IDWBE -Chapter 424 The Dharma King

After all, today was different from usual.

In the past, when working with Prince He, although he didn’t like Consort Yuan knowing everything, the purpose of keeping things hidden was to avoid worrying her.

But now, the reason for not letting Consort Yuan know was to guard against her.

Even he himself couldn’t understand how things between Consort Yuan and Prince He had come to this point.

They were mother and son!

It wasn’t about filial piety or maternal kindness—but it didn’t need to be this tense, right?

Unable to make sense of it, Xiao Xizi decided not to overthink.

The affairs of mother and son were none of his business. He dared not intervene and could only try to maintain balance between the two. Even though he stood firmly on Prince He’s side without hesitation, he still couldn’t give Consort Yuan a reason to find fault.

After all, no matter what, as long as the consort demanded it, Prince He would never publicly embarrass her. Even if it meant a few dozen lashes, it wouldn’t kill him.

His own skills weren’t bad, but if a master carried out the punishment, even a few dozen lashes could strip off some skin.

So, unless absolutely necessary, he could not offend Consort Yuan.

He had to constantly prove that he was the “most loyal” servant by her side.

“You insolent servant,” Consort Yuan said coldly, “I won’t hold this against you, yet you seem to get better at fooling me.”

“Not at all,” Xiao Xizi replied cautiously, “Your Highness, have you forgotten? This Liu Chaoyuan is a Grandmaster. If he wants to leave the palace, no one can stop him.”

Moreover, no one knew when this man had slipped away! Otherwise, whether it was the blind man or the monk, Liu Chaoyuan would never have left Ankang City.

“Hmph,” Consort Yuan snorted again. Though she looked down on Xiao Xizi, she acknowledged, “Liu Chaoyuan is indeed a Grandmaster. If he intends to hide, you have no hope of finding him. In my view, no one is stronger than a Grandmaster.”

Thus, she no longer doubted that Xiao Xizi was telling the truth.

“Your wisdom is unparalleled,” Xiao Xizi said with a forced smile. “As soon as I hear anything about him, I will immediately report to Your Highness.”

Consort Yuan glanced at him with disdain. “Enough. Go.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Xiao Xizi slowly left the room and then strode out of the courtyard.

He Lian saw him emerge from Jinglan Palace and hurried over. “Eunuch, what does Her Highness mean by this?”

Xiao Xizi smiled. “It doesn’t matter what she means. The princess consort’s labor is a major matter; we can’t intervene in the Prince’s mansion. But this lapse must not come from the palace. Arrange people to keep a close watch on Jinglan Palace. Even if a single mosquito flies out, we must check whether it’s male or female.”

He truly feared that if Consort Yuan acted rashly, it could harm the princess consort.

“Yes, sir,” He Lian hurriedly replied.

Xiao Xizi frowned. “Did Imperial Physician Han give medicine to the Emperor last night?”

He Lian said, “Reporting to you, sir, I had the prescription examined. It’s merely for calming and soothing, nothing inappropriate.”

After hesitating a moment, he added, “Sir, Han Yong dared to show you such disrespect. Should I execute his entire family to set an example?”

“You little fool, always coming up with reckless ideas,” Xiao Xizi said lightly. “I’ve told Prince He: in life, there are three things one does not laugh at—natural disasters, human misfortunes, and illness. As for executing people, there are three whom one must not kill. Do you know who?”

He Lian pondered. “I am dull, sir. Please enlighten me.”

Xiao Xizi’s face was expressionless. “Teachers of life, doctors who save people, and soldiers who protect the country—these cannot be lightly killed.”

He Lian flattered him. “Sir, you are merciful, full of virtue.”

“Hmph,” Xiao Xizi sighed. “It is Prince He who is merciful. For us, what does it matter? Whoever Prince He wishes dead, dies; whoever he wishes to live, must not die. That is the rule. Break Prince He’s rules, and even if you don’t want to die, you cannot escape.”

Xiao Xizi’s words were convoluted, but He Lian understood. “Rest assured, sir, I will handle things carefully.”

“Rest assured?”

Xiao Xizi snorted. “These are turbulent times. If your mind relaxes, it’s as if your head is down. Do you understand?”

“Yes,” He Lian nodded like a pecking chicken. “I won’t slack for a moment.”

“Good,” Xiao Xizi said.

He glanced at the sun hanging high above the city walls. The day was growing hotter.

The monk sat cross-legged in the courtyard. Xie Xiaoqing placed two buns in front of him. “Eat something, you’ve been sitting all night.”

The monk opened his eyes, glanced at the buns, and said with guilt, “Thank you.”

“Though we are not officially husband and wife, in reality, we are,” Xie Xiaoqing touched her gradually growing belly. “No need for formalities, it would make things awkward.”

“Amitabha. I will give the lady a proper account,” The monk lowered his head, tearing the buns quietly. “I will never let you suffer injustice.”

Xie Xiaoqing was about to speak when she suddenly looked up at the sky, frowning. “Not good.”

The monk, puzzled, asked, “They’re just birds. Why are you alarmed?”

“These are vultures,” Xie Xiaoqing said anxiously. “These birds normally appear only in the Southern Valley. Occasionally one or two appear in the north, but a whole flock like this is extremely rare.”

The monk smiled. “I don’t understand. Please explain.”

“The Southern Valley people believe in the karma of life and death. While alive, they eat meat; after death, they believe their bodies must be offered. They do not bury or cremate. Their families feed their corpses to vultures, leaving only the skull.”

“Feed them to vultures?”

Even a monk who had seen much was horrified.

“Yes. Human bones are hard; vultures cannot eat them directly. People must chop them up first,”

Under the sun, Xie Xiaoqing shivered. “These people are called Sky Burial Masters.”

“Sky Burial Masters?”

The monk chewed slowly. “What is their skill like?”

Xie Xiaoqing shook her head. “They are the lowest in the Southern Valley, weaker than even a dog. Ordinary porters can beat or scold them.”

The monk asked, “Then why so nervous?”

Xie Xiaoqing glanced at the monk, calm as ever. Bitterly, she said, “Besides performing burials, they also use vultures to relay messages. Their status is low, but very few can command them willingly. Those who came to the north this time are probably Dharma Kings or similar.”

“Dharma Kings?”

The monk pondered. “Those who can rival Jizhao Monastery’s masters?”

Xie Xiaoqing nodded. “They are revered in the hearts of the Southern Valley people. Only they are worthy of cremation; others receive sky burial.”

The monk muttered, “Why come to Ankang City? Your speed is fast—go on in.”

Just as he turned, he saw the blind man suddenly appear in the courtyard.

The blind man tapped his bamboo staff twice. “If not for Lady Xie explaining, I’d be confused. So these birds are sent by someone.”

Xie Xiaoqing said politely, “You’re welcome, Daoist.”

Since becoming pregnant, she could not control her fear when seeing the blind man.

“Tuigu Temple, I have long heard of it,” The blind man smiled. “I wish to meet briefly. Monk, report to Prince He.”

The monk said, “You go ahead, I will follow.”

“Hurry, or if I’m killed, you won’t see me again.”

The blind man vanished before the monk could respond.

The monk looked at Xie Xiaoqing, still dazed, and said, “Rest at home. Don’t wander. I’ll be back soon.”

Xie Xiaoqing softly replied, “Be careful.”

The monk smiled and acknowledged.

Lin Yi woke late. By the time he finished breakfast, the sun was high; his fishing plans were ruined.

Lying in the garden, yawning, listening to the monk’s report, he finally said, “Tuigu Temple’s Dharma King? That’s a huge name. Weren’t they supposed to cause trouble for Jizhao Monastery? Why come to Ankang City?”

The monk folded his hands. “I do not know, sir.”

“Xie Xiaoqing is pregnant?”

Lin Yi asked next.

The monk was caught off guard and didn’t know how to answer.

Lin Yi smiled, “A man must take responsibility. This is your child. You’ve had no parents since childhood. Don’t let your child grow up fatherless, continuing your old path.”

The monk was moved. “I understand.”

Lin Yi nodded. “Since Xie Xiaoqing says they are from Tuigu Temple, she’s likely correct. Assist the blind man. If you can stay, stay; if not, don’t force it.”

Suddenly, birds cried from above the Prince’s Mansion.

The monk looked up. Large birds dove from the sky, screeching, and landed outside the walls.

“Protect Prince He!”

The guards shouted in unison.

“Prince,” Ye Qiu appeared directly behind Lin Yi.

Lin Yi smiled. “Looks like the Southern Valley people have arrived at the gate of my mansion?”

“Your insight is unparalleled,” Ye Qiu lowered his head, wiping blood from his mouth.

“You’re hurt?”

Lin Yi turned and saw the blood on Ye Qiu’s hand, shocked.

“Don’t be discouraged. You’re still young. Losing to him is not unfair,” Wen Zhaoyi stepped out from behind rocks. “I knew of Tuigu Temple’s Dharma King Ding Lun. Your skills now match yours. Losing to him is normal.”

Ye Qiu admitted, “Wen Zhaoyi is right. He introduced himself as Ding Lun, Dharma King of Tuigu Temple. I couldn’t withstand even one move.”

“So weak?”

Lin Yi was surprised. Ye Qiu was a Grandmaster. How could the gap be so extreme?

“My fault,” Ye Qiu knelt silently.

Lin Yi asked, “Did this so-called Dharma King say why he came to Liang?”

Ye Qiu said, “To deliver a letter from the Southern Valley King?”

“That barbarian king?”

Lin Yi snorted. “They’re not worthy. I favor peace, but their way of showing up—I don’t like it. Entering Liang without following protocol, showing up at my mansion, is a provocation. Who tolerates their bad habits?”

“Amitabha,” The monk folded his hands. “I will meet him. Rest assured, Prince He. He won’t step into the mansion.”

Lin Yi said calmly, “Don’t force anything. If necessary, use cannons. Even if the mansion is damaged, they will have no return. Let them learn arrogance has limits.”

“Yes,” Jiao Zhong, standing beside Lin Yi, responded.

He gripped his sword tightly, more tense than anyone.

As commander of the Prince’s guards, his main role was coordination. True security came from the mansion’s Grandmasters.

He didn’t know much about Tuigu Temple or Dharma Kings, but with Wen Zhaoyi and the monk serious, and Ye Qiu injured, the enemy was clearly formidable.

Even Grandmasters struggled, so what could a mere ninth-rank guard commander do?

He was afraid—not of death, but that without him, no one could protect Prince He.

If only the Overseer were here!

In his memory, the Overseer was omnipotent. With him present, they felt secure. For the first time in his life, he longed for someone this deeply.

At the mansion gate, the monk and the blind man watched a man in gray robes. His age was hard to tell.

Surprisingly, his eyes were blue, and his face, though masculine, was pinkish like a girl’s.

Truly, the world held endless wonders.

Behind him stood a group, disheveled, ragged, heads down, features hidden.

Surrounding them were guards, soldiers, and constables with bows, swords, and spears—completely sealed.

The monk asked the blind man, “You’re hurt too?”

“Won’t die,” the blind man said calmly.

The monk pressed a hand on his back. When faint smoke appeared, he withdrew and folded his hands. “I am Ji Hai, greeting the Master.”

“I am Ding Lun,” The man named Ding Lun stared at the monk without blinking, speaking imperfect Mandarin. “I wish to meet the Regent Prince of Liang. Please convey my message.”