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The Xu Zhen has become a legend in India. It can be imagined that when he returns to the Tang Dynasty, his tremendous achievements in battling a nation will surely make him a new noble in Chang'an!
In contrast, Wang Xuance seems somewhat mediocre. Jiang Shiren's guards suffered complete annihilation. Recently, the Xu Zhen captured Chabo and Rocheng, allowing him to take the heads of Brothers from the City Wall.
Aga Shili and many former officials of King Jiri are busy establishing the foundation of the Indian Dynasty, pacifying the populace, pardoning prisoners, relieving taxes, and sheltering followers of various religions, leaving them overwhelmed with tasks.
Meanwhile, the Xu Zhen begins preparing supplies to leave India and return to the Tang Dynasty. He calculated that if he delayed his return, it could lead to serious consequences.
Others may not understand, but he sees the future clearly. If he returns a year or a year and a half late, Li Zhi will ascend to the throne as emperor, and there will be no place for him then.
This is also one of the reasons why he must eliminate Central India. Although Historical Records mention little about it, without him, the monumental achievement of battling a nation would have fallen to Wang Xuance. However, looking at Wang Xuance's current state, he appears utterly defeated and incapable of accomplishing such a grand feat.
Could there be unforeseen circumstances that would attribute what should belong to him in Historical Records to Wang Xuance instead?
However, that is a matter for later. The Xu Zhen is currently most interested in his White Elephant!
The Shikamo was indeed frightened by the Xu Zhen's army and offered up one of India's rarest White Elephants.
This White Elephant is significantly larger than an ordinary elephant, with tusks curved like blades and key parts covered in golden armor. Rather than being used for battle, it seems more suited for displaying power!
Zhou Cang and others had already witnessed the immense power of elephant cavalry. With Aga Shili's assistance, thirty individuals each received a War Elephant. Zhang Suling and Gem were especially delighted, even Caesar couldn't help but feel excited. Everyone eagerly learned from the beast tamers how to train War Elephants daily, enjoying themselves immensely.
Wang Xuance and Jiang Shiren felt humiliated but maintained their pride. Fortunately, the Xu Zhen did not hold it against them and sent two War Elephants as gifts. Although these two old fellows pretended to disdain it on the surface, they secretly smiled with satisfaction.
One day, Wang Xuance rode out on a War Elephant for a casual stroll. Looking up at a distant golden dome piercing the clouds, he was captivated and unknowingly arrived at this Shiva Temple.
In India, elephants symbolize reverence and wealth; those who can ride elephants are certainly not ordinary individuals. Moreover, since Wang Xuance resembled a Tang person and benefited from the Xu Zhen's prestige, the temple attendants did not dare stop him as he rode his elephant inside.
In such a devout country as India, temples are even more resplendent than palaces. Wang Xuance's eyes widened in amazement as he felt as if he were walking through a royal garden tour, marveling at everything around him.
After bypassing the front hall, Wang Xuance suddenly noticed that the style of the sculptures in the back hall had become bizarre. These sculptures depicted naked male and female figures engaging in various incredible poses of copulation. To an ordinary worshiper, these would seem sacred and devoid of lewdness, but Wang Xuance, being non-religious, found himself captivated by the vivid imagery reminiscent of a living spring palace.
His gaze was entirely drawn to these sculptures and paintings, and he inadvertently relaxed his control over the War Elephants. Just as he was feeling a surge of heat in his lower abdomen, the War Elephants raised their trunks and let out a long trumpet, causing Wang Xuance to be thrown off!
Wang Xuance had some skills, but with all his focus on the sculptures and murals, he was caught off guard when the War Elephants suddenly startled. He fell hard to the ground and, wincing in pain, looked up to see that his War Elephants had nearly charged into a person in the temple!
In front of him stood a woman in her thirties from India, her face slightly pale but maintaining her composure. Surrounding her were four or five Golden Blade Guards who were on high alert regarding Wang Xuance's War Elephants.
The woman took a deep breath, stopping the Guards from drawing their weapons, and slowly walked toward the War Elephants. She appeared elegant and noble, like a goddess untouched by worldly affairs.
As she approached, Wang Xuance noticed a vertical scar on her forehead, resembling an opened third eye. The woman slowly raised her hand to stroke the War Elephants' long trunk, and to his astonishment, the massive creature gradually knelt before her!
At that moment, the woman stood tall like a mature red lotus under the radiant light reflecting off her golden crown, instantly capturing Wang Xuance's heart!
Although Wang Xuance had wives and concubines back in Tang Dynasty, he had never encountered such an exotic beauty. Just as he was about to step forward to speak with her, she addressed him in perfect Tang Language: "Esteemed guest from Tang Dynasty, I hope you do not blame us for startling your mount."
Wang Xuance was taken aback; he did not expect to meet an Indian who spoke Tang Language so fluently. Moreover, this Indian woman had stirred feelings within him. He hurriedly replied with courtesy: "It was my carelessness that nearly caused harm to you..."
As soon as he uttered "you," Wang Xuance felt his face flush with embarrassment. He introduced himself: "I am Wang Xuance, an envoy from the Tang Dynasty. May I ask for your name? How do you come to understand our Tang Language?"
The Indian woman smiled at Wang Xuance's politeness and replied: "My name is Naroni Sopava; I am the embodiment of the Divine Maiden within this temple..."
Before Naroni Sopava could say more, a drop of blood slid down from Wang Xuance's forehead, momentarily blinding him. It turned out that his fall had caused a cut on his head.
"Esteemed Tang Envoy, you are injured! Please come inside so I can tend to your wounds..."
Wang Xuance was delighted at having an opportunity to get closer to this beauty. He eagerly followed her into a small courtyard where the Golden Blade Guards withdrew. Naroni Sopava personally led Wang Xuance into a room. However, upon glancing around, he felt as if he might bleed from his nose again because the murals in this room were identical in style to those in the back hall—depicting provocative scenes of men and women entwined!
At that time, the social hierarchy in India was extremely strict. Xuanzang Master referred to it as the Caste System, which divided the population into four classes: the first class was the Brahmins, who were the priestly aristocrats; the second class was the Kshatriyas, consisting of kings, nobles, and officials; the third class was the Vaishyas, also known as free citizens; and the fourth class was the Untouchables.
According to tradition, Narayani Sava should be a high and exalted being as a Divine Maiden in the temple. However, the role of the Divine Maiden was to assist the priests in receiving divine revelations, and the best way to do this was through union with the priests. Thus, the Divine Maiden became a forbidden object for them.
This inner chamber was where Narayani Sava usually served the priests. The priest had already been taken away by Azuna and died in the chaos of war, leaving Narayani Sava in peace.
Noticing Wang Xuance's surprise, Narayani Sava treated his injuries while explaining everything clearly. She did not deliberately obscure anything; it seemed that serving the priests was a great honor for her. However, Wang Xuance could see that whenever she mentioned the priests, a hint of disdain and contempt occasionally flickered in her eyes.
She scraped out an ointment from a ceramic jar that resembled sheep fat and applied it to Wang Xuance's wounds. A wave of coolness immediately washed over him, and he could even feel his wounds tingling as they healed!
"Such a holy medicine exists! Perhaps..." A thought surged in Wang Xuance's mind that he himself could hardly imagine.
"Respected Divine Maiden, how do you understand Tang Language?" Steadying his emotions, Wang Xuance couldn't help but ask. Narayani Sava did not avoid his gaze; instead, she sat down cross-legged in front of him. They were only half a foot apart, creating an incredibly intimate atmosphere.
"When I was eleven years old, Xuanzang Master from Tang came to India and brought with him all the customs and culture of Tang. To my young self, Tang was a land full of wonders. Thus, I began to study Tang culture, hoping that in my lifetime I could travel to that magical land and experience it for myself..."
As Narayani Sava spoke, she intentionally or unintentionally made eye contact with Wang Xuance. Her eyes sparkled like peach blossoms, sending subtle glances his way, making Wang Xuance feel flushed all over!
Having just heard Narayani Sava's explanation about her daily work serving the priests, Wang Xuance realized that this secret chamber was indeed her workplace. It was likely that this very carpet beneath him was where Narayani Sava had once lay drenched in sweat!
A wicked thought suddenly arose in his mind. Wang Xuance boldly grasped Narayani Sava's hand, unabashedly revealing his desire in his eyes as he stared intently at her and said breathlessly, "I am a Tang Envoy and can take you to visit Tang. With your medical skills as a Divine Maiden, you will surely have a place there!"
Narayani Sava smiled slightly at the corner of her mouth, seemingly having anticipated this outcome. Without needing words to respond, she leaned into Wang Xuance's embrace. Her tongue moved skillfully like a wet little snake, sliding slowly from behind Wang Xuance's ear downwards...
When Wang Xuance returned with Narayani Sava, Princess Jinyang had already begun bidding farewell to Aga Shili.
This Indian princess was quite insistent; she desperately wanted Princess Jinyang to stay. She could become Sovereign while she would be Queen. However, Princess Jinyang insisted on returning to Tang.
She had seen Caesar and Zhang Suling; Caesar's beauty surpassed hers, and Zhang Suling carried the unique grace of a Tang Kingdom lady. Xu Zhen would not stay because of her beauty, which she completely understood. However, she found it hard to comprehend why Xu Zhen would give up the throne of a nation to return to the Tang Dynasty as a mere general.
Did Xu Zhen not wish to remain as a ruler? She knew very well that after Central India was destroyed, new wars would soon erupt among the small states of India. What awaited her was not a comfortable sovereign throne but a mess filled with internal and external troubles.
Moreover, she instinctively touched the iron ring on her finger and then the blood Iron Thumb Ring that Li Shimin had bestowed upon her before her departure. Remembering Li Shimin's Secret Edict, she felt compelled to hasten her return home.
Aga Shili knew he could not keep Xu Zhen, so he allowed her to stay in his residence for one night. After enjoying the golden wind and jade dew, he still sent Xu Zhen away.
The people of India heard that Xu Zhen, who had helped them restore their country, was returning to the Tang Dynasty. In no time, the streets were empty as various Indian goods piled up at the palace gates. Some even offered elephants, loading these supplies onto their backs for Xu Zhen to take back to Tang.
Riding on the Golden Armored White Elephant, Xu Zhen moved slowly, accepting the people's worship as they lined the streets to bid her farewell. She chanted from the Zoroastrian scriptures in Old Persian, blessing the people as they wept and sent her off from the city.
Azuna was taken along as a war captive. Caesar and others rode War Elephants, followed by a procession laden with treasures and supplies. The cavalry from Nepal had already returned home joyfully, while twelve hundred men from Tuguhun escorted Xu Zhen's convoy back to Tang.
In the past, Wang Xuance would have been extremely envious of Xu Zhen, feeling that she stole all the limelight. But now, he merely smiled calmly. On his War Elephant's back sat Naroni Sopha, eyes gently closed, meditating in a bamboo basket beside a wooden box containing all her gains since becoming the Divine Maiden.
The priest was taken away by Azuna, leaving behind the sacred medicine of Shaivism in a hurried panic!
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