Chapter Forty-One: Returning to the Heavenly Mountains

Li Chongyuan knelt and said, “Please forgive me, uncles. I have guarded Ascension Peak for three years, reflecting on my mistakes every day. When I heard that Sister Zilan was kidnapped by villains, I could not sit idly by, for she once taught me martial arts and I owe her a debt of gratitude. Therefore, I risked my life to return to Tianshan and rescue her, all the while fearing punishment for breaking the rules. Whether it be punishment or expulsion, I accept it willingly. Yet, I could not bear to see Sister Zilan fall into the hands of evildoers, so I had to act. I ask for your understanding.”

Monk Wuxin pressed his palms together and said, “Amitabha. Well done, well done. You were punished for your past mistakes, yet now you have risked your life to save a fellow disciple. Clearly, your three years in seclusion on Ascension Peak have cleansed your heart, and you have reaped good fruits from your penance. This is a blessing for Tianshan. Very well, you may stay by my side. When we return to Tianshan, I will report everything to the sect master. He is a kind and gentle man; seeing you repent and change, he will surely be pleased and will not blame you.”

Because Song Changkong was responsible for guarding the passage to Ascension Peak, but he was currently searching for Zilan in Hengyang with Yang Wuji, in truth, no one was watching the passage. Thus, Li Chongyuan’s half-true, half-false words did not arouse suspicion.

Wen Wuyai, ever meticulous, asked, “You were on Ascension Peak with little news from the outside. How did you learn that Zilan was in trouble?”

Li Chongyuan replied, “Every month, the sect sends supplies to Ascension Peak. The servants who deliver them often gossip, and I overheard them mention that Sister Zilan had been abducted. That’s how I learned of her plight and decided to leave the mountain to rescue her. I knew it was risky, but I could not ignore her suffering.”

Wen Wuyai said, “You’ve only been on Ascension Peak three years, yet your martial arts have improved greatly. The Ghost Sword’s swordsmanship is exquisite, yet you managed to rescue someone from his grasp. It’s truly astonishing.”

Afraid Li Chongyuan might say something wrong, Lin Qingli quickly interjected, “Uncle, I asked Senior Brother Chongyuan about this as well. He said that during his three years on Ascension Peak, he spent every day reflecting and training his martial arts diligently, with no distractions. Even before his punishment, his skills were among the best of the younger disciples. After three years of rigorous practice, he has advanced even further. However, today’s victory over the Ghost Sword was mere luck. First, the Ghost Sword had never encountered Senior Brother Chongyuan, so he was caught off guard. Second, though his skills are high, the Ghost Sword’s methods are almost heretical. As the saying goes, ‘Evil cannot defeat righteousness.’ Senior Brother Chongyuan is a true heir of Tianshan, his every move filled with upright energy, naturally countering the Ghost Sword. Still, without you two arriving in time, we might have failed and Sister Zilan would have been taken back by them.”

She spoke eloquently and flawlessly, praising both Wuxin and Wen Wuyai along the way.

The brothers Wang Cheng and Wang Zhuo arranged for trusted aides to bring delicacies to entertain the group. Wen Wuyai said, “Today’s events could not have gone so smoothly without the help of you two heroes. If your net had not trapped their followers, and your hidden weapons not blocked the Ghost Sword and White Snake, things would have been much more difficult. The Tianshan Sect owes you a debt. If you ever need anything, send word, and we shall not refuse.”

The Wang brothers, having experienced such upheaval, realized their martial arts were mere fancy routines, utterly useless. It was laughable to think themselves skilled in the past; now they saw how limited their experience truly was.

Ashamed, they said, “Please don’t call us heroes; we’re not worthy of such a title. If not for your chivalrous disciple Li, we would have perished. We were powerless to avenge ourselves even with our enemies before us—how useless we are!”

Wen Wuyai replied, “You need not belittle yourselves. The Ghost Sword and White Snake are now enemies of the martial world. To rid the world of evil is our righteous duty. I believe your revenge is not far off. However, our niece has been forced to take Soft Bone Powder and needs the antidote. We must trouble you for medicine, and we will need to stay here for a few days to recuperate and wait for others to join us.”

The Wang brothers were overjoyed. They had feared the Ghost Sword and White Snake would track them down for revenge, but now, with several masters residing in their home, what was there to worry about?

Wang Cheng said, “Heroes, I dare not claim much, but the Wang’s Apothecary is the most well-stocked pharmacy in Luoyang. If you need anything, just ask Xiaodong.”

Wen Wuyai smiled, “Thank you. However, please keep our presence here a secret.”

Wang Zhuo said, “Rest assured, Xiaodong is the most trustworthy. With him taking care of you, everything will be handled perfectly.”

Monk Wuxin said, “Then we will wait here in peace and let Zilan recuperate for a few days. Li Chongyuan, take Lin Qingli to Hengyang and Yangzhou to inform your master and elders to meet us in Luoyang. Once everyone has gathered, we will return to Tianshan together, so we don’t risk mishaps with too few people.”

Lan Wutong said, “Uncle Monk, I want to go too!” This ‘Uncle Monk’ made Wuxin laugh and cry at once, while Lin Qingli was furious, thinking secretly, “Is this girl trying to get close to my Chongyuan?”

Lan Wutong continued, “I want to find Young Master Li Chongjun.” Lin Qingli’s worries vanished, and she instantly shifted from anger to joy, saying, “Good, then we can chat along the way and help each other if anything happens.”

Wen Wuyai nodded, “Very well. In that case, we owe your Golden Silkworm Sect a favor.” He felt Lan Wutong’s behavior was suspicious, and was uneasy about leaving her with Zilan, fearing she might plot something against her.

Now seeing her volunteer to go to Yangzhou and Hengzhou, he was glad, though he worried she might target Li Chongyuan and Lin Qingli. Yet, after careful consideration, he felt Lan Wutong had no reason to harm them, and even if she did, with Li Chongyuan’s martial prowess and Lin Qingli’s intelligence, they would not be easy targets.

So he went along with the suggestion. With two chief elders personally guarding Zilan, Li Chongyuan had no reason to worry. After resting for a few hours, at dawn, he set out with Lin Qingli and Lan Wutong. Monk Wuxin specially wrote a letter explaining the situation for Li Chongyuan to carry.

The Wang brothers naturally provided swift horses for travel and pressed silver into their hands for expenses.

Chang’an, Daming Palace.

In the bedchamber, Emperor Wu Zetian of Zhou reclined lazily on a soft couch, half-covered by a light red silk quilt. Though she had passed her sixtieth year, her skin was well maintained—white, delicate, and without a trace of looseness.

Her eyes sparkled as she glanced at Zhang Yizhi, who sat in the corner. Though young and strong, he now appeared utterly spent. Wu Zetian smiled, “Wulang, are you tired?”

Zhang Yizhi replied, “Your Majesty, I am not tired—just worried.”

Wu Zetian was surprised, “Worried? If you desire something, I grant it without refusal; what is there to worry about?”

Zhang Yizhi said, “Though I love Your Majesty, I am, after all, a man. How can I indulge endlessly in pleasures of the bed? I wish to stand upright in court, to serve honorably.”

Wu Zetian responded, “Wulang, you already stand upright in court. As Commander of the Crane Guards, you oversee the royal guards—what could be more honorable?”

Zhang Yizhi said, “But these honors are all bestowed by Your Majesty. Others may not accept it, thinking I gained favor through my looks…”

Wu Zetian laughed, “All the land belongs to the king; all subjects serve the king. Which position in the court is not granted by me? As for what others think, you need not concern yourself. If you are diligent and loyal, history will judge you fairly. All men love beauty—why should women be forbidden? What men can do, women can do. I, a woman, became emperor; if you cannot silence gossip, let them talk.”

Zhang Yizhi said, “Though the Commander of the Crane Guards is important, it is ultimately a role of patrolling the palace, standing guard, and sounding the night watches. I have no voice in the national policies debated in court.”

Wu Zetian smiled sweetly, “I see now—Wulang wishes to enter the cabinet and become prime minister. Hmm, you are afraid that when I am gone, you will lose your support and your wealth. You wish for power, to build your own faction, so that even if my successors wish to touch you, they cannot. Is that right?”

Her smile was gentle, but the tenderness in her eyes faded, replaced by a hint of menace.

Zhang Yizhi was so frightened he prostrated himself, kowtowing rapidly, “I wouldn’t dare! I wouldn’t dare!”

Wu Zetian laughed, “No need to be alarmed, Wulang. I am merely reminding you. You cannot debate policies nor command armies; being Commander of the Crane Guards is already an achievement. Look—among the officials, the generals have survived countless battles, and the ministers are full of wisdom. You lack the courage and intelligence for more. In my view, serving me well, bringing me joy, and in return enjoying wealth for your family, should be enough.”

Zhang Yizhi knelt at her side, shedding tears, “Wulang is deeply grateful for Your Majesty’s favor. Yet, the common people say my brothers gained our positions by serving the Emperor with our bodies. I am not content. I wish to accomplish something great, to show the world I am not inferior to anyone.”