Don't Ask Where People Go After Time Travel

Chapter 1914 Returning Home
"I am acting on the orders of my master, Master Liaoyuan, to deliver a message to Uncle Fayuan." The young novice said solemnly, "No matter who it is, no matter what the reason, whether one has become a monk or returned to secular life, there is no reason to force anyone. If one sincerely takes refuge, the Buddha is compassionate and will naturally guide them. If one is attached to worldly life, the Buddha is tolerant and will naturally release them."

Abbot Fayuan of Longyan Temple subtly changed his expression and looked at Lian Chedao: "Your master is here, why do I need you to deliver a message to me?"

The young novice monk solemnly said, "Master said that Lord Fang has already intervened in this matter. If he intervenes again, I'm afraid my uncle will no longer be able to serve as abbot."

Upon hearing this, Master Fayuan angrily retorted, "Your master is the abbot of Baiye Temple, a highly accomplished monk. Does he fear the imperial court's lackeys?"

"Uncle-Master, please don't misunderstand," the young novice said calmly. "Nothing in this world can escape the principle of reason. Even eminent monks from famous temples cannot defy it."

Master Fayuan's expression grew increasingly grim. Fang Zilan raised an eyebrow. "Master Liaoyuan truly lives up to his reputation as an enlightened monk. His disciples are incredibly skilled, far surpassing some of the abbots."

"Lord Fang, you..." Master Fayuan flicked his sleeve and lowered his voice, "Don't go too far!"

"Excessive?" Fang Zilan glanced at Master Fayuan. "According to the laws of the Great Capital, murder is punishable by death. Does Master Fayuan think that he can escape the blame for the crime by being the only one responsible?"

"Lord Fang, stop talking nonsense!" Master Fayuan's face turned pale and then red. Everyone looked at each other, realizing that something was wrong.

Fang Zilan was about to say something more when she heard a voice coming from inside the white gauze curtain of the lotus carriage, "Fayuan, if the heart is attached to something, even the Buddhist gate is nothing more than a prison."

Upon hearing the voice, Fang Zilan was taken aback. Master Fayuan in front of her looked to be in his forties, so she naturally assumed that Master Yuan should be an old man. However, she did not expect that his voice sounded surprisingly young, probably only in his twenties or thirties.

Master Fayuan instinctively wanted to refute, but Master Liaoyuan did not give him a chance to speak. His tone suddenly became sharper as he said, "The capital city reveres Buddhism, which naturally bestows unparalleled glory upon the monks of the temples. However, if the glory is too great, it will easily overshadow the Dharma itself, and the shadow behind it will become even greater."

He paused for a moment, then said, word by word, "Fayuan, as the abbot of Longyan Temple, do not think that having the blessing of Buddha can hide the lice under your robe."

Although Master Liaoyuan's words were somewhat veiled, Fang Zilan suddenly understood. Extremes beget their opposites. The Great Capital treated monks with extreme courtesy, and naturally, its demands were also extremely strict, as can be seen from the law that disrespecting the Buddha was a crime.

Over time, monks replaced Buddha and were elevated to a divine status. To some extent, the words and deeds of monks were regarded as the ultimate standard, and their influence was so great that it could now determine life and death...

Fang Zilan grew increasingly fearful as she thought about it. She realized how fortunate she was to have such a clear-headed and enlightened monk as Master Liaoyuan, who stood up for her as the abbot of Baiye Temple; otherwise, she truly didn't know what fate awaited her today. After all, no matter how much power she wielded, she couldn't defy faith.

“Brother Liaoyuan is right,” Master Fayuan said, bowing his head. “Now that Jiran has returned to secular life, he has no further connection with Longyan Temple.”

"What do you mean by 'no longer any relationship'?" Fang Zilan chuckled and said, "Does that mean that Master Jiran can't even come to Longyan Temple to burn incense after he left the monastic life?"

Master Fayuan's face was ashen, but he couldn't afford to lose his temper because Master Liaoyuan was present. Just as he was about to say a few polite words to ease the situation, the young novice said, "Longyan Temple is very popular, so I suppose my uncle must have a lot of things to do. My master and I are just passing by, so we won't bother you any longer. Farewell."

Fang Zilan nodded slightly and said, "Thank you very much, Master Yuan, and this young monk today." "You're too kind, Lord Fang." The young monk glanced in the direction of the lotus carriage, then bowed to Fang Zilan and said, "If it weren't for seeing Lord Fang and his entourage arrive at Longyan Temple today with such a grand presence, my master and I wouldn't have come here. Lord Fang cares deeply for the people and is always there to help; he is truly a blessing to the capital."

"You flatter me, little master." Fang Zilan waved her hand. After the little novice monk drove away in Master Liaoyuan's lotus carriage, she casually put away the plum sword stuck in the threshold. "Today I destroyed the threshold of Longyan Temple. It was really reckless of me. I hope Master Fayuan will not take offense. I will send someone to rebuild the threshold for your temple another day."

“Lord Fang is very kind, but Longyan Temple is too small to afford it.” Master Fayuan said coldly, “Repairing the threshold is such a small matter, Lord Fang need not trouble you.” After saying that, he turned and walked back into the temple.

"General Mo, why are you staying indoors?" A clear voice came from the courtyard. Fang Zilan subconsciously looked over and saw a man in blue walking gracefully towards her. The man had a handsome face and his every move was elegant and natural. The words she had just heard came from him.

Not far behind him, soldiers stood in neat rows, all from the Southeast Camp.

Upon seeing this, Fang Zilan's heart tightened. This person possessed no white jade tiger tally, yet could mobilize troops from the southeastern camp. It seemed this special envoy's power might not be less than hers. If so, protecting the Mo family would be difficult.

Mo Bin remained calm and allowed the man in blue to enter. The man walked up to Fang Zilan and bowed respectfully, saying, "Southeast Special Envoy Su Yun greets Duke Fang of Yue."

Su Yun? Fang Zilan quickly searched her mind for information related to this name and soon remembered that he was a descendant of the Su family, one of the nine great noble families, and the Imperial Censor Su Yun.

A mere civil official can mobilize troops? This is interesting.

Thinking this, Fang Zilan stood up and replied, "Lord Su, there's no need for such formality. You've come from afar; you must be tired."

Her imposing and serious demeanor stunned the surrounding Mo family members, leaving them speechless. After a long while, Mo Bin finally asked in a daze, "You are the new Duke of Yue, Lady Fang Zilan?"

"Yes." Fang Zilan glanced at him, then her gaze returned to Su Yun. "Since His Majesty has sent Lord Su here, it must be for important matters. What is it?"

Su Yun said calmly, "Lord Fang has been missing since leaving the Southeast Camp. His Majesty is concerned about him and specially ordered me to travel day and night to Mushan Pass to help Lord Fang deal with the Mo family's affairs."

Fang Zilan raised an eyebrow at him, "In that case, I wonder how Lord Su plans to help me deal with the Mo family's affairs?"

Su Yun spoke each word indifferently, "Mo Bin rebelled, and the entire Mo family was executed."

Upon hearing this, Madam Hu took a step back in disbelief, and Mo Bin quickly supported her. Mo Yang wanted to say something, but Mo Han stopped him, shaking his head to signal Mo Yang not to speak.

"Lord Su, are you trying to take my side?" Fang Zilan's expression was cold. Su Yun cupped his hands and said, "Of course I wouldn't dare. However..."

"Since you dare not, then step back." Fang Zilan interrupted him, and said solemnly, "There are other hidden reasons for the Mo family's affairs. I have already sent someone back with the white jade tiger tally to report the news. It is not too late to take action after informing His Majesty."