The Empress's First Running Dog

Chapter 681 A Decree from Six Hundred Years Ago
He came from a world within the cracks.

When Xu Taizu calmly revealed this shocking revelation, everyone under the banyan tree, including Zhao Du'an, felt as if they had been struck by lightning.

With their intelligence, they naturally understood the hidden meaning behind these words with ease.

"You are..." The Empress suddenly turned her head, her beautiful and delicate oval face widening as she stared incredulously at the man beside her.

Zhang Yan's hand, which was stroking his beard, froze. The old Celestial Master stared blankly at him, as if he were thinking of something, muttering to himself:

"So that's how it is, so that's how it is... So that's how it is..."

Zhao Du'an, the protagonist of this story, was also absent at this moment.

In his mind, it was as if countless thunderbolts had exploded. After a long while, he swallowed hard and asked in a trembling voice, as if confirming:

"You mean... I am... I am..."

Emperor Taizu of Xu nodded, revealing the truth:
"That's right, you are Maya reincarnated."

Maya, the reincarnation...

At this moment, Zhao Du'an's heart was filled with turmoil. If he was the reincarnation of Maya, and Maya came from Earth, wouldn't that mean...

Is this not my "first" time traveling to this world?

The truth is, a thousand years ago, when the world where Earth is located "brushed past" this world, I crossed over through the rift between the two worlds and came here, becoming the Maya Walker.
Xu Taizu's deep voice continued:

"With your intelligence, you should have noticed that I was vague about some details when I was telling the story of Maya the Pilgrim. Now I can tell you everything."

In fact, Maya Walker was initially unaware that he came from another world. As his cultivation deepened, he gradually broke through the mystery of his birth and awakened his memories of his past life.

That's why he resolutely left the Western Regions, and that's why he went to the Northern Forest.

Similarly…it was precisely because he descended from this place that he was able to follow the guidance of fate and find the safe river in the forest, while the ferocious beasts along the way feared its presence.”

So that explains it. No wonder Maya could enter the Northern Forest while the others couldn't.

Simply because this is where he was born.

Zhao Du'an paused, then pressed for an answer:
"So... six hundred years ago, Maya... that is, before I died, had already made arrangements and preparations for the next cycle of reincarnation?"

“Yes,” Xu Taizu nodded, his gaze softening.

“Back then, you were already on par with the gods, and because you were the one who cultivated the ‘World Honored One’, whose authority was ‘wisdom’, you could foresee the future to a certain extent and make some preparations in advance.”

Of course, the future here refers to things that are certain to happen, such as the reappearance of a jinx.

So, you foresaw that six hundred years later, a calamity would once again sweep across this world. Therefore, you used the method of 'soul splitting' to send a wisp of your soul into the future six hundred years before your death. The purpose, of course, was to deal with the disaster that would come.

However, even back then, neither you nor I could have known whether you would succeed, or who you would be reincarnated as.

Therefore, we made some arrangements in advance so that we could find you six hundred years later and help you grow up as quickly as possible.

Xu Zhenguan was stunned for a moment, then suddenly murmured:

"So, Ancestor, you hid the Dragon Soul beneath the palace in order to find him? To help him? To guide him?"

Emperor Taizu nodded and said frankly:
"This is indeed part of the arrangement. With Maya's wisdom, as long as he is successfully reincarnated, he will surely shine brightly and will never be buried."

Even if he temporarily forgets his past life due to the mystery of his birth, he will still be driven by instinct to approach the heritage of my Yu Kingdom.

Therefore, I planted many clues in those murals, and he will receive those guidance as soon as he steps into them.

Therefore, I even used the method of 'soul splitting' to hide Niannu in the mural, waiting for his appearance.

Pei Niannu, standing nearby, snorted coldly and turned her head away. Clearly, she wasn't entirely willing to accept what happened back then either...

Xu Zhenguan asked:
"Was 'The Human World' also prepared for him? But why can I also enter it..."

Emperor Taizu of Xu was also somewhat embarrassed:

"Actually, it's just because you are the emperor of this generation. If it were someone else, they would also enter the human world. As for how they would meet Maya, that's up to the temple keeper in the painting to arrange."

Xu Zhenguan was stunned.

She originally thought that her family's inheritance had benefited Zhao Du'an, but the truth was that it was all prepared for him, and she was the one who benefited... The Empress's eyes immediately became resentful.

The mystery that had troubled her for so long turned out to be so simple.

Zhao Du'an suddenly said, "There must have been more than just this method you used back then."

Emperor Taizu of Xu nodded and said with emotion:
“That’s right. The royal family’s path of cultivation was arranged by me, and Maya also made arrangements in the Western Regions to prevent him from being reborn there.”

Zhao Du'an asked, "A Red Sect guru?"

After the Buddhist debate, the leader of the Western Regions delegation, a Nyingma master, found him and firmly believed that Zhao Du'an was "an incarnation of the Buddha walking among men," and insisted on serving him.

He also claimed that he saw "wisdom" descend upon the capital of the Yu Kingdom.

At the time, Zhao Du'an was completely confused, but now he finally understands that all of this was his own backup plan back then.

Emperor Taizu of Xu nodded:
“Maya was originally from the Nyingma school, which is also the sect that most believes in you. Therefore, if you are reborn in the Western Regions, you will be discovered by a Nyingma master and guided into Buddhist practice. There is also an opportunity there.”

Zhao Du'an suddenly woke up:
“I have received the blessings of the Buddha… Could that be…”

He remembered the blue lotus rooted in his sea of ​​consciousness.

I understand, everything is clear.

What I didn't understand back then, I now have the answers to.

His self-perceived "time travel" outside the bamboo forest in the southern suburbs was actually just the awakening of some long-forgotten memories.

Even the mad village chief he met in Peach Blossom Spring on his way here called him "Master," which must have been because he saw himself as Maya—a title for a respected elder in Buddhism, which is what "Master" means.

At this moment, Zhao Du'an even began to suspect that perhaps he had left arrangements in Qingshan and the Celestial Master's Mansion back then.

However, since I did not join either of these parties, it is difficult to verify.

Xu Zhenguan said:
"Was it also you, our ancestor, who guided us to the Golden Gate and brought us here?"

Emperor Taizu of Xu nodded and said, "Yes."

His gaze was somewhat profound.

"When the calamity strikes again, someone must take on this responsibility. And when Maya's spiritual attainment reaches worldly perfection, she will be guided here."

Ideally, you would have already advanced to the Celestial Realm before coming here. The fact that you've arrived ahead of schedule indicates that the situation outside is worse than anticipated, and you don't have much time left.

Meeting Old Xu's gaze, Zhao Du'an remained silent for a long time before saying:

“I suspect that Xuan Yin, or rather the current Dharma King, may be the reincarnation of Ksitigarbha.”

He paused, then looked up and stared at Old Xu:

“But that’s not important. What’s important is that since I arranged all of this back then, given my personality, I must have made the worst-case scenario plan. Stop beating around the bush and just tell me. You’ve stayed here, surely not just to tell me stories.” Xu Taizu smiled, unsurprised by his reaction and temperament. He nodded and said:
"Indeed. Since I brought you here, it's not just for chatting."

In fact, after discussing it with Maya, we both agreed that there was only one way to truly end all of this: to create a true 'human immortal,' a true god belonging to humanity.

Create a god!
Emperor Taizu of Xu stood up, put his hands behind his back, looked up at the setting sun, his eyes deep and profound:

“Back then, Maya had not truly ascended to the status of a human immortal and was still subject to many limitations. But now, I think the conditions are sufficient. Next, I will return to you the power that Maya left here before his reincarnation.”

Zhao Du'an also stood up and stared at him:
"Since I failed to become a god back then, isn't it the same to regain my power?"

“It’s different,” Xu Taizu said with a slight smile.
"Because this time, you will also inherit my power."

“Ancestor…then you…” Xu Zhenguan was, after all, a woman, with a delicate mind. She instantly realized something was wrong, and her expression changed slightly.

Emperor Taizu smiled faintly:
"You guessed right. A few days ago, when the calamity struck again, I exhausted my lifespan to resist it, just like Maya did back then. So, this time, it's my turn to leave."

The Empress was moved!

She never imagined that she would lose the joy of her ancestors being alive so soon!
Emperor Taizu, however, took it all in stride. He reached out his large hand, casually ruffled the Empress's hair, and chuckled, saying:

"Don't worry, if Maya can reincarnate, so can I, your ancestor. It's just a pity that we, grandparent and grandchild, don't have much time to spend together."

“Ancestor!” A wave of sorrow welled up in Xu Zhenguan’s heart.

Zhao Du'an remained expressionless, but continued to stare at him, asking the final question:
"One last thing, how can I believe that what you're saying is true?"

He is a suspicious person:
"After all, this is only your side of the story, and I have never awakened Maya's memories."

Emperor Taizu of Xu remained calm.

At that moment, Zhang Yanyi, who was standing to the side, suddenly spoke up: "What he said is true."

The group looked at him in astonishment.

The old Celestial Master was seen holding the jade scroll of heavenly scripture at his waist with both hands, looking utterly lost and disoriented. The golden characters on it were dancing.

The old Celestial Master seemed to be both crying and laughing. Finally, he slowly stood up, a look of relief appearing on his face. Meeting the puzzled gazes of Zhao Du'an and the Empress, he smiled and said:
"Actually, there is something I lied to you two about."

“Old Zhang, you…” Zhao Du’an was a little uneasy.

Zhang Yan was enveloped in an aura of almost martyrdom-like detachment and solemnity as he earnestly stated:

"Previously, I told you two that the previous Celestial Master left a secret in the Heavenly Book regarding the opportunity to advance to the Human Immortal realm in Mubei. This statement was not false, but only part of it was concealed."

Actually... these words were left by the Celestial Master who participated in the Heavenly Hunt and the Suppression of Buddhism six hundred years ago before his death. The opportunity between humans and immortals is indeed here, but it was not left to future Celestial Masters.

On the contrary, the Celestial Master, on his deathbed, hid a decree in this celestial book, instructing future Celestial Masters to assist the birth of immortals.

Zhao Du'an was taken aback!
Zhang Yan smiled and looked at him, then continued:
"Let me tell you a secret. This decree was originally sealed within the Heavenly Book and could not be seen. It was only when I told you the phrase 'The Tao gives birth to One' that was engraved on this Heavenly Book that this decree from six hundred years ago was unlocked."

Zhao Du'an was startled!
He suddenly realized: this was the arrangement that Maya had made in the Celestial Master's Mansion years ago.

No wonder Zhang Yanyi became so attached to him after getting his Tao Te Ching for free.

No wonder he had been trying so hard to take me as his disciple... No wonder... Later, Zhang Yanyi stopped caring about the so-called Heavenly Man Agreement and helped him come here.

Zhang Yan smiled and walked to Xu Taizu's side, standing shoulder to shoulder with him. Suddenly, holding the Heavenly Book, he bowed towards the large banyan tree:

"If I hear the Dao in the morning, I can die content in the evening. The current Celestial Master Zhang Yanyi, following the decree of the previous generation, ascends to immortality today, to help young friend Zhao reach the pinnacle of the human immortal realm."

Zhao Du'an was deeply moved!
The Buddhist cultivation left behind by Maya, Xu Taizu's lifelong martial arts cultivation, plus Zhang Yan's peak Heavenly Dao power.

Buddhism, martial arts, and Taoism.

Three parts become one.

Is it possible to create a real immortal statue?

Emperor Taizu smiled and said:

"If you still don't believe me, well, if nothing unexpected happens, you should still have the keepsake you left behind back then on you."

Keepsake?

What token?
Zhao Du'an was bewildered, then a sudden inspiration struck him. He reached out, took out the silver scroll, shook it, and found a page of golden scripture inside!

A blank page of golden scripture!
This was given to him by the head monk guarding the scripture pavilion when he went to search and confiscate the contents of Shenlong Temple after its destruction.

It is said to have been left by Maya the Traveler.

At this moment, with the appearance of the wordless golden scripture, the scripture shone brightly, and characters bloomed on the originally blank pages.

Countless words rolled like a waterfall, and Zhao Du'an was stunned when he scanned them with his divine sense.

This scripture records all of Maya's life experiences, all his delusions, and all his experiences.

When all the words have flowed away and disappeared, only the last paragraph remains on the page:
"By the time you see these, I will already be dead."

Huh? Why distinguish between you and me? It's not important.

The me of the past is dead, and the reborn me should be a completely new me. Rather than being reborn with these heavy memories and never being able to enjoy a moment of happiness, I would rather erase everything from my life and start afresh as a blank sheet of paper.

How can you only experience time travel once?
In my past life, I would slack off at work by reading novels. My favorite pastime was traveling to different ancient times, where I could wield power over the world and be surrounded by beautiful women.

As a result, I had a lot of bad luck in my life and became a monk... I didn't gain any power, nor did I sleep with any beautiful women.

If I could travel back in time again, I would never become a monk. I would wield the greatest power in the world and sleep with the most beautiful woman in the land.

Hey, did you hear me? Me in my next life?
However, while having fun and sleeping are important, don't forget about your business.

I reckon that if I successfully reincarnate, then that traitor Ksitigarbha will likely succeed as well. And since I'm a vengeful person, you know what to do, right?

Zhao Du'an stared blankly at the unserious and utterly unprofessional last words on the Golden Sutra, which lacked any semblance of a "master's" demeanor.

a long time.

a long time.

He gripped the blank golden scripture tightly, a slight smile playing on his lips, and whispered:

"Don't worry, I know. The whole capital knows that Zhao Yanwang is vindictive and unforgiving."

He raised his head, calmly met the gazes of Xu Taizu and Zhang Yan, and smiled slightly:

"Immortal... I'd also like to see the most beautiful scenery in the world."

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P.S.: Hmm, I've been thinking, I think I've covered all the foreshadowing... right? Please call me the expert at filling in plot holes!

(End of this chapter)