Mountain and River Festival

Chapter 371 Does the Abbot Have an Illegitimate Child?

The relationship between the Demon Court and the Holy Mountain is somewhat similar to that between the Great Qian Dynasty and the Tianyao Holy Land. After Ye Tinglan personally became the Imperial Preceptor and became involved in the politics of the Great Qian Dynasty in many ways, the two became even more similar.

Originally, it belonged to a relationship of mutual cooperation between imperial power and religion.

Not everyone in the Tianyao Holy Land is a monk or nun. Their ordination is a voluntary act after reaching a certain level of spiritual cultivation, a way to detach themselves from worldly affairs, and doesn't carry much religious significance. However, it does have a secular worldview, which must attract the faith of the people and even high-ranking officials, not just those related to spiritual cultivation.

There is often conflict between imperial power and religious authority. If Ye Tinglan does not personally assume the position of Imperial Preceptor, the National Temple will gradually fall under Gu Zhanting's control, and he will become a champion of imperial power. Once Ye Tinglan personally assumes the position of Imperial Preceptor, he will become a powerful supervisory force and check on the monarch.

That was only because Ye Tinglan had no worldly desires for power; she only cared about the people and couldn't let Gu Zhanting act recklessly. That alone was enough to make Gu Zhanting feel extremely uncomfortable.

What if she has a lust for power?
Then Gu Zhanting would feel like he had a bone stuck in his throat.

Originally, the relationships in the Demon Realm were much healthier than those in the Great Qian Dynasty.

The Holy Mountain is regarded as the source of all demons. Long Qinghuang had previously told Lu Xingzhou that it was difficult for the plants and animals of the Great Qian to become demons, but it was common in the Demon Realm. This was due to the influence of the Holy Mountain's ley lines. Therefore, the mountain itself had the meaning of a sacred ancestral home for demons.

The Great Qian royal family only outwardly respects the Tianyao Holy Land; their true intentions may differ. Meanwhile, many leaders of various races in the Demon Realm worship the Holy Land and have sought its mediation during times of war, including Long Qinghuang.

Although Long Qinghuang doesn't have the same faith as others, she does have respect. This is because the Holy Mountain is not only the ancestral home of the demon race, but also, due to its doctrines, it doesn't engage in power struggles and lacks a political system like a Buddhist kingdom. Even though the Holy Mountain possesses superior-grade items that many races in the demon realm lack, it has never considered ruling them—a rare and refreshing phenomenon in the barbaric demon realm.

Ultimately, the Demon Realm was unified by the Dragon Clan, and the Holy Mountain never hindered its progress. After unifying the Demon Realm, the Holy Mountain also made a significant contribution to stability.

Long Qinghuang's relationship with the Holy Mountain was roughly the same as Gu Zhanting's trust and respect for Ye Tinglan, which was exactly the kind of situation Ye Tinglan dreamed of.

Unfortunately, it was the Holy Mountain that was causing trouble here, after all, not everyone is Ye Tinglan.

No matter how much Long Qinghuang liked Lu Xingzhou and trusted his wisdom, it would be difficult for her to believe that there was something wrong with the Sacred Mountain. If there were problems, they would have appeared long ago. During the war, the Dragon Clan's unification of the Demon Realm was indefinitely delayed. Why would they be causing trouble now?

Unfortunately, Lu Xingzhou became increasingly certain that there was something wrong with the sacred mountain.

He can see through qi (vital energy).

The black aura hidden atop the sacred mountain... what does that mean? We need to investigate further.

Just like how he felt the life force of childlessness when he lived in the palace, it's hard to explain.

During a brief exchange with the guest monk, the temple abbot and a group of high-ranking monks hurriedly came out to greet them, indicating that Long Qinghuang was still the leader of the demon realm.

Lu Xingzhou thought to himself that Ye Tinglan couldn't possibly have acted like this. Perhaps the reason Gu Zhanting had always had reservations about Tianyao Holy Land was because he hadn't been given the sense of control that an emperor should have?
It's said that the abbot is also a demon, but his cultivation is stronger than Lu Xingzhou's; Lu Xingzhou couldn't even tell what kind of demon he was. Come to think of it, the demon's holy land is also a Buddhist sect, which doesn't seem wrong; even a black bear spirit can be an abbot and steal a cassock.

"Amitabha." The abbot led the monks in bowing: "We did not expect Your Majesty to arrive; we have failed to greet you properly."

Long Qinghuang smiled and said, "Did you all hear what Young Master Lu said? Which hall is in charge of marriage? Let's go and pay our respects."

The abbot then smiled and said, "Who can control His Majesty's marriage? We can only offer our blessings."

Look how eloquent that person is.

Lu Xingzhou then said, "Even the boundless Buddha's teachings cannot control it? Does this mean that the Buddha's teachings are not that powerful?"

"Because Buddhism is not created to control people." The abbot chanted a Buddhist prayer in a low voice: "I have seen the birth of the dragon son."

Lu Xingzhou: “…”

Seeing Lu Xingzhou's hesitant expression, Long Qinghuang laughed out loud: "The official title should be Danxia County Magistrate. Such a joking title as 'Giving Birth to a Dragon's Son' is not appropriate for a refined occasion."

The abbot bowed and said, "Yes."

The group stopped exchanging pleasantries, stepped up the stairs, and headed towards the majestic main hall above.

Lu Xingzhou asked, "How should I address the abbot?"

The abbot said, "This old monk will deliver all beings from suffering."

"...That's a rather grand Buddhist name."

Pudu smiled and said, "This is my master's expectation of me. I must accept whatever my master bestows upon me, no matter how small."

Lu Xingzhou said, "I called myself Abbot, and the Abbot didn't object... So what's the deal with the title of Priest?"

"He is the abbot of a temple, and a priest of the demon race. There is no conflict between them."

Am I asking too many questions?

“Since the county magistrate first arrived in the Great Qian Dynasty, he is unfamiliar with the situation in the Demon Realm, so it is normal that he has many questions.”

"Then let me ask one more question?"

"Please speak, sir."

"What race is the abbot?"

"My true form is nothing more than an old turtle." "Do you have any illegitimate children?"

“You’re joking, sir. I am infertile, how could I have an illegitimate child?”

You said you have one hundred and seventy-four?

Pudu: "?"

Lu Xingzhou said, "So even the sacred mountain's demonic veins and the temple's vast Buddhist teachings couldn't cure the abbot's infertility?"

Long Qinghuang narrowed her eyes.

But Pudu said, "This old monk deliberately sterilized himself; it has nothing to do with this."

The surrounding high-ranking monks all showed anger on their faces. It was clear that Lu Xingzhou's question was very malicious and rude, but since Long Qinghuang did not stop him, they dared not rebuke her man in front of her... Even if he was not her man yet, he was still an envoy of the Qian Kingdom, and only the Demon Emperor could uphold justice.

Their faces were grim, and they kept stealing glances at Long Qinghuang.

Long Qinghuang looked at Lu Xingzhou thoughtfully. She felt that Lu Xingzhou was usually so refined and elegant, and it was rare to see him so aggressive and even a bit rude. She wondered what he wanted to get by asking these questions on purpose... But regardless of whether she had any doubts about the Holy Mountain, Long Qinghuang would not undermine her little man and would not stop him.

As a result, Lu Xingzhou became even more arrogant: "Does the abbot also need to undergo sterilization to achieve a state of perfect tranquility? This shows that his cultivation is inadequate."

Pudu was still not angry, but sighed: "The sacred mountain's ley lines are different from others. Staying here for too long can easily trigger the desire to reproduce."

"Then why must the temple be built on the holy mountain?"

"Holy mountains always need protection."

"Then how about the abbot goes to the demon capital to build a temple, and His Majesty sends someone else to protect the sacred mountain? That way, the abbot won't have to suffer any more losses."

Long Qinghuang's heart stirred slightly.

This temple has been on the sacred mountain for a very long time, seemingly an integral part of it, which creates a blind spot in people's thinking, making them forget that they could actually move it. Of course, this idea can't be done casually; relocating a sacred priesthood would likely provoke reactions from various tribes, requiring strong pressure. If the temple itself also faces serious resistance and backlash, it will be even more difficult.

It's only human nature that even if demolition forces people to move, most people wouldn't be so willing, let alone a temple that has lived here for generations.
Lu Xingzhou was truly audacious. But these words were far too alluring for an emperor; once the thought arose, he began to feel a restless urge to act.

Why isn't the Holy Mountain, such an important breeding ground, under the control of the Emperor, but instead entrusted to a group of monks and priests? Even if they outwardly show respect to the Demon Emperor, there seems to be a distance between them.

At least for now, it's hard to say whether the sacred place in the eyes of the demon realm is this mountain or this temple.

There is a difference.

Theoretically, the sacred mountain was originally just this mountain, the source of the demonic veins. But now, in people's minds, the sacred mountain seems to be this temple, including Long Qinghuang herself. Only now, reminded, does she realize with a start that this sacred place has been unknowingly confused...

Long Qinghuang was having an idea when Pudu, who was clearly getting anxious, could no longer maintain his kind smile and became serious: "Your Excellency is joking. Our temple has lived here for generations and has no intention of relocating."

As he spoke, he kept glancing at Long Qinghuang. Long Qinghuang smiled slightly and finally smoothed things over: "The mountain is a bit high, so let's chat along the way. Abbot, why are you in such a hurry?"

Lu Xingzhou knew she was also interested, so he smiled slightly and didn't say anything more. Instead, he started talking about the unique plants along the roadside.

He could have said these things to Long Qinghuang in private; it would have been easy to provoke the emperor's desire to control the Holy Mountain. But he chose to be so aggressive in public, showing no manners of a guest. Clearly, he had another purpose.

As Lu Xingzhou led Anuo up the stairs, Anuo turned her head left and right, seemingly trying to read minds the whole way.

With so many monks, surely some of them are plant spirits? Even if their cultivation is too advanced to read the scriptures, they should be able to in this unguarded situation.

She was practically stuffed from all the gossip along the way, so heaven knows how difficult it was to maintain an innocent, touristy demeanor. It was a huge loss that Sheng Yuanyao didn't come.

The atmosphere was rather somber throughout the journey. Pudu didn't dare to talk much to Lu Xingzhou, afraid that if he opened his mouth, he would either accuse him of cutting chickens or ask him to move, and he wouldn't get a single reply.

They finally made it to the main hall, where a huge Buddha statue stood, though they weren't sure if it was the Tathagata. The monks looked at Lu Xingzhou with a sense of dread. "You insulted the abbot, we could tolerate that, but you insulted the Buddha? How are we supposed to react?"

His Majesty is protecting his male favorite; the Demon Realm is about to descend into chaos!
This time, Lu Xingzhou was very polite, lighting incense and bowing respectfully to Buddha.

Most Chinese people worship at temples, whether they believe it or not.

It's a bit of a sigh. The two times I've prayed to Buddha in my life, I was surrounded by enemies... The last time was in the temple in Dream City, where I was surrounded by infant ghosts, Huo Lu, and a little demoness.

This time, they were in the enemy camp, which included the Ancient Realm, a demonic monk, and a giant dragon girl.

The last time I prayed to Buddha, I kept thinking, "May Buddha bless me to win over this little demoness," and it worked! I even lost my virginity.

I'll pray for your blessing so I can successfully tame the dragon. I wonder if it still works?
This attitude made the monks, who had been tense and thought he was going to cause trouble, breathe a sigh of relief. It also made Long Qinghuang feel that Lu Xingzhou was giving her face, and everyone was happy. Long Qinghuang smiled and whispered in her ear, "What did you wish for?"

Lu Xingzhou laughed and said, "Guess?"

I'm guessing? It's definitely the "husband and wife in perfect harmony" you mentioned before.

Long Qinghuang smiled, her eyes crinkling: "I bet your wish will come true."

(End of this chapter)