Several days later, Chang'an.
Li Longji had gone ahead, returning with the War-Baleful Demon Ge tightly sealed beneath several layers of Demon-Sealing Talismans.
He neither returned to Prince Xiang's residence nor entered the imperial palace, but headed straight for Jianfu Temple in the southwestern corner of Chang'an City.
Master Sengjia had successfully taken over as the temple's abbot. For presenting a Buddhist treasure and helping quell the unrest during the Buddha-Bathing Festival, he had been appointed National Preceptor by imperial decree, overseeing Buddhist affairs throughout the realm. Ranked alongside the Daoist Order's National Preceptor Ye Fashan as a Nation-Protecting Sage, he enjoyed an exalted status.
Deep within the temple, inside a plain meditation room.
Master Sengjia accepted the long ge, whose killing intent remained terrifying even though it was contained.
"Amitabha."
The master softly invoked the Buddha's name. "This object is vicious, yet my Buddha is compassionate. I, too, am willing to slowly transform it through the boundless Buddhist Dharma. Rest assured, Prince of Linzi. This old monk will seal it within the temple's Underground Palace, using the Buddha-Bone Relic and the righteous energy of the earth veins to suppress it together. Unless heaven and earth undergo a great upheaval, I will never allow it to emerge and wreak havoc."
"Sorry for the trouble, Master."
Li Longji bowed solemnly.
With that matter settled, his heart eased. He then turned toward the other important destination of his visit—the Princess Taiping Who Guards the Nation's Residence, located northeast of Chang'an, right beside the imperial palace.
The Princess's Residence was magnificent in every respect, its security even tighter than the imperial palace's.
After his arrival was announced, Li Longji met his aunt, Princess Taiping, Li Lingyue, at the Golden Scale Pool Pavilion.
Li Lingyue wore no court robes that day, only a casual