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Chapter 140 Reverence for Buddhism
—No, I'm a Taoist priest, not a bald monk, why would I wear bird-shaped prayer beads?

Zhou You felt both amused and exasperated, but seeing Lu Xiuyuan's serious expression, he eventually accepted the string of beads and put it on his wrist.

The texture felt very rough against the skin, clearly indicating that it wasn't made of any particularly good material. If a country farmer carried a coin of silver, then this was at most half a coin.

However, this also shows that Lu Xiuyuan, the head镖师 (bodyguard/escort), really had no respect for those esoteric monks.

As you walk along the country lanes, the view gradually opens up, and the crowds slowly become denser. Farmers, peddlers carrying shoulder poles, and wealthy landlords with their servants all seem to have gathered here, creating a bustling scene.

However, just like in the fields, everyone here either hangs or wears a string of Buddhist prayer beads.

Zhou You found it fascinating, but Lu Xiuyuan and the other镖师 (bodyguards/escorts) were already used to it. They worked together to move the donkey and the cart to the side, then found a line full of merchants and vendors and lined up.

Zhou You wanted to lend a hand, but Lu Xiuyuan kept saying "No, no, no," and firmly ushered him aside, even throwing Lu Ping over to serve him.

What could Zhou You say? He could only spread his hands and step aside.

Compared to his uncle, Lupin was much simpler, and he would answer almost anything—whether his answers were correct or not was another matter.

At this very moment, this person is commenting on the Buddhist ceremony being held in the city.

"Master, you don't know, ever since the Tantric sect took over Lizhou, Dharma assemblies like this, where masters give sermons, have been held every few days. Each time, there are always these people—actually, this is considered a small number. On the larger ones, the line stretches for miles as soon as you get up in the morning, a vast, dark mass of people."

So frequently?

Zhou You suddenly became curious.

"Normally, it's fine to hold a sermon once a year, but to do it every few days, and each time it's at least this large, is the state's finances really going to be able to handle it?"

Lu Ping glanced around at Zhou You, and seeing that no one was paying attention, he lowered his profile and spoke with a mysterious smile.

"Master, do you know who's behind this esoteric sect?"

Who is it?

"It's the Empress Dowager."

Lupin's voice grew even lower, and the sarcasm in it intensified.

"Everyone in the world knows that the emperor is young and incapable of handling affairs. The court is now controlled by the Empress Dowager alone, and she is known for her devout belief in Tantric Buddhism. Who would dare to oppose her? Aren't they afraid that if they oppose her today, they'll be dragged to the execution ground and beheaded tomorrow? Ouch! Uncle, what are you doing!"

"What would I do? I'd beat you up, you foul-mouthed brat! I've only been gone a short while, and you're already spouting nonsense. What right do you and I have to comment on royal matters?"

Lu Xiuyuan withdrew the fist he had just used to punish Lu Ping, and then smiled ingratiatingly at Zhou You with an attitude completely different from before.

"Daoist Master, don't listen to this kid's nonsense. There aren't that many twists and turns involved. It's just that the Empress Dowager wants to promote Buddhism, so she's been giving sermons a little more frequently. That's all."

Lu Xiuyuan is a typical slick businessman who avoids trouble whenever possible. Trying to pry any inside information out of him is simply a pipe dream. So Zhou You just smiled and casually changed the subject.

"I've heard that Lizhou is a land of delicious food. Chief镖头 Lu, you're a local expert here, so could you recommend a few dishes to me after we get to the city?"

The conversation passed in casual chatter, and after about an hour or two, it was finally Zhou You and his group's turn in the queue.

A group of soldiers were gathered in front of the city gate. When one of them saw them, he waved and gestured for them to come over.

However, when Zhou You walked in, he suddenly smiled.

Soldiers elsewhere wear armor and carry swords, or at the very least, a uniform. But here, they wear a wide-sleeved, round-waisted robe, and instead of a military sword, they wear a 'guardian trident' from esoteric Buddhism.

He didn't look like a soldier at all; rather, he looked like a lay Buddhist who hadn't shaved his head and was practicing the precepts.

However, none of the people around them—including the members of the Weiyuan Escort Agency—showed any unusual expression in the face of this attire, as if they had been used to it for a long time. Only Lu Xiuyuan whispered an explanation in Zhou You's ear.

“Daoist Master, starting from Jianhu County, we have completely entered the territory of the Tantric sect. Basically, from the government officials to the common people, they are all Tantric believers. I know that your swordsmanship is divine, but even the strongest can't fight against many. If you encounter anything you don't like, please bear with it.” Zhou You simply nodded.

At this moment, the soldier seemed to be getting impatient and started cursing.

—Unlike his Buddhist layman's robes, his tone was unusually vulgar.

"Hey, hey, hey, what are you bunch of bastards dawdling about? Can't you see how many people are queuing up? Hurry up and get your grandpa here!"

Alright, this one's to my liking.

Lu Xiuyuan hurriedly went to greet him. The man first bowed and repeatedly said no, and then answered the soldier's question.

"Where did it come from?"

Peiqiao County.

"What are you going for?"

"Deliver a shipment to the Buddhist temple."

How many people are there?

"Reporting to Your Excellency, there are six in total."

Lu Xiuyuan, as expected of someone who had been through many trials and tribulations, answered questions flawlessly. Although the soldier was somewhat unwilling, he couldn't find any problems and could only wave them through after verifying the documents.

But when it came to traveling, this man frowned and suddenly spoke up.

"Wait a minute!"

Zhou You stopped in his tracks, then looked up, revealing a puzzled expression.

The soldier looked him up and down for a long time, and then suddenly said.

"This person doesn't look like a local."

Lu Xiuyuan had already passed the checkpoint, but when he saw the trouble, he hurriedly ran back.

"Sir, sir, this is Master Wang from Baiyun Temple. Although he is not a native of Lizhou, he is an absolutely law-abiding citizen. He has accompanied our Weiyuan Escort Agency on many escort missions, so there will be absolutely no problems!"

However, the soldier remained noncommittal.

"Tsk, identities can be faked. Let me tell you, recently Lizhou has seen a serial killer, a one-man swordsman who left corpses strewn everywhere. Although I don't know why no wanted poster has been issued, I think your guy is a bit of a swindler."

The soldier looked up, only to see a face that showed a mixture of astonishment, confusion, and bewilderment.

And to be honest, this face looks way too young.

Okay, it doesn't really look like it.

But the soldier still stubbornly insisted on speaking.

"Anyway, I suspect him—come, come with me to the yamen to verify his identity."

The dark hand reached out to grab Zhou You, and although the person still had a smiling face, their fingers had already touched their ring.

The situation quickly became tense.

But at that moment, a voice suddenly broke in.

(End of this chapter)