Chapter 169

Chapter 169

The initial setting of the book was flawed from the start.

It intended for Sheng Chengli to ascend the throne, yet cast Su Huaijing as the antagonist; it sought to legitimize the protagonist's claim to the throne while presenting Ren Shou Emperor’s usurpation as disgraceful.

If Sheng Chengli were capable, courageous, and virtuous, his ascension might have been possible. Yet, ironically, he lacked cunning, skill, and character.

"He could never surpass Su Huaijing. In the story, characters become conscious and move towards their own ends. In most cases, the 'creator' of this world can't intervene throughout."

"Thus, the book 'The Emperor’s Journey' is destined to diverge from what the author initially intended."

"Now, sitting in front of Rong Tang, seeking an answer, the 'Heavenly Dao' at best just wants to survive. Disregarding the world's consciousness and rules, it creates disasters and bugs, one after another."

"Rong Tang stood up, walked over, and grabbed the system’s materialized cloud. Looking down at it, he stated a fact without regret, yet it sounded like a missed opportunity: 'You had a chance to live.'"

"The 'Heavenly Dao' was shaken, looking at him in disbelief."

"Rong Tang said, 'After I leave, this world should have a Heavenly Dao.'"

"'World Consciousness' and 'Heavenly Dao' are not the same."

"'World Consciousness' is the eternal existence formed by the world itself, while 'Heavenly Dao' is more like a temporary steward."

"They complement and restrict each other."

"Initially, Rong Tang was the 'Heavenly Dao' of this world."

"'World Consciousness' is even more simple-minded than the system in his hand. It emerged too early with feeble capabilities, not aligned with the 'creator's' thoughts. It exhausted its strength just to pull in a soul from another world, who sensed issues in the story, and couldn't send him to the corresponding space-time. After realizing its mistake countless years later, it timidly asked him to stay longer and wait for the plotline."

"What could Rong Tang do? He died in the real world. If he refused, he would simply cease to exist."

"Thus, he drifted alone on this vast land, year after year, for countless centuries, eventually growing restless and stealing a small cloud for company."

"When the little prince was born in the palace, Rong Tang excitedly went to the Phoenix Perch Palace with the system and joyfully created a cloud of rosy dawn."

"He was very fond of this child, wishing to see him live happily and grow up carefree."

"There was no need for him to become an emperor or king; being safe and sound was enough."

"Yet, this simple wish turned into a luxury."

"Theoretically, the 'Heavenly Dao' should only be the 'World Consciousness's eyes, watching impartially and peacefully as all things in the world go through birth, aging, sickness, death, and all emotions, intervening only when something significant enough to affect the course of the world occurs."

"So even though Rong Tang was brought in by the 'World Consciousness' to change the story's course, he could only intervene at the moment when Sheng Xuyan plotted his rebellion."

"—Thoughts dictate actions, but thoughts alone cannot be condemned."

"As long as Sheng Xuyan didn't act, Rong Tang was constrained by the rules, unable to make any changes on his own."

"Naturally, by the time he was free to act, this person, who self-proclaimed as the 'Heavenly Dao,' had already been roaming the world for many years."

"Thus, he was captured, obstructed, deceived, brainwashed…"

"Everything made perfect sense. The only thing he managed to do in time was to quietly open a small door near the Princess's mansion, leading to the mansion of the Marquis of Xianguo, just before falling into the water."

"Then Duan Yi saw Su Huaijing."

……

"Rong Tang lowered his head, his consciousness finally returning from the vast and long memories, and looked at the 'Heavenly Dao' with cold, clear eyes: 'It's a pity that you can no longer be the Heavenly Dao.'"

"Intervening in the mortal world against the rules, repeatedly providing undue advantages."

"How does this person in front of me deserve to be called the 'Heavenly Dao'?"

"The other's eyes widened, as if only now realizing what he had lost. He stood up abruptly, with a desperate, wrathful look, and reached to kill Rong Tang with a pen."

"Rong Tang stepped back, the palace doors burst open from outside, and Liuyun flew in front of him, grabbing the old man's outstretched hand."

"With a gentle twist of the wrist, the already aged face rapidly decayed, seemingly losing its life force in an instant, falling down without even struggling."

"Even Liuyun was startled for a moment, watching as the body in front of him collapsed to the ground and turned into ashes in an instant, leaving behind only the attire of a palace historian and the sharp blade that fell from the pen, evidence of his presence."

"Liuyun turned back in shock, looking towards Rong Tang."

"Rong Tang lowered his gaze to the pile of ashes for two seconds, then walked to the desk to pick up the paper previously recorded by the 'Heavenly Dao.'"

"Written on it was not the conversation between him and Sheng Chengli, but a sentence that was neither a prophecy nor a curse:"

"[Life does not meet, active as participation and commerce]"

"Liuyun frowned and asked, 'What does this mean?'"

"Rong Tang remained silent for a moment, then lifted the paper and burned it over the candle."

"Liuyun looked at him puzzledly, then glanced at the pile of ashes on the ground."

"Rong Tang: 'He's not dead.'"

"Liuyun's eyes widened instantly, alert."

"Rong Tang: 'He has other matters to attend to.'"

"Rather than wasting time with someone like him, who is no longer considered the Heavenly Dao and cannot be again, it would be quicker to try and stop the most crucial developments in the plot if one seeks a sliver of opportunity."

"Rong Tang walked out of the palace, where lights were lit everywhere, and smoke rose from the beacons on the city walls."

"He glanced at it, then withdrew his gaze, casually asking Liuyun, 'How many troops has Su Huaijing prepared?'"

"Liuyun froze, looking at Rong Tang in mild surprise. But since he rarely showed much emotion, even his astonishment was just a subtle change."

"And it was this slight change that inexplicably eased the unease Rong Tang had felt all day. He smiled, 'You really thought you could hide it from me, huh?'"

"Su Huaijing didn't want to tell him, but it wasn’t like he couldn’t find out anything at all."

"The troops coming from outside the city should be led by Sheng Chengming, carrying a secret letter personally written by Emperor Renshou. The letter most likely mentions Sheng Chengli’s treason, asking Prince Rui to gather troops along the way and return quickly to the capital to support the emperor."

"This was a legitimate and righteous action to suppress the traitors. Su Huaijing probably used some tactics to make Sheng Xuyan believe that his second son was still loyal to him. But once this 'loyal rescue' battle is over, everything should return to its rightful owner."

"After hearing Rong Tang's words, Liuyun opened his mouth, then silently lowered his head without saying anything: 'Three hundred thousand.'"

"Rong Tang, amused and relieved, asked, 'Can you get me out of here?'"

"Liuyun instinctively nodded, then asked, 'Does the master wish to return to Yong'an Alley?'"

"'Don't call me that,' Rong Tang said. 'Just call me the young master or sir.'"

"After a moment's thought, with the cloud in his hand still lifeless, Rong Tang glanced again at the brightest part of the palace and said, 'Go to the Qiantian Tower.'"

"It's better not to add to Su Xiaoqi's troubles for now. He'll settle accounts with him after everything is done."

"Liuyun didn't quite understand his decision but obediently followed through, first sending a message to Su Huaijing before secretly escorting him out of the palace."

"Rong Tang watched his actions, then saw him navigate the palace's paths as familiarly as one would in their own backyard. He couldn't help but mock inwardly; Su Huaijing not sneaking into the palace to kill Sheng Xuyan in the middle of the night was practically saintly."

"Such patience."

"But despite his inner mocking, Rong Tang didn't delay the journey at all."

"Compared to that year's end, when Sheng Chengxing and Xia Jingyi plotted their underhanded rebellion, Rong Tang was dazzled by the blinding lights as soon as he left the palace this time."

"The army, clad in armor, marched openly and righteously on the streets of Yujing, ready for battle, waiting for the order to storm the palace for the 'loyal rescue.'"

"Rong Tang raised an eyebrow and got into the carriage headed for Qiantian Tower."

"Unlike the tense atmosphere inside and outside the palace, this Buddhist pagoda stood serenely, more reminiscent of the Tuo Lan Temple perched atop a mountain than something in Yujing."

"The doors at the bottom were open, with long-lasting lamps lit on both sides. A young novice monk, seeing someone approach, greeted with a slight smile and a chant of the Buddha's name, then said, 'My master has instructed me to lead the donor upstairs.'"

"Hearing this again, Rong Tang couldn't help but think that Huimian might truly be a living Buddha in this world."

"He smiled, thanked softly, and followed the novice up the stairs."

"Ascending without pause, the novice led him straight to the sixth floor, then with a bow, pointed towards the stairs leading to the top floor, 'My master is upstairs, please step up, donor.'"

"Rong Tang thanked him again and walked towards the floor that was usually locked and only opened during national mourning."

"It lacked the eerie mystery people speculated about. It was just a spacious attic, surrounded by railings, with a large bronze bell hanging in the center, simple yet solemn, and the floor was covered with bamboo mats and several meditation cushions."

"Wind flowed through the pavilion from all sides, and lifting his eyes, Rong Tang could see the entire landscape of Yujing below."

"As soon as Rong Tang entered, the person sitting by the railing looked up at him."

"With just one glance, the person smiled, 'Has the donor remembered where he comes from and where he is going?'"

"Rong Tang raised his hand and pointed to the sky."

"Both understood each other well, and no further words were needed."

"He walked towards Huimian, sat opposite him, poured himself a cup of tea to quench his thirst, and then asked, 'Is the master not chanting scriptures tonight?'"

"Huimian replied warmly, 'In such a scene, one must see with their own eyes, for there may not be a next time.'"

"Rong Tang looked into his eyes."

At their first meeting, Hui Mian noted that his eyes held no desire, but now, looking into the eyes of this monk, he saw none of the compassion expected of a cleric.

Before leaving the Buddha's side, a monk is nothing more than a son or brother to others.

Rong Tang looked up, gazing at his silky white hair, and asked, "Do you still plan to become a monk, brother?"

Hui Mian paused briefly, his gaze returning from the loft outside, and met Rong Tang's eyes for a moment, playfully saying, "Does the prince have a destiny with Buddha, intending to become a monk and follow the Buddha?"

Rong Tang was momentarily stunned by the words, then raised his eyebrows in response, countering, "Does brother intend not to acknowledge our brotherhood?"

Hui Mian was momentarily speechless, then shook his head with a smile, picked up his tea cup, gently touched it to Rong Tang’s on the table, and whispered, "This humble monk misspoke, please don’t report my mistake."

Even a high monk enters the mundane world, seeking the company of ordinary kin and friends.

Smoke billowed over the city walls outside the building; the palace gates were about to be thrown open.

Rong Tang drank half a cup of tea, took out the light orb that had been hidden in his sleeve, placed it on the small table, and said seriously, "I came here firstly to seek your protection, brother, and secondly to ask if you have a way to restore its consciousness?"

Mu Jingxu once said that on the day the Second Prince was born, auspicious signs appeared in the sky.

At that time, Rong Tang had not yet come to this world, and he did not recall any connection of these auspicious signs to himself, but now he thought it might be an omen of another kind.

Rong Tang thought, if he couldn’t retrieve the system, perhaps Hui Mian could.