Chapter 515: Bodhisattva

Chapter 515: The Bodhisattva

Li Huowang, invisible and silent, stood silently atop the treetops, watching from afar the endless procession of ceremonial attendants.

Eunuchs, guards, palace maids—thousands upon thousands of them in all manner of garb formed one long line, neither head nor tail visible to the eye.

According to the information provided by Ji Lin, his target—the Empress Dowager and the Crown Princess—were undoubtedly within this magnificent parade.

Yet Li Huowang also understood that now was not the time to act. Especially without knowing which of the ornate carriages they were in, or how many hidden enemies might be among the crowd—if he gave the game away, both would retreat deep into the palace, making future attempts nearly impossible.

The Empress Dowager and the Crown Princess of Great Li—such exalted status meant that the most effective way to kill them would be through surprise.

Moreover, if the ambush failed, there would still be time for a direct confrontation later.

"Suishui, let's go," said Li Sui, who had been hiding alongside Li Huowang. His transparent tentacles slowly extended from within Li Huowang’s body, wrapping around a nearby branch.

With a gentle tug, Li Huowang leapt from one tree to another, following the solemn procession at a distance.

This was the crucial moment—the Empress Dowager and Crown Princess were about to worship the Bodhisattva temple, so naturally, it couldn’t be far from the capital city. Just a few dozen kilometers away, Li Huowang already saw the misty mountain peaks where a colossal statue of a Bodhisattva stood against the landscape, holding a jade vase.

He did not know what kind of Bodhisattva it was, but it differed greatly from his expectations. This Bodhisattva was male, as massive as a mountain, one hand supporting a vase, the other delicately pressing a seal, gazing down with compassionate eyes over everything below.

"We're going to the temple first," said Li Huowang, quickening his pace ahead of the procession, arriving before them at the sacred temple before the statue.

A temple housing such a grand Bodhisattva could not possibly be a small shrine. The dozens of acres surrounding the statue belonged to the temple itself.

Green trees encircled the monastery, yellow walls, gray-tiled roofs, incense smoke curling through the air, and the deep, resonant sound of bells.

The entire structure radiated reverence and sanctity. Incense filled the air, and pilgrims came endlessly, hands clasped before chest, forehead, and head, then laid flat on the ground.

Day after day, countless footsteps had worn the stone slabs beneath into depressions. Clearly, this temple held immense significance in the hearts of the people.

"Let’s go!"

Li Huowang, invisible, leaped onto the roof and slipped inside the temple first. He wasn't worried that this place, like Zhengde Temple, would be a den of thieves ready to ambush him.

According to Ji Lin’s reports, the monks here were ordinary men, nothing more than common monks who took advantage of women. Even if there were secrets hidden within the temple, they wouldn’t involve themselves in the struggle for succession.

Those who lived so close to the capital knew better than to meddle in such matters. One wrong move and they’d be destroyed.

Once he found a secluded spot, the long procession emerged from the road in front of the temple gate. A row of yellow-robed monks, led by several in robes of higher rank, arrived at the wide entrance to welcome the hidden Li Huowang.

As the brilliantly dressed palace maids opened like fans, Li Huowang finally saw the Empress Dowager and the Crown Princess of Great Li.

"Beautiful, breathtaking," was his first impression.

As Ji Lin’s elder sister, her beauty was beyond words—like a fish that makes the water fall, a flower that shames the moon—but as his own mother, she matched her in appearance.

Her skin was flawless, glowing faintly pink, lips thin yet soft like rose petals, untouched by time.

If not for their different attire, Li Huowang couldn’t tell which was the Empress Dowager and which was the Crown Princess.

Under his gaze, the Crown Princess spoke to the abbot, then guards stepped forward, driving out the remaining pilgrims and surrounding the entire temple tightly.

Then, accompanied by eunuchs and palace maids, the Empress Dowager and Crown Princess entered the temple, walking straight through without stopping.

They climbed the stone steps to the highest tower at the center of the temple, kneeling on cushions before the mountain-shaped Bodhisattva, offering prayers.

The vast Bodhisattva looked on with no emotion.

"Dad, what are they doing?" asked Li Sui, who had never seen such a scene.

"They’re praying to the Bodhisattva, probably seeking forgiveness for their sins. After all, helping one son kill another—it would make anyone uneasy."

Li Huowang explained silently to Li Sui. He remained patient, showing no intention to strike, standing motionless like a rock.

Such a grand effort made to come so far could not end with just a simple prayer. They would surely stay overnight.

"Clang—clang—" As the bells rang, the monks sat in meditation around the tower, chanting sutras. Under this solemn atmosphere, the sun passed before the statue and slowly set behind it.

At the third watch of the night, Li Huowang felt the moment was right. Li Sui used black tendrils to wrap around the rafters, lowering Li Huowang upside-down toward their quarters.

Li Huowang moved slowly. Even with common sense, he knew that the area around those two women must be guarded.

After an hour of cautious movement, he finally passed the outer sentries and reached the luxurious chambers where they stayed.

Though it was late, guards still stood outside the rooms—eunuchs and palace maids.

"Suishui, when we enter, remember—we go left first, then right. Kill and leave. No lingering," Li Huowang instructed, gritting his teeth.

His right hand slowly lifted, grasping the hilt of his sword.

Just as he prepared to strike—

"Creep," the door of a room on the left creaked open. Several strong palace maids carried a bald monk wrapped in a blanket toward another chamber.

"Stop! What time is it? What are you doing?" An old eunuch with white frost on his face stepped out.

"Master, the princess says the Empress Dowager grew weary from praying and needs some care," replied one of the maids.

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