Chapter 132: The Fire of the Divine Palace (Part Two)

At White Horse Temple, the main gates were closed to all visitors. Within the temple grounds, dozens of monks in cassocks, hundreds in yellow robes, and nearly a thousand others in gray or black attire had swarmed out. They stood in rows before the gate, braving the biting winter wind with eyes closed, rhythmically striking wooden fish while chanting the Great Cloud Sutra in unison. The air was thick with the solemn, resonant sounds of Zen.

The great monk Xue Huaiyi stood at the forefront. Though clad in his priestly finery, he lacked the patience for chanting, pacing back and forth while rubbing his shaven head. Messengers arrived periodically, but as none brought good news, his expression grew increasingly grim.

"Duke, Master Quan has left the palace and is heading toward Changxia Gate. He will be here any moment." Finally, some good news. However, before the smile could fully bloom on Xue Huaiyi’s face, the messenger continued, and his expression twisted. "Because Master Quan set off firecrackers at home, the noise was so loud it disturbed the palace. His Majesty the Emperor has issued a reprimand and demoted him to a Thousand-Bull Guard."

"Demoted for firecrackers?" Xue Huaiyi struggled to link the two. He had orchestrated this grand display not just because Quan Ce had schemed against Fu Youyi and avenged him, but because Quan Ce was the commander of the Plum Blossom Inner Guards—a favorite of Empress Wu and a crucial intermediary. Now, having fallen from grace to become a mere Thousand-Bull Guard, while still stationed in the palace, his influence was no longer the same.

"What a disaster..." Xue Huaiyi cursed, then stopped abruptly. Demoted? Quan Ce had previously been stripped of his title and office; what rank was there even to demote? Empress Wu’s reasoning defied standard procedure. He did not know what she was implying, but clearly, she was not truly angry with him. She had turned him into a Plum Blossom Inner Guard commander after his previous dismissal; who knew if there was some hidden meaning behind this demotion? Xue Huaiyi’s spirits lifted once more. "Everyone, look sharp! Give my good apprentice a proper welcome."

When Quan Ce arrived, he was met with a spectacular scene of crowds, deafening drums, and sonorous Buddhist chants. "Quan Ce greets Master Xue. Such hospitality is truly overwhelming." He had not seen Xue Huaiyi for a while, and the monk looked noticeably thinner.

"Hahaha!" Xue Huaiyi laughed heartily. "There is no such thing as being unworthy of it! You finished off that scoundrel Fu Youyi, and I finished off Fu Shentong. Those brothers must have reunited on the Yellow Springs path by now. Today, let’s consider this a celebration for them, wahahaha!"

Xue Huaiyi’s arrogance and volatility had only increased, but Quan Ce dared not take the bait. "Master Xue, you jest. Fu Youyi conspired to rebel and was rightfully punished according to the law of the land; it has nothing to do with me."

Xue Huaiyi pointed a finger at him, then immediately betrayed his own source. "Enough, enough. Since you are sensitive about it, I shall follow your lead. I heard the news from the Ministry of Summer. If you are not satisfied, you are welcome to investigate it yourself."

"That is unnecessary. Rumors end with the wise." Quan Ce shook his head with a faint smile. As long as he did not admit it, a rumor would always remain a rumor. Wang Lu was a man of Lou Shide; if Lou Shide spread the news, it was likely out of kindness, but Quan Ce would not accept the favor.

Xue Huaiyi nodded and invited him into the temple. He felt a growing sense of impatience, finding his apprentice—who appeared so amiable and courteous—increasingly unfathomable.

After a casual tour of the frequently visited White Horse Temple and a shared vegetarian meal, they went to Xue Huaiyi’s private quarters. "Dala, you have always been resourceful. You must teach your master something this time. That boot-licking Shen Namiu hasn't left the palace in over ten days. Things are looking dire."

Hearing this, Quan Ce hesitated before speaking. "Master Xue, forgive my presumption, but you already hold such high rank and wealth. Sometimes, taking a step back opens up a broader horizon. Why not enjoy your later years in peace instead of insisting on competing for supremacy?"

Xue Huaiyi sprang up with a start, staring at him wide-eyed. "Have you heard some wind of something? Retreat? I have campaigned, fought, bled, and suffered injuries for this Great Zhou and for Her Majesty! Why should I be the one to retreat? That man surnamed Shen, besides being a sycophant, what use is he?"

Quan Ce pretended not to hear and remained silent. Everyone knew that what Empress Wu wanted was a sycophant; generals who could fight were a dime a dozen.

Fuming, Xue Huaiyi paced the room chaotically before returning to stand before Quan Ce, brows furrowed. "Dala, I am begging you. A man fights for his pride, a Buddha for his incense. If I swallow this insult, wouldn't I be a spineless coward? I’d be dead from suppressed rage—what kind of 'later years' would that be? Dala, we have a bond as master and apprentice. I have helped you with many things, small and large; you cannot be so heartless."

Quan Ce’s expression remained indifferent. His lips curled slightly before returning to a cold, stern line, his brow furrowed. "Master Xue, it is not that I do not want to help you, but in the current situation, there is truly no standard path to take. You have been stripped of your rank as General of the Right Guard and hold only the title of Duke of E. Without a reason to approach the throne, if a mere eunuch blocks your way, there is nothing more to be said."

Hearing this, Xue Huaiyi slumped onto a cushion on the floor. He sat stunned for a moment, then suddenly jumped up and rushed to Quan Ce, his eyes gleaming. "Just now, you mentioned 'standard paths'—does that mean there are 'non-standard' ones?"

"Master Xue, even a non-standard path must have a justifiable pretext," Quan Ce said while rubbing his temples. "The year is drawing to a close, and the Divine Capital is filled with festive spirit. If White Horse Temple could be decorated with a New Year atmosphere, distribute porridge around the city, host a temple fair, and gather various performers and vendors to draw a crowd, it would surely reach the Emperor's ears."

"That is simple enough. But even if Her Majesty hears of it and summons me, it would only be a few words of commendation. I fear it won't lead to much progress." After several setbacks, Xue Huaiyi had lost his confidence.

Quan Ce smiled leisurely. "Master Xue, you are missing the point. While a temple fair is lively, to invite Her Majesty, you need another excuse. I see that the bell tower of White Horse Temple is ten stories high, with stone stairs and a plaza on all four sides—a perfect location. If you organize a New Year’s Bell-Ringing Ceremony there, Her Majesty could surely enjoy the festivities with her people."

Xue Huaiyi pondered this for a moment, his smile widening. "Dala, you are truly a brilliant man! I shall go and organize this at once. If I wait any longer, it might be too late. I will not keep you any longer. If this succeeds, I will surely have a token of appreciation for you."

Quan Ce smiled, unbothered. He did not take the promised token to heart. Unless something unexpected happened, these minor maneuvers might win a smile from Empress Wu, but they would not change her mind.

Quan Ce had no good intentions. The more Xue Huaiyi danced now, the more heart-wrenching his fall would be. Let his final chapter of washing away his disgrace end here.

When he left White Horse Temple, the air behind him was filled with clamor, a massive group of shaven heads scurrying about in total chaos. A complex smile touched his lips as he mounted his horse, its hooves galloping like a sudden downpour.

He did not return home immediately but went to Heming Gorge to summon the high-ranking officials of the Plum Blossom Inner Guards. He announced the Empress’s decree: after today, he would be a lowly Thousand-Bull Guard and would no longer handle the affairs of the Plum Blossom Inner Guards.

The room was dim. The intelligence chiefs listened to the decree with cold, blank expressions, watching him silently. No one spoke.

Quan Ce gave a self-deprecating laugh and clasped his hands in a salute. "Everyone, the mountains are high and the waters are long. Until we meet again."

The leaders of the Plum Blossom Inner Guards remained silent.

After a long while, Ao Han, sitting in the primary chair, stood up and returned the salute. "Take care, Commander."

The others found their voice and stood up in unison. "Take care, Commander."

Only one person remained seated: Green Snake Lady, dressed in green robes, her supple body slumped in the chair, her eyes unfocused as if her soul had left her body.

The atmosphere turned oppressive.

Quan Ce clicked his tongue, wanting to make a joke about them not stabbing him in the back later, but then he remembered that the Plum Blossom Inner Guards acted without autonomy. If Empress Wu or his successor truly wanted to monitor or frame him, these people would have no choice but to obey. Quan Ce suddenly felt it was all meaningless; he waved his hand, turned, and strode out the door.