Governor Lin, who had fainted dead away, ultimately rallied with grim determination — he would not disgrace his ancestors by dying like this.
He refused his grandson's suggestion that he recuperate here.
That unfilial wretch — good riddance!
He likewise refused Lin Xuejin's suggestion that he go rest in Qingjiang Prefecture.
That unfilial son — good riddance to him too.
I, old Lin, have spent my entire life in loyal service to the throne and love of my country, never imagining that in the end I would be branded a brainless fool with a spineless backbone!
Am I foolishly loyal?
Perhaps — but I have lived this way my whole life. Is there still time to change?
So be it. No changing now. Let me stake everything on earning my place in the annals of history.
I must return to His Majesty's side!
Your Majesty! Your Majesty! I am coming!
"Cough, cough — Xuejin, don't see me off. Old Lin simply had a moment of weakness. Rest assured, I will look after him. Go on back now."
Several carriages carried the two old men away.
Lin Xuejin watched them go, his gaze drifting into the distance. Though he and his father had chosen utterly different paths, he could not but admire his father's steadfastness — forging ahead for the ideals and justice he held in his heart, pressing on despite knowing it was hopeless, willing even to sacrifice himself for what he believed right. Such a father was impossible not to admire.
Father — go well.
Governor Lin had departed without a backward glance. And then, not a few days later, he came back.
There was someone hidden inside the carriage. The moment Lin Xuejin caught sight of those brilliant yellow robes, his mind went blank.
…
Several days earlier, the most elite force of the Ming Emperor had struck suddenly, scattering the imperial army before it had time to react. Governor Lin and Commissioner Wen had returned just at that moment and happened to run straight into the Emperor himself, fleeing for his life. They bundled him into the carriage and bolted — and brought him, in the end, to Longcheng.
Yes — Lin Xuejin was still in Longcheng and hadn't left yet, and now his father had come back, bringing with him an emperor utterly alone in the world.
"Y-Your Majesty?"
"Amitabha. There is no longer any 'Your Majesty' in this world. This poor monk's dharma name is Wukong, benefactor."
"Wukong?" Lin Xuejin was even more at a loss.
Only a handful of people knew of the Emperor's arrival. Governor Lin knew that beneath this city of Longcheng lurked any number of treacherous hearts, and he dared not breathe a word of the Emperor's whereabouts. He even demanded that his son say nothing — threatening to sever their father-son bond if he disobeyed.
And then Lin Xuejin, the moment his old father dozed off, immediately ran to tell Zhao Baihui.
What a devoted family — a father so kind, a son so filial.
"Holy hell, could things get any stranger? The Emperor has fled to my house?"
"Master, what do we do?"
"What do we do? I've never laid eyes on a living emperor before — naturally we go have a look."
"Mingming, go fetch Jinyi, Jinxiu, and the others — but don't say what it's about just yet. This is probably not something too many people should know."
"Yes, Master, I'll go at once." Little Ming's short legs carried him off at a trot.
He returned shortly with Jinyi and several others — all members of the Zhao household.
"Come then — let's go see this emperor."
The others wore expressions of pure bewilderment. What emperor?
…
"Your Majesty, this old servant begs you — just one bite, just one! Oh, my Emperor!"
The Emperor had already shed his dragon robes and changed into a coarse cotton garment. He sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion, murmuring something under his breath. Commissioner Wen sat to one side, his mind wandering elsewhere. Governor Lin held a bowl in both hands, pleading pitifully for the man to eat something. The Emperor remained unmoved.
The door creaked open. Governor Lin turned, saw Zhao Baihui, and was so startled the bowl slipped from his hands and crashed to the floor. He threw himself in front of the Emperor.
"You will not harm His Majesty — not unless you trample over this old man's body first!"
Then he wheeled on Lin Xuejin and roared, "You unfilial wretch! You beast! You are unworthy of your sovereign and unworthy of your father!"
"You who know neither lord nor kin—"
Lin Xuejin wore an expression of profound awkwardness — not the awkwardness of being scolded, but the awkwardness of having people witness his father in this state. Whether from the accumulated shocks of recent days or something else entirely, the old man's gestures and outbursts had grown rather extravagant — it was all a bit mortifying, if he were honest.
"Enough — you dramatic old man, were you a theatrical diva in a past life? Somebody pull him away from there."
Mingcheng stepped forward, grabbed the old man and hauled him aside, helpfully clamping a hand over his mouth in the bargain.
After all this time, the two of them faced each other once again.
The Emperor sat there as though none of this was happening, reciting his sutras.
"Master, is that really the Emperor? He looks no different from anyone else to me."
"I always imagined the Emperor would be ten feet tall with three heads and six arms."
"Don't talk nonsense — that's a demon."
The Emperor's lips paused for a fraction of a second, then he drew a breath and continued.
"Hehe, I want to get a closer look."
His lips paused again. He composed himself, and continued.
Zhao Baihui and Jinyuan leaned in. Zhao Baihui tilted his ear close and listened, then asked, "I can't make out a word — are you actually reciting sutras? You're not just cursing under your breath, are you?"
The Emperor could hold out no longer. His eyes opened. "Benefactor, there is no need to mock this poor monk. If you wish to kill me, kill me. If you wish to flay me, flay me. Do as you please."
"No — I think you're bluffing. The moment anyone actually laid a hand on you, you'd regret every word and be begging for mercy, crying for your mother."
"Experience has proven that torture works. Ninety-nine out of a hundred people who claim they don't fear pain cannot hold out in the end — they all end up weeping and pleading for their lives."
"And that goes doubly for someone like you, who has never known hardship. A few cuts and you'd be finished."
The Emperor could endure no more. "Then what is it you want, benefactor?"
"Nothing much. I've simply never seen an emperor before and wanted a look. Don't worry — I won't kill you."
"Then this poor monk gives thanks for the benefactor's mercy in sparing my life."
The Emperor seemed to truly have transformed into an enlightened monk, and resumed his chanting.
"Oi — Emperor. Your birth name is Li Xuanji, isn't it?"
"Why did you give yourself the dharma name Wukong? Why not Bajie?"
"Say something."
Zhao Baihui finally understood how Lin Xuejin must feel dealing with him.
He thought for a moment, then sat down cross-legged facing the Emperor.
"All right — I'm in a good mood today, so I've decided to answer your questions. Ask me anything. I am without question the most learned man in this world."
Everyone fell silent, watching the two of them.
The Emperor appeared to have lost all desire for the world around him. He remained unmoved.
"This is a rare opportunity, you know. You could clear up all manner of things — whether this Buddha you worship actually exists, for instance."
"Or — why your empire collapsed. What was the fundamental cause of its collapse."
Li Xuanji's lips ceased their murmuring. Several minutes passed. At last, his eyes opened.
"What was it?"