Chapter Seven: Coming Out of the Mountain
"Child, because that person possesses an exceedingly prominent status and power, it is destined that he cannot allow those who once influenced his most important decisions to survive in this world." The tone of Master Mingfang became serious, "Although we are cultivators and possess powers unlike ordinary people, the path of cultivation determines that we cannot oppose those who claim to be the children of heaven, nor can we escape the summons of a certain type of person, that is—secular kings. Moreover, he possesses..." At this point, Master Mingfang's expression changed somewhat, seemingly carrying a hint of fear.
In terms of talent, the position of Crown Prince should rightfully belong to the Third Prince, Feng Wuyan. He could recite poetry at the age of three, compose essays at five, and engage in discussions on state affairs by ten, demonstrating extraordinary insight. All civil and military officials speak highly of him. Now, at the age of nineteen, he is already capable of soaring high, and under his wings, many officials aspiring for advancement find shelter. As the Emperor, I do not wish to see, in my lifetime, a prince whose brilliance is so striking. One must understand that great achievements overshadow the ruler, and in the imperial family, there are no father-son bonds.
"Master, what troubles you so?" Yan Xiu looked at the master, who appeared restless, and couldn't help but feel a bit worried. How could a practitioner of the Dao be troubled by worldly matters?
"Master, I do not understand," Yan Xiu asked strangely, "Is it not true that for us, the Dao of Golden Elixirs is not more important than worldly matters? Then what is it that we cultivators are pursuing?"
His fate was indeed extremely tragic. Master Mingfang recalled that scene, where numerous senior members of the sect were at a loss in the face of a seriously injured favored disciple. To this day, it remains vividly etched in his memory. "He chose to reveal the secrets of the heavens for the sake of the common people, and not only did he suffer the punishment of heaven, but even the very beneficiaries were unwilling to spare him. Although we did our utmost to save his life, in the end, he still left this world in such solitude."
The emperor's eyes suddenly brightened; how could he have forgotten that extraordinary acquaintance, Master Ming Fang? It was this ethereal figure who had granted him a second chance at life when he was plagued by illness. Why not seek his assistance once more? The Lingyun Dynasty has always held a deep faith in Daoism, with numerous national protectors and countless certified masters, many of whom are indeed enlightened individuals. It is not surprising that the emperor entrusted the crucial matter of selecting an heir to a Daoist. In the past, Emperor Xianlie Feng Qingyu had invited a legendary immortal who was said to have lived for three hundred years to help him assess his three sons, ultimately deciding to name the youngest as the heir. Of course, that immortal did not meet a favorable end; the emperor bestowed upon him the "Elixir of Longevity," and this once robust elder passed away unexpectedly. Naturally, the outside world has never received any information regarding such events, with only a brief record in the royal secret archives. The emperor bestowed upon him the "Elixir of Longevity," and this once robust elder passed away unexpectedly. Naturally, the outside world has never received any information regarding such events, with only a brief record in the royal secret archives.
Regardless of background, the position of Crown Prince undoubtedly belongs to the Fifth Prince Feng Wuzhao. His mother, being the Empress, holds a prestigious status and commands respect throughout the realm. Additionally, her maternal family wields considerable influence in the court. After his hundred years, it would not be difficult for the Crown Prince to ascend the throne smoothly. However, this is precisely what the Emperor fears. The consequences of external relatives wielding power have been witnessed throughout history. Moreover, the Empress has always had a ruthless temperament, and her concubines and children may very well be exterminated by her if she were to gain significant power. As a ruler who seeks to maintain stability, he absolutely cannot allow such a situation to occur; therefore, the Fifth Prince is not the best choice.
As the monarch of a vast nation, Emperor Wanlie of the Fenghuan Dynasty enjoys wealth and splendor that others cannot fathom, yet he is beset by numerous troubles. Having passed the age of knowing one's destiny, he has yet to establish an heir apparent. This matter has sparked widespread discussion both within the court and among the populace, while the concubines in the imperial harem constantly whisper in his ear, leaving him increasingly agitated
It seems that the Great Way is beyond my reach. A rare hint of confusion appeared in the eyes of Master Mingfang. "Yan Xiu, you must remember that although those who cultivate the Dao are not bound by worldly constraints, there are many things they must still do, even if it means giving up the Great Way that is so close at hand." His expression was exceptionally serious
In front of a humble thatched cottage on Falling Petal Mountain, Master Ming Fang gazed at the invitation in his hand, his brow furrowed into a deep crease. Since he had treated the ailing emperor many years ago, he had deliberately maintained a distance from the court, yet he never expected to be unable to escape this predicament in the end. With a long sigh directed towards the heavens, he looked at his beloved disciples, feeling an indescribable melancholy in his heart, mixed with a hint of hope. The scene from not long ago had already stirred waves in his resolve, and since that was the case, why not give it a try
"Do not speak recklessly!" Master Ming Fang shouted, startling even the young disciples who were playing below. What exactly did the senior brother say wrong for the master to be so furious? "Have you forgotten how your parents died? If a tyrant ascends the throne, how many common people will suffer?"
Yan Xiu finally came to his senses, "Master, have you also been summoned by the Emperor? Do you really want to repeat the mistakes of our grandmaster?" In a moment of desperation, he grasped his mentor's hand tightly and pleaded repeatedly, "Master, can you bear to abandon us, your disciples, just for the command of that foolish monarch?"
Gazing affectionately at the fifteen or sixteen-year-old youth, Master Mingfang said thoughtfully, "In the end, we are still people of this mortal world! Do you remember the mention of your grandmaster uncle?"
Although he is considered a practitioner, Yan Xiu is still a hot-blooded youth. He asked with a face full of anger: "Even if the heavens do not spare my master’s uncle, why must that beneficiary harm him? Is it truly unavoidable to repay kindness with enmity?"
Regardless of favoritism, one must consider the Eleventh Prince, Feng Wuxi. His mother, Consort Yu, not only holds a prestigious status but is also exceptionally beautiful. Had it not been for the Empress's lack of evident misconduct and her family holding significant power, she could have rightfully taken her place long ago. The Eleventh Prince has been cherished since childhood, winning his affection, and although the Emperor understands that a ten-year-old child cannot gain the recognition of the ministers, even if he were to be reluctantly named Crown Prince, the young sovereign might still be deceived, which is not a wise strategy.
His sons are far more than those mentioned. Aside from the prematurely deceased Crown Prince and the Tenth Prince, there are also the Second Prince, Fourth Prince, Sixth Prince, Seventh Prince, Eighth Prince, Ninth Prince, and Twelfth Prince. Each prince has varying degrees of influence behind them. Of course, the Second Prince's mother comes from a humble background and cannot command respect, so she withdrew from the competition for the throne early on. The Sixth Prince has always been engrossed in books, only associating with scholars, and thus should not harbor ambitions for the world. As for the Seventh Prince... Thinking of this, the Emperor's heart aches. That frail child, with his pale face, often appears in his dreams. However, he truly does not want to confront that kind of incurable despair, which is why he rarely visits him. Now, he has far too many sons. Is it really necessary to let them fight to the death?
You mentioned that he is a rare genius not seen in nearly a century. Yan Xiu blinked, filled with indescribable curiosity, as his master seldom spoke of that granduncle.
Feng Wuhen, residing in the Fenghua Palace, was unaware of what his father, the emperor, was contemplating. In recent days, he had been having Hong Ru explain various matters concerning the palace to him daily, in order to gain guidance for the future. Previously, due to his long-term illness, Feng Wuhen had no teacher to instruct him regularly; only once, on a whim, did the emperor send a few young Hanlin scholars to occasionally explain some classics and histories to him. Now, although Feng Wuhen had only adapted to this environment for a brief half-month, the confusion he initially felt had completely vanished. His face now bore a striking resemblance to the emperor in his youth, with a hint of determination and gloom in his brows that made all the servants in the palace dare not defy him. Leveraging his status as a prince, he sent people to borrow various historical texts from the library, hoping to find a path for his future. However, regrettably, he was merely a thirteen-year-old boy, and without a dedicated teacher, he found it impossible to comprehend these books filled with the rise and fall of dynasties and intricate schemes. Nevertheless, he persisted in his search, and time passed day by day.
A single sentence suddenly struck at the deepest scar in Yan Xiu's heart, causing tears to well up in his eyes. "Master, I no longer have my parents; do you still want me and a few junior brothers and sisters to lose you, our only remaining family?"
"In order to reduce the tragedies that occur in the world because of you, Master has disregarded his own well-being. From now on, you must walk this path well with your fellow disciples." After saying this, Master Mingfang felt a tinge of sadness. He took out two thin silk books from his sleeve and solemnly handed them to Yan Xiu, instructing, "You must take good care of these two books. One is a manual for cultivating Qi, which you and the other disciples should practice diligently. The other is a wordless heavenly book passed down from our ancestor. If you find someone fated to receive it, feel free to gift it to them. The inheritance of our Falling Petals lineage will depend on you!" After saying this, Master Mingfang took the invitation and floated away, leaving the disciples in a state of shock and Yan Xiu with a face full of sorrow, standing there in a daze.