Ling Zhang remembered Ji Yanlai telling him his father had been missing for a very long time. Nobody could have foreseen that Ji Yanlai would suddenly get some information about his father’s whereabouts. In addition, even Ji Yanlai, with his amazing powers of prediction, was unable to figure out specifically where his father was or whether he was safe, which struck Ling Zhang as even more surprising than the sudden news of his father.
“Let’s go to the side hall and talk,” said Ling Zhang.
At this time, Yuwen Tong also arrived. He had someone make arrangements for the couple of elders to be accommodated properly and then went to the side hall with Ling Zhang and the others.
The side hall was very quiet and they could talk in it without having to worry about anybody disturbing them.
Ji Yanlai had come to the capital city with such pomp because of his father, but there was no sign of nervousness on his face.
“It was after his resignation that my father left, and I hadn’t received any messages from him since then, but I could always vaguely sense his whereabouts and his vital signs. However, a month ago, this perception of mine became unstable and intermittent. A few days ago, I lost it completely. I could only faintly feel that he’s still alive.
He’s more powerful than me, and I never worried about his ability to protect himself, but this time things are different. Before coming here, I performed divination and the results showed that it’s more likely he’s trapped by someone or something. If someone trapped him, seeing as how strong my father is, they are definitely no common person, and I don’t know what they want, but maybe their target is the Millennium Pavilion, so I came here with pomp to see if anybody would come to me to negotiate. If he accidentally intruded into somewhere and got trapped, I’m afraid I’ll have to ask you to go to the trouble of helping me find him.”
Yuwen Tong said, “That won’t be a problem. Where was your father when you last sensed him?”
Ji Yanlai said, “Approximately in the south.”
Ling Zhang was somewhat surprised. “The south?”
If he was in the south, it would be a better choice if Ji Yanlai sent his own men to look for him, given that the island where the Millennium Pavilion was located was also in the south. Why had Ji Yanlai made such a detour and come to the capital city?
Ji Yanlai, knowing what they were wondering, explained, “Further south, presumably a southern mini-state.”
Yuwen Tong had a general ideal of what was going on. The Millennium Pavilion, though having secret intelligence network in the outside world, might get themselves into trouble if they precipitously went to a foreign country to look for someone.
Also, this time around, several southern mini-states had sent diplomatic corps to this city to attend Yuwen Tong and Ling Zhang’s tenth wedding anniversary celebration and offer their congratulations to the two of them, so Ji Yanlai had come here to see if anybody from any of those countries would show up and contact him.
“I get your point. I’ll sound out those envoys from the couple of micro-states in the next few days,” said Yuwen Tong.
Ji Yanlai nodded. “Thank you.”
This time Ji Yanlai had brought a lot of men with him, and it was inconvenient to accommodate them in the Ling Mansion, so Yuwen Tong made arrangements for them to stay in another residence which was not far away from the Ling Mansion.
Residents in the capital city became even more curious as they came to know that the group of people had been given such hospitality. For several days they discussed who Ji Yanlai and the others might be.
Yuwen Tong summoned the envoys from the couple of southern mini-states. All of them had spent quite some time on the sea before arriving in the Great Wen, which did not border any of their countries. There were many cultural differences, and the literacy levels in those countries were relatively low, so the envoys held the Great Wen’s culture in very high regard and respected Yuwen Tong very much.
Yuwen Tong tried to worm some information out of those envoys, but they all said that they had never heard of anybody like Ji Yanlai’s father in their counties. None of them provided anything useful.
They did not seem to be lying and probably really did not know anybody as powerful as Ji Yanlai’s father. Seldom anybody would go to their countries except for merchants engaged in maritime trade. If anybody like that showed up in any of those countries, residents there would easily find out about it and there would probably be a stir.
“If a kung fu master as powerful as Your Majesty described visits our country, everybody there would be talking about him.”
“I don’t dare lie to Your Majesty. Our country is far smaller than the Great Wen. Whenever anything special happens, news of it soon spreads through the whole country.”
Envoys from the couple of mini-states racked their brains but none of them remembered hearing about someone matching the description provided by Yuwen Tong. They appeared rather nervous, fearing that Yuwen Tong would be unhappy.
Since they couldn’t remember anything about it, Yuwen Tong told them to go back and give it some more thought, saying that anybody who provided a clue would be rewarded with a wish, one that he would grant as long as it was not too much to ask.
The reward was very tempting. All those envoys wished they could think of a clue right away, looking even more anxious than Yuwen Tong.
These envoys soon returned to their rooms and, after staying up all night discussing the matter, gave Yuwen Tong a fairly satisfactory reply.
Though none of them had ever heard of anybody who was from the Great Wen and fit Ji Yanlai’s father’s description, they knew about a somewhat special occurrence which might be related to him.
“They said that in the past few years a rumor has suddenly started circulating about an island once inhabited by immortals, one which used to be hidden under the sea and has now emerged. It’s said that there are gold ingots and previous herbs everywhere on the island, along with buildings built by immortals, which house countless books about divine medical skills and numerous pills that can prolong people’s lives. At first nobody believed it. Only some desperados went to look for it, intending to find gold on it, but unexpectedly, none of those people ever came back. Over time more and more have begun to take this rumor seriously, and many countries sent search parties to look for it, but most of them returned empty-handed. A small number of them went missing. There’s no telling whether they found the island and decided to stay there or died on the sea.”
“They said that this legend spread far and wide in the south, that some Great-Wen merchants in maritime trade also tried to find it. Do you think it’s possible that your father heard about it and decided to give it a shot?”
Yuwen Tong repeated those envoys’ words to Ji Yanlai.
If truth be told, Yuwen Tong found this legend unbelievable, but his interest was somewhat piqued by the fact that all those trying to find it had gone missing.
Ji Yanlai did not make an immediate reply but closed his eyes, contemplating something.
Ling Zhang and Yuwen Tong exchanged a glance. As though by some kind of tacit agreement, neither of them disturbed Ji Yanlai.
After a few moments, Ji Yanlai opened his eyes and said, “I think this island which has suddenly appeared might be a clue. Now that I have a special hunch about it, either my father went missing on that island or his disappearance has something to do with it.”
“So, you are going to go to the sea and look for him?” Ling Zhang inquired of him.
Ji Yanlai inclined his head. “Since my father’s still alive, I have to find him. If he by any chance is trapped there, I’ll be able to rescue him.”
Ling Zhang looked at Yuwen Tong.
Yuwen Tong pondered for a few moments before he said, “If there’s anything I can do for you, all you have to do is ask. My navy stationed in the south might prove helpful.”
Ji Yanlai did not decline the offer. “Okay. I’ll go back and consult with the elders. Now that I’m going to rescue my father, I can’t stay in this city for long. I’ll travel south right after your wedding anniversary celebration.”
Ling Zhang and Yuwen Tong both found it understandable and neither of them said anything.
After Ji Yanlai left, Ling Zhang curiously asked Yuwen Tong, “Do you think it’s possible this kind of island does exist?”
It was a natural thing that Ling Zhang had such suspicion, for what he had been through previously still struck him as incredible. He couldn’t help but give some extra thought to these occult matters.
Yuwen Tong recalled Ling Zhang’s and Ling Zhaowu’s rebirth and then the mystery the Millennium Pavilion was shrouded in. Naturally he wouldn’t regard this kind of thing as sheer nonsense, but he still said, “That possibility’s very slim. Besides, that island which is said to have appeared out of nowhere, if it does exist, is more likely to be an island fraught with danger rather than an island once inhabited by immortals. I once read some ancient books which said that there had indeed been some newly emerged islands on the sea, but all of them were surrounded by strange-shaped reefs or erratic undercurrents. Their surroundings were very dangerous, and most of those who risked approaching them never returned. People could only get close to them when they’re ‘quiet’.”
Given that Ji Yanlai was the leader of the Millennium Pavilion, he must have read some similar records.
Ling Zhang said with a head bob, “Seeing as Ji Yanlai’s father is even more powerful than him, it’s not likely he’s really stuck in some dangerous situation. I hope he’ll hang in there long enough for Ji Yanlai to rescue him.”
Yuwen Tong patted his hand consolingly.
…
As Ji Yanlai had come to know approximately which area his father might be, he dropped the idea of revealing his true identity to make himself found by people aware of his father’s whereabouts. He instructed the elders and his bodyguards to go to the south first to look into the matter. He himself and Ji Xiaocong would go and rendezvous with them after Ling Zhang and Yuwen Tong’s anniversary celebration was over.
Ji Yin, after being informed of this matter, was worried and decided to go south with Ji Yanlai and the others.
Ling Maomao, who had just been reunited with his old friend Ji Xiaocong and was in rapture, also decided to go along for the ride, saying that he wanted to accompany his master and Ji Xiaocong to the south.
Ling Zhang became somewhat apprehensive after being informed of it. Ji Yin was his grandfather but also the Prime Elder of the Millennium Pavilion. Now that the former clan leader was missing, Ji Yin was obliged to look for him, and it was inappropriate for Ling Zhang to try to dissuade him.
Ling Maomao was the only one he could try talking out of the journey.
Unfortunately for him, Ling Maomao turned out to be quite determined as well. He was much more poised than he had been in his childhood, and he had always been quite obedient to Ling Zhang. This was his first time defying Ling Zhang.
“Why are you so insistent on going to that island? Have you not heard that that island is a very dangerous place? Have you any idea how badly it’ll pain your grandfather and parents if anything happens to you?” Ling Zhang’s face darkened.
Ling Maomao replied in a very firm voice, “I know you’re concerned about my safety, cousin, but I can’t let my master go to a dangerous place like that alone. The prospect of that unnerves me. And then there’s Cong – he’s my friend, and I’m supposed to be there for him when he’s in need.”
Ling Zhang lapsed into silence, his eyes on Ling Maomao.
Neither dressing him down nor giving consent felt right.
Eventually he told Ling Maomao to think it through and convince his parents first before making another try at convincing him.
After Ling Maomao took his leave, Ling Zhang let out a long sigh.
Did Ling Maomao think he, Ling Zhang, was willing to let Ji Yin, his grandfather, take that kind of risk alone? He was the only family his grandfather got left, but if he went with his grandfather, what about Yuwen Tong? Given that even Ji Yanlai’s father was trapped there, he – Ling Zhang – was not sure whether or not he would be able to come back in one piece if he went there. He did not dare imagine what Yuwen Tong might do if anything happened to him during the journey.
Yuwen Tong, who knew why Ling Zhang was feeling a bit down, said, “You may go, and I’ll go with you.”
Ling Zhang looked surprisedly at him. After a long moment, he shook his head. “No. You can’t–”
“Shh, listen to me.” Yuwen Tong told him to calm down and then continued, “The court is now on track, and it can stay in working order for a month or two with me absent. Nothing will go awry – I can assure you. Besides, if I go with you, I’ll be bringing the navy stationed in the south with me. We’ll be having a lot of men at our service and we’ll be able to consult with each other when there’s a decision to make, and we won’t have to worry about any danger. If you still find it difficult to set your mind at ease, I can promise you I won’t approach that island.”
Ling Zhang kept silent for a while. “I need some time to think about it.”
…
Time passed quickly as Ling Zhang mulled over the idea. Soon the day for the celebration arrived.
On this day, the whole capital city was an ocean of jubilation.
Festoons were merely the basics of an occasion like this. What lent the most festivity to the city was the parades that the residents voluntarily organized, along with singing, dancing and acrobatics performances. There were also fleets of pleasure-boats pulled by boat trackers, which were going around the capital city in circles. Even people in the palace could hear the loud cheers of residents issuing from the streets.
At the uproarious laughter and cheers from outside, Ling Zhang’s face which had been sulky for days finally creased into a smile, which was so bright that even the daylight was overshadowed and all those present were fascinated.
On this day, Ling Zhang was wearing empress’s robes, which were made of the same materials as Yuwen Tong’s imperial robes. Ling Zhang’s robes were embroidered with a phoenix, and Yuwen Tong’s a dragon. When the two of them stood together, the phoenix and the dragon looked so vivid as though they had come alive and were flying and roaring on the robes, emanating an awe-inspiring air.
Those that had come to offer their congratulations to the imperial couple had originally been afraid of gazing at the two of them, but as they saw Ling Zhang smile, many of them seemed to forget to feel afraid.
Yuwen Tong noticed it but did not warn them, which was rather uncharacteristic of him. Instead, he took Ling Zhang’s hand and the two of them walked out of the audience hall step by step. Hearing the tumultuous applause from outside the palace, he said, “They truly feel happy for us.”
Ling Zhang inclined his head earnestly. “Yeah.”
He knew that the people had such heartfelt love for them because Yuwen Tong had given them peace and a happy life.
“You’re a good emperor. They acknowledged you, which is why they acknowledged me.”
Yuwen Tong said, “It’s not because of me but because you’re a good empress.”
Ling Zhang chuckled. In fact he did not care whether or not Yuwen Tong was the reason why the people had acknowledged him. He had been trying his best to perform his duty as a consort only because Yuwen Tong was the emperor. In his eyes, he had become a good empress on Yuwen Tong’s account.
“Would you like some music?”
Though baffled as to why Ling Zhang was suddenly suggesting music, Yuwen Tong tactfully nodded. “Yes.”
Ling Zhang turned aside and a eunuch immediately proffered him a jade flute.
After taking the flute, Ling Zhang mobilized his internal energy and played a tune.
It was a festive tune about good life, and it didn’t have a score. Ling Zhang was improvising on the melody, expressing his feelings.
At first everybody was surprised and wondered why Ling Zhang suddenly started playing the flute, but after listening to it for a while, they were gradually enthralled by the melody. It was full of tender love and anybody who had experienced similar feelings would empathize with it when hearing it, but this was not the most pleasant surprise.
“What are those?”
“Magpies!”
“There are so many of them!”
Large numbers of birds were showing up in the sky: magpies, larks … A flock of colorful little birds arrived first, closely followed by bigger ones with iridescent feathers.
They hovered over the palace and formed into different patterns with the undulating flow of the tune Ling Zhang was playing, as though dancing.
Many gaily-colored birds flew to Ling Zhang and Yuwen Tong, circling around them, their silvery twitter echoing in the audience hall as if accompanying Ling Zhang. The birds struck people as very intelligent.
Everybody present was dumbfounded by this scene which was as astounding as the sight of immortals descending from heaven.
This was exactly what the idiom “All birds pay homage to a phoenix” depicts.
Countless birds were spiraling. They were very docile and seemed to have a deep affinity for Ling Zhang and Yuwen Tong. Some bold ones even perched on their shoulders, rubbing themselves against their cheeks.
An affectionate, gentle twinkle of smile appeared in Yuwen Tong’s eyes. Ling Zhang had achieved yet another breakthrough in his internal-energy cultivation and was now truly capable of controlling animals.
Previously animals like birds had only felt a kind of closeness to Ling Zhang. That white fox, for example, was well disposed towards Ling Zhang by nature. But now Ling Zhang was able to have birds come to heel. This was genuine Beast-mastery. Though he had hitherto only seen birds and did not know what Ling Zhang could do with other animals, this was clearly a substantial improvement.
