Volume One: The King’s Edict Chapter Thirty: The Celestial Palace of White Jade on Earth

In the realm of the Iron Dynasty, the most prosperous city is undoubtedly the capital. Though it lies beneath the feet of the emperor, often implementing curfews and military drills that restrict entry and exit, the vibrancy of this place remains undiminished. Within the city, a million residents have long established their homes, and another million dwell outside its walls. The capital sits in the Central Plain, surrounded by open land without steep mountains, only a river that flows gently nearby, never freezing in any season, allowing merchant vessels to come and go, creating a bustling town rivaling the capital itself. Many people choose to live on the paths between these two cities, where there are no strict land controls or heavy entrance taxes, making life here a favorable option.

The capital boasts two remarkable sights. The first is its perpetually clear weather, regardless of rain or snow. Even when temperatures drop, no clouds obscure the sky. It is said that this is due to the emperor’s annual sacrificial ceremonies, where lavish offerings are made to the deities in heaven to ensure favorable weather, which has earned substantial rewards in return. Just outside the capital lies three thousand acres of fertile land that, every autumn, waves with golden wheat, attracting many nobles and officials who come to enjoy the scenery, providing farmers with a secondary source of income. The tax laws of the Iron Dynasty are quite lenient, showcasing a scene of prosperity that endures through the years. When a few dilapidated horse-drawn carts appear on the official roads, pulled by panting horses, they seem out of place amidst the abundance.

Three days of travel passed quickly, and Shen Desan squinted his bloodshot eyes, spotting the characters "Bai Yu Jing" inscribed on the city wall not far away, feeling a surge of emotion that brought him to the brink of tears. "Hurry, hurry, let's push on! We need to rest well inside!" Shen Desan urged his attendants while also spurring his weary self on, cracking the whip and urging his horse to gallop forward.

The characters "Bai Yu Jing" were crafted by the most renowned sculptor of three hundred years ago, using only the finest jade. Many thieves have attempted to steal these characters over the years, but only one has succeeded in the past. At that time, the current elderly emperor was still the crown prince. The thief, in full view of the public, swapped the jade for a wooden block, carved in a crooked manner, which was replaced back on the city wall after three days. This thief was personally honored by the emperor with the title of "Master Thief." At this moment, the aged master thief sat slumped on the city wall, his identity known by the guards, who treated him well, not daring to neglect him.

In the capital, the master thief had the freedom to roam wherever he pleased, entering taverns and tea houses, even the inner court of the palace, with no one daring to stop him or ask why he was there. After decades, the master thief had become somewhat hunched, the passage of time leaving indelible marks on him, and he carried a burden on his back that concealed a sword without a sheath. "You lot, come here and hand over your swords," the old master thief gestured to the guards, asking them to surrender their swords.

One by one, the guards drew their swords, trying the peach blossom sword in turn. "Not this one, tsk, not this either; none of these fit. Your swords are all too cheap." The peach blossom sword was a double-edged blade, requiring a specially made sheath, and with a dozen sheaths none fitting, the old master thief scratched his head in frustration. Just then, he turned to see dust rising on the official road and hurriedly dismounted the city wall, entering the city.

On the carriage, Xiao Le suddenly raised an eyebrow and peeked out the window towards the city wall. "I feel like the old trickster has arrived; he must not have left us along the way, considering his age." He Qingqing was taken aback; her master had come? She hadn't received any prior notice from him. "I just hope he doesn't cause any trouble. Once we reach the city, I'll find the fourth prince first to prevent any unforeseen events." Xiao Le was exasperated by his master, who inevitably stirred up chaos wherever he went, making even the most certain matters uncertain. As his disciples, they had often found themselves cleaning up after him, a rather uncommon situation for a master.

After passing through three checkpoints, the carriage successfully entered the city. It was still early morning, and the citizens who had risen early were enjoying their breakfasts by the roadside. "Who are these people, arriving so early in the capital? Could it be they have some big business?" "Keep it down; times have changed. Look at how many soldiers are patrolling the streets, far more than usual!" The murmurs of a few diners at a food stall reached Liu Xiaoyi's ears.

Having never been to such a bustling city, living in the mountain town of Southern Wilderness felt like being in the countryside compared to the capital. The carriage took a detour, and the passersby were dressed exquisitely. The most common attire was silk robes and embroidered shirts, with many men wearing jewelry, which was almost unseen in the Southern Wilderness.

"Amidha!" A loud chant echoed from ahead. On the path to the fourth prince's residence, several bald-headed monks lined up, blocking the way. Judging by their attire, they were surely monks from the nearby temples. Shen Desan quickly dismounted, clasping his hands in greeting. "Honorable monks, why do you block our way?"

"May I ask if you are headed to the fourth prince's residence?" the lead monk asked with a warm smile, his fair face crinkling with joy.

Shen Desan, puzzled, replied, "Yes, but how do you know that, Master?"

"That is correct. Since you travelers are weary from your journey, why not rest with us for a moment before you proceed to the fourth prince's residence?" The large monk said, pulling out a gold medal from his sleeve to display.

The medal bore the image of a five-clawed golden dragon, and Shen Desan recognized it immediately, repeatedly expressing his acknowledgment and signaling the carriage driver to change course, following the monks.

The monks moved swiftly, their feet barely making a sound, and the keen-eyed among them could tell there was more to them than met the eye. Recently, a martial arts competition had been held in the capital before the Buddha, drawing countless monks from various regions who came to display their skills and spread the teachings of Buddhism. Many inns within the city offered vegetarian meals, as no proprietor wished to turn away customers.

Once the monks settled, they arrived at the entrance of a quiet and elegant courtyard. The carriage came to a stop, and the driver and attendants followed a young monk to the side courtyard, where a feast had already been prepared.

Meanwhile, Shen Desan, accompanied by a swift horse, walked alongside the large monk through the corridor, his eyes growing brighter with each step. Initially, he thought they were heading to a relatively obscure inn, but after passing through two corridors, he saw the monks walking with bulging temples, their toes barely touching the ground.

These monks must be extraordinary as well, he mused as they all arrived at the main hall, where a boy of about seventeen or eighteen stood, dressed in a snow-white robe embroidered with a golden dragon.

Hearing their approach, he turned with a smile, "Boss Shen, how have you been?"

Shen Desan was both surprised and delighted, "Fourth Prince! You're here!"