Chapter 192 "Enlightened Monk"
Behind Huguo Temple, there is a secluded cave shrouded in mist.
This place is usually a forbidden area, and it is said that only truly enlightened monks go into seclusion here to comprehend the secrets of heaven.
However, at this moment, there was no chanting in the secret cave; instead, there was a greasy aroma of roast chicken wafting through the air.
"Master, the Empress Dowager has arrived."
With a report from a trusted eunuch, the stone door deep inside the secret cave slowly opened.
There was an old monk wearing a bright red kasaya, with white hair and beard, holding a nine-ringed staff, sitting cross-legged on a futon.
His eyes were slightly closed, his face was serene, and his body seemed to be shrouded in a faint Buddhist light, making him look like a compassionate and otherworldly living Buddha.
This person is none other than the legendary "living immortal" in the capital – Master Xuanji.
"Amitabha."
Master Xuanji slowly opened his eyes, his voice booming like a bell: "The Empress Dowager is unwell and has come to visit this humble monk's secluded place of cultivation in the dead of night. May I ask what brings you here?"
The Empress Dowager's face was covered with a thick veil, concealing her terrifying face.
She waved away her attendants, leaving only her trusted eunuch, and then coldly pulled out a thick stack of silver notes from her sleeve, slamming them onto the offering table.
"Stop pretending, there's more to it than meets the eye."
The Empress Dowager's voice was hoarse and sinister: "I'm not here today to listen to your chanting. I want you to kill someone."
Upon seeing the silver note, the compassion in the eyes of that "Living Buddha" vanished instantly.
Master Xuanji deftly slipped the silver note into his sleeve, and a sly and lewd smile instantly appeared on his previously solemn face. He even wiped away the remaining chicken grease from the corner of his mouth.
"Hehe, Your Majesty, you are too kind. Although I am a layman, I know that if I eat the emperor's food, I should also bear the emperor's worries. I wonder, Your Majesty, would you like me to... perform a ritual for the deceased?"
"The Regent's Consort, Tangli."
The Empress Dowager gritted her teeth and spat out the name: "That vixen!"
"Oh? Is that the legendary queen who can control beasts?"
Master Xuanji stroked his beard, his beady eyes darting around: "This job is not easy to take on. The Regent's sword does not recognize Buddha."
"After this is accomplished, I will appoint you as the Imperial Advisor, and reward you with ten thousand taels of gold and ten beautiful women." The Empress Dowager directly increased the offer.
"make a deal!"
Master Xuanji immediately jumped up from the futon, no longer resembling a virtuous monk, but simply a greedy old rogue.
He walked to the corner of the secret room, dragged out a large chest that looked particularly sinister at that moment, and opened it as if presenting a treasure:
"Your Majesty, rest assured, since this humble monk dared to take on this task, I naturally have the means to do so."
He took a dark, earthenware jar from the box and shook it:
"This is a special 'black dog's blood' prepared by this humble monk. When the time comes, just splash it on that demoness, and if she dares to dodge, it means she's guilty. As long as it hits her, it will break her sorcery!"
Next, he took out a small, clear glass bottle containing a colorless liquid:
"This is 'revealing water.' When applied to a person and heated, it turns blood red, making it look like a demon has manifested, with the skin festering and bleeding!"
Finally, he carefully took out a packet of grayish-white powder, his eyes filled with malice:
"The most powerful one is this—'Hellfire' (phosphorus powder)."
"Once this powder gets on your body, it will catch fire in the wind and cannot be extinguished by water. It won't stop until you're burned to ashes!"
Master Xuanji proudly displayed his "magic weapon":
"At that time, this humble monk will only need to make a show of it on the altar, and secretly have someone apply these things to that princess... Hehe, under the watchful eyes of everyone, she will be a demon even if she isn't one!"
The Empress Dowager watched these despicable tricks with a satisfied glint in her eyes.
The people are ignorant, and the officials are cowardly.
With these "miracles," she could stand on the moral high ground and rightfully execute Tang Li!
"well done."
The Empress Dowager said coldly, "When the time comes, you just need to perform a ritual in the Hall of Supreme Harmony to force that demoness to reveal herself."
"As for Pei Yunjing..."
The Empress Dowager turned around, her gaze piercing through the secret passage, and looked towards the direction of the palace:
"If that madman dares to draw his sword to protect the demoness, then he has been bewitched by a demon and lost his mind!"
"I have already ambushed five hundred of my most elite swordsmen in the side halls on both sides of the Hall of Supreme Harmony."
"Smashing the cup is the signal."
The Empress Dowager made a downward cutting gesture, her tone chilling to the bone:
"The moment he moves, five hundred axes will fall simultaneously, chopping him and that witch... into mincemeat!"
...
The next day, at the palace.
To welcome the Regent's triumphant return, the square in front of the Hall of Supreme Harmony has begun to be set up for a celebratory banquet.
However, there was no festive atmosphere here.
The eunuchs were not carrying fine wine and delicacies, but bundles of dry firewood soaked in kerosene.
They were piled up in the center of the square, forming a towering execution platform—a stake prepared for the "burning of the witch."
Behind the pillars and screens of the main hall, countless armored swordsmen and axemen were silently lurking, wiping their sharp blades.
Yellow talismans were pasted on the palace walls, rustling in the wind like banners summoning souls.
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