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Chapter 89: The Dragon Palace

The sound of thundering hooves echoed through the forest, yet it wasn't loud enough to quell the rustling leaves that swished in a melodic song, accompanied by chirping birds.

The forest was alive, as were Shi Liu and Zhu Mo Shi as they made their way through it on their horses, trying to reach Longyang in a timely manner.

As Zhu Mo Shi held the reins, his black cloak billowed in the wind, causing him to tap his sword with his right hand to ensure he didn't drop it.

An earthy scent of damp soil wafted with the wind, fluttering into Zhu Mo Shi’s nose, making him squint.

His eyes scanned the trees, ensuring no one was around—a habit he had picked up after staying in seclusion for a long while.

It wasn’t that he was scared, but he was wary, more so ever since he had ascended to the Qi Perception Realm.

The Qi that flowed within everything was now visible to him, making his mind more fatigued than he would ever admit.

The amount of Qi that swirled in the world was countless, making him feel like a speck of dust compared to it all.

Zhu Mo Shi and Shi Liu exited the forest and slowed their pace to a trot. Fireflies in the distance caught their attention. “Master, we’re here.”

They approached the edge of the cliff and looked into the distance, seeing Longyang in its glory. Or misery, Zhu Mo Shi thought ruefully.

As Longyang came into view, its bustling streets filled with vendors and patrons became visible. The scent of the city wafted up the pathway they were strutting down, followed by the sound of flutes dancing on the wind.

The architecture of the city was a blend of styles, with intricately carved wooden buildings mingling with towering pagodas made of stone.

At the heart of the city lay the Dragon Palace, also known as the Imperial Palace. Its towering walls and ornate gates were a symbol of the power of the Tian Dynasty. The Dragon Palace was a vast complex of buildings, each more ornate than the last. The buildings were decorated with intricate carvings and colorful tiles, and the roofs were adorned with sculptures of dragons and other mythical creatures.

Inside the palace walls, the buildings were connected by a series of courtyards and gardens. The courtyards were filled with exotic plants and trees, and the gardens were meticulously tended to by a team of gardeners.

As the horses trotted to the gate, Shi Liu and Zhu Mo Shi slowed them to a stop. The guards crossed their halberds, stopping them from entering. “Do you have titles for those swords?”

“We do,” Zhu Mo Shi said firmly.

He dismounted from his horse, patting it on the head and neck as he reached into his side pouch.

He handed the titles to the guard on the left and stepped back to his horse. He watched as they read the titles, hoping they would hurry up so he could make his way into the city. “Let them through” The guard said.

Zhu Mo Shi hopped back on his horse. He grabbed the reins and guided his horse through the gate. As he and Shi Liu made their way through Longyang, they dodged vendors and beggars alike. The city was livelier than Zhu Mo Shi had remembered.

It was clear to him that people had moved back to the capital compared to when the Emperor had tried to kill him, which only filled him with disgust. They don't know, do they? Zhu Mo Shi thought. They don’t know how you’re willing to sell their lives for a bit of gold.

“Master,” Shi Liu said gruffly, “The crowd’s getting too thick; the horses might get agitated.”

Zhu Mo Shi bellowed a grunt and pursed his lips. He dismounted from his horse and guided it to an alley on his right.

Shi Liu leaped from his horse and followed suit. They weaved through the alleys, avoiding the crowds as much as possible.

Once they reached the end of another alley, Zhu Mo Shi turned to face Shi Liu. He released the reins and walked up to Shi Liu, staring blankly at him. “Master?” Shi Liu asked, startled.

“Are you afraid of crowds now? Has seclusion killed what little socialization you had?”

“I wouldn’t say that, but it's been a while since I've been in such a large city.”

“Humph... fine.”

Zhu Mo Shi brought his horse out of the alley and began scouring. He hunted for a restaurant meant to be a meeting place.

“Master,” Shi Liu said. Zhu Mo Shi turned to Shi Liu and saw him looking up.

Jade Noodles

“Humph, we're right beneath its nose," Zhu Mo Shi grunted. “Let’s go.”

They brought their horses alongside the front of the restaurant. He scanned the area once more, hunting for someone to watch his horses. He found a few beggars sitting at the side of the road and scoffed internally. Better to avoid beggars; I don't need the Golden Bowl Sect in my business!

“Let’s head inside,” Zhu Mo Shi said.

The former Dingshe pushed the wooden doors open of the Jade Noodles. The raucous sound of chatter and clanging wooden ware greeted them with a deafening roar. The pungent aroma of simmering herbs and spices, mingled with the tantalizing scent of sizzling meats, wafted out from the kitchen and tickled their nostrils.

The brightly lit dining area was packed with people, their faces aglow with the warm light of flickering candles and dimmed bulbs. Waiters and waitresses clicked across the polished wooden floors, and the rustling of coats could be heard as guests moved to make way for them.

The walls were lined with eclectic paintings and framed mirrors, and the music playing softly in the background added to the ambiance of the room.

One of the men caught a whiff of a rich, fruity aroma and turned to see a woman sipping a glass of red wine, the liquid deep and opaque in the flickering candlelight.

As they approached the host stand, the sound of their footsteps on the tiled floor was muffled by the thick carpeting. The hostess greeted them with a friendly smile, but the din of the restaurant was so loud that Zhu Mo Shi and Shi Liu could barely hear her.

She smiled shyly, then turned around and pulled the inner door shut. The raucousness was muffled, but at least they had some silence for themselves and the hostess. “Apologies, Sirs,” She said, curtsying. “It’s one of our busier nights.”

“Apparently, but never mind that. We need a private room.”

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“Have you booked a room in advance?”

“I have.”

“Oh, what name is the room under?”

“Xiao Ren.”

She looked down at her book and fingered the names down a straight line. She tapped and nodded, then looked back at Zhu Mo Shi with a smile. She picked up a bell from under her desk and rang it with the flick of her wrist. “My apologies for the delay, Mr. Xiao.”

Two women came from behind a hidden partition, both wearing yellow hanfus with see-through undershirts. The hanfus were plain upon first sight, but Zhu Mo Shi quickly realized the intricate design of the embroidery on their sleeves.

“This way, Sirs,” the taller of the two said.

The two women brought them through a short series of turns and up a staircase. The ladies pulled on a lever, and a door shot open to their right.

The shorter of the two entered and was blocked by what seemed to be a red rug. She pulled a lever, and the rug swung left, indicating that it wasn't a rug, but a curtain.

Light splashed through the open curtain like the sun. Zhu Mo Shi and Shi Liu walked in as the women ushered them, with one of them knotting the curtain up with a gold rope. “What would the gentlemen be drinking?” The taller lady asked.

“Water,” Zhu Mo Shi said gruffly.

“...Water as well,” Shi Liu answered begrudgingly.

“Would you like anything to eat?”

“Fish cakes with dried bread.”

“Meat... just meat,” Shi Liu said calmly.

“Yes Sirs,” the taller lady said, bowing as she left.

The women brought the water first, then the servings of fish cakes and half chicken. Zhu Mo Shi picked at the water while Shi Liu devoured the chicken.

The taller of the two women came back with a sealed envelope and dropped it on the table before removing herself. “Master, why all the concealing?” Shi Liu said, sucking on a chicken bone.

“These Ministers have too much to lose.”

“Too much?”

“Yes, they care more for their coin than they do for the people and the state of Huaxia.”

“Then should—“

Zhu Mo Shi raised his hand, stopping Shi Liu from speaking any further. He knew what he meant, but he didn't need those words spoken, not when they were surrounded by people trying to listen in. “Understood, Master... what does it say?”

“Finish up,” He said firmly. “I know it’s been a while since you’ve had food from the capital.”

Shi Liu didn’t answer; he ripped the breast from the chicken and guzzled it down. Zhu Mo Shi, on the other hand, finished his fish cakes and water.

Once they were finished, Zhu Mo Shi tossed two gold coins on the table and left the Jade Noodles, annoyed. It was foolish to even suggest meeting out in the open to begin with, Zhu Mo Shi thought. If this fool has cold feet, he's in for the surprise of his life!

As the former Black Cauldron members made their way through the streets, they quickly noticed how quiet and deserted the streets had become. The air was thick with the scent of dust and must, and the silence only added to their apprehension.

Zhu Mo Shi could feel the tension coming from Shi Liu; he hadn't read the letter and had always hated not knowing what to expect. Humph... he's of the Qi Perception Realm, yet he still has these childish whims of his!

They continued trekking the streets until Zhu Mo Shi made a hard left into a secluded area. At the end of the alley was a burnt building.

Zhu Mo Shi walked into the burned building and was met with bits and waste, which was lit by the moon peeking through the clouds. The air was thick with the scent of must and dust, and they could hear the sound of their footsteps echoing through the empty room.

An acrid scent of burnt wood and ash floundered around the air as if the warehouse had recently been set on fire. The scars on Zhu Mo Shi's back and chest began to itch violently, but as a Warrior of his stature, he ignored it as if it were ants crawling on his back and chest.

“If you’ve come to meet your end... you’ve reached your destination,” Zhu Mo Shi said calmly, turning to a man standing in darkness with a black hood covering his face.

Zhu Mo Shi swirled the Qi within his Core Dantian, hastening his heartbeat, but also to send a message.

“I’ve heard of your stories, former Dingshe,” The hooded man replied, “But how do I know you are the former Dingshe?” The man’s voice was sharp and gravelly.

Zhu Mo Shi chuckled, holding his face. “Have you ever heard of a former dingshe?” he asked. “The only former dingshe is a dead one!”

“Then how do I confirm who you are? Only the Emperor knows who the dingshes are!”

“Do you not recognize me, Minister of Rites? Or should I say Eunuch Song instead?”

Eunuch Song stumbled back in shock from disbelief.

“Fear nothing, Eunuch Song. We are in this together. I know you are the Emperor’s man, but I also know you believe in Huaxia’s future more than anyone else.”

“You speak as though you know, but I don't know you!”

“You do... you just need a little reminder,” Zhu Mo Shi said calmly.

He tossed his sword at Shi Liu, who caught it with his left hand. He turned back to Eunuch Song and flashed a knowing smile. “You know,” He said calmly, “In life, nothing is guaranteed. The people try to make some semblance of what little they have, but if their scars of life were to show... then they would either falter... or be reborn.”

Zhu Mo Shi untied the band from his waist and slowly removed his robe, then his undershirt. His chest lay before Eunuch Song, full of burns, but that wasn't all.

He turned, showing his melded skin which had crumpled together from fire, right up to the back of his head, making it seem like a wilted flower... full of death.

Eunuch Song didn't say anything; his face showed confusion, but that's what Zhu Mo Shi wanted as a smile painted itself across his face.

“It’s been a while, Eunuch Song,” He said, bowing reverently. He stayed bowed for three seconds, then raised his head.

Zhu Mo Shi watched as Eunuch Song's face changed from confusion to surprise. “Librarian Rui... you died in the fire.”

“As you can see, I’m very much alive, Eunuch Song.”

“Then...”

“Yes, the Emperor tried to kill me. I've advised him against opening Huaxia to outsiders.”

“...so that’s why he has been mentioning opening the borders to outsiders.”

“Advise? A mere Dingshe?

“A mere Dingshe?” Zhu Mo Shi scoffed. “Who do you think was with the Emperor when he was in the Barren Lands twenty-five years ago?!”

“You were with him when he was in the Barren Lands?”

“Of course,” Zhu Mo Shi said calmly. “Do you think the Former Emperor would allow him into such a place without a Dingshe?!”

“The Emperor should not have favorite sons!”

“...and that is why Prince Tian Zheng is the best person to take the reins of the Empire.”

“Prince Tian Zheng is a great administrator, but controlling the other ministers? I don't believe he can.”

“Have you seen his plan?”

“I have.”

“Feasible, isn’t it?”

“It is... but”

“But what?!” Zhu Mo Shi growled. “The Emperor's connection to the heavens has been severed. Isn’t that what you said? We’re in a six-year drought. The heavens have barely provided rain! His plan to open the borders of Huaxia WILL BE THE END OF US!”

“Keep your voice down; what you speak of is treason!”

“What the Emperor does is treason. Isn’t it part of the mandate of heaven to keep us safe from all?”

“It is...”

“Then help me keep us safe.”

“A mere Dingshe thinks he is the Emperor?”

“I would never claim myself so high, Eunuch. Why do you think everything here is orchestrated by Prince Zheng?”

“I understand, but—“

“Are you backing out?” Zhu Mo Shi growled. “Shi Liu... deal with his entourage.”

“Yes, Master!”

“STOP! I HAVEN'T BACKED OUT!”

“Then why are you stalling?”

“I am not stalling. I am asking questions. I know Prince Zheng, but I don’t know you.”

“You know me, Eunuch. Stop being coy. Did you not think Prince Zheng would check up on who I am before agreeing to anything I told him?!”

“I agree, Prince Zheng has a shrewdness to him. But what we do—“

“Is for Huaxia!”

Zhu Mo Shi was at his wits' end; he had heard enough. He’d spent a year recovering from his burns, then spent six in a cell of Prince Zheng. The Prince only released him when his story was validated through cautious investigation. This is why I hate politicians, he thought. They care more for their skin than the people... or the Empire.

“You are right,” Eunuch Song finally said after a moment of silence. “But we can't attack yet.”

“Why not?” Shi Liu asked.

“Rain is coming.”

“You want a traitor to stand on the Dragon Throne because of rain?!” Zhu Mo Shi hissed.

“Hardly... we will use the rain as a way to rid us of the Emperor. When the sky cloaks us in darkness and showers us with rain, that is when we can eviscerate the Emperor's family. That is the best way to announce the mandate of heaven. His death will bring us rain from Heaven!”

“Theatrics, is this how you want to play this? Give me the schematics for the Palace; I don't care for this drivel.”

“As you wish,” Eunuch Song said. He reached into a pouch on his right hip and pulled an envelope free. He tossed it at Zhu Mo Shi, who ripped it open.

The moment he opened the letter, he recognized the handwriting. He pursed his lips in annoyance but knew he couldn’t do much as he followed Prince Zheng’s words.

“You were testing me,” Zhu Mo Shi said firmly.

“As the Prince requested.”

“Humph... how will you contact me when the plan is ready?”

“There won’t be any contact.”

“I will leave a message in this building, under a rock placed there,” Eunuch Song said, pointing to the ground in front of him.

“Understood. Shi Liu... let’s go.”

Zhu Mo Shi slid his undershirt on and robed himself, tightening his band once he was satisfied.

They exited where they had entered and walked back down the alley to the sound of crickets and frogs groaning in the night.

Once they reached a decent distance, Zhu Mo Shi finally spoke. “Something on your mind, Shi Liu?”

“Master, why aren’t we infiltrating the Dragon Palace?” He huffed.

He gave the letter to Shi Liu and waited until he finished. “Master, why is the Prince doing this?”

“Because he doesn’t trust us.”