Li Muzhan took it; the touch was soft and smooth, like a beauty’s skin. He slowly unrolled it and saw that it was indeed an Imperial Edict.
In these times, the Emperor of the Great Yan dynasty was enlightened, and the strictures of propriety were relaxed. It was unnecessary to enshrine the edict with the reverence given to ancestral tablets, nor was one required to kneel while receiving it.
Li Muzhan frowned. The edict was written in ornate, flowery prose—magnificent, grand, and powerful—yet utterly incomprehensible, enough to dizzy a man.
He read it twice and vaguely grasped that he was being enfeoffed as General Dingyuan, granted a General’s Mansion in the capital, given the title of Baron, bestowed a Flying Dragon Jade Pendant, ten thousand taels of gold, and summoned to the capital for service.
“What reward did the General receive?” Li Muzhan asked with a smile, carefully putting away his own scroll.
General Hua chuckled: “As for me, I’ve been granted a noble rank—Earl Zhenyuan.”
Li Muzhan smiled: “Congratulations, General.”
The current six ranks of nobility in Great Yan were Prince, Duke, Marquis, Earl, Viscount, and Baron. Compared to official posts, titles of nobility were hereditary, benefiting wives and descendants, making them far more precious and difficult to obtain.
Obtaining a title was hard; promotion was even harder, especially the higher one climbed. Often, even after several generations of effort, no further progress could be made. The current Marquises and Earls were all enfeoffed during the founding of the dynasty; in the hundreds of years since the establishment of Great Yan, virtually no one had been promoted to Earl. General Hua was the first.
General Hua shook his head: “The main credit for this battle belongs to the Master; I merely benefited from a small convenience. However, the Master’s reward is astonishing. General Dingyuan is a fifth-rank superior official, and Baron is a fourth-rank title—that’s nothing. The important thing is the Flying Dragon Jade Pendant.”
Li Muzhan inquired: “What is the profundity of the Flying Dragon Jade Pendant?”
“That Flying Dragon Jade Pendant is a marvelous thing!” General Hua praised. “With this pendant, one may enter and exit the Forbidden Palace freely, unimpeded, and summon an audience with His Majesty at any time.”
General Hua continued: “Whoever holds this pendant is protected by the palace guards; no one has the authority to arrest or execute them—those who defy this will have their entire clan executed.” Li Muzhan gasped: “Isn't that equivalent to holding the Emperor’s personal gold medallion!” With this pendant, only the Emperor himself could order his death; no one else could touch him—truly an exceptional privilege.
General Hua added: “With this pendant, one need not kneel before anyone, and even in the Imperial Presence, one is granted a seat.”
Li Muzhan frowned: “This reward seems overly generous?” Being granted a seat before the Emperor was an exceptional honor, usually reserved for veteran officials of high moral standing whose families had served for generations. How could he, who had only fought a single battle, warrant such distinction, especially when compared to those generals seasoned by countless campaigns?
General Hua smiled wryly: “It is nothing much. These years, our wars with Eastern Chu and Western Zhao have been continuous. Though they were minor skirmishes, we were constantly suppressed, forced into defense, and never achieved such a decisive victory.”
Li Muzhan nodded. Although Great Yan was prosperous, its military strength was weak. Firstly, it was a deeply Buddhist nation; though martial spirit was present, true bloodlust was insufficient, and there was an excessive focus on logic and reason. Secondly, the geographical environment was poor—it did not produce good horses. In this era, a fine horse was the equivalent of a tank on the battlefield, possessing infinite power. Lacking horses was a fatal flaw.
Eastern Chu and Western Zhao would never allow good horses to flow into Great Yan. For centuries, Great Yan had suffered from a perpetual shortage of horses, giving them a congenital disadvantage in warfare: they could only defend, never attack.
Li Muzhan shook his head and smiled: “General must be praising me excessively; I am truly ashamed.”
General Hua laughed: “The Master’s primary contribution to this battle is undeniable; this is no exaggeration. Come, let us retrieve the Flying Dragon Jade Pendant; Eunuch Li from the Forbidden Palace has been waiting for two days.”
He turned and lifted the tent flap, stepping out. Li Muzhan followed: “Hm?”
General Hua walked with his hands clasped behind his back, smiling faintly: “The Flying Dragon Jade Pendant cannot be handled by proxy; it must be presented in person.”
Li Muzhan nodded lightly. Their tents were adjacent, and within a few steps, they entered General Hua’s main tent. Inside sat a kindly, benevolent old man in magnificent robes, his complexion smooth like an infant’s with a faint reddish glow, his eyes gentle and kind. He was seated in a chair, sipping tea, his eyes slightly narrowed, radiating tranquility and harmony, holding a horsetail whisk, his hair white as silver.
Seeing General Hua enter, he set down his teacup and stood, smiling faintly: “General Hua, is this Master Mingkong?” “Eunuch Li, indeed, this is Master Mingkong…” General Hua replied with a smile.
Eunuch Li flicked his whisk and brought his palms together in greeting: “Truly a young talent. I pay my respects, Master Mingkong.”
Li Muzhan smiled and returned the gesture: “Eunuch Li, I dare not presume…” He was inwardly surprised. He had not expected this Eunuch Li to be so courteous. As a high-ranking inner court eunuch, it was common for them to display arrogance even toward officials of the first rank. Such humility was rare. He then cautiously probed the eunuch’s mind.
Eunuch Li chuckled: “His Majesty has continuously praised the Master, calling him a rare genius. I am fortunate today to witness your esteemed presence; truly, hearing of you is not as good as meeting you—you possess extraordinary bearing!”
Li Muzhan smiled, shaking his head: “Eunuch Li will perhaps be disappointed.”
Eunuch Li laughed: “I have met many heroes and celebrated figures. The Master is as still as water; this is truly the demeanor of a venerable high monk.”
Li Muzhan felt that the eunuch’s mind was completely clear, without the slightest ripple, and he secretly admired Eunuch Li’s profound cultivation. Moreover, he sensed that the eunuch also practiced formidable martial arts.
Li Muzhan exchanged a few polite words, maintaining an attitude neither subservient nor overbearing.
Eunuch Li tucked his whisk into his belt and retrieved a small yellow satin pouch, gently unfolding it to reveal the softly glowing jade disc within. Its appearance instantly captured the gaze of all three men.
It was a palm-sized jade pendant, yet unlike ordinary jade; common pendants possessed a warm luster that was understated and simple. This pendant shone with a much brighter brilliance; within the jade, it seemed as if an autumn pool was contained, its light shimmering and flowing, making the yellow satin beneath appear even brighter.
General Hua turned his eyes away, exclaiming: “Truly supreme jade! Worthy of His Majesty’s gift!”
Li Muzhan gazed at the pendant, lost in thought, his expression gradually becoming grave. He sensed an immense power contained within the jade, vast as mountains and seas, majestic and overwhelming. He could not help but feel insignificant. Slowly, he began unconsciously to resist this pressure. His gray monastic robe billowed slightly, moving without wind, his spirit solemn and stern.
General Hua looked on in astonishment, turning toward Eunuch Li. Eunuch Li nodded and smiled, watching Li Muzhan with a gentle smile.
“Eunuch Li, what is this?” General Hua managed to ask.
Eunuch Li smiled: “Master Mingkong is indeed a high monk, with profound cultivation and marvelous insight into the Dharma. Conferring this jade pendant upon the Master is truly fitting!”
“Eunuch Li, what exactly is happening?” General Hua remained puzzled.
Eunuch Li smiled slowly, speaking deliberately: “This Flying Dragon Pendant has been consecrated by generations of high monks. To us ordinary folk, it merely clears the mind and soothes the spirit, dispelling evil and protecting the soul. But for high monks of the Buddhist sect, it is different... this... it is truly different...”
“I see now!” General Hua suddenly understood and smiled: “The Master, though young, has deep cultivation. It is true, is it not?”
“General Hua has an eye for talent; I admire that!” Eunuch Li replied with a smile.
Buddhist cultivation, while valuing innate disposition, also emphasizes years. Some Buddhist doctrines require years of contemplation and deep thought before they can be grasped. High monks of the Buddhist sect are often advanced in years. Even those with innate spiritual intelligence, lacking the tempering of time, have insufficient wisdom to become high monks.
“Amitabha...” Li Muzhan suddenly chanted the Buddha’s name, and the entire tent vibrated as if struck by a great bell or morning drum.
General Hua and Eunuch Li felt a cool spring flow down from the top of their heads, washing through their bodies, dispelling all worldly impurity, filling their hearts with peace and joy. The gray robe settled back into place; Li Muzhan slightly lowered his eyelids, his expression serene.
Eunuch Li and General Hua remained immersed in an ineffable state, unwilling to speak for a time. The great tent fell silent, only the distant sounds of footsteps and noise could be heard clearly.
After the time it takes to steep a cup of tea, General Hua awoke, sighing: “Truly an awakening to the Dao, a liberation of three worlds! Master possesses such mighty Buddhist divine power!”
Eunuch Li also awoke, sighing: “Truly a high monk!”
Li Muzhan smiled faintly: “General, Eunuch Li, it is merely a minor technique, not worthy of display.”
Eunuch Li stared at Li Muzhan and sighed: “This is no minor technique. The Master, so young, yet possessing such attainment—truly an anomaly. Even the high monks of the Hidden Sacred Temple do not possess such divine power as the Master!”
Li Muzhan shook his head and smiled: “The high monks of the Hidden Sacred Temple merely disdain to display their divine powers; it does not mean they lack them. Divine power is a hindrance; pursuit of it prevents one from attaining transcendence in Buddhist practice.”
Eunuch Li smiled faintly: “Master, accept the jade pendant.”
Li Muzhan took it with both hands. The touch was warm, and a cool aura drilled from his palm directly into his heart, then moved to his mind—it indeed had the effect of calming the spirit and clarifying the brain.
Eunuch Li said solemnly: “Holding this pendant, the Master may directly petition His Majesty. Except by Imperial Decree, no one has the authority to detain the Master when the Forbidden Palace guards approach. This authority is immense; I hope the Master will act with caution.”
Li Muzhan nodded: “I thank His Majesty.”
Eunuch Li returned to his smiling demeanor: “General Hua, Master Mingkong, I must depart first; I still have several locations in the Divine Martial Camp to visit. You two should proceed to the capital as soon as possible. The Master has been assigned to the capital and granted a General’s Mansion. General Hua, you must present yourself to His Majesty in person.”
They acknowledged this. Eunuch Li flicked his whisk and took his leave immediately.
Li Muzhan exchanged a few more words with General Hua, settling that they would depart for the capital in two days—even with fast horses, it would take half a month.
Li Muzhan agreed and returned to his tent with the jade pendant, intending to study it thoroughly. Sitting cross-legged on the cushion, holding the lustrous jade pendant, he slowly channeled his internal energy like fine threads, furrowing his brow, yet perceiving nothing unusual. He then withdrew his energy, closed his eyes, and observed with his ‘Void Eye.’ Faint ripples seemed to undulate around the jade, as if a leaf had been dropped into water.
He studied it again and again but could discover nothing—only that it contained a vast power he could not grasp. He decided to stop dwelling on it; when the time came, he would naturally comprehend.
On the morning of the third day, as the sun just rose and the air was fresh, Li Muzhan and General Hua departed the Divine Light Camp together, heading south toward the capital. They were flanked by one hundred cavalrymen wearing Bright Armor, all looking vigorous, escorting General Hua and Li Muzhan, one in front and one behind. Ji Wuming and his seven men formed a close-protection circle around the two men.