Chapter 286: Another Game of Chess
Chapter 286: Another Game of Chess
When Eunuch Chu Jiuyue returned to the back garden, he saw Emperor Yu sitting in a pavilion, tasting pastries.
Emperor Yu, sensing that the people outside had left, glanced at Eunuch Chu Jiuyue, who had become increasingly eloquent over time.
"Xian'er also came, urging her brothers to plead for that child."
Emperor Yu sighed lightly, "Since Li Junye's death, she has harbored resentment towards her father, yet she has made exceptions for this child several times."
Eunuch Chu Jiuyue whispered, "It shows that Little Princess has grown up and understands that the blame for Li Junye's matter does not lie with Your Majesty."
Emperor Yu's eyes drifted into a momentary reverie before he smiled gently, seemingly in a pleasant mood.
"That child, despite his reckless nature, has good connections. The Xia Clan even risked offending the Buddhist Sect to plead for him, while the other three Divine General Manors remained silent."
Eunuch Chu Jiuyue inwardly smiled bitterly. If the other three Divine General Manors had also pleaded, it might have backfired.
After all, if all Five Divine General Manors pleaded for one person, whose world would this be?
Not just Emperor Yu, any ruler would feel fear and suspicion.
"The Xia Clan, owing the child a favor, coming here is only natural", Eunuch Chu Jiuyue whispered. If they hadn't come, it would have seemed deliberate, avoiding any suspicion that might implicate Your Majesty, making them appear less straightforward.
"The Li Family's Ancestor is truly composed, befitting a veteran general who followed the Former Emperor in battle. He understands that, both emotionally and logically, I would not take action against the child at this critical juncture."
Emperor Yu's fingers lightly tapped the table, his eyes gleaming with amusement.
"This Buddhist Master is too hasty, rushing to form alliances with demons, his desire to achieve sainthood through the Dao Tradition is too strong."
"But in this world, we follow the principles of the Dao, not the principles of Buddhism."
Eunuch Chu Jiuyue's eyes flickered, not surprised. The secret alliance between the Buddhist Sect and the demons was extremely covert, but the emperor had known about it for a long time, and he was not surprised.
After all, there is no paper that can hide fire, not even a Buddha's robe can conceal it.
"That child has helped us eliminate a significant threat, but unfortunately, his methods were too crude."
"However, crudeness has its own advantages, serving as a stepping stone for my next move."
Emperor Yu's lips curved into a light smile.
Eunuch Chu Jiuyue remained silent. Even before the court session today, he couldn't be entirely sure that the emperor would forgive the child.
Although the child's actions were beneficial to them, the ministers were not wrong in pointing out that the child's growth was too rapid, fast enough to inspire fear!
Fast enough to pose a greater threat than the Buddhist Master.
Though he was one of Emperor Yu's closest and most trusted advisors, he could not fully fathom the emperor's inner thoughts.
After all, when the Former Emperor passed away and the princes vied for the throne, this emperor's ruthlessness was evident to all. He was not a ruler known for mercy.
After a brief silence, Eunuch Chu Jiuyue looked at Emperor Yu and finally voiced his lingering doubt.
"Your Majesty, there is something I do not understand."
"Speak."
"Why do you trust that child so much?"
Eunuch Chu Jiuyue's gaze intensified.
This was the question that had puzzled him all along.
Was it just because of the game of chess by the Willow Tree River?
Or did he believe that the child's talent was so high that he might achieve sainthood and thus would not usurp the throne?
But even if he achieved sainthood, he would still face the obstacle of the incense in the Dao Sect.
Moreover, the more powerful a person, the more they prefer to keep the initiative in their own hands rather than entrust it to others, relying on fragile trust?
Emperor Yu's smile faded slightly at Eunuch Chu Jiuyue's words. He did not answer but instead looked up at the late-season peach blossoms, their petals drifting like fallen leaves in the wind.
The summer sun was scorching, and the spring flowers had long since withered.
"I want to play another game of chess."
Emperor Yu said softly.
Eunuch Chu Jiuyue was taken aback.
Emperor Yu stood up and said, "You don't need to follow me. Tomorrow at the morning court, say that I am thinking deeply about the Buddhist Master and am feeling unwell."
Eunuch Chu Jiuyue's pupils contracted slightly but quickly masked his surprise, whispering, "But Your Majesty, if the Buddhist Sect's disciples are dissatisfied and cause more trouble, what then?"
"I will have an answer when I return."
Emperor Yu said.
With that, his figure vanished from the back garden.
Eunuch Chu Jiuyue gazed at the now empty pavilion, where petals drifted onto the still warm stone bench, and he stood there, lost in thought.
……
……
Qian Dao Palace.
This Taoist Temple, standing atop Heaven's Gate Mountain, looms majestically. Originally a place of austere tranquility, its proximity to the Imperial Palace and the frequent royal rewards have added a touch of gold, making it appear grand and solemn.
At this moment, deep within the temple, a single beam of light illuminated a secluded secret chamber.
Emperor Yu, dressed in a black dragon robe, quietly appeared and stood behind the Taoist priest seated on a zabuton. The priest exuded an aura of agedness, facing the Statue of the Sage of Dao.
"I plan to take a long journey to see that child", Emperor Yu whispered.
The priest on the zabuton slowly opened his eyes, and after a moment, he softly replied, "Have you made your decision?"
Emperor Yu fell into a brief silence before responding, "I’ll go and see him."
The priest also remained silent for a moment before saying, "My lifespan is nearing its end, and my time is short. I had planned to take the Buddhist Master away before my passing, but it seems a child has already taken care of him, saving me the wait."
Emperor Yu nodded slightly.
Initially, he had intended to wait for the Immortal Gate to open again, for the Jiang Family members to return, and then to cleanse the land. The Buddhist Master had been aware of this and had been racing against time, secretly cultivating a Moluo eight hundred years ago at the cost of his own power.
Unfortunately, he had not detected this in time and missed the opportunity to capture the Buddhist Master when he was at his weakest.
"He conspired with Demons and raced against time, realizing that I had already sent word to the Immortal Gate, to my uncles and the Eighteenth Elder. They are trying to contact the Sage and reopen the Immortal Gate. However, one year in the Sage’s Secret Realm is equivalent to ten years in the human world."
"Originally, their return would have coincided with the Buddhist Master’s demise, and the incense for the Jiang Family’s ancestor would have been reclaimed with interest."
"But now, the Immortal Gate has been discovered by someone, and the three Wasteland Deities behind this may be guided by a powerful force. Their actions are not simply about killing."
Emperor Yu's eyes turned cold. "No one can stand in the way of the Jiang Family’s resurrection of our Ancestor. Perfection is near, and there must be no mistakes."
The priest nodded slightly and sighed, "Their foundation in the Immortal Gate is too shallow, and their situation is difficult. It’s uncertain whether they will be able to gain the Sage’s favor, and the time to reopen the Immortal Gate may be long."
Hearing this, Emperor Yu fell silent.
"If you choose that child, I will support the Great Yu Divine Dynasty for another ten years, giving that young man more time."
The priest’s voice was aged, "Before I pass, I will take care of everything. If you haven’t chosen, then select either Chunsheng or Mingyue Sword to be the next Dao Tradition leader, and I will entrust the palace to them."
He was referring to the two disciples he had carefully selected from his personal disciples.
Emperor Yu glanced at him, noting the frail, withered body that had protected the Great Yu Divine Dynasty for over three thousand years.
He bowed his head slightly, "Ten years will be enough for that child."
The priest fell silent, realizing that the other had already made his choice.
"Do you have confidence in him?" he asked.
Emperor Yu did not answer.
The priest sighed deeply and slowly said, "I hope you haven’t chosen wrongly."
"I will return."
Emperor Yu whispered.
A thousand years of darkness can be dispelled by a single lamp.
He knew what it would take to light a long-lasting lamp.
With that, he bowed slightly, and his figure vanished in a flicker.
The single beam of light continued to illuminate the secluded secret chamber, with dust particles dancing in the light, unable to hide.
……
……
Liangzhou, Heavenly Gate Pass.
After slaying the Buddhist Master and returning from Wuliang Mountain, Li Hao brought Candlelight Deity, Xiyian, and Old Feng back to the familiar Heavenly Gate Pass.
Ren Qianqian, upon learning of Old Feng’s Soul Deficiency, shed tears. This little girl, who usually appeared cold, was extremely emotional and easily moved to tears when it came to people she knew well.
Li Hao comforted Ren Qianqian and resumed his usual life.
He knew that the old man in the Imperial Capital must be troubled by his affairs.
He was also waiting for a result, but it wouldn't take too long.
Even if the outcome wasn't ideal, he wouldn't harbor any resentment.
After all, the old man had provided him with a great deal of assistance.
"Old Feng, it's been a long time since you last tasted my grilled meat. Try this."
In the small courtyard, the rich aroma of grilled meat wafted through the air. Candlelight Deity and Xiyian had already been enticed by the smell, their mouths watering with anticipation.
Old Feng sniffed the air, his expression relaxing a bit. He took the meat from Li Hao and began to eat with large bites.
Li Hao smiled and handed him the wine flask.
The scent of the barbecue filled the courtyard.
Two days later, an elderly man in a black robe arrived alone at the border pass of Liangzhou.
Looking up, he saw the towering city walls and the Hao Tian banners fluttering in the wind, their flags majestic and mighty.
The old man glanced up, then slowly walked into the city.
He presented his travel permit and was allowed to pass without any hindrance. The guards could tell that this old man was of high status, either wealthy or influential, and possibly held some power.
Inside the city, various stalls lined the streets, and young noblemen and ladies strolled around, giving the impression of a prosperous and bustling place, quite unlike the typical border town.
The old man wandered through the city, taking in the sights. Soon, he reached the center of the city.
There, a Wattle Yard stood alone, surrounded by an open area with no one daring to approach. Soldiers patrolled the perimeter.
The old man heard the gentle sound of a guqin drifting from the courtyard, and he couldn't help but smile. This guy is quite at ease, still playing the guqin after killing the Buddhist Master. He doesn't realize how much chaos this has caused throughout the land.
He walked straight to the gate of the courtyard and was immediately stopped.
"An old friend has come to visit."
The old man said.
The guard, a Fifteenth Li Realm practitioner, wanted to ask more questions but felt an inexplicable sense of awe. Despite the old man's calm demeanor, his mind seemed to freeze, and he instinctively nodded, turning to inform someone.
"Please invite the honored guest inside."
Li Hao's voice came from within the courtyard.
The two guards immediately escorted the old man inside.
Inside the courtyard, Li Hao stopped playing the guqin, his eyes showing a hint of surprise.
A wall couldn't block his perception, and even without deliberately probing, he recognized the old man at once.
He hadn't expected that, after such a significant event, this old man, who should have been in the Imperial Capital, would appear here, which was truly astonishing.
If Li Hao couldn't recognize the old man's identity by now, he would have been too dull.
He had been waiting for news, but he never expected the person himself to show up.
Rising quickly, Li Hao went to greet him.
The old man and the young boy who had met by chance by the Willow Tree River were now reunited in the Wattle Yard.
Li Hao bowed slightly, about to perform a formal salute, but the old man raised a hand and used a power to lift him up. "No need for formalities."
With those simple words, Li Hao understood and confirmed that he had recognized the old man correctly.
"The environment is nice."
The old man glanced around, seeing the girl practicing her sword, the somewhat slow and dazed Feng Boping, and the Void Realm sovereign, Candlelight Deity, sitting nearby.
The small courtyard was indeed a peculiar place.
The old man chuckled.
Li Hao asked, puzzled, "Why, why have you come here, Senior?"
He didn't call him "Your Majesty", as the old man's actions clearly indicated he didn't want to reveal his identity. Moreover, with the current dangers in Dayu's various states, with demons lurking, Emperor Yu leaving the Imperial Palace and traveling to this border region left Li Hao feeling a mix of emotions.
He had just killed the Buddhist Master, and now the emperor himself had come to see him, which was a sign of immense trust.
"Feeling a bit itchy, I wanted to play a game of chess."
The old man chuckled, seeing the painting board, guqin, and chessboard in the courtyard, all placed in his usual spots, and found it amusing.
"Do you play these all day and neglect your cultivation?"
I am cultivating, and I'm working hard... Li Hao thought to himself, but he only smiled awkwardly, as there was no point in explaining.
"Moving here must have been quite a task. Has your chess gotten rusty?"
The old man chuckled, strolling through the courtyard and smiling at the little girl who had stopped practicing and was looking at him curiously.
"It wasn't too difficult. The border pass has its own unique scenery, all of which is among the best in the world."
Li Hao smiled and invited the old man to sit down in the courtyard.
He then asked Ren Qianqian to bring tea to entertain their guest.
Ren Qianqian was surprised but followed Li Hao's instructions, quickly bringing tea and serving it to the old man.
(End of Chapter)
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