"Yuan Ming, let's discuss this matter after the ceremony," the young emperor persuaded.
But Yuan Ming just smiled, shook his head at him, and then turned to address the civil and military officials of the court, loudly declaring, "Gentlemen, regarding the assassination attempt on my envoy mission to the Southern Border, both the captured Noble King and the slain Lin Junsheng were mere puppets under someone's control. The true mastermind behind this is someone else."
As soon as these words were spoken, an eerie silence fell upon the majestic hall, and many eyes involuntarily shifted towards the national teacher, only to quickly look away.
The reactions of Lin Junsheng and the Noble King had already given these seasoned officials their answer. What puzzled them was why Yuan Ming would so recklessly tear through this thin veil of decency.
Could it be that he truly had the confidence to take down the national teacher on his own? Or was he so emboldened by the young emperor's favor that he forgot the national teacher was a cultivator from Changchun Temple, at the Foundation Establishment stage, and that the laws of Great Jin might not apply to him? A genius who rose to fame at a young age, a mere Qi refining stage cultivator, should not be so impulsive.
"Yuan Ming…" the young emperor suddenly raised his voice, shaking his head silently at him.
Yuan Ming just glanced at him, then smiled and pointed directly at the national teacher, loudly demanding, "Daoist Master Yuhu, I, Yuan Ming, have no grudges against you, why do you seek my death?" His accusation pierced through the silence like a stone causing ripples on a calm pond, tearing the veil to shreds.
"How dare you, a mere commoner, slander the national teacher?" A cultivator from Changchun Temple standing in the back couldn't hold back and cursed loudly. "The national teacher is a paragon of virtue, having prayed for Great Jin's prosperity for years. How dare you accuse him?"
"The national teacher has always been righteous and virtuous, how could he harm a mortal?" Some expressed their doubts.
The young emperor watched these chaotic accusations with a silent sigh, yet he did not reprimand Yuan Ming. Because, in truth, Yuan Ming had done nothing wrong.
"National teacher, regardless, shouldn't you give an explanation to the Yuan family?" At that moment, a deep voice overpowered the clamor of the civil officials. General Yuan's eyes were slightly red as he stared intently at the national teacher. Although he knew he couldn't do anything to the national teacher with his own strength, as a father, he had to stand firm and support his son.
"National teacher, this matter ultimately requires an explanation to Yuan Ming," the young emperor also spoke up. Since the matter was out in the open, he would not choose otherwise but to stand with Yuan Ming.
Daoist Master Yuhu looked at Yuan Ming, his gaze deep and silent for a long time before he finally sighed and stood up.
"The arrangement to have the Noble King and Lin Junsheng assassinate Yuan Ming on his mission to the Southern Border was indeed my doing," the national teacher admitted outright.
"What? Why would you do such a thing?"
"Impossible, national teacher, why would you go to such lengths…"
"What has Yuan Ming done to warrant such actions from the national teacher?"
Questions erupted all around.
Even the old emperor couldn't help but frown and look towards him.
"Although I am responsible for this matter, I do not believe I have done anything wrong," the national teacher spoke again, his words striking like thunder in everyone's hearts.
"What a statement, to not see it as wrong!" Yuan Ming heard this and laughed instead of getting angry, clapping his hands in amusement.
"Yuan Ming, you were not talented enough to cultivate at Changchun Temple and, in a fit of pique, you used your painting and calligraphy to beguile the emperor's heart, causing His Majesty to give up cultivation, even paving the way for your own official career under the guise of an envoy mission. If you do not die, His Majesty will not embark on the path of cultivation and will ultimately stray, missing the prime opportunity to ascend to immortality," the national teacher said directly to Yuan Ming.
At these words, the entire court was stunned.
They had not expected this to be the reason. Even the old emperor's gaze towards the two became more profound.
"So that's how it is, that's how it is," the Book of Documents official, an old man with white hair, suddenly realized, saying, "I knew the national teacher wouldn't act out of personal desire, and indeed, it was all for His Majesty."
His words quickly gained the support of many civil officials, who began to praise him.
Suddenly, the national teacher's desire to kill Yuan Ming seemed justified.
"Yuan Ming, you have deeply misled His Majesty. Had it not been for you, His Majesty might have reached Foundation Establishment two years earlier. In the path of cultivation, one slow step leads to slow progress in every step. You are the guilty official," disciples of Changchun Temple also began to shout.
Observers from Bailuo Villa and the Shuijing Palace's Fairy Luo of the Water also nodded in agreement. For a moment, the voices of accusation outweighed those of accountability, and the few voices opposing the national teacher were suppressed.
"Gentlemen, if the person who was targeted, assassinated, and forced to endure hardships in the barbaric lands of the Southern Border were your child, would you still be able to accuse so righteously?" General Yuan could no longer contain himself and stood up to challenge them.
"Yuan Ming has never beguiled His Majesty and has always privately urged His Majesty to cultivate at Changchun Temple. On what grounds do you criticize my son, when he is clearly the one being persecuted?" His forceful questioning left everyone speechless.
The young emperor took a while to recover from his shock, never having imagined that the national teacher's actions against Yuan Ming were for his sake.
"Indeed, you have wronged Yuan Ming. My reluctance to cultivate is entirely due to my personal feelings, and my aversion to the idea of seclusion at the temple has nothing to do with Yuan Ming," the young emperor said wearily.
"Perhaps I was wrong, but does Yuan Ming bear no responsibility for misleading and hindering?" Seeing the young emperor completely siding with Yuan Ming, the national teacher finally conceded a point.
[I may have been wrong, but is Yuan Ming not at fault?] Hearing this, General Yuan's eyes were bloodshot with anger, Yuan Ming, however, tilted his head back, closed his eyes, seemingly struggling to suppress his rage.
"National teacher, a wrong is a wrong, no need for further words, you must compensate Yuan Ming," the young emperor also showed his anger.
"If that's the case, then let's make an exception and allow Yuan Ming to be recorded in the Daoist lineage alongside His Majesty, to cultivate at Changchun Temple. Once his Qi refining is complete, he may also be granted a Foundation Establishment pill," Daoist Master Yuhu pondered for a moment, stroking his beard as he spoke.
Everyone envied upon hearing this.
Changchun Temple held a transcendent status in the Great Jin, and entering it for cultivation was extremely difficult. Birth and status were secondary; what mattered most was one's cultivation aptitude.
Even the direct descendants of ministers and nobles found it hard to enter, yet Yuan Ming not only had this opportunity but was also promised a Foundation Establishment pill, a gift as precious as the heavens.
"Furthermore, once Yuan Ming enters Changchun Temple, he will cultivate the Nine Elements Formula with me, not the Changchun Arts," the young emperor added.
Although the young emperor possessing the Nine Elements Formula meant Yuan Ming had it too, privately cultivating it and openly cultivating it were two different realms. Upon hearing this, a disciple of Changchun Temple was the first to object.
"Your Majesty, the Nine Elements Formula is a technique only core disciples can cultivate. What are Yuan Ming's qualifications? Why should he be allowed to cultivate the Nine Elements Formula? Allowing him to cultivate the Changchun Arts is already an exception, how can he be so presumptuous?"
"Are you saying I'm overstepping?" the young emperor retorted coldly.
"I, I…" The disciple from Changchun Temple was at a loss for words.
"Your Majesty, I cannot decide on the Nine Elements Formula, please forgive me," the national teacher bowed slightly.
The young emperor hesitated upon hearing this.
"Gentlemen, I think there might be a misunderstanding," Yuan Ming's voice rang out again.
Everyone turned to look at him.
"The reason I stand here accusing the national teacher is not to seek compensation or justice, but to ask you all to bear witness and give me a chance, a chance to challenge the national teacher." Yuan Ming's statement was another bolt from the blue.
"What does he mean, he wants to challenge the national teacher?"
"Has Yuan Ming gone mad? How can he challenge the national teacher?"
"A contest in painting and calligraphy, or in writing? What a joke!"
Whether they supported or opposed the national teacher, everyone thought Yuan Ming was insane.
"I thought he was a genius, but it turns out he's so foolish!"
"His Majesty has already secured a great advantage for you, and you act like this, where do you place His Majesty?"
"Simply ungrateful and courting death!"
***
"Yuan Ming, what nonsense are you talking about?" General Yuan was both anxious and angry, disregarding decorum as he rushed to Yuan Ming's side. He placed his hand on his son's shoulder, lowered his voice, and urged, "We cannot fight the national teacher, what His Majesty has done is already the greatest compensation, don't act rashly."
"Brother Ming, what exactly do you want to do?" The young emperor also approached Yuan Ming, his brow furrowed, asking in a voice only they could hear.
"Father, Your Majesty, the dangers I encountered on my travels to the Southern Border far exceed those described in my 'Tales of Young Master Sheng's Southern Journey.' When leaving Tiehu Town, the national teacher even sent cultivators to assassinate me. I've made my way back here step by step, simply to fight for my own life. If I don't settle this matter openly today, I'll have to watch my back against him for the rest of my life," Yuan Ming said with a smile.
If it had only been Lin Junsheng's targeting, Yuan Ming might have accepted the national teacher's reconciliation, but the second assassination attempt outside Tiehu Town made it impossible for him to forgive.
"Once is an accident, twice is a pattern, and I, Yuan Ming, will have my revenge." With that, he turned to the crowd and loudly questioned, "For an attempt on my life, why should I accept a mere apology from the national teacher? Why should I be grateful for a cultivation spot from Changchun Temple? Why should I sign a life-and-death contract with someone who wants me dead, and then be scolded for being ungrateful?" "I ask you all, what wrong have I done? Why do you disapprove?" Yuan Ming's voice swept over the crowd, his question thundering like a bolt from the blue, leaving everyone red-faced and speechless.
Proofreader & Editor: Peter Pan