Reborn as Murong Fu: This Time I'm the Protagonist

Chapter 535

In the palace, Murong Fuzheng was talking to the young emperor.

"Your Majesty, I have investigated the case of the murder of the Liao delegation and have found the real culprit. I have come to report to Your Majesty that I am to be reinstated."

Murong Fu stood opposite the young emperor and spoke respectfully.

For the young emperor Zhao Xu, who had been suppressed by his grandmother and ignored by the court officials since childhood, nothing was more pleasing than respect. Therefore, when Murong Fu faced the young emperor, he always adopted a humble attitude and gave the young emperor plenty of face.

Zhao Xu was overjoyed: "In just half a day, the Murong family has found the real culprit?" Then he asked with some doubt: "The people from the Ministry of Justice have been looking all day, but they haven't found a single clue, not even a murder weapon or any traces at the scene. The Murong family..."

No wonder the young emperor was suspicious; it was mainly because Murong Fu's response was too swift.

Murong Fu laughed and said, "I am loyal to the Great Song Dynasty. What Your Majesty is concerned about is what I keep in mind. Your Majesty works tirelessly day and night. How can a subject not do his utmost and serve you like a dog or horse? Of course, the reason I was able to find out the truth of the matter so quickly is mainly because the villains who did this were too obviously malicious and acted too eccentrically."

Zhao Xu asked in confusion, "Where did this all begin?"

Murong Fu said, "Before I entered officialdom, I had a slight reputation in the martial arts world. I was familiar with the martial arts traditions of various schools and the unique skills of famous masters. The Liao envoy's death was not due to a weapon or poison, but to a martial art called the Vajra Palm. This martial art is a unique skill passed down by the Shaolin School. Because it is extremely difficult to master, only Abbot Xuanci of Shaolin has mastered it in this world. I know this because the Shaolin School tried to seize my family's property and colluded with others to harass my Murong family many times. I fought against the group of thieving monks from Shaolin Temple many times, and that's how I learned that Xuanci had mastered this martial art."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xu was already half convinced. Although he was ignored by the court officials and suppressed by the Empress Dowager, he had his own spies in the Imperial City Guard, reliable information channels, and some understanding of what was happening in the martial arts world. He had also heard of Murong Fu's reputation, otherwise he would not have so readily violated ancestral rules to bestow such a top title as Jiedushi upon Murong Fu.

Even so, Zhao Xu was still somewhat puzzled: "Why would those thieving monks from Shaolin Temple kill the Liao envoy? Instead of eating vegetarian food, chanting scriptures, and collecting incense money, they did such a heinous thing. What were they after?"

Murong Fu shook his head and said, "Your Majesty thinks too highly of these thieving monks. While Shaolin may have a few monks who are truly dedicated to their practice, most are just hypocrites pretending to be righteous. In recent years, Shaolin Temple has been rampant with illegal activities, extorting and plundering, acquiring countless temple properties. Land within a hundred miles has been seized by Shaolin Temple as its property."

"Not to mention that ordinary people dare not speak out against the tyranny of the Shaolin monks, even local officials are often coerced by them. Monk Xuanci, a monk, actually disregarded the precepts and secretly seduced and raped many respectable women, even fathering illegitimate children. His wolfish ambitions are obvious to everyone. This killing of the Liao envoy is yet another grand conspiracy by the Shaolin Temple! They intend to provoke war between the Song and Liao dynasties and overthrow the Song dynasty."

Zhao Xu was shocked upon hearing this: "What are you talking about?"

Murong Fu pulled a stack of papers from his sleeve and placed them in front of Zhao Xu: "Your Majesty, please take a look. This is the investigation by the Imperial City Archives of the Great Song Dynasty regarding an old incident that occurred at Yanmen Pass thirty years ago. At that time, Xiao Yuanshan, the chief instructor of the Liao Dynasty's Shan Army, was passing through the Luanshi Valley outside Yanmen Pass with his wife and children when they were attacked by a group of bandits. All of his guards were killed in battle. Under Xiao Yuanshan's fierce fighting, most of the bandits were killed or wounded. In the end, Xiao Yuanshan jumped off a cliff with his wife's body and committed suicide."

Zhao Xu's eyebrows furrowed in disbelief: "That's right, it did happen. Emperor Yingzong had only recently ascended the throne, and this matter caused quite a stir between the Song and Liao dynasties. The Ministry of Rites mediated and spent considerable effort to resolve the matter. But what does this have to do with Shaolin?"

Murong Fu said, "The one who led the attack on Xiao Yuanshan's family at Yanmen Pass back then was none other than the current Abbot Xuanci of Shaolin! This man is ambitious and treacherous, intending to incite war between the Song and Liao dynasties so he can profit from it. Shaolin, a supposedly pure Buddhist temple, actually harbors over a thousand monk soldiers; their intentions are self-evident." "I previously learned of the hidden details of this matter by chance. After extensive investigation, I finally uncovered the truth and brought forth an important witness. This person is currently waiting to be seen outside the main hall. Your Majesty only needs to question him to know that what I have said is true."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xu hurriedly said, "Quickly summon this person to an audience."

Just as Zhao Xu finished speaking, a tall, burly man in black rushed in from outside the door. As soon as he entered, he knelt down and said, "Your subject, Xiao Yuanshan, pays his respects to His Majesty the Emperor of the Great Song Dynasty."

Zhao Xu was shocked and stared at the burly man in black in front of him for a long time: "You are Xiao Yuanshan? Didn't you come here thirty years ago...?"

Xiao Yuanshan said, "Your Majesty, on that day, I was indeed ambushed by a group of treacherous Central Plains warriors outside Yanmen Pass. I fought fiercely and killed many people. However, my beloved wife tragically died. In despair, I jumped off a cliff with her body in my arms, but I got caught in a tree and managed to escape with my life. Since then, I have been dedicated to finding out the truth of what happened that year, and it has been thirty years now."

Then Xiao Yuanshan recounted his experiences from back then, leaving Zhao Xu dumbfounded.

Murong Fu added fuel to the fire by recounting the Xingzilin incident to Zhao Xu.

Zhao Xu was furious upon hearing this: "I have heard a lot about the Beggars' Sect. They have contributed a lot in the fight against the Western Xia. How dare Xuan Ci be so audacious as to frame a loyal official? Does he think that the Song Dynasty can be ruled by Shaolin?"

Murong Fu said, “Your Majesty, please calm your anger. Shaolin Temple has been established for hundreds of years, with deep roots and many connections. Once it is touched, it will affect the whole situation. We must proceed slowly. At present, it seems impossible to completely eradicate Shaolin. As long as Zen Buddhism exists, Shaolin will exist. Even if the imperial army is used to forcibly suppress it, with the monks’ ability to distort the truth and their silver tongues, they will probably portray it as a persecution of Buddhism. In the end, these bald monks, full of wicked men and women, will become martyrs.”

Zhao Xu gritted his teeth and pondered for a moment, feeling extremely shocked and angry: how could a small temple dare to stir up trouble and influence the rise and fall of two great nations? How ambitious they were!

But he could only grit his teeth in silence. Not to mention that he had just assumed power and his authority was limited, even the powerful monarchs in history who suppressed Buddhism, such as the Three Wu and One Zong, could not do anything to these bald men.

Zhao Xu gritted his teeth and said, "Then, according to your plan, what should we do?"

Murong Fu sneered, "The affairs of the martial world should be settled within the martial world. Shaolin is no match for the Taishan and Beidou of the martial world. Any existence that dares to supersede the majesty of the royal family will be wiped out. My Murong family of Gusu, and the Xiaoyao sect, are willing to follow His Majesty's lead."

Zhao Xu was overjoyed upon hearing this: "I knew that your loyalty and righteousness were unparalleled in the world. Then I will entrust this matter to you. You must suppress the arrogance of Shaolin. I hereby appoint you as the Deputy Commander of the Imperial City Guard, and you may act as you see fit."

"My lord, take the order!"

Murong Fu smiled slightly: Shaolin, Xuanci the old bald monk, your good days are over!