Chapter 716: Immortals Passing Down Their Dharma, An-Shi Rebellion
Li Bai was unrestrained and heroic since childhood. He always felt that there was no poem in the world that he could not write, until he saw the poem "Song of the Wine" by the national teacher.
He felt such a huge shock at that time that he even felt like he had written it himself.
In addition, he liked to seek immortals and learn about the way of Taoism, and gradually he admired the national teacher more and more. He sighed many times and regretted that he was not born in the same era as the national teacher and could not become his disciple.
From Qingyang Town to Longyou County, then to Liling, Longhu Mountain, and now Chang'an, he walked along the same path that the imperial master had taken, like a pilgrimage.
Although he had become famous in Chang'an for his poetry and prose and was called a banished immortal, he always felt inferior to that man whenever he thought of him.
After thinking about it, Li Bai wrote another poem.
"I love Master Li, whose romanticism is known all over the world. He abandoned his official position in his youth and lived in the pines and clouds with his old age. He was often drunk with the moon and was fascinated by flowers and did not serve the king. How can I look up to the high mountains? I can only bow to the fragrance here."
The title is also very direct, dedicated to Master Li Tianshi.
To be honest, in addition to expressing his admiration for the imperial teacher, Li Bai also had his own little thoughts when writing this poem.
He has traveled to so many places but couldn't find where the Imperial Master was living in seclusion. In this case, perhaps he could write a poem for the Imperial Master. If this poem becomes famous throughout the world, perhaps the Imperial Master would take the initiative to show up and meet him?
But when he was writing the last stroke, his beloved brush suddenly broke for some reason.
Li Bai suddenly felt a pain in his heart.
The origin of this brush is not simple. He once went to Longhu Mountain to ask to see the National Master, but he did not see the National Master. Instead, he met Zhang Tianshi, who was 152 years old and was the National Master's master.
When he saw that Zhang Tianshi had a gray face and white hair, but was in good spirits and had an extraordinary demeanor, he couldn't help but sigh that he was truly an immortal, and immediately composed a poem for Longhu Mountain.
After seeing this, Zhang Tianshi laughed out loud and gave a gift, which was this emerald green brush.
According to Zhang Tianshi, this brush was used by the National Master when he practiced talismans in his early years. Although it is not a precious magical instrument, it can also bring good luck and avoid misfortune. The most important thing is its commemorative significance.
It is no exaggeration to say that just based on this gimmick used by the National Master in his early years, this pen can be sold at a sky-high price. Not to mention the National Master's huge influence among the people, even the current emperor likes to collect treasures related to the National Master.
After Li Bai got this pen, he felt like he had found a treasure. However, he did not expect that it would suddenly break for some reason today.
I couldn't even hear the cheers and admiration from the people around me.
But the next moment, he realized something was wrong because there was suddenly a commotion around him and someone was shouting for help.
A wild boar the size of a calf was rampaging in the city, its fangs flashing coldly. It ran as fast as lightning, knocking down countless pedestrians.
Li Bai was completely shocked. This was Chang'an!
Since the establishment of the Zhoutian Xingdou Great Array, the Tang Dynasty has become a forbidden zone for demons, and such a thing has not happened in many years.
Fortunately, the court responded quickly.
A figure fell from the clouds. It turned out to be a young woman wearing a white Taoist robe, holding a jade whisk in her hand, and wearing a mask of the Queen Mother of the West. Her eyes were clear and lively, and her temperament was elegant and otherworldly.
The woman made a thunder seal in her hand, and suddenly a thunderbolt came down from the clear sky and hit the pig monster.
The pig demon, who had been so arrogant just now, suddenly fell down, with black smoke coming out of his body. He was deader than dead.
The woman frowned slightly, confused.
Why has the Zhoutian Xingdou formation been failing frequently recently, and the number of monsters in various places has been increasing? Could it be that... the great catastrophe he mentioned is about to come?
Thinking of that man, her eyes dimmed, and finally she flicked her sleeves, took away the pig demon's body, and floated away.
Li Bai stared at him stupidly, and it took him a long time to come back to his senses. He said with emotion: "He is truly an immortal!"
He wanted to know who this woman was, and since he couldn't find a national teacher, he could just take her as his teacher.
Someone shook his head and said, "Great poet, forget it. She is the newcomer of Zhelong, the Queen Mother of the West. It is said that her magic was taught by the national teacher himself. She is not a disciple, but she is better than a disciple."
Li Bai was immediately envious.
Half an hour later, he arrived at the prosperous East Market, ready to find a craftsman to repair his brush, but he was not satisfied with any of the shops he visited.
Until he saw a white-haired old man in a corner.
The old man was a repairman, and he had a stall with a line of big words written on it.
Spilled water can be recovered, and a broken mirror can be mended.
What a big tone!
Li Bai walked over and handed him his broken brush. Without telling him where it came from, he asked as a test, "Can an old man fix it?"
The old man just glanced at it and smiled, "Yes."
Li Bai sneered and said, "Do you know who used this pen?"
The old man laughed and said, "Isn't it the one used by Li Daoxuan?"
Li Bai said subconsciously: "You know——"
His voice stopped abruptly and he stared at the old man with wide eyes.
The old man shook his head and smiled without saying anything, but the broken brush suddenly burst into bright light. Not only did it repair itself, it also became more crystal clear, as if there was a nebula flowing through it.
"Li Bai, take a look at the writing I have done. Are you satisfied with it?"
The old man threw the brush lightly, and it automatically flew into Li Bai's hand. The moment he held it, it seemed that an indescribable warmth flowed into his body.
"Who are you?"
At this moment, Li Bai knew that he had met a master.
The old man stood up gently, shook his head and smiled: "You have been looking for me for so long, how come you really saw me, but turned a blind eye to me?"
Li Bai was shocked.
At this moment, he saw the old man stand up gracefully, his whole body seemed to be flowing with flawless fairy light, his face began to become younger, his white hair turned black at a speed visible to the naked eye, and the wrinkles on his skin disappeared, becoming as smooth as jade.
Especially those eyes that are as deep as stars, as vast as the sky and as deep as the sea.
Really a national master!!!
Li Bai was extremely excited. He did not expect that the imperial teacher he had been searching for would actually appear. Just as he was about to ask to be his disciple, he found that he could not move at all.
The handsome Taoist in white clothes and a golden belt looked at him and smiled.
"Li Bai, I owed you a favor in my early years. Now I will let you be a true poet for once."
After saying that, the slender white hand fell and pressed on Li Bai's head.
An indescribable mysterious feeling emerged in Li Bai's heart. He felt that some major changes seemed to have taken place in him, but at the same time, it seemed that nothing had changed.
"Remember, catastrophe is coming. Protect the Tang Dynasty for me until I can come out of seclusion."
As the voice fell, Li Bai suddenly felt that he could move again.
When he looked at Li Daoxuan again, he found that he had turned into an old man again. The two of them stared at each other in bewilderment.
"Hey, what are you looking at? If you don't want to fix something, then stop standing here. You're blocking my business!"
The old man yelled and cursed, completely losing the calm and composed demeanor of a master he had just had.
And the sign that said “Spilt water can be healed, broken mirror can be mended” has also changed to “It only takes three cents to repair old things”.
Li Bai immediately realized that the National Master had just used this person's body to enlighten him and bestowed upon him a great opportunity.
He suddenly laughed out loud towards the sky, looking like a madman, attracting the attention of passers-by on the street.
The old man showed a look of disgust.
"He looked like a scholar, but I didn't expect him to be a lunatic."
"What bad luck."
…
Daming Palace, Purple Palace.
Li Longji sat on the dragon throne. He was not wearing a dragon robe, but armor. He held the Qingming sword in his hand. He looked like a crouching tiger and a coiled dragon, majestic and domineering.
As the emperor who created the Kaiyuan Prosperity, although he was already 44 years old, he was still in his prime, energetic and had an imposing aura.
His road to becoming an emperor was not smooth as he suppressed the rebellion of Empress Wei and defeated Princess Taiping, but he was tempered more because of this and was able to remain calm even in the face of major changes.
At this moment, all the civil and military officials holding important positions were standing in the hall with solemn expressions.
Prince Li Lizhi was sitting in the hall, while the members of the Zhelong and the four captains of the Bad People were standing silently behind her.
No one spoke in the hall, as if they were waiting for someone.
Not long after, a person flew over. It was Yang Yuhuan, wearing the mask of Queen Mother of the West. She stood gracefully, with an otherworldly appearance, attracting everyone's attention invisibly.
Among them, Li Longji's gaze was particularly passionate.
For some reason, he, who was already 44 years old, fell in love at first sight with Yang Yuhuan, who was only 17 years old.
But unfortunately, Yang Yuhuan ignored him.
Bang!
The corpse of a pig demon fell in the hall, and everyone's expression changed slightly.
"Your Majesty, what happened to the Zhou Tian Xing Dou formation? Why did demons appear even in Chang'an?"
Li Longji stared at her and sighed, "An Lushan has rebelled."
Yang Yuhuan was a little confused. Who was rebelling?
Who is An Lushan?
It's not his fault. It's only the 17th year of Kaiyuan. The famous Anshi Rebellion in later generations occurred in the 14th year of Tianbao. At this moment, An Lushan was just a small gangster in Liucheng, Yingzhou.
When someone explained An Lushan's background to her, Yang Yuhuan became even more confused.
Isn't it a joke for a foreigner without troops, power or influence to rebel? What does it have to do with the appearance of demons in Chang'an?
Just then, Changle spoke.
"Yuhuan, after Master expelled us from the dojo, I have been worried about the catastrophe. After many deductions, I finally found some clues."
"That An Lushan will become the root of the chaos in the Li Tang Dynasty. Therefore, three years ago, I sent the bad guys to kill him and bury his body on the spot. There will be no mistake."
After a pause, Changle's voice became solemn.
"But now, he has resurrected and has erected a large flag in Yingzhou, called the Ten Thousand Demons Banner."
Banner of Ten Thousand Demons!
Yang Yuhuan was shocked. Isn't this the legendary treasure of the goddess Nuwa?
It is rumored that once this banner is released, all demons in the three realms and ten directions must submit to its orders and obey its dispatches. It is the most precious treasure of the demon clan. How could it appear in An Lushan's hands?
Li Longji's voice rang out.
"This banner is extremely powerful. The entire Yingzhou has become a kingdom of demons. The people have become their blood food. The demonic energy rising into the sky has even affected the Zhoutian Xingdou formation, causing it to malfunction repeatedly."
No matter how powerful the Zhoutian Xingdou Great Array is, it is just a formation of Louguan Taoism. Compared with Nuwa's Ten Thousand Demons Banner, it is indeed not good enough.
"Reject the report. This thief has gathered hundreds of thousands of demon soldiers under his command and is heading towards Chang'an. He has successively captured Jinyang, Zhuozhou, Youzhou and other places. Wherever he goes, it becomes a living hell. He is less than 800 miles away from Chang'an!"
There was a hint of fatigue in Li Longji's voice.
During this period, he has sent many elite troops to support, including monks from Buddhism and Taoism, but without exception, they can only barely hold off the enemy for a period of time.
Even the Yangshen cultivators died in the battle.
Because no grass grew wherever the evil soldiers passed, no one, young or old, male or female, could escape. In addition, the imperial court deliberately blocked the news, so the people of Chang'an did not know that they were about to be in great danger.
"Looking at the route of this bandit's march, they want to take Chang'an directly in the shortest time possible. The prince has calculated that they will arrive at midnight tonight."
Upon hearing this, the ministers in the hall immediately began to talk. Some were anxious, some were afraid, and some were very angry.
"Your Majesty, can't Prince Chen and Zhelong stop them?"
"Your Majesty, have you informed the Taoists and Buddhists in the world?"
"Your Majesty, you are the emperor, you must take care of yourself. Why don't you leave Chang'an first?"
…
Everyone was silent, which made the already irritated Li Longji even more furious. He slapped his hands and shouted angrily, "Silence!"
The whole audience immediately fell silent.
"I have summoned you all here today to decide one thing. Should we defend Chang'an to the death and fight that evil bandit to the bitter end, or should we preserve our strength and move to Shuzhou?"
For a moment, everyone started discussing.
However, most of them were still confused, immersed in the beautiful dream of the Kaiyuan prosperous era. They never expected that their dreams would be shattered one day and the enemy was about to reach Chang'an.
In the end, it was the famous prime minister Song Jing who made the final decision.
He asked the ministers two questions.
"May I ask you, are our horses faster, or are the demon soldiers faster?"
Everyone was stunned.
"Let me ask you again, which is more powerful, the natural barrier of Shuzhou or the Four Saints Formation of Chang'an?"
Everyone was silent again.
If they run away, they will not be able to escape from the enemy. On the other hand, Chang'an's Four Saints Formation is known as an important formation to protect the country. It seems that they have two choices, but in fact there is only one.
At this time Li Longji stood up, his eyes full of murderous intent.
"Mr. Song is right. Escape is the act of a coward and will lead to the destruction of a country . At this moment, we have no choice but to defend Chang'an to the death. Only then will we have a chance of survival!"
He gave everyone another reassurance.
"The Imperial Master will not watch the Tang Dynasty perish. Prince Chen said that he is making a breakthrough and will soon succeed. As long as we can hold out until the Imperial Master arrives, those so-called demon soldiers will be wiped out!"
After hearing this, the ministers finally felt relieved.
Li Longji drew out the Qingming Sword with a clang and said, "Everyone, from today on, if anyone tries to escape or says that they are afraid of fighting, I will use this sword to behead them as a sacrifice!"
The voice was sonorous and powerful, fully revealing the spirit of an emperor of great prosperity.
"We are willing to follow your majesty until death!"
"Defend Chang'an to the death!"
…
At night, when the people of Chang'an were still asleep, the city walls were already filled with the Tang Dynasty's most elite soldiers. Li Longji, wearing golden armor, stood on the top of the city wall himself to boost morale.
Flags are flying and murderous intent is in the air.
When a gust of evil wind blew by, Li Longji suddenly opened his eyes and stared at the darkness ahead.
The moon was covered by dark clouds at some point, and the sky and the earth were completely dark.
"ignition!"
With his order, the torches on the city wall were lit, and the flames rose, illuminating the darkness. However, these battle-hardened soldiers gasped and their scalps tingled.
Monsters, densely packed like waves, roaring from afar, like the undulating mountains, like huge waves!
