: "The Buddha said, 'All phenomena are illusory; if you see all phenomena as non-phenomena, then you see the Tathagata.' Today I see this mortal world as not the mortal world, yet I have not seen the Tathagata. This perplexes me." [1]
The old monk chanted another Buddhist invocation and replied: "The Buddha contemplates freely, perceiving the five skandhas as empty, thus delivering from all suffering. However, the benefactor already has her own path of the heart. Therefore I say, what the benefactor seeks is not within this temple. Amitabha." [2]
A wind from nowhere rustled the Buddhist scriptures Wen Yu had placed before the prayer mat.
With slender, pale fingers, she gently pressed them back down. Under the compassionate gaze of the nearly three-zhang tall great Buddha carved into the stone wall, she calmly lowered her long lashes: "I worship all Buddhas, not for my own seeking."
Pingzhou, beneath Mount Bodhi.In the towering ancient forest, Fan Yuan pulled his blade from the chest of a pursuer, kicked the corpse aside, and spat: "These scum from Xinzhou have been chasing us relentlessly, like wild dogs that have spotted a bone."
His subordinate laughed: "We've achieved a great victory this time—not only did we capture that turtle-spawn magistrate of Tongcheng alive, but we also recovered nearly a million taels of silver he plundered from merchant caravans. It's more than just a bone; it's a fat piece of meat that's traveled across Xinzhou. How could they not fight over it?"
Fan Yuan joined in the laughter: "They'd need the luck to snatch it. We're already within Pingzhou's borders. If they dare to send troops across, it would mean open war with Pingzhou, and the neighboring provinces won't miss the chance to stab them in the back!"
He scanned the area and spotted Xiao Li sitting on a large rock, wiping blood off his blade.
Several corpses lay scattered near the boulder.
All bore fatal wounds—severed tendons and shattered bones.
Fresh from killing, Xiao Li's aura of violence hadn't yet dissipated. The wolf-like eyes reflected in his cold blade still held a ferocity that kept even those who'd called him brother along the journey from approaching him casually.
Fan Yuan strode over and clapped him heartily on the shoulder: "This mission owes much to you, Brother Xiao. If you hadn't repeatedly beheaded the leaders of the pursuers, how could we have reached Pingzhou's border so quickly?"
Xiao Li sheathed his blade, his murderous intent fading slightly: "It was all due to General Fan's masterful planning."
Fan Yuan laughed heartily: "We reward by headcount—your share won't be short!"
Then he clicked his tongue with genuine regret: "What a pity you belong to the Princess. Otherwise, I'd truly want to recruit you under my command."
More than just recruitment—in this fragmented world, such talent was surely coveted by all factions.
Recalling how Xiao Li had fiercely driven back Pei Yuan and his Pei family Hawk Hounds during their pursuit, Fan Yuan still felt a lingering fear. Patting Xiao Li's shoulder, he grinned: "But I reckon it won't be long before you reach my position. We've shared life-and-death bonds after all—don't forget to give me a leg up in the future."
Xiao Li replied: "You jest, General."
Fan Yuan turned to leave, waving without looking back: "I've always been a good judge of character!"
He summoned his men: "Alright, rest time's over. We move out now. Just ten more miles ahead is Bodhi Temple. I've already sent word—we mustn't keep the Princess waiting."
Through gaps in the forest canopy, the layered distant mountain peaks revealed Bodhi Temple at their summit.
Xiao Li gazed at the temple nestled among the shaded trees, unscrewed his waterskin, and took a silent gulp of water before tossing it aside and mounting his horse with blade in hand.
When the ancient bell on the mountainside rang once more, Li Xun hurried into the hall. After nodding respectfully to the elderly monk, he addressed Wen Yu, who was kneeling on a cushion listening to scriptures: "Princess, General Fan and Martyr Xiao have returned!"
Wen Yu opened her eyes.
The old monk pressed his palms together in farewell: "Though you do not bow to our Buddha, your wisdom perceives the Dharma-nature, and your heart contains its own universe. Since worldly matters call, you may take your leave."
Wen Yu gathered the copied scriptures with her fingertips, rose and bowed to the monk: "Thank you, Abbot, for your teachings and guidance. I shall trouble you no further."
The old monk watched her retreating figure, closed his eyes and murmured: "Amitabha."
Turning to the four Eternal Lamps Wen Yu had placed before the Buddha, he shook his head with a sigh: "When the heart clings to attachments, karma remains unresolved..."After stepping out of the main hall, Wen Yu instructed Li Xun, "I have placed Eternal Lamps here for my father, mother, elder brother, and Jun'er. When I depart for Southern Chen, I shall trouble Uncle Li to visit this temple annually to add lamp oil offerings on my behalf."
Mentioning their late lord, Li Xun's aged face also darkened with sorrow as he nodded. "This subject has taken note."
As they spoke, they reached the mountain gate.
Fan Yuan and his party had just arrived via the winding mountain bridle path.
To avoid disturbing the temple's tranquility, they had brought only twenty elite soldiers up the mountain, with the remainder waiting below.
Spotting Li Xun escorting Wen Yu from within the mountain gate from afar, Fan Yuan hastily dismounted with his men, bowing with clasped fists. "We pay respects to the Princess!"
The soldiers behind him were seeing Wen Yu in formal attire for the first time. Some stared dumbstruck before hurriedly lowering their heads and kneeling on one knee upon regaining their senses.
Xiao Li also gazed momentarily transfixed.
He suddenly understood why her title was Han Yang.
Radiant as a lotus blossom, brilliant as the blazing sun.
If deities were to descend to this mortal realm, they would likely resemble her current appearance as she descended the stone steps.
Xiao Li lowered his eyes, not daring to look further.
"Please rise quickly, everyone." Though Wen Yu's voice remained gentle, it carried a touch of coolness. Her golden-veiled sleeves trailed long behind her like a phoenix's tail feathers. Her gaze swept past Xiao Li and settled on Fan Yuan. "Was the journey smooth?"
Fan Yuan replied, "Smoothly, Princess. Your brilliant strategy proved accurate—the Tongcheng magistrate indeed feared death above all. He fled south with valuables before the Pei army even reached Tongcheng. We feigned surrender to seize control of the magistrate, incited his subordinates to switch allegiance, disguised ourselves as refugees to cross Xinzhou, and successfully retrieved all funds. We encountered Pei pursuers and minor Xinzhou patrols along the way, but thanks to Brother Xiao's extraordinary valor, we completed the journey unharmed."
Wen Yu nodded. "That is well. General, please lead the troops into the temple for tea and brief rest. I shall pack a few essentials shortly, then we may descend the mountain together."
As she turned, her gaze fleetingly brushed past Xiao Li again.
He had remained unusually silent with downcast eyes since ascending the mountain, which struck her as peculiar.
After reentering the mountain gate, Wen Yu quietly told Li Xun, "Summon Xiao Li to the side hall later. I have matters to inquire of him."
Li Xun understood that since Xiao Li had escorted Wen Yu throughout the journey, he must be a trusted aide. Her seeking him out privately was reasonable, so he nodded in acknowledgment.
Lost in thought, Xiao Li fell behind several steps, walking at the rear with Fan Yuan's troops.
Among them was a soldier who still hadn't fully recovered his wits, stumbling on the steps and falling flat on his face, drawing muffled laughter from his comrades.
With Fan Yuan having entered the temple ahead with Li Xun unaware of the commotion behind, the soldiers felt less restrained.
Someone chuckled, "No shame in stumbling even now—the Princess is the foremost beauty of Great Liang! They say there was even an aristocratic family's young master who saw the Princess just once at a banquet and returned lovesick!"
The fallen soldier flushed crimson amid the teasing, scratching his head. "Wonder what this King Chen our Princess is to marry is like..."
Another soldier remarked, "This betrothal was arranged back when the Prince was still alive. I heard King Chen commissioned craftsmen to carve a full-height screen from pristine white jade for the marriage proposal, engraved with the 'Ode to the Goddess' on it. You all know the tale of 'The King's Intentions, the Goddess's Indifference,' right?"Noticing his comrades ahead turning back to look at him, he continued, "King Chen expressed his admiration for the Princess in this manner. That screen is still kept in Fengyang Prince's residence to this day. The Prince, moved by such deep affection, approved the marriage. I imagine King Chen must be quite handsome too, otherwise why would the Princess agree to marry him?"
Pleased with himself for revealing these secrets, he looked triumphantly at his comrades. But instead of their expected exclamations, he only felt an inexplicable chill in the mountain temple, perhaps due to its high altitude.
Just as he was about to rub his arms, a voice cold enough to freeze ice came from behind: "Make way."
His expression stiffened as he turned to see Xiao Li's handsome yet stern face.
Stiffly, he stepped aside to clear a path.
After Xiao Li passed, he clutched his head and wailed, "It's over! The Princess's close aide was right behind us! Why didn't any of you warn me?"
The other soldiers gave him helpless looks. They would have warned him, but the expression on the Princess's guard was truly terrifying.
Author's Note: [1] From the Diamond Sutra
[2] From the Heart Sutra
Our friend Xiao Li will later become obsessed with collecting jade!
Red envelopes for all dear readers in this chapter~
Special thanks to the angels who supported me with special tickets or nutrient solutions between 2024-01-20 19:10:02~2024-01-22 04:56:25~
Thanks to Qianshan Duxing for the hand grenade.
Thanks to Nanyede Cat and But I Refuse for 2 landmines each; jenniferCA for 1 landmine.
Thanks for nutrient solutions: juaner (10 bottles), Nanyede Cat (7 bottles), Shiliu and Bamboo Shadow Breeze (5 bottles each), Atongmu, Mingyun, and Annual Reading Conference (2 bottles each), Change the Name, Olive Leaf, kfpy_L, Stella, Suisui Hate Fragments, 65140677, Fat Fox, Chaoxi Pond, I'll Treat You to Lettuce, Mint Fragrance, and Jiji (1 bottle each).
Thank you all for your support - I'll keep working hard!
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