Chapter 526: Breaking into the Harem, Xuanzang's Journey to the West
Three days later, Chang'an.
After Li Daoxuan finished dealing with the affairs in Luoyang, he returned to Chang'an as soon as possible.
The moment he stepped into Chang'an City, the Qinglong Terrace in the Taiji Palace, the White Tiger Cave deep in the Zhaoling Mausoleum, the Suzaku Pavilion on Suzaku Street, and the Xuanwu Altar at the bottom of Hancheng Lake all moved.
The four saints roared in unison, their aura was as majestic as a canopy, and the entire city of Chang'an seemed to come alive all of a sudden, as if they had found the finishing touch.
Ordinary people may not feel anything, but those who practice cultivation, especially those who are proficient in the art of qigong, will find that the foundation of the entire Chang'an city has suddenly become several times deeper.
The clouds are billowing and the sky is full of precious light.
On the observatory.
The imperial seal in Li Chunfeng's hand suddenly trembled continuously, and then became dim.
This jade seal is the key to controlling the Four Saints Formation. The person holding the seal can temporarily control the formation, but there is a prerequisite, that is, the real owner of the Four Saints Formation has not returned.
Apparently, that guy is back.
…
Suzaku Street.
Changle rode on a white horse, stretched out his hands, breathed the air of Chang'an, felt the prosperity of Chang'an, and said with a smile: "Chang'an, we are back!"
Li Daoxuan wore a conical hat, led a white horse by the hand, and his snow-blue Taoist robe fluttered, leaving only his chin exposed.
"Keep your voice down."
Changle was a little puzzled and asked: "Master, why do we have to enter Chang'an quietly?"
"Because as a teacher I have to do one thing first."
"What's up?"
Li Daoxuan smiled at her and did not answer. Instead, he slapped the horse's butt hard.
"Xiaotian, take her back to Xuandu Temple."
The white horse barked to indicate that he understood, and then quickly ran towards the direction of Xuandu Temple, leaving several passers-by stunned and making them doubt their ears.
How can a horse bark like a dog?
Li Daoxuan shook his head and laughed. He deliberately turned Xiaotian into a white horse in order to avoid attracting attention. Now he is even more attractive.
"Xuanzang, you should go back to Xuandu Temple first."
Xuanzang clasped his hands together and did not ask any further questions. He just said, "Be careful, brother."
After everyone left, Li Daoxuan looked towards the direction of the imperial palace with a solemn look in his eyes.
Master Sanle gave him three gifts before he passed away. One was the Sanwu Sword for Killing Evil Female and Male, one was the life of Mara, and the other was the secret hidden in this Taiji Palace.
The reason why he entered the city in disguise was to avoid alerting the enemy.
Li Daoxuan transformed himself
Although there were bad guys patrolling the palace, and even Yin Shen realm masters like Wang Bo, Zhu Rong, and Dian Mu were stationed there, they could never have imagined that their own imperial master would sneak into the palace.
Only Yuan Tiangang, who was playing chess with Li Shimin, suddenly had an inspiration and had a vague feeling, but he couldn't figure out what it was.
The Seventy-Two Transformations are a great magical power recorded in the "Eight-Nine Profound Art", which can transform all things in the world and avoid the three disasters and nine difficulties. Even a Yangshen cultivator like Yuan Tiangang finds it difficult to see through it.
Lizheng Hall was where Empress Changsun slept.
In addition to the guards with extraordinary martial arts skills, there are also bad guys hiding in the dark everywhere, which can be said to be airtight.
A bad guy pulled the bowstring and aimed at the flying sparrow.
Naturally, he did not see through Li Daoxuan's seventy-two transformations, but the Black Mountain Old Demon once turned into a crow and came to the palace, abducted the queen's soul, and almost killed the queen.
If the imperial teacher had not stepped in to turn the tide, all of them would probably have died.
From that day on, they learned their lesson and would shoot down even flying birds!
However, before he could draw the bow, the sparrow shuddered all over, dropping countless flea-like sleepyheads that crawled into the ears of the guards, eunuchs, and palace maids in the hall.
Crash~
In the blink of an eye, these people fell to the ground, and even the bad guys with great cultivation were no exception.
Li Daoxuan restored his true form, calmly stepped into the hall and came to the inner room.
The future Emperor Gaozong Li Zhi, the man who created the female emperor Wu Zetian, was now lying in his cradle, staring at the roof, while the wet nurses and palace maids on both sides were already asleep.
When he saw Li Daoxuan, he let out a crisp laugh and stretched out his little hands as if to hug him.
Li Daoxuan also smiled slightly, and his calm voice was like thunder.
"Morro, we meet again."
Little Li Zhi blinked his eyes, let out a childish and crisp laugh, and kept clapping his hands in the air. His rosy face made him very lovable.
Li Daoxuan stretched out his hand.
"Sword Four, slay the evil!"
clang!
The Sword of Slaying Evil flew out from the sword case with a sound like a dragon's roar, hovering above Xiao Li Zhi's head, with the tip of the sword pointing directly at his forehead.
"Moruo, is this sword familiar to you?"
Little Li Zhi seemed to be frightened, with fear in his black eyes, and he cried loudly.
However, no one came in because they were all fast asleep.
Li Daoxuan's eyes were indifferent. He stretched out his hand and grasped the hilt of the sword. Without any hesitation, he stabbed towards Xiao Li Zhi fiercely!
…
Bang!
The chess piece in Li Shimin's hand fell and rolled onto the chessboard.
He frowned slightly, feeling an inexplicable palpitation.
The matter of Luoyang has been resolved. Could it be that Yinshan was lost or there were some unusual movements of the Turkic army?
It should be unlikely.
"Taichong has completely wiped out the Moro religion in Luoyang. From now on, our Tang Dynasty will no longer have internal troubles. We only need to recuperate for three to five years to greatly increase our national strength and surpass the Turks!"
There was excitement in Li Shimin's eyes. He had enough confidence in governing the country. If it weren't for Moro's stirring up trouble over the years, the Tang Dynasty would not have developed so slowly.
Perhaps it won’t be long before he can avenge the shame of the Weishui Alliance!
Show your military might in foreign lands and usher in a prosperous and peaceful era!
"The Imperial Master is indeed a genius. Your Majesty is like King Wen meeting Jiang Shang or Liu Bang meeting Zhang Liang. It's just that..."
Yuan Tiangang hesitated for a moment, but thinking of Li Daoxuan's life-saving grace, he continued speaking.
"As a bad commander, I shouldn't be involved in government affairs, but I heard that these days, many ministers in the court, led by Duke Zhao, have been impeaching the national teacher for being arbitrary and authoritarian, having too much power, and even... disrespecting Your Majesty."
Li Shimin narrowed his eyes slightly.
Yuan Tiangang sighed, "As a cultivator, I know how terrifying Moro is. The Imperial Master risked his life to fight for the Tang Dynasty. If he were to be slandered behind his back, I'm afraid he would be...heartbroken."
Li Shimin sneered and said, "Do you really think those people are speaking up for Changsun Quanxi?"
"Bullshit! They keep saying they are doing it for the country, but in fact they are just afraid. They are afraid that Taichong's flying sword will chop off their heads one day!"
As the national teacher, Li Daoxuan is in charge of the dormant dragon and holds a high position of power. However, he is not included in the power system of the three provinces and six ministries of the imperial court and is not subject to any constraints. This is truly special.
In the past, he did not interfere in politics and did not have any dealings with any officials, which made people feel at ease. But this time, he tortured Changsun Quanxi to death, revealing his edge, which undoubtedly made some people feel uneasy.
"Your Majesty, do you need to curb the authority of the Imperial Master?"
Li Shimin dropped a piece with a calm and powerful voice.
"No need, I trust him."
…
The Sword of Evil-Slaying stabbed down fiercely. Even without the infusion of magic power, it was still able to cut through iron like mud and blow away hair, and it went straight through the bed board.
Li Zhi disappeared.
Li Daoxuan raised his head and saw black mist lingering around Li Zhi's small body. He was hanging upside down on the beam, staring at him with an extremely cold and vicious expression.
"Master Sanle really didn't lie to me."
Li Daoxuan stared at Li Zhi, whose appearance had changed drastically, and slowly rolled up his sleeves.
That day, Master Sanle told him that on the day when Empress Changsun lost her soul during childbirth, Mara had sent a trace of his true spirit into the fetus in her belly.
This is a secret chess move. If Li Zhi can become emperor in the future, Moro will be able to control the Tang Dynasty quietly.
Li Daoxuan found it unbelievable at the time, but after careful thought, he discovered a key point that he had missed.
That day, the Black Mountain Demon abducted the Queen's soul and planned to use it to threaten Li Shimin. If that was the case, why didn't he also abduct Li Zhi's soul?
At that time, Li Zhi was about to be born. He already had a soul, and because of his mother's death, he was in the weakest state.
The Black Mountain Demon could kidnap the queen and the prince at the same time with just a flick of his finger, but he did not touch Li Zhi.
Because he knew that the leader, Moro, was quietly making a move in that little life in the belly...
"You bastard Sanle, you've ruined my plans!"
Li Zhi's nails became sharp and long, like a sharp blade. He put his nails on his neck and threatened: "Li Daoxuan, if Li Shimin's son is forced to death by you, what do you think he will think?"
Li Daoxuan smiled slightly and said, "Mora, Moro, you overestimate yourself."
Sizzle!
There was a flash of lightning, and a slender hand pressed Li Zhi's neck, almost knocking him into the wall.
Blue lightning traveled through his limbs, leaving him without any strength.
"You are no longer the real body of the devil Buddha, but just a remnant spirit. Do you dare to threaten me?"
Li Daoxuan raised his other hand and slapped him hard several times.
"Are you worthy enough to scold Master Sanle?"
Li Zhi was a little dazed after being beaten. Every slap from Li Daoxuan was filled with personal grudges and mixed with lightning, like a magical palm thunder.
After a moment, Li Zhi's entire face was swollen, his whole body was paralyzed by the electric light, he foamed at the mouth, and his limbs kept twitching.
Li Daoxuan finally let him go, then held the Sword of Evil-Slaying and pointed the blade at his forehead.
Sizzle
A sound like barbecue was heard in the air. Streams of black smoke were forced out by the Sword of Killing Evil, and faintly gathered into the figure of Moro, rushing towards Li Daoxuan as if to die together.
The shadow of the green lotus blossomed, shining brightly and with perfect charm, easily blocking Moro's dying counterattack.
You don't even need to cast the Golden Light Mantra.
Apart from the fact that the Green Lotus Robe was a top-grade spiritual treasure, the most important thing was that what possessed Li Zhi's body was only a remnant of Moro's spirit, which was not yet fully developed.
The hall fell silent.
Moro completely disappeared from this world, and even the last trace was wiped out.
Li Daoxuan finally breathed a sigh of relief.
It was a close call. If it weren't for Master Sanle's warning, there would have been a great possibility that Moro would have gotten away with it. Although it was just a remnant of his spirit, if Li Zhi became emperor in the future, there was no guarantee what kind of trouble Moro would cause.
There was a cry.
Little Li Zhi, who was beaten into a pig's head, looked at Li Daoxuan with tears in his eyes. A deep fear was buried in his young heart.
The residual spirit of Moro was only lurking in his body and had not replaced his consciousness, so he was aware of everything that had just happened.
Including being beaten.
Li Daoxuan coughed, used his wood element magical power to heal his injuries, and then stretched out his hand and touched his forehead.
Little Li Zhi fell asleep immediately, and when he woke up he had forgotten what happened today.
"Next, we can return to Chang'an openly and honestly."
"Then... borrow the power of the Tang Dynasty and cultivate to become an immortal!"
…
On July 21st of the second year of the Zhenguan reign, the imperial teacher Li Daoxuan completely wiped out the Mara religion in the eastern capital Luoyang and returned to the capital in triumph. The emperor personally went out of the city to greet him, played the music of the Qin King breaking the formation, and welcomed the imperial teacher's triumphant return.
A three-day curfew was imposed in Chang'an, the lights were brightly on, the whole country celebrated, and it was called the city that never sleeps.
From then on, the Tang Dynasty entered a period of relative peace and stability, and the prosperous Zhenguan era was gradually approaching.
Three days later, at the Chang'an city gate.
Li Daoxuan declined numerous invitations to banquets from dignitaries and royal descendants, and wearing a bamboo hat and a gourd hanging from his waist, he arrived at the city gate at dawn, ready to see someone off.
In addition to him, the emperor's right-hand men, Yuan Tiangang and Li Chunfeng, also arrived quietly.
A moment later, Xuanzang walked out of the city gate in the morning light. He held the nine-ring staff, a Buddhist treasure from Daxingshan Temple, wore a brocade robe, and carried a purple gold bowl, and headed towards the west.
Other than that, I am alone and empty.
"Brother, Master Yuan, Master Li, you don't have to persuade me anymore. I have made up my mind."
Seeing Li Daoxuan and the other two, Xuanzang was a little surprised, but his voice was still as firm as ever.
These days, Li Daoxuan introduced Xuanzang to His Majesty. After a conversation with Xuanzang, Li Shimin was very impressed and sent Yuan Tiangang and Li Chunfeng to persuade Xuanzang to give up his journey to the West and to become an official.
"Haha, Xuanzang, you worry too much. We are not here to persuade you this time."
Yuan Tiangang stepped forward, handed him the pass, and said, "His Majesty knows that you want to go west, so he specially ordered me to deliver the pass."
Li Chunfeng led the white horse forward and handed the reins to Xuanzang.
"This horse is named Bailong, and it was named by the Imperial Master himself. It is a rare divine horse that His Majesty carefully selected. He said that the journey to the west is difficult, and I hope this horse can help Xuanzang share his worries and also let the Tang Dynasty see the prosperity of the Western Regions."
"His Majesty also said that when you return, you will see a completely new Tang Dynasty. At that time, he will have a candlelight chat with you at night and talk about your experiences during the journey to the West."
Xuanzang, holding the white horse in his hand, bowed in the direction of the Taiji Palace to thank the emperor for his generous gift.
Li Daoxuan finally came up. He didn't say anything, but just looked at Xuanzang with emotion.
When they first met in Yuzhang City, the little monk who was only as tall as his chest has now grown into a tall and straight man with a calm temperament, and has the bearing of a great monk.
The little monk who always followed him and called him "big brother" now has his own path. Although he and he are going to part ways, Li Daoxuan is sincerely happy for him.
Under Xuanzang's slightly surprised gaze, Li Daoxuan did not bow to say goodbye as usual, but opened his arms and gave him a hug.
"Take care of yourself."
Although there were only two words, they made Xuanzang's heart tremble.
After this farewell, I don’t know when we will see each other again, and this may be the last time we see each other.
Xuanzang lowered his head so as not to let his elder brother see his slightly red eyes. He rode a white horse and headed west.
After walking a hundred feet, he suddenly realized that there was something extra in his arms.
It was a brocade bag, a magical storage device, with various Taoist talismans neatly stacked inside, no less than thousands of them. In addition, there were also a wide variety of medicine bottles with their functions marked on them.
Recovering energy, practicing, healing...
Xuanzang turned around and looked. At the distant gate of Chang'an, he could vaguely see a figure standing there for a long time, with a straight posture and a fluttering green robe.
"drive!"
Xuanzang's voice was a little choked, and the white dragon horse continued to travel westward. The brilliant rays of light sprinkled on his body, like a colorful mural.
…
Turkic, somewhere in an underground cave.
Dozens of Han people were nailed to the wall with iron sticks. There were white-haired old people , three or four-year-old children with pigtails, and even a pregnant woman with a big belly.
Without exception, they were all pierced with iron nails, and blood kept flowing down the walls, finally converging into a mysterious and ancient circular pattern.
In the center of the pattern stands an ancient bronze box, covered in rust and green copper.
Nourished by the blood, the bronze box suddenly began to tremble, as if something was trying to escape from the box.
Seeing this scene, the Turkic high priest clenched his fists, feeling anticipation, nervousness, and a hint of fear.
When he was a child, he accidentally entered this underground cave and encountered this box. By observing the mysterious runes on the box, he embarked on the path of cultivation and even became a Yang God and the high priest of the Turks.
He always believed that there was a great god hidden in this box!
However, the box had been silent until a few days ago, when it suddenly began to emit light, and a thunder-like roar could be faintly heard from inside.
After a while, the vibrating box became quiet again.
There was a hint of disappointment in the high priest's eyes.
However, at this moment, an ancient and vast consciousness descended into his mind and conveyed two sentences.
"Blood...more blood..."
"Juye... Dongping... Shanyang..."
The high priest was shaking with excitement. He finally heard the revelation from God. His guess was right. There really was a great being hidden in this box!
Li Daoxuan, Longhu Mountain, and the Green-robed Goddess will all be reduced to ashes and cease to exist!
The Tang Dynasty is destined to be trampled upon by the iron hooves of our Turkic warriors!
…
"Brother Li, you can't leave!"
At the gate of Chang'an, Li Daoxuan grabbed Li Chunfeng's sleeve and said with a smile: "I have something to ask of you ."
Li Chunfeng subconsciously touched his back and breathed a sigh of relief when he found there was no sticker.
He straightened his wrinkled sleeves and asked, "What's the matter?"
"Help me calculate which places in our Tang Dynasty have the most concentrated five elements."
Li Chunfeng was a little surprised and asked: "Haven't you learned Zi Wei Dou Shu? Why don't you calculate it yourself?"
"Haha, I'm afraid that if I calculate too many secrets, my life will be shortened."
Li Chunfeng: “…”
"In a word, will you help me?"
“…I won’t help.”
"Brother Li, I heard that a man was pinned at the city gate and was passed by countless carriages. He was covered in dust. Oh, and some horses like to defecate anywhere..."
"I never accept any threats."
Li Chunfeng said calmly, "It's mainly about this matter. I am also quite interested in it. Tomorrow at 12:00 p.m., you can come to the Imperial Observatory to ask for the answer."
Li Daoxuan: “…”
Yuan Tiangang looked at the two of them and laughed.
The three of them entered Chang'an together, walking side by side, as if hidden in a magnificent painting depicting the various forms of life and all things in the world, and gradually disappeared in the early morning shouts of vendors and the smoke rising from Zhuque Street .
