Chapter Twenty-Four: The Armored Envoy

Li Jiu immediately understood in his heart that these people could only be from the Qinghai Sect. The posture Shen Fengzi assumed was a form of yoga originating from India, and in the martial world, only the Qinghai Sect based their techniques on yoga. The Tianshan Sect, renowned for embracing all schools, had, at its founding, welcomed several Tantric masters who specialized in yoga. However, as time passed, the practice of yoga gradually faded and was eventually abandoned. Still, records of yoga were preserved in the Tianshan Sect’s archives, and even some minor methods used to treat injuries and pain could be traced back to yoga. Thus, Li Jiu was able to recognize the technique.

Shen Guangzi spoke, “The Sect Leader entrusted us with the task of retrieving the Sacred Armor. But who would have thought that Ghost Sword and White Snake would act on their own, taking it upon themselves to fetch the armor from Hengzhou? Hmph, if it were so easy to retrieve the Sacred Armor, we wouldn’t be needed. Now, not only did they fail, but they also caused a great commotion in Hengyang. I expect the Sect Leader will severely punish them when they return.”

Having dealt with Shen Fengzi, Shen Guangzi strolled over to Zhu Shitian and scrutinized him. Though Zhu Shitian looked weary and dispirited, his bearing remained proud and unafraid, his gaze fixed fiercely on Shen Guangzi. Shen Guangzi smiled, “Zhu Shitian, I have little to say. Hand over the Sacred Armor. Our Sect Leader is merciful and will surely forgive you. If you are willing to devote yourself to our Celestial Sect, the leader will reward you with great responsibility. If you desire neither power nor fame, then you shall be granted estates and live in peace as a wealthy man. What do you say?”

Zhu Shitian replied, “There was indeed a Sacred Armor, but that great fire burned my entire mansion to ashes, destroying the armor as well.”

Shen Guangzi said, “Why should I believe you?”

Zhu Shitian responded, “Though it is called Sacred Armor, it is but an ordinary silver leaf mail, made precious only because it was a gift from the emperor, not because it is invulnerable to fire or water. That fire was fierce—how could the silver mail withstand such flames? It was melted long ago.”

Shen Guangzi said, “You are a shrewd man. The hiding place of the armor must be well concealed; a fire wouldn’t necessarily reach it. Perhaps it wasn’t even in your mansion. Why not hand it over and spare us both the trouble?”

Realizing deception was useless, Zhu Shitian sneered, “Since you’ve come for me, you must know what sort of man I am. The late emperor’s years of kindness are not something your honeyed words can sway. Save your breath. Better to end this quickly—kill me and let us both be at peace.”

Shen Guangzi sighed, “Our sect pities the world, but the world pities not itself. Zhu Shitian, do you know that our Celestial Sect possesses both the power to grant ascension in broad daylight and the means to make one wish for death without receiving it?”

Zhu Shitian laughed loudly, “Ha! I’ve risked my life in the martial world since childhood, later joining the army, fighting in Persia and Beiting for years, favored by the Empress, and appointed to the inner guard. What cruel method have I not seen? Go ahead, try them—I won’t so much as flinch!”

Shen Guangzi’s pale fingers gently brushed his jade flute. He spoke softly, “What you’ve seen are but crude tortures—whipping, branding, the spiked plank, and the so-called Three Woods: the big board, the pinching stick, and bamboo slivers. How unsophisticated. Our Celestial Sect’s methods are far more refined.” He paused, then continued, “Let’s see how you fare with the Great Elixir of Dual Extremes, Ice and Fire?”

Zhu Shitian replied, “Such an elegant name—sounds amusing.”

Shen Guangzi said, “This Great Elixir is the ultimate tool for interrogation. Just a taste, and every bone in your body melts away, leaving you a heap of flesh, but unable to die. Your muscles will burn as if on fire, while your skin freezes so cold it flakes off at a touch. Then I can sit by, sipping tea, and wait. You will speak, eventually. But by then, even if you confess and take the antidote, you’ll survive only as a paralyzed wreck.”

Zhu Shitian laughed, “Now that I know this elixir leaves me useless even if I yield, why should I? Wasn’t it foolish to tell me all this?”

Shen Guangzi shook his head. “Not at all. Even knowing this, you’ll speak in the end.”

Zhu Shitian asked, “Why?”

Shen Guangzi replied coldly, “Simply to beg for death.”

Zhu Shitian’s face changed dramatically. After a long pause, he said solemnly, “My life has not been my own for years. A few days of starvation would kill me anyway, and then I’d be free from suffering. I will not beg.”

Shen Guangzi sneered, “We’ll see how strong your resolve is.” With that, he flicked his fingers, and a spark of fire shot toward Zhu Shitian’s mouth like a flash of lightning. Zhu Shitian’s acupoints were sealed—he was defenseless.

Li Jiu, meanwhile, had stealthily moved behind Zhu Shitian. The darkness of night and dense bamboo concealed his presence. No one noticed him.

Seeing the crisis, Li Jiu pressed his palm to Zhu Shitian’s back and unleashed his internal energy. His cultivation had recently broken through to the eighth level, only slightly inferior to his master, Zi Wuzhuo. At the critical moment, Zhu Shitian felt a powerful force surge through his body, unblocking his acupoints. He realized someone was helping him and, gathering all his strength, expelled a burst of true energy. The spark, just as it reached his lips, was forced back and shot toward Shen Guangzi.

At that moment, Shen Guangzi was basking in the praise of his followers, eyes closed in satisfaction as they chanted, “Protector Shen Guangzi’s divine power is peerless, unrivaled in heaven or earth, above and below, unmatched—ah!” Shen Guangzi’s pleasure turned to rage as the chorus was interrupted. Opening his eyes, he saw the spark flying at his face. With a cry, he leapt back, swinging his jade flute to deflect it. By chance, one of his followers, lost in the fervor of singing, found the spark flying into his mouth as he sang out, “Ah!”

Realizing disaster, the follower cried, “Protector Shen Guangzi, save me!” But before he finished, his body collapsed as if his bones had been dissolved, leaving him a limp, shapeless mass. He continued to wail, “Protector Shen Guangzi, save me!”

Zhu Shitian reacted swiftly, snapping the ropes binding his arms with a jerk. He rushed to the bonfire, struck it with both palms, and scattered the burning logs. Knowing the fire contained poison, the crowd panicked and fled in all directions.

Shen Guangzi, mindful of his dignity, tried to maintain composure and not run like the others, but a fireball struck him nonetheless. Luckily, he managed to ward it off with a gust of palm wind, narrowly avoiding being burned alive.

Amidst the chaos, Zhu Shitian reclaimed his flexible sword and unleashed his swordsmanship upon his enemies. Having been beaten and humiliated by these people, he relished his vengeance. Though his internal energy was weak, Li Jiu’s support made his swordplay unstoppable. Shen Guangzi, though superior in martial arts, was thrown into disarray by the sudden turn of events. His hair was singed, his robe riddled with holes—one, unfortunately, right at his backside, exposing half his buttocks. The once-dashing youth now looked like a plucked rooster, utterly disheveled. No will to fight remained. He defended himself with the jade flute while awkwardly covering his torn robe. Anyone else would have ignored such embarrassment, but Shen Guangzi, always concerned with appearances, could not bear it.

Knowing this was no place to linger, Li Jiu leaped from behind the bamboo, unleashing a flurry of Thunder Palm strikes. After more than a decade perfecting this technique, his mastery was such that his attacks shifted seamlessly between hard and soft. Few in the martial world could withstand thirty exchanges against him. Shen Guangzi, though agile, was outmatched; caught off guard, he was struck heavily in the chest, spitting blood as he fell back. Realizing he was no match, Shen Guangzi let out a long whistle and fled into the bamboo forest. Seeing their leader run, the followers scattered in terror.

Li Jiu grabbed Zhu Shitian and shouted, “Go!” Zhu Shitian understood, grabbing the unfortunate, boneless follower and sprinting away.

Unfamiliar with Hengzhou, Li Jiu had no idea where to go. Zhu Shitian, however, knew the area well and led them through a series of twists and turns to an abandoned mansion. Once the residence of the Marquis Jingbei, it had been confiscated and left to ruin after his family was executed for involvement in Xu Jingye’s rebellion. Zhu Shitian had purchased the estate under an assumed name ten years prior, claiming he would build a garden but leaving it derelict as a hidden refuge for desperate times.

Inside a secluded room, Zhu Shitian fell to his knees in gratitude. “Benefactor, you have my deepest thanks! May I know your name? Should I escape this calamity, I vow to erect a shrine in your honor and burn incense for your blessing day and night.”

Li Jiu did not answer. Instead, he said, “Winter draws near, the clouds are high, and frost approaches.” He handed Zhu Shitian half of a dragon-carved jade disc.

Startled, Zhu Shitian quickly unearthed the other half from a hidden cavity in the wall, brushed off the dust, and joined the two pieces together. The entwined dragons came alive, vivid and lifelike. Tears of mixed joy and grief welled in Zhu Shitian’s eyes. After a long moment, he whispered, “As the ground warms, spring grass grows; when the ice melts, the swallows return north.” He bowed deeply. “General Zhu pays his respects to Your Highness. For twenty years I have endured hardship in Hengzhou, holding fast to the late emperor’s charge. Though the court is turbulent and I live in constant vigilance, I have succeeded in safeguarding the Sacred Armor. I have also gathered many loyal and valiant heroes, rough men of humble birth but fierce and unyielding. Your Highness may rely on them without doubt. I will now deliver the Sacred Armor to you.”