Chapter 112 Is All Well in the Mortal Realm? (II)

　　It is said:　　Clouds overturned and rain reversed—lightness prevails;　　Of myriad pursuits, none compare to the joy of three whites.　　The affairs of the years weigh upon the fate of the realm;　　Heaven’s intent, too, knows the reckonings of men.　　Now it came to pass that An Lushan and Shi Siming, having received the favor of Emperor Xuanzong, after the affairs of Youzhou were settled, once again followed the military governor Zhang Shou to campaign against the Xi and the Khitan. Though neither possessed the talent of supreme command, they were fierce and valiant in battle; under Zhang Shou’s direction, it was not long before the allied forces of the Xi and Khitan were driven back step by step.　　When night fell, lamps flickered within the allied camp. Suddenly a fetid wind swept through; the candle flames were snuffed out at once. A Nine-Tailed Spirit Fox manifested before the two princes and spoke: “I am a divine spirit of Heaven. The fortune of the Li-Tang has reached its end. I have come to seek a chosen one of Heaven, to aid him in accomplishing a thousand-year enterprise.” The two princes looked at one another in silence. To say this was mere delusion—yet the being had appeared out of nowhere and clearly possessed sorcery; to say the words were true—yet still…　　As they pondered, the Nine-Tailed Spirit Fox read their thoughts and presented before them the Blade of Chaos, saying: “Whichever of you can draw this weapon shall be the chosen of Heaven.” The two beheld the Blade of Chaos, its scabbard entwined with withered branches, a faint red glow pulsing. Considering their present plight, they could only treat a dead horse as if it were alive, and thus replied: “So be it; we shall abide by the immortal’s words.” They took the Blade of Chaos in turn and attempted to draw it.　　Yet no matter how they strained, the Blade of Chaos did not budge in the slightest. Seeing this, the Nine-Tailed Spirit Fox said: “It seems you two are not those destined by Heaven.” As the words fell, the fox transformed into purple mist and dis