Starting from the imperial palace guards, his clones spread all over the world.

Chapter 673 People from Wanfo Temple

The sky above Minju City was tinged with a strange golden-red hue, the morning glow like blood and fire, illuminating this city that had suddenly shouldered a destiny.

The bluestone streets gleamed with a faint light after being washed by the rain for days, and the banners of the shops on both sides swayed gently in the breeze, with newly embroidered dragon and phoenix patterns faintly visible on them—since Empress Zhao Xiling ascended the throne here, the entire city has been quietly changing its appearance.

The imperial palace in the center of the city now has its vermilion gates wide open, with imperial guards standing solemnly on both sides.

The gilded bronze nails gleamed with a cold light in the morning light, and figures moved swiftly and breathlessly along the white marble steps.

"Long live my emperor! Long live!"

The shouts echoed from deep within the palace, penetrating the carved beams and painted rafters, startling the birds perched on the eaves.

The voice carried a certain urgent and resolute power, as if it wanted to use this daily worship to proclaim the legitimacy of this new dynasty to the world.

Inside the main hall of the imperial palace, Empress Zhao Xiling sat on the dragon throne.

The naivety of a young girl still lingered in her eyes, but her straight back and steady gaze already hinted at imperial majesty.

The dragon throne was hastily made, and the gold paint on it was not completely dry, giving it a moist sheen in the afterglow of the setting sun that streamed into the hall.

She slightly raised her hand, and the jade bracelet on her wrist gently touched the armrest of the dragon throne, making a crisp sound.

"Everyone is safe."

His voice was clear and melodious, yet carried an undeniable air of authority.

The prince and his civil and military officials rose and lined up on both sides.

Now that Empress Zhao Xiling has ascended the throne in Minzhou, this palace has naturally become a temporary imperial palace.

Since the Taiping Dao announced its support for Zhao Xiling to become emperor, the four prefectures of Minzhou, Qingzhou, Yangzhou, and Nanzhou have expressed their firm support and allegiance.

After all, these four states were already overrun by the Yellow Turbans.

Yellow talismans were pasted on the lintels of every household, and yellow turbans were wrapped around the foreheads of every man. The loess soil was permeated with the deepest hopes of the people!
Officials? They all bowed deeply beneath the altar of the Yellow Emperor!

Commoners? They had long regarded food and their lives as offerings to the heavens!

The granaries and provisions of the four prefectures! The 100,000 armored soldiers of the four prefectures! Along with the boiling, fervent hearts of the people!

Like the surging river flowing into this temporary hub standing on the southern border!

Although the small court is small, it is complete in all aspects and has already done a decent job. It has gradually stabilized and managed the four prefectures.

The Great Qian Dynasty, of course, did not recognize the legitimacy of this small court.

The imperial army has now begun to assemble in Jinzhou, posing a military threat to the small court.

However, the Great Qian Dynasty court still has some reservations about Zhao Xiling, the legitimate heir to the throne. If they were to take direct action against Zhao Xiling, they would face immense pressure both inside and outside the court.

Therefore, the Daqian army focused its main efforts on dealing with the invasion of the Black Dragon Dynasty and the two independent vassal kings, clearly regarding the Taiping Dao and Zhao Xiling as the last targets to be dealt with.

This has brought temporary peace to the temporary palace in Minzhou City.

The daily morning assembly proceeded as usual, and it was quite well-organized.

During the court assembly, everyone's gaze unconsciously drifted to the left side of the dragon throne, behind the curtain—where there was no one, yet it seemed as if an invisible figure sat there, shrouding the entire court.

The court bell rang, and the officials withdrew in turn.

Surrounded by palace maids, Zhao Xiling turned towards the rear hall. The majesty on her face vanished instantly, revealing a hint of weariness that was hard to conceal.

"Your Majesty, Master Beikong of Wanfo Temple has arrived."

The personal maidservant reported in a low voice.

Zhao Xiling's eyes flickered slightly:
"We will proceed with the reception as originally planned."

"Remember, do not be negligent, but do not be overly attentive either."

Upon hearing this, the maid couldn't help but ask in a low voice:

"What about...the Great Teacher of Virtue?"

The Empress's tone was respectful:

"Master is still in seclusion."

"Do not disturb unless it is urgent."

Zhao Xiling has converted to Taoism and become a disciple of the Great Virtuous Master, learning the Way of the Yellow Heaven.

Upon hearing this, the maidservant respectfully withdrew.

……

at the same time.

At the east gate of the imperial palace, an old monk was slowly entering with his attendants.

Although Master Beikong is about sixty years old, he walks with a steady gait.

He wore a faded ochre-colored monk's robe, the fabric rough but impeccably clean. A string of old Bodhi beads at his waist swayed gently with his steps, each bead gleaming with a warm luster, clearly the result of years of handling.

The old monk's gaze was calm as still water, but it flickered almost imperceptibly the moment he stepped into the palace.

He saw the newly painted Taiping cloud patterns on the palace walls intertwined with the old dragon and phoenix designs; he saw the patrolling guards carrying both swords at their waists and Taoist scriptures in their bosoms; he saw the palace maids hurrying along but not forgetting to close their eyes and pray silently to the southeast—that was where the Taiping Dao altar was located.

Royal power and divine authority were intertwined throughout this palace.

Isn't this the kind of situation that Wanfo Temple longs to see one day as well?

Bei Kong was very knowledgeable. He knew that there was once a country in the Western Desert called the Ancient Elephant Kingdom, which was a powerful country that combined politics and religion.

And now, it seems that the small court in the south is also showing similar signs.

"Master, please look, this is the meditation room His Majesty has specially prepared for you."

The attendant bowed and led the way, his tone respectful but not overly humble.

Beikong clasped his hands and smiled:

"Thank you for your help, benefactor."

"I wonder if this humble monk may have the honor of meeting the Great and Virtuous Master today?"

Wanfo Temple, the ancestral home of Zen Buddhism; Taiping Dao Lineage, a newly emerging heretical religion.

The two are fundamentally worlds apart.

In the past, Wanfo Temple looked down upon all others and was one of the top martial arts sects in the Great Qian Dynasty. It regarded this Taoist sect, which originated from humble beginnings, as insignificant as dust and weeds, and disdained it.

However, everything changed after the change of imperial power in the capital a while ago.

Wanfo Temple also participated in the struggle for the throne and sent its head monk, Master Beihuan, to assist the prince.

According to Wanfo Temple's plan, even if the prince it was supporting failed to ascend the throne, it would not be a significant loss for Wanfo Temple.

But unexpectedly, all the top experts survived the struggle for the throne.

Only the abbot of Wanfo Temple, Master Beihuan, died!

This is a devastating blow to Wanfo Temple, a loss that cannot be borne.

Wanfo Temple was furious. Their bottom line was to punish the murderer of Master Beihuan—Meng Xinghun, the master of Qingyi Tower!
However, that scoundrel Meng Xinghun actually defected to the imperial court, becoming a follower of the Ninth Prince Wang Jin, and even played a crucial role in the new emperor's ascension to the throne.

Therefore, the imperial court suppressed Wanfo Temple's retaliation and even concealed and deceived it.

When Wanfo Temple had prepared its forces to seek revenge, it learned that under the cover of the imperial court, Meng Xinghun of Qingyi Tower had already escaped from Daqian and returned to Ximo.

Clearly, the imperial court was determined to take sides.

How could Wanfo Temple tolerate this?
The rise of the Minzhou court presents a perfect opportunity for them to exert pressure.

Therefore, Wanfo Temple directly sent Beikong to Minzhou to strengthen relations with the local court and Taiping Dao.

The Wanfo Temple's actions were not actually in the hope that Zhao Xiling could return to the capital and reclaim the throne; such a goal was too unrealistic.

What Wanfo Temple truly wanted was to disgust the Daqian Dynasty and at the same time increase its own bargaining power.

The attendant looked troubled:

"The Great Teacher... has his heart set on the Great Way, and is not bothered by worldly affairs. He contemplates the profound mysteries of the Way every day, and is deeply engrossed in the clouds."

"When will I be able to return to the mortal world... I dare not presume to know."

But the attendant quickly changed the subject, saying:

"His Majesty is very concerned. Knowing that the Master has come from afar and is tired, he has prepared a clean room and Buddhist hall for the Master to worship Buddha and cultivate in peace."

"In the evening, I prepared a simple vegetarian meal and invited the master to have a chat at the Chengxin Hall."

Bei Kong nodded silently, a hint of disappointment flashing in his eyes.

Who doesn't know that the empress on the dragon throne is merely a figurehead?
After all, the Empress, along with her civil and military officials, had long since converted to the Way of Peace.

The one who truly controlled the military and political affairs of the four states and firmly grasped the divine power of the Yellow Talisman...

Only that hidden deep within the cloud-shrouded cave, where the dragon's head is seen but its tail is never seen...

Great and wise teacher!

If we don't see him on this trip, it's as if most of the journey has been in vain...

Just as the two were passing through a corridor, a furious roar suddenly came from the side hall:

"Don't try to bribe me with the position of alliance leader!"

"We martial artists would rather die than serve as lackeys and dogs!"

A roar bursting with true energy suddenly shattered the silence of the side hall!

Immediately afterwards, a burly warrior with a full beard and bloodshot eyes, like an enraged tiger, smashed open the carved palace door!

Veins bulged on his forehead, his chest heaved violently, and he spat fiercely into the hall. Filled with overwhelming rage at being tricked, he shoved aside the bowed attendant leading the way and strode away through the snow without stopping!

The chilling murderous aura made the thin frost on the corridor seem to evaporate for a moment!
Bei Kong paused, his gaze following the man's retreating figure, as if he had just realized something:
"People from the Southern Alliance?"

Along the way, Beikong has heard a lot about what has happened here.

The small court is currently facing some problems and threats.

The independence of the small court, in particular, inspired some people to follow suit.

Now, the martial arts sects in the four states are actually planning to form an alliance to attack and defend, hoping to gain greater benefits.

Their alliance is also known as the Southern Alliance.

Such an alliance would inevitably affect the authority of the Empress and the small court.

This made Bei Kong pause slightly, listening to the sounds coming from the side hall.

The attendant gave a wry smile:

"A master's discerning eye."

He paused, then lowered his voice:
"This is where Chief Priest Zhang handles academic affairs."

"Now that the Great Teacher is in seclusion, Zhang Jijiu is basically making all the decisions in the sect."

"Oh, you can also call him Governor Zhang."

The Way of Peace has now been established as the state religion by the Empress, and the Great Teacher of Virtue has been revered as the National Preceptor.

Similarly, key figures in the Way of Peace also held official positions within this small court.

Inside the side hall, the sound of conversation continued:
"Your Excellency, these martial arts practitioners are unruly and refuse to be swayed by either soft or hard tactics." "If the Southern Alliance is formed, it may become a major threat."

Then came a gentle yet cold voice:
"The position of alliance leader is nothing but bait. What does it matter whether they take the bait or not? We'll continue to 'pay our respects' to the leaders and chieftains of the other eight major sects and thirteen mountain halls. Let the word spread—I, Zhang, admire heroes with backbone the most, and I'm more willing to support qualified and sincere friends to sit on that high position of alliance leader. Even if everyone... takes my sincerity for granted, it doesn't matter..."

Bei Kong listened intently, and the voice continued unhurriedly:

"Send people to various sects to offer amnesty. Don't worry about the outcome, just keep going. We can deliberately expose a few of our spies among them to make them suspicious. Let those sect leaders discover that their trusted disciples, their bedmates... actually have a long-standing 'connection' with our Taiping Dao!"

“Select a few more controversial sects and openly offer them preferential treatment. Regardless of whether they accept it or not, send them secret manuals, congratulatory gifts, and money and provisions. If any of their disciples break the law, the arrest warrants can be temporarily suspended. Also, have people fabricate some stories of their chivalry and spread them around.”

"Arrange for the undercover agents to discuss whether it's better to cooperate with the imperial court or not. Create the illusion that the alliance is divided into two factions, fabricate scandals for the various leaders, and make them expose each other's shortcomings."

He paused, then chuckled softly:
"What Southern Alliance? They're nothing but a disorganized mess. In less than three months, they'll surely crumble!"

Bei Kong felt a chill run down his spine upon hearing this.

The fingers that were holding the prayer beads suddenly stopped, and the warm, smooth Bodhi seeds embedded themselves coldly deep into the wrinkles of the fingertips.

These schemes are ruthless and cunning, targeting the weaknesses of people's hearts, and are far beyond the comprehension of ordinary court officials.

This blatant divisive and destructive tactic, framing, and using others to do one's dirty work, is like the dirty tricks of street thugs stirring up filth in sewage...

This person spoke of it with such nonchalance...

Tell me?
When has Wanfo Temple ever seen such...undisguised and ruthless tactics?!
He couldn't help but ask the servant:
"The Way of Peace has always acted this way... without regard for details?"

After all, Zhang You's methods were simply insidious, despicable, and shameless.

Wanfo Temple is a prestigious sect, and it has to maintain some dignity, so it felt a little uncomfortable to hear such blunt words.

The attendant smiled:

“In extraordinary times, extraordinary things must be done.”

Although his tone was respectful, a hint of disapproval flashed in his eyes.

He had seen too many eminent monks like Beikong, who chanted about compassion but knew nothing of the people's suffering. To put it nicely, they were detached from worldly affairs; to put it bluntly, they were aloof and superior.

These people from prestigious schools have very distinct characteristics: they are all arrogant, hypocritical, and always spouting righteousness and morality.

The Way of Peace originated from humble beginnings and deeply understood that in order to establish oneself in this chaotic world, relying solely on benevolence and morality was far from sufficient.

Take Zhang You, the Fangtou Jijiu, for example. He used to be just a clerk in a county government office.

Therefore, they understand the cutthroat competition among the lower classes better, and their swords may not be as dignified as some others.

But that's enough...

Drag the enemy into the quagmire he knows best and drown him alive!
The two walked around a plum grove and happened to meet a group of people dressed in brand-new apricot-yellow Taoist robes.

Everyone exuded a solemn demeanor, their every step revealing an air of authority, clearly demonstrating the competence of the faculty.

Bei Kong's gaze suddenly sharpened, locking onto one of the old men.

The aura emanating from the old man... was that of a third-grade cultivator!
Bei Kong himself was also a third-rank martial artist, so he naturally wouldn't mistake him.

The man was about seventy years old, with a bronze face etched with the marks of time, deep wrinkles around his eyes, and white hair like frost covering his shoulders.

His gaze was as deep as a cold pond, and between his brows was a murderous aura that had lingered for years. His high cheekbones and chiseled jawline revealed the vicissitudes of life in the martial arts world.

He wore a yellow robe, and the scabbard at his waist was mottled. Two of the jade rings were missing, but this only added to his murderous aura.

As the old man passed by, they gradually moved away.

Bei Kong's brows furrowed even more deeply.

Seeing this, the attendant couldn't help but ask:
"Master, is there any problem?"

Bei Kong said in a deep voice:
"If I am not mistaken, that person just now should be 'Azure Nether Sword' Shen Cangming, right?"

Bei Kong and Shen Cangming were martial artists of the same era, so they naturally knew each other.

Shen Cangming was a notorious bandit in the martial arts world back then. Later, he accepted the imperial amnesty and submitted to the Six Doors, transforming himself into a constable of the Six Doors.

After that, he left the Six Doors and retired from the martial arts world, which has been at least ten years.

But to everyone's surprise, he has reappeared, and in this very place.

A knowing glint flashed in the servant's eyes, before he respectfully explained:

"Now that Mr. Shen's mind is clear and pure, he has already converted to our religion and is serving the Great Master to listen to the teachings and cultivate himself."

He spoke calmly, as if recounting an ordinary little thing.

The Dao heart... is it clear and pure?
A silent, cold laugh escaped from the depths of Bei Kong's heart!
Who is Shen Cangming?
Arrogant as a mad owl! Ferocious as a tiger! He disdains gods and Buddhas all his life, believing only in the sword in his hand!

Now he has actually converted to the Way of Peace and is willing to be used as a tool?
This is impossible!
Bei Kong recalled that there was a lot of information about the Taiping Dao in Wanfo Temple, and many of these reports said that the Taiping Dao's Great Master was good at bewitching people.

He never expected that even Shen Cangming would be bewitched.

This made Beikong even more curious about the mysterious Great Sage Teacher.

At this moment, the attendant bowed and led the way, taking Bei Kong to the highest viewing platform in the palace.

The wind howled on the stage, fluttering the monk's robes of the mournful sky.

The attendant raised his hand and pointed into the distance. Amidst the vast mountains, a cluster of gray-walled and black-tiled buildings could be vaguely seen, half-hidden among the lush trees.

"Master, please take a look,"

The servant's voice carried a hint of reverence:

"On that mountain is the place where the Great Teacher of Virtue secluded himself for quiet cultivation—Lingxian Temple."

Bei Kong gazed into the distance and saw the Taoist temple built against the mountain, its imposing presence quite remarkable.

The most striking sight is the yellow flags planted all around, fluttering in the mountain wind, like thousands of troops standing guard.

At the foot of the mountain, Yellow Turban soldiers patrolled in formation, completely blocking the entrance to the mountain.

However, what alarmed Bei Kong was not the strict guards, but the dark mass of people at the foot of the mountain.

Countless devout men and women knelt on the ground, bowing and worshipping in the direction of the Taoist temple on the mountaintop.

Incense smoke swirls, prayer flags flutter, and the faint sound of chanting can be heard. Even from a distance, one can still feel the fervent devotion.

The crowd stretched from the foot of the mountain all the way to the distant official road, seemingly without end.

A chill suddenly rose in Bei Kong's heart.

He had long heard that the Taiping Dao used talismanic water to cure diseases and win people's hearts, but he never expected that it could gather so many believers.

The Way of Peace was founded just over two years ago, yet it has already amassed hundreds of thousands of followers—a truly astonishing speed.

The old monk unconsciously twirled his prayer beads, a deep worry settling between his brows.

If the Way of Peace is allowed to develop like this, will Buddhism still have a place to stand in the world in just a few years?
However, what Bei Kong didn't know was that the Lingxian Temple on the mountain peak was a completely different scene.

…………

The Lingxian Temple was eerily quiet.

This stillness is not ordinary quiet, but a kind of stagnation-like tranquility.

Even the Yellow Turban Guards patrolling outside the temple slowed their pace and held their breath, afraid of disturbing the people inside the temple's meditation.

The doors and windows of the rear hall of the Taoist temple were tightly closed.

The hall was dimly lit, with only a few rays of sunlight filtering through the cracks in the window lattices, illuminating the dust motes floating in the air.

A chill permeated the hall, and a thin layer of frost condensed on the ground, walls, and even the beams and pillars.

In the center of the hall, on a huge bed of cold jade, Liang Jin was sitting cross-legged with his eyes closed.

It's been three months.

Three months have passed since the original body perished.

Over the past three months, Liang Jin has come to understand many things.

Power and status in this world are nothing but fleeting clouds; the loyalty and following of others can also be betrayed at any time.

Only one's own strength is an eternal and unchanging reliance.

Therefore, he no longer wasted any time on mundane matters.

All affairs of the Way of Peace were handled by his subordinates.

The Crimson Fire Sword Sect has long since ceased to concern itself with this matter.

Even the Empress Zhao Xiling, whom he had personally supported, he allowed to form her own court without interference.

Even if all these forces encounter problems or are lost, it wouldn't be a pity for him.

As long as one's own strength continues to grow, there will always be a day when one can make a comeback.

Conversely, if one is weak, even if one possesses great power, one will eventually lose it.

Therefore, he has devoted almost all of his time to cultivation over the past three months.

At this moment, Liang Jin's aura surged, rising and falling like the tide.

This energy sometimes surged like a tsunami, and sometimes flowed gently like a trickle, cycling back and forth between surging and calming, and has continued for a full seven days.

Today, this cycle has finally changed.

His aura gradually solidified, no longer fluctuating, but becoming heavy and serene, like a deep pool of still water, calm on the surface but containing terrifying power within.

Suddenly, Liang Jin opened his eyes.

A glint of light flashed in his eyes, and the chill in the entire back hall seemed to tremble as a result.

"Finally, I have reached the peak of the third rank."

"Next, I will focus all my efforts on breaking through to the second rank!"

After three months of arduous training, Liang Jin successfully broke through a minor realm.

Such speed would be considered divine speed by an ordinary martial artist.

However, Liang Jin knew that this was far from enough.

He will not be qualified to explore the power of the top tier until he breaks through to the second rank.

Only after reaching the second rank could Liang Jin perhaps understand the true level of power that killed him in a single move within the mausoleum of the founding emperor!
His goal, of course, was not just to reach the second rank.

He still needs a lot of time; profound martial arts such as the Sacred Heart Technique and the Mahakala Dharma Protector Technique are waiting for him to practice.

At this time, it is time to sign in.

Liang Jin also stopped his cultivation:

"It seems like it's the end of the month again. I wonder if I'll be able to draw something valuable this time."

Previously, I would get a new clone every time I checked in at the end of the month.

Later, even though I no longer get new clones after having four clones, I still managed to draw a lot of good items.

Unfortunately, the items he drew afterward were no longer of much use to Liang Jin's current strength, so he distributed most of them to his subordinates to help his loyal followers improve their abilities.

Liang Jin didn't have high expectations for today either.

He then casually clicked the "Check-in" button on the system panel.

The next moment, a new message popped up on the system panel!
(End of this chapter)