Chapter Forty-Five: Conspiracy

Chen Heng rose to his feet, striding forward with purpose. With a single pull, he tore the lock apart, and the doors swung open.

Seeing him emerge, Rong Jin hastily lowered his head, his face now marked by deference. In just a few days' absence, all traces of his former subtle arrogance had vanished, replaced by a newfound humility. He resembled nothing so much as Rong Tuo, who, back in "Water, Sky, Clouds Descend," had gazed from afar upon the fox-embracing maiden in the chariot of the Six Geng and Nine Clouds. After that encounter, Rong Tuo's resolve was utterly shattered, and he could never again summon any ambition, nor did he ever leave the land of Rong.

Just days prior, the scene where Chen Heng transformed wine into a sword had left a similar mark upon Rong Jin, his courage and spirit seemingly broken. Now, whenever he faced Chen Heng, his demeanor, unconsciously, became humble and self-effacing.

"The day after tomorrow is the fifteenth," Rong Jin said. "It marks the start of the Grand Court Assembly. My royal great uncle has requested that I invite you to Fengxian Palace for a discussion regarding the campaign against the traitor Tong Gaolu."

"Tong Gaolu will still attend court?" Chen Heng inquired.

"You may not know, sir, but this villain is exceptionally cunning and patient," Rong Jin replied, gritting his teeth. "He presents a flawless facade to the outside world—everyone still believes he is a loyal servant!"

Mentioning Tong Gaolu, Rong Jin could not help but gnash his teeth. "Had we known his disloyalty then, at Yandang Pass, the Rong clan should have shown no mercy! We ought to have slain him outright—then we would not have today's troubles. That he, a mere stable hand, dares to speak of seizing Heaven's mandate, is unheard of!"

"Rong Tuo is at the eighth stage of Qi cultivation, Rong Xuantao at the sixth, and with you and the royal family's many retainers, you still cannot subdue Tong Gaolu, who is merely at the seventh stage?" Chen Heng shook his head. "Clearly, this man is extraordinary. Do not underestimate him—a single lapse during a duel of techniques could cost you your life."

Rong Jin flushed and turned away awkwardly, changing the subject. "Sir, you have not eaten these past days. The palace maids report that your meals are untouched. While we cultivators may live by absorbing energies, the pleasures of fine food are not to be dismissed. Why not partake a little?"

At the Qi cultivation realm, one could draw spiritual energy from the void, both to strengthen one's breath and as a substitute for food and drink. Yet, within the True Dharma Realm, Chen Heng found his cultivation time still insufficient; he had little interest in indulging in wine and delicacies. Observing Chen Heng's lack of appetite, Rong Jin's eyes flickered, and a sly grin spread across his face, as if an idea of great delight had struck him.

"If not food or drink, what of beauty?" Rong Jin lowered his voice conspiratorially. "My nation's rear palace boasts countless peerless beauties, of every charm and form. Without boasting, even Dan Su and Zheng combined cannot compare to what we possess!"

"And your meaning?"

"If you wish, sir, I can have an artist paint all their likenesses. Should any please you, you may choose whomever you like to take with you," Rong Jin said earnestly. "Were any of these women to bear your bloodline, they would count themselves most fortunate. This is not only my wish—my royal great uncle and the others share this thought as well."

"You regard people as mere cattle or sheep, commodities to be traded?" Chen Heng, recalling the tribulations he and his predecessor had endured, felt a rare surge of impatience. He cast Rong Jin a cold glance and said, "I have vowed to pursue the supreme immortal path in this life—if I fail, I shall die trying! The fleeting pleasures of the flesh cannot sway my resolve."

Rong Jin froze, his eyes wide in shock, at a loss for what to do. He had expected, at worst, a polite refusal, not such unyielding, iron-clad words.

He hurriedly bowed in apology, his tone humble. Chen Heng merely nodded indifferently, and the two descended the stairs and entered a carriage drawn by four splendid white horses.

Chen Heng would have preferred to ride a beam of light straight to their destination, but as a guest, he followed his host's lead and did not object.

Inside the carriage, there were silken rugs and brocade cushions, sumptuous beyond compare. In one corner, a bronze incense burner shaped like a beast's ear exuded a rare and delicate fragrance.

Once Chen Heng and Rong Jin were seated, the driver cracked his whip, and the carriage set off.

Throughout the journey, Chen Heng found himself curious about the origins of the Rong Kingdom, and Rong Jin, eager to please, told him everything without reservation.

As he listened, Chen Heng was surprised. The founding ancestor of Rong had originally been a disciple of a small southern sect. After the sect was destroyed and its leaders slain, the ancestor hid his identity and fled to these lands, which were then under Liang’s domain. Yet, as a cultivator at the third stage of Foundation Establishment, a step away from opening the Purple Mansion, who among the local practitioners could stand against him?

Not long after establishing his kingdom, however, the ancestor succumbed to old wounds and passed away quietly in the night. Fortunately, his descendants proved capable, breaking through to true Qi cultivation. Though only at the first stage of Foundation Establishment, it was enough to maintain their rule for over three centuries. It was only upon the death of the most recent Foundation Establishment patriarch that Tong Gaolu began to nurture rebellious ambitions and his arrogance grew unchecked.

"Does Tong Gaolu also fear to challenge a Foundation Establishment cultivator? Just how vast is the gulf between Fetal Breath and True Qi?" Chen Heng mused.

At that moment, their carriage arrived at a towering palace.

Rong Jin hurried to invite Chen Heng down, leading him into the grand halls. Upon entering, they found several figures already seated, both hosts and guests—among them were some unfamiliar faces.

As Chen Heng entered, Rong Tuo and Rong Xuantao rose at once and came forward to greet him.

"Has our friend been comfortable these past days? I hope you do not find fault with our hospitality," Rong Tuo said, stroking his beard with a smile.

"How could I dare?" Chen Heng replied with a respectful bow.

"Come, let me introduce you," Rong Tuo said, seating Chen Heng at the place of honor to the left. "This is Huang Zaichen, one of our family's retainers, at the fourth stage of Qi cultivation."

Huang Zaichen immediately stood and saluted Chen Heng with a formal bow.

"Greetings, Brother Huang," Chen Heng returned the courtesy.

"This is Sima Yu—though a mortal, he is steadfastly loyal and now serves as Grand General of the Imperial Guards," Rong Tuo continued, pointing to an armored middle-aged man. Though Rong Tuo's smile remained, his tone was much less cordial than before.

Sima Yu also bowed to Chen Heng, his expression flushed with excitement. For a mere mortal to be seated among Qi cultivators was, to him, the highest honor, and he could scarcely contain his joy.

"Now that all are present, let us discuss how, at the Grand Court Assembly, we shall deal with that traitor Tong Gaolu!" Rong Tuo's eyes flashed with a cold light as he began to speak at length.

The atmosphere was solemn; Sima Yu, in particular, listened with rapt attention, quite unlike any ordinary man. But Chen Heng quickly found the discussion tedious. For cultivators at their level, duels were not battles between armies—so much scheming seemed pointless.

In the end, they decided to ambush Tong Gaolu on his way into the palace, attacking him with all forces combined. At this, Chen Heng felt the day had been wasted—nothing but empty talk.

Yet when Rong Tuo made one final suggestion, Chen Heng frowned.

"Wait—you mean to have Sima Yu lead archers in ambush as well? That is wishful thinking," Chen Heng said with a wry smile. "You and I are Qi cultivators—how could such mundane methods avail us? If Tong Gaolu takes flight, can mortal arrows reach the heavens? All this will do is send Sima Yu to his death, along with many innocent soldiers. It is unwise."

"I know that," Rong Tuo sighed. "But we have no choice. Even if we only exhaust a bit of Tong Gaolu's strength, it is better than doing nothing…"

"And the lives of those soldiers?"

"They eat the lord's bread; they must serve the lord's cause and share his burdens," Rong Tuo replied indifferently. "If they die, so be it. Mere hundreds of mortals—why should they concern you? Sima Yu, I leave this to you—see that it is accomplished!"

No sooner had he spoken than Sima Yu accepted the task with evident delight.

Seeing that Sima Yu was so oblivious to his own peril, Chen Heng did not press the matter, only laughing quietly and letting it drop.

"However…" Rong Tuo's expression grew grave. "There is another matter you must know—this is the heart of today's discussion and must not be neglected!"

"Please, speak," Chen Heng replied coolly.

"Tong Gaolu possesses a formidable Daoist art—one that tempers the body from without…" Rong Tuo took a deep breath.

At this, Chen Heng's demeanor changed, his gaze growing intent.

...

Two days later.

Dawn had yet to break in full.

Outside a resplendent and imposing residence, a crowd of high officials, princes, and nobles in crimson and purple robes awaited, their coaches and horses gathered in a grand display.

"Brother, listen to the bustle outside—our Tong family has truly risen! Even the Minister of Personnel, that self-righteous old man, waits at our door. Ha! Did he ever imagine this day would come, after all his past slights?"

Within the mansion, two men walked side by side. One of them laughed and spoke to his companion.

"You—" his companion began, but suddenly frowned and halted.

"Brother, what is it?"

"I just felt something strange—a sense of ill omen. Odd, very odd."

His companion shook his head in puzzlement. "Since mastering the Daoist art from the 'Golden Seal of the Earth Gate,' this is the first time my body has felt such unease…"