Chapter 102 – Abdication

Chapter 102 - Abdication

At the Heavenly One Temple.

Yuan Zixu suddenly woke up in the middle of the night, drenched in sweat. He sat up abruptly, feeling his blood boil like hot water within him. His heart pounded irregularly in his chest, sometimes racing, sometimes slow, as if it were beating out an erratic rhythm that disturbed his peace.

His emotions were like a tempestuous ocean, with waves surging and receding uncontrollably. At times, a flame of anger burned fiercely in his heart, urging him to vent; at other moments, a gloomy haze enveloped his mind, plunging him into a despondent melancholy. This emotional turmoil felt like being trapped in an endless vortex, making him inexplicably want to either weep or laugh out loud.

However, in contrast to these overly active and fluctuating emotions and fleeting thoughts, his limbs felt unusually heavy. It was as if an invisible force bound his body, rendering him lethargic and powerless. The qi flow that Chong Xiao had mentioned earlier seemed to be circulating aimlessly within him, causing numbness, weariness, and his eyelids to twitch. His eyes felt dry and heavy, every inch of his bones crying out in exhaustion, sapping his energy and making him yearn only for sleep, to escape this chaotic world.

The two eunuchs on night duty approached cautiously and asked, "Your Majesty, would you like some water?"

Yuan Zixu suddenly turned his head to glare at them. "Where is that drumbeat coming from?"

Startled, the eunuchs listened attentively for a moment, then shook their heads in confusion, but fear showed on their faces. Recently, the Emperor often heard sounds that others couldn't perceive. Initially, they thought it was a sign of His Majesty's success in cultivation, but as the Emperor's behavior grew more and more erratic—sometimes ferocious like a wild beast, sometimes giggling inexplicably while muttering incomprehensibly to thin air—it began to resemble the behavior of a madman.

Yuan Zixu strained his ears, and a low, distant drumming sound echoed faintly, akin to distant thunder. Ethereal and intermittent, it appeared and disappeared, carrying with it a mysterious power from the far horizon, piercing through the stillness of the night, foreboding an ominous omen, shaking his very soul.

The drumming gradually grew clearer and stronger, resembling the war drums on a battlefield, stirring his spirit with its intense, pulsating rhythm. His own heart seemed to resonate with the drumbeats, pulsating in sync with the drum's tempo.

Suddenly, he tried to cover his ears, but the drumming pierced through his palms, striking directly at his heart. He felt as if the rhythm was accusing him, leaving him with nowhere to escape. His heartbeat quickened, and his breaths became rapid. Glancing sideways, he saw the two young eunuchs looking at him in horror, as if they were staring at a madman. Anxiety and fear surged within him, and a sliver of clarity began to dawn upon him. In a sudden burst of emotion, he reached out and smashed the teacup on the ground!

The two eunuchs hurriedly knelt down, while Li Dongfu, who was in the outer chamber, swiftly entered. "Your Majesty."

Yuan Zixu commanded, " Summon Chong Xiao!"

Chong Xiao was attending to his duties in an adjacent hall and was promptly brought over by Li Dongfu. After being suspended for a night, he had severely drained his vitality. Although he had been released, he seemed to have fallen gravely ill, his complexion now sallow and lacking its former luster. He stumbled forward, bowing. "This subject greets Your Majesty."

Yuan Zixu glared at him. "I feel my vital energy coursing wildly throughout my body, surging through my veins. The drumming echoes like demonic forces wreaking havoc, clouding my mind and causing chaos. Could there be something wrong with the elixir? Have I lost control and fallen into demonic possession?"

His voice was hoarse, and by the time he finished speaking, he was drenched in sweat, feeling even more uncomfortable.

Chong Xiao bowed deeply, his face filled with joy. "Congratulations to Your Majesty, felicitations to Your Majesty! This is a 'demonic trial'! A realm that countless cultivators strive for their entire lives but never attain!"

Yuan Zixu snapped, "What is the cause of this drumming?"

Chong Xiao replied, "The 'Spiritual Treasure Scripture of Limitless Salvation for All Beings' says: The Five Emperors are great demons, the origin of all deities. The flying drums lead, commanding armies of ghosts. Their banners and drumbeats traverse the vast expanse of the sky."

"The 'Hidden Book of the Highest Clearness' says, the Jade-Pure King of the Celestial Mansion declares: Ghosts and demons are cunning, transforming in countless ways. They may sink or float, appear or vanish, gather or conceal themselves, hide or reveal their forms, breathe or die, live or fly in the clouds, or govern empty spaces. Their forms flicker with five colors, constantly shifting without a constant shape. All these actions follow the will of the Six Heavens and take place under the authority of the Three Pure Ones. Being within their jurisdiction, they are able to unleash their malevolence."

"The Exalted Devil Vanquisher said: 'All those who have truly attained immortality are still tested by malevolent spirits, let alone ordinary scholars. Those who achieve immortality without being tested are protected by the Nine Heavens' Devil Suppression. Thus, devils must first examine their righteousness. Receiving the devil's endorsement, one can ascend to heaven in broad daylight; it would be unjust to blame the devil for this.'

"In the Daoist faith, there are ten devils. Your Majesty, the sound of the ghost drum you heard signifies the highest realm of devilish trials – illusions that bewilder the mind and deceive the sight of gods and immortals. Your Majesty's wisdom has illuminated your path, freeing you from the realm of desire. Hence, encountering this heavenly devil is a test of your resolve. As they say, 'without devils, there can be no path to enlightenment.' The higher the cultivation, the more perilous the trials. All manner of distractions and obstacles cloud the mind. I implore Your Majesty to calm your thoughts, focus on your inner elixir, and see only emptiness. Only then, with the hope of attaining sainthood and true immortality, can the golden elixir reach its full potential, enabling you to ascend to heaven in daylight!"

Yuan Zixu listened as Chong Xiao cited scriptures and verified the situation. Indeed, the drumming seemed ethereal and haunting, affecting his soul. His heart settled marginally as he watched Chong Xiao instruct a eunuch, "Bring the golden elixir before the emperor for him to consume one pill. Seize this opportune moment and cultivate both internally and externally, leveraging the power of the elixir. With Your Majesty's tranquil accomplishments and moral standing, great success is assured!"

A small eunuch hurriedly brought a tray from a box containing the golden pill, its red hue resembling a glowing sunset and exuding an enchanting aroma. Another eunuch carried a rose-sweetened dew for the consumption of the pill. Yuan Zixu's temples throbbed as the drumming grew louder, unsettling him further. He picked up the pill, staring intently.

Suddenly, a breeze swept through the hall, causing the candles to flicker and the curtains to sway.

A clear voice echoed outside the grand hall's curtains, "Congratulations, Father, on your progress in cultivating immortality. The path to enlightenment is within reach."

Yuan Zixu lifted his head abruptly, his gaze turning sharp. "Who's there?"

The curtains on either side were drawn aside, revealing that the bedroom door had been opened at some point. Princess Yi Yang, in her armor beneath a crimson skirt, gracefully entered the chamber. Her booted steps echoed on the plush red carpet as if she were strolling through the imperial garden. In truth, his daughter resembled him more in appearance than the Crown Prince, who took after Empress Shen. Yuan Zixu had always cherished his eldest daughter and admired her seemingly unflappable composure in any situation.

Yet for the eldest daughter of the Princess of Yi Yang, who should have been in Jingbei fulfilling her duties as the princess, to appear here at this moment was not a good sign.

Following closely behind Princess Yi Yang was none other than the Crown Prince, his eldest son, clad in a dark black cuirass with a long sword hanging at his waist. The scabbard struck against his armor, producing a sharp metallic sound.

Their eyes met, and the Crown Prince's deep, dark gaze did not flinch. Standing motionless behind Princess Yi Yang, he exuded an aura as powerful as thunderbolts.

Yuan Zixu was not surprised to see his most accomplished children suddenly appear silently in his palace chambers late at night. On the contrary, he felt as if this moment had been inevitable all along.

He asked calmly, "The Princess of Jingbei and the Crown Prince have entered without summons, accompanied by armed guards and weapons. What is the meaning of this? Have all the imperial guards been killed? I didn't hear any commotion. Could they have defected? Where is Yu Huan?"

Princess Yi Yang smiled. "Our brother's benevolence prevented him from taking a single life. All the guards were moved by his love for the people and submitted willingly. Father, your cultivation has reached great heights. My brother and I have come to bid you farewell. You should be pleased."

Yuan Zixu glanced at the golden pill in his hand. His blood still throbbed, the drumming growing louder. The pill held an irresistible allure; upon ingestion and meditation, it promised to erase all troubles and pass the demonic trial.

Or perhaps, all of this was an illusion, a test from the Demon Emperor?

He placed the golden pill aside and observed Daoist Chong Xiao, Li Dongfu, and the two young eunuchs, who all bowed their heads low, striving to make themselves invisible. He chuckled and asked, "What if I do not wish to ascend to immortality? Are you planning to commit regicide and defy the natural order?"

Princess Yi Yang smiled warmly and said, "Father, you are devoted to your spiritual cultivation, on the verge of attaining great enlightenment. It is a crucial moment for you. As your children, how can we not share your burdens? I humbly request that you compose a decree of abdication. This way, His Majesty the Taishang Huang can focus solely on his spiritual journey, while the realm will be governed by a sage monarch, ensuring national prosperity and people's peace. It would be a situation where both your divine pursuits and the well-being of our kingdom are preserved."

Yuan Zixu chuckled again and glanced at Yuan Jun, who had remained silent the entire time. He asked, "If I were to abdicate my throne, would it be in favor of the Crown Prince or Prince Jingbei?"

He expected that after this statement, Yuan Jun would at least show some emotion on his face. However, Yuan Jun remained indifferent, casting him a casual glance that carried an air of imperial disdain for all. Having ruled the world for many years, he now found himself overwhelmed by the imposing presence of his own son.

Only Princess Yi Yang chuckled. "Father Emperor truly hasn't forgotten the art of imperial rule at a time like this. Of course, he would pass the throne to Crown Prince, his younger brother."

Yuan Zixu said, "I merely wish to remind the Crown Prince that he must decide whether he wishes to be an emperor himself or the brother-in-law of one. This world is the realm of the Yuans, and now that the princess has come from afar, accompanied by elite soldiers and powerful generals, is she fighting for her husband's throne or her brother's? After all, being a prince consort is a different matter from being an emperor. Does my daughter aspire to be a queen or a Grand Princess? And what is the Prince of Jingbei's stance on this?"

Princess Yi Yang smiled slightly and looked at Emperor Yuan Jun. "Does Your Majesty doubt the Crown Prince's ability to rule alone?"

Prince Yuan Zixu turned to Emperor Yuan Jun. "Oh? I'm afraid that after abdicating, the Yuan dynasty won't last long. The Crown Prince would merely be a puppet bridge. With the Wolfish intentions of Prince Jingbei, is it possible that after all these years, the Yuans will have to yield to the Gao family?"

Emperor Yuan Jun gazed at Yuan Zixu, his expression calm and indifferent, as if he feared nothing. He finally spoke his first words, "Yu Huan won't be coming. Tonight, he's hosting a banquet for his colleagues in celebration of his promotion and has passed out drunk in the barracks. The Capital Troops are under the command of Duke Ding, so they won't act without orders. As for Luoshi Ming, who recently retired from the Five Armies Military Commission, the troops are currently disoriented and unaware of the happenings in the palace."

A slight crack appeared in Emperor Yuan Zixu's composure as his eyebrows lifted. Yuan Jun continued coolly, "I request that Father abdicate the throne. I shall summon the Cabinet scholars to draft the imperial edict on your behalf."

Emperor Yuan Zixu asked, "Which scholar is on night duty in the Cabinet to receive the imperial order tonight?"

Yuan Jun remarked, "With Grand Tutor Ge Chengxuan in command and Zheng Changyuan serving as the attendant scholar, the brilliant Third Plume Scholar is well-equipped to draft imperial decrees for our father."

Yuan Zixu's brow twitched. "It seems everything has been meticulously planned."

Princess Yi Yang smiled. "Uncle is also waiting, ready to witness this moment for the prince."

Yuan Zixu was at a loss for words. Yuan Jun then instructed those behind him, " Invite Grand Tutor Ge and Scholar Zheng Tanhua to draft the edict. Summon Marquis Cheng'en to come before the emperor."

Song Xiang emerged from behind the curtains, bowing in assent.

Princess Yi Yang looked at Yuan Zixu and said, "Congratulations to our father on being able to devote yourself fully to your spiritual pursuits in the pavilion. May you attain enlightenment soon and enjoy eternal bliss as a celestial being."