Catching Monsters

Chapter 319 My lord, you must do justice for us!

The three abbots of Puji Temple, Lingshi Temple, and Jinsha Temple quickly heard the commotion and rushed over.

The capital city is neither small nor large.

Hundreds of Imperial Guards suddenly surrounded Bailong Temple and conducted a large-scale search. The commotion was so great that the other three Buddhist temples had already received the news.

Soon, the abbots of the five major Buddhist temples—Lingyin Temple, Bailong Temple, Puji Temple, Lingshi Temple, and Jinsha Temple—all rushed over.

Inside a secluded meditation room at Lingyin Temple, five abbots sat on prayer cushions.

Abbot Fakong of Hakuryu-ji Temple recounted the whole story.

Of course, the other four could not possibly know about the shady dealings that Hakuryuji was up to.

It was only said that Jiang Yun, a centurion of the Eastern Garrison, came to Bailong Temple in a furtive manner, which was noticed by them.

Jiang Yun then claimed that Bailong Temple was involved in human trafficking, and took this opportunity to lead the Imperial Guards to plunder Bailong Temple's wealth.

According to Abbot Fakong, the Embroidered Uniform Guard, with Jiang Yun as their lackey, had their eyes on the wealth that Bailong Temple had painstakingly accumulated over the years.

Upon hearing this, the other abbots in the room all frowned.

Abbot Lingxin of Lingshi Temple is the youngest, just over forty years old, and full of energy. He is also the only one of the five monks who became abbot as a martial monk.

Therefore, he also had the most fiery temper. Upon hearing this, he frowned and angrily rebuked, "If what Abbot Fakong said is true, then Jiang Yun is going too far."

Of the five, Abbot Zhiming from Puji Temple was the most composed and did not rush to express his opinion.

Knowing that his master Miaode had some connection with Jiang Yun, he said, "Gentlemen, I have heard some stories about Jiang Yun."

"It is said that this Commander Jiang of the Eastern Garrison Command is a good person, and..."

Upon hearing this, Abbot Lingxin asked, "Are you saying that Fakong is lying?"

"That's not what I meant."

Seeing this, Fakong put his hands together and said, "It is not surprising that Master Zhiming would have such thoughts since he is unaware of the inside story."

"Send someone to check if my White Dragon Temple has been completely looted by Jiang Yun."

"Everyone, our Buddhist sect has thrived for thousands of years because of the unity of our Buddhist members. If we allow Jiang Yun to act so recklessly..."

"If he can rob my Hakuryu Temple today, can he rob all of you tomorrow?"

Upon hearing what Fakong said, the others couldn't help but nod slightly.

Even Abbot Zhiming of Puji Temple could not refute it and could only remain silent.

Upon seeing this, Abbot Hongzhen of Lingyin Temple spoke up, "If everyone has no objections, then our Buddhist sect will naturally go to the Eastern Garrison Command to demand an explanation."

……

Inside the Eastern Garrison Command, the screams of the monks from the White Dragon Temple echoed continuously.

The imperial prison hadn't been this lively in a long time. Many monks were tied to a dozen iron pillars, being tortured one by one.

The imperial prison was also overcrowded.

A strong smell of blood permeated the air.

Of course, the Jinyiwei (Imperial Guards) who carried out the tortures in the imperial prison were all veterans with many years of experience.

Although the tortures inflicted could make people wish they were dead, they would not harm the lives of these monks.

At the entrance of the imperial prison, Jiang Yun stood outside the courtyard with his hands behind his back, frowning as he listened to the screams that kept coming from inside.

Soon, Zidane rushed out, panting, and said, "Commander Jiang, these monks are incredibly stubborn; not one of them will budge."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yun asked in a deep voice, "Where is Monk Huiyi?"

"He remained in meditation in the prison, unmoved by the screams of the other monks." Zida, quite bold given the situation had escalated to this point, asked, "Why don't we try torturing that old monk?"

“This old monk is quite powerful, at least at the third rank. If we torture him to the point of no return, he will attack us.”

"Then his charge of treason is considered settled!"

This is what makes the Embroidered Uniform Guard so domineering.

The Embroidered Uniform Guard can torture you with all sorts of cruel methods, but if you dare to fight back, then sorry, you've committed treason.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yun frowned slightly, shook his head, and personally walked into the prison.

At this moment, the scene inside the imperial prison, the horrific conditions of the eighteen levels of hell, are probably no more than this.

The Imperial Guards used all sorts of martial arts, such as clamping sticks, headbands, branding irons, and nasal irrigation, to continuously demonstrate their skills.

It must be said that these monks have remarkable composure.

Soon, Jiang Yun noticed a detail. He beckoned to Qi Da and asked in a deep voice, "Why are all the prisoners we're interrogating so old? It seems the youngest is at least thirty?"

Qi Da nodded and said, "Sir, the first batch of people we interrogated are all of high status at Bailong Temple. They must know more inside information, and once they confess..."

At this point, Zidane stopped, realizing what Jiang Yun meant.

His expression changed, and he hurriedly shouted, "Stop! Lock these monks up and take them back. Interrogate some of the younger monks!"

"Yes."

Soon, the busy Imperial Guards inside obeyed the order.

Jiang Yun had no interest in inflicting torture; his gaze fell upon Master Huiyi inside the prison.

He walked to the prison door, and soon his men opened it.

After entering, Jiang Yun said, "Master Huiyi, you can be considered a high-ranking Buddhist monk. Now that you see the monks of your Bailong Temple being tortured, don't you feel any pain in your heart?"

"Amitabha," Master Huiyi said in a deep voice, his hands clasped together. "These are all tests from Buddha, trials to temper the Buddhist mind." Upon hearing this, Jiang Yun slowly squatted down in front of him. "Old monk, what are you pretending to be, this enlightened high monk?"

"Buddha who speaks and Buddha who doesn't speak."

"If someone truly had Buddha in their heart, would they be capable of engaging in human trafficking?"

Upon hearing this, the monk Huiyi remained calm and said, "Everything is a test from Buddha, whether for us or for those who have disappeared in the capital."

"A person's life is all about atonement..."

Seeing that the old monk was still uncooperative, Jiang Yun took a deep breath, turned around and walked out of the prison. At this moment, many young monks had been brought out and tied to wooden stakes.

Jiang Yun raised his hand, signaling his men to stop. Then he glanced at the many monks in the room and whispered a few words to Qi Da.

Soon, Zidane nodded and brought in a golden Buddha statue from outside.

Jiang Yun placed his hand on the golden Buddha and used his magic to make the golden Buddha shine brightly, radiating golden light.

Jiang Yun spoke calmly, "Does everyone here really not know what kind of shady business your White Dragon Temple is engaged in?"

Then, his tone became more forceful, and he shouted, "Trafficking people and disregarding human life, is this something a monk should do?"

"Put your hands on your conscience and ask yourselves, if you go to the Western Paradise after death, will you have the face to meet the Buddha?"

Jiang Yun's voice also carried a hint of anger.

It wasn't just because of the conflict with Hakuryu-ji Temple, but because I was disgusted by the behavior of these monks.

“I believe that there must still be your White Dragon Temple's hideouts in the capital, and places where people are being hidden.”

Jiang Yun's gaze fell upon the young monks: "Think about those poor women. If they were your brothers and sisters, how would you feel?"

There is a saying in Buddhism: "Put down the butcher's knife and become a Buddha on the spot."

As Jiang Yun spoke, he glanced at the young monks.

Sure enough, one of the monks, who looked about sixteen or seventeen years old, had shifty eyes and dared not look directly at the Buddha statue.

“Him!” Jiang Yun pointed at the young monk instantly: “Bring him out and interrogate him separately.”

"no!"

Suddenly, Master Huiyi in the prison stood up abruptly and said in a deep voice, "This child is exceptionally talented and is the future foundation of our White Dragon Temple!"

"Wuzhen, remember not to fall for these Imperial Guards' tricks!"

"If you speak nonsense, you may destroy the thousand-year-old foundation of Bailong Temple!"

The young monk named Wuzhen has a handsome appearance. Although he is young, his cultivation level is not low. He should be a key person to be cultivated by Bailong Temple.

Jiang Yun ignored Master Huiyi and led Monk Wuzhen out of the prison.

Having just emerged from the dark prison, Wuzhen was dazzled by the sunlight.

Jiang Yun stood with his hands behind his back, while Qi Da carried the Buddha statue and followed behind.

“Young monk, it is said that you monks do not lie. You would not lie in front of the Buddha. You must know something.”

Jiang Yun smiled warmly and said, "As I said, as long as you are willing to provide clues, I guarantee your safety. I, Jiang Yun, always keep my word."

"Commander Qi can testify to this."

Zidane paused for a moment while holding the Buddha statue, then nodded: "Ah, yes, yes, our Lord Jiang always keeps his word."

Monk Wuzhen hesitated for a moment, staring at Jiang Yun, and said, "Lord Centurion, are you trying to put our White Dragon Temple to death?"

At this moment, Jiang Yun's expression became much more serious. He stared at Wuzhen and nodded, then said, "It's not just for this reason."

"Those who traffic people are all sentenced to death. In your eyes, kidnapping a woman is just about selling her for money, but how many families are torn apart, wives and children separated, and homes destroyed?"

"I don't like to preach grand principles. My behavior may be despicable and shameful, but everyone should have a bottom line, right?"

Monk Wuzhen frowned deeply, clasped his hands together, and felt conflicted.

From a young age, his master taught him to be wholeheartedly good, to uphold Buddhism, and to help and save people.

But as he grew up at Hakuryū-ji Temple, he discovered many secrets that shattered his worldview.

But looking at his fellow disciples, many of them would rape women after they were trafficked or even captured.

These senior brothers, uncles, and elder brothers didn't seem to think they had done anything wrong.

These events led him to wonder if he was the one who was wrong.

Seeing that Monk Wuzhen was hesitant, Jiang Yun turned to Qi Da and said, "Go, didn't our Eastern Garrison send two relatives of the missing people? Bring them over."

Zidane's expression changed slightly. He took a deep breath and nodded, "Yes, I'll bring them over right away."

After putting down the golden Buddha, Zidane quickly ran to another place and found two Imperial Guards searching through files.

"You two hurry up, take off your clothes, change into casual clothes, and come with me."

The two Imperial Guards who were looking through the files were taken aback, but dared not be negligent.

Not long after, Zidane returned with a sudden change in expression, followed by two men dressed in civilian clothes.

"Sir, is there any news about my wife? My child is only one year old and she disappeared without a trace. The child hasn't even had a drop of breast milk in days."

"Where is my sister? She said she was going to Bailong Temple to offer incense, but then we just haven't heard from her!"

"My lord, you must do us justice!"

The two men grabbed Jiang Yun's legs and burst into tears, crying so hard they were heartbroken and disoriented that they almost fainted.

(End of this chapter)