Section Three.
Those places are nothing more than human trafficking. Until there is no way out, one should not consider taking this path. She smiled and pursed her lips, "Wang Apu named me Lian Deng, and I can't bear to disappoint him too much. Let's discuss this matter after we leave. This is a sacred palace, don't defile it." After speaking, she got up and walked to the corridor, opened a yellow umbrella, and gazed at the continuous palaces. She murmured, "The sound of cymbals is getting quieter. I'll go find the Chief Historian to investigate the situation."
He was a little surprised, but still respectfully bowed to her.
Of course, he is not really that bad. After getting to know each other, we can still get along harmoniously.
The lotus lamp doesn't understand why she is so curious. Is it because the national teacher is older than Dalai? She shrugged and said, "I don't know if the national teacher will see me. If Lu Changshi doesn't stop you, you can go in."
She smiled after listening and said, "Apu's persistence is the most poetic way to achieve success. Not only him, but also his monk friend is admirable." She made up her mind and handed over the walnut ornament, saying, "Has the divine messenger seen this before?"
The lotus lamp has many aspects that are not clear. After experiencing a major disaster, it is like the lotus seed being blocked, everything is "just a little bit" away. But occasionally, there are moments of clarity, for example, she can't even distinguish the five grains of the Central Plains, but she has unique insights in politics. Perhaps it is all thanks to having a father like Baili Jina!
I heard that the National Teacher has left seclusion. Zhuanzhuan said, "The ritual in the front hall is almost done. Now there are only a few disciples left performing the ritual. Let's wait for the right time and then send someone to inform us."
Tan Nu glanced at her and said, "It's to invite someone to pass on the message for the Lotus Lantern. We are separated by a barrier, what's the point of joining in the fun!"
She walked alone, turning around and jumping to follow, but was pulled back by Tannu. "I never believe in fate. When I was young, someone said I wouldn't live past seven, but look at me now, perfectly fine! Do you know why we live in Amber Valley and Lian Deng lives in Lin Lang Realm? It's because she is Wang A Pu's disciple, and we are not."
Why do you have such a strong desire to meet the national teacher? Do you want to ask the national teacher to calculate your marriage fate? Tan Nu asked curiously. Even if the national teacher can predict the past and the future, he has not fallen to the point of telling fortunes for others. If you dare to make such a request, be careful that the guards will throw you out.
He shifted his gaze and glanced at that figure, stepping lightly with a slender waist. She was wearing a Hu-style garment, exuding a sense of elegance and grace. From his perspective, the street was empty, with only her standing quietly. But in her eyes, those illusions never ceased, so she remained motionless, unwilling to waste any effort. It was rare for a girl of fifteen or sixteen to possess such composure.
She pushed her with force and said with hands on hips, "You always oppose me. Whatever I say, you always target me. Are you jealous of my good looks and intentionally suppressing me? Why do you always ride on top of me? I refuse to accept it!"
He laughed very openly, as if the excited person who was just watching the excitement had nothing to do with him. When he was about to approach and strike up a conversation, Lu Qing came out from the back hall with his hands behind his back and said, "Please take a seat, madam, and follow me."
He lowered his head and calculated, "Probably... it's been more than twenty years!"
With a burst of energy, she shouted, "What is your name?"
It can be considered as being from an older generation. If what happened last night is true, it is truly unbelievable. She touched the walnut pendant in her sleeve, always doubtful about that dream. She really wanted to understand the ins and outs of it, but was unsure whether or not to expose it. While pondering in secret, she said, "Apurva, everything is fine, and your health is good. It's just that painting all year round in the cave with poor lighting has a great impact on your eyes. I once advised you to give up, but you didn't agree. You said you would continue to paint until the emperor issued an order and sent craftsmen to Dunhuang." Painting all year round in the cave with poor lighting has a great impact on your eyes. I once advised you to give up, but you didn't agree. You said you would continue to paint until the emperor issued an order and sent craftsmen to Dunhuang."
The lotus lamp returned to the realm of Linlang, and she packed her belongings to prepare for departure. The deer followed her across the wooden bridge and never went far away. Occasionally, she looked up and saw it chewing on branches and leaves, stepping on broken steps, wandering in the snow. By chance, their eyes met, and the short deer tail wagged quickly, probably greeting her.
His eyes were calm and still, and with a slight pause, he reached out to take it. The cloud pattern on the wide sleeve covered his backhand, revealing only his slender fingertips, which brushed over her palm, delicate and cold. He weighed it in his hand and asked in the same tone as before, "Where did you get this from?"
Everything outside requires money, and it also costs to go to the activities in the north. This money was looted from the Sogdian caravan at the beginning. It's a long way from the Western Regions to Chang'an, and it may not be dealt with promptly after reporting to the officials, so it might still be useful.
He nodded and said, "With one thought, one can either achieve great success or bring disaster to the people."
He nodded slowly, "The emperor is old and has not yet chosen a crown prince. In these past two years, there have been constant hidden struggles, and no one has had the time to pay attention to Dunhuang. In fact, he doesn't have to be so persistent. If he waits a little longer, the internal conflicts in the court will settle down, and everything will naturally be resolved."
She smiled and placed the knife horizontally on the bundle. Outside the window, the snow was white, and there was a quiet sound of water in her ears. It was a peaceful afternoon. Suddenly, the deer jumped away in panic, staring back with a pair of big eyes. She stood up and watched Tan Nu and Zhuan Zhuan running over from the other side.
Lu Qing's face turned cold as he glanced at him indifferently, "I remember it was in June, when the weather was extremely hot. The Spring Official watched for two hours straight. That's why I have always admired the Spring Official. When doing something, one must do it thoroughly."
She's a strange girl, and it's hard to say whether she's bold or numb. The only thing that can be determined is that she has a clear purpose and strong aggressiveness. He smirked, turned and walked back into the hall, watching Lu Qing lead her past him. She whispered, "I came to see the national teacher, but I don't know if it's convenient at the moment."
Tan Nu frightened her, grabbed her chin and made a slashing motion, "Nonsense! Cut off her tongue first, then sever the tendons in her hands and feet."
The construction of the Supreme Palace of Gods cannot be attributed to any specific model. It seems that Buddhism and Taoism coexist, creating a strange sense of solemnity. The lotus lamps are placed close to the corridor edge as they step out of the boundary, fearing that they might accidentally enter some formation and become trapped.
He crossed his hands again and hid the walnuts in his sleeves. He no longer looked at her and calmly said, "This is something I carry with me. However, I lost it two months ago and now I have recovered it. How fortunate."
Zhuanzhuan is very happy, with both arms raised and two round shoulders protruding, she laughs and says, "I heard before that the National Teacher can communicate with gods. When the Emperor was sixty years old, he performed the Taishan Fengshan ceremony. When the procession arrived at the foot of the mountain, a divine person greeted them with a bow. The Emperor asked the people around him, but no one saw it. Later, when he mentioned it to the National Teacher, the National Teacher could accurately describe the divine person's attire. It can be seen that the Emperor's encounter with the divine was dependent on chance, while the National Teacher had opened his heavenly eyes and was already accustomed to such things."
Tan Nu tucked the list into her sleeve and said, "I heard there is an inn called Shao Ling Yuan that caters to the black market. You can do tasks for others and get paid, but there is a high risk involved. However, the money comes quickly."
阿菩 said that when she is not busy, she feels like she is already dead. She held the walnut in her palm and looked at him, asking, "Do you think it's scary for a person to have an obsession?"
He stood there, seemingly lost in thought. Lotus Lamp found this person very strange. She had amnesia, but at least she still remembered her own name. Could his condition be even worse than hers, to the point where he had to think for a long time about what to call himself?
It likes to be close to her. She gently strokes its horns and says, "Do you remember me? What is your name...?" Suddenly, she realizes that she doesn't know who that person was just now. She hurriedly looks up and sees him on the other side of the wind and snow, gradually moving further away. She blurts out, he hears it, turns around to look at her, and she stands on tiptoe and says, "Take your things back, why don't you say thank you?"
The people from the Central Plains do pay attention to the distinction between relatives and acquaintances. After listening for a while, I feel disheartened. Leaning against the window, looking outside, the snow is falling heavily. The lotus lantern passed the wooden bridge and disappeared without a trace.
There is a road from the world of Linlang to the central palace of the gods. The snow is heavy, falling on the umbrella surface with a rustling sound. Soon, it accumulates and falls off in chunks when shaken slightly, landing on the stone pavement. Gradually, she arrived at the front of a palace. The palace gate was wide open, and the platform was built high with thick red pillars surrounding it. The ground was paved with polished bricks, shining brightly, giving off a shimmering illusion. She looked around and saw the long corridor suspended in mid-air, and further ahead was the bamboo garden she had walked through in the morning. However, there was no one around, and she didn't know where the attendants who had been standing there earlier had gone.
She watched him leave in the wind and snow, pulling up the belt of her long skirt to her chest, and sighed magnanimously, "Forget it, everyone has secrets." She is very open-minded about certain things, as people travel through different journeys, encountering different scenery and people, as long as there is no harm done, it will not leave a mark on life.
Turning and touching the temples, she gathered the scattered hair behind her ears, turned her face away, and said, "Since we're leaving here anyway, it's just as well to throw it away." She then adjusted her position slightly and whispered, "Looking for a marriage partner is secondary. We also have fortune tellers in Guizi. They have read my face and said that I will become wealthy and prosperous in the future, and will live to at least ninety-eight. Without a good husband, how can one live such a long life? I hope the national teacher can calculate for Lian Deng and tell me when he will remember the past and when he will fulfill his wish."
She was shouting loudly, but Tan Nu sneered softly and said, "I saved your life, how dare you challenge me?"
The lotus lamp listened to her without any restraint, frowned and said, "Be careful with your words. It could cause trouble if someone overhears."
Turned around and felt deflated, sitting on a low couch and kicking it twice. "I will repay your kindness, you will see when we get out, the outside world is mine."
He stood with his arms crossed, considering whether or not to go and rescue her. Suddenly, a sharp whistle echoed through the palace, piercing through the clouds and breaking through the mist, directly hitting the sky street above. He squinted and saw the mirror-like ripples when the barrier broke. The formation was undone. Lu Qing immediately lifted the hem of his robe and went down to greet her, constantly comforting her, "Madam, you were frightened." She didn't show much reaction, just nodded her thanks to him, without a trace of fear on her face.
They always argue, but it doesn't affect their relationship after the argument. Maybe no one really dislikes each other. The more they quarrel, the closer they are.
Zhuanzhuan pouted and said, "I've been waiting for a long time just to see what someone over a hundred years old looks like. I have seen the current emperor before, with a crown on his head and his face covered in black spots the size of fingernails. The current emperor is only seventy years old and already looks like a rotten tree stump. The national teacher is over a hundred years old, isn't he an old monster?"
Lú Qìngdào: "Just now during the meeting, I asked about Madam. Please wait a moment, I will go in and inform Madam."
The boatman originally laughed heartily, but was pricked by a hidden needle from Lu Qingmian, and felt embarrassed to continue. This person, at times, is indeed not very honest. Clearly, it's just a small favor, but he prefers to beat around the bush. In terms of rank, although Lu Qing is an internal official, serving as the Chief Historian of the Divine Palace is a much higher position than his seventh rank. However, he doesn't buy into that. The court strictly adheres to its laws, and the Divine Palace has its own regulations. In terms of rank, although Lu Qing is an internal official, serving as the Chief Historian of the Divine Palace is a much higher position than his seventh rank. However, he doesn't buy into that. The court strictly adheres to its laws, and the Divine Palace has its own regulations. Once the palace gates are closed, it is still the Astronomical Bureau that has the final say.
This formation is quite astonishing. She was caught between two teams, and what's even stranger is that there seems to be an endless number of people, as if they will never stop walking. She stood there blankly, only then realizing that this place is not easily accessible. Without anyone to guide her, there must be something wrong.
The people on the steps in front of the hall looked for a long time, and then laughed and said, "I thought she would be in a panic, but I didn't expect her to be so calm. You weren't like this when you were trapped in the formation. I watched you in a panic, sweating profusely. Now thinking back, it's quite funny."
Turn turn is still melancholy, "Can't I really see the national teacher? Lian Deng, take me with you and let Tan Nu wait outside."
Lotus lamps followed him inside and found that there was no distinction between the front and back of the palace. The vermilion pillars and lotus-shaped golden bricks were on both sides, facing north and south. However, the deeper it went, the more eerie it became. The surroundings were silent, and the wide floor-to-ceiling canopy was hung with translucent gauze. Suddenly, a gust of wind blew into the palace gate, causing the curtains to swell and fly up, and a sense of coldness spread throughout the place.
Her eyebrows relaxed, she folded her sleeves and thanked Lu Qing, then stood there like a statue, motionless. In order to attract her attention, Fang Zhou deliberately cleared his throat. Only then did she turn her head and bow, calling out "Chun Guan".
The lotus lamp hummed, "I received a message earlier that the National Teacher is in the main hall of the Divine Palace. Please ask Lu, the chief historian, to introduce me to him after he's done with his busy schedule."
Tan Nu saw that the lotus lamp had been changed back to its original clothing. The luggage was placed on the bed, and he muttered to himself, "There is nothing for us to tidy up. We only have two Hu-style clothes, so let's roll them up and go. Are you planning to go see the national teacher?"
He continued to pretend to move forward. When he passed the corridor, there were already guards stationed there. Upon seeing him, they respectfully saluted him with folded hands. The lotus lamp did not follow him. It didn't matter whether the person from last night was him or not. Everything in this divine palace was difficult to fathom. Besides being a little scared, she had no other losses. Being able to return the item to its rightful owner was also a good thing.
She stood still, a little confused. Moving back and forth was not an option. Should she try to climb up? She jumped up with great force, but wherever she went, Zhenzi was there, as if locked in a box. Although she couldn't see the high walls, they were truly there. So after landing, she no longer struggled in vain. She opened the umbrella on her shoulder and calmly waited for someone to rescue her.
She rolled up her sleeves and wiped the snowflakes from her eyelashes. Someone bent over to hold an umbrella for her. The crimson umbrella was embedded in a world of glass, abrupt yet extraordinarily beautiful. He stood for a while, but in the end, he didn't answer her, turned and ascended the steps, heading deep into the palace.
The national teacher has never lacked strange stories, but in the eyes of the lotus lamp, having such ability is not a good thing. The emperor patrols the heavens, but has no interaction with the gods, so he has to use the national teacher to convey his messages. Whether it is true or false inside, the people of the Central Plains respect the gods and ghosts. Respect breeds fear, which is exactly what rulers need. Now, at the critical moment of changing dynasties, the court of Dali thirsts for fresh blood to stimulate their minds. The current emperor's five princes and the powerful 16th prince, who resides outside the pass, understand that whoever can get the assistance of the national teacher will have one foot on the throne. With a little effort, they can soon rule the world. With such a sensitive identity, it is not easy for the national teacher to look out for himself, which is why he sets up formations inside and outside the divine palace and remains in seclusion all year round, not seeing any outsiders.
A person without a past is probably like a half fool. However, Lian Deng has a good attitude. "I don't care, even if I remember, it's all painful. Once a person gets angry, they can't stay calm, and it's easy to make mistakes. It's good now. I can calmly deploy, even in front of enemies, I won't act recklessly. I have a pair of hands, I have a knife, knowing what I should do is enough," he said, looking at the hourglass. "It's almost midnight. I need to enter the city before curfew. I should be able to find a place to stay." He threw a neatly folded banknote to Tan Nu and said, "Go to the bank and try your luck. Maybe there's still time to cash it."
Lu Qing said that once you enter the formation, it is difficult to get out, which sounds very mysterious. She was skeptical and turned around to walk in the opposite direction. After a few steps, she realized that everything in front of her had disappeared. There were no long corridors or bamboo gardens. Even the palace had disappeared. In front of her were only vast skies and earth, as well as those Zhens dressed in white and red, moving like puppets.
She rubbed her hands, brushed off the snowflakes piled on her shoulders, felt a bump on her waist, lowered her head to look, and it was the deer from yesterday.
She hesitated for a moment, put away her umbrella before reaching the steps, and was about to take a step forward. Suddenly, many men appeared out of nowhere on the empty street, dressed alike and of the same height, walking in a line with their heads down, passing by her.
Lotus Lamp carefully observed his expression, but strangely there was no trace of abnormality. She tilted her head and said, "I picked it up from my room. Someone broke into the Linlang Realm last night, and I couldn't catch him. However, he dropped this item, so I'm handing it over to the divine messenger for identification. Please verify it."