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

Chapter 540 Remnants of the Stars
Kumārajīva knew his own situation well. He was still very clear about the current state of Tibet. He vividly remembered the Hehuang border opening that Wang Shao had promoted during the reign of Emperor Shenzong more than ten years ago.

The Tibetan Empire today is all show and no substance. The various tribes within the country act independently, obeying orders but not commands. The Tibetan king is a figurehead, and his status is not much higher than that of the Zhou emperor during the Warring States period.

When Kumārajīva of Tianlong Temple seized the scriptures, he dared to threaten war against Dali because he had calculated that the Dali Duan family was in a similar position to the Tibetan royal family—a soft target that could be easily manipulated. If war between Tibet and the Song Dynasty were to resume, the fragmented Tibet would be utterly unable to withstand it.

Seeing the changing expression on Kumārajīva's face, Murong Fu laughed and said, "Ah, I was just chatting with you about state affairs when we had nothing else to do. What I said just now was just a small speculation of mine. Please don't take it too seriously, Master."

Kumārajīva's expression shifted between light and shadow several times before he slowly spoke, "Since Sect Leader Murong is now a favorite of His Majesty the Emperor of the Great Song Dynasty, do you have any thoughts on the Emperor's next plans?"

Murong Fu shook his head and laughed, "Master, you flatter me too much. I am just a minor official, how could I possibly influence the decisions of the Song Emperor? What I said just now was merely a casual chat, Master, please take it as a joke. I would be happy if you were willing to consider my suggestion today, but if you are not willing to consider it, I will not force you."

Kumārajīva pondered the matter repeatedly, and the more he thought about it, the more he felt that this matter was entirely beneficial to him and to Tibet. There was really no reason not to agree to Murong Fu's request. Moreover, dismantling Shaolin's signboard was something he had planned to do anyway, and now he was just going with the flow. What was there to worry about?
Kumārajīva gritted his teeth and said, "Since that's the case, then I'll just follow Sect Leader Murong's orders."

Murong Fu laughed and said, "Very well, Master is indeed a straightforward person. In that case, let's meet at Shaoshi Mountain on the second day of the second month next year!"

……

"Azi, how's the task I assigned you two years ago coming along?"

Inside a teahouse in Luoyang, Murong Fu casually looked at the torrential rain outside and asked softly.

Dressed in purple with a light veil covering her face, Azi smiled and cupped her face in her hands as she looked at Murong Fu: "Of course, Azi will carry out the things Master has ordered me to do without fail. You lot, come here!"

Azi gave a shout, and several tall, burly men timidly crawled in from outside.

Azi glared at her and scolded, "You have no manners! You don't even bow to your grandmaster?"

Upon hearing A Zi's curses, the burly men immediately knelt in a row, as if they had rehearsed it, and shouted in unison: "Sect Leader Murong, your magic power is boundless, your supernatural abilities are unparalleled, may you reign for eternity and unify the martial world!"

Murong Fu frowned and said, "Don't do these things in front of me anymore. It'll only make us a laughing stock."

Azi smiled shyly and scratched her hair with her delicate white fingers: "Hehe, they've always been like this. It's hard to change a habit overnight. Since Master doesn't like it, we won't let them do this anymore."

She turned to the group and scolded, "Did you hear that? Your grandmaster forbids you dogs from doing this kind of nonsense. It's shameful. Don't do it again. If you do it again, I'll cut out your tongues and feed them to the Five Poisons! Do you hear me?"

The burly men readily agreed and promptly rolled down the slope.

Murong Fu asked, "How many of Ding Chunqiu's Xingxiu Sect followers do you currently have under your control?" Azi counted on her slender fingers for a moment before replying, "When Ding Chunqiu was around, the Xingxiu Sect had nearly ten thousand followers. After that old scoundrel Ding Chunqiu was killed by his master, most of his disciples and followers scattered like birds and beasts. I've spent a lot of effort these past two years, and currently I barely have a little over three thousand followers."

"However, of Ding Chunqiu's personal disciples, apart from the eldest, second, and eighth senior brothers who were killed by the master, the rest are the same ones you just met, master. They're all here. If that's not enough, Azi can recruit a few more."

When Azi saw that Murong Fu didn't speak, she became anxious.

Murong Fu raised his hand: "No need, this is enough. However, you must keep these people in check, make sure they practice their poison skills properly, and don't cause trouble in the martial world, giving others something to talk about."

Ah Zi smiled like a smiling little fox: "Ah Zi understands. Ah Zi usually keeps these people in line. If you tell them to go east, they would never dare to go west."

"Azi has selected five hundred of the most elite Xingxiu Sect disciples and sent them in batches to secretly enter the Central Plains. As long as Master gives the order, we can storm Shaoshi Mountain and pluck all the beards off those bald monks!"

Murong Fu said, "It's enough that you have the intention. However, Shaolin has a deep foundation and cannot be shaken by a small Xingxiu Sect. I asked you to integrate the Xingxiu Sect, but that's just to let you lead them to cause trouble. From now on, you should diligently practice the orthodox Taoist internal skills that I have taught you and stop practicing those crooked and evil methods of the Xingxiu Sect."

"Well done. Now, tell me, what reward do you want?"

Azi nodded her head like a chick pecking at rice, and said with a smile, "Master, you are so good to Azi. Azi loves Master the most~ Can Azi...?"

"No!" Murong Fu interrupted directly - whenever A Zi showed that fox-like expression, Murong Fu knew that this little devil was probably up to some mischief again.

Azi pouted and mumbled, "I just wanted to call you brother-in-law~ After all, I only have one older sister, and she's already with Master~ My sister calls Master 'husband,' so what's wrong with Azi calling you brother-in-law~"

Over the years, Azi has figured out her master's temperament—he's the type who responds better to gentleness than force. As long as you don't touch his principles and bottom line, everything else is negotiable. Often, all you need to do is act cute, and that's what Azi is best at.

Murong Fu raised an eyebrow: "When did you become so concerned about your sister A'Zhu? Haven't you always been jealous that A'Zhu is happier than you?"

Azi chuckled: "Before, when I was following that old monster Ding Chunqiu, that arrogant bastard, all I saw every day were those despicable, half-human, half-ghost creatures. Since following my master, I've realized that there are great heroes and great men like my master in this world, and I feel that my life has not been in vain. I call my master brother-in-law, and only then can my fellow disciples who have ulterior motives and are only outwardly obedient actually submit to me."

"After all, back then, Old Monster Ding was like a god in their eyes, and everyone in the martial arts world knew that it was Young Master Murong who killed Old Monster Ding. With Master's strong support, Azi can more properly control the Xingxiu Sect and better serve Master."

Murong Fu thought about it for a moment and felt that what Azi said made some sense. He nodded and said, "Whatever you want, as long as you're happy."

Ah Zi was so excited she almost cried out, and quickly said, "Brother-in-law~ Brother-in-law~ Ah Zi knew you were the best to Ah Zi~"

Ah Zi was overjoyed, her mind racing with calculations: as the saying goes, a sister-in-law is her brother-in-law's... if she takes the first step verbally, what's there to worry about in the future?