Catching Monsters

Chapter 558 The Three Pure Ones Temple will become more and more numerous
In the Imperial Palace of the Great Zhou capital, Qin Hong, who had just returned from the Sacred Tomb, was recounting his experiences during his trip to the Sacred Tomb.

Hearing this, Xiao Yuzheng nodded slightly and slowly asked, "Jing Qing, Jing Zhi is back? Is he alright?"

Qin Hong nodded and said respectfully, "The First Prince and the Eighth Prince are both unharmed under the protection of many experts from the Tongyou Guard."

"It's just that the eldest prince's leg is injured. He'll probably recover after some rest."

Xiao Yuzheng nodded slowly, then his expression turned grim. He muttered to himself, "What I didn't expect was that this place wasn't the so-called sacred tomb, but rather a place that sealed away a saint..."

The good news is that Xiao Yuzheng doesn't need to worry about anyone obtaining a sage's opportunity from the Sacred Tomb, becoming a sage, and then overthrowing the Zhou Dynasty.

But there's also bad news...

What exactly is the identity of that female saint, and what will happen if she comes out?
Qin Hong, perhaps sensing the worry in Xiao Yuzheng's eyes, spoke up from the side: "Your Majesty need not worry too much. The top experts who know about that female saint will no longer go to that awful place."

"Going there would be tantamount to suicide."

"No one else can save that woman either."

"She has been sealed away for a thousand years and has not been able to come out. It won't be easy for her to come out in the short term."

"That's true." Xiao Yuzheng let out a heavy sigh, then asked, "Jiang Yun and the others have returned as well, right?"

"Yes." Qin Hong added, "The monk Hongguang, who was disrespectful to His Majesty, was also killed by Jiang Yun."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yuzheng's eyes lit up slightly.

Qin Hong said with a smile, "Everyone inside had their cultivation sealed, and Jiang Yun took the opportunity to eliminate them. However, although that monk Hongguang was a demon monk, he held a high position in Buddhism."

"He is also the national preceptor of the Buddhist kingdom in the Western Regions. I'm afraid the Buddhist kingdom in the Western Regions will not let this go easily."

Xiao Yuzheng snorted coldly and said slowly, "It's just a small country on the border. If it weren't for the fact that it's too far away from our Zhou Kingdom, I would have sent troops to conquer it long ago."

"If they dare to send people to cause trouble in the capital, your Tongyou Guard must ensure Jiang Yun's safety, understand?"

"Yes." Qin Hong nodded upon hearing this. He knew that His Majesty valued Jiang Yun quite a bit.

……

Inside the Jiang residence, after Jiang Yun returned, Yun Pingchuan was overjoyed and immediately informed Xu Suwen and Jiang Qiaoqiao.

Jiang Yun had just sat down to rest in the living room when Xu Suwen and Jiang Qiaoqiao arrived immediately.

"Brother, you're back!"

The worries in Jiang Qiaoqiao and Xu Suwen's hearts finally subsided.

Although Jiang Yun did not explicitly state what the mission was about, the way he looked before leaving clearly indicated that the level of danger was considerable.

During the days that Jiang Yun was away, Xu Suwen was constantly worried.

"Are you alright?" Xu Suwen asked softly.

Jiang Yun nodded, then asked, "Was everything alright at home while I was gone?"

"It's nothing." Jiang Qiaoqiao shook her head, then, as if she had thought of something, she said with a smile, "There's something, brother, you'll definitely be happy to know."

"Five Sanqing Taoist temples have already been built in the capital, and many more are under renovation."

Hearing this, Jiang Yun's eyes lit up slightly: "If I have time tomorrow, I'll also go and take a look at these Sanqing Temples."

After Jiang Qiaoqiao left and went to the kitchen to check if the food was ready, Jiang Yun told Xu Suwen about the matter at the Sacred Tomb.

Upon hearing the final words, Xu Suwen's face showed shock, and she couldn't help but ask, "You saw a sage?"

Even for someone of Xu Suwen's noble status, the concept of a sage was limited to legendary figures.

"Yeah, he almost died at her hands."

Xu Suwen's face then showed worry, and she couldn't help but say, "Master Hongguang also died at your hands. This Master Hongguang held a very high position in Buddhism. Won't the Buddhist community cause you trouble for doing this?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yun frowned slightly. He hadn't had time to think about this question while he was in the Holy Tomb.

"I've already killed him, and it wasn't just me who did it. Tuoba Anyi even took all the treasures from him." Jiang Yun was quite open-minded.

"I'm going to the Eastern Garrison Command." Jiang Yun stood up, patted his clothes, and Xu Suwen accompanied him to the Eastern Garrison Command office.

However, when Jiang Yun walked out of the Jiang residence, he was slightly taken aback. A bookstore had opened opposite the main gate of the Jiang residence at some point.

At the entrance of the bookstore, Feng Beier was sitting there dressed in a white dress. When she saw Jiang Yun, she didn't shy away from looking at him at all. Instead, she smiled at Jiang Yun.

"What is this?" Jiang Yun was slightly taken aback.

Xu Suwen, who was standing beside her, said in a low voice, "I forgot to tell you earlier, after you left, Miss Belle opened this bookstore outside our house. She sits at the door reading every day. I suppose she wants to see you."

Hearing Xu Suwen's words, Jiang Yun smiled awkwardly, unsure how to respond.

Xu Suwen glanced at Feng Beier and couldn't help but sigh, "Miss Beier is indeed deeply in love with you. It's a pity that she comes from the Marquis of Weiwu's mansion and is the legitimate daughter of the Marquis of Weiwu. Otherwise, it would be quite good for you to take her as a concubine."

Upon hearing Xu Suwen's words, Jiang Yun quickly coughed and said, "I didn't mean that, don't misunderstand..."

Seeing Jiang Yun's expression, Xu Suwen rolled her eyes at him and said, "Even if you're willing, would the Marquis of Weiwu's mansion be willing?"

Jiang Yun now clearly felt that his values ​​were somewhat incompatible with those of the people in this world...

After all, the traditional education in my previous life had deeply ingrained the concept of monogamy.

In this world, including in Xu Suwen's view, it is a matter of course for successful men to take concubines.

Not to mention that Jiang Yun is a high-ranking official in the Eastern Garrison Command, holding a powerful position.

When Qian Buchou was in Nanzhou Prefecture, he was just a constable. In addition to his wife, he also had several concubines.

However, the concubine's status was too low, while Feng Beier's status was too high. Even if she were willing, the Marquis of Weiwu's mansion would never agree.

Watching Jiang Yun and Xu Suwen quickly leave the street and disappear without a trace, Feng Beier, sitting at the entrance of the bookstore, sighed slightly.

She came to the gate of the Jiang residence, just as Xu Suwen had said, simply to see Jiang Yun a few more times.

Feelings are hard to define. After Jiang Yun's wedding, Feng Beier also wanted to try to forget Jiang Yun.

The more she tried not to think about Jiang Yun, the more she couldn't forget him.

Instead, she wanted to see him all the time.

Ultimately, despite her family's opposition, she opened this bookstore outside the Jiang residence.

...On an official road in the three southwestern provinces, two fast horses were galloping along.

The two horses ran for a long time, and as dusk fell, Shan Tiangang and Xie Yifeng finally arrived at a post station beside the official road to rest.

Inside the inn, the two sat down in a corner by the window and ordered a lot of wine and dishes.

At this moment, Shan Tiangang was in a good mood and slowly said, "In that case, it's actually a good thing that I couldn't enter that door."

"If we really go in, we might be unlucky and get killed by that woman."

Xie Yifeng nodded slightly and said slowly, "Xue Qianyi, who died at the hands of that woman, was no less powerful than the two of us. She was powerless against her."

"After all... he is a saint." Dan Tiangang uttered this sentiment, and his longing to become a saint himself grew even stronger.

Then, Shan Tiangang said to Xie Yifeng, "Brother Xie, what are your plans next? Are you still planning to weld yourself to Wang Longzhi?"

"Forgive my bluntness, but Wang Longzhi's power is now gone. The Zhou court has recovered most of his territory, and Wang Longzhi and his army are trapped in the three southwestern provinces and cannot get out."

"Sooner or later, destruction is inevitable."

"I plan to leave with the Demon Spirit Sect and develop in the north. Brother Xie, your swordsmanship is quite impressive. If you would like to join the Demon Spirit Sect..."

Xie Yifeng calmly said, "That is my disciple. I fought alongside him to conquer the world, not because I have any desire for power, but simply because I want to protect him."

Dan Tiangang's throat moved, and finally he chuckled, knowing that he could no longer persuade Xie Yifeng.

It's a pity to lose such a master. Shan Tiangang closed his eyes slightly and said, "After returning to the three southwestern provinces, I will lead the people of the Demon Spirit Sect away from the three southwestern provinces."

"Of course, before going north, I still need to take care of something in the capital."

Xie Yifeng frowned: "Kill Jiang Yun?"

Dan Tiangang said coldly, "I have been a dominant force in the demonic path for so many years, and it is always others who suffer losses."

"Does Jiang Yun really think that my Demon Spirit Sect is easy to mess with?"

"His entire family must die."

Listening to Shan Tiangang's words, Xie Yifeng was not optimistic: "That kid Jiang Yun, although his strength is only at the second-grade True Monarch realm, is quick-witted and has considerable power in the Zhou Kingdom's court..."

"I advise you to take the people of the Demon Spirit Cult and head north to develop your business. Why bother with such a stubborn argument?"

Dan Tiangang chuckled: "Brother Xie, you are a righteous person, so I can understand why you keep talking about putting aside grudges."

"But we, the members of the Demonic Sect, are all about swift retribution. Whoever provokes me, I'll wipe out their entire family!"

……

In the few days after returning to the capital, Jiang Yun had some free time, as Qi Da was keeping an eye on the affairs of the Eastern Garrison.

His main focus was on the five newly built Sanqing Taoist temples. He personally brought Wen Chen to these temples to give instructions on some details.

He personally helped write the yellow banner to be hung in the main hall of the Taoist temple.

He also wrote out Taoist classics such as the Tao Te Ching, the Chongxu Zhenjing, and the Nanhua Zhenjing, printed them, and donated them to these Taoist temples.

Wen Chen was quite busy, as these five Sanqing Taoist temples needed to be operated, and he recruited many scholars to become Taoist priests.

After all, it requires memorizing scriptures and preaching to the pilgrims, a task that only scholars can undertake.

Of course, this is not difficult. Scholars who have passed the imperial examinations would certainly look down on the job of a Taoist priest.

However, most of the scholars in the capital were those who were unable to pass the imperial examinations.

Many others, like Jiang Yun before them, used the excuse of passing the imperial examinations to loaf around at home every day.

When these people were first recruited, most of them were lazy and unwilling to come to the Taoist temple to become so-called Taoist priests.

However, Jiang Yun was brought up in the later publicity.

They claimed that Jiang Yun had previously been like them, unable to pass the imperial examinations, but because he believed in the Three Pure Ones and studied Taoist practices, he unexpectedly rose to prominence.

Of course, after these people were recruited, they needed to be sent to the Taoist temple where Wen Chen was located.

In Jiang Yun's words, that's called pre-employment training.

At the very least, one must understand the main spirit of Taoism and be able to memorize these thick scriptures.

Fortunately, these bookworms may lack other skills, but they are exceptional at memorizing texts.

At this moment, inside the Sanqing Temple where Wenchen was, many scholars sat on prayer mats, wearing Taoist robes, looking at the scriptures in their hands, silently reciting them.

At a glance, there were at least a hundred scholars.

Jiang Yun stood with his hands behind his back, observing the scene with Wen Chen.

Wen Chen couldn't help but ask in a low voice, "Master, these scholars are good at reciting, but most of them lack the aptitude to cultivate magic power, and most of them are only after the money they earn each month."

Jiang Yun smiled faintly and asked, "Didn't you initially come here for the money too?"

"With so many Buddhist temples in the world, are most of the monks powerful or powerless?"

"Abbot Yunwu has been practicing Buddhism diligently for many years, but when he became the head of a temple, he was only at the eighth level of cultivation."

"If we want to carry forward the Three Pure Ones' Taoist teachings, we cannot be picky. We must be open to all kinds of talents, and there will always be people who join us."

Hearing Jiang Yun's words, Wen Chen nodded slightly.

Looking at the scene of hundreds of people reciting the Tao Te Ching, Jiang Yun felt a mix of emotions.

It felt like I had returned to a past life, to the days when I was reciting scriptures with my fellow disciples.

"Although there are only a hundred people at present, the number of people in Sanqing Temple will soon increase."

Jiang Yun was well aware that, in reality, the imperial court was still officially restricting Taoist temples.

Logically speaking, the construction of a Taoist temple requires the approval and review of officials from the Ministry of Personnel's Taoist Records Office.

However, all the newly built Taoist temples were funded by high-ranking officials and nobles in the capital or ministers in the imperial court.

Behind the Sanqing Dao is Jiang Yun, the garrison commander of the Eastern Garrison.

The official seal of the Daolu Division was merely that of a sixth-rank official; how could he dare to interfere in such matters?

(End of this chapter)