Free Web NovelChapter 1516: Crown Princess
When Qi Xuansu emerged from the bedchamber alone, Utu had already received a divine oracle. He respectfully bowed to Qi Xuansu, then slowly retreated backward until he finally vanished into the shadows.
Maranga understood that the situation was beyond saving and surrendered without resistance.
Qi Xuansu paid them no further attention and beckoned Hun Ahau over. It was time to put one of a Daoist Sage’s specialties to use, which was conducting a bit of ideological counseling.
“Ahau.” Qi Xuansu chose a more familiar form of address. Although the Tawantin Empire had undergone extensive Sinicization, most people did not possess courtesy names. Only individuals like Huangfu Ji had courtesy names, so this was the best Qi Xuansu could do.
“Sage,” Hun Ahau replied in a low voice. He had already begun to sense that something was amiss.
Qi Xuansu said, “You performed very well this time. I will report your merits to both the Daoist Order and the Western Daoist Order. Once everything is settled, appropriate arrangements will also be made for you.”
“Thank you, Sage.” Hun Ahau’s face lit up with delight. It was not that he lacked control over his emotions. Rather, he was deliberately appearing less calculating in front of his superior. Some leaders always preferred seemingly straightforward and loyal subordinates, and history was full of such examples.
Qi Xuansu continued, “However, regarding Unulatu, I hope you can consider the bigger picture and exercise restraint for the time being.”
Hun Ahau’s expression shifted slightly, but he said nothing further and simply agreed. “Understood.”
Qi Xuansu offered an additional explanation. “I understand how you feel. It’s not that I am deliberately stopping you. The Full Moon Goddess has intervened to protect her, and there is little I can do about it.”
Qi Xuansu had no intention of taking the blame on Ixchel’s behalf. Every debt had its creditor, and every grievance had its source. He wanted Hun Ahau to understand that clearly.
Hun Ahau said, “Unulatu dared to plot for the throne because the Full Moon Goddess supported her from behind the scenes. It’s only natural now that the goddess has stepped forward to protect her. It’s just that...”
Qi Xuansu raised a hand to stop him and repeated more firmly, “For the time being, I ask that you endure it.”
Hun Ahau froze for a moment. Then some realization seemed to dawn upon him. His expression relaxed, and he said nothing further.
Qi Xuansu said, “Unulatu remains inside the bedchamber. The Full Moon Goddess has guaranteed that she will not flee. There is no need to concern ourselves with her for now. The important thing now is cleaning up the aftermath. Handle it as you see fit. We’ve caused such a massive upheaval that we must provide an explanation to both the court and the public.”
Hun Ahau replied, “I will select several highly placed court officials who are widely hated by the people. Their cases will be investigated, judged, and carried out swiftly. The investigations will be thorough, the verdicts clear, and the executions complete...”
Qi Xuansu cut him off and said, “You can handle those matters yourself. There’s no need to report the details to me.”
Hun Ahau immediately realized that he had committed a taboo. Such things could be done, but they could not be spoken of. Those at the top were supposed to understand perfectly well while pretending not to. How could he possibly explain the details to his superior?
Hun Ahau hurriedly corrected himself. “Please rest assured, Sage. I will handle everything properly.”
Qi Xuansu then walked over to Tantai Ying and Huangfu Xi. “Sage Tantai, I must trouble you to direct the Spirit Guards in assisting General Hun with maintaining stability within the royal palace. General Hun will handle the details, so you need not concern yourself with them.”
Tantai Ying understood his meaning and agreed.
Qi Xuansu then turned to Huangfu Xi. “Princess, come with me to the Temple District.”
Huangfu Xi naturally knew that Emperor Manu Tancha was in the Temple District. She also understood that the matter she had long been waiting for was finally about to reach its conclusion. Unexpectedly, she found herself feeling somewhat nervous.
The Temple District was now in ruins. Kukulkan’s temple had suffered severe damage, Ixchel’s temple had been partially damaged, and the other temples had sustained varying degrees of destruction. Most of it had been caused by the heavenly fire summoned by Madam Wu. In many places, the fire had not yet been fully extinguished, and black smoke still rose into the sky.
Madam Wu, who looked like Qi Xuansu at the moment, descended from the heavens and landed atop the Feathered Serpent God’s head. This provoked immense fury from the Feathered Serpent God, which shook its head repeatedly in an attempt to throw Madam Wu off.
Yet Madam Wu seemed rooted in place. Though she swayed and stumbled with every violent motion, she simply refused to fall.
Then Madam Wu condensed a massive sword made of flames, grasped the hilt with both hands, and thrust the blade downward, piercing straight through the crown of the Feathered Serpent God’s head.
The Feathered Serpent God was already at the end of its strength. With a mournful cry, its stubbornly raised head finally crashed to the ground.
Its already flickering body began to disintegrate, breaking apart into countless points of light. It resembled a vast rain of light flowing upward, returning to the heavens.
Emperor Manu Tancha’s figure appeared once more before Madam Wu.
When the royal family had converted their faith, Kukulkan had promised to protect the royal bloodline. The emphasis had always been on protection, not on descending into the mortal world to slaughter enemies. Thus, when the Feathered Serpent God manifested, it had sheltered Manu Tancha within its body. As a result, Manu Tancha had not perished beneath the ruins of the Sun Temple.
Now that the Feathered Serpent God had been defeated by Madam Wu, Manu Tancha, who had been hidden within it all this time, had no choice but to reveal himself.
Manu Tancha braced himself with one knee on the ground and attempted to communicate with Kukulkan once again. However, he received no response whatsoever.
In despair, he murmured, “I’ve been abandoned.”
The High Priest of the Sun Temple appeared beside Manu Tancha and was about to speak when Madam Wu interrupted him first. “Whatever you have to say, wait until Sage Qi arrives. Don’t say it to me.”
The High Priest was utterly bewildered. He thought to himself, Aren’t you Sage Qi?
Yet it was not his place to ask questions. Instead, he gestured for the Commander of the Palace Guard and the Chief Chamberlain, who had been watching from afar, to come over.
The Sun Temple was the foremost among all temples. So its High Priest was the highest in rank, the leader of all temple clergy. His status within New Paititi was exceptionally high, and his cultivation was unfathomable. Ordinarily, he carried immense authority and dignity. The two men dared not object and obediently came forward, taking positions on either side of the Emperor.
Before long, Qi Xuansu arrived in the Temple District with Huangfu Xi.
Although there was no one announcing Qi Xuansu’s arrival, everyone present were cultivators and easily sensed his presence. Their expressions immediately grew solemn.
Qi Xuansu recalled his Corpse Liberation Incarnation, and Madam Wu returned to her form as a female Daoist wearing feathered robes and a star crown.
Manu Tancha spotted Huangfu Xi at a glance and flew into a rage. “Unfilial daughter!”
Huangfu Xi lowered her eyes and replied softly, “Your Majesty.”
Manu Tancha was about to continue speaking when Madam Wu interrupted him.
Madam Wu’s methods had always been straightforward and rough. She pointed directly at Manu Tancha and snapped, “Shut up!”
Manu Tancha immediately discovered that he could neither open his mouth nor make a sound.
Although Manu Tancha was a key figure, he no longer had the right to voice any opinions. From the moment he chose to attack Qi Xuansu, all of his authority was destined to be stripped away.
The High Priest inclined his upper body slightly in greeting toward Qi Xuansu.
Qi Xuansu had come here primarily to announce the decision regarding Manu Tancha’s disposition. There was no need for further deliberation this time, as the Western Daoist Order had already tacitly approved giving Qi Xuansu full authority over the matter.
Since Manu Tancha had not died, there was no need to find a scapegoat. A different approach would be required.
Qi Xuansu swept his gaze around the surroundings before speaking. “There are certain matters I must clarify. The upheaval in New Paititi erupted suddenly. The various Great Sages were far away at Danxiu Mountain, leaving no time for consultation. For the sake of the Tawantin Empire and the Western Daoist Order, I had no choice but to act on my own authority.
“Now, the turmoil within the royal palace has been suppressed, and the rebels have been executed. However, the Emperor is gravely ill. In my opinion, he is no longer capable of fulfilling the duties of an emperor. High Priest, do you agree?”
The High Priest’s expression changed slightly. “Sage Qi...”
Madam Wu’s gaze shot directly toward him. “Hmm?”
With the fate of the Feathered Serpent God still fresh in mind, the High Priest naturally did not dare challenge Madam Wu and forcibly swallowed the rest of his words.
“It seems the High Priest has no objections. Very good.” Qi Xuansu nodded slightly. “Since the Emperor is gravely ill and incapable of handling state affairs, and since the Empress and Crown Prince have lost the moral qualifications to bear great responsibilities, my proposal is that Princess Masi be instated as the Crown Princess, and the Crown Princess shall serve as Regent.”
The High Priest knew that the situation was beyond recovery. Huangfu Xi had the Huangfu family behind her, so the Western Daoist Order would undoubtedly support her. Left with no choice, he asked, “With the Crown Princess serving as Regent, how does Sage Qi intend to arrange matters concerning the Emperor?”
Qi Xuansu glanced at Manu Tancha. “In my opinion, the Emperor has likely fallen victim to some malevolent curse, which has caused mental instability and aberrant behavior. The Emperor’s faults stem from this mental illness, so treatment must proceed on two fronts. On one hand, physicians and medicines must be employed to heal his condition. On the other hand, moral instruction must be used to enlighten his heart. Both approaches should be carried out simultaneously. Although the above-ground portion of the temple has been destroyed, the underground chambers remain intact. Let the Emperor recuperate peacefully here within the temple. I shall dispatch a team of Daoists from the Huasheng Hall to treat him. During his recovery, he should also spend more time studying moral classics and reflecting upon heavenly principles and human sentiments.”
The High Priest understood perfectly well that these Daoists from the Huasheng Hall were nominally physicians, but in reality, they were wardens. Even so, he had no grounds to refuse.
Qi Xuansu continued, “If the Emperor can recover, embrace the Dao, and turn toward virtue, it will not only be a blessing for the royal family but also a blessing for the Tawantin Empire.”
Qi Xuansu paused briefly before continuing. “However, all matters must be considered from both sides. One must prepare for failure before anticipating success. If the Emperor’s illness cannot be cured, then the state cannot remain without a sovereign. In that case, the Emperor would have no choice but to retire from national affairs and spend his remaining years in comfort while continuing to receive the respect and honors of the nation. At that time, Crown Princess Masi would succeed to the throne as Empress Regnant and shoulder the immense burdens of rulership.”
Huangfu Xi lowered her head, appearing deeply apprehensive. “Sage Qi, Masi’s experience is shallow and insufficient. How could I possibly bear such a tremendous responsibility? I ask that you reconsider.”
Qi Xuansu said, “Although there has been no formal deliberation, I have already consulted Great Sage Huangfu, Great Sage Tantai, General Huangfu, General Hun, Divine Envoy Utu, and others. Most of them favor you. Since the leading figures of the Tawantin Empire advocate this course and the Great Sages of the Western Daoist Order support it as well, it is clearly the will of the people and the mandate of Heaven. How can you place your own personal gains and losses above the desires and expectations of the world?”
Young people ultimately lacked the patience, so Huangfu Xi did not go through the traditional three refusals before accepting the post. After making a brief display of modesty, she accepted. “Considering the broader situation and public sentiment, Masi shall naturally follow the consensus and will not fail the trust placed in me.”
Since becoming a Sage, Qi Xuansu had worked diligently to make up for his shortcomings, and his literary accomplishments had improved greatly. As a result, he could resolve such problems without violence.
Qi Xuansu concluded, “The Emperor is tired. Take him away to rest.”
The High Priest lowered his head as well. “Yes, Sage.”
