Catching Monsters

Chapter 152 The Conference Begins

The Taoism Conference is held every three years, even though Taoism is declining now. If it were in the past, it would be a grand event that the whole country would celebrate.

Even so, the Taoism Conference is still watched closely by all parties, and people are looking forward to seeing what new genius will appear in Taoism.

And now, the appeal of this Taoist conference has reached a new level, and the reason is simple: because of the bet between Baiyun Temple and Tianqing Temple.

The news was leaked by Master Baichen in Baiyun Temple, who let his disciples leak it on purpose. Master Baichen was still very confident about the Dao Discussion Conference.

In the past twenty years, the first and second places in the Taoist conferences have basically been taken by Baiyun Temple and Qingfeng Temple.

As for Tianqing Temple, it was a very stable last-placed one. She did not think that Jiang Yun, a mere Jinyiwei who had practiced Taoism for a few days, could defeat Baiyun Temple in the Taoism Conference.

Because the person sent by Baiyun Temple to attend the Taoist Conference is the beloved son of the Emperor of the Great Zhou Dynasty, the most outstanding genius of Baiyun Temple in recent years, and is regarded as the hope for the rise of Taoism, His Royal Highness the Sixth Prince of the Great Zhou Dynasty, Xiao Jingqi.

Tomorrow is the day of the Daoist Conference. At this moment, Master Baichen is waiting quietly outside the gate of Baiyun Temple.

Soon a gorgeous carriage drove slowly over and slowly stopped outside the gate of Baiyun Temple.

The curtain of the carriage was lifted, and a young man in a yellow Taoist robe leaned out from inside.

He has a delicate face, fair skin, long hair, and an air of nobility.

"Qi Yuanzi pays respect to the Master."

After Xiao Jingqi got off the carriage, he hurried forward to salute respectfully and said, "My disciple has traveled around and will eventually return to the capital."

Qi Yuanzi is his Taoist name, and also the name he likes to use when he goes out.

Master Bai Chen looked at his disciple and could not help but nod his head slightly in praise, "It's good that you're back, it's good that you're back. Have you gained any insights from your three years of traveling?"

"I have traveled for the past three years and have traveled northwards into the land of the Hu people. I have seen them eat raw meat and drink blood."

"We sneaked eastwards into the Eastern Demon Country and saw many demons and evil spirits harming the people of the Demon Country."

“When I realize in my heart, the universe is vast and boundless.”

Master Baichen nodded slowly and reminded: "People who practice Taoism should avoid working in isolation and turning a deaf ear to the outside world."

"I am pleased that you are willing to endure three years of hardship and training."

Xiao Jingqi frowned slightly, then asked, "Master, on the way back, I heard some rumors? Rumor has it that our Baiyun Temple and Tianqing Temple have signed a contract?"

Master Baichen sighed, shook his head helplessly and said, "Xuan Daozi from Tianqing Temple came to ridicule me. I had no choice but to make a bet with him."

"It would be better if you came back a few days earlier."

"Many of your fellow apprentices were captured by a Jinyiwei named Jiang Yun and almost died in the imperial prison."

"In the end, he threatened me, and I had no choice but to pay more than 4,000 taels of silver to redeem him."

"Jiang Yun is also one of the people from Tianqing Temple who will be attending the Dao Conference this time."

Hearing this, Xiao Jingqi nodded slowly, with a bit of pride on his face, and said lightly: "Master, don't worry, I will definitely not let you down at this discussion meeting."

……

Zhenguogongfu.

"Where's Xiao Hei? Let him come out to me."

"Why does this little thing still have the bad habit of eating silver?"

At this time, Jiang Yun was in the yard where Jiang Qiaoqiao lived, looking for Xiao Hei everywhere.

He had 4,500 taels of silver notes, and he still had a full 2,000 taels of silver left.

He took the time to exchange the banknotes for silver.

Then he sent 1,500 taels to Changxin Temple to keep it running.

The remaining five hundred taels of silver were put back into the box in his own room.

But in the past two days, the silver has been missing by more than ten taels from time to time.

Jiang Yun was still wondering, could there be a thief in the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion?

Finally, early this morning, Jiang Yun suddenly opened the box containing the silver and found Xiao Hei hiding inside, eating the silver as a snack.

This little thing is really a worry.

Looking at Jiang Yun's angry look, Jiang Qiaoqiao didn't say anything yet.

Xuan Daozi, who had been staying in the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion, hurried forward and gently patted Jiang Yun on the chest: "Hey, hey, hey, Jiang Yun, tomorrow is the Dao Conference, don't be angry, don't be angry."

"Don't let it affect your condition tomorrow."

Xuan Daozi stayed by Jiang Yun's side these past two days. He couldn't wait for Jiang Yun to have a meal, so he fed him personally. He was like holding him in his hands for fear of dropping him, and holding him in his mouth for fear of melting him.

Jiang Yun looked at Xiao Hei hiding and not daring to show up, feeling a little helpless. This little guy was quite weird.

He may not have any other abilities, but his ability to escape is top-notch.

At least I don't have the ability to catch it.

No, this little guy likes to eat silver. It would be okay if I could just change all the silver into gold later.

wrong.

What if this little guy likes to eat gold?
Jiang Yun was a little worried.

Xu Suwen sat in the courtyard and said with a smile on his face, "By the way, will the Dao Conference be held in Qingfeng Temple tomorrow?"

"My mother heard that Jiang Yun was going to participate, and she also wanted to go and take a look."

"Old Immortal Senior, do you have an invitation letter?"

Hearing this, Xuan Daozi nodded and agreed without hesitation: "Okay, I'll ask someone to invite Madam to go tomorrow."

The Taoist Conference is a grand event held by the Taoist sect itself. Normally, although the dignitaries in the capital pay attention to it, they would not go to watch it in person.

But in this Taoist conference, Baiyun Temple and Tianqing Temple almost tore their faces apart and gambled on their own Taoist statues.

Many dignitaries instantly became interested, and many of them were looking for invitations through various channels, ready to go and see the excitement. After all, this world, in the final analysis, still lacks entertainment, and who wouldn't want to see such great fun?

Afterwards, under Xuan Daozi's urging, Jiang Yun returned to the room and silently wrote the Tao Te Ching...

In the evening, in the imperial study of the Imperial Palace, Xiao Yuzheng was a little tired after reading memorials and handling government affairs all day.

Feng Yu stood behind and gently massaged Xiao Yuzheng's shoulders.

Xiao Yuzheng closed his eyes and asked slowly, "What interesting things have happened in the capital recently?"

"Come to think of it, there is one incident." Feng Yu said with a smile, "The Taoist priests of Baiyun Temple had a conflict with Jiang Yun, and Jiang Yun captured more than 40 of them."

"In the end, Jiang Yun extorted a large sum of money from Master Bai Chen, and only then did he let him go."

When Xiao Yuzheng heard this, he asked in confusion: "Why did Jiang Yun have a conflict with Baiyun Temple for no reason?"

Feng Yu quickly told the whole story.

"So, it was Baiyun Temple that first arrested Jiang Yun's sister?" Xiao Yuzheng frowned and snorted coldly, "This group of Taoists are becoming more and more lawless. They can arrest people at will in the capital? Who gave them the power?"

"Do you really think that my Jing Qi can do whatever he wants while practicing in their Baiyun Temple?"

"By the way, has Jingqi returned to Beijing?"

Feng Yu said respectfully, "He has returned. The Sixth Prince did want to come and pay his respects to Your Majesty as soon as possible, but he has to prepare to attend the Taoist conference tomorrow."

"Speaking of which, the situation between Baiyun Temple and Tianqing Temple is quite tense this time..."

After listening to Feng Yu's report, Xiao Yuzheng laughed. He was quite happy to see the internal fighting within the Taoist sect.

He said, "It's quite interesting. Go and see if this conference is interesting for me tomorrow."

"Slave understands."

……

The next morning, there was a lot of activity outside Qingfeng Temple.

On the usually deserted street, many Taoists from Baiyun Temple and the Tianqing Temple opposite were queuing up to enter Qingfeng Temple one by one.

At this time, in the center of the huge and empty square in Qingfeng Temple, a four-sided platform for discussing Taoism had been built.

Many wooden chairs had already been placed around the four-sided stage.

Inside the Tianqing Temple opposite, Xuan Daozi was holding Jiang Yun in the quiet room, giving him the final mobilization.

Xuan Daozi pinched Jiang Yun's shoulders and said, "Jiang Yun, don't be nervous. Just express your understanding and feelings."

"Don't be nervous. The two great celestial masters will give you some questions to test you."

This Taoist conference was judged by two third-rank great heavenly masters, and the performance of the three disciples was also judged by these two third-rank great heavenly masters.

Of course, the reason why Tianqing Temple has been ranked at the bottom in recent years is not because these two great masters favor their own disciples.

It’s simply because the younger generation of disciples in Tianqing Temple are so untalented.

Jiang Yun asked curiously, "What about the discussion of Dao on the first day and the competition of magic on the second day?"

"Fighting each other? Or?"

Xuan Daozi said: "The situation at each Dao Conference is different."

"There are competitions of fighting techniques, or the same Taoist techniques to see who has a deeper understanding."

"The two great celestial masters set the questions."

"You don't need to worry too much about your Taoist ability."

Seeing that the time was almost up, Xuan Daozi pushed open the door of the quiet room. He stood with his hands behind his back, looking like a master.

Jiang Yun followed behind him.

The two walked towards Qingfeng Temple opposite.

In Qingfeng Temple, three sides of the four-sided platform were filled with many Taoist disciples.

The ages of these Taoists range from children in their teens to veterans in their seventies or eighties.

The disciples of Baiyun Temple, Qingfeng Temple, and Tianqing Temple all gathered and sat together.

As for the other side, there were dignitaries from all sides of the capital city, who could see the people from the Duke of Zhenguo’s Mansion from afar.

Tao Yuelan, Xu Suwen, Xu Xiaogang, Jiang Qiaoqiao and others were happily eating fruits and chatting.

Jiang Yun even saw Eunuch Feng Yu sitting in the front row.

"Eunuch Feng is here?" Jiang Yun was a little surprised.

Xuan Daozi, who was standing next to him, was somewhat helpless and whispered, "Many dignitaries from the capital came..."

There were as many as eight or nine hundred people present.

It is extremely lively.

Soon, Jiang Yun also noticed a pair of eyes looking at him.

Jiang Yun looked and saw that it was Master Baichen from Baiyun Temple.

Taoist Master Bai Chen was sitting in the front, and next to him was a young man wearing a yellow Taoist robe and looking very noble.

This person is about the same age as me.

Master Bai Chen whispered something in his ear.

The young man looked at him with some hostility.