Inside the Lin De Hall, every gaze turned toward her — not only the court ladies and eunuchs, but even the high ministers and officials.
What was truly absurd, however, was that aside from the foreign envoys, nearly everyone else looked at her with something that bordered on reverence.
As if she were truly someone chosen by the Heavens.
Even Huoyan Mingchuan had, for once, set down his mathematics tome and looked up with interest.
Yun Shu stood still.
So today, there was no avoiding it — she would have to put on a show.
Fortunately, back in her modern life, she had traveled widely during school holidays. With her deep curiosity for various cultures, she had more than a passing familiarity with different systems of belief.
Their religion was no exception.
A thousand thoughts flashed through her mind, but her expression remained calm as she turned to the group of Western envoys. That practiced serenity carried with it even a faint air of solemnity.
"This Princess has heard," Yun Shu began evenly, "that your people believe mankind is born bearing original sin — that one must suppress desire through devotion to the heavens, and seek salvation of the soul through the Church?"
"Correct!"
The moment Yun Shu demonstrated knowledge of their creed, Roland's eyes lit with renewed hope. He tugged at his bindings and shouted with fervor.
"I am the most devout follower of the Pope! Even if you kill me today, I shall not know fear, for the gods will surely forgive me!
But you — you disregard the Pope and defy the gods! You have committed grave sins beyond measure. Your souls are tainted. The heavens shall never forgive—"
"Whether the gods will forgive you," Yun Shu interrupted mildly, "This Princess cannot say.
But what This Princess does know is this:
'All dharmas arise for the sake of all hearts; if there are no hearts to save, then what use are all dharmas?'"
Her voice was soft, deliberate — as if she were reciting a truth long known.
Roland furrowed his brow in growing frustration.
"What nonsense is this about all hearts and dharmas? I do not understand a word of it!"
"That you do not understand is no surprise. But it matters little," Yun Shu replied, smiling faintly. "This Princess can speak more plainly."
With that, she stepped from her seat and strolled forward at a measured pace. Her tone never wavered, calm as a quiet stream.
"The meaning is this:
The hearts of all beings are different. Their natures, their fates, their comprehension of truth — all vary. Therefore, the Buddha gave rise to eighty-four thousand paths of teaching to guide all souls.
Once all beings have attained enlightenment, there will no longer be need for dharma."
She cast a glance at Roland, who still looked entirely lost, and then, without the faintest guilt, began weaving her own tale.
"You see? Even the Buddha understands that teachings must match those who receive them. Salvation must reach all souls. Your Pope, it would seem, is far too narrow in his thinking."
"You slander him!"
Though Roland had followed little of her earlier words, he caught that last jab with perfect clarity. His mind, previously mired in confusion, now snapped into sharp outrage.
"The Pope is benevolent above all! He is the only true representative of the gods on this earth, and he shall lead us all to the light!"
"Light?"
Yun Shu gave a quiet, amused laugh.
She raised her hand and snapped her fingers.
In an instant, darkness fell over the hall.
The candles and lanterns that had kept Lin De Hall bathed in light all extinguished at once. For a heartbeat, the vast chamber was cloaked in pitch black.
Before anyone could cry out, a single flicker of light reappeared — a modest flame cupped in Yun Shu's hand.
She held a candle.
"This is the light you speak of?"
She toyed with the flame, letting it sway gently. Her voice carried faint traces of mockery now, subtle but sharp.
"You proclaim that all are born sinful, that mankind begins in darkness, and that only by chasing this feeble flame may one be led toward salvation.
Is that what you call light?"
The flickering candle cast alternating shadows across Yun Shu's face. As she moved, her silhouette stretched long across the marble floor, each step adding distance, as if she walked through ages of time.
Her lashes lowered.
"But the true path of light," she said softly, "should be one where every step blossoms with lotus.
And not all light is the same. There is light, and then there is radiance beyond compare."
She let the candle fall from her fingers.
The flame vanished the moment it struck the ground.
And then —
The hall erupted into brilliance.
A blinding white light flooded the space, far brighter than the sun outside. The sudden glare made the courtiers flinch and shield their eyes. Several moments passed before they could even open them again.
Gasps filled the air.
"This hall... it has never been so bright, not even in full daylight!"
"A miracle... this must be a miracle!"
"Hahaha! I knew it! Her Highness, the Crown Princess, is the true vessel chosen by the gods!"
"Night still cloaks the world outside, yet dawn has come within these walls... This must be divine power!"
The ancient souls who had never once seen electric light were utterly shaken to their core.
Roland collapsed where he stood, dazed and overwhelmed.
"No... no... This cannot be... The Pope is the sole voice of the gods. You must be using some trick!"
Yes — it had to be a trick.
She must have somehow relit all the candles at once, deceiving them with sleight of hand!
Determined to expose her, Roland scrambled back to his feet and scoured the hall, searching desperately for even a single relit flame.
But there were none.
The candles stood where they had always been, cold and lifeless.
The lanterns remained untouched. Not even a wisp of smoke curled upward.
He searched every corner of the hall and still found nothing.
It was as if the light had truly descended from the heavens.
Why?
Why would the gods favor the Crown Princess of Tian Sheng?
He stared blankly at Yun Shu, unable to comprehend.
But she — having proven her point — no longer spared him even a glance.
Her smile returned, gentle and poised, as she turned and bowed gracefully before Emperor Xuanwu.
"Father Emperor, this is the birthday gift Your Daughter presents to you this year.
So long as you desire it, this sky... Your Daughter shall keep forever lit."
"Well said!"
Emperor Xuanwu shot to his feet, barely able to contain his elation.
Such a turn of phrase — that this sky might remain ever alight for his sake!
He had originally allowed Yun Shu to face Roland's provocation only because she had previously claimed she could solve the problem of the long nights.
Yet even he had not expected such a stunning outcome.
The light was as brilliant as the sun, but without the sun's searing heat.
She was more wondrous than the immortal sovereigns said to command the stars.
Though joy still lingered in his eyes, Emperor Xuanwu's expression quickly turned cold as he remembered Roland's earlier slights — not only toward him, but toward Xiao Wu as well.
His voice was stern, every word weighted with imperial authority.
"Upon your return, inform that so-called Pope of yours that in the realm of Tian Sheng, We require neither his judgment nor his interference.
Should he dare to overreach again, We shall not hesitate to expand Our empire further."
He turned to the guards.
"Take him. Throw him from the palace."
"Wait!"
A hand seized Roland's arm before he could be dragged away. He struggled violently.
"Just one question!"
===
The quote — "All dharmas arise for the sake of all hearts; if there are no hearts to save, then what use are all dharmas?" — is deeply rooted in Mahayana Buddhist philosophy, and speaks to the purpose of spiritual teachings (dharmas) and the role of sentient beings (hearts, or minds) in giving them meaning.
In this quote, "dharmas" (法) likely refer to all teachings, practices, methods, and even rules cultivated in a spiritual or moral path. In Mahayana thought, there's often an emphasis on expedient means (方便, upāya) — teachings that are offered not because they are ultimate truth, but because they help lead sentient beings toward awakening
"For the sake of all hearts" (为一切心而设)
The phrase suggests that teachings exist to guide the mind — or more precisely, to help sentient beings (all hearts) find liberation. This aligns with the bodhisattva ideal in Mahayana: practicing and teaching not for oneself, but to relieve all beings from suffering.
"Heart" (心, xīn) here isn't just the emotional heart — it's the conscious mind, the self-aware soul, the center of perception and suffering.
So the first half means:
"All teachings, all practices, all spiritual paths — they arise only to meet the needs of sentient minds."
"If there are no hearts to save, then what use are all dharmas?"
This second half is almost rhetorical, yet poignant. If no one suffers, if there are no minds to liberate, the teachings would have no audience, no purpose.
This echoes the non-absolutist nature of Buddhist teaching — that even the most profound dharma is only a boat to cross the river, not something to cling to after the crossing. Once all beings are enlightened, the tools and words lose their function.
The quote reflects this Mahayana Buddhist view:
All dharmas are created as tools to help beings. They are not ultimate in themselves. Without suffering beings to help, the dharma has no inherent reason to exist.
It's both compassionate (centering on others) and non-attached (not clinging to doctrine).
Similar Canonical References
Vimalakirti Sutra:
"Because the sick are many, medicine exists. If no one were sick, what need would there be for medicine?"
The Lotus Sutra:
"I speak the Dharma according to what is appropriate, but in reality, there is no fixed Dharma."
The Diamond Sutra:
"The Dharma is like a raft. Once you have crossed the river, you should abandon the raft."