Chapter Forty-Five: General of the Northern Garrison

The next day, in the Daming Palace.

Clad in a golden dragon robe, the emperor of Tang sat solemnly atop the great hall. Below the steps, the gathered ministers all knelt in reverence.

"Is there any matter my loyal subjects wish to report?" the emperor inquired in a deep voice.

"I have a matter to present," Qin Shubao, dressed in court attire, stepped forward.

"Very well, General Qin, speak," said the emperor.

"By your command. Yesterday, a man came to my residence seeking an audience with Lady Hongyu. Only after Lady Hongyu met with him did we discover he was the grandson of the legendary Medicine Sage, Li Baicao. He has come to deliver the Jadeite Needle, the Medicine Sage’s greatest treasure, to Lady Hongyu," Qin Shubao explained slowly.

The simple statement sent shock rippling through the court. The officials began to whisper among themselves:

"Didn’t the Medicine Sage pass away long ago? How could he have a grandson?"

"I heard he never married, so where would a grandson come from?"

"If Lady Hongyu now holds the Jadeite Needle, doesn’t that mean she inherits the title of Medicine Sage?"

Amid the clamor, the emperor’s voice rang out: "Silence!"

The hall immediately quieted. Only then did the emperor turn to Qin Shubao and ask, "General Qin, have you verified the man’s identity?"

Qin Shubao nodded. "I have confirmed that he is indeed the grandson of the Medicine Sage. Moreover, his strength is formidable—so much so that I was left astonished."

"Oh? How formidable is he, to surprise even you?" the emperor asked with curiosity.

"I am not his match, not even for a single move," Qin Shubao replied bluntly.

The emperor was visibly shocked. "General Qin, are you serious? Judging by the years, the Medicine Sage’s grandson can be no more than twenty-something. Is he truly so much stronger than you?"

"Your Majesty, I would not dare to lie," Qin Shubao replied solemnly.

Suddenly, the emperor laughed. "How interesting! Where is this man now?"

"He awaits outside the hall," Qin Shubao answered.

"Summon him in," the emperor commanded.

A nearby eunuch quickly shouted, "Summon the grandson of the Medicine Sage into the hall!"

The call echoed out beyond the grand doors.

"They’re calling you. You may enter now."

"Oh, I can finally go in?" With that, Li Qiutong stepped into the resplendent hall.

To be honest, it was Li Qiutong’s first time witnessing such a scene: thousands of ministers in varied official garb bowed beneath the high dais, upon which, atop the dragon throne, sat a stern, imposing figure.

Remembering Qin Shubao’s prior instructions, Li Qiutong walked before the officials, knelt on one knee, and declared, "This humble subject, Li Qiutong, greets Your Majesty."

"Young Master Li, you may rise."

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Li Qiutong said, standing and meeting the emperor’s gaze directly.

"How dare you look upon His Majesty directly! Lower your eyes at once!" shrilled a nearby eunuch.

The emperor waved his hand. "No need for that. By lineage, Young Master Li is akin to a nephew to me. He need not stand on ceremony."

Then, turning to Li Qiutong with curiosity, the emperor asked, "General Qin claims your strength far surpasses his, which I find hard to believe. Show me what you can do."

Li Qiutong said nothing, unsure of what to say. Instead, he gathered his martial essence, and behind him appeared a dragon of lightning and a fiery phoenix. Thanks to his careful control, the force of his martial energy did not radiate too far.

"Dual essence manifestation! That’s the mark of a Saint!" exclaimed a minister in shock.

Seeing this, Qin Shubao silently regretted, "I forgot he could manifest his martial essence. Had I known, I wouldn’t have fought him—brought this upon myself."

"Excellent, excellent! Who would have thought our Tang nation’s Li family would produce another Saint in his twenties! Heaven blesses Tang!" The emperor roared with laughter.

The ministers below all echoed in unison, "Congratulations, Your Majesty!"

Once the court had quieted, the emperor looked at Li Qiutong, who had now withdrawn his martial essence, and smiled. "Li Qiutong, would you be willing to serve me?"

"To serve Your Majesty is an honor for all of us," Li Qiutong replied, though inwardly he was muttering at the endless formalities of court. If not for Qin Shubao’s coaching, he wouldn’t have known how to navigate such tedious protocol.

The emperor nodded. "Very well! You are a descendant of the Li family and possess such talent. I shall grant you the title of Prince—how does that sound?"

Li Qiutong, having no idea the significance of a prince’s rank, remained expressionless, uncertain whether to accept or refuse.

Just then, a minister from the front row stepped forward. "Your Majesty, reconsider. Although Young Master Li is talented and promising, he lacks any notable achievements. To name him a prince now seems rather hasty."

The emperor pondered this and turned to another senior official. "Prime Minister, what do you think?"

Wei Xuan stepped forward. "Your Majesty, I agree with Prince Ming. It is not too late to grant high rank after Li Qiutong has distinguished himself in military service."

The emperor nodded. "Very well! What position do my loyal subjects recommend for Li Qiutong? Let us hear your suggestions."

"Your Majesty," said Prince Ming, "I have heard that since the passing of the last commander at North Tong Pass, the post has remained vacant. Since Li Qiutong is so formidable, why not have him defend North Tong Pass?"

"Li Qiutong, what are your thoughts?"

Not knowing even where North Tong Pass was, Li Qiutong could only shake his head, indicating he had no opinion. He also failed to notice Qin Shubao frantically signaling to him from behind.

Seeing Li Qiutong had no objections, the emperor announced, "Then let it be decreed: Li Qiutong, grandson of the Medicine Sage Li Baicao, is hereby granted the title of First Rank Earl and appointed General Who Guards the North, tasked with defending North Tong Pass, effective immediately."

Li Qiutong remained standing in a daze, prompting Qin Shubao to whisper helplessly, "Quick, thank His Majesty!"

Catching the hint, Li Qiutong finally knelt again. "Thank you for Your Majesty’s great favor!"

The emperor laughed. "General Li, I await your triumphant return. That is all for today—court is dismissed!"

"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

Outside the hall, Li Qiutong asked, "Hey, General Qin, where is North Tong Pass?"

Qin Shubao exclaimed, "You agreed without even knowing where it is?"

"Uh, didn’t you say I should accept whatever post they offer?"

Qin Shubao sighed. "North Tong Pass is a frontier defense near the heart of the Chaotic Lands. Your main task is to defend against the other forces in that region. There are frequent skirmishes. It’s a chaotic place—you must be careful."

"So, in the end, we’re still heading to the Chaotic Lands," Li Qiutong murmured.

Meanwhile, outside Chang’an, at Pure Land Monastery.

Ren Xingtian was being led by a young monk through the vast temple complex.

Like Mount Jietian, Pure Land Monastery was a religious center, but the difference was that while the priests of Mount Jietian lived in seclusion and rarely saw outsiders, Pure Land Monastery was always open to the public, with a constant flow of worshippers offering incense and prayers.

Moreover, the monastery’s martial arts were renowned for their profound skill. Many of the continent’s great masters had some connection to Pure Land Monastery, making it, in some respects, the most influential force in the martial world.

"Master Kuye is in that small house ahead," the young monk said to Ren Xingtian.

"Thank you."

Ren Xingtian carefully entered the secluded courtyard. It looked no different from any other within the monastery—a humble abode for the monastery’s most powerful monk, Master Kuye, the pinnacle of martial arts.

Standing at the gate, Ren Xingtian called respectfully, "Master Kuye, are you here?"

He called several times but there was no response. Just as he was about to leave, an old monk in tattered robes, broom in hand, emerged from behind, grumbling, "Who are you? Can’t you see I’m sweeping?"

Ren Xingtian bowed. "This junior, Ren Xingtian, is the seventh disciple of the Priest of Jietian. I have come to Chang’an at my master’s command to pay my respects to you."

Before this monk, who was as esteemed as his own master, Ren Xingtian dared not be casual. The old monk and the Priest of Jietian were the most senior figures in the martial world—emperors themselves would show them the utmost respect, let alone Ren Xingtian.

The old monk set his broom aside. "Why did Jietian send you to me? Speak plainly."

"My master asked me to deliver a message: He has already met the one, and you may begin your preparations." Ren Xingtian relayed the cryptic message.

The old monk simply nodded and smiled. "So soon? That youngster is progressing quickly."

Seeing his errand was done, Ren Xingtian said, "I have delivered my master’s words. I will take my leave." With that, he departed.

"Master, who was that just now?" a young monk emerged from inside.

The old monk chuckled, "Just a messenger."

"Oh."

Had Li Qiutong been present, he would have recognized these two monks as the same pair who had given him the Yin-Yang Dragon Staff in Qiuming City.

In the imperial palace, inside the princess’s chambers.

"Your Highness, I have discovered the identity of that man from last time," a servant reported.

"Who is he?" Princess Jingning inquired.

"We found their entry records at the city gate. It’s their first time in Tang. But..." the guard hesitated.

"But what? Speak."

"Last night, they visited the Qin residence. Today, that Saintly Warrior accompanied General Qin to court. I later made some inquiries: the Saintly Warrior is named Li Qiutong, said to be the grandson of the Medicine Sage. His Majesty was greatly pleased with him today, even wishing to make him a prince."

"What? So he is now a prince?" Jingning was stunned.

The guard shook his head. "No, Prince Ming advised His Majesty to wait for him to earn merit before granting the title. So His Majesty appointed him General Who Guards the North, stationed at North Tong Pass."

Jingning fell into deep thought. At length, she said with concern, "I cannot make a move against him now. Keep people watching his every move. We will wait and see, and meanwhile, suppress all news of yesterday’s incident at the inn—do not let Father know I am at odds with him."

"Understood."

After the guard withdrew, Princess Jingning was left alone in her chambers to contemplate. Though she was the emperor’s favorite daughter, she was, after all, just a daughter—sooner or later she would have to marry. Who she would marry depended on how much her father valued her. From a young age, she had learned how to win her father’s favor to secure her position. In others’ eyes, she was a willful princess, but to the emperor, she was his well-behaved daughter.