Chapter Three: Has Life and Death Already Faded into Oblivion?

Le Chen threw himself forward, but unexpectedly, the drought demon paid no heed to the thunder and lightning, taking the full brunt of the strike. Thunder and lightning are the most effective weapons against evil. Though the drought demon was impervious to blades and spears, the bolt of lightning sent sparks flying from its body, and black smoke drifted from it in waves, spreading a foul stench throughout the air.

Seeing that the lightning had worked, Le Chen’s heart leapt with joy. He moved even faster, pinching a talisman between his fingers, hoping to take advantage of the demon’s brief paralysis to slap the charm onto its forehead. Three feet, two feet, one foot—success was within reach. But at that moment, the drought demon suddenly spat out a beam of red light from its mouth, shooting straight at Le Chen. He had no time to dodge. The red light struck him squarely, hurling him back more than thirty feet. Blood surged up from his chest and he spat it out; his vision went black, and he lost consciousness.

The drought demon let out a cackling laugh and, shockingly lifelike, strode forward, seized Le Chen, and leaped into the grave...

At that very moment, the magistrate of Shanyang County’s memorial had just reached the capital. Because of the severe drought in northern Shaanxi, the court was paying close attention to every development in the region—while doing all it could to provide disaster relief, imperial agents were dispatched everywhere, wary of any sign of rebellion. Only a few years earlier, a flood in Shandong had led to the White Lotus sect uprising, which had taken enormous effort—and untold lives and silver—to suppress. The court was loath to endure such turmoil again.

The Ministry of Communications, upon receiving the memorial from Shanyang County, dared not delay and delivered it straight to the palace gates. At that moment, Emperor Hongxiao was reviewing paperwork. When the chief eunuch brought in another stack of memorials, the emperor asked, "Where are these from?"

"Reporting to Your Majesty, these are from Shanyang County in northern Shaanxi," the eunuch replied after glancing at the inscription on the memorial’s cover.

"Oh, from northern Shaanxi. I hope nothing serious has happened. Hand it here, let me see." The eunuch quickly presented the memorial and stood respectfully to one side, motionless.

As Emperor Hongxiao read through the memorial, his expression shifted rapidly, anger and joy flickering across his face. After a while, he closed the memorial and asked Li Guang, the chief eunuch standing nearby, "Could there truly be immortals in this world?"

"There certainly are immortals, Your Majesty. Not to mention distant examples, but take the True Master Zhang of Wudang—he is surely such a figure, and his deeds are well-attested!" Li Guang was a true believer in immortals and quite superstitious.

"Now I remember. Didn’t Jingyang County send a memorial a year ago? Li Guang, go and fetch it for me," the emperor suddenly recalled a document he had seen a year earlier. At the time, several senior ministers had been present. He had wanted Jingyang County to investigate thoroughly, and if the matter proved true, to invite the immortal to the capital at once. Unexpectedly, all the ministers had objected, arguing, "The wise do not speak of monsters, strength, disorder, or spirits. So-called immortals are mostly charlatans, as past dynasties have shown. Monarchs should devote themselves to governance and not be deceived by wandering practitioners, for that would only undermine the imperial order." Unable to argue with them, the emperor had been forced to drop the matter.

Before long, Li Guang produced the memorial, and Emperor Hongxiao took it and set it on the imperial desk, comparing the two documents. Suddenly he burst into laughter, exclaiming, "Indeed, indeed! It is the same person. The magistrate of Jingyang did not deceive me, nor did the magistrate of Shanyang!" The emperor was overjoyed.

Clutching the memorial, he set aside the rest of the documents and made his way to the inner palace. Li Guang led a group of junior eunuchs closely behind, his heart abuzz with curiosity as to what exactly was written in that memorial.

Kunning Palace.

Emperor Hongxiao handed both memorials to Empress Zhang. The empress was greatly surprised. In the Ming dynasty, the inner palace was strictly forbidden from interfering in state affairs—why was the emperor now showing her official documents? Hesitantly, she took the memorials and began to read. After a while, she looked up and asked, "Is this true?"

"It should be," replied the emperor. "The incident in Jingyang County might have been mere rumor, but in Shanyang, the prayers for rain were conducted in full view of the public—how could the rainfall be faked?"

"Indeed. If this truly is an immortal, it would be wonderful to invite him to the capital," said Empress Zhang, glancing at her husband. As his consort, how could she not know that his health was worsening by the day?

"Alas, the senior ministers will likely never agree," the emperor sighed. Who does not fear death? His body was failing day by day. The crown prince remained incorrigible. The Prince of Ning in Jiangxi still harbored treacherous designs. The White Lotus sect could rise again at any moment amid the drought in northern Shaanxi. How could he ever set his mind at ease?

Seeing the emperor’s predicament, the empress’s eyes suddenly sparkled with a new idea.

"Your Majesty, I have a plan—would you care to hear it?" Empress Zhang was quite pleased with herself for having thought of a solution before her husband.

"Oh? What is it? Tell me," said the emperor.