Chapter 550: Universally Burned Them All |
The Hai hour (9 - 11 PM).
A hundred paces outside East River Rice Alley. Jin Zhu sat inside the noodles shop slowly and leisurely peeling garlic. His mouth inside complaining: "When I still was a Pigeon Rank I simply was arranged heading to secretly stare at (tail) the Ministry of Personnel Vice Minister. When Gyrfalcon I was arranged heading to secretly stare at Elder Hu. Very not easily mixed turning into the Twelve Zodiacs... how come still being arranged coming to secretly stare?"
Tian Ma opposite the desk also slowly swallowing (sluggishly) peeled garlic. Refusing to heed Jin Zhu's full belly of grumbling complaints.
Jin Zhu took the properly peeled garlic throwing it upon the table. Turning his head looking for a single glance at East River Rice Alley. Seeing Xuan She precisely standing beneath the Huitong Hostel's Eaves shutting his eyes nurturing his spirit. Inside his heart he balanced somewhat.
But he still as before continued complaining saying: "At present under National Mourning. Where possesses noodle shops at the Hai hour still not striking closing stops (closing for business). If genuinely possessing people assassinate the Annan envoys and subjects. Other people assassins again are not fools... The Empress at the bottom (after all) how did she walk (pass away)? You are Top Three Ranks definitely know the information. For my sake speak of it and speak of it, won't you?"
Tian Ma still as before refused to heed him.
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Jin Zhu also wasn't discouraged. Toward the front stretching and stretching his body. Pressing low his voice: "The selected person for Trouble-Resolving Guard Commander is settled down yet? Wu Xiu's banner under exited Lin Chaoqing this spy and scout. His Majesty won't necessarily be capable of containing him continuing to grip palms over (control) the Trouble-Resolving Guards. If the Trouble-Resolving Guards anew return arriving in the Inner Chancellor's hands. The selected person for Commander simply is crucially most important. You with the Inner Chancellor speak and speak. That small kid Xi Feng is not bad. After acting as the Trouble-Resolving Guard Commander definitely will listen to words."
Tian Ma still as before refused to heed him.
Jin Zhu clamped a single chopstick. But merely just eating it going down simply took the clerk worker calling him coming: "Come over, come over, come over!"
The clerk worker with a single face of not comprehending pieced approaching: "What's the matter, guest official?"
Jin Zhu slapped a single palm upon the back of his head's scoop: "Guest official what ghosts ah guest official. This simply is the pot-boiled noodles you all made? A single strand of iron-rust stinking aura. The pot-boiling oil temperatures basically hadn't arrived at. Entirely is the smell of raw oil. The ginger and green onions were set down early. Universally boiled turning black. The minced meat was chopped identically to dumpling fillings. As soon as entering the pot entirely sticking together in a single lump. Chewing rising up lacking half a point of firm chewiness."
The secret spy playing the part as a noodles shop clerk worker said in a small voice: "Excellency. We and our peers in ordinary days haven't cooked meals ah... This humble official watched Excellency Tian Ma eating exceptionally fragrantly."
Jin Zhu with a single turn of his head. Shockingly seeing Tian Ma had already eaten exhausted a single bowl.
He took his own pot-boiled noodles pushing them arriving before Tian Ma's face. And afterwards taking the chopsticks slamming them upon the desk: "Roll away to anew make it. Tonight if uniquely unable to make exiting a single bowl capable of being eaten. You all also no need to sleep anymore."
However precisely at this time. Jin Zhu's this single slam. The table boards actually unable to endure heavy burdens shattered and cracked. The entire complete table universally collapsed falling going down. Bowls and chopsticks scattering dropping a full ground.
He abruptly raised his head. The opposite-faced Tian Ma precisely lifted holding chopsticks. With a face lacking spirit expressions looking at him.
The secret spy was Silent As A Winter Cicada: "Excellency. This humble official this simply goes anew making a single bowl giving it to you."
Waiting until the secret spy with a small heart and careful wings (cautiously) departed. Jin Zhu still uniquely remaining startled and doubting unsure.
Tian Ma cast a single glance at him. Taking the chopsticks throwing them upon the ground. Striking hand sign languages asking: "Ascending the Heavy Heavens (Ascending the Heavy Pavilion)?"
Jin Zhu hesitated for a long time. Striking hand sign languages asking Tian Ma: "You have seen which single Practitioner capable of within an instant ascending upon two layers of Heavy Pavilions?"
Tian Ma by no means minded. Using hand sign languages answering: "Like crucian carp crossing a river (very many)."
Jin Zhu's complexion was complex: "Then three layers of Heavy Pavilions?"
Tian Ma considered and searched for a moment: "I count as a single one. Yellow Mountain's cultivators of Heavenly appearances arts count as a single one. Imperial Observatory Vice Director Xu Shu counts as a single one. Bitter Awakening Temple's Chan Zhao counts as a single one. Guyuan Regional Commander Hu Junxian counts as a single one..."
Still not waiting for him to gesture finishing. Jin Zhu's complexion again a single change: "Four layers of Heavy Pavilions?"
Tian Ma again considered and searched for a moment: "Martial Temple Mountain Chief Lu Yang counts as a single one. The Imperial Observatory's that positioned youth Director Hu Junyan counts as a single one."
In the next moment. Jin Zhu bitterly asking: "Five layers of Heavy Pavilions?"
This single time, Tian Ma also stood frozen. Striking hand sign languages asking: "Path-Seeking Realm already?"
Jin Zhu shook his head: "Lacking. Still falling short the final half step."
Tian Ma seemed to possess thoughts.
"Not good. That small kid is about to make a grand matter occurring." Jin Zhu suddenly and violently rose his body walking heading outside. He with large strides identical to shooting meteors circling the Huitong Hostel rotating a single circle. Completely desiring to find Chen Ji, yet again fearing finding Chen Ji.
Anew turning returning before the noodles shop. Tian Ma separated by the windows striking hand sign languages: "What matters occurred?"
Jin Zhu anxiously striking hand sign languages responding: "This small kid the first time ascending the Heavy Pavilions... in a single breath of air ascended three layers. And afterwards at Longmen Inn killed a hundred-plus Heavenly Strategy Army soldiers. This small kid the second time ascending the Heavy Pavilions... in a single breath of air ascended four layers. And afterwards a single path chasing to kill Liao Zhong. At Changping took Liao Zhong slaughtering him. Today is the third time. In a single breath of air Ascending the Heavy Pavilion five layers. Still not knowing what demonic moths (troubles) he is about to make a fuss of. Now the royal court wants to arrange Commandery Princess Baili with King Annan harmoniously marrying. He I'm afraid is about to Burning Boats (cut off retreat)..."
Tian Ma provoked and provoked (raised) his eyebrows. Striking hand sign languages asking: "The Pre-Heaven Realm only possesses eight layers of Heavy Pavilions. How can he ascend twelve layers?"
Jin Zhu stood frozen upon his original spot. Muttering saying: "Mother huh. Still genuinely is ah... How can he ascend twelve layers of Heavy Pavilions? First don't govern it anymore. I anew go strolling a single circle. Sparing him genuinely coming to kill King Annan."
Waiting until he anew circled a single circle returning coming. Actually seeing Chen Ji sitting inside the noodles shop. Precisely lowering his head eating the pot-boiled noodles the clerk worker had anew safely made.
Jin Zhu hesitating doubting unsurely walked entering the noodles shop: "You come doing what?"
He arrived opposite-facing Chen Ji sitting down. Pressing low his voice saying: "Small kid. Outside Huitong Hostel saying sparingly possesses five or sixty numbers of secret spies. You right now heading to assassinate King Annan simply is seeking death. Listen to older brother for a single sentence of urging. Go back right."
Chen Ji in a few mouthfuls scooped exhausted the pot-boiled noodles. Setting down the chopsticks: "Whoever said I am coming to kill King Annan?"
Jin Zhu blanked staying: "Then you coming doing what..."
The voice of speech hadn't yet fallen. The Forbidden City from far away transmitted coming drum sounds and bell sounds. Tian Ma looked toward Jin Zhu. Jin Zhu astonishingly said: "Wuying Hall's bells. The Five Phoenixes Swallow Wings Tower's drums. It's the palace inside walking water (catching fire)!"
Chen Ji yet didn't heed these. He from inside his sleeves extracted out a single sheet of safely folded paper passing giving it to Jin Zhu: "Help me with a busy matter (do me a favor). According to what is spoken upon the paper to do it."
Finishing speaking. Not waiting for Jin Zhu to reject. He already rose his body walking entering the night colors.
...
...
At this time, at this moment. Upon the palace roads outside Palace of Compassion and Tranquility. Female maids sprinting and running shouting loudly: "Walking water (caught fire)! Hastily call the Water-Squirt Barrel department's Inner Officials coming!"
Possessing people supporting lifting the Empress Dowager heading outside to walk. Facing the front sprinting coming a single squad of small eunuchs. Possessing people hoisting wooden buckets. From inside the two seated massively grand lacking peers copper-crafted 'Peace Water Vats' arrayed before the palace doors striking water. Lifting them simply heading toward inside Palace of Compassion and Tranquility running to go.
Again possessing a single squad of people shouldering six terraces of Cannon-resembling Water-Squirt Barrels rushing coming. From within the Peace Water Vats using pistons drawing water. Again using pistons taking the water spraying sprinkling it entering within the grand fire.
The Empress Dowager and the Inner Officials wrongfully crossing their bodies and passing (brushing past) the time in a hasty voice said: "Hastily take the Buddha Statues, Buddha bones, Buddha teeth inside first withdrawing them exiting coming out. These however cannot uniformly be burned. If uniquely burning these. You and your peers universally must accompany in burial."
The small eunuchs hearing the words. Biting and biting their teeth using wooden buckets heading upon their bodies pouring somewhat water. Muffling their heads (lowering their heads blindly) simply dashed entering the main hall forcefully rescuing the Buddha treasures.
The Forbidden City also wasn't the head single time losing fire anymore. Solely uniquely this Palace of Compassion and Tranquility simply burned past two times. Even Huangji Hall universally burned past. The Inner Officials every time encountering the first or fifteenth universally must drill practicing rescuing fires. Holding the inverse also not arriving at hands busy and feet chaotic (panicking).
Several named Trouble-Resolving Guards arrived before the Empress Dowager's face. Following the compasses and adhering to the rulers (well-behaved) for the Empress Dowager kowtowed a single head. Only then rising their bodies asking the female maids: "The Empress Dowager ten thousand peaces... Started burning rising up from where?"
The female maid hastily and hurriedly answered saying: "First from that exiting moon terrace starting to burn rising up. Wondered it strangely already. Over there simply a few seated copper incense statues. In the night also nobody bumped them. Not knowing how it walked water."
The Trouble-Resolving Guards mutually looked for a single glance. Silently lacking making sound.
Upon the palace roads transmitted coming footsteps sounds. The Trouble-Resolving Guards turned their heads looking over. Precisely seeing Wu Xiu leading two named Trouble-Resolving Guards walking coming.
The Empress Dowager in a submerged voice asked saying: "Hu Junyi (the Empress's name) has already died. Does he or does he not also desire to take me removing and doing away with? He forgot what is carved upon his Renshou Palace front filial piety and fraternal duty tablet. Forgot the Zhu Family's Ancestral Propriety strictures!"
Wu Xiu Calm and Composed bowed his body cupping his hands: "Empress Dowager slightly peacefully un-restless (calm down). The previous few days the Imperial Observatory simply presented rising Memorials to the Throne saying. Recently the Fluctuating Delusion Star (Mars) is invading the Purple Micro Star (Polaris) in the west. The palace inside possesses the sorrows of walking water. This simply is Heavenly Timing. This inner official this simply dispatches the Trouble-Resolving Guards to come forward to Palace of Compassion and Tranquility guarding on duty. Waiting until this place's matters finish. Definitely will investigate clearing origins and sequences (find the truth)."
...
...
Inside Palace of Assisting the Earth. Noble Consort Xue alone sat upon the dusky dark main hall's floors. Moonlight thoroughly piercing the windows illuminating entering coming. The light capable of reflecting people's Suzhou Prefecture Imperial Kiln bluestone, gold-like bricks casting shadows reflecting Noble Consort Xue and the high, high colored painted bucket arches (Dougong brackets).
A single block of bluestone brick from Suzhou Imperial Kiln transported coming. A two-chi (approx 0.6m) long brick simply could exchange four hundred jins of grain food. In winter warm, in summer cool. And inside this Palace of Assisting the Earth thoroughly spreading the bluestone bricks. Hanging and suspending pearl curtains. Arraying and placing glazed-tile lamps and cups.
Noble Consort Xue lowered her head looking at herself upon the bluestone bricks. Hair draped and scattered. Clothing garments messy and disordered. Lacking the aggressive pressing upon people and brilliant radiance illuminating people of a few days previous.
She gazing at that hazy figure upon the brick's surface. Broken arriving continuing, continuing humming and singing the Southern Play "Tale of the Pipa"'s play text: "Speaking of what grace and Righteousness are long. Arriving at the head coming. Blood acts as rouge adorning the gauze canopies. The people upon the stage act finishing foolish infatuation and angry resentment simply retreating from the arena. The guests below the stage wipe clean their faces and eyes anew opening their chests (singing)..."
Precisely during humming. From far away faintly transmitted coming noisy and clamorous sounds. Initiating the very start was hazy unrest. Following simply was sprinting and running footsteps. Continuing following... a single kind of heavy muffled and rapid knocking and striking sounds thoroughly pierced heavily layered palace walls. Faintly and vaguely passing entering coming.
It was the Five Phoenixes Terrace's drum sounds. Wuying Hall's bell sounds.
Noble Consort Xue violently and suddenly lifted rising her head. Her scattered dissolving eye expressions possessed spirit expressions. She slanted her ears leaning to listen. Those sounds more and more came clearer and clearer. More and more came rapidly rapid.
Possessing female maids shouting loudly calls: "Walking water (caught fire)!"
Noble Consort Xue's dryly cracked lips moved and moved. Initiating the very start was boundless blankness. Following afterwards she supported holding the ice-cold bricks. Staggering rising her body. Pouncing arriving beside the windows toward outside gazing over. The Forbidden City's night skies had already been dyed upon a single layer of jumping and pulsing orange-red.
Palace of Compassion and Tranquility and Palace of Assisting the Earth. Also didn't uniformly pass over ten-plus zhang of spatial distance.
"Walking water! Hahaha, Palace of Compassion and Tranquility walked water!" Her laughing sounds echoed swaying inside the empty and open Palace of Assisting the Earth. Again crashing upon the color painted crossbeams and pillars echoes resounding.
Noble Consort Xue suddenly exhausted exhausting her strength. Both hands slapping beating the thick heavy window sashes. Toward the fire light hoarsely shouting calls: "Burn ah! Take Renshou Palace, Fengxian Hall entirely selectively universally burning them down. The Old Master of Heavens also cannot patiently view it continuing down anymore. Wishing to come receive collecting this deep palace's debts already!"
She turning her body heading toward the dusky dark Palace of Assisting the Earth inside walking to go. Spreading opening both her arms: "Hastily burn coming over. Burn arriving coming to Palace of Assisting the Earth. Take these golden thread cages, glazed-tile lamps, pearl curtains. Take what you awarded me, lied to and deceived me... universally burning them all entirely!"
However precisely at this time. The main hall dimmed for a single instant. Seeming as if possessing something obscuring shielding the moonlight outside the windows.
Noble Consort Xue vigilantly alertly turned her head back. Actually catching sight of a single paired black cat squatting upon the window sash. Peacefully and calmly focusedly staring at her.
She frightenedly and terrifiedly said: "The Empress's that paired Cat? You are for her her sake taking vengeance coming already!"
In the next moment. Wu Yun lifted rising its claws riding the air a single horizontal cut. A single line of moonlight-resembling Blade Aura separated by space splashing coming. Cutting passing from Noble Consort Xue's neck. Carrying a single splash of fresh blood splashing upon the bluestone bricks.
Noble Consort Xue heavily fell dropping upon the ground. She reluctantly and forcibly lifted her eyes toward upon the window sash looking over. Reaching the original fundamentally squatting upon the window sash's black cat... early on already had not been seen traces and shadows.
(End of this chapter)