Tang Dynasty: Inherit the Evil Sword Immortal and destroy gods and demons with one thought!
Chapter 21 - Li Shimin - “This Is My Destiny”

Chapter 21: Li Shimin – “This Is My Destiny”

In the Hall of Nurturing Heart, General Qin Qiong, Astrologer Li Chunfeng, and Fourth Prince Li Tai stood before Emperor Li Shimin. Li Tai maintained a calm facade, but inwardly calculated. His father rarely involved princes in state affairs, making this summons significant.

On the dragon throne, Li Shimin’s face was grave, lost in thought until Zhangsun Wuji prompted him. Noticing the trio, he sighed wearily, “Fuji, brief them.” Zhangsun Wuji relayed the Ten Demon Kings’ renewed activities, sending a chill through the hall. Li Chunfeng’s scalp tingled. “Lord Zhangsun, are they acting for the Demon Emperor?” Zhangsun shook his head. “We don’t know. All we’re certain of is they’re searching for something.”

The ambiguity unnerved them. Whatever the Demon Kings sought, it boded ill for Tang. Li Shimin addressed Li Chunfeng, “Li, can you uncover their target in three days?” Li Chunfeng bowed, resolute. “To ease Your Majesty’s burden is my duty. Within three days, the Mysterious Mechanism Pavilion will leave no stone unturned!” Haunted by past failures, he vowed to pierce the fog for his emperor.

Li Shimin nodded, turning to Qin Qiong. “Qin, I grant you full command of the Crimson Sky Army. Depart now to the Demon Kings’ locations, stabilise the situation, and report any developments!” Qin Qiong was stunned. The Crimson Sky Army numbered 1.3 million—an unprecedented mobilisation reflecting Li Shimin’s urgency and trust. “I obey!” Qin Qiong affirmed.

“Wait,” Li Shimin interjected, clearing his throat. “Qin, Yuanba heeds you most. Can you persuade him to join you?” Li Yuanba’s independence defied even imperial authority, but his recent star-power awakening made him a vital asset. Qin hesitated, then agreed, “I’ll try.” As Qin departed, Li Shimin’s expression mixed hope and dread. Qin, the Willow Earth Badger of the Vermilion Bird, and Li Yuanba, the Dou Wood Xie of the Black Tortoise—could they quell this storm? The Demon Kings’ odd behaviour stirred an ominous premonition.

“Tai!” Li Shimin called, snapping Li Tai from his scheming. Stepping forward, Li Tai declared, “Father, whatever your command, I’ll protect Tang with all my strength!” Li Shimin beamed. Li Tai’s resolve, cunning, and prowess outshone his siblings, making him a true heir. “Tai, step outside. Soon, I’ll send you somewhere. Follow instructions there without question.” Zhangsun Wuji’s eyes twitched—Li Shimin’s cryptic order hinted at grooming Li Tai for greatness.

Li Tai, puzzled but obedient, withdrew. Li Shimin smiled at Zhangsun. “Fuji, we haven’t talked freely in ages. To the Immortal-Gazing Terrace.” Zhangsun hid his shock. Sending Li Tai to “that place” signalled imperial favour, a seismic shift.

At the Demon-Sealing Tower’s apex, seventeen purple flames flickered in the gloom, casting a serene glow over the obsidian amethyst platform. Li Qiye, hands in seals, cycled evil aura through his body, completing a circuit. His dark eyes gleamed. “It’s near.” Sensing celestial shifts, he noted ten days remained until Qingming, the first Calamity Star, neared the ecliptic—time enough for the Ten Demon Kings to transform. He anticipated how refining Qingming would alter the nine soul-mountains within him, sensing they offered more than mere power, perhaps a grand surprise. On the full moon, ten days hence, he could briefly leave the tower.

The Heavenly Demon Emperor emerged from the shadows. “Master, the Ten Demon Kings have found their opportunities. Other factions react: Taibai Jinxing gifted Xu Changqing immortal fate, boosting his power; a meteor fell in Chunyang Sect’s rear mountain, unprobed; and the Star of Water Virtue vanished from the palace, untraceable.” He detailed the intelligence, proving his worth. Revived by Li Qiye, he’d woven a network of minor demons as spies across the Mortal Realm.

At “Star of Water Virtue,” Li Qiye’s eyes flashed coldly. “Ignore it. Post-transformation, the Demon Kings will rival anyone.” The Demon Emperor gasped. Xu Changqing, already prodigious, had Taibai’s boon, yet Li Qiye deemed the Demon Kings equal. What opportunities had he bestowed? Intrigued, the Demon Emperor itched for his own. Li Qiye glanced at him. “Your opportunity lies beyond the Mortal Realm. Patience. Greater opportunities demand greater trials—success depends on fate.” The Demon Emperor’s eyes blazed. The promise of transformation thrilled him, affirming his choice to follow Li Qiye.

As the Demon Emperor left, Li Qiye resumed meditation, refining his aura. The Demon Kings’ opportunities stemmed from the Evil Wind Codex’s sixth layer: Other Shore Reincarnation. This ability unlocked latent destinies, enabling leaps in power if seized—but it posed a hellish trial, the greatest of their lives. Li Qiye’s own destiny, like the Demon Emperor’s, lay outside the Mortal Realm, to be pursued once he escaped the tower.