Chapter 1, The Riddle Buried in the Emperor's Tomb
Long Ying said with delight: "When the Celestial Master mentioned the immortal fetus, I immediately felt a surge of vitality throughout my body. We are truly like-minded individuals, selflessly supporting one another. In this world filled with deceit and treachery, how rare it is to find such a bond."
Xi Yao gazed affectionately at the beautiful scenery of mountains and rivers, both near and far. He was indeed a remarkable individual, one who was wholeheartedly seeking an exit from the world. His ability to immerse himself in the incredibly real universe before him allowed him to experience emotions more profound than anyone else. The fusion of his past and present lives formed an indivisible whole, creating a unique experience that was distinctly different from that of others
Particularly absurd was that after Li Xian established Wei as Empress, he posthumously granted her father, Wei Xuanzheng, the title of Prince of Shangluo, and her mother, Cui, the title of Princess. Empress Wei also followed the example of Wu Zetian, and from the very first day of Li Xian's court attendance, she sat behind a curtain in the palace, effectively engaging in politics from behind the veil, which provoked great outrage among the court officials, yet Li Xian refused to listen to any objections
However, the true beneficiaries are Wu Sansi and the Wu family disciples
Xi Yao remained silent and did not speak
Long Ying, distracted, responded: "Isn't the Celestial Master afraid?"
After the fall of Wu Zetian, Wei Hou no longer had any reservations and persuaded Li Xian to promote Wu Sansi to the position of Sikong, one of the three ministers under the restored official system, holding the rank of the first grade, while concurrently serving as a third-grade official in the Central Secretariat. This made him the de facto Prime Minister. Wu Yizong was also promoted to the position of Situ due to his contributions in controlling Guocheng and was granted the title of Duke Ding. Wu Youyi retained his original position. The change of dynasties did not harm the Wu family led by Wu Sansi in the slightest; their power was even greater than before. Moreover, due to their relationship with Wei Hou, they became the manipulators behind Li Xian, fulfilling Long Ying's repeated warnings to Zhang Jianzhong.
The flag was restored from the bright red of Wu Zhou to yellow, the altars, state sacrifices, tombs, and official titles were reverted to the old system, and Chang'an was established as the capital, while the divine capital was restored to its old name of Luoyang, becoming the secondary capital. At this point, on the surface, the "Great Tang Dream" of Zhang Jianzhi and others finally came true.
Wu Zhao passed away ten days after Li Xian's restoration to the throne. Three days later, Li Xian officially restored the Tang dynasty's name, marking the end of the Great Zhou Empire, which lasted for fifteen years.
Xi Yao sighed, saying: "Look at the world before us; it possesses such a powerful allure that anything not directly related to it is naturally eliminated and forgotten. This is the mental barrier of the cultivator, and those who can transcend it are exceedingly rare. This is precisely the true meaning of 'absolute passage,' for there is no turning back.
Xi Yao said: "Both we and Yan Fei and Sun En from back then are aware of the Immortal Gate, but there is a crucial difference: they have personally witnessed the merging of the three treasures and the opening of the Immortal Gate, unlike us who cannot help but sometimes indulge in wild fantasies."
He then said to him with a smile: "Fortunately, Lord Eagle informed me of the extraordinary fateful connection between Young Master Feng and Yue Ling, which has solidified my belief and will no longer be shaken."
The Dragon Eagle emerged from his reverie and gazed towards Xi Yao, who was staring at the undulating mountains in the distance, seemingly oblivious to the presence of anyone beside him, as if he had forgotten himself. He remarked, "However, the Celestial Master is a practitioner of Daoism, and logically, he should find it easier than ordinary people to accept the concept of reincarnation."
Long Ying expressed in surprise: "From the tone of the Celestial Master, it seems that he does not consider the resurrection of my younger brother in his calculations."
Liangshan itself is situated in a strategically advantageous location, rising abruptly from the Loess Plateau as a conical mountain range. To the east lies Leopard Valley, while to the west is Desert Valley. The summit is composed of three towering peaks, connected by a north-south oriented ridge. The main peak, the northern peak, is where the tomb of Ganling is located; the two lower peaks to the south stand in opposition to each other, forming a natural gateway to the mausoleum.
Even the harshest critics must admit that the Empress has propelled the development of various aspects of society. Her efforts to challenge the high-ranking aristocracy reversed the long-standing practice since the Han Dynasty of "no noble families among the upper ranks, no commoners among the lower ranks." Consequently, she developed the imperial examination system, established palace examinations, broadened the paths to officialdom, and employed individuals solely based on talent, laying the foundation for a prosperous era. Internally, she rewarded agriculture and sericulture, and promoted water conservancy projects; externally, she utilized her dragon and eagle to launch campaigns east and west, suppressing the Khitan and Turkic tribes, reestablishing the Protectorate of the Western Regions, and opening the Silk Road, all of which were significant achievements. She herself represented a tremendous challenge to an era that favored male superiority over female subservience, as a woman aspiring to the imperial throne, wielding power for nearly sixty years. One cannot say that "Wu Zetian" was not an outstanding sovereign. Internally, she rewarded agriculture and sericulture, and promoted water conservancy projects; externally, she utilized her dragon and eagle to launch campaigns east and west, suppressing the Khitan and Turkic tribes, reestablishing the Protectorate of the Western Regions, and opening the Silk Road, all of which were significant achievements. She herself represented a tremendous challenge to an era that favored male superiority over female subservience, as a woman aspiring to the imperial throne, wielding power for nearly sixty years. One cannot say that "Wu Zetian" was not an outstanding sovereign, but rather a voice detached from reality, echoing in the ears of the dragon and eagle, saying: "I greatly envy the Holy and Divine Emperor."
Xi Yao sang: "The Dao encompasses three thousand six hundred paths, each person holds onto their own root. Who knows the subtle gateways, which are not found in the three thousand six hundred paths"
Xi Yao slowly said: "What I fear is not death, but the possibility that someone can prove that death is indeed true death, and that my previous life was merely an illusion, a mad thought"
Li Duozuo was granted the title of Prince of Liaoyang, while Yuwen Podi and Li Feng served as the Grand Commander of the Flying Cavalry Imperial Guard, with the latter returning to his original position. Notably, Yuwen Shuo was bestowed the title of Chief Imperial Swordsman, akin to a fleeting breeze through the courtyard; although he held no real power, he possessed an immensely lofty honor and was authorized to lead military campaigns on behalf of the emperor
Li Xian simultaneously granted a general amnesty to the world; however, this did not include the members of the two Zhang factions. Those who had been wronged by the cruel officials in the past were exonerated, and the children who had been exiled as slaves were all pardoned. The members of the Li Tang royal family who had lost their status were restored to their royal identities, and they were granted official titles according to their circumstances. In fact, those who had been wronged had already been pardoned by the Empress, and the greatest beneficiaries were the Li Tang royal family, as the Empress had consistently refused to grant amnesty to the royal princes represented by Li Zhen and Li Chong. Many descendants had been exiled to Lingnan, some had been imprisoned for many years, and others had fallen into the common populace. Upon hearing the news, they returned on their own, each claiming titles and official positions according to their kinship.
At this moment, Xi Yao seems to have transformed into another person.
Xi Yao said: "Lu Xun has halted here, finding it difficult to make any progress, which was also my earlier experience. Fortunately, the Monk King sought me out and I learned the secret of the 'Dao Heart Cultivating Demons Great Method.' I understood that while refining the void, one must also align with the Dao. This Dao is the 'Path of Emptiness,' where all mysteries reside in the void"
He pondered again: "For me, the greatest mystery and miracle in the world is none other than the immortal gate, thus death also becomes something that is not absolutely unavoidable, depending on our fortune. Does Master Eagle have an interest in hearing about my practice of the 'Yellow Sky Great Method'?"
Conversely, Dongxuanzi's influence rose as the water level rises with the boat, gaining the favor of Li Xian, Empress Wei, and Wu Sansi. The long-vacant position of Daoist Patriarch fell into his wicked hands, making him the nominal leader of the Daoist sect. Since the Li Tang dynasty regarded the Daoist sect as the state religion, Dongxuanzi's status was equivalent to that of the "National Master" of the Tang dynasty
As the Empress just entered Ganling's absolute realm, at this moment, Xi Yao found herself entangled in the intertwining of her past and present lives. Suddenly, the habits and familiarities seemed to collapse entirely, making it difficult to distinguish what is true and what is false. Does the opposition between truth and falsehood even exist? Which can be considered true, and which can be considered false?
Xi Yao expressed with deep emotion: "We are truly fortunate individuals; otherwise, I really do not know how we would get through our days"
The corpulent official is currently supervising the sealing of the entrance, utilizing over 4,000 heavy stone slabs, which are being laid layer by layer down the slope. The stone slabs have grooves, secured laterally with iron pins, and connected vertically with iron rods. Molten iron slurry is then poured in, causing the stacked stone slabs to merge seamlessly into one, achieving extreme solidity. Even if you possess limitless manpower, attempting to break through the tomb would be futile without several decades of effort.
Dragon Eagle said: "Yes!"
The most difficult to handle is the dragon eagle
On the seventh day after the passing of the Empress, Long Ying led a thousand cavalry guards to escort the Empress's coffin to Ganling in Guanzhong, away from this place of turmoil
Xi Yao said in a deep voice: "The void is not empty; it is the foundation of all things. Without the void, nothing will exist."
On the ground lies a complete palace city, while underground is a subterranean palace, carved from stone and mountain. Since the burial of Emperor Gaozong in the first year of the Wenming era, it has been twenty-two years to this day. During this time, under the guidance of the fat prince, construction has continued, consuming an incalculable amount of manpower and resources. The scale of the project is immense, as one can imagine. What is most remarkable is that the tunnel leading to the underground mausoleum is located in the southern foothills of the main peak of Liangshan. On the surface, there are no signs of processing or chisel marks, resembling a natural hillside. As long as the construction data is destroyed and the builders remain tight-lipped, finding this sole entrance is exceedingly difficult. Even if one were to find it, there would be no way to break in through the door.
The dragon eagle's eyes flash with a peculiar brilliance
Long Ying was in need of something more practical and busily said: "Of course I want to hear!"
In the first month of the first year of the Shenlong era, Li Xian ascended the throne, restoring the imperial position, and led the civil and military officials to the Shangyang Palace to pay respects, bestowing upon his mother the title of "Empress Zetian, the Great Sage." He also conferred rewards to the meritorious officials of the coup, granting ranks and titles to civil and military officials. Zhang Jianzhi was appointed as the Minister of Summer Affairs and granted the third rank of the Fengge Luantai; Jing Hui and Huan Yanfan were made Counsellors; Cui Xuanyue was appointed as the Minister of Internal Affairs, and Yuan Shuyi was also granted the third rank of the Fengge Luantai. Although their titles differed, the powers of the five were equivalent to that of the Prime Minister. In addition to their promotions, the five were granted the title of Duke of a Prefecture.
Long Ying was taken aback and said, "The void is not destroyed?"
The dragon eagle focused its mind and gazed at him
Those who were affiliated with Wu Sansi have successively taken up important positions, among whom Zong Chuke is the most prominent, having been promoted to Minister of War, thus controlling the military. Shangguan Wan'er was conferred the title of a third-rank female official, Jieyu, yet she still holds the power to issue commands
In the distance to the east lies the Jiuyue Mountain, adjacent to Ganling and the location of Emperor Taizong's Zhao Mausoleum. To the right, in the far distance, is Mount Taibai, whose peak is perpetually covered in snow. Below, the waters of the Wei River flow eastward, while the spirit of the dragon and eagle soars, contemplating the merits and demerits of the life of "Wu Zetian," who will never again set foot in the mortal world.
Although Yang Qingren contributed to the coup, he was resented by Wei Hou and Wu Sansi, and aside from an increase in his stipend, he received no other titles or rewards. Of course, Yang Qingren was not concerned with such matters; he only sought to maintain a position in the new dynasty, allowing him access to the palace, which was his sole desire.
Xi Yao continued: "The 'Yellow Heaven Great Law' and 'Dao Heart Cultivating Demons' are interconnected in every aspect, lacking only the crucial element of 'birth and death, leaving death and returning to life.' The theoretical aspects are even more refined and intricate. Although Lord Eagle's 'Supreme Yang Without Limits' has taken shape, it is somewhat coarse. In order to achieve a perfect combination of the celestial embryo and demonic seed, after discussing with the Monk King, I decided to fully disclose the secrets of the 'Yellow Heaven Great Law' to Lord Eagle. Ha! Lord Eagle should understand my sincere intentions, as ultimately, it is for my own benefit."
Long Ying agreed, saying: "It is human nature."
The dragon eagle stared blankly at the vast space before it, both real and elusive, unable to utter a word
Long Ying understood Xi Yao's feelings at this moment. He, along with Xi Yao, Fa Ming, Fu Tai, and the plump eunuch, were the last five individuals to leave the underground mausoleum, bidding farewell to the Empress and Qian Dai
Liangshan is located to the northwest of Chang'an City, at the position of Gan. "Gan" represents heaven, and the emperor is referred to as the Son of Heaven, hence it is called Ganling. Ganling skillfully utilizes the mountainous terrain, exuding a grand and imposing atmosphere, with a magnificent layout.
Xi Yao was momentarily taken aback and then smiled, looking at him, and said: "This is a true alignment of interests. The 'Great Law of Heaven' consists of nine levels of cultivation, which can be summarized as 'refining the heart'. The first level refines the impure heart, eliminating distractions and allowing the heart to shine in emptiness. The second level refines the heart into stillness, the third level refines the heart of heaven and earth, where the yang returns and the mysterious passage is formed. From this, to the eighth level of refining the heart to become divine, the spirit moves, movement leads to transformation, and transformation leads to transcendence, enabling one to enter a state of tranquility, unperturbed by the material world. For Eagle Master, this is already a matter of the past. What I wish to discuss with Eagle Master is the highest ninth level of cultivation.
It is understandable that the Empress devoted so much effort to this imperial tomb. At that time, Wu Zetian only considered it a resting place after a hundred years, free from any disturbances. This possibility existed because she had replaced the Li Tang dynasty with the Wu Zhou dynasty and had the audacity to claim the throne as a woman. There was a chance that her past could be scrutinized after her death, and she was even more afraid of her identity as a member of the sacred lineage being exposed. All these factors compelled her to carefully plan for her posthumous affairs. Being buried in the same tomb as Emperor Gaozong also implied that any offense against her tomb would be equivalent to offending Gaozong. Who would have thought that this tomb would become her "place of demise"?
Another key figure in the coup, Yao Chong, as Long Ying had anticipated, received no titles or rewards and was instead reassigned to be the governor of Bozhou, which also constituted a "wish fulfilled," as it allowed him to escape danger
I seem to understand, yet I also seem to be completely bewildered
Xi Yao smiled and said: "Even my master Sun En can only achieve this under specific circumstances. The ninth level of cultivation technique is the method of 'Refining the Spirit and Returning to Emptiness', which requires training until all is void, cultivating the pure and empty vital energy, spiraling between heaven and earth, existing within yet not confined by it. While heaven and earth may perish, the void remains undestroyed"
The sound sealing the entrance of the mausoleum faintly echoed from below, reminding that the Dragon Eagle Empress was forever confined within the absolute barrier, adding a certain eerie and inexplicable atmosphere to the reality of the mortal world before him. He hid at the peak of Mount Liang, unwilling to witness the entrance tunnel being continuously sealed layer by layer
Wu Zetian is unique, having never existed before and unlikely to appear again in the future. This refers not only to her achievements but also to her courage and strategy. Her rise to power and ascension to the throne was filled with legendary elements. Undoubtedly, she employed ruthless means to eliminate her rivals and consolidate her power, but this was limited to the royal family and the bureaucratic class. Her style of "those who oppose me will die" was a result of the circumstances; had she not acted this way, she would have been swiftly overthrown by founding figures such as Changsun Wuji and Chu Suiliang, leaving her with no place to be buried. Such matters are closely related to life and death, and once initiated, there is no turning back; it must be carried out thoroughly, as hatred and hostility only grow stronger and will not diminish.
The Zhang family and their affiliates, following the complete downfall of the two Zhangs, saw Zhang Changqi, Zhang Tongxiu, Zhang Changyi, and others, along with Zhang Yizhi and Zhang Changzong, executed at the southern end of Tianjin Bridge. Wei Chengqing, Fang Rong, Cui Shenqing, and others were all imprisoned and punished.
This mausoleum can be divided into aboveground and underground sections. Aboveground, there are an outer city and an inner city, with two layers of city walls, four city gates, a ceremonial hall, side rooms, corridors, and various palatial structures. The imperial road connects to the sacred path, with stone-carved pillars standing alongside. There is a magnificent stele, symbolizing the mausoleum, standing at a height of 2 zhang. Following this are statues guarding the mausoleum, including winged horses, the Vermilion Bird, stone horses, Weng Zhong, and stone lions. These statues are robust and unpretentious in design, each exceeding 1 zhang in height. Stepping onto the imperial road feels as if one has entered the realm of celestial generals and divine beasts. There is a magnificent stele, symbolizing the mausoleum, standing at a height of 2 zhang. Following this are statues guarding the mausoleum, including winged horses, the Vermilion Bird, stone horses, Weng Zhong, and stone lions. These statues are robust and unpretentious in design, each exceeding 1 zhang in height. Stepping onto the imperial road feels as if one has entered the realm of celestial generals and divine beasts
The path of the dragon and eagle is hard to believe: "In the case of the Celestial Master being so undeniably true, is there still room for doubt and the anxiety of gain and loss?"
However, even as fierce as Empress Wei and as cunning as Wu Sansi, they understood that the powerful Lord Ying, who facilitated the succession, was not to be offended, for the consequences would be unbearable for anyone. Their dilemma was resolved by Long Ying, who declined any titles, accepting only the title of "National Guest," transitioning from the National Guest of the Great Zhou to that of the Great Tang. Matters outside the Upper Sun Palace were to be ignored completely.
A strange and inexplicable feeling surged within Long Ying's heart
Next is the enormous stele commemorating the achievements of the two emperors, one being the Shusheng Stele of Emperor Gaozong, and the other being the Wu Zhao Stele bearing the posthumous title of Empress Wu. They are presented in pairs, and the long-concealed "inscription" that the fat eunuch has been unwilling to reveal finally appears before Longying.
Years ago, Xi Yao stood at the edge of a high cliff in the outskirts of Chang'an, gazing down at the fields and rivers below, with a deep and focused expression, his eyes sparkling with a peculiar light, immersed in a strange emotion
Xi Yao sighed, "At that time, I had long been conquered by reality, still thinking of leaving the Dao. The concept of immortality is ethereal and unrealistic; my mind has also been sealed by reality, afraid to transcend. The restrictions are so thorough and natural that you are completely unaware of your self-imposed confinement, yet feel it is only natural. To think otherwise is to be a dreamer. Tell me! Do you believe that the void before us can truly open a portal to leave this place and enter the realm of immortals?"
Before this, Long Ying had never imagined that the scale of the Dingling Tomb would be so vast, even when compared to other imperial tombs nearby, it stood out like a crane among chickens
Xi Yao calmly said: "After the immortal gate opens and then closes, how can there be destruction?"
The voice of Xi Yao echoed in his eardrum, saying: "The experiences of the current life have rolled back into my present self, making me aware that I am the reincarnation of Lu Xun. That impact is earth-shattering, destroying all the beliefs I once held as self-evident."
Xi Yao is right; to find the "Immortal Gate" in this immensely true, indisputable, and all-consuming world that devours any doubts about her authenticity, and to break through the void, is so impossible and beyond reality. Just thinking about it fills him with a chilling and heart-wrenching fear regarding the fate of the Empress within the mausoleum. They will never know the outcome of "Wu Zetian" sitting in absolute isolation.
Long Ying and Xi Yao stand tall at the peak of Liangshan, overlooking the surroundings.
The "Huang Tian Da Fa" was created by Sun En over two hundred years ago and passed on to Lu Xun. Therefore, the one who is currently imparting the teachings to himself is "Lu Xun" rather than "Xi Yao". This confusion is likely something that no one can clarify.
Long Eagle Dao: "The Celestial Master holds me in high regard. I can only occasionally achieve this in very special circumstances, solely in the aspect of not being deceived by material realms."
Xi Yao苦笑道: "This is precisely the problem. Since it is not a personal experience and is entirely subjective, it is difficult to avoid a hint of doubt. Has Eagle Master truly crossed the boundary of life and death and returned from the other side? Just as if I were to announce my own experiences to the world, the listeners would scoff at it."