Chapter 68: Manipulating the Five Elements

Apart from some damage to his official robes, Wei Qing seemed unharmed. After leaping onto the rooftop, he pressed his sword to the black-clad man's throat.

"Shall I remove your veil, or will you do it yourself?"

"You want to see my face? In your next life, perhaps! Hahahaha..."

With a sudden, sinister laugh, flames erupted from the black-clad man's body, consuming him utterly in an instant. The event was so abrupt that even Wei Qing had no time to evade; as the flames brushed his robe, half of his official attire turned to ash in a heartbeat. Startled and furious, Wei Qing tore off his outer garment. Looking again, all that remained on the rooftop was a pile of bone ash.

"To immolate oneself with Daoist true fire—what a ruthless soul!"

Lu Xin's face turned grim, a chill passing through his heart. Ordinary fire could never kill a man so swiftly. But true Daoist fire, driven by spiritual power, burned at such a temperature that it could melt flesh and bone in moments.

Wei Qing frowned deeply, gazing at the ground for a long time before sheathing his sword and turning his attention to Lu Xin. Lu Xin looked back at him. The young Assistant Minister of the Court of Judicial Review wore a mask of complete composure.

"You are not of the imperial court. Why aid me in capturing this criminal?"

"I simply acted on impulse, moved by injustice. The great fire in the Western Market will take many innocent lives. I only wished to do what little I could for the people of Chang'an."

"Such noble intentions. The court is in need of talent. Though the Court of Judicial Review may not match the power of the Imperial Divine Physicians or the three chief ministries, it enjoys the emperor's trust. If you wish to serve the people more broadly, you may join our ranks. My own influence is modest, but I can offer you a recommendation."

"Oh? Join the Court of Judicial Review?"

Beneath the dazzling night sky, with the flames raging, the two young men stood on the rooftop, swords in hand, separated by fewer than twenty paces. The wind was fierce, and occasional embers from the east drifted by, raising wisps of smoke at their feet. Lu Xin, sensing Wei Qing's intention to recruit him, smiled faintly.

"The Imperial Court has established the Divine Temple and, beyond the Six Ministries and Nine Courts, also the Temple of Yin and Yang. The Emperor of Great Tang seeks to suppress all Yin-Yang Masters. If I were to join your office, would you not fear censure from the court?"

"The emperor aims only to subdue traitors who plot rebellion and disregard human life. You are young, courageous, and just the kind of talent the court urgently requires. I have served in the Court of Judicial Review for many years and have met countless men; I do not misjudge character."

Wei Qing himself was just over twenty, of fair complexion and handsome features, but his brow carried the air of one forged in hardship. The office of Assistant Minister of the Court of Judicial Review reached its peak in the Tang dynasty. Ranked upper sixth, responsible for the court's affairs, it was a position of real power.

As Wei Qing had said, since Emperor Taizong's accession, law and order were highly valued. Although the Court of Judicial Review was not among the three chief ministries of justice during the Zhenguan era, it remained the emperor’s most trusted institution. Any case that disturbed the capital or the court was first handed to them for investigation. Thus, though one of the nine minor courts, its authority was vast—a power that would only reach its zenith later when Empress Wu took control. But that is another story.

"Hahahaha... Many thanks for your offer, my lord. I hope that one day, we truly may serve together. For now, you’d best think of how to extinguish this fire."

Lu Xin laughed, and prepared to leap down from the roof. But as he reached the eaves, he suddenly paused. Turning, he saw Wei Qing already gazing eastward at the inferno.

"Lord Wei, just now I heard that man say you are the nephew of Wei Zheng?"

"Indeed. The current Imperial Secretary, Wei Zheng, is my uncle."

Wei Qing turned at Lu Xin’s words, but after asking, Lu Xin merely nodded and leapt down from the rooftop.

"Truly a strange fellow... Well, perhaps fate will bring us together again. Still, this fire involves the Underworld Daoist Sect—someone must be scheming in the shadows. The situation is urgent. It seems I must pay a visit to the palace."

After Lu Xin departed, Wei Qing retrieved something from the black-clad man's ashes—a golden talisman. He examined it briefly, then dropped from the roof and was soon gone from the Western Market.

The blaze raged on, growing fiercer. Luckily, the Prefecture of Yongzhou had set up firebreaks, preventing the flames from spreading further. After returning to the street, Lu Xin searched South Avenue for another ten minutes but found no trace of Li Chunfeng. With no other recourse, he returned to his original spot to wait.

As he neared the North Gate, a river suddenly appeared in the night sky, shaped like a dragon descending from the heavens, surging into East Avenue. Water and fire collided, sending forth plumes of steam that formed a vast cloud over the Western Market.

Lu Xin was at a loss for words, as if someone had transported an entire river to Chang'an to quench the fire. Such a feat was beyond mortal comprehension. Many citizens, witnessing this miracle, fell to their knees, kowtowing and crying out to all the gods in heaven.

"The Five Elements Translocation Art—such immense spiritual power."

"Master, you’ve returned at last."

Lu Xin was still entranced when a figure suddenly descended beside him—it was Li Chunfeng, absent until now. He gazed up at the mist above East Avenue, his eyes thoughtful and distant.

"The winds of Chang'an are indeed formidable. Fortunately, there are still men of ability in the court, lest this fragile realm collapse."

"Master, what is the Five Elements Translocation Art? Did someone truly bring all this water from afar?"

"Our Daoist arts descend from the ancient immortals. When an Onmyoji reaches the Spirit Mastery stage, their soul becomes powerful enough to draw upon the forces of heaven and earth, wielding the five elements at will. The Translocation Art is not among the greatest of miracles, but only those of immense spiritual power can bear the weight of mountains and rivers!"

As Li Chunfeng finished speaking, the great fire in the Western Market was extinguished. From the outbreak to its end had passed only about half an hour. This was proof enough that great masters walked Chang'an, their power worthy of Li Chunfeng’s praise.

"Master, who was the shadow you pursued earlier?"

"I do not know."

Li Chunfeng shook his head, his expression dark and troubled, as if much had occurred in his absence. Lu Xin, seeing this, fell silent; if even one of Li Chunfeng’s cultivation could not uncover the stranger’s identity, he must indeed be formidable.

"I can only confirm that the shadow was not of the palace. Though only at the third level of the Return-to-Microcosm stage, he possessed a powerful invisibility talisman. His spiritual power was of earth—perhaps... connected to the Great Wilderness Divine Sect?"

"The Great Wilderness Divine Sect?"

Lu Xin’s expression shifted. On the rooftop, Wei Qing had cried out "Underworld Daoist Sect," suspecting the black-clad man to be tied to the northern wilds. Now, Li Chunfeng suspected the shadow from the imperial city was from the Great Wilderness Divine Sect. In mere moments, two of the five mightiest sects of the cultivation world had made their appearance—an incredible turn.

Yet the Great Wilderness Divine Sect lay beyond the Western Regions, and the Underworld Daoist Sect in the northern steppes of the Turkic lands—both far removed from Tang territory. Why would these distant powers make mischief in Chang'an?

Lu Xin could not unravel the mystery and instead recounted all he had seen and heard. Li Chunfeng, after listening, seemed to understand, his gaze clearing.

"You have done well. The Court of Judicial Review is an institution of true authority. Wei Qing is the nephew of the Imperial Secretary—befriending him will serve you greatly. As for Wei Zheng: ‘A dragon among fish, who soars with the coming storm.’ The deeper the waters of Chang'an, the more this man will rise. Perhaps we ought to visit the Qian estate."

Li Chunfeng calculated with his fingers, standing in place for a long while before turning, brow furrowed, to gaze toward Huaiyuan Ward, where the Qian residence lay. Lu Xin did not know why his master had changed his mind so suddenly, but trusting in his wisdom and divination, assumed he had perceived something.

With the fire out and the night deep, master and disciple did not linger. They soon left through the North Gate, intending to find an inn for the night. Yet as they passed through Vermilion Bird Gate, a young girl in a pink robe suddenly jumped from the shadows.

"I’ve finally found you, big brother! Teach me martial arts—please, you must!"

The cry startled Lu Xin. Looking closely, he saw it was the girl who called herself Qian Xiaoyue. Barely a quarter hour earlier, they had met and exchanged barbs.

"Who are you calling big brother, silly girl? I’m actually a year younger than you!"

Lu Xin cursed inwardly, keeping a calm face and simply said, "Move aside." Li Chunfeng, watching, observed the girl for a moment before smiling faintly.

"Hmph! I’ve risked my life waiting for you this long—you must agree to teach me martial arts. Here’s part of my apprenticeship gift—take it."

The girl, undeterred, pressed a silver ingot into Lu Xin’s hand, her resolve clear.

"Master?"

"Don’t look at me—you brought this on yourself."

"Oh heavens, little miss, where did you spring from? I beg you, let me go. Otherwise I’ll cry for help!"

"Scream all you want—it won’t help. In this vast city of Chang’an, who doesn’t know my name? If I told you who my father was, you’d be terrified!"

"Tch! Not even the emperor could frighten me. Is your father the King of Hell, come to claim my soul?"

"Hmph! My father is Qian Hai, one of the four richest men in the capital. If you become my master, I’ll have him give you a house!"

Qian Xiaoyue, growing anxious, shouted with hands on hips, caring nothing for a maiden’s dignity. At her words, Lu Xin froze, turning to see his master grinning at him.