Chapter 15: Buddhist Sorcery (III)

“Om—Ma—Ni—Pa—Mi—Hung.”
“Om—Ma—Ni—Pa—Mi—Hung……”
The red-robed Buddhist monk spoke faster and faster, his tone becoming more pronounced. The ancient Sanskrit sounds seemed to come from Shambhala, piercing through the skulls of the believers, passing through the mountains and vital energy centers, and flowing directly into their meridians.
“Those who believe in my Buddha shall live forever. Those who defy my Buddha shall go to hell. Those who believe in my Buddha shall live forever; those who defy my Buddha shall go to hell……”
The atmosphere at the scene was boiling. The believers were nearly in a trance, constantly shaking their heads and murmuring the sacred verses.
Familiar scenes reappeared in Li Kuo’s mind, causing him severe headaches. Why had the Tibetan Buddhist monk, who had disappeared for years, suddenly appeared in Yangzhou? And why again when he was investigating the salt-related case in Jianghuai? Was it just a coincidence, or was there some connection?
The power of Prince Yong had grown so vast that he even had ties with the Tibetans?
One possible scenario after another flashed through Li Kuo’s mind, leaving him breathless. What was right and what was wrong? Perhaps he shouldn’t have gotten involved in this case at all. After all, it was still the land of the Li Tang dynasty—why should he get involved?
No, no! He couldn’t stand by while Prince Yong, Li Lin, stole the salt profits from Jianghuai for himself. Nor could he allow these princes and princes’ sons to sacrifice the interests of the Tang dynasty for power and greed.
This was a responsibility—a responsibility as a man of the Tang dynasty.
“Yan Ji, send people to keep an eye on them. This time, I must see what tricks these evil monks are up to.”
Li Kuo’s expression turned cold, his voice rising sharply like thunder. ……
The moon hung upside down, with stars scattered across the sky.
Inside the residence of the military commander in Jianghuai, the lights were bright.
“Look at you! You ignore everything once you get busy. If you keep coming home this late, don’t even try to enter the house.”
A young woman in her twenties stood in front of the carved gate, hands on her hips. She wore a goose-yellow robe that accentuated her graceful figure, and her unique fragrance could be sensed from dozens of steps away, inspiring admiration.
Yet all these beautiful scenes were shattered by a sharp rebuke, like the moon in water or the flowers in a mirror—beautiful but unattainable.
She raised her eyebrows and said, “Before, you always made excuses about being busy with military affairs, and I tolerated it. But this time, I got solid information from Zhang Xiaogui—you never even went to the military camp!”

She pointed at the man across from her, cursing furiously, her anger growing the more she spoke: “You wretched Xiao Qi! All men are the same—before marriage, they say the sweetest things, but after marriage, they chase after other women and live a carefree life. How could I be deceived by your sweet words? I… I…” At these words, her heart ached, and tears streamed down her face as she sobbed uncontrollably.

“Ah, A Tian, listen to me. Things aren’t as you think. I truly mean well toward you!” The handsome young man was none other than Li Kuo, the military commander. As soon as he returned home, he heard the sound of broken dishes coming from the inner chambers. Needless to say, it must be Lady Du losing her temper and taking out her frustration on the household items.

Although Du Jingtian was getting older, her temperament hadn’t changed much—still as energetic and determined to achieve her goals at all costs.

It wasn’t entirely her fault, after all, since their marriage, he had been leading troops away from home, spending little time with her. Now that they finally had a chance to catch up, he had to rush off again to investigate the salt transport case in Jianghuai. It was truly hard on her.

Feeling guilty, Li Kuo’s tone softened naturally as he said, “It’s okay, A Tian. I was wrong. I’ll apologize and promise to come back and spend more time with you.”

Hearing this, Du Jingtian thought he really regretted it. She pointed at his nose and said, “Hah! I knew it! A high-ranking military commander like you surely disdains a woman from an ordinary family. Now you regret it and want to find someone better? Fine, fine! I’ll step aside!”

Realizing he had made things worse, Li Kuo quickly clasped his hands together and explained, “You’re wrong to blame me. When have I ever disdained your background? I’ve just had important matters to attend to these days.”

Furious, Du Jingtian laughed bitterly. “You still pretend! Do you really want me to make things clear? What is Zi Mo Ge, and who is Huangfu Yun? Explain it to me today!”

Hearing this, Li Kuo thought, “Oh no.” After a moment’s thought, he said with a wry smile, “I just went to Zi Mo Ge to drink and play chess with Miss Huangfu Yun. Don’t misinterpret things.” “I’m misinterpreting things?”

Furious, Du Jingtian stamped her foot and said, “In such a filthy place, as a man, if it’s not for that, for what else could it be? Xiao Li Qi, I really misjudged you!”

In her anger, Du Jingtian punched and kicked Li Kuo, but he didn’t dodge, letting her vent her anger.

He took the initiative to get close to Huangfu Yun originally to thoroughly investigate the Jianghuai Salt case. Yet since this case was extremely important, he couldn’t tell A Tian about it.
Du Jingtian pummeled him for a while. Seeing that Li Kuo didn’t resist, she found it boring.
“Why don’t you talk? You stupid Xiao Qi, explain yourself!”
Li Kuo shrugged and said, “Since you already assume I went there for fun, what’s the use of me explaining no matter how hard I try? It’s better if you beat me up hard to vent your anger.”
“You, you!”
Du Jingtian was speechless for a moment and simply squatted down on the ground with her arms wrapped around her knees.
Li Kuo shook his head with a wry smile, then knelt down to wipe the tears from the corners of her eyes. “I’ve already admitted my mistake. Why won’t you show some mercy? Where’s the sensible A Tian I know?”
“Go away!”
Du Jingtian forcefully pushed aside Li Kuo’s arms and raised her chin. “She’s never been sensible. She’s a domineering, unreasonable shrew who can’t even meet the standards of a high-ranking military officer. Go ahead and find your so-called Huangfu Yun at Zi Mo Ge. Stop mentioning Huangfu Yun—even if you find some Huangfu Feng or Huangfu Yu, it has nothing to do with me!”
“Wow, you’re really upset?”
Li Kuo frowned. “If you can let go, I can’t.”
“Let go? How can you not let go? I’ve longed so much to spend time with you, and yet you go after some random guy. Is that brothel place also something your Xiao Qi goes to? Heh, you really have gotten bold.”
Du Jingtian stubbornly turned her head away, speaking angrily while quietly sobbing.
“Sigh, even if I could let go of everything else, I can’t let go of your cooking skills. If I’m without you, who will make me fried eggs?”
Li Kuo spread his hands in a helpless gesture, making Du Jingtian laugh through her tears.
“Go! You stupid Xiao Qi, even at a time like this, you’re still thinking about that.”
Du Jingtian gave him a light punch on the lower back and said affectionately, “If you really cared about me, why would you go to a place like that?”
Seeing that her mood was gradually calming down, Li Kuo finally breathed a sigh of relief.
“I was utterly wrong. Please forgive me, my dear!”
He imitated the manner of court actors, bowing down to apologize in a way that was both amusing and endearing.
“How can I be heartless to you? I’m really asking for trouble!”
Du Jingtian swung her fist fiercely and sighed deeply.
“That’s what they call quarreling at the bedside but making up at the foot of the bed. You and I are meant for each other—no one can separate us!”
Li Kuo straightened up and patted his chest as an assurance.
“Who would be so foolish as to believe you?”

Du Jingtian, however, wasn’t about to let it go so easily. She gritted her teeth and glared at her husband.
“My dear, spare me! Please, spare me!”
At this moment, Li Kuo completely abandoned his airs as a military general, determined only to earn his wife’s smile. Seeing him like this, Du Jingtian couldn’t help but burst into laughter.
“You really are such a smooth talker. Fine, I’ll spare you this time.”
“Thank you, my dear!”
Overjoyed, Li Kuo decided to seize the opportunity to take full control of the situation. He said, “To celebrate our reconciliation, we should have some late-night snacks.”
“Late-night snacks?”
Du Jingtian looked at Li Kuo in surprise, unable to figure out what trick he had in mind again.
“Mm, of course, Du’s fried eggs! Don’t say I haven’t eaten such delicious fried eggs in years since I’ve been away as a soldier. This is the perfect chance to relive our old days together!”
Li Kuo nodded smilingly and clapped his hands. “I might not claim your cooking is the best, but it’s definitely among the best in Chang’an. Back then, Zhang and Zhou were always drooling with delight after eating it.”
“Hmph, don’t you know who made it?”
Du Jingtian raised her head and said, “You almost tricked me. If you want me to cook, you’d better show some sincerity.”
“Of course,” Li Kuo replied. Then, suddenly, he cleared his throat and said, “Then let’s sing!”
“Sing?”
Still stunned, Du Jingtian heard Li Kuo’s singing already filling the air around her.
“Flowers on the distant path, blooming beautifully each year. Spring doesn’t seem to arrive late; instead, the flowers bloom early. The trees in the courtyard remember the past, cherishing this day. Under such a starry night, standing in the breeze and dew till midnight. When the wind blows, the misty waters stretch wide under the vast sky. If only we could grow old together, day and night in happiness… At the prime of our youth, singing youthful songs. A figure in white on the boat, spreading laughter across the river. With starlight, I brew a cup, wishing for eternity. Who will be here on this day next year, longing for afar? Spring doesn’t reach Xijing; rain falls in Pingling. Lotus seeds ripen in the wide plains; snow burns like fire on the northern mountains. Whose daughter emerges from the clouds, her beauty surpassing even flowers? A young man from Qingchuan, drunk, playing the flute on the river tower!” (Note 1)
Note 1: From the new song “Flowers on the Path” by Hetu. I really like its melody and would like to recommend it to everyone. Most importantly, I feel it depicts Du Jingtian perfectly!