Chapter 494: Luoyang White Horse Temple, Strange Shangyang City
The next day, early morning.
Little Changle was meditating with Li Daoxuan. The two of them were bathing in the morning glow, breathing in and out the misty purple air, circulating the Qi in their bodies, their skin glowing. From a distance, they looked like immortals.
This scene seems quite comfortable and peaceful. Two figures, one big and one small, both wearing Taoist robes, bathing in the sunset glow, sitting cross-legged in meditation. The morning breeze is warm and birds are chirping around them. People and nature coexist in harmony.
However, an anxious voice broke the peace.
“Brother, brother!”
Xuanzang came running in a hurry, without even putting on his monk's robe. His usual calm and steady temperament was gone.
Li Daoxuan did not stop practicing, but a figure walked out of his body, emitting a light golden glow. His fluttering robes were filled with pure yang energy, which blew an invisible warm breeze through the courtyard.
"Xuanzang, why are you so panicked?"
Li Daoxuan came to welcome Xuanzang as a yang spirit, so that his physical body could continue to practice without delaying either.
After reaching the Yang God realm, the soul changes from pure Yin to pure Yang. Not only can one walk openly under the sun, but one can even do so like a fish in water and absorb sunlight to replenish magic power.
In other words, if the Yang God is under the sun, his magical power will hardly ever be exhausted.
This feeling is very comfortable, so Li Daoxuan now likes to have his yang spirit leave his body very much and often comes out to bask in the sun.
"Brother, I dreamed about Master last night. He...he seemed to be in a bad condition!"
Xuanzang did not hide anything and told the whole story of his nightmare last night, his eyes full of worry.
"Brother, that dream felt too real. I had a feeling that Master was in trouble, so he came to me in the dream. Master was asking me for help!"
"Brother, believe me, you are the only one I can ask for help now!"
After listening to Xuanzang's description, Li Daoxuan's expression became serious.
He said in a deep voice: "Xuanzang, don't worry. I will trust you. This matter is definitely not simple. Master Sanle must be in danger."
Hearing that Li Daoxuan was willing to believe him, Xuanzang immediately felt relieved. What he was most worried about was that his elder brother would not believe him.
Li Daoxuan pondered for a moment and asked, "Xuanzang, do you usually dream?"
Xuanzang shook his head decisively and said, "Brother, although I have no cultivation, my master has taught me meditation since I was a child. I have stopped dreaming over the years."
Li Daoxuan nodded and said, "That's it. A person who doesn't dream suddenly had a nightmare. I guess even if it wasn't Master Sanle's dream, it's possible that you foresaw something in advance."
"Now that things have come to this, I will not hide it from you. Master Sanle has come to Chang'an. He said he was preparing to deal with Moro, but in order to prevent the secret from being leaked, he did not tell us the specific plan. He just said that when the time is right, he will tell us where Moro is."
Li Daoxuan sighed and said, "It seems that there are some problems with Master Sanle's plan."
When Xuanzang heard this, he became extremely anxious.
"Brother, let's go find my master. He said in his dream that he was going to Shangyang City to find an old beggar with pus all over his body. I guess that old beggar must know about my master's situation!"
Li Daoxuan said in a serious tone: "Shangyang City is in Henan Road, which is not close to here. Before leaving, I have to go to the palace first and arrange things in Chang'an."
Although Xuanzang was worried about his master's safety, he also knew that Li Daoxuan had the responsibility of being the imperial teacher and it was impossible for him to just leave.
He bowed deeply to Li Daoxuan and said, "Brother, I am going to cause you trouble again this time."
Li Daoxuan patted his shoulder and said, "Master Sanle is also a senior whom I respect. Besides, this matter concerns Moro. Even if you are not related to him, I will not sit idly by."
"Please wait a moment. Big brother will be back soon."
After saying this, Li Daoxuan's yang spirit turned into a golden light and flew towards the imperial palace.
…
Taiji Palace, Ganlu Hall.
It was a rare occasion that Li Shimin was not reviewing memorials. Instead, he was playing Go with Empress Zhangsun. He was using the chessboard that Li Daoxuan had given him. Even on a hot summer day, there was a slight chill around the chessboard, which was quite magical.
"Empress...Did Changle greet you this morning?"
After sitting for a long time, Li Shimin finally couldn't help but ask.
Empress Changsun glanced at him and smiled slightly, "Your Majesty, you want to ask if Changle returned to the palace last night."
Li Shimin coughed and said, "Changle is still young. Even if she follows her master to cultivate, she cannot stay out all night. After all, she is the eldest princess of the Tang Dynasty. It would not be good if the news got out..."
Empress Changsun burst out laughing and said, "Since Your Majesty is unwilling, then issue an order to punish Taichong. Who let a teacher like him snatch Your Majesty's precious daughter?"
Li Shimin was immediately enraged and decided not to give in to the queen anymore. He used fierce killing methods and moved his pieces quickly, hoping to regain his face on the chessboard.
However, Empress Changsun's chess style was steady and as solid as a rock. She even launched a counterattack and quietly controlled one of Li Shimin's big dragons.
Only then did Li Shimin realize that the Queen had always been giving in to him.
"Your Majesty is so powerful, I am terrified."
Empress Changsun covered her mouth and smiled, with a hint of playfulness in her voice.
Li Shimin took a deep breath. He couldn’t tolerate this. He absolutely couldn’t tolerate this!
He loosened his waist, walked over domineeringly, and picked up Empress Changsun horizontally.
"Bold maidservant Guanyin, I want to learn martial arts from you today!"
Empress Changsun blushed instantly. Perhaps it was because of the Zhou Tian Xing Dou formation that His Majesty was happy and unusually brave in some aspects. She was happy, but sometimes... His Majesty always didn't know the occasion...
Seeing that an indescribable and charming scene was about to take place in Ganlu Palace, the chief eunuch Gao Quan suddenly came over and said, "Your Majesty, the Imperial Master wants to see you!"
…
In Ganlu Palace, Li Daoxuan met the emperor and the empress.
His Majesty looked normal and upright, and was concentrating on the memorial in his hand. However, the loose jade belt around his waist seemed to inadvertently reveal some secret.
Empress Changsun was still as dignified and bright as ever. She was dressed in a palace dress, which was elegant and lively. She was noble and gentle, and had a scholarly temperament, which made people subconsciously feel close to her.
Perhaps because the weather was a little hot, there was a faint blush on Empress Changsun's graceful face.
"Taichong, did Changle sleep well last night?"
Empress Changsun suddenly asked, and Li Shimin, who was reviewing memorials, also pricked up his ears subconsciously.
"Very good. Changle meditated with me this morning. She has a calm temperament and can calm down. She is a top-notch cultivator and will become a great person in the future!"
Hearing Li Daoxuan's praise, a smile appeared on Li Shimin's lips.
"That's good. By the way, Taichong, do you have someone you like?"
Empress Changsun looked Li Daoxuan up and down with a smile on her face.
Li Daoxuan was stunned for a moment, and then said: "Thank you Queen for your concern. I already have someone I like."
Empress Changsun showed a trace of regret when she heard this, and said, "Is that so? I heard that you have a rule in Longhu Mountain that you can only have one wife in your lifetime. Unfortunately, those who asked me to be a matchmaker will probably be disappointed."
Li Shimin shook his head and smiled, "You still can't change your habit of being a matchmaker. The person Taichong likes is so talented and beautiful, how can those vulgar people in the world compare to her?"
As he said this, he blinked at Li Daoxuan, a look that said, "I understand you."
Li Shimin had met Lady Green, and he could clearly feel that the holy and beautiful fairy had a very special attitude towards Taichong. If there was nothing fishy between the two of them, he would have eaten the imperial seal!
"A vulgar person, a mediocre woman?"
Empress Changsun reread the eight words, and then said thoughtfully: "It seems that your majesty has very high standards, and the beauties of the world can no longer satisfy you. I just don't know which fairy you have set your eyes on. How about I help you hire her to be the mistress of the six palaces?"
Li Shimin straightened his back immediately, waved his hands repeatedly, and said with a wry smile: "The Queen is joking, I have no such intention!"
Empress Changsun smiled and stopped teasing. She said, "The Imperial Master has come to see Your Majesty. He must have something important to discuss. I will not nag you any more."
As the queen , she bowed to Li Daoxuan gracefully, and then slowly took her leave with a graceful manner.
"Queen, you are not an outsider either, why don't you listen together?"
Li Shimin was reluctant to let her leave and tried to persuade her.
But in this matter, the easy-going and friendly Empress Changsun showed unprecedented persistence. She bowed to thank the emperor for his grace, and then slowly left the Ganlu Palace.
"Alas, my queen is good in every way, except that she is too virtuous..."
Li Shimin complained to Li Daoxuan, but the proud smile on his lips could not be concealed.
It’s just like there are a few big words written on his face - My wife is so nice, you don’t have that.
Li Daoxuan couldn't help but think of Lady Qingyi and Sister Yu. They were both his sweethearts and had deep feelings for him. If he could marry them both as master and disciple and enjoy the happiness of having two wives, then his life would be without regrets.
However, now is not the time to be sentimental, so Li Daoxuan hurried forward and told Xuanzang about his dream.
After listening to this, Li Shimin looked solemn and asked, "Does the Imperial Master think that this is more than just a dream?"
Li Daoxuan nodded and said, "Nine out of ten, Master Sanle is a rare person of his generation, with the flesh and blood of Maitreya Buddha, and his cultivation is far superior to mine. If even he has met with an accident, it shows how terrifying Mara is!"
After a pause, Li Daoxuan emphasized: "Your Majesty, although we have set up the Zhoutian Xingdou Great Array, which can illuminate the demons within the territory of the Tang Dynasty, we must know that human hearts are more sinister than demons. If Moruo is not eliminated, he will become a great trouble sooner or later!"
Li Shimin nodded and expressed his deep agreement.
"What the Imperial Master said makes sense, but you are now in charge of the Four Saints Formation and are stationed in Chang'an. If you leave, what if something happens in Chang'an? What will happen?"
He was not worried about his own safety, but the Zhoutian Xingdou Formation had just been completed, and Chang'an was the core of the formation. If demons invaded Chang'an and broke the formation, the losses would be great.
Li Daoxuan had been prepared for this. He said to Li Shimin, "Your Majesty, I have integrated part of the Four Saints Array into the Imperial Seal. This way, even if I am not in Chang'an, the person holding the seal can mobilize the Four Saints Array to ensure that nothing will go wrong!"
Li Shimin's eyes lit up when he heard this, and he said, "That's a good idea, but I wonder who the Imperial Master thinks is more suitable to take over the Imperial Seal after you leave?"
Li Daoxuan wanted to say the name in his mind, but the words stopped at his lips.
"This is a matter of state. Your Majesty, please make the decision."
Li Shimin smiled, and nodded, "In that case, I will let Huang Guanzi take charge of the Four Saints Formation for the time being."
"By the way, you just said that in Xuanzang's dream, Master Sanle mentioned Shangyang City?"
Li Daoxuan nodded and asked, "Your Majesty, is there anything strange about Shangyang City?"
Li Shimin nodded, picked up a memorial, and said, "After the Zhoutian Xingdou formation was set up, the demons in various places were exposed in the Guantian Mirror. Therefore, the governors of various states wrote letters one after another, requesting to send more bad people to eliminate the demons as soon as possible. But strangely, among the 29 states in Henan Province, only Shangyang City did not have any officials write letters."
Li Daoxuan asked in return: "Could it be that there is a sect of cultivators stationed there?"
"Maybe. After all, the White Horse Temple in Luoyang is quite famous."
Shangyang City belongs to Luoyang, and in Luoyang, the White Horse Temple is a famous temple throughout the ages with many Buddhists. It is said that the abbot of the White Horse Temple is a Buddhist monk in the Yangshen realm.
"But the problem is, I issued an edict praising Shangyang Changshi and transferred him to the court to serve. Guess what the result was?"
Li Daoxuan asked in confusion: "Could it be that the chief historian is unwilling to enter the court?"
Li Shimin sneered and said, "Yes, this Zhou Chang is a Jinshi in the sixth year of Wude. He has good abilities, but he is obsessed with power. In order to stay in the court, I don't know how much wealth he spent and how many connections he made. Now that I have taken the initiative to transfer him, he refuses in every possible way."
"There must be something wrong when things are out of the ordinary. Taichong, you are going to Luoyang this time, so you can take this opportunity to see what kind of magic this Shangyang City has that can make a power-hungry person voluntarily give up his future and even dare to flatter me!"
There was a hint of murderous intent in Li Shimin's voice.
No matter what power it was, if it dared to reach out to court officials, it would undoubtedly touch his bottom line.
"promise!"
Li Daoxuan bowed and then prepared to leave.
At this moment, Li Shimin, who had just been so domineering, suddenly called him, with a hint of embarrassment on his face.
"Um... Taichong, you were born in Longhu Mountain and are good at refining pills. Do you have that kind of pill?"
Li Daoxuan asked at a loss: "Which one?"
Li Shimin coughed and said, "It's the kind of elixir that can make people vigorous and energetic, and practice swordplay all night long."
Li Daoxuan took a while to react before he understood what His Majesty meant.
There was a strange look in his eyes, but then he thought of the dignified and beautiful Empress Changsun, and then of His Majesty's many concubines, and he felt relieved.
It turns out that being an emperor is not that easy...
Li Daoxuan took out a bottle of pills and said, "Your Majesty, this medicine is called Nine Heavens and Ten Earths Immortal Bodhisattvas Say Fear. It is the masterpiece of my uncle Wu Dabao. The effect is amazing. Take it with water at midnight. Only one pill is enough to make you roar like a dragon or a tiger!"
He specifically emphasized that it was the masterpiece of his uncle Wu Dabao.
At this time, Empress Chang Sun came over with some fruit. Perhaps because the two of them had been chatting for too long, she was worried that they might be thirsty, so she specially brought them some washed fruit.
Li Shimin rushed forward, quickly put the bottle of medicine into his arms, and said: "Taichong, you are too polite. Why are you giving me a pill for health preservation? I am in my prime and strong. I don't need it!"
While rereading the word "health preservation", he secretly gave Li Daoxuan a thumbs up.
