Shirou Ascends to the Moon Palace / Shirou and Yu Meiren...

Poor material living conditions are merely due to the unfavorable times and lack of opportunity to realize one's ideals and ambitions. Once the opportunity arises, one should cultivate oneself, manage one's family, govern the state, and bring peace to the world.

Then the fortune teller told Shirou where he could meet a fairy who had come down to earth to bathe.

"At Dengyue Lake in Jiangdu, every year on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month, fairies descend to the lake to play and bathe. I went blind because I peeked at the fairies."

"Huh? But didn't you have a family?" Shirou asked in surprise, since Liu Banxian had just said that he had lost his wife and children and his family was ruined.

Does that mean his wife was the fairy he met years ago? Or did he secretly watch the fairy bathe behind his wife's back?

"Yes, but who hasn't made mistakes when they were young?" Liu Banxian said with a carefree laugh.

"Hmm, do those fairies know a way to make the whole world happy and fulfilled?" Shirou asked.

"I don't know about that. You'll have to ask around. Anyway, you need to hide in the bushes, choose a fairy you like, and when all the fairies go into the water, secretly hide that fairy's clothes from the shore. After the other fairies leave, the fairy without clothes to change into will be left there, and then you..."

"Mmm-hmm." Shirou listened and nodded.

That evening, Shirou boarded a passenger ship and sailed along the Grand Canal, leaving Luoyang for Jiangdu.

Chapter 1196 Shirou ascends to the moon palace

In a grove of trees in Yangzhou, there is a lake with crystal-clear water, reflecting the surrounding mountains. On nights of full moon, the moon's reflection appears perfectly in the center of the lake, overlapping with the mountain peaks. It seems as if one could reach the moon by standing atop those peaks.

On the seventh day of the seventh lunar month, the day when the Cowherd and Weaver Girl meet, the Heavenly Court opens most of the celestial gates connecting to the human world. As a result, some celestial maidens who yearn for the mortal realm will secretly travel to the human world together. On this day, the celestial soldiers and generals guarding the gates will turn a blind eye to their comings and goings.

Since the Moon Lake is very close to the moon, fairies, including palace maids and servants from the moon palace, have come down to earth to visit.

They descended to earth during the day, playing and frolicking along the way. By the time they returned from the city, it was already dusk. The fairies, having been on a long day's journey, were sweaty and tainted with the dust of the mortal world. So, on their return journey, they bathed in the Moon Lake to cleanse themselves before returning to the Moon Palace.

Just then, Shirou secretly lurked in the bushes. He had experience sniping the King and could hold his breath, slowly approaching the lakeside without being noticed by the fairies, wearing protective clothing and a shawl.

The teachings of the blind old man, Liu Banxian, echoed in his ears.

"Steal the clothes of whichever fairy you fancy. When the other fairies have changed and left, she won't be able to get ashore. Even if others ask, she'll be too shy to speak and will let the other fairies leave first. Then you can take the clothes out and force her to comply. And then..."

At this moment, Shirou quietly approached the pile of clothes, took out a large bamboo basket, and began to collect the clothes from the shore in a large, sweeping motion. He wasn't just picking out clothes for one person; he wanted to collect all the clothes.

The fairies then realized what was happening, their faces flushed with anger, and they began to shout!

"Aaaaaah!!!"

"Hey! What's wrong with you, you mortal!"

"How dare you! You dare steal our immortal's clothes! Aren't you afraid of being struck by lightning?!"

The fairies immediately cast spells, summoning gales, water columns, and thunder, which they used to attack Shirou.

However, Shirou spun around and easily dodged it.

Shirou stood on the shore, calmly looking at the fairies who were hiding in the water with their arms crossed, and said, "Now let's make a deal. You tell me how to make everyone in the world happy and fulfilled, and I'll return your clothes to you and let you go back to Heaven."

The youngest fairy, who looked only eleven or twelve years old, had never seen anything like it before. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she said in a soft, sweet voice, "But... we didn't know! I'm just a lowly fairy from the lowest level."

"Then take me to see your Lord of the Moon Palace!" Shirou said calmly.

"Alright, alright, give us back our clothes, turn around, and we'll change you and then take you to the Moon Palace."

"A promise made cannot be taken back."

"Alright, a promise is a promise!"

"Sister, we don't have permission to bring mortals to the Moon Palace."

"Don't be afraid, get the clothes back first. Even if we wanted to take him to the moon palace, we'd have to see if he has the ability to fly there alive."

"Okay!" The fairies understood and smiled slyly.

Only the young fairy didn't know what her older sisters were up to; she only thought that since a promise had been made, it should be kept.

Shirou kept his promise, placed the basket on the shore, turned around and walked back into the woods, standing with his back against a large tree, waiting for the fairies to come ashore and change their clothes.

Half an hour later, the fairies finally finished changing their clothes and getting ready.

"Then I'll trouble you fairies to lead the way," Shirou said, stepping forward and bowing slightly.

Only then did the fairies get a clear look at Shirou's face. They swallowed back the words they were about to utter, though their faces were still full of displeasure.

"Alright, if you can keep up with us, we'll take you to the Moon Palace." The fairies flew up, lowering one end of their shawls for Shirou to grab.

"Please continue, it wouldn't hurt to speed things up a bit." Shirou grabbed the shawl, but a pair of wings sprouted from his boots, and he flew up to be level with the fairies. He also put on a cloak, so he wouldn't be bothered by the cold air or oxygen, and spoke calmly.

The fairies looked at each other, realizing they had encountered a capable man, and there was nothing they could do about Shirou.

The fairy smiled and agreed, "Okay, Emiya- nii, I'll lead the way for you."

So Shirou followed the fairies to the moon palace, where there was a white rabbit carrying a hundred-meter-tall object and a pestle for pounding medicine, and a three-legged golden toad nearly ten thousand meters long, squatting motionless on the ground. Even more eye-catching was the row of magnificent golden palaces.

"Emiya- kun, please wait here for a moment. I'll keep you company while we go in to inform them."

"Okay." Shirou nodded.

The older fairies had all left, leaving only the youngest fairy staring wide-eyed at Shirou with an expression that seemed to say, "Ask me quickly, ask me so I can answer you."

Shirou had no choice but to change the subject and ask, "Does the most knowledgeable sage on the moon live there?"

"The Moon Mother has long since retired from worldly affairs, and we don't know her whereabouts. Now, the palace is managed by Fairy Chang'e," the little fairy said.

"Then I'll trouble you, fairy, to introduce me," Shirou pleaded with the fairy.

According to research, the name Chang'e is likely derived from the story of Di Jun, the daughter of Emperor Jun during the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors period. She married Yi, a powerful tribal chief under Di Jun, and then stole the elixir of immortality that Yi had obtained from the Queen Mother of the West. She then ascended to the moon and came to the Moon Palace.

In the later Daoist pantheon, she was integrated with Taiyin Zhenjun and regarded as one of the rulers of the moon.

However, according to the fairy, the most important person here is the Moon Mother, and the one they are going to see now is the Fairy Chang'e.

Inside the golden palace, to the east, stands a separate palace with a plaque bearing the words "Moon Palace." Its eaves are covered in ice crystals, and the surrounding area exudes a chilling aura.

The palace gates had opened, and inside, Ruri lamps were lit, and the fairies who had come earlier came out to greet them.

Shirou entered the palace and saw a woman sitting on a crystal throne in the reception hall. She wore an exquisite light blue robe and radiated a faint glow, like the moon on a lake at night. Her long hair was the night itself, and her eyes were like the moon. The light within them changed with her emotions, just like the phases of the moon.

Shirou paid his respects to the master of the Moon Palace and explained the purpose of his visit.

Then the fairy's eyes flickered, and she hesitated, tapping her head and turning it left and right.

"Ah, why don't you go to the southern foot of Mount Tai to find that person? She is the oldest spirit on Earth and is also recognized as the first fairy." Chang'e said, clasping her hands together.

Chapter 1197 Shirou and the Consort Yu

In July of the first year of Yanhe (712), a comet appeared in the west and entered Taiwei.

Princess Taiping instructed the astronomers of the Imperial Observatory, who were then astronomical officials, to report to Emperor Ruizong, "A comet entering the Taiwei constellation foretells disaster for the emperor's throne, and the Crown Prince will become the emperor."

This implies that the crown prince is about to usurp the throne.

Emperor Ruizong Li Dan did not pay attention, and simply said, "I have made up my mind to abdicate and avoid disaster."

Upon hearing this, Crown Prince Li Longji rushed into the palace, kowtowed, and apologized, saying, "I have become Crown Prince by virtue of my meager merits, surpassing my elder brother. I am uneasy day and night. I do not understand why Your Majesty is in such a hurry to pass on the throne?"

Emperor Ruizong Li Dan said, "I gained the throne entirely because of your efforts. Now that the throne is in danger, I am passing it on to you to turn misfortune into fortune. What do you have to doubt?"

The crown prince still refused to accept the offer.

Emperor Ruizong said, "You are a filial son, why must you wait until after my death to ascend the throne before my coffin?"

The prince could only leave in tears.

On July 25th, Emperor Ruizong issued an edict formally abdicating the throne to the Crown Prince.

On August 3rd, Xuanzong ascended the throne and respected Ruizong as the Supreme Emperor. The emperor called himself "I" and his order was "Gao", and he would receive court in Taiji Hall every five days; the emperor called himself "Yu" and his order was "Zhi", and he would receive court in Wude Hall every day.

Afterwards, Princess Taiping advised Emperor Ruizong that although he had abdicated, he should still be in charge of important matters. Therefore, the appointment of officials of the third rank and above and major criminal cases should still be decided by the retired emperor, while all other decisions should be made by the emperor.

When Shirou rode a shooting star down from the moon and returned to Earth, he found that several decades had passed. As for Wang Jiayazi, Wang the Rich had long since sold off his property due to mismanagement and gone to the countryside to live as a wealthy old man.

Shirou arrived at Rascal Alley, a shabby alley in the slums. The surrounding houses had all been renovated and changed, but in the darkest corner, the simple wooden house remained unchanged, and an old man in tattered clothes still sat quietly there.

"But it's Silang, whose surname is Emiya." The old man was blind, but his hearing was exceptionally sharp.

"It's me, elder, how are you?" Shirou greeted the old man with a cupped-hand salute.

"As always, you are content with a simple life. But have you seen the fairy?" the old man asked.

"I've seen it, but I haven't been able to find a satisfactory solution."

"I think so too. Now that the Empress has returned power and the Li Tang Dynasty has been restored, the Li family has lost its prestige in the Western Regions grasslands, where heroism is highly valued, and can no longer win the support of the various tribes on the grasslands."

Now, an 82-year-old woman, already seriously ill and nearing the end of her life, is being forced to die prematurely, and has also lost the filial piety that a child should have, not to mention any etiquette or morality.

The current prosperity and strength is just a last gasp; it seems that in a few decades, its glory will also vanish like smoke. Perhaps it's time for me to go to my grave, lest I die with regrets." The old man said in a disappointed voice.

"Please take care, elder."

Shirou nodded to the old man and then turned and left.

At this time, Emperor Ruizong Li Dan abdicated. He played a huge role in the Shenlong Coup, seized military power, defeated his aunt Princess Taiping's third son Li Longji, and officially ascended the throne. The Tang Dynasty officially entered the Kaiyuan Flourishing Age.

The market was even more bustling. Shirou saw that European merchants from even more distant regions had come here, bringing the prosperity of the Tang Dynasty to the very edge of the Eurasian continent.

The Tang Dynasty was arguably one of the most open periods in Chinese history and one of the most influential periods in the world.

A hundred years ago, during the Northern Dynasties, the warlords and nobles of the Guanlong Clique could trace their ancestry back to Han-Chinese military forces who were Han-Chinese non-Han peoples who guarded the frontier during the Han Dynasty.

After the Three Kingdoms period, the Central Plains declined and became subservient to warlord forces. Meanwhile, the Xianbei tribe, who merged with the remnants of the Xiongnu, rose to power, occupied the north, and established the Northern Wei.

During this period, the Xianbei Dynasty launched several movements to Sinicize the Xianbei tribe and Xianbei the Han people in order to consolidate its rule, but the results were not good. Han ethnicity scholars gradually made a comeback in the court, replacing the Xianbei and becoming the Guanlong Clique dominated by Han people.

This place nurtured four emperors: the Western Wei, Northern Zhou, Sui, and Tang dynasties. Among them, Yuwen Tai, Yuan Xin, and Li Hu were Grand Pillars of State, and Yang Zhong was one of the Twelve Great Generals.

Families such as the Yuwen clan and Dugu clan, which had Han Dynasty royal bloodlines and intermarried with the Vile King family, became the top clans in the Northern Dynasties.

Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin, was the Son of Heaven in the Central Plains and the Heavenly Khan in the grasslands. He was the supreme leader recognized by both the Han people and the various ethnic groups of the grasslands. Therefore, the high-ranking officials did not reject the culture of the Western Regions, because it was also part of the Tang Dynasty.

On the one hand, at this time, the Tang Dynasty was a superior Celestial Empire, with a territory exceeding that of the Taizong era and the largest in history. From the emperor down to the shepherd boy in the village, everyone had great confidence. Therefore, the upper class also took pleasure in collecting rare and exotic items from the Western Regions and overseas. Listening to pipa music and drinking wine were great pleasures that only the upper class could enjoy.

However, as Shirou walked through the countryside, he found that the people there looked bitter, and the scenes of peaceful and happy life, enjoying the company of their grandchildren and the joy of being surrounded by their parents were no longer there.

After traveling for more than a month, Shirou finally arrived at the southern foot of Mount Tai. As he walked deeper into the forest, he found himself in a dense bamboo grove. Shirou pushed aside the waist-high weeds and walked into the grove. After walking for about several dozen meters, he finally discovered a hidden path.

Looking inside, I saw a house with a field on one side, filled with all sorts of flowers and plants. It was springtime, and the house was surrounded by colorful flowers!

Shirou went up and knocked on the door.

There was a creaking sound coming from inside, but no response.

Shirou knocked on the door again.

They still didn't agree.

Knock on the door again.

"Who is it! It's so noisy!" The door was opened, and inside was a long-haired woman wearing a black dress, whose beauty rivaled that of Chang'e in the Moon Palace.

The woman was clearly not from the Tang Dynasty, because the style of her clothing was far too daring; even in later times, she would not be able to walk on the street in such a way.

At this moment, she bared her fangs in a fit of rage, her red eyes glaring at Shirou as if she wanted to tear him apart.

"Excuse me, are you the fairy Consort Yu? I was introduced here by the fairy Chang'e from the Moon Palace. She told me that you might know a way to make all mankind happy and fulfilled."

"Huh?! That woman who went to the moon palace? I don't know her at all! Go back now!" The long-haired woman said, trying to close the door.

"What's wrong, Consort Yu?" A heroic and magnetic male voice came from inside the room.

The woman immediately turned around and explained in a demure manner, "No, Lord Xiang Yu, I just don't know who this intruder is. I'll make him leave right now."

"At least tell me how to make all of humanity happy and fulfilled!" Shirou shouted.

Consort Yu is immortal, but she is not human and never wanted to become human.

"Just like Monkey King, everything about me is innate! World peace, the well-being of all mankind—I know nothing about that! I have absolutely no interest in human affairs! If you want to study these kinds of questions, go find the First Emperor Qin, don't bother me!"

"Then please tell me where the First Emperor is?" Shirou asked.

Chapter 1198 Shirou and the First Emperor

The woman inside the room possessed stunning beauty, but she had a very volatile temper, looking as if she were about to draw her sword and strike.

"Consort Yu, since you are looking for His Highness the First Emperor, it is our duty to guide him."

The man inside the house came out. He was a tall and imposing man. He was a human-shaped immortal-technology modified weapon. At the end of the late Qin, he had another name: Xiang Yu, Xiang Yu Hegemon-King of Chu.

"Honestly! Why now of all times? Of all times to come! Enough! You come with me!"

'What were you planning to do in the house just now? Why are you so angry?' Shirou wondered to himself, but faced with his irritable older sister, he chose to keep quiet.

Consort Yu and Xiang Yu led Shirou into the cave.

Inside, there's a super-alloy explosion-proof door. It opens via facial recognition, revealing a circular steel ladder with an open center section containing an iron frame with hanging items...