Chapter 1030: Numbered Song

Min Commandery.

The night was deep, with faint white streaks already appearing on the horizon. The moonlight was dim and lusterless, but the stars shone brightly, awaiting the imminent sunrise.

The palace gates were tightly shut, with yellow brocade hanging from the railings. Dark patterns adorned the green latticework, faintly glowing in the dimness. Soldiers in dark blue-black armor stood silently before the steps. The entire palace complex was utterly silent, with only the occasional call of a crane echoing among the beams.

Occasionally, a gentle breeze wafted through, stirring the hanging yellow brocade. The plaque on the main hall, with its black background and golden characters, shimmered with a golden-yellow light in the night.

Fengwu Hall.

In the sky, hundreds of white cranes circled uniformly above the hall, their wings obscuring the heavens. From time to time, one or two would gracefully descend, landing on the palace eaves or beside the steps, where they tucked in their wings, drew up their legs, and feigned sleep.

The area in front of the hall was adorned with long, snake-like lengths of brocade. On all four sides, inner paths of cinnabar-red steps, marked by intertwining water and fire serpents, led to the hall. The vast, dark-red plaza, with a lamp stand every ten paces, was filled with kneeling cultivators, all dressed in uniform attire, their heads bowed to the ground, not moving an inch.

One hundred *zhang* further, a flight of nine steps appeared. Below these imperial steps was another wide platform, also filled with kneeling men and women of various ages, dressed in simple dark blue-black garments. They were arranged in complementary yin and yang positions, aligning with directions and corresponding one-to-one with those on the steps above, all being blood descendants.

Even with thousands of cultivators kneeling, the entire palace complex remained utterly silent. As light gradually ascended the main hall, it finally illuminated two figures standing beside the hall at the very top.

The man stood tall, chest out, brows raised, with a resolute expression. Dressed in green robes, an unopened scroll hung from one side of his waist, a golden talisman from the other, and he held a sword in his arms.

The woman standing opposite him wore only white robes. In her arms, she held a dark blue-black wooden box adorned with mystic patterns. She appeared calm and serene, though something seemed confined within the wooden box, occasionally quivering strangely. Intertwining water and fire gushed forth, yet this energy only flowed harmlessly over the woman's fair and tender arms.

Nine more steps up, a man stood beside the hall. He was tall and slender, with golden eyes that glanced around, and quite handsome. Dressed in white inner garments, layered with a tie-dyed silk gown, and an outer dark robe with white patterns, a straight collar, and a front opening, crane feathers adorned his shoulders, accentuating his exceptionally upright posture.

This was Li Jiangliang.

His expression was solemn and grave. He waited until the intertwining starlight gradually faded, and then, unable to wait any longer, he knelt on the steps and respectfully said:

"May Your Majesty ascend the throne, embrace the transformations of water and fire, and command the signs of intertwining serpents to rule from the south-facing seat. The people of the four seas will be immensely fortunate."

The man waited for a moment before the steps. An internal official, listening from the side of the hall, then respectfully conveyed the order:

"Lord Li, please enter."

Li Jiangliang's expression subtly changed. He bowed and entered through the side hall.

Inside the side hall were eighteen steps, each a deep, fervent red. A waterfall-like flow of purple *qi* cascaded down from the steps, bringing a wondrous and refreshing sensation.

After ascending the eighteen steps, he saw a side door with a dark blue-black base and golden patterns. Pushing the door open and entering, a strong scent of sandalwood immediately assailed his nostrils. The palace interior was filled with mist, within which stood several white figures.

They were several completely hairless, naked women with round faces and fair skin. Some held teal-golden precious robes, others dark blue-black sashes. They stood or squatted in various postures, motionless as statues.

These women were arranged in staggered rows, varying in height. Behind the immortal seat at the main position, dragons were carved and phoenixes painted. On either side, two *jiao* beasts were depicted, their forms extending long and sinuous like two giant pythons.

Beside the seat stood a young man in a simple white robe, with long, unbound hair, his back to Li Jiangliang.

Li Jiangliang dared not raise his gaze. Instead, he took a step back, knelt before the threshold, and bowed, saying respectfully:

"Your Majesty's benevolence permeates all living things, and Your Daoist light illuminates all. This humble subject, with my mundane and defiled body, dares not ascend the Immortal Hall of Fengwu. I can only prostrate myself before the steps to await your immortal decree."

His slightly trembling voice echoed in the hall. From above, he heard a clear, icy voice:

"Enter the hall."

Li Jiangliang had no choice but to rise and step over the threshold. As he entered, he felt a distinct crispness underfoot, accompanied by crisp cracking sounds. Beneath the white *qi*, there was a dense layer of solidified brine, mixed with frost and snow, all glistening.

Li Jiangliang suppressed his shock. He slowly advanced ten paces before the man, stopping precisely before the numerous women who resembled mere objects. He bowed and said:

"Your subject is here."

Only then did the man above turn around and descend the steps. Purple *qi* spread horizontally, and white frost condensed. His face had short eyes with dark pupils and handsome brows. He gazed steadily at Li Jiangliang.

"Come."

Li Jiangliang apologized quietly and immediately took a dark blue-black inner robe from one of the women's hands and draped it over him. Yang Zhuo watched him silently and said, "Years ago, when I intervened on the path to retrieve embezzled resources for a few minor cultivators, I happened to see you traveling south, and thus we became acquainted... Now, thinking back, it's as clear as if it happened yesterday."

He smiled faintly, raising an eyebrow, and said:

"Did you ever consider... there was some calculation involved?"

At the mention of this, Li Jiangliang lowered his gaze and replied:

"Reporting to Your Majesty... Jiangliang saw no calculation. It was merely a lifelong aspiration, a place to belong, not to be lost in familial compromises. To possess the power to save the people, that is enough..."

"Save the people..."

Yang Zhuo gazed at him silently. His lips moved, but he said nothing. He then composed his expression and replied:

"You have been acquainted with me since childhood, my brother-in-law, and uniquely honored above all other subjects. Today, you should have a share of the credit."

Li Jiangliang dared not accept the praise in the slightest. He bowed respectfully and said:

"Your Majesty is the most revered sovereign, ordained by Heaven. Your destiny is fixed; it is not for your subject to claim credit. I merely serve before the hall and obey your every command."

Yang Zhuo continued to gaze at him:

"That cannot be said. Were it not for you, today's Great Song would have lost countless more subjects and gained countless more useless officials. Though I, as Emperor, cannot achieve the Golden Core, my power is infinite. You deserve a share of the glory."

"I rely on Your Imperial Grace."

Yang Zhuo shifted his gaze and casually remarked:

"Among all the princes, the Prince of Wei is the most noble. He contends for the destinies of the north and south and has stabilized the various sects of Huaizu. His descendants cannot but receive titles and rewards. Today, for the enfeoffment of a prince, which envoy should be sent?"

Li Jiangliang simply held up a dark robe with white silk undergarments and an embroidered collar with green trim, to help him dress. He replied:

"Your subject must recuse himself and dares not answer."

Yang Zhuo glanced at him and said:

"If you find it awkward, then let True Immortal Ning go."

Li Jiangliang assented obediently and then added the ceremonial robe for him, listening as this greatly noble and reincarnated True *Qi* being said blandly:

"In the Lixia region, when the Great Desire plagued the land, I issued an order to kill no one, and all cultivators followed my word. Only you advised me not to let the remnants flow into the commanderies. Who is loyal and who is treacherous is naturally clear."

Li Jiangliang hesitated for a moment. He did not take the next sash. Instead, he knelt on the ground and whispered:

"Your subject is ignorant and does not understand... Since Your Majesty has the power to purify, why not miraculously act, release all at once, and dispel the evil power of the Golden Lotus, instead allowing them to enter the commanderies...? I fear that in Lixia, heretical cults will revive in the future, and peace will not be restored for a hundred years."

Yang Zhuo's eyes, framed by his brows, gazed silently at him and replied:

"Where the evil power of the Golden Lotus resides, once changed, it is changed. It's like they've read scriptures for so many years. Even if the Great Desire recedes, they are still bewitched. If a person has seen ghosts, even if I command the ghosts to retreat, I still cannot restore their mind to the state before they saw ghosts, unless I tamper with their souls."

"Now, only genuine, spontaneous devotion matters. If others wish to believe in *Shi*, if you miraculously change them, it will be no different from a *Shi* cultivator."

"To change the world with one's own will is the Way of Emperor Wei and the State, not the Way of Tianwu. When the Great Desire plagued them, the people of Lixia did not have the freedom not to believe. Now that I rule the world, they have the freedom not to believe in me. Since the Great Desire Dao has departed, I want them to choose for themselves."

Li Jiangliang could only lower his brows and reply:

"Your subject was reckless."

He knelt on the ground and took up the dark-patterned white jade boots. As Yang Zhuo raised his foot, he said:

"The new dynasty is established, and your father is in the north. But Jiaozhi cannot be lost; a Protector-General must be enfeoffed there. Since Liu Bai is a Purple Mansion cultivator and holds the Chu military tally, you shall make a trip to Jiaozhi and have him guard it."

"As for the name of the prefecture."

He paused. Li Jiangliang then respectfully said:

"We have discussed it. Jiaozhi overlooks Shitang and has the responsibility to pacify that sea. Under the Song dynasty, it could be called Jinghai (靖海, Pacifying Sea)."

These words made Yang Zhuo's pupils slightly widen. He frowned and said:

"You are unwise... The character 'Jing' (靖) is not good; it infringes upon a revered person's taboo name. Replace it with 'Jing' (静). To suppress with stillness, to settle and bring eternal peace. Let it be called the Jinghai (静海, Calming Sea) Protectorate."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Li Jiangliang dared not ask which revered person's taboo name had been offended. He quickly assented, kneeling firmly, and then offered the crown, which was round in front and square at the back, adorned with five colors and twelve imperial tassels, his head bowed extremely low.

He naturally did not have the qualification to place this imperial crown on Yang Zhuo.

But the Song Emperor-to-be held the crown silently, staring at it, and said coldly:

"The Mandate of Heaven... originally arose from Wei. The imperial crown is also modeled after Wei: round in front and square at the back, to symbolize the pivotal point of ultimate *yang* between heaven and earth; with five colors and twelve imperial tassels, representing the Five Virtues and Twelve *Qi*. Qi and Liang merely plagiarized this. One was *Xi Qi*, the other *Sui Qi* — they were merely one of the twelve tassels, yet they also wore this imperial crown."

"Now True *Qi* has attained the Way, yet it learns from the Wei system. What is the meaning of this?"

A chill ran through Li Jiangliang's heart.

This imperial ritual was not Li Jiangliang's own arbitrary decision; it had been meticulously coordinated with Yang Yanyou and could be traced all the way back to Yang Ruiyi... Yang Zhuo's question might not have been directed at him!

But even if the question wasn't aimed at him, he still had to answer. He respectfully said:

"Reporting to Your Majesty, the Emperor is transcendent and governs with folded hands. Although Ning reveres Wei Shuo, it was jointly established by various families, adopting the five colors and twelve imperial tassels. Today, with True *Qi* re-established, we should follow the old system."

"Emperor."

Yang Zhuo raised an eyebrow and said:

"Cultivators of immortality favor the character 'True.' They seize the fortune of heaven and earth, deeming this as truth. Tianwu became True as Emperor, not True because he became Emperor. Therefore, he is often called True Lord. Is the matter of the Mandate of Heaven not superfluous?"

Cold sweat began to trickle down Li Jiangliang. He merely said respectfully:

"It is for the sake of global peace!"

"Hahahahaha!"

Yang Zhuo put on the imperial crown. Li Jiangliang immediately knelt beside him, feeling dense cloud-like *qi* emanating ethereally from around him, knowing that the Song Emperor was steadily descending from within the white *qi*.

The Song Emperor stopped before the hall gates. He placed one hand on the palace gate and said blandly:

"You call Him Emperor, yet you do not know that He seeks Truth, not emperorship. The so-called 'rectifying nature and stopping debauchery' was the work of predecessors. Infinite benevolence and power, but it's unclear whose benevolence it is. In any case, it is not for the common people. If the common people were more important than seeking Truth, how could He have gone beyond the realms?"

Li Jiangliang actually did not know how to answer him. He merely watched as he strode out from the main hall. Outside the hall, cheers shook the heavens, water and fire surged, and the sky was a vast expanse of verdant green and shimmering blue, filled with countless mystic lights.

Long, colorful serpents dropped from the sky, squirming and climbing on the pristine white steps. The purple *qi* before Li Jiangliang grew denser. He only felt cold, slimy serpents climbing around his arms and slithering past him.

Surprisingly, there was no joy in his heart at all, only endless confusion, and even a strange bewilderment.

When he traveled south years ago escorting the convoy, was that chivalrous hero with whom he drank and confided truly this Song Emperor?

"If pacifying Yue State and establishing a dynasty years ago was not what you sought, how did this grand situation come about? Would the Yang Zhuo of yesteryear have said such things...? Your Majesty... what exactly do you want to do?"

Outside, the sounds of bells and tripods rang in unison. An official was chanting rituals, seemingly for an enfeoffment ceremony, though Li Jiangliang only vaguely heard it. He remained kneeling in the hall, noticing that the white mist on either side had quickly dispersed, and the female figures remained solidified in the hall.

These bodies had long solidified like jade, transforming into pure, unblemished stone. Yet they retained a pale, tender pink hue within their whiteness, emitting a faint, ethereal peach fragrance. Their eyes were vibrant, and each one seemed ready to stir at any moment.

He subtly rose, his bowed head remaining faced towards the Emperor, and naturally moved out from the side to kneel outside the hall.

Dong!

The profound bell suddenly rang out. As hundreds of officials prostrated themselves, thousands of white cranes descended from the sky. Spreading their wings, they flew over countless kneeling cultivators, flapping down onto the next-lower wide platform, landing among the thousands of male and female descendants.

These white cranes were massive, bringing rolling gales and surging water and fire. But the kneeling men and women were completely unaware, merely allowing the cranes to land—some perching on nearby lamp posts.

Dong!

With another prostration, one by one, the massive white cranes that had landed among the crowd stood on one leg. Their vast wings opened with the sound of bells and tripods, completely covering the men and women on either side, fitting perfectly, so that beneath the steps, there was only endless white.

This white merged perfectly with the white in the sky, instantly captivating Li Jiangliang's eyes and causing him to quickly lower his head.

"The mandate of Heaven has descended upon Xiuwu. He established a state in Huaizhou, restored order, aided the people, and ruled for many years... Until Tianwu passed from this world, almost causing collapse... This year, amidst the turmoil of water and fire, my nature is within me, the immortal chapter is foremost, and Xiuwu shall once again proceed... Relying on the will of the people, founding a nation and appointing nobles, fulfilling the hopes of various families, and establishing the country as Emperor..."

Majestic immortal music echoed in the air. Countless swirling water and fire energies rolled across the sky. Yang Zhuo stepped forward and said blandly:

"Its name shall be Song."

Dong!

Li Jiangliang raised his head again. It was just before dawn; the moonlight was dim, and the sun had not yet risen. Yet a star, bright as the sun, suddenly shone with brilliant light, illuminating the world, like a deity of the Mystic Heavens silently gazing upon the earth.

The Xiuwu Star shines brightly!

Om...

Instantly, heaven and earth were filled with light. The Great Void stirred, with intertwining water and fire shaking the world. All the cultivators in Jiangnan raised their heads, gazed at the sky, and looked at each other in trepidation!

"The celestial phenomena have changed!"

The Great Void was even livelier. One after another, rays of light emerged from the empty, desolate darkness. Some pinched their fingers to calculate, others pondered deeply, their brows lowered in silence.

"The spiritual aura has changed..."

Yet beneath this grand hall, there was only trepidation. Even the True Immortals waiting before the hall lowered their brows and remained silent. Suddenly, a clear voice resounded from the side, filled with respect and solemnity:

"The Ning Clan!"

"Presenting a pair of dragon sinews to His Majesty!"