The world of film and television begins with Hikaru no Go

Back at the inn, Di Renjie first went to his room to put down his clothes before coming out and knocking on the door next door.

The door opened, and Li Yuanfang stood inside.

Two days in hiding left the martial artist with an uneasy, suppressed look on his face.

The knife was placed on the table, but the person sat in the corner by the window, the only spot in the entire room where they could see the door and the back window.

Di Renjie entered the house and casually closed the door.

"My lord," Li Yuanfang clasped his hands in greeting, "any news?"

"Tomorrow, His Majesty will go to Yuanjue Temple to offer incense."

Li Yuanfang's eyes flickered: "My lord, you mean...?"

"Yes." Judge Di nodded. "But before that, you mustn't go anywhere."

Li Yuanfang's brows furrowed slightly, a very subtle movement, but he couldn't hide it.

Judge Di, seeing this, said slowly, "I know you're feeling stifled in your room. Wait one more day."

Li Yuanfang opened his mouth, but in the end he only nodded.

"What does the master need me to do?"

"You don't need to do anything."

"……yes."

The next morning, a thin layer of morning mist still shrouded the streets, and Di Renjie went out.

We continued along the alleyways, bypassing the walls of the neighborhood, and heading west along yesterday's route.

As we approached the mountain gate, we could see the Imperial Guards arrayed outside, their swords and armor gleaming coldly in the morning light, indicating that martial law had already been imposed.

Walk around the temple wall to the side, push open the half-closed side gate, pass through the corridor with drooping old vines, and go through the moon gate to reach the abbot's courtyard.

Master Yuanzhen was standing in the courtyard waiting for him: "Huaiying, you've arrived."

"I'm sorry to have troubled you, Master."

"Not at all." Master Yuanzhen turned and led the way, saying as they walked, "His Majesty's carriage will arrive in a moment. After offering incense in the main hall, he will have a meal in the east wing hall. Behind the east wing hall is a small meditation room, where I usually sit in meditation. Outsiders are not allowed to enter without permission. You can rest there for a while, and after His Majesty finishes his meal, I will find an opportunity to bring him here."

Di Renjie nodded slightly and followed behind him.

The bluestone path underfoot was wet with morning dew, making a slight creaking sound when stepped on.

Passing through a moon gate and walking along a narrow corridor to the end, you'll find a small door.

Yuanzhen pushed open the door, revealing a small meditation room with simple furnishings.

Against the wall was a small Buddhist shrine, in front of which was a low table with several scrolls of scriptures and a well-worn chess manual on it; under the window was a wooden couch with a plain-colored thin quilt on it.

A calligraphy scroll hangs on the wall, bearing the four characters "明镜止水" (a clear mirror reflecting still water). The ink has faded somewhat, and the edges of the paper are slightly yellowed.

"This was a gift you gave me when I was still in Luoyang." Master Yuanzhen looked up at the calligraphy and smiled slightly. "I've carried it with me all these years, hanging it wherever I go. Now that you're here waiting for me, it's like it's been returned to its rightful owner."

Judge Di looked at the calligraphy, put his hands together, and bowed slightly.

Master Yuanzhen returned the greeting and withdrew.

The door closed gently, and the footsteps faded into the distance.

Di Renjie sat down on the wooden couch, straightened his clothes, placed his hands on his knees, and closed his eyes.

Zhang Rui floated by the window, silent.

The temple bells rang faintly from afar, one chime at a time, unhurried and gentle.

About an hour later, the temple suddenly became noisy.

Bells and drums resounded, and the distant sounds of music and the clamor of ceremonial processions could be faintly heard, indicating that the emperor's imperial carriage had arrived.

Next came the incense offering in the main hall. The sounds of bells, music, and chanting mingled together, and it was difficult to hear clearly through several courtyard walls. Only occasionally could a low chant be carried by the wind.

The scent of incense also seeped in through the cracks in the window, the sandalwood mixed with pine and cypress, growing stronger and stronger.

The vegetarian meal in the east wing hall had already been removed.

Wu Zetian sat on a low couch in front of the screen, holding a cup of tea in her hand. The tea was clear and green, and the steam rose up and was then dispersed by the sandalwood incense in the palace.

From the moment she began her pilgrimage until now, she has hardly shown a smile. The accompanying officials and guards have all noticed this, and none of them dare to utter a word.

Master Yuanzhen stood to one side, his hands clasped together: "Your Majesty has been frowning ever since you entered the temple. I imagine there must be some worries and troubles in your heart that make it difficult for you to smile."

Wu Zetian raised her eyes, glanced at him, but did not reply.

Master Yuanzhen continued, "The so-called 'heart' refers to the square inch of the mind, the crescent moon and the three stars. When the mind is ablaze, the crescent moon is reversed, and one of the three stars is missing, naturally the square inch is in chaos, and the heart cannot find peace."

There was a moment of silence in the hall. The accompanying officials looked at each other, wondering what the old monk meant by suddenly bringing these things up.

An official standing in the front row frowned, stepped forward, bowed slightly, and said dismissively, "The emperor controls the world and governs all people. How could he be so wise and sagacious? Abbot, your words are wrong."

Master Yuanzhen bowed his head: "This old monk has misspoke."

Wu Zetian placed the teacup on the table with a very soft, crisp sound, and everyone fell silent.

"The spirit platform is ablaze, the crescent moon is turned away, and one of the three stars is missing—it forms the character 'Di'. And the crescent moon over the spirit platform represents the heart. The abbot's words were not without purpose, were they?"

Master Yuanzhen remained unmoved, still bowing with his palms together: "Your Majesty, this old monk was merely speaking casually, without any particular intention. It is Your Majesty who has something on your mind. Circumstances arise from the mind; everything is contained within a small space."

The hall fell silent again. The accompanying officials exchanged glances, and no one dared to utter a sound.

Wu Zetian suddenly stood up, no longer looking at Master Yuanzhen, but gazing at the courtyard outside the palace. Her gaze passed over the pillars of the corridor and the branches of the camphor trees, landing on a tightly closed wooden door deep in the courtyard.

A brass lock hung on the door, its surface gleaming dimly in the afternoon sunlight.

"Why is the door to this meditation room locked?"

Master Yuanzhen remained silent for a moment: "This old monk dares not say."

"You are innocent."

"There is a strange man in the courtyard named Li Di Huo, who knows the past five hundred years and the future five hundred years. The old monk is afraid that he will go out and talk nonsense and cause trouble, so he locks him in the courtyard."

Wu Zetian withdrew her gaze, turned to Master Yuanzhen, and her lips twitched slightly: "There is such a person? I'd like to see him."

"This—" Master Yuanzhen looked troubled. "Your Majesty, if this person offends Your Majesty, this old monk will be guilty even if I die ten thousand times over."

"Openly defying the imperial decree is a crime for which even death is an inexcusable offense."

Master Yuanzhen remained silent for a moment, then clasped his hands together and bowed: "Since Your Majesty has said so, this old monk has no choice but to obey. However, this old monk dares to suggest that Your Majesty enter alone."

As soon as he finished speaking, Hu Jinghui, who was standing inside the palace gate, pressed his hand on the hilt of the sword at his waist.

He was not tall, but he stood very straight. The flying bear robe of the Thousand Bull Guard General on him gave him a sharp and capable air.

"This old monk is ignorant of propriety. If Your Majesty goes in alone and something happens, who will dare to take responsibility?"

Wu Zetian glanced at Hu Jinghui but ignored him, saying, "Very well, I'll go in alone."

Hu Jinghui opened his mouth, wanting to say something more, but Wu Zetian had already taken a step forward, so he had to step aside.

Master Yuanzhen clasped his hands together and led Wu Zetian through the corridor into the depths of the courtyard.