FVN 125. Evidence
125. Evidence
The plan to divide and conquer has begun to show results, with undercurrents stirring in the court and many officials beginning to doubt the Heavenly Demon Guard. But this is far from enough; they need more compelling evidence to truly shake the foundations of the Heavenly Demon's rule.
"Lord Lin, we have news from the Commander of the Imperial Guards." Zhang Yuan strode into the room, his voice tinged with excitement. "He has agreed to meet with us."
Lin Mo turned around, a glint of light flashing in his eyes: "When and where?"
"Tomorrow night at midnight, at the abandoned Dragon King Temple in the west of the city," Zhang Yuan whispered. "He demands to see only you, and you must be absolutely discreet."
Lin Mo nodded: "Of course. The commander of the Imperial Guard has a special status. If the Heavenly Demon discovers that he has been in contact with us, he will surely die."
Master Qingyun emerged from the inner room, holding an ancient bronze mirror in his hand: "Last night, I used this Heaven-Gazing Mirror to observe the palace and discovered that the demonic energy around the emperor's bedroom was dense, but there was one unusual place."
"What's wrong?" Lin Mo pressed.
"The Imperial Ancestral Temple." Daoist Qingyun said solemnly, "This is the place where emperors of past dynasties worshipped their ancestors, yet demonic energy cannot penetrate it. I speculate that it may contain treasures that can restrain the Heavenly Demons, or... some kind of restriction left by the late emperor."
Lin Mo pondered, "The Imperial Ancestral Temple... Indeed, emperors of all dynasties would first offer sacrifices at the Imperial Ancestral Temple upon ascending the throne. If the Heavenly Demon completely controlled the emperor, why would it never set foot inside the Imperial Ancestral Temple?"
Zhao Mingcheng rushed back from outside, looking somewhat tired: "I've checked, the sacrificial ceremony to Heaven is scheduled for seven days from now. According to custom, the emperor must fast and bathe for three days in advance and meditate alone in the Imperial Ancestral Temple."
"Alone?" Lin Mo keenly caught this information.
"Yes, this is an ancestral rule," Zhao Mingcheng said with certainty. "At that time, apart from the guards of the Imperial Ancestral Temple, no one is allowed to approach, and even the Heavenly Demon Guard can only guard the perimeter."
A glint of light flashed in Lin Mo's eyes: "This might be our only chance."
The next day, Lin Mo summoned the core members and explained his plan in detail.
"We need to reveal the evidence that the emperor was replaced by the Heavenly Demon while he is fasting in the Imperial Ancestral Temple." Lin Mo unfolded a map of the palace and pointed to the location of the Imperial Ancestral Temple. "At that time, the emperor will be alone, and the Heavenly Demon Guard will not be able to protect him closely, which will be the best time for us to act."
Zhang Yuan frowned: "But how do we make the evidence public? Where do we make it public? To whom do we make it public?"
Lin Mo was prepared: "The day before the sacrificial ceremony to Heaven, the imperial family, civil and military officials will gather outside the Imperial Ancestral Temple to wait for the emperor to finish his fast. We will expose the true face of the Heavenly Demon in public at that time."
"What about the evidence?" Zhao Mingcheng asked. "We know the emperor has been replaced, but how can we convince others?"
Master Qingyun took out a small wooden box: "This is a manifestation talisman that I refined overnight. As long as you get close to the Heavenly Demon, it will reveal its true form. However, it is only effective if used within one zhang (approximately 3.3 meters)."
Lin Mo took the wooden box and carefully put it away: "This is not enough. We need more evidence to convince the court officials."
He turned to Zhang Yuan: "How's it going on your end?"
Zhang Yuan took out a stack of documents: "I found the descendants of the late emperor's imperial physicians. They have preserved the late emperor's medical records. According to the records, the royal bloodline has a special mark; when emotionally agitated, a dragon-shaped mark will appear on the back of the neck. This is a royal secret, unknown to outsiders."
"Good!" Lin Mo's spirits lifted. "If the current emperor doesn't have this mark, it's irrefutable proof."
"But how can we verify it?" Zhao Mingcheng asked. "We simply cannot get close enough to inspect it."
Lin Mo pondered for a moment: "During the sacrificial ceremony to Heaven, the emperor must wear a heavy ceremonial crown, exposing the back of his neck. If we can create an occasion that excites him..."
"The Crown Prince's orphan," Master Qingyun suddenly said. "If the Crown Prince's orphan were to suddenly appear, the Emperor would be shocked. At that time, we can take the opportunity to use the revelation talisman to verify the neck mark, taking a two-pronged approach."
The group exchanged glances and nodded; although the plan was risky, it was indeed feasible.
"There's another problem," Zhang Yuan said worriedly, "Are the guards at the Imperial Ancestral Temple reliable? What if they've already been controlled by the Heavenly Demons..."
Lin Mo smiled slightly: "That's precisely why I'm meeting with the commander of the Imperial Guards tonight. The guards of the Imperial Ancestral Temple belong to the Imperial Guards. If we can get his support, our plan will be half successful."
At midnight that night, Lin Mo went alone to the Dragon King Temple in the west of the city. The temple had been in disrepair for many years, covered with cobwebs, and only a broken statue of the Dragon King still stood in the center of the main hall.
"Lord Lin is indeed punctual." A deep voice came from the shadows.
Han Zhen, the commander of the Imperial Guards, emerged from the shadows. He was dressed in civilian clothes, but his upright posture and military bearing were undeniable.
"I am deeply grateful that Commander Han is willing to risk his life to meet me," Lin Mo said, cupping his hands in greeting.
Han Zhen went straight to the point: "No need for formalities. You sent someone to deliver a message saying there's important intelligence regarding His Majesty's safety. What exactly is it?"
Lin Mo stared into Han Zhen's eyes: "Commander Han, you have served His Majesty for many years, haven't you noticed the changes in His Majesty over the years?"
Han Zhen's expression changed slightly: "Your Majesty is busy with countless affairs of state, so it is normal for your temperament to change."
"Is it normal that His Majesty never sets foot in the Imperial Ancestral Temple?" Lin Mo asked rhetorically.
Han Zhen was silent for a moment, then asked in a low voice, "What exactly do you know?"
Lin Mo stopped beating around the bush: "The current emperor is no longer the original His Majesty, but a puppet replaced by extraterrestrial demons."
Han Zhen's pupils contracted sharply, and his hand instinctively gripped the hilt of his sword: "How dare you! You dare to slander His Majesty!"
Lin Mo remained calm: "Commander Han, do you remember the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet three years ago? The dragon-shaped mark that appeared on the back of His Majesty's neck after he got drunk?"
Han Zhen was stunned: "You...how did you know?"
"I also know that the current emperor would never have this mark." Lin Mo pressed on, "Commander Han, are you loyal to the Li Tang royal family, or to that demon who occupies the throne?"
Cold sweat beaded on Han Zhen's forehead, and his hand gripping the sword trembled slightly. After a long silence, he sighed, "Actually... I've had my suspicions for a long time. In recent years, His Majesty has never been close to the princes and princesses, not even visiting his most beloved Princess Chang'an when she was seriously ill. This is definitely not His Majesty's true nature."
Seeing Han Zhen waver, Lin Mo seized the opportunity and said, "During the sacrificial ceremony to Heaven, His Majesty will need to fast in the Imperial Ancestral Temple for three days. At that time, please ask Commander Han to ensure that the guards of the Imperial Ancestral Temple are all reliable people. We will expose the true face of the Heavenly Demon in public."
Han Zhen hesitated: "What if you make the wrong judgment..."
"If we are wrong, I, Lin, am willing to atone with my head," Lin Mo said firmly. "But if we are right, Commander Han will be the hero who saved the Tang Dynasty."
Han Zhen pondered for a long time before finally nodding: "Alright! I promise you. Half of the guards at the Imperial Ancestral Temple are my trusted confidants, and I will arrange for them to guard key positions."
With Han Zhen's promise, Lin Mo felt a weight lifted from his shoulders.
Over the next few days, everyone went their separate ways to prepare. Zhang Yuan was responsible for contacting reliable members of the royal family, Zhao Mingcheng mobilized elite border troops to secretly enter the capital, and Daoist Qingyun intensified his efforts to refine more manifestation talismans and protective magical artifacts.
The crown prince's orphaned son, Li Yan, was also brought along. Although the fifteen-year-old boy still had a touch of childishness, he already possessed the majesty of royalty. Lin Mo personally instructed him on how to conduct himself during the sacrificial ceremony to Heaven.
"All you need to do then is show yourself and call out 'Royal Uncle'," Lin Mo said to Li Yan. "Leave the rest to us."
Li Yan nodded nervously: "Mr. Lin, can you really expose that demon?"
"We definitely can," Lin Mo said firmly, "for your father, for the sake of the Tang Dynasty."
Three days before the sacrificial ceremony to Heaven, the emperor, according to custom, entered the Imperial Ancestral Temple for fasting. Outside the Imperial Ancestral Temple, members of the imperial family and civil and military officials had already arrived one after another, preparing to accompany the emperor to the Temple of Heaven for the sacrificial ceremony three days later.
Lin Mo stood atop a tall building in the distance, gazing at the Imperial Ancestral Temple. Han Zhen had indeed kept his word; the guards surrounding the temple had been replaced with people he trusted.
"Everything is ready." Zhang Yuan came to his side. "Three princes in the royal family have indicated that they are willing to support us if the evidence is conclusive."
Zhao Mingcheng also came to report: "The elite border troops have infiltrated the capital and are ready to provide support at any time."
Master Qingyun stroked his beard and said, "I have set up a barrier around the Imperial Ancestral Temple, which can temporarily prevent the Heavenly Demon Guard from breaking in."
Lin Mo took a deep breath: "Tomorrow will be the moment that decides the outcome."
However, late that night, an unexpected event occurred.
Zhang Yuan rushed to Lin Mo, his face pale: "Something terrible has happened! One of the princes we contacted suddenly died this morning. His death was bizarre, like he was under a curse."
Lin Mo's heart sank: "Has the Heavenly Demon noticed?"
"It's still unclear," Zhang Yuan said anxiously, "but the other two princes have already claimed illness and dare not participate in tomorrow's affairs."
As if things weren't going to go wrong, Zhao Mingcheng also brought bad news: "There has been some unusual activity in the Imperial Guards. Commander Han has been temporarily transferred and replaced by the Deputy Commander to take charge of the guarding of the Imperial Ancestral Temple."
Master Qingyun calculated with his fingers and his expression turned solemn: "The Heavenly Demon's fortune has suddenly increased, and they are probably already on guard."
The plan hadn't even begun when it suffered a series of setbacks. Everyone's spirits plummeted.
Lin Mo paced around the room, his mind racing. Suddenly, he stopped. "No," he said, "this isn't defense, it's a test."
"A test?" The crowd was puzzled.
Lin Mo analyzed, "If the Heavenly Demons had truly discovered our plan, they would have already taken action against us. The fact that they're only targeting people we've contacted shows that they only have suspicions, not certainty."
"So, will we proceed as planned tomorrow?" Zhang Yuan asked.
Lin Mo nodded firmly: "We must do it! This is the best opportunity. If we miss this chance, the Heavenly Demon will definitely strengthen its defenses, and we will have little chance to expose him again."
He looked at everyone and said, "I know the risks are great, but some things, knowing they are impossible yet still doing them, are what a true man does."
Master Qingyun nodded: "This humble Taoist is willing to stand with young friend Lin through thick and thin."
Zhao Mingcheng slammed his fist on the table and stood up: "The soldiers of the border region are never afraid of death!"
Zhang Yuan also firmly stated, "I will make the arrangements immediately to ensure that the evidence can be released smoothly tomorrow."
No one slept that night. Tomorrow, before the Imperial Ancestral Temple, the fate of this dynasty would be decided, and the life and death of each and every one of them would be determined.
Lin Mo stroked the Pure Yang Jade Pendant at his waist and looked towards the Imperial Ancestral Temple. There, a demon occupying the dragon throne was pretending to be devoutly fasting, and tomorrow, he would expose the true face of this usurper in front of the whole world.
Outside the window, the eastern sky was already turning a pale white. The day of the sacrificial ceremony to Heaven had arrived.