Chapter 13: Yang Yuhuan Reunites with Tianbao

　　Park Won-jeong began by having Huang Mengliang drink a concoction infused with mafeisan, a numbing elixir. Slowly, Tianbao slipped into unconsciousness. Park’s two other disciples, Tianci and Tianxi, stood by to assist. Curious, they inquired, “Master, what herbs were used to craft this mafeisan?”

　　Park Won-jeong calmly replied while heating a small knife over a flame, “It is said that mafeisan was first created by the great Hua Tuo[ Hua Tuo (c. 140–208), courtesy name Yuanhua, was a Chinese physician who lived during the late Eastern Han dynasty.] and was only recently introduced to our land by Silla envoys returning from Tang. It is crafted from dozens of herbs, including mandrake flower, raw monkshood, fragrant angelica, dong quai, Sichuan lovage, arisaema, goatsbane, jasmine root, calamus, and Sichuan peppercorns. The mixture is refined through a meticulous process. Additionally, its effects must be complemented by acupuncture, sealing critical meridian points with steel needles to prevent the patient from awakening prematurely.”

　　As soon as Park Won-jeong finished speaking, Huang Mengliang had already fallen into a deep, unconscious sleep. Without hesitation, Park began his meticulous work. First, he made several incisions on Huang’s face with a small, razor-sharp knife. Then, he carefully excised a section of skin from Huang’s thigh, grafting it onto the facial wounds. With extraordinary precision, he stitched the grafted skin into place, ensuring the seams were tight and smooth, his hands moving with the steady confidence of a master artisan.

　　After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the intricate cosmetic procedure finally concluded. Another half-stick of incense later, Huang Mengliang began to stir, slowly regaining consciousness. However, his entire face was tightly wrapped in cloth, leaving only his eyes exposed.

　　Enduring the stinging pain from the fresh wounds, he asked in a hoarse and cautious voice, “Master, was this operation a success?”

　　Park Won-jeong, brimming with confidence, declared, “Barring any unforeseen complications, the bandages can be removed in half a month. By then, your appearance will be an exact likeness of Emperor Li Longji. However, the scars left by the knife will not have fully healed. You’ll need to apply the scar-soothing balm I’ve meticulously prepared each day. Within six months, the marks will completely vanish.”

　　Huang Mengliang expressed his gratitude repeatedly, bowing deeply. Meanwhile, his senior apprentice, Tianxi, inquired, “Master, what ingredients are used to prepare the scar-soothing balm?”

　　Stroking his beard with an air of satisfaction, Park Won-jung replied, “The balm is meticulously refined from a blend of musk, borneol, leeches, safflower, salvia root, peach kernels, atractylodes, camphor, brucea, and alkali stone, among other select ingredients.”

　　Half a month later, Huang Mengliang removed the bandages from his face, and indeed, his appearance had been transformed to perfectly resemble Emperor Li Longji. The only noticeable difference was the faint scars from the surgery. Unable to contain his excitement, he immediately set his mind on returning to the Tang Empire to carry out his mission to assassinate Emperor Xuanzong.

　　Park Won-jeong had originally used Huang Mengliang as a mere experiment, but after spending so much time together, how could he remain indifferent? Now, with genuine concern, he said to Huang Mengliang, “Tianbao, you’ve only been studying under me for a little over a year. The Tang Palace is heavily guarded. Although we have insider help, if you’re discovered by the palace guards, your modest skills may not be enough to escape. Moreover, the scars on your face have yet to fully heal. Why not wait another year or so before returning to the Tang Empire?”

　　Huang Mengliang, tears welling in his eyes, spoke with a voice choked with emotion: “Master, every time I think of Yang Yuhuan becoming the Princess Shou, my heart burns with hatred! I cannot bear to delay any longer. The journey from Silla to the Tang Empire is long, and it will take months to return. Even after I arrive, I will need further time to wait for the right moment to act. But I can continue applying the scar-soothing balm along the way, and by the time the mission is ready, the scars should be healed. Master, please grant me permission to return to the Tang Empire.”

　　Park Won-jeong shook his head, letting out a long, heavy sigh. “Very well,” he said with resignation, “It seems I cannot keep you any longer. Be careful in all things. I will have Brother Tianci and Sister Tianxi accompany you back to the Tang Empire. They have been with me for many years, and their martial skills are formidable. I trust they will aid you in your mission to carry out the assassination successfully.”

　　Huang Mengliang knelt, bowing his head in gratitude, thanking Park Won-jeong for his skill in surgery and for imparting his martial knowledge. The next day, he departed from Silla.

　　Several months later, Huang Mengliang returned to the heart of the empire, quietly hiding on the outskirts of Chang’an. There, he discreetly observed the palace guards’ rotations, all the while gathering information on Yang Yuhuan’s movements.

　　After much inquiry, Huang Mengliang learned that the consort of Prince Shou, along with the household, regularly visited the Xiangyi Temple, which was built by Princess Xiangyi on the outskirts of the city, to offer incense and prayers on the first and fifteenth of every month. The Princess of Shou herself often made the pilgrimage there to pray for blessings.

　　This news delighted Huang Mengliang. He immediately instructed Brother Tianci to bribe the temple’s abbot, ensuring their cooperation. He then asked Sister Tianxi to craft a mask made from human skin, one that resembled his original face, allowing him to revert to his former appearance.

　　Sister Tianxi teased him with a smile, “I must say, Tianbao, what kind of beauty is Yang Yuhuan to have captured your heart so completely? I’m curious now—perhaps I should accompany you to Xiangyi Temple and see for myself what makes her so enchanting.”

　　Huang Mengliang gritted his teeth, his voice filled with bitterness. “Yang Yuhuan and I grew up together. I had already informed my parents of my intention to propose to her, but who could have known that her uncle would suddenly take her to Luoyang and marry her off to Prince Shou? Now that I have returned, I am determined to take Yang Yuhuan back. ” With those words, he sat motionless, his hand clutching the incense pouch that Yang Yuhuan had given him when they parted ways.

　　On the first day of the month, the women of Prince Shou’s household would visit Xiangyi Temple to offer incense and pray for blessings. Huang Mengliang and Tianxi, disguised as Taoist priests, had arrived early and were waiting inside the temple.

　　Around the time of the morning, the women of Prince Shou’s household, carrying bundles of incense, arrived at Xiangyi Temple.

　　As Sister Tianxi watched Princess Shou, Yang Yuhuan, slowly approach, she was struck by her beauty. Despite only the faintest touch of makeup, she outshone all others. Tianxi noted how her skin was as soft and flawless as jade, her brows arched like distant mountains, and her dark hair cascaded like the still waters of a clear pond, draping loosely over her right shoulder. A crimson-purple ribbon was carelessly tied in her hair, yet it only served to accentuate her radiant, ethereal beauty.

　　Inwardly, Tianxi thought, “Such an unparalleled beauty exists in this world. No wonder my naive, lovesick disciple, Tianbao, is so utterly captivated by Yang Yuhuan.”

　　Once Princess Shou and her maid entered the main hall, Tianxi stepped forward and handed Yang Yuhuan the wooden sign bucket with a courteous smile. “Your Highness, please, draw a single oracle,” she said. “This temple’s oracles are renowned for their accuracy, especially when it comes to prayers for the safety and well-being of loved ones from one’s homeland. It’s a hundred percent effective.”

　　Upon hearing that one could ask for the safety and well-being of loved ones from her homeland, Yang Yuhuan took the sign bucket and drew a fortune. It turned out to be the best possible outcome, marked with the words “Meng Liang” written at the tip of the bamboo slip. Yang Yuhuan felt a pang of curiosity and looked up at Tianxi, who, sensing her bewilderment, quickly explained, “Princess, please follow me to the inner room to interpret the oracle. I am sure it will clear up any confusion you may have.”

　　Yang Yuhuan followed Tianxi into the inner room and was taken aback to see Huang Mengliang, disguised as a Taoist priest, waiting for her inside. Tears began to roll down her cheeks. In a soft voice, she asked, “Dear Huang, how have you been these years?”

　　Huang Mengliang, his face streaked with tears, answered, “It’s a long story. That year, when I went to Luoyang to find you, I was first pursued by one Imperial Guard. Then, my face was disfigured by beggars. Thankfully, I was rescued by a Silla merchant, who took me in. I apprenticed myself to a master in Silla, learned martial arts, and treated my facial wounds. Afterward, I made my way back.”

　　Yang Yuhuan wiped away the tears from her face and gently touched Huang Mengliang’s, her voice filled with concern. “Bear, you’ve endured so much for me. I don’t even know what to say. But... is your face fully healed now? It looks like there are no scars left.”

　　Huang Mengliang furrowed his brow and replied, “The truth is, I went to Silla for a surgical procedure. I feared I might frighten you, so for now, I wear a mask made from human skin. My face has been transformed to resemble that of the current emperor.”

　　Yang Yuhuan asked in surprise, “Why would you want to make yourself look like the emperor? Wouldn’t it be better to return to your original appearance? The emperor is already over fifty years old. What are you thinking?”

　　Huang Mengliang spoke slowly, “To be honest, Yuhuan, I have a plan that will bring you back to my side. I intend to become the most powerful person in the empire, replace Li Longji, and then have Prince Shou, Li Mao, send you back to me. After all, the Emperor of the Tang dynasty is not bound by morality—just like Wu Zetian, who was once Emperor Taizong’s consort and later married Emperor Gaozong. If I replace Li Longji, I can naturally bring you back to the palace as my wife.”

　　With that, he removed the human skin mask, revealing a face identical to that of Li Longji, though there were still some scars that hadn’t fully healed.

　　Yang Yuhuan was momentarily stunned, then gently touched Huang Mengliang’s face, her voice trembling with emotion. “Brother Huang, I don’t deserve you doing all this for me. Your plan is too dangerous. The palace guards are formidable, and the imperial guards are skilled in martial arts. You won’t be able to get close to the emperor. Does your face still hurt from the wounds?”

　　“Yuhuan, for you, I am willing to do anything, even if it costs me my life!” Huang Mengliang slammed his fist onto the table. “The Silla people have already infiltrated the palace with their insiders. Moreover, my master and fellow disciples are experts in disguise and can transform into palace maids or eunuchs, getting close to the wretched emperor. The pain from the scars on my face has long since subsided, and my master has prepared a scar-removal ointment for me. After applying it for a few more days, the scars will be completely healed.” With that, he took out the ointment from his sleeve and showed it to Yang Yuhuan.

　　Yang Yuhuan took the scar-removal ointment from him. “Let me help you with this,” she said, gently applying it to his face.

　　Huang Mengliang gazed at her with a longing expression. “My master taught me martial arts and even gave me a name—Tianbao,” he said, his eyes filled with ambition. “Once I replace Li Longji, I will adopt Tianbao as my new reign title. Yuhuan, just wait, you will be Empress.”

　　Yang Yuhuan furrowed her brow and said, “Brother Huang, I still think this plan is too risky, with little chance of success. Perhaps we should forget about it. In fact, Prince Shou has been... has been kind to me.”

　　“Yuhuan, you don’t understand,” Huang Mengliang replied with frustration. “Right now, the Crown Prince and Prince Shou are in a battle for the throne. If the Crown Prince wins, do you think he will spare Prince Shou? Just like the rivalry between Emperor Taizong and Li Jiancheng, the loser only had one fate—death. I fear that if Prince Shou meets such an end, you might be caught in the middle, and I can’t let that happen. That’s why I swore to myself that I would become the most powerful person in the world, so I can protect you.”

　　At that moment, a maid had arrived at the door of the inner chamber, waiting for the Empress to return to the palace. Yang Yuhuan quickly said, “If I stay too long, the maid will grow suspicious. I must return to the palace now. We’ll meet again on the fifteenth for the prayer. Brother Huang, please think this through again. This plan is too risky, and I don’t want you to take such a risk for me.” With that, she hurriedly left with the maid.

　　On the fifteenth of April, Yang Yuhuan once again visited the temple with the women of the Prince Shou’s household to offer prayers. She took the opportunity to enter the inner chamber under the pretext of asking the master to read her fortune.

　　By now, the scars on Huang Mengliang’s face had nearly healed, leaving only faint marks. As she applied the scar cream for him, Yang Yuhuan gently urged him to give up the idea of assassinating Emperor Xuanzong.

　　But Huang Mengliang was resolute, unwilling to listen. Fearing that the women from the prince’s household might become suspicious, Yang Yuhuan quickly left the inner chamber and returned with the others to Prince Shou’s residence.

　　The small palace servant sent by the Kingdom of Silla, Xiao Shunzi took advantage of an opportunity to leave the palace to meet with Tianxi, Tianci, and Huang Mengliang.

　　Huang Mengliang, alongside Tianxi, Tianci, and the small servant, devised a plan. “Brothers and sisters,” he began, “in my opinion, the next time Xiao Shunzi leaves the palace to handle errands, he shall not return. Instead, I will disguise myself as him and enter the palace. Tianxi, you and Tianci will dress as palace eunuchs and maidservants, and when we return with the servants, you will blend in and assist from the inside.”

　　The small servant replied, “While infiltrating the palace may be easy, the palace guards are vigilant, and the imperial guards possess formidable martial skills. Assassinating the emperor is no simple task!”

　　Huang said, “I already have a plan. Once we infiltrate the palace, Sister Tianxi and Brother Tianci can disguise themselves as close eunuchs or palace maids to Emperor Li Longji, while contacting the Silla spies within the palace for assistance. After the assassination, we’ll place Xiao Shunzi’s human skin mask on Li Longji’s face, then switch our clothes. We will simply report that a small eunuch, the little servant, Xiao Shunzi, has died. The death of a mere eunuch is no different from the death of a dog—no one would bother with a detailed investigation; they’ll simply burn the body. Does everyone think this plan is feasible?”

　　To find out whether Huang Mengliang’s assassination succeeds, please stay tuned for the next chapter.