Black Myth: Starting from the Destined One
Chapter 113 - 109 The Qingliu of the World

Chapter 113: Chapter 109 The Qingliu of the World

The man looked exceedingly majestic, and his temples were bulging—clearly, he was a person of profound cultivation.

"This humble official obeys the decree!"

After Yang Kun received the decree, he returned and everyone continued to admire the Buddha’s relics.

"You want to catch me without even knowing what I look like? You’ll bring about your own deaths!"

Li Ping’an, feeling fortunate, cursed inwardly and looked around, only to see others adoring the Buddha’s relics as if enchanted, mad, or crazed.

Li Ping’an found it boring and decided to leave after a while, bidding farewell to the three merchants to go and attend to important matters, seeking Zixia.

"Like a ghost, yet like an immortal, mocking me for being too insane. When drunk, I discuss the Dao; when awake, I pluck flowers. In dreams, I enjoy the bright moon at the edge of the world. Your servant Li Wubai arrives late!"

Suddenly, a voice filled with laughter rang out from behind the crowd. Looking up, they saw a man in white with loose hair, holding a wine gourd and a peach blossom in his mouth, swiftly flying over the heads of the crowd, then landing among the ranks of civil and military officials.

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"Is this man an official or a cultivator? How dare he behave so recklessly in front of the Emperor?"

Li Ping’an stared at the tardy Li Wubai, sizing him up and down. He saw the man join the ranks of the officials and even raised a cup to drink, getting utterly drunk and babbling nonsense to the surrounding officers in a frenzy of intoxication.

"You don’t know Li Wubai?"

The three merchants beside Li Ping’an immediately covered their mouths and whispered an introduction:

"Li Wubai, a descendant of the former Tang’s Prime Minister Li Bi, was spared from punishment for any crimes because his father had early on followed Emperor Li Run to conquer the world and had rendered great service. Because Li Wubai’s father received this grace, Li Wubai became a minor official at court. He follows his ancestor Li Bi’s dedication to cultivation, inheriting the lineage of the Dao of the Sword from the former Tang’s poet-saint Li Bai. He is notorious throughout the world for his poetic and sword skills, earning him the title Drunken Sword Immortal!"

"Although the Drunken Sword Immortal Li Wubai doesn’t hold a high official position, his cultivation is profound. Even the contemporary Emperor has to give him considerable respect, calling him an ’immortal among officials,’ someone no one dares to provoke."

"No wonder this man not only has such audacity but also conducts himself in such an unrestrained and unrestrained manner,"

Li Ping’an hadn’t expected that dirty, corrupt Chang’an City would also harbor such a free-spirited, high-minded person who regarded the influential as nothing more than dirt. He couldn’t help but take a few more glances, feeling a sense of admiration for someone who embodied the character of the Green Lotus Sword Immortal, Li Bai.

Clang! Another sound came as the Household Department Minister Di Lishi addressed the monks who had come for the relics:

"Esteemed monks, the grand event today could only happen through your dedicated efforts. As a special grant, each of you is awarded thousands of taels of gold and silver, thousands of pieces of splendid silks, and tens of thousands of catties of grains!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grand benevolence!"

The monks immediately knelt down in gratitude as numerous eunuchs carried the bestowed items to their side. Instantly, the Emperor’s donated gold, silver, fabrics, and grains piled up like a mountain, and the monks present all expressed their joy, chanting long live.

"Damn it, he treats the common people like dirt but is so generous to these fake monks, this Dog Emperor!"

Upon seeing this, Li Ping’an couldn’t help but curse out loud.

But he wasn’t the only one angered by this. Not all the officials at court were insensitive. Just as Li Ping’an finished cursing and was about to leave, a purple-robed official with the air of a scholar and white hair stepped forward out of the line.

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"Your Majesty, your servant Han Yu has something puzzling to ask these monks!"

The Household Department Minister Di Lishi, acting on the Emperor’s behalf, asked:

"What does the Imperial Censor not understand?"

Han Yu then looked toward the group of monks with a stern frown and forcefully inquired:

"Honored monks, if Master Xuanzang has already become a Buddha, why did he die? And if he has died, why leave his relics?"

Hearing Han Yu’s confrontational tone and words, the other officials knew trouble was brewing and became instantly silent, merely spectating from the sidelines.

"This..."

"Cheese Leopard..."

The monks from Buddha Bone Temple and Master Ding Jia on the city tower were suddenly at a loss for words, unsure of how to respond. The monks below bowed their heads, furrowing their brows and exchanging uneasy glances.

The atmosphere instantly became tense and awkward. Seeing this, National Teacher Pudu Cihang immediately responded loudly:

"Imperial Censor, Buddha inherently is not subjected to death. The preservation of the relics is meant for the salvation of future generations. Today, the Eternal Emperor has developed faith from these relics and reverence from the faith, which will forever protect our lands and grant boundless longevity—this is the divine inspiration of Buddha."

"Exactly, exactly."

All the monks, as if granted amnesty, immediately chimed in agreement.

"Bewitching the crowd with demon words! All you demons listen well!"

After his fierce outcry, Han Yu angrily looked up at Emperor Li Gai inside the palace on the city tower and boldly said:

"Your Majesty, in ancient times before Buddha, the kings already enjoyed peace and long life, and the world was tranquil."

"With the introduction of Buddhism by Emperor Ming of Han who only reigned for eighteen years, Emperor Liang Wu, Xiao Yan, who thrice offered his body for Buddhism, only starved to death in the palace."

"Thus, it can be seen that seeking Buddha doesn’t necessarily bring about Buddha. It’s appropriate to destroy the Buddha’s relics to prevent future disasters!"

"If the demon monks across the land still spread Buddhist teachings and forge Buddha relics, deceiving the people, this servant asks permission to annihilate Buddhism!"

Having spoken brazenly, Han Yu immediately knelt and requested the imperial decree.

"Courting death!"

Everyone present, including Li Ping’an, involuntarily spoke out, feeling that the Imperial Censor Han Yu was too daring. Yet, his courage in facing life and death was indeed admirable; those who admired Han Yu were anxiously sweating on his behalf. In a moment, the entire Zhengyang Gate fell silent, everyone holding their breath in extreme tension, so quiet that a pin could be heard dropping.

Ding! Ding! Ding!

Emperor Li Gai inside the tower rapidly struck the Jade Chime three times, signaling his inner fury. The Household Department Minister Di Lishi next to him immediately relayed the message:

"Han Yu has betrayed and slandered the sacred; he deserves death a thousand times over! Thousand Cattle Guards, seize this traitor, take him to the Sky Prison, interrogate him for his capital offence, and execute him without delay!"

Four Thousand Cattle Guards approached to take away the resigned Han Yu. Among the officials, the drunk Li Wubai immediately stood up and knelt to plead:

"Your Majesty, Lord Han is a learned and virtuous official of our dynasty with a sincere heart for the state. Your Majesty, please show mercy!"

Leading by example, Li Wubai prompted another one hundred and eight literati officials to step forward and petition:

"Your Majesty, as an Imperial Censor Grandee, Lord Han criticizes the times without fault; please reconsider, Your Majesty!"

"Your Majesty, having such a resolute and honorable official is a blessing both for Your Majesty and for our Great Tang; we request that you pardon his offense!"

"Your Majesty..."

This scene, common among the civil and military officials, had Li Ping’an exclaiming in surprise:

"Brothers, I never imagined our Great Tang harbored so many fearless virtuous officials!"

The three merchants merely rolled their eyes at Li Ping’an, covering their mouths as they explained:

"Han Yu, along with these officials defending him, are all scholars and members of the Imperial Censorate. There is an organization of literati throughout the land known as Qingliu. They fear neither death nor danger and solely mind the welfare of the people. Han Yu is not only the newly appointed Imperial Censor Grandee but also the leader of Qingliu; this spurred them to speak in his defense."

"Qingliu throughout the land?"

Li Ping’an recalled what Zixia had once mentioned—that scholars also cultivate but in studying, which is akin to Cultivation by another name, called Literati Cultivation. It seemed all members of Qingliu were indeed cultivators.