The journey to Zhaoling was long. Last time, it had taken Hongjun and Lu Xu more than an hour to get there. Li Jinglong had not returned even after daybreak. Hongjun tossed and turned, dreaming of a strange dream on his bed. When the sun was high in the sky, he was woken up by the sound of hurried hooves and shouts from the back alley.
When he came out, he saw Mo Rigen changing the dressing on his injured arm in front of a mirror. Hongjun was wondering what was going on outside when Mo Rigen said, "It seems like someone's out on patrol. Let's go take a look."
It was a cloudy day in Chang 'an. Almost all of the common people of the city had gathered on the streets. Almost all of the princes had gone out, but Li Longji and Yang Guifei were nowhere to be seen. The six armies were solemnly waiting, lining up on both sides of the street to block the common people. Li Heng rode a horse with a group of princes and galloped past.
Mo Rigen and Hongjun dismounted and followed them to the city gate. Standing in the crowd, someone waved at them from the distance. It was Feng Changqing.
Hongjun still remembered him and hurriedly went over with Mo Rigen to greet him. After Feng Changqing asked, he learned that Li Jinglong had left the city to handle a case and had not yet returned. Thus, he had him and Mo Rigen stand behind him.
A middle-aged man next to Feng Changqing nodded at Hongjun in greeting. Hongjun felt that the man looked familiar, but he could not remember who he was.
"We met that day in Pingkang. Have you forgotten?" the middle-aged man smiled.
"Li Guinian!" Mo Rigen remembered.
The middle-aged man was dressed elegantly and looked slightly younger than Feng Changqing. He smiled at Mo Rigen. Feng Changqing coldly said, "Messing around in Pingkang again!"
Li Guinian smiled. "Young people. I can understand."
"What's going on?" Hongjun looked into the distance.
"Yaduo 'er really came." Li Guinian explained.
Outside the city, brass gongs opened the way, bugles sounded in unison, the battle array was extremely vast. First, two rows of Imperial Bodyguards wearing luxurious armor arrived, and then they stood in front of the city. Feng Changqing coldly snorted and said, "Look at this display of extravagance."
"Yang Xiang bet that he wouldn't come," Li Guinian said with a smile. "Now that he's here, he must be more extravagant."
However, Feng Changqing coughed, indicating to Li Guinian not to speak without restraint. After all, there were still two members of the Exorcism Division present.
"Who is Ya Chuang 'er?" Hongjun asked.
"Yaluo 'er is Mount Yaluo," Li Guinian slowly said. "Mount Yaluo is Mount Lu, the will of the God of Light in Zoroastrianism …"
Mo Rigen immediately sensed that something was wrong. He glanced at Li Guinian, but Li Guinian only smiled.
Another three drums sounded, and Chang 'an's city gates opened. Another vanguard entered. Their attire was different from the black, red, and grey armors of the Six Armies. Their attire was brown and black, and their armor was made of steel. Behind them, there was a large group of sixteen people carrying a large palanquin. Sitting on the palanquin was an incomparably large … person.
Hongjun had lived for so long, but this was the first time he had seen such a large 'person'. He immediately let out a cry of surprise.
The common people cheered, welcoming the 'Lord' into the city. Feng Changqing said, "An Lushan has grown even fatter."
Mo Rigen said, "How did he … and …" Mo Rigen stared blankly for a long time, unable to find the right words.
Hongjun forgot where he had heard this name before. After Li Guinian explained, he found out that this person was the Hedong Jiedushi, the most powerful military official in the current Tang Dynasty. He was also Yang Yuhuan's godson.
Normally, Hongjun only felt that Li Jinglong's stature was tall and big. Even the Ghost King, who had died in battle, could only be described as' burly '. However, An Lushan had completely shattered his understanding of humans. A single question echoed in his mind: Just what did this person eat to grow so big?
An Lushan was just sitting, but his legs were as thick as an elephant's legs. His round arms were wrapped in red cloth, making them look like lacquered pillars. His body was as wide as an arch, perhaps nine feet long and seven feet wide. A head as large as a water tank rested on his thick neck. His face was fierce-looking, painted with cinnabar, dark green, and other colors. A longevity lock hung around his neck, and his chest heaved up and down as he panted.
Upon seeing the princes, An Lushan let out a bell-like laugh and said, "I've troubled everyone." His words were very lively. Li Heng said, "Imperial Father is waiting in the palace. Why don't we go and take a look?"
"Okay! Okay! "An Lushan was carried across Vermillion Bird Main Street. He waved at the common people on both sides of the street.
Behind him were four warriors on large horses who were throwing money into the crowd. Behind them were imperial bodyguards carrying large wicker baskets, which they poured out along both sides of the street.
For a moment, the street was filled with the clinking of copper coins. The common people immediately cheered, and Kaiyuan Tongbao coins rolled about everywhere, almost causing a riot. The six armies struggled to maintain order, constantly shouting for people not to push, not to push. Feng Changqing and Li Guinian were also almost pushed out. Hongjun was about to shout when a hand suddenly wrapped around his waist from behind to help him stand firm. Soon after, he was released.
Li Jinglong appeared out of nowhere, his body exuding a rustic aura. The two of them looked toward Vermillion Bird Main Street and saw that the common people were already cheering and huddling together.
Soon after, Li Jinglong made a gesture and led Hongjun to follow An Lushan's caravan. Hongjun glanced back and saw Atay, Ashina Chong, and the others. Qiu Yongsi was much taller than the crowd, his brow deeply furrowed as he looked at the caravan.
Qiu Yongsi formed a spell with his fingers.
At that moment, the warrior at the very back of the caravan turned his head.
Li Jinglong inwardly cursed and hurriedly made a gesture. Qiu Yongsi pretended to lower his head to pick up the money, and the warrior turned his head back. With this, everyone stopped, not daring to pursue.
Hongjun was incomparably shocked. By the time he looked at Li Jinglong, the caravan had already gone far away. Li Jinglong had not slept all night and was clearly very irritated. He gestured for everyone to return.
When they returned to the Exorcism Division, Hongjun was about to ask when Li Jinglong spread his hands and said, "I didn't find anything."
Mo Rigen said, "An Lushan didn't bring those four monsters with him, right?"
Everyone returned. Li Jinglong wrung his arms and muttered to himself behind the table. Lu Xu explained to Hongjun, "The direction they left last night was northeast, which is also the direction An Lushan came from today."
Hongjun said, "Just based on this point, how can we be sure that those four monsters are with An Lushan?"
"It's just a guess." Atay said, "First of all, the sudden appearance of these four monsters is already very suspicious. If An Lushan arrived at Chang 'an first, and something happened in the imperial mausoleum, it would be easy for people to associate it with him."
"Yes." Mo Rigen nodded and said, "An Lushan came to the capital, and the army was first stationed near Chang 'an to wait for the four monsters to come to their aid. It's very reasonable."
Ashina Chong said, "That's not necessarily true. What if that fat man is completely unaware, and the monsters are just lying in ambush beside him?"
Qiu Yongsi hurried in, turned around, and closed the door. He smiled and said, "I tried just now, and sure enough, I found out."
It turned out that Qiu Yongsi had deliberately cast a spell in the crowd. The power of the spell was very close to An Lushan and the others, so the warriors at the back of the group immediately noticed it.
"Did you see clearly what he looked like?" Mo Rigen asked.
Qiu Yongsi helplessly spread out his hands and answered, "I saw clearly, but he saw clearly mine."
Everyone was speechless.
Lu Xu said, "It could also be that the warrior himself knows magic."
"I'd rather believe that it's a monster." Qiu Yongsi said, "There are many different schools of thought in the human world, but all cultivators have a sense of righteousness about them, unlike that bastard, who looked at me with an evil aura."
Hongjun recalled that the four warriors were also very tall and sturdy, with long arms and legs. At that time, he and Li Jinglong were the closest to those people.
Everyone discussed for a long time, but no matter how hard they tried, they could not connect them with the black monsters they saw in the tomb. However, Hongjun vaguely felt that they had some strange similarities.
"I think … Chief Shi?" Hongjun looked at Li Jinglong with his head lowered. He thought that he was thinking and had actually fallen asleep.
Everyone was speechless for a while. They had been busy for a long time and were already exhausted, so they all dispersed. Hongjun went forward to carry Li Jinglong. He was used to climbing mountains since he was young, so his strength had always been strong. Carrying a hundred or two kilograms of things was not a problem for him. He immediately carried Li Jinglong back to his room.
Day and night in the Exorcism Department were once again reversed. It was extremely quiet in the spring, and only the occasional chirping of birds could be heard.
Hongjun lay down beside Li Jinglong. Li Jinglong, in his sleep, unconsciously hugged him and held him in his arms.
At noon, in Xingqing Palace, Li Longji took his usual afternoon nap. On this day, An Lushan returned to the capital for an audience, which consumed a lot of his energy. The white-haired Emperor had to wake up early to apply powder to cover the wrinkles on his face and drink ginseng soup to refresh himself.
After everything stopped, in the afternoon, Li Longji ordered Yang Yuhuan to comfort An Lushan while he lay down in his sleeping quarters. In the following two months, there were many officials who returned to Chang 'an. Ten days later, it was Guo Ziyi's turn. The next month, it was Geshu Han, Gao Xianzhi, and the other generals. When everyone saw him, they all guessed that the Emperor was old.
But in this world, how many people weren't old? Li Longji closed his eyes and let out a long sigh. Being old wasn't scary. What was scary was the series of changes that came with it. Perhaps it was because he felt something when he saw An Lushan today, but the attitude of the regional commanders towards Yang Guozhong made him realize that one day, when he died, the Yang Family would definitely become the target of public criticism. At that time, when he died, he wouldn't be able to protect Yang Yuhuan. When he thought of this, he couldn't help but feel a sense of sadness.
A gust of wind blew, and Li Longji's many complicated thoughts suddenly disappeared. He heard a voice by his ear, "It's time to wake up."
"Who is it?!" Li Longji was extremely shocked. He hurriedly got up, but in the next moment, something even more terrifying happened.
A graceful and elegant empress wearing an imperial robe walked in along the corridor. Her long hair fluttered in the wind as she said sternly, "Li Longji!"
Li Longji immediately roared. He was so shocked that his soul almost left his body. He calmed himself down and looked carefully. It was actually Wu Jiong! In his life, the person he was most afraid of was his grandmother. He still remembered when he was still a young man and visited Wu Jiong. That aura of death and senility had always made him fear death!
Wu Jiong narrowed her eyes and slowly opened her arms, saying, "Our Tang Dynasty has been blessed by the heavens with boundless kindness. We will become strong soldiers to practice martial arts and compete for a great cause that will last a thousand years!"
"Yes … yes." Li Longji's face instantly turned pale. He didn't know what to do but kneel.
"Unfortunately, the demoness has harmed the country, and His Majesty has even listened to slanderous words … Such an unfilial descendant, how can he face the ancestors of our Tang Dynasty?! Li Longji! Kneel down! " Although Wu Jiong had been dead for a long time, her remaining power was truly formidable. With this shout, Li Longji instantly knelt down and trembled like a sieve.
"Repent quickly!" With Wu Jiong's final shout, the former emperor's body turned into countless light butterflies and flew out of the courtyard, disappearing.
Li Longji was bewildered and stood up shakily. For a moment, he felt as if he was in a dream and was in a trance.
At dusk that day, in the imperial study, Li Longji's eyes were still filled with fear. Together with Yang Guozhong, Gao Lishi, and Li Heng, he was silent. It wasn't until outside that someone announced, "Exorcist Secretary Li Jinglong, Marquis of Yadan, requests an audience with His Majesty." Li Longji coldly said, "Let him in."
Li Jinglong had just woken up when he was summoned to the palace. For a moment, he was still in a trance. Li Longji finally couldn't bear it and roared at him, "Li Jinglong! Explain clearly to me! What exactly happened in the imperial mausoleum?! "
Li Jinglong secretly felt that things were not good. He didn't have time to ask in detail, so he said, "In the imperial mausoleum, the former emperor's body is still intact …"
"I ask you." Li Longji's tone was cold. It was obvious that he had learned of the situation from Yang Guozhong. He coldly asked, "Why is it haunted?"
Li Jinglong felt that something was strange. He looked at Li Longji and his expression changed. He said, "Your Majesty, have there been any abnormalities recently?"
It would have been better if he hadn't asked that question. Li Longji's anger instantly flared up. He angrily said, "Li Jinglong! How dare you! "
Li Jinglong naturally didn't dare to contradict the emperor. He hurriedly knelt on one knee and cupped his fists. "Your Majesty, please forgive me. This subject only wants to know if something has happened in the palace."
"I saw the ghost of the former emperor." Li Longji said with a trembling voice. "I saw it with my own eyes and it wasn't in a dream."
Li Jinglong: "!!!"
Li Jinglong suddenly raised his head, his eyes full of disbelief. He secretly thought that so this was the case. This arrangement was all here!
"The thirteenth night of the third month." Li Jinglong said, "The Supreme Court received the case …" Immediately after, Li Jinglong quickly explained the entire process of the case to Li Longji. He didn't add any of his own judgments. Li Longji had heard many ministers remonstrating with Yan Yan these past few years. He originally had a guilty conscience. The appearance of Wu Jiong immediately pushed his fear to the peak.
Ever since he woke up from his afternoon nap, Li Longji was rather absent-minded. When he finished listening to Li Jinglong's detailed explanation, he finally asked, "I only care about whether what I saw with my own eyes was the ghost of the former emperor or a demon?"
Li Jinglong was about to answer when Yang Guozhong coldly said, "Marquis Yadan, before you answer, you have to think carefully."
Li Jinglong glanced at Yang Guozhong. If he answered that it was a demon, he would provoke Li Longji and frighten the Emperor. The crime of dereliction of duty would be unavoidable. If he answered that it was a ghost, he could shirk responsibility. This was exactly what Li Longji wanted, but it went against the facts and was suspected of deceiving the emperor.
"Demon." Li Jinglong replied, "The Exorcism Department is still investigating. Unexpectedly, there was a careless mistake and alarmed Your Majesty. This crime deserves ten thousand deaths."
Li Longji said in a low voice, "Could it be that someone instigated you to come up with a play for me to see?"
Li Jinglong's expression changed when he heard this. He immediately said, "Your Majesty! How could you think that?! This is absolutely impossible! "
Li Longji's face instantly turned ashen. Gao Lishi leaned over to Li Longji's ear and whispered a few words. Li Longji regained his former dignity and said, "The case of the imperial mausoleum has been handed over to the Supreme Court. We want to see what they can find out! Li Jinglong will be detained in the palace to await trial. Summon the members of the Exorcism Department to testify! "
"Your Majesty," Li Jinglong said, "this subject has another report!"
Li Longji only waved his hand tiredly, and the guards brought Li Jinglong away. Li Jinglong's mind raced as he turned to look at the study. When the door was closed, Yang Guozhong looked at him with an indecipherable smile.