Ga ga ga~~~
A flock of ducks swam across the lake, flapping their wings, stretching their necks and crowed a few times. On the shore to the side of the field of vision, Lu Liangsheng, dressed in a green shirt with a white robe, was looking at the swaying reeds in the distance.
A cool breeze blew off the lake, ruffling her black hair against her face. She tilted her head to look at the young man who was standing at the same height as her.
"When did His Highness return to Chang'an?"
"I entered the city yesterday evening. I was worried that the evil star would fall into Chang'an, so I rushed back from Luoyang day and night."
In front of Lu Liangsheng, Yang Guang did not have any demeanor of the Prince of Jin. It was more like a student talking to his teacher, maintaining due courtesy.
"By the way, sir, did you destroy that evil star? It disappeared from the sky in less than half a day."
"How come it's just my own strength?"
Talking about the situation on that day, it was indeed not the credit of Lu Liangsheng alone. If it were not for Master Zhenkong who sacrificed himself for Buddhism and smashed a corner of the evil star, and if it were not for Yan Chixia, Yuwen Tuo, Li Sui'an, Shelong and Lao Lu who risked their lives to stop him, how could he have the chance to paint a picture of a blue dragon flying into the sky and smashing the evil star in one fell swoop.
Listening to Lu Liangsheng's story, Yang Guang clenched his fists with excitement, pressed them against his legs and trembled slightly. His face flushed with excitement, and he held it in for a long time before he said loudly, "Okay!"
He waved his fist in the afternoon sun, full of youthful vigor, wishing he was there at that time. He turned his face to the side with a flushed face and stopped. Lu Liangsheng was stunned for a moment, then stopped as well. His Royal Highness the Prince of Jin clasped his hands and bowed.
"Master, and all the talented people in Wanshou Temple, you have sacrificed your lives for the people of the Great Sui Dynasty. Please accept my greetings!"
On the other side, Lu Liangsheng did not help but just accepted it. After the ceremony, he stretched out his hands to lift the young man up. He was not the only one who contributed to this matter, and it was impossible for King Jin to bow and thank all the monks one by one.
"Then Lu Liangsheng will accept your respect on behalf of the cultivators who eliminated the evil star and saved the people."
The two looked at each other, laughed, and chatted for a while. They were about to go back to the Taoist temple when they suddenly heard the sounds of horse hooves and cart shafts on the road leading to Quchifang.
Bang bang bang…
The shaft of the carriage rolled over the gaps in the blue brick floor, and nine pure white horses pulled the slightly swaying carriage towards this side. Yang Guang was stunned for a moment, and murmured, "Why is my father here?" At the same time, the imperial carriage slowly stopped under the guidance of the soldiers. The curtain was lifted, and Yang Jian, wearing a robe with cloud and rain patterns woven with gold thread, came out, covering his crown. The eunuchs who followed him trotted forward to support him.
The old man got off the carriage and looked at his son standing beside Lu Liangsheng in front of him. He was stunned for a moment, then laughed out loud: "Amo ran fast and sent someone to call you on the way."
Yang Guang didn't know how to respond to this and just laughed awkwardly.
At this time, outside, the old man did not have the majesty of those in the palace or with civil and military officials by his side. He smiled and walked over to take Lu Liangsheng and Yang Guang to the mountain gate. Looking at the lush woods on both sides, he sighed.
"The residence of the Imperial Master is really elegant and leisurely. I really want to move here and live for a while."
He casually said a few words, and amid the sound of cicadas chirping, he asked about the fall of the Northwest Demon Star. Lu Liangsheng, who was half a step behind, repeated what he had just said to Yang Guang.
The old man walked up the last step and stopped. "Master, I have always rewarded those who have made contributions. This time, the evil star fell on the Sui Dynasty and almost caused a disaster on earth. I don't know how many people died in the disaster."
Seeing that Lu Liangsheng didn't say anything, Yang Jian waved his hand proudly:
"Tell me what the Imperial Master wants. Be bold and say it! As long as I have it, just ask for it!"
As a cultivator, money might be of some use in the beginning, but as time goes by, he is less and less interested in these things. The gold given by the emperor last time is still lying in the attic intact.
"It's hard to be tempted by money and women."
Lu Liangsheng thought for a while, and suddenly smiled: "Since Your Majesty wants to reward me, why not reward me with a drunken treat."
"Hahaha-"
Hearing this, the old man stroked the tip of his beard, raised his face and laughed, and put his sleeves behind his back: "How difficult is this? When you came, I prepared a cart of tribute wine from Shu, as well as the best ingredients in the palace, just to reward the national teacher and the heroes who eliminated the evil star!"
"Your Majesty is thoughtful."
Lu Liangsheng extended his hand: "Please."
"National Master, please."
Everyone in the attic saw the current emperor coming, except Yan Chixia, Yuwen Tuo, Li Sui'an, Shelong and Zhu Ganglie also came out to pay their respects. The former was the Eastern Palace Grand Tutor, and even though he had not been seen for several months, his official position was still there, and although Sui'an was unrestrained and unruly, he was a shop assistant who grew up, so he came out after all. As for the Wuman Shelong, he naturally had a request to make of the Great Sui Emperor. If he could say a few words and get the other party's support for his wish, he would be willing to fight not only a demon star, but also a battle with all the gods and Buddhas in the sky.
Zhu Ganglie, who was standing aside, was picking his nostrils and looking around curiously from behind the few people. He just followed them out.
"I was really shocked when Master Yuwen fought against the Turks, but it's good that he's back, it's good that he's back."
Yang Jian would not mention the days when the other party was away, as that would be a crime. He looked at everyone and knew that the people in front of him all knew magic.
"The Great Sui has a national master, and with your assistance, how can I not see a peaceful and prosperous era where the people live and work in peace and contentment?"
"I'm setting up a banquet and I'm just about to have a drink with you all!"
His voice was as heroic as ever. Moments after the emperor finished speaking, two carriages carrying tribute wine and food ingredients stopped outside the mountain gate. Several imperial chefs from the palace who were accompanying them waved their hands and shouted at their helpers to unload all the things. They also quickly set up several stoves on an open space not far to one side, and smoke rose up.
As night fell and the sound of cicadas chirped, towering flames burst out of the stove. The dishes were placed on several large plates from the pot. More than a dozen maids walked up the stone steps in a long line carrying the wooden plates with light steps. When they arrived at the square, they went to the left and right and placed the dishes in front of each seat on both sides.
The seats on both sides were noisy, and Zhu Ganglie's voice was the loudest. He held up a bowl of wine and toasted Li Sui'an next to him. The wine stains flowed out from the corners of his mouth, soaking his shoulders and collar. He raised his head to drink it all, wiped his mouth, and shouted, "What a great experience! Sui'an, another one—"
"Hero from the Central Plains, Shelong is here too!" Seeing the bitter look on Li Sui'an's face, the sturdy Wuman man at the side picked up a big bowl and squeezed in front of Lao Zhu. After the previous battle in the northwest, they had some friendship between them, so toasting each other with a bowl of wine was not considered abrupt. Zhu Ganglie also accepted the offer, picked up the wine jar and filled the bowl, clinked it with the other party's, and some wine stains spilled out.
He tilted his head back and drank it all, then took a look at the bottom of the bowl, pulled the southwestern barbarian to sit down, and continued drinking, pushing Li Sui'an out instead.
During the banquet, the atmosphere was lively and the wine was flowing. Lu Liangsheng retracted his gaze, clinked the rim of his cup with Yang Guang's, took a sip, and the Toad Taoist who was lying on his disciple's lap swallowed a piece of greasy braised pork. When the emperor who was eating and drinking beside him was not paying attention, he stood up, looked at the low table, and stretched out his webbed feet to pull Lu Liangsheng's robe.
"Pull a chicken leg over for me. Forget it, I'll do it myself."
The toad opened its mouth and a long scarlet tongue popped out, wrapping around the chicken leg sticking out from the table. With a pull, the whole chicken instantly disappeared from the plate.
Uh... ah... ah...
The Toad Taoist's head swelled up, and under the dark blue skin, there was a chicken-shaped thing stuck in his head. His center of gravity was unstable, and he fell straight to the ground...
Just as Lu Liangsheng was about to lower his hand to help, the emperor's voice said, "Good appetite, Imperial Master."
The chicken was still there the last second. The old man said something to Yuwen Tuo, and disappeared when he turned around. It was inevitable that he said a word. While he was talking, the fat black man who was drinking over there seemed to have vented his anger from the drinking contest. He slapped his chest hard, and his body rose up like air, which startled Yang Jian so much that he quickly put down his wine glass.
"National Master, is there a name for this warrior's magic?"
"Your Majesty, this is not magic, but a magical power." Lu Liangsheng had read "The Magical Powers of Yin and Yang of Heaven and Earth" before, and it did record the magical power of being able to change one's own size, which seemed to be called "Size as You Want", but there was also a ten-thousand-foot-long Dharma form, which should be even more powerful.
"It can change its size. Every inch it grows, its strength doubles."
Yang Guang was quick-witted and reacted immediately. He swallowed his saliva and said, "If it is higher than the sky, wouldn't it be able to make holes in the ground with one foot?"
"No, to be as powerful as the sky, I'm afraid I have to learn the latter magical power called Wanzhang Dharma Image. So far, I have only seen my master use it once."
After explaining to the Emperor and Prince Jin on his left and right, Lu Liangsheng also recalled the day when he fought with the demon star. His master rose from the ground with a body as big as a mountain. This should be the case.
Thinking of this, Yang Jian looked at the black man who had grown taller and bigger with amazement, then turned around and looked at the scholar in front of him.
"Grandmaster, where is your master? Why not invite him to Chang'an and let him live in Wanshou Temple?"
Well…
Lu Liangsheng was stunned for a moment, and glanced down to see the Toad Taoist lying on the ground with his four webbed feet kicking his head, trying hard to kick out the whole chicken stuck in his mouth. He paused and said in a low voice:
"My master...is aloof and serious. He doesn't like the hustle and bustle of the world. He lives alone in the mountains to practice. It's better not to disturb him."
"So that's how it is. I didn't think it through." The old man thought about it and felt that a Taoist master who could teach such a disciple should have such a temperament. It was consistent with his imagination of the mountain immortal.
The banquet lasted for a while, and magic gradually began to be used in the fight. Fortunately, Li Sui'an and Yan Chixia, who arrived shortly after, used their swords to separate the man and the pig, thus preventing a fight between the two men. However, the sword-wielding skills they displayed really surprised the surrounding guards, the Emperor, and the Prince of Jin.
Yang Guang was a little drunk. He tilted his head while holding the wine glass, his eyes were hazy.
"Sir, what do you want to do most at this moment?"
"I?"
In fact, Lu Liangsheng was also a little tipsy. The wine offered as tribute from Shu had a strong aftertaste, which made him a little overwhelmed. He raised his head, looked at the bright moon among the dense stars in the sky, and laughed out loud.
With a wave of his hand, Zhu Ganglie, who was sitting angrily, opened his clothes, and a scroll flew out and fell into his hands.
"At this moment, I just want to be with my friends and like-minded people..."
The spell was written on the scroll, and the edicts lit up and disappeared one by one. Then the sleeves of the robe spread out and flew into the sky, unfolding with a loud noise.
“… Let’s go up to the Ninth Heaven together to see the majestic Heavenly Palace, and invite Chang’e from the Cold Palace to dance with us!”
The next moment.
A thin mist was rising around the Wanshou Temple Square. The bright moon in the night sky seemed to have suddenly moved much closer. Indistinctly, one could see a woman waving her long sleeves in the cold and sparkling sky, dancing in the bright moon with her skirt spread out.