Officials from the Court of State Ceremonials brought the Crown Prince a brand-new imperial robe and crown. The dark robe was embroidered with nine emblems: the sun, moon, stars, mountains, dragons, ornate insects, ancestral sacrificial vessels, water grass, fire, grains of rice, axes, and back-to-back bows. He wore a nine-strand ceremonial crown and a white jade belt.

They brought silver armor and helmets for the thirty-seven Imperial Forest Army guards. Li Xuan, Qi Zhenzhuo, and the other thirty-five Imperial Forest Army guards shed their civilian clothes and once again became formidable Imperial Forest Army guards. Their white pheasant tails stood high, swaying in the wind.

They brought Chen Liqin a brand-new fourth-rank official robe, with cloud-goose badges sewn on the front and back. He wore black satin boots.

Of the forty summoned individuals, only Chen Ji remained without an official rank, a mere commoner.

The young man’s black, stand-collar, cross-front robe stood out. His posture was tall and straight, but he looked out of place among the forty.

Xiaoman, leaning indignantly on a second-story window lattice, complained, “Why didn’t they bring an official robe just for my young master? My young master would look just as heroic in an official robe, no worse than them!”

Zhang Xia patted her head and said with a smile, “Chen Ji’s official rank can only be decided after he meets the Emperor today.”

Xiaoman said regretfully, “Many young ladies from noble families will surely be waiting in the inner city to watch this trip back to the capital. How magnificent my young master would look if he wore an official robe.”

Zhang Xia casually replied, “It doesn’t matter; he doesn’t care for those infatuated girls.”

Xiaoman thought for a moment. “You’re right!”

Her eyes darted around. “Second Sister, you just said you’d let the young master meet the person he wants to see. Who is that person?”

Zhang Xia said softly, “The stars in the sky.”

Downstairs, the officials from the Court of State Ceremonials began arranging the procession for entering the city again.

The Crown Prince led the way. Li Xuan and Chen Liqin rode side by side, Chen on the left and Li on the right. Then came the remaining thirty-six Imperial Forest Army guards, marching two by two. Finally, Chen Ji, a lone commoner, brought up the rear.

Seeing this, Qi Zhenzhuo immediately said to the official from the Court of State Ceremonials, “This won’t do. In the Battle of Guyuan, Chen Ji’s merits were second only to Commander Li. How can he be placed at the very end?”

Li Xuan shook his head. “No, his merits are above mine. He should ride alongside Master Chen.”

Even the other Imperial Forest Army guards stood their ground, unwilling to line up in front of Chen Ji.

The middle-aged official from the Court of State Ceremonials snapped, “Distinguished heroes, tens of thousands of commoners will be lining the streets for your return to the capital. I don’t have time to argue with you about whose merits are greatest. This order is not based on merit, but on official rank. Is Master Chen without merit, so I should place him at the very end?”

Qi Zhenzhuo mumbled, “Well, it wouldn’t be impossible…”

Li Xuan glared at him. Then he clasped his hands towards the official from the Court of State Ceremonials, saying, “But Chen Ji is the Right Palace Guard personally sanctioned by His Highness…”

The Court of State Ceremonials official raised a hand. “Stop, stop. The Ministry of Personnel hasn’t even issued the official document yet, gentlemen, please don’t speak carelessly. His sixth-rank Right Palace Guard position only becomes official after he meets the Emperor. Today’s audience is merely a formality for bestowing honors and rewards. The main point is to let the commoners see the victorious generals and soldiers, showcasing the military might of our Ning Dynasty. Whether he’s at the front or the back won’t affect the Emperor’s approval. Please don’t delay any longer; His Majesty also needs to receive foreign envoys after meeting with you.”

Qi Zhenzhuo was about to say something more.

Chen Ji, holding Zaodao’s reins, said with a smile, “There’s no need to argue, it’s all the same to me where I am.”

Li Xuan and Qi Zhenzhuo fell silent. The Court of State Ceremonials official, however, looked at Zaodao behind Chen Ji, then turned to look at the white horse the Crown Prince was riding.

That carefully selected white horse was actually a head shorter than Zaodao.

The Court of State Ceremonials official quickly said, “No, no, how can a horse steal His Highness’s thunder? Exchange this horse for the Crown Prince.”

But as soon as he approached, Zaodao violently opened its mouth to bite, scaring him into retreating repeatedly.

Chen Ji stroked Zaodao’s cheek. “Go back to the stable. You and Second Sister will return to the capital together later.”

Zaodao obediently went back to the stable and began eating fodder. The Court of State Ceremonials official adjusted his black gauze cap and exclaimed in wonder, “Amazing! This horse understands human nature!”

Chen Ji went to the post station and changed horses. He said with a smile, “Sir, we can depart now.”

The Court of State Ceremonials official waved to everyone. “Proceed into the capital. Remember to go slowly and don’t break formation!”

Qi Zhenzhuo grumbled, “Master, they always judge people by their status first… I used to be like that too. Don’t let them get to you, and don’t let me get to you either.”

Chen Ji said nonchalantly, “It’s fine, it’s not important.”

The long procession slowly set off. They departed from Fengtai, heading east along the rammed-earth official road. After two hours of riding, they reached You’an Gate.

Upon entering the outer city of the capital, the commoners lined both sides of Xuanwu Gate Street, cheering and leaping with joy.

As the Crown Prince passed through the city gate arch, the Imperial Forest Army guards, majestic as dragons, were met with a roaring ovation from the commoners. The commoners, dressed in coarse cloth, threw fresh flowers they had gathered that morning onto the ground, each one overcome with excitement.

Some young people ran alongside the procession, walking and excitedly asking, “Is it true that Master Li took the head of a Jing Dynasty general from among ten thousand troops in Guyuan?”

“Is it true that the Jing Dynasty’s Heavenly Strategist Army attempted to assassinate His Royal Highness the Crown Prince through a secret passage, but was completely annihilated by the Imperial Forest Army, thanks to His Royal Highness’s strategic planning?”

A young scholar shouted from the street, “I’ve written a poem for the generals!”

After saying that, he began to recite aloud in the street, as if no one else was there: “Hooves break Guyuan snow, bows startle Quwu stars. Silver armor burns enemy tents, longswords cleave the Upper Capital. Xuanwu strewn with flowers and brocade, Imperial Forest Army arrayed like constellations. Victory songs boil through the nine gates of the palace, ten thousand commoners hail new glories!”

The scene was exceptionally lively.

The last time Xuanwu Gate was this bustling seemed to be in the twenty-fifth year of Jianing.

The commoners cheered and rejoiced, but none of these cheers were for Chen Ji. Chen Ji was not mentioned in the storytellers’ tales.

After all, everyone knew about the Imperial Forest Army, but no one recognized Chen Ji when his name was brought up. The storytellers would have to go to great lengths to explain who Chen Ji was to their tea-house patrons, and even then, the patrons might not remember.

Li Xuan turned back anxiously to look at Chen Ji, only to see him silently trailing at the very end of the procession, alone.

Chen Ji was curiously observing the capital city. His gaze had already drifted far away.

The capital was taller, cleaner, and more orderly than Guyuan. Iron cannons and firearms were mounted on the battlements. Tall red banners fluttered in the wind, and soldiers wore armor and helmets.

So this was the most majestic appearance of a Ning Dynasty city… But Chen Ji always felt something was missing.

The procession entered the inner city along Xuanwu Gate Street, then proceeded east along Chang’an Street towards the Imperial Palace.

Inside the inner city, the roads were no longer rammed earth but beautiful blue brick.

The houses were tightly packed and orderly. Their white walls and grey tiles were a refreshing sight.

Here, brightly dressed young women, undeterred by the spring chill, had already changed into their silk gauze jackets and horse-face skirts. Their stand-up collars were adorned with pearl buttons. They gathered in groups, their faces veiled with light gauze, uninhibitedly scrutinizing the Imperial Forest Army guards on their white horses.

Their gazes swept from the front of the procession to the back, until they saw Chen Ji. Then, they casually shifted their gaze back to the front.

A young lady from a noble family pointed at one of the Imperial Forest Army guards and proudly declared, “See? That’s my brother!”

The girls immediately gathered around her, chattering, “Hey, ask your brother for me, the Imperial Forest Army guard in the fourth row…”

At this moment, someone whispered, “Who is that person at the very end of the procession? Why isn’t he wearing armor?”

“He must be a minor official from the Court of State Ceremonials responsible for the procession.”

The procession slowly arrived before the Meridian Gate. Everyone was searched and inspected.

The Imperial Forest Army guards were also searched by Imperial Forest Army guards.

The Imperial Forest Army guard on duty at the Meridian Gate said with a smile, “Congratulations, Master Li and Master Qi! The Battle of Guyuan truly brought honor to the Imperial Forest Army. Those lads from the Ten Thousand Years Army have been speaking to us with more respect lately. Brothers, you’ve returned victorious. Tonight, we who remained in the capital will host a welcoming banquet for you at Baishun Hutong.”

“Haha, at least you still have some conscience, lad! A welcoming banquet at Baishun Hutong shows enough sincerity,” Qi Zhenzhuo said with a beaming smile, “Tomorrow night, my Qi family will host a celebration banquet at Gufu Tower. Everyone come!”

“Oh, Gufu Tower!”

Li Xuan, seeing the commotion, soberly poured cold water on their excitement. “If you want others to respect you, you still need rigorous training. I’ve found a formidable drillmaster for you. From now on, whoever slacks off will take off their armor and go home.”

Seeing their commander’s displeased expression, the Imperial Forest Army guards immediately quieted down. They dutifully completed their inspections and were allowed to pass.

Inside the Meridian Gate, Qi Zhenzhuo mumbled softly, “Brother-in-law, why the long face on such a joyful day?”

Li Xuan cast a sidelong glance at him. “You saw how the Imperial Forest Army performed in Guyuan this time. Including you, you all have the demeanor of officials but don’t know how to fight. How can I be happy about that?”

Qi Zhenzhuo said with a playful grin, “What’s there to be afraid of? With my master in charge of training, we’ll surely make rapid progress!”

Li Xuan looked back, only to see Chen Ji following everyone with his head down, remaining silent the entire time.

Upon entering the Six Offices Gallery, a calm voice instructed, “Remove your boots, unfasten your swords, and prepare for a body search.”

Chen Ji looked up and a familiar face abruptly came into view. The person wore a black *Feiyu* robe, with a red embroidered python extending from his shoulder to his chest. A long saber hung from his waist.

It was Lin Chaoqing, Commander of the Troublesolving Guards, serving under the Principal Judicial Office.

Chen Ji had dealt with him quite a bit in Luocheng. He hadn’t seen him since the events there concluded, and hadn’t expected him to be transferred back to the palace by the Directorate of Ceremonials for rotational duty.

Lin Chaoqing’s gaze swept over everyone’s faces. When it passed over Chen Ji, he seemed to have a flicker of doubt, but didn’t pay it much mind.

In Luocheng, Chen Ji had always helped Cloud Sheep and Bright Rabbit remain masked, never showing his true face. Thus, when he saw Chen Ji, he only found him slightly familiar, forgetting where they had met.

The Six Offices Gallery was the final checkpoint before the audience with the Emperor. Everyone was searched here, more thoroughly than by the Meridian Gate Imperial Forest Army guards. Even outer garments had to be removed one by one to prevent concealment.

Just then, a deep voice came from behind Lin Chaoqing. “Foreign envoys have entered the palace early and are presenting tributes and auspicious signs at Renshou Palace. The Grand Chancellor has ordered that His Highness and the Imperial Forest Army guards wait at Zhongcui Palace first. Once the imperial decree is passed, they will be led to Renshou Palace for the audience.”

Chen Ji looked up in astonishment. He saw a person wearing a white dragon-emblazoned mask. Their white cross-front robe was spotless. This person, by simply standing casually in the Six Offices Gallery, could draw everyone’s attention.

White Dragon!

Mister Feng!

Lin Chaoqing heard this and hesitated. “Lord White Dragon, for them not to receive the decree here would likely be against the rules.”

White Dragon smiled. “What, Commander Lin, do you only listen to Master Wu Xiu now? Can the Grand Chancellor no longer command you?”

Lin Chaoqing quickly clasped his hands and said, “I wouldn’t dare, Your subordinate…”

White Dragon chuckled. “Commander Lin, you are on the same rank as me; there’s no need to call yourself ‘your subordinate’.”

Lin Chaoqing humbly replied, “It’s different. Your subordinate will now lead them to Zhongcui Palace to await the imperial decree.”

White Dragon stepped aside, clearing the path.

As Chen Ji, at the end of the line, passed by him, he whispered to Chen Ji, barely audible, “Kid, no need to thank me.”

Chen Ji clenched his fists.

Lin Chaoqing led everyone towards the Eastern Six Palaces. Chen Ji followed calmly at the very end.

Amidst red walls and grey tiles, he walked along the blue brick path of the Eastern Six Palaces.

Passing through screen walls, one after another.

Passing through flower-hanging gates, one after another.

Passing through Yanxi Palace and Jingren Palace.

Passing through Chengqian Palace and Yonghe Palace.

Finally, he stopped between Zhongcui Palace and Jinyang Palace. The two palaces were separated by a single street.

Chen Ji had walked four thousand one hundred and fifty-eight *li* and killed three hundred and forty-nine people. All for the sake of standing here.

As long as he could stand here,

whether he walked at the front or the back, wore an official uniform or civilian clothes, whether his status was a sixth-rank Right Palace Guard or a commoner, it didn’t matter.

Chen Ji took a deep breath and cautiously looked towards Jingyang Palace on his right.

In the spring afternoon, sunlight fell upon a slender Daoist nun in a blue robe. She stood in the sunlight, gently sweeping fallen leaves into a pile with a bamboo broom.

Long time no see, Bai Li.

Volume Four: Four Thousand *Li* Journey, End.

(End of chapter)