Journey to the West: Treasure Vase of the Great Dao

The Capital City of the Great Qin, despite several centuries of storms, still stood firm upon this land, becoming the sacred place in countless people's minds. The broad and tall city walls resembled a fierce and terrifying Giant Beast crawling on the earth, with a watchful gaze, making passersby feel its majesty and terror, involuntarily inspiring a sense of reverence.

The Green Stone Slab paved road had been swept spotlessly clean, without a trace of dust to be seen. This was the main road leading to the Imperial Palace, cleaned daily by designated people committed to this sole task.

And those who could walk this road were either rich or noble, which is why countless people regarded it as a path of glory.

Early this morning, the freshly cleaned Green Stone Slabs echoed with the clip-clop of horse hooves, resonating on the expansive road and drawing the gazes of many around.

This was a simple-looking, cyan-colored carriage, but its size and the fine horses drawing it conveyed a certain message.

The one on the carriage was too prestigious to speak of.

"This is Master Huan Xingzi's carriage!" An old man exclaimed, having last seen this carriage twelve years ago.

"Indeed, it's Huan Xingzi from the rain ceremony of that year, a remarkable individual. I heard the Master leads a reclusive life, and would not set foot in the Capital City unless something of utmost importance demanded it."

"I've heard the Emperor might be unwell; could it be because of that?"

"Shush! Do you no longer wish to live, talking recklessly like that? Let's hurry and leave!" One person quickly pulled their companion away from the crowd, not noticing that there were already a few people secretly following behind them.

"Do not discuss state affairs, do not discuss state affairs!" Many people began to mutter.

Master Huan Xingzi sat straight in the carriage, across from him sat Zhao Pu, his face ridden with unease. The old man suddenly let out a sigh and said, "I fear those two just now may not be able to save their lives!"

Zhao Pu was then startled, his eyes widening. The words of the two men had reached his ears, and he hadn't found anything improper about them to warrant concern for their lives.

"Controlling the people's speech is more challenging than damming streams. Even after all these years, he still hasn't grasped the essence of this saying!" The old man uttered with a disdainful tone, and Zhao Pu understood that he was referring to the seventy-second Emperor within the Imperial Palace.

Meanwhile, the news of Huan Xingzi's arrival quickly spread throughout the Capital City. In the Imperial Palace stood a towering building that reached into the clouds, atop of which was a giant Bronze Mirror shining with a blazing glow. Four old men with white beards stood on the side, closely observing the images within the mirror.

"The traces of the external evil have not been discovered yet, but it seems the Imperial Palace is facing troubled times. While we are getting old, has the glory left by the First Emperor truly been reduced to ashes?"

"I sensed a familiar presence in that shadow, likely someone we know."

"It must be Xu Fu!"

"Certainly him, the traitor to His Majesty, the one who hoarded the Eternal Life Pill for himself, severing His Majesty's path to resurrection, leading our efforts to verge on failure. Now he even dares to steal His Majesty's legacy." The old man roared angrily, like Thunder from the Nine Heavens echoing through the air. The people below, unaware of the reason for the old man's anger and unable to hear his words, could only instinctively kneel and knock their heads on the ground in fear and trepidation.

"Quiet!" The tall old man commanded authoritatively, calming the agitated old man.

"I saw a shadow, but I also saw the dawn. Perhaps our mission has come to its end."

"Huan Xingzi, that little fellow has arrived."

"Is that so, it's finally beginning. Everyone's been anxious for this moment, right? But this time they're in for a big surprise. I've seen that child coming with the majesty and radiance of the First Emperor. He will initiate a new era," said the tall elder as if reciting a prophecy.

"All we need to do is wait quietly here. Xu Fu will surely return, and it will all be settled in the dust."

Meanwhile, in the Imperial Palace below the tall building, countless gazes were fixed on the highest hall where the most revered person in the world lay, his noble blood coursing through him. Yet at this moment, he resembled a lamp about to go out.

"Your Majesty, Huan Xingzi has entered the city," whispered a soft-voiced man beside the emperor's ear.

The Emperor, who had been weak and faint, suddenly seemed energized, his eyes wide as he said, "Good, very good. Are those little beasts getting impatient?"

The guards around him kept their noses and hearts to themselves, as if they heard nothing. After all, they had already gotten used to such language from the Emperor.

"The Crown Prince and the Second Prince have not made their moves yet, but the Third Prince has already sent his gift," said the soft-voiced man.

"Good, let those three little beasts play by themselves. How is the Pill I asked you to prepare?" asked the Emperor.

"Your Majesty, rest assured, your servant has prepared everything. As soon as the right moment arrives, you will see it," replied the man.

Upon hearing this, the Emperor couldn't help but reveal a slight smile. He tenderly caressed the soft-voiced man's cheek and said affectionately, "In this vast Imperial Palace, you are the only one I can trust."

The soft-voiced man responded with a radiant smile, "Rest assured, you will be fine. You alone are worthy of this throne in this world."

Who would have thought that the leader of the most terrifying dark organization in Great Qin, shadow, would have such a tender moment?

On the other hand, in a corner of the Capital City, countless people in ragged clothes gathered together, seemingly waiting for something.

Soon after, a man dressed in ordinary clothing with a solemn face came along. He looked at the people in front of him, their eyes filled with longing, and a slight disdain flashed in his eyes, but he concealed it well.

Standing before the crowd, he shouted emotionally, "Divine Spirit is watching over you, all suffering will pass, and as long as you faithfully believe in the old mother, you can go to the blissful paradise. There, people will neither hunger nor suffer, the ground will be covered with wheat flour, and the rivers will flow with honey; that is our eternal homeland!"

"Old Mother of No Birth, the homeland of True Emptiness!" the crowd chanted in unison, as if they could see the world they had long dreamt of. At this moment, they weren't afraid of life or death, for to die was simply to return home.

"Prepare well after returning; the Holy Maiden will soon arrive, and she will spread the light of the old mother across this world, bringing true happiness to you who have suffered and struggled," the man fervently shouted.

Excited light gleamed in the eyes of the people, burning with fervor.

Seeing this, the man nodded subtly to himself, thinking, "These people are now ready to be driven!"

Not far from the Capital City, at another gathering place, countless people assembled again, their gazes fixed on a platform. There stood a huge Hundred Lotus Statue, upon which a veiled young girl was seated.