043. The Trial of the Thousand Buddha Pagoda

Le Qianxue frowned. “How can there be such a perverse examination?”

Yu Zhiyang smiled lightly and said, “This was passed down from the previous dynasty. It is said to have been devised to make the royal family more exceptional. The royals of the former dynasty were indeed outstanding, so the ancestor emperor decided to preserve this tradition.”

“If that’s so, why did the previous dynasty still collapse?” Le Qianxue pursed her lips.

When she arrived in this world three months ago, she had studied the history of the former dynasty. It was ruled by the Wang clan, who held power for five centuries, but a century ago it fell. The reason was not recorded in history. After the Wang dynasty was destroyed, the land split into three kingdoms: Tianlong, Liangjin, and Mu.

Yu Zhiyang sighed. “No one knows the truth of what happened a hundred years ago. But I’ve read the palace archives, and it seems the previous dynasty was undone by treacherous ministers. The Wang emperor was deceived, the people suffered, and so the founding emperor of our dynasty raised the banner of rebellion, leading to the fall of the previous regime.”

Le Qianxue made a sound of acknowledgment. The demise of nations always seemed to boil down to such causes.

But these were matters of the past, and she had little use for further knowledge. What truly mattered now was helping Yin Susu uncover the truth about the family records, which meant she needed to target Zhan Lianjing.

“So, did you pass the examination?” Le Qianxue asked.

Yu Zhiyang touched the sword at his side. “I attempted it when I was fourteen. But today, since I’m bringing you up, your own ability will determine whether you succeed.”

“What?” Le Qianxue was troubled. “My martial arts are hardly impressive.”

“Actually, it’s not always resolved with force. This time, since I’m bringing you, you only need to pass one trial,” Yu Zhiyang explained. “That way, no one will stop us as we ascend.”

“One trial? It’s discounted?” Le Qianxue laughed, genuinely delighted.

Yu Zhiyang nodded. “Otherwise, you wouldn’t have come to me, would you?”

With that, Yu Zhiyang stepped forward. The guards ahead opened the doors, allowing him inside.

As the doors swung open, Le Qianxue saw several Buddha statues within. She hurried after him; the hall was filled with incense, the fragrance of sandalwood thick in the air.

Yu Zhiyang entered, sword in hand, and bowed. “Master Void, forgive the intrusion.”

Directly ahead sat an elderly monk, meditating. Upon hearing Yu Zhiyang’s voice, he slowly opened his eyes.

Master Void glanced at Yu Zhiyang, then turned his gaze to Le Qianxue.

Le Qianxue quickly pressed her palms together and bowed in greeting. “Greetings, Master Void.”

“Third prince, it has been a while,” Master Void replied. “Today you bring a lady—what is your purpose?”

He was the guardian of the first level. Anyone wishing to ascend to the second must pass his examination.

Only royals ever came here, so he wondered why Yu Zhiyang had brought a young woman.

“Master Void, I simply wish to bring her to the tenth floor’s scripture library,” Yu Zhiyang explained. “She ordinarily lacks the qualifications to enter the tower, but she will soon be a royal consort, so I hoped you might make an exception.”

Le Qianxue was startled. Royal consort?

She glanced at Yu Zhiyang in confusion. He winked at her, meaning it was merely a convenient lie.

“Third prince, you exaggerate. All who come here are fated to do so,” Master Void pressed his palms together and chanted, “Amitabha.” “According to tradition, the lady must pass my trial to ascend.”

Yu Zhiyang handed his sword to Le Qianxue. “The first trial: contest in martial arts.”

Le Qianxue’s heart trembled. Her martial arts were still unrefined, her internal strength lacking—how could she defeat a senior monk?

Le Qianxue was about to take his sword, but Master Void interrupted, “No, no. I will not contest in martial arts today.”

Yu Zhiyang was surprised. Previously, everyone had to exchange five moves with Master Void to pass.

But today, Le Qianxue was the exception?

“Step forward, please, lady,” Master Void beckoned.

Le Qianxue came forward, uncertain what he intended.

Master Void’s expression remained serene. “Lady, please extend your hand.”

Obediently, Le Qianxue held out her hand.

Master Void glanced at it, then at her forehead. He chanted, “Amitabha,” and said, “You have already passed. You may ascend.”

His words stunned Le Qianxue and Yu Zhiyang alike.

Le Qianxue said, “Master Void, are you joking with me?”

She had expected a difficult challenge, but apparently a mere glance at her palm was enough.

Master Void shook his head. “A monk does not lie. Please ascend.”

He closed his eyes again, saying nothing more.

Le Qianxue still wished to ask for an explanation, but Yu Zhiyang drew her away gently. “Enough. Don’t dwell on it. Let’s hurry up.”

Le Qianxue nodded, looked back at Master Void, then followed Yu Zhiyang upstairs.

The Thousand Buddha Tower was ancient, often repaired, and for convenience, an elevator had long ago been constructed. It was powered by manpower, not electricity or machinery.

The ten floors were fairly high, so it took some time to reach the top.

The tenth floor was the scripture library, where several Buddha statues stood. The resident monks were nowhere to be seen. With little time, Le Qianxue focused on her task.

She went to the window, leaned forward, and saw the entirety of the capital city spread below.

Circling to several windows, she finally spotted the full expanse of the Prince Zhan’s mansion.

“He’s truly wealthy,” Le Qianxue muttered.

Yu Zhiyang followed her gaze and smiled. “That estate was bestowed upon Prince Zhan by my father. It was originally the residence of two ministers in the previous dynasty, but Prince Zhan later purchased the neighboring property and merged them.”

Le Qianxue thought him a true tycoon. “Wealth brings caprice.”

Yu Zhiyang nodded. “He is indeed capricious, but Prince Zhan’s fortune is worthy of such extravagance. Even my father says Prince Zhan’s wealth rivals the national treasury.”

Le Qianxue pursed her lips. “Doesn’t His Majesty claim every year that the treasury is empty? That’s no match for Prince Zhan’s riches, then.”

Yu Zhiyang smiled wryly. “It can’t be helped, with the Yang family in power.”

Le Qianxue understood. The Yang family and two royal households collaborated to siphon vast sums. Even the emperor, despite being the highest authority, could only turn a blind eye. Prime Minister Yang was cautious, never leaving evidence behind.

Le Qianxue took out her specially designed telescope and began observing the Prince Zhan’s mansion.

It was vast indeed, and Le Qianxue couldn’t easily tell which part was Zhan Lianjing’s residence.

Yu Zhiyang watched her and asked, “You seem quite interested in Prince Zhan’s mansion?”

“Yes,” Le Qianxue replied. “It’s so large, ordinary folk can never enter. My mentor Tianci is inside, so I must scout the surroundings to make his escape easier when the time comes.”

Yu Zhiyang had heard the rumors: the greatest physician of Medicine King Valley, Yuan Tianci, was a guest at Prince Zhan’s mansion. Nobles throughout the capital were eager for his attention, but none dared approach, intimidated by Zhan Lianjing’s reputation.

Now, hearing Le Qianxue, Yu Zhiyang realized Yuan Tianci was likely under house arrest.

With Zhan Lianjing’s temperament, this was unsurprising. For his purposes, Zhan Lianjing would resort to any means.

“No wonder you came here,” Yu Zhiyang said softly. “The servants of Prince Zhan’s mansion are chosen through strict screening—it’s not easy to bribe one. Even my father has never obtained the layout of the mansion. Your method is quite clever.”

“Don’t let this spread,” Le Qianxue said. “I only wish to help my mentor Tianci.”

Her ability to lie without a hint of guilt was remarkable.

Yu Zhiyang nodded. “I saw nothing. Do as you wish. I’ll go read some scriptures.”

Le Qianxue acknowledged him. As Yu Zhiyang left, she continued to sketch the mansion, recording every detail.

She even noted the guards’ shift changes. Then she saw Haoyue and Zhan Lianjing, and with some observation, deduced where Zhan Lianjing resided.

She spent a long time at this, until dusk fell. Satisfied, she carefully put away her map.

Turning, she saw Yu Zhiyang quietly reading scripture on a wooden bench, his expression tranquil, his gentle eyes unchanged.

In the candlelight, his long lashes cast dark shadows upon his face, making him striking to behold.

Le Qianxue walked over softly, intending to startle him, but he looked up and gave her a warm smile. “Are you finished?”

Le Qianxue withdrew her hand and smiled. “Yes, let’s go.”

Yu Zhiyang nodded and returned the scripture.

The monk of the tenth floor was still nowhere to be seen, which made Le Qianxue wonder. Weren’t the monks supposed to be more formidable the higher one climbed? Why was there no one guarding the scriptures? Did they not need supervision?

Just then, as Yu Zhiyang replaced the scripture, a voice sounded from behind a Buddha statue. “Third prince, you’ve put the book in the wrong place. I’ve spent so much time organizing these scriptures, and you show no respect? Put it back properly.”

Yu Zhiyang was momentarily startled. He had picked the book up at random, paying no attention to its position.

He could only apologize, “Master Wenzhi, forgive me. I’ve forgotten where it belongs.”

Master Wenzhi poked his head out. His eyebrows were all white, and Le Qianxue estimated he must be nearly a hundred years old.

His small eyes opened, though he yawned.

He shuffled out and said, “Why did you bring a girl here? Girl, come here.”

Le Qianxue hesitated. This monk seemed less than orthodox, and she detected a whiff of alcohol; his cheeks were flushed.