Chapter 285: Another Game of Chess
When Chu Jiuyue returned to the imperial garden, he saw Emperor Yu sitting in a pavilion, enjoying some pastries.
Sensing that the ministers had left, Emperor Yu glanced at Chu Jiuyue, acknowledging his eloquence.
"Xian'er also came, persuading her brothers to plead for that child."
Emperor Yu sighed, "Ever since Li Junye's death, she has harbored resentment towards me as her father, yet she has made exceptions for that child multiple times."
Chu Jiuyue said softly, "It shows the princess has grown up, understanding that Li Junye's fate wasn't your fault, Your Majesty."
Emperor Yu's eyes momentarily distant, he then smiled, seeming somewhat pleased:
"That child, with his roguish nature, has quite a network. The Xia family came to plead for him, risking offending the Buddhist sect. The other three families of the Divine General's mansion remained quiet, holding their composure."
Chu Jiuyue inwardly sighed, knowing that if the other three families had also come to plead, it might have backfired.
After all, if the five great Divine General families pleaded for one person, whose world would it be then? Even Emperor Yu, any monarch, would feel threatened and wary.
"The Xia family owes that child a favor, so it's understandable they came." Chu Jiuyue said softly. If they hadn't come, it would seem like they were deliberately avoiding suspicion, which would naturally be suspect to the emperor, appearing less forthright.
"The ancestor of the Li family remains composed. As expected of an old general who fought alongside the previous emperor, he understands that in terms of emotion and reason, and in terms of profit and harm, I wouldn't harm that child at this juncture."
Emperor Yu tapped his fingers lightly on the table, his eyes filled with a smile:
"That Buddha Lord was too hasty, desperate enough to collude with demons, his desire to compete for the Dao and become a saint too strong."
"But in this world, we speak of reason. Reason is the logic of the Dao, not the logic of the Buddha."
Chu Jiuyue's eyes flickered, not surprised. The secret of the Buddhist sect's collusion with demons was deeply hidden, but both he and the emperor knew. After all, no paper could wrap fire, and the light of the Buddha could not cover it.
"That child has helped us rid of a major worry. Unfortunately, he acted too crudely."
"However, there is an advantage to this crudeness; it fills a piece for my next move."
Emperor Yu's lips curled into a faint smile.
Chu Jiuyue remained silent. Before the court session, he hadn't been entirely sure if the emperor would forgive that child.
Even though the child's actions were beneficial to them, the ministers weren't wrong in saying the child's growth rate was alarming—so alarming it was daunting!
His threat far exceeded that of the Buddha Lord.
As one of Emperor Yu's closest confidants, he couldn't claim to fully understand the emperor's inner thoughts.
After all, during the previous emperor's demise and the battle for the throne, this emperor's ruthlessness was witnessed by all. He was not a soft-hearted ruler.
After a moment of silence, Chu Jiuyue looked at Emperor Yu and finally voiced his lingering doubt:
"Your Majesty, there's one thing I don't understand."
"Speak."
"Why do you trust that child so much?"
Chu Jiuyue's eyes narrowed slightly.
This was the part that he never could quite figure out.
Was it just because they played a game of chess by the willow tree?
Or did the emperor believe the child's talent was so extraordinary that he would not usurp the throne?
But even if he could become a saint, crossing the threshold of incense offerings would be difficult.
Moreover, human nature is unpredictable. The stronger someone is, the more they like to have control in their own hands rather than leaving it to trust.
Hearing Chu Jiuyue's words, Emperor Yu's smile faded slightly. He didn't answer immediately, instead, he looked up at the late-season peach blossoms, petals falling like leaves in the wind.
The summer heat had already caused the spring flowers to wither.
"I want to play another game of chess."
Emperor Yu said softly.
Chu Jiuyue was taken aback.
Emperor Yu had already stood up, saying, "You don't need to follow. Just tell the court tomorrow that I am reflecting on the Buddha Lord and feeling unwell."
Chu Jiuyue's pupils contracted slightly, but he quickly hid his reaction, saying softly, "But Your Majesty, if the Buddhist disciples cause more trouble, what then?"
"Wait for my return; I will have an answer."
Emperor Yu said.
Then his figure disappeared from the garden.
Chu Jiuyue stared at the now empty pavilion, where the warmth still lingered on the stone bench, and he gazed at the falling petals, lost in thought.
...
Qiandao Palace.
The Daoist temple stood tall atop Tianmen Mountain. Once austere and serene, its proximity to the imperial palace and numerous royal bestowals had added touches of gold, making it grand and majestic.
At this moment, deep within the temple, a single ray of light shone into a secluded hall.
Emperor Yu, dressed in a black dragon robe, quietly appeared, standing behind a Daoist sitting on a prayer mat. The Daoist exuded an aura of antiquity, with a sacred image of the Daoist sage before him.
"I'm planning a trip to see that child."
Emperor Yu said softly.
The Daoist on the mat slowly opened his eyes, pausing before speaking softly, "Have you decided?"
Emperor Yu was silent for a moment before saying, "I need to see him first."
The Daoist also paused before saying, "My lifespan is near its end. I was planning to take the Buddha Lord with me before I die. Unexpectedly, a child solved that problem first, saving me the wait."
Emperor Yu nodded slightly.
He had planned to wait for the reopening of the celestial gate and the return of the Jiang family's members to purge the Buddha Lord. The Buddha Lord, aware of this, had been racing against time, secretly cultivating a demon for eight centuries, risking everything.
Unfortunately, he hadn't been caught at his weakest moment.
"He colluded with demons, racing against time, sensing I had already sent messages to the celestial gate. My uncles and the eighteenth elder are trying to contact a saint there to reopen the gate. Unfortunately, a year in the celestial realm equals ten years in the mortal world."
"Originally, their return would mark the Buddha Lord's demise. The incense offerings the Jiang family collected would be ours, with principal and interest."
"But now, the celestial realm has noticed. The three wild gods are likely being directed by a powerful force. Their actions don't seem like simple slaughter."
Emperor Yu's eyes were sharp, "No one can stop the Jiang family from reviving our ancestor. The time is almost ripe; no mistakes can be made."
The Daoist nodded slightly, sighing, "Their roots in the celestial realm are too shallow, facing difficulties. We don't know if they can gain a saint's favor. Reopening the celestial gate might take longer than expected."
Hearing this, Emperor Yu fell silent.
"If you choose that child, I will support Dayu for another ten years, giving him ten more years."
The Daoist's voice was old, "Before I go, I will take all the dust with me. If you haven't chosen by then, pick between Chunsheng and Mingyue Jian as the next heir. I will entrust Qiandao Palace to them."
He referred to his two handpicked disciples.
Emperor Yu looked at him, the thin, aged figure that had protected Dayu for over three thousand years.
He bowed slightly, saying, "Ten years is enough for that child."
The Daoist fell silent, realizing the emperor had made his choice.
"Are you sure?" he asked.
Emperor Yu did not answer.
The Daoist sighed softly, saying, "I hope you haven't misjudged him."
"Wait for my return."
Emperor Yu said softly.
In the thousand-year-old chamber, a single light illuminated the room.
He knew what it took to ignite a long-lasting lamp.
With that, he bowed slightly and disappeared.
The single ray of light shone into the secluded hall, revealing the floating dust particles, nowhere to hide.
...
Liangzhou, Tianmen Pass.
After killing the Buddha Lord and returning from Boundless Mountain, Li Hao brought Zhuhu Shen, Xiyan, and Feng Lao back to the familiar Tianmen Pass.
Ren Qianqian wept upon hearing that Feng Lao's soul was incomplete. Though she appeared cold, she was deeply emotional towards those she knew well.
Li Hao comforted Ren Qianqian and resumed his normal life.
He knew that the old man in the capital must be troubled by his actions.
He awaited a result, knowing it wouldn't take long.
Even if the outcome wasn't ideal, he wouldn't hold a grudge.
After all, that old man had helped him immensely.
"Feng Lao, it's been a while since you tasted my grilled meat. Have some."
In the courtyard, the rich aroma of grilled meat filled the air. Zhuhu Shen and Xiyan, eager and drooling, watched as Li Hao cooked.
Feng Lao sniffed, his slow expression relaxing as he took the meat Li Hao handed him and ate heartily.
Li Hao smiled, handing him a wine gourd.
The courtyard was filled with the scent of smoke and food.
Two days later, an old man in black robes arrived at the border city of Liangzhou.
Looking up, he saw the towering city walls, adorned with the Haotian banners, fluttering majestically in the wind.
The old man glanced up before walking slowly into the city.
Presenting his travel documents, he passed through without obstruction. The guards, recognizing his extraordinary demeanor, knew he was no ordinary man.
In the bustling city, with various stalls and aristocratic young men and women wandering, the old man observed the prosperous scene, unusual for a border city.
He strolled through the city, soon arriving at the central courtyard.
There, a small fenced yard stood alone, the surrounding area clear, with soldiers patrolling.
Hearing the faint sound of a zither from within, the old man smiled. The man he sought, despite killing the Buddha Lord, had the leisure to play music, unaware of the chaos his actions had caused.
Approaching the yard, he was immediately stopped.
"An old friend comes to visit."
The old man said.
The guards, recognizing his power, were about to question him further when they felt an inexplicable sense of intimidation. Though the old man appeared peaceful, their minds reeled, and they instinctively nodded, preparing to inform their master.
"Please let the esteemed guest in."
Li Hao's voice came from within.
The guards quickly ushered the old man in.
Inside, Li Hao stopped playing the zither, a look of surprise on his face.
A wall could not block his perception. Though he hadn't actively probed, he instantly recognized the old man.
He hadn't expected that after such a significant event, the man who should be in the capital would appear here, astonishing him.
If he couldn't recognize the old man's identity now, he'd be too slow-witted.
Waiting for news, he didn't expect the man to come personally.
Rising quickly, Li Hao went to greet him.
The elder and the youth who had once met by the willow tree now reunited in this fenced yard.
Li Hao bowed slightly, about to salute, but the old man lifted him with a wave of power, "No need for formalities."
Understanding the gesture, Li Hao knew he hadn't misidentified the man.
"The environment is nice."
The old man glanced around, seeing the young girl practicing swordsmanship, the dazed Feng Boping, and the Supreme Zhuhu Shen.
A small yard, full of peculiarities.
The old man chuckled.
Li Hao asked, "Senior, why have you come?"
He refrained from addressing him as Emperor, understanding the intent to remain incognito. With the nation facing many threats, the emperor traveling to the border was complex.
Having just killed the Buddha Lord, the emperor's personal visit showed immense trust.
"My hands itched, wanted to play chess."
The old man smiled, noticing the yard filled with painting boards, zithers, and a chessboard, all regularly used. He chuckled, "You play all day, don't you train?"
This is my training. I work hard… Li Hao thought, but only smiled wryly, unable to explain.
"Moving here must have been hard. Has your chess skill dulled?"
The old man laughed, strolling around, smiling at the curious girl who had stopped practicing, then looking at the slow-witted Feng Boping and the Supreme Zhuhu Shen.
A peculiar little yard.
The old man laughed.
Li Hao replied, "Not too hard, the border has its scenery, the best of the human world."
He smiled, inviting the old man to sit in the yard.
He then asked Ren Qianqian to bring tea.
Ren Qianqian, curious about the old man's identity, obeyed Li Hao, quickly bringing tea for the guest.