Chapter 62: Another World Beyond Chang'an

The exit of Yunmeng Ghost Market lay at the far end beneath the lake—a stone stairway slanting upward. Following Li Chunfeng, Lu Xin climbed for over ten minutes before finally reaching the surface.

Before them stretched another island in the lake, not large but lush and vibrant. Wisps of faint dawn filtered through the gray, hazy sky, scattering golden sparkles across the water’s surface. In the distance, mist and waves shrouded the surrounding islets in shadow, their outlines indistinct. Occasionally, a white egret would soar past, sending up crystalline droplets in its wake.

For a moment, Lu Xin felt as though he were gazing upon the world at its very beginning. This, he thought, was the face of the great universe in its entirety.

“How beautiful,” he murmured.

“Yes,” Li Chunfeng replied. “The lake and sky are one. If ever peace truly comes to the world, I would settle here on this island—fish, drift on a boat, write poetry, tend to flowers and herbs. Wouldn’t that be a life akin to the immortals?”

“Master, your words remind me of a great poet from later times. He wrote, ‘The setting sun and the solitary wild goose fly side by side, the autumn waters merge with the vast sky.’ Perhaps only those with true clarity of heart can see such exquisite scenery in this world. That ghost market below is not a place where the living should linger.”

Standing side by side, master and disciple shared the same slight smile. What they saw and what they felt seemed to echo within each other. The waters of Dongting Lake mirrored the clear sky, rendering heaven and earth indistinguishable. Lu Xin took out his jade pendant, holding it up to the morning light. He noticed an unusual pattern had appeared within its once-limpid depths. He furrowed his brow—this very piece of jade had nearly cost him his life at the bottom of Dongting Lake.

“They call this the Celestial Jade, Master. What do you make of it?”

Li Chunfeng took the pendant, examining it in his palm with a trace of puzzlement in his eyes. He did not give an immediate answer; instead, his gaze wandered dreamily toward the rising sun.

“True Celestial Jade is said to be the stone used by ancient gods to mend the sky. In the world today, stones worthy of that name are exceedingly rare. This pendant is likely the progenitor of a vein, formed by absorbing the essence of the five elements from the earth, which is why it can devour other fragments. Yet my spiritual power cannot penetrate it, so I cannot say for certain what it is. Perhaps only you can uncover its secret.”

With that, Li Chunfeng returned the jade to Lu Xin and stepped lightly across the water. Though Lu Xin felt even more bewildered, he did not press further, seeing his master unwilling to speak. Half a day later, the two left Yuezhou and made their way north. They passed through Jingzhou and entered Xiangzhou. After a day’s stop in Xiangyang, they continued their journey without delay.

So, with intermittent travel, two weeks later master and disciple finally stood outside the city of Chang’an.

Chang’an, known during the Sui dynasty as Daxing, was the largest city ever constructed in ancient history. As a modern man, Lu Xin had heard countless legends of Chang’an. This capital of both Sui and Tang, gathering people and goods from the four corners of the world, witnessed the most prosperous era of Chinese civilization.

Now, as he drew nearer to this legendary place, his young heart beat with both excitement and anxiety. Throughout history, the capital was always the realm of dragons and serpents, a place teeming with ambition and intrigue. Whether in the imperial court or in the markets, countless hidden powers lurked in the shadows. And in this early Zhenguan era, when nothing had yet settled, Lu Xin knew that entering Chang’an would bring a storm of events—no one could truly remain untouched by the tides of history.

“Once we cross this mountain, you’ll see Chang’an. From then on, our days of idle wandering will be over. Are you ready, my disciple?”

“As long as you are with me, Master, I fear nothing.”

Li Chunfeng laughed heartily. “You have far too much faith in your teacher. Come, we’ll soon be down the mountain.”

The hills outside Chang’an were not high, but they sprawled wide. Such terrain was typical of the Central Plains—vast plains and gentle hills, perfect for a grand city. Cresting the ridge, Lu Xin finally glimpsed the outline of Chang’an: the dark, imposing city walls rose from the yellow earth, lofty and unyielding, solemn and majestic.

At the foot of the mountain ran an official road, wide enough for horses to ride straight to the southern main gate, the Mingde Gate. Beyond it lay the bustling Vermilion Bird Avenue. Yet, to save time, Li Chunfeng had led them off the official paths after Jinzhou, cutting directly over hills and fields, shortening the distance to Chang’an—a feat only someone with profound skills in the arcane arts could manage.

Clearly, this was not Li Chunfeng’s first visit to Chang’an. Upon descending the mountain, he led Lu Xin straight to a roadside tea stall. It was midday, and the official road was crowded with travelers, so the tea stall’s business was booming—twenty or thirty tables, nearly all full.

It was a large family that ran the tea stall: men and women, old and young, a dozen or more. Some brewed tea, some cooked, some fetched water, others cleared tables—all bustling with cheerful efficiency. Most of the patrons were merchants bringing goods into the city. As Lu Xin glanced around, he even spotted five or six foreigners with blond hair and blue eyes. According to Li Chunfeng, they were traders from Persia and Byzantium, dealing in Tang porcelain and silk.

The atmosphere at the tea stall was lively, filled with an endless hum of conversation. Everyone discussed business and court affairs with enthusiasm, their vigor infectious. Lu Xin, after his long journey, had never seen such a scene.

“Friends, I heard that recently, Ministers Fang and Du quarreled fiercely at court about whether to send troops north against the Turks. Even the Emperor Taizong could not quell their argument. For two ministers to act so arrogantly just after their appointment—this bodes ill. The Turks are fierce; they’re not easily subdued. If war breaks out, we merchants will suffer.”

“Ha! Where do you get such rumors, you peddler of tiger skins? Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui are brilliant men, the brightest talents in the realm. Since taking charge, they have governed with fairness and uprightness—how could they cause a scene in court? Besides, Grand Councillor Zhangsun is above them, and he would never let the court fall into chaos.”

“You know nothing. Lord Zhangsun also favors a northern expedition, so he supports Fang and Du. Only a few old ministers oppose it. Alas, after only a few days of peace, must we have war again?”

“Why not fight? The Turks have raided south time and again, sometimes even beyond Liangzhou. Countless people have perished beneath their cavalry. You merchants care only for your own profit—have you considered the suffering in Liangzhou?”

“Enough, enough—we’re just common folk. Discussing politics is only for passing time; why argue? Whatever happens, the Emperor Taizong will not let us suffer.”

Though the voices at his ear were clamorous, Lu Xin, with his awakened senses and keen perception, caught every word. It astonished him that the common people spoke so freely of court affairs and the emperor. In his understanding, feudal dynasties were extremely sensitive about such matters; to murmur behind closed doors could lead to arrest or worse. Yet, clearly, in this third year of Zhenguan under the Tang, things were different.

“How does the tea taste, my disciple?” Li Chunfeng asked.

“Sweet and refreshing—just right for the summer heat.”

Lu Xin, visibly delighted, drained two more bowls in quick succession. Perhaps it was the lively atmosphere, but he felt invigorated and content.

Li Chunfeng gave him a knowing smile, then pointed toward the distant Mingde Gate. “You come from a thousand years in the future. Seeing all this, how much of a flourishing age do you think the Tang possesses?”

“Master, I believe that for a nation to grow strong, it must first enlighten its people. If the people are ignorant and muddled, no industry can prosper and the state will be weak, beset by troubles within and without, and cannot endure. I cannot speak for other regions, but here outside Chang’an, I have seen a scene worthy of a golden age.”

“Well said. ‘The ruler is the boat, the people are the water. Water can carry the boat, or overturn it.’ If the people are not enlightened, how can there be prosperity? At least the present emperor is no tyrant.”

In June, the heat outside Chang’an was oppressive, made worse by the crowds. After resting at the tea stall for over half an hour, the two prepared to enter the city. But just as they stood, a large contingent of soldiers burst out from Mingde Gate—imperial guards by the look of their uniforms.

“The Palace Guards and the Northern Division’s elite… Could it be that Emperor Taizong himself is leaving the palace?” Li Chunfeng’s expression shifted. In moments, hundreds of armed soldiers had cordoned off the gate, forbidding entry or exit.

In less than half a minute, the once-bustling and crowded gate was cleared, leaving a broad empty space. The common folk could only watch from afar, and it was a full ten minutes before a grand procession emerged from within.

At its head was an emperor clad in dragon robes; slightly behind and to his left walked a monk. Even at a distance, Lu Xin could barely make out their features, but the emperor’s stature was imposing, his presence overwhelming, like the blazing sun high above.

It was the first time Lu Xin had seen a true emperor, and the man before him could only be the legendary sage, Emperor Taizong Li Shimin. Beside him, the monk walked with hands folded before his belly and head slightly bowed. Despite walking with the emperor, his bearing was calm and composed, exuding an aura no less formidable.

Behind them trailed a retinue of civil and military officials, filing out of the gate.

“That monk is interesting—there’s even a little monkey perched on his shoulder. Mother, is that man beside him the emperor?”