As the Emperor was dragged into the hall, what greeted him wasn't a room full of lights, but Grandmaster Lingcang's gasping mouth dripping with blood.
The windows were opened, and wild winds swept in, snuffing off each and every candlelight.
All around him turned to darkness as a blindfold slipped over the Emperor's eyes. The sounds of killing grew further and further away until everything fell into complete silence.
He didn't even know what had happened. After he shouted twice and no one came to his aid, the Emperor knew then and there that he was under someone else's control.
The dignity of an Emperor made him stomp down all his fright and fear, silently clenching his teeth as he remained silent.
The Emperor felt the grip on both his sides loosened and the force pinning him down had vanished. Without another word, he freed his eyes from the blindfold.
The same old darkness greeted his eyes.
The Emperor turned and looked around. He couldn't tell what place this is.
When darkness had swallowed everything around them, wherever he was, it no longer made a difference.
The sound of wails was almost surreal, as if they came from the cries of the wronged souls from the Yellow Spring. Those wails were so sinister that it could instil fear from the deepest parts in the hearts of people.
The Emperor hadn't taken a step forward. He knew that in these kinds of situations, the best course of action was to be inert.
If the enemy had planted traps all around him, then any step taken might bring harm to himself.
If the enemy refused to move, so would he.
The Emperor could hear his own breathing, as well as his own heart's beating.
His heart thumped at a quicker space, to the point where even his eardrums have begun to follow the beat.
He only noticed as he swallowed that his mouth had run dry.
This torturing silence had been dragging on for very long, that the Emperor who took pride in his patience was also gradually finding it wearing thin.
When he was about to speak, someone blew a puff of air on the back of his neck.
It was a very light sigh, resounding all around him.
The Emperor froze where he stood.
He barked, "What wretched demon goes there? If you came for vengeance, then show yourself. To play such tricks are underhanded methods by little nobodies! Laughable!"
"How admirable that Your Majesty remains unwavering even in the face of your downfall. You've earned respect."
The other's voice was very slow and gentle, a fresh comparison to the Emperor's strict and stern speech.
The light still remained out of reach, but it was as if the enemy could see his every move. The Emperor slanted his body to avoid it, only to find that he could no longer move.
He calmed himself down. "Who on earth are you?"
"Xiao Lu." The voice answered. He hadn't beat around the bush and reported his name immediately.
The Emperor was taken aback, but not too much. "The Pavilion Lord of the Thirteen Pavilions of Yunhai?"
Xiao Lu laughed and said, "It seems like His Majesty has heard much of me from Feng Xiao and Cui Buqu."
Xiao Lu flicked his finger.
A small little light lit up in front of the Emperor.
The faint little light gradually turned into a cluster of light, dispersing into a few sparks.
The Emperor could vaguely see his surroundings.
He saw Xiao Lu, who stood opposite of him, as well as the young maiden next to him.
The Pavilion Lord of the Thirteen Pavilions of Yunhai was young and handsome. He'd make a good couple with the young maiden next to him.
It was very difficult to imagine that this person with a gentle and kind look, whom a smile constantly sat at the corner of his lips, could build such a massive organization within just a few short years. He had gathered all the intelligent people there are and had formed alliances with both Goguryeo and Göktürk alike. Although he still wasn't powerful enough to take the Sui Dynasty head-on, in truth they were already no longer a small threat.
Except, the Emperor was not a stranger to that young maiden.
He howled, "Yuwen Eying?!"
Even though this granddaughter of his had been born in a family that was an enemy to his own clan, the Emperor had never mistreated her for the sake of her mother.
But who could have guessed that she had long been scheming with the Thirteen Pavilions of Yunhai with the intention to overturn the Great Sui?
The young maiden smiled, "Your Majesty, my name is Yuwen Yihuan. Perhaps you've heard about the Princess giving birth to a pair of twins back in that year."
The truth struck the Emperor. "Are you that child who died as a baby? You're not dead!"
Yuwen Yihuan nodded her head. "Thankfully, my adopted brother came to my aid. Otherwise, I would have long gone beneath the grave and turned into a wronged ghost!"
Since they were humans and not ghosts, then there was no need to be afraid. Although the Emperor held guilt towards the Yuwen clan, he had no guilt for Yuwen Yihuan.
Very quickly, he returned to his usual calmness. When he spoke again, he returned to his usual tone.
"I am thankful towards Pavilion Lord Xiao for saving Maiden Huan, but I was ignorant of her existence before. Since I know of her now, then there is no excuse to let her stray in the wild. Since Maiden Huan owed Pavilion Lord Xiao a debt of gratitude, and I was never known to be thrifty with rewards; why are you so insistent on making an enemy of the Imperial Court and doing things that will neither benefit yourself or others?"
Xiao Lu smiled and said, "His Majesty truly lives up to his name. So quickly and you have turned from the defensive to the offensive, and have come to curry favours with me? Would you really grant me just any rewards I demand?"
The Emperor could sense that there was a trap in these words, but remained calm as he answered, "One should also consider whether it is mine to give."
Xiao Lu exploded into a series of laughter. "Your Majesty possesses all the wealth found in the four seas. What is not yours to give? It's only a matter whether you are willing to. I suppose you are not willing to give up the throne?"
The Emperor, "The throne of Emperors are only given to those of virtue."
Xiao Lu expressed a mocking look. "Virtue? Is the present Emperor of the Chen Dynasty a man of virtue?"
The Emperor expressionlessly said, "His forefathers had such virtue. If not for their outstanding capabilities and virtues, how would the throne fall into their hands? If one were to refuse virtuous and moral conducts after the throne is attained, the Heavens will not allow them to sit on the throne for too long."
Xiao Lu gave him a half-smile, "That's to say. His Majesty claims himself to be virtuous and capable, and so to be the Emperor is your destiny?"
The Emperor mocked him and said, "I have long been curious of you. All that you've done are works on par to heroes of the ancient. Your capabilities proved that you are able to garner a cluster of skilled followers and make them obey your orders. If you had such talents, why are you not using them on the rightful path, but had chosen such a shady route instead?"
Yang Jian was born of a noble household and could have chosen to spend his life in luxury. Yet, he had strived for a huge feat. The suspicions of Emperor Wu of Northern Zhou back then made it even more impossible for him to turn back. It had, instead, pushed him up the path of an usurper.
But ever since his coronation, he had offered the people proper administration and security, wrought anew all the foolish ways of the previous Emperor. Even if he had betrayed the Yuwen clan, he had not betrayed the common people.
In the face of Xiao Lu, naturally, the Emperor had the authority to ask.
Xiao Lu smiled and said, "What is the rightful path? It is all but 'He who steals the hook gets hanged as the crook; he who steals the country makes himself a duke'."
The Emperor remained resolute, "There is no need for you to say these things to anger me. I admit that I have stolen the throne which belonged to the Yuwen clan. However, if Yuwen Yun had made use of talents and gave his best to build his country, how would he have lost it? I assume all the illusions I were seeing before were all also your doings? Even if you are displeased with me, Grandmaster Lingcang is innocent. Please let them go."
Xiao Lu said, "It's a given I will not mistreat them, but there is no use for His Majesty to buy time. Do you know why you are here?"
The Emperor, "I forgot. I have not asked."
Xiao Lu, "In the stomach of the Buddha."
The Mahadiva Hall was the most famous hall of the Daxingshan Temple.
Within the hall was an enormous Buddha statue more than five zhang tall. It was made during the Jin Dynasty, who managed to escape destruction when the late Emperor Wu of Northern Zhou set out to destroy arteifacts of Buddhism. Now, as a new Emperor ascended to the throne, the temple was renovated, and this great statue was remade into one of gold.
The Emperor had watched the Buddha statue from a close distance before, but he hadn't expected the inside of it to be so spacious. There was even an entry to this place.
If someone had been hiding inside the Buddha statue all this these time, then it was not surprising that the strict and tight patrols surveying around the temple in the last few days had found nothing unusual as they searched in and out of the temple.
The Emperor had even thought: If they didn't come in from the outside, then was there perhaps a tunnel beneath the Buddha statue that linked to the outside?
Xiao Lu watched as the expression on the other changed. With a smile, he said, "With how intelligent Your Majesty is, perhaps you have already thought of the key events."
The Emperor, "Even if you have hidden an army of soldiers in this place, it would still be impossible for you to soundlessly make your way out."
Xiao Lu, "Your Majesty has mistaken. The sounds of killing that came from the outside just now were not from my people, but yours. Your people are killing each other."
The Emperor splurted, "How is that possible?!"
As events have progressed until the present, there was no need to conceal his intentions. Xiao Lu told him, rather kindly, "The ginger soups have been dosed with gu. Also, there are indeed a few hidden tunnels under this Buddha statue. I have let someone light incense that will drug its victims into seeing illusions under this statue. The smoke from these incenses will find its way out of the statue's nostrils and blend into the scent of sandalwood that could be found inside and outside of the hall. When they mix, it would be very hard for anyone to tell."
The Emperor's expression sank. "That's to say, you even made Grandmaster Lingcang break a precept?"
Xiao Lu smiled and said, "As Your Majesty has seen: As long as there is any distinctive feature there is falsehood1. Lingcang is unaffected by worldly temptations and holds no grudges. That fragrance could do nothing to him. I could only let him lay down quietly for a moment. After all, you, Your Majesty, is the reason I'm here."
After he finished speaking, he suddenly turned his head sideways and stared into the darkness.
"Are you prepared?"
In a daze, the Emperor also stared at the source of the sound.
Within the darkness, someone stepped out.
The Emperor's eyes widened abruptly!
That person's looks, from his attire to his posture, looked exactly like him!
Xiao Lu snickered as he said, "How long did Your Majesty think he could stall?"
Xiao Lu hadn't interrupted the Emperor just now when he was asking questions; he had even answered every question he had. It was all for the sake of allowing this bogus Emperor to learn the details of how the real Emperor behaved.
"We are almost done here. Pavillion Lord, please let him speak a few words." The other said.
Even his voice was almost identical.
The Emperor was both surprised and angry; he hadn't expected the enemy to use this trick.
Xiao Lu regretfully said, "If someone must take the blame, then blame yourself that the patrols around the palace are far too strict. A few days ago, all the people I've sent into it were very quickly found out by the Jiejian Bureau. I am at my wit's end to make use of such an unfavourable trick. However, rest assured, once this person takes your place in future, they will take good care of the Yang clan and settle them down before he will make the decree to withdraw from his place. Your heroic deeds will not be forgotten. In the future, the scholars will resume to write Your Majesty as the brilliant Emperor who changed the Imperial Entrance Examination, as well as the Emperor who defeated Göktürk."
The Emperor has already made the decision to not open his mouth. But as he listened, he couldn't help himself—
"Do you think anyone would believe you?! Don't take the Empress and all my subjects as fools!"
Xiao Lu smiled and said, "First, the ones who defended your usurping of the throne, who helped you forge an Imperial degree, Liu Fang and Zheng Yi, are dead. Then it was the eclipse—this could only mean that the Heavens decided Your Majesty is guilty, and that he should not have stolen the throne from the Yuwens. After Your Majesty spent three days in Daxingshan Temple to reflect on himself, he finally realized his mistakes and decided to follow in the footsteps of the Emperor Wu of Liang of the Southern Dynasty to become a monk and withdraw from his place. If the Empress and your subjects refuse to believe it, so what? As long as the people do, it will be fine. His Highness Prince Qin has already gotten in touch with the Commander of the Royal Guards for me and bought their loyalty. As for Empress Dugu, she is still bedridden, so best let her recuperate her health first."
The Emperor angrily said, "Dream on!"
"It's enough." Someone suddenly said.
The other walked towards the Emperor, reached out a hand to touch his face as he deftly touched it like he was trying to determine the contour of his bones.
The Emperor felt the hairs on his body stood. There was a frightened expression on his face, yet he could not move an inch. He could only stand there as he let others do as they wished.
"I."
"I."
"I."
As that person repeated the same word, he didn't stop twitching his tone, grinding out every single last bit of difference he had with the Emperor.
"I am Yang Jian, and Yang Jian is I."
He gave the Emperor a smile that made his heart turn cold
I've fallen out of power. The Emperor thought in dejection.
The great Buddha statue was soundproof. Regardless of how the Emperor screamed or shouted, no one could hear him.
How does it feel for one to be in the last moments of his life?
The Emperor only realized now, that he had feared not only death, but also the fact that whether Xiao Lu and his people would be using his face to do other nefarious things.
A hand reached out from the back.
It soundlessly approached the Emperor.
Yet, the hand neither belonged to his saviour nor did it belong to the Grim Reaper.
That hand straightened itself before it pressed onto the back of the Emperor's neck.
"Stop!"
Xiao Lu's expression changed. Suddenly, he moved, and lunged himself over!
Although he'd made a bogus Emperor, there was still some use to this real Emperor. He still didn't have plans to kill him.
Yet, the intruder had intended to take the Emperor's life with a single strike.
Xiao Lu was forced to step out to stop him. With the blink of an eye, they've crossed a few moves and the intruder's identity was exposed.
"Tuan Qinghe! You and I have never meddled in each other's affairs. Why did you come!"
Tuan Qinghe said nothing. He pushed Xiao Lu away, his knife aimed towards the Emperor.
The glare of his sword turned into a thousand; even that bogus Emperor was frozen fast where he stood.
Naturally, Xiao Lu didn't allow him to do as he pleased. But as Tuan Qinghe attacked both of them, and that he could save only one, Xiao Lu chose the bogus Emperor.
He wanted a puppet. When the uses of both of them were compared, naturally, the bogus Emperor served him more purpose.
The Emperor could only watch as the knife's glare hammered down on him coldly. Before it hit his body, he already felt the pain. He feared this life of his would be forsaken almost immediately!
In that moment of frenzy, someone held his shoulder and his entire person was dragged backwards.
However, behind him wasn't the flat land as he'd expected. As if a pit had suddenly appeared in the Buddha statue, the Emperor fell right into it.
From the corner of his eye, he could see that the person who had saved him was the young monk that appeared frequently at Grandmaster Lingcang's side.
"I've waited so long for the lot of you to come out together. I'm done waiting!"
The young monk laughed a very long laugh. But once he spoke, the Emperor knew who he was.
There were some differences to Feng Xiao's looks under such a dim light, but his handsomeness was still there. How would any ordinary ordained monk carry such an unbridled and wildly carefree look? Those were the characteristics of the Second Commander Feng.
Both Xiao Lu and Tuan Qinghe were still in a vigorous fight, but once they saw Feng Xiao appear, both of them turned to attack him in unison!
With a wave of his sleeves, Feng Xiao turned and placed the bogus Emperor in front himself as a meat shield, sending both their attacks into different directions. He then reached out to toss the bogus Emperor into the spot where the Emperor had fallen just now.
The Emperor was half-conscious when he fell in. He hadn't expected another person to fall from above, and that he'd fallen right onto him, almost making him spill a mouthful of blood!
[1] 皆是虛妄 is originally from the full sentence 凡所有相,皆是虛妄 from the Diamond Sutra.
[2]本座忍得差点都立地成佛了: This doesn't work well in English. It literally translates into, "I'm going to wait until I've turned into a Buddha!" because apparently, one must cultivate the virtue patience to the highest extent to become the Buddha. It generally means that Feng Xiao had waited so long it surpassed his limit.
Editor's Note -
Petition to give poor Yang Jian a break XD He's legit one of the very few decent emperors in danmei who are not the protagonist he's a keeper y'all.