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Although it was still early, most of the shops along the main street were already open, with shop assistants sweeping and cleaning the premises and hanging up signs. The aroma of breakfast wafted from the eateries—the crispy scent of flatbread, the rich flavor of mutton soup, and even the steaming heat of steamed buns typical of Jiangnan cuisine. Residents heading to the early market, craftsmen already busy at work, caravans leading camels preparing to leave the city… all sorts of people flowed in a constant stream.

However, when Yi Junze's entourage appeared on the long street, a strange, rapidly spreading silence rippled outwards like waves.

The noise level visibly decreased.

Whether they were Han Chinese immigrants, Sogdian merchants, local Tocharians who had submitted to the regime, or Chinese patrol squads passing by, they all subconsciously stopped what they were doing or walked in, turning their gaze to that calm and dignified group.

His eyes were filled with curiosity, awe, speculation, and even a hint of barely perceptible excitement. Two years after the founding of Suyab City, high-ranking figures of the empire had visited before, but this was the first time they had seen such a young, extraordinary person, escorted by General Xue Rengui's personal guards and with the gatekeepers bowing respectfully.

On the street, in a three-story building called "Yuelailou", several clerks from the mainland were having morning tea by the window. Now they had all put down their chopsticks and were looking out the window.

"As expected, His Highness the Crown Prince has come in person..."

One of them sighed softly, his tone complex: "Last year's earth-shattering battle at the foot of Merv resulted in Ziad's death and Persia's submission. Your Highness's reputation has already spread throughout the Western Regions. I never expected that this inspection tour would lead to Suyab."

"Judging from this posture, His Highness does not wish to be ostentatious, but... with this overall demeanor, it's hard to keep a low profile."

Another person shook his head: "I wonder if Your Highness has any other purpose in coming here besides inspecting the Anxi Protectorate? Although the Abbasid Caliphate in the west has suffered a defeat, its foundation remains intact; and the northern grasslands are not entirely peaceful either..."

"That's not something we should speculate on."

An older official interrupted, "Just do your job. His Highness's personal visit shows how much the court values ​​Anxi. Our Suyab city is about to become even more lively."

The convoy proceeded northward at a leisurely pace along the wide Luoyang Road. Wherever it passed, crowds spontaneously parted to make way, and hushed whispers spread and fermented like a tide behind the procession. Yi Junze seemed oblivious to all this, his gaze calmly sweeping over the diverse architectural styles lining both sides of the street—Central Plains-style brick and tile pavilions, shops incorporating local elements, and the occasional Sogdian-style bas-relief lintels—as if examining the strange fruit born from the fusion of imperial will and the customs of the Western Regions.

As they approached the intersection with "Chang'an Avenue," the cavalry leading the way slightly adjusted their formation and slowed their pace. Right at the northeast corner of the intersection, on the edge of the "Vermilion Bird District," designated for the construction of buildings in the distinctive styles of various ethnic groups, a rather conspicuous group of people had appeared.

About twenty people stood quietly in an open space by the roadside, seemingly waiting.

They were almost all women.

The two leading figures were completely shrouded in wide, heavy, deep purple robes embroidered with gold, their faces and heads covered with matching veils adorned with delicate, subtle patterns, revealing only a pair of serene eyes. The style of the robes was neither ornate nor typical Persian or Arabic attire; instead, it exuded a Buddhist aura, with symbols on the cuffs and hems resembling celestial bodies or some kind of lost script.

Behind the two women in purple robes were more than ten women dressed in simple light purple or gray robes, also veiled. They stood respectfully with their hands at their sides, their aura restrained, as if they had blended into their surroundings.

The appearance of such a group of mysterious figures shrouded in mist at the entrance of Suyab was already conspicuous, not to mention that they seemed to have come here specifically to wait.

The cavalry commander leading the way raised his hand slightly, slowing the pace of his troops even further, his wary gaze sweeping over the group of mysterious women. He could sense that these people meant no harm and harbored no murderous intent; otherwise, they wouldn't have been so polite.

Yi Junze naturally saw them as well. His gaze lingered briefly on the two women in purple robes at the head of the group, especially on the peculiar symbols on the hem of their robes. A hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, but he quickly regained his composure.

Bai Qing'er spurred her horse forward half a step to ride alongside Yi Junze, and whispered, "Your Highness, judging from their attire and location, they should be members of the 'Ancient Religion' residing in this area. In recent years, this religion has been gaining momentum in the former Persian lands and Transoxiana, taking advantage of the decline of the Sassanids and the setbacks of the Abbasids. Their doctrines are a mixture of ancient and modern elements, and their number of followers is increasing daily. The leader is probably a high-ranking member of their religion."

Yi Junze nodded slightly, saying nothing more. He had heard of this so-called "ancient religion" but hadn't taken it seriously. The empire's consistent strategy towards Western Region beliefs was "divide and rule, use what can be controlled," allowing them to exist to a limited extent as long as they didn't challenge imperial authority or incite rebellion.

What is the purpose of this group blocking the road?

Just as the procession was about to pass in front of them, the one of the two purple-robed women at the head of the group suddenly stepped forward and bowed slightly. The movement was slow and elegant, carrying a sense of old-fashioned etiquette. At the same time, a gray-robed maid behind her, carrying a dark wooden box, quickly stepped forward and, under the wary gaze of the cavalry, raised the box high above her head.

The woman in the purple robe spoke, her voice coming through the veil, slightly low but exceptionally clear and gentle, in standard Mandarin, and with elegant language: "I am a junior student of the Ancient Teachings, and I have presumptuously stopped you, disturbing your esteemed presence. I am extremely apprehensive. I have prepared a small gift and a visiting card, and humbly request that you take a look at them. I have no other request but to see you."

She adopted an extremely humble posture and spoke with utmost respect, yet her calm and composed demeanor was impossible to ignore.

The cavalry commander looked at Yi Junze. Yi Junze's gaze fell on the wooden box held aloft by the maid. The box was made of some kind of dark wood, with a smooth surface and little ornamentation, giving it an antique appearance. He had no intention of getting involved in these Western Region sects' affairs. Given his status, even ordinary religious leaders would need to go through layers of reporting to see him; there was no reason for him to be stopped in the street to present his credentials.

However, just as he was about to signal that he would ignore it, his gaze inadvertently swept over the visiting card pasted on the lid of the wooden box.

The visiting card was made of plain white Xuan paper, neatly folded.

What caught his eye was the handwriting on the cover of the visiting card. The strokes were flowing, the structure rigorous, and the strength penetrating the paper. What was even more remarkable was that, within its uprightness, there was an indescribable elegance and refinement. This was not something that could be written by an ordinary Western Region barbarian or a common Han clerk; it must have been the work of someone who had undergone long and rigorous training, possessed profound knowledge, and had a clear mind.

In this rugged and chaotic border town of the Western Regions, the sudden sight of such stunning Chinese calligraphy stirred even the calmest of Yi Junze's heart.

He raised his hand.

One of the accompanying officials from the Xuanwei Envoy's office immediately understood, stepped forward to take the wooden box from the maid, checked it and then presented it to Yi Junze's horse with both hands.

Yi Junze did not dismount; he simply used his slender fingers to gently pick up the visiting card and unfold it.

The post was written in neat regular script, with elegant and refined language, and there was nothing out of the ordinary. However, the beautiful handwriting was truly pleasing to the eye.

His gaze returned to the face of the purple-robed woman at the head of the group, who was veiled, as if trying to see through the fabric to discern who could write such words.

There was silence for a moment.

"Where are you popes now?"

Yi Junze finally spoke, his voice clear and calm.

The woman in purple bowed again: "In response to your question, our sect's current leader is currently in seclusion in his humble abode in the Vermilion Bird District of the city. If you inquire, the leader is welcome to come and pay his respects at any time."

Yi Junze gently placed the visiting card back on the wooden box held by his subordinate and said indifferently, "No need. I will be going to the Anxi Protectorate later. In an hour, I will have your master wait for me in the side hall of the Protectorate."

Having said that, he didn't linger any longer, spurred his horse, and the white horse began to gallop. The procession resumed, leaving the group of ancient religious women still bowing and standing by the roadside.

Only after the procession had gone far away and disappeared around the corner of Chang'an Street did the woman in purple robes at the head of the group slowly straighten up. Behind her veil, her calm eyes gazed in the direction Yi Junze had left, a slight glint in them, as if holding a deeper meaning.

Behind her, another woman in purple robes asked in a very low voice, surprisingly in fluent Chinese, "Senior sister, he agreed to meet. What's next..." The leading woman in purple robes spoke softly, but with a hint of solemnity, "Whether we can secure a glimmer of hope for our sect may depend on this meeting. We should go back and report to our master."

...............

Side hall of the Anxi Protectorate.

The side hall is located in the east wing of Zhenxi Hall, and its furnishings are elegant yet dignified. The floor is covered with a dark red woven carpet from Shule, and several silk paintings depicting the mountains and rivers of the Western Regions hang on the walls, as well as a powerful painting, "Travelers Across the Vast Sea".

The hall is furnished with one host, two guests, and several rosewood chairs, separated by a carved tea table, on which tea and some delicate snacks are prepared.

Yi Junze had changed into a moon-white brocade robe, his hair tied up with a jade crown, and sat upright in the main seat. Bai Qing'er still stood like a shadow behind him, her presence barely perceptible. Xue Rengui was not present due to military affairs, but elite Xuanwei Guards and Xuanwu Guards had been deployed in the corridor outside the hall and at the entrance to the courtyard to ensure absolute safety.

Besides Yi Junze and Bai Qing'er, there were only two clerks from the Xuanwei Envoy's Office, who were responsible for recording and serving tea, standing at attention with their hands at their sides.

Just as the appointed time arrived, an announcement came from outside the hall: "The ancient papacy, accompanied by his disciples, requests an audience."

"Xuan."

Yi Junze said calmly.

The hall door was pushed open silently.

The first thing that caught the eye were two veiled women in purple robes leading the way; they were the same two who had led the way at the street corner that morning. They entered the hall, their posture respectful, and stood on either side of the door, bowing slightly.

Then, the group filed in.

There were about twenty people, divided into two lines. The left line consisted mostly of young men and women with Western Region features, about twelve or thirteen in number, aged between fifteen and twenty. They wore simple, uniform light purple or gray robes, and both men and women covered their mouths and noses with light veils of the same color, revealing only pairs of eyes that were either curious or nervous. Their movements were slightly restrained, but the formation was neat, indicating that they had clearly been trained.

The row on the right made Yi Junze's gaze sharpen slightly. Those eight or nine people were all Han Chinese from the Central Plains! There were men and women, mostly between twenty and thirty years old, all wearing robes in the style of the ancient religion, but in darker colors and with a more solemn appearance. Their demeanor carried a more restrained and serene air, distinct from the disciples of the Western Regions, and their light steps indicated considerable cultivation.

After the two rows of disciples entered the hall, they stood quietly on both sides with their hands at their sides, like stars surrounding the moon, protecting the ancient sect's pope who slowly walked into the hall.

The Pope wore a deep purple robe embroidered with gold, wide and solemn, the strange astrological runes on the hem appearing even more mysterious in the light of the hall. His face was covered by a veil of the same color, obscuring his features, except for a pair of eyes that were visible, calm as a deep well, clear yet seemingly containing endless years and wisdom.

With measured steps and an elegant, composed demeanor, she entered the hall, facing Yi Junze in the main seat. She placed her right hand on her heart, bowed slightly, and let her left hand hang naturally at her side. Her movements were fluid and natural, carrying a touch of ancient charm.

"The ancient papacy, along with his disciples, greets His Highness the Crown Prince."

The voice came through the veil, clear and gentle, with standard Mandarin pronunciation, carrying an indescribable ethereal and tranquil quality, as if it could cleanse the soul.

With a slight narrowing of his eyes, Yi Junze raised his hand and said, "Your Excellency, there's no need for such formalities. Please sit down."

The Pope sat down in the guest seat as instructed, with an elegant and dignified posture.

The waiter served tea, and the Pope nodded in thanks, but did not touch it.

After a brief silence, Yi Junze cut to the chase: "The Grand Master sent someone to intercept you this morning with a formal invitation, saying there was something important to discuss. May I ask what it is?"

The Pope slowly raised his hand, his slender, fair fingers gently pinching a corner of the thin veil covering his face.

This action caused everyone in the hall, including Yi Junze, to instinctively focus their attention on it.

The veil was gently lifted and slipped off.

A face of unparalleled beauty, seemingly untouched by worldly concerns, was presented to everyone without reservation.

Her skin was like jade, radiant and fair, showing almost no signs of age. Her eyebrows were like painted landscapes; beneath them, like distant mountains, were eyes as clear as autumn water, yet as deep as the starry sky. Her gaze held both the pure, lively spirit of a young girl and the profound wisdom and tranquility of a seasoned sage. Her nose was straight and elegant, her lips beautifully shaped and delicately colored. Every feature of her face was exquisite, their combination creating a harmonious and perfect whole. Her aura was ethereal and otherworldly, like a celestial being descended to earth, yet imbued with a compassionate gentleness and solemnity.

Even having grown accustomed to his mother's regal bearing and the captivating beauty of his other concubines, Yi Junze couldn't help but feel a sense of awe upon seeing this face. It wasn't merely a visual shock, but rather a natural, almost Daoist-like beauty emanating from a person's exceptionally high level of cultivation and refinement.

However, what stirred Yi Junze's heart was that when the Pope saw his face clearly, a very subtle look of disorientation and absent-mindedness flashed across his clear eyes.

Bai Qing'er, standing behind Yi Junze, narrowed her eyes. It was actually her?!

The Pope smiled slightly at Bai Qing'er, then turned to gaze at Yi Junze, his voice soft as a dream, yet seemingly filled with endless emotion: "So alike...so alike. Your Highness and your father in their youth...are seven-tenths similar. Especially the eyebrows and the spirit..."

Yi Junze's pupils contracted slightly, almost imperceptibly.

He was naturally familiar with his father's appearance. But how could this mysterious pope of the ancient religion speak of "your father's appearance when he was young"? Had she met his father? And judging from her tone, it wasn't just a casual acquaintance, but rather a deep familiarity, even... carrying an indescribable complex emotion?

Yi Junze's gaze lingered for a moment longer on the Pope's exquisitely beautiful face. A secret to preserving youth? No, it wasn't merely preserving youth; it was a manifestation of profound cultivation, a near-eternal youth. Yi Junze could vaguely sense that her aura was unfathomable. While not reaching the vast, heavenly power of his father, she far surpassed ordinary grandmasters, and combined with the information revealed in her words…

A rather bizarre yet seemingly reasonable guess surfaced in Yi Junze's mind: Could it be... that the ancient sect leader before him was one of his father's... confidantes when he traveled the world?
This thought made his gaze towards the Pope less distant and authoritative. If he was truly an old friend of his father's, and capable of establishing such a foundation in the Western Regions, his identity and influence were probably far more complex than they appeared.

"Your Excellency... knows my father?"

Yi Junze's tone remained calm, but his attitude softened somewhat.

The Pope seemed to recover from her brief daze, a trace of melancholy flashing in her eyes before turning into a clearer calm. She nodded slightly, her voice regaining its previous ethereal gentleness, but with an added hint of reminiscence: "Yes. This humble nun...did indeed know His Majesty the Emperor from humble beginnings, and we...traveled side by side for a period of time. That was nearly thirty years ago."

She called herself a "poor nun"?
Yi Junze noticed this detail. It seems that although this ancient sect is not Buddhism, its leader seems to have retained some of the self-designation habits of practitioners.

"I see."

Yi Junze's suspicions became even more certain: "I wonder what happened between the Emperor and my father back then..." (End of Chapter)