You, a tyrannical ruler, roam the heavens; you cannot understand my joy.

Lu Zuo looked at her quietly. Lingyin Temple? Hanshan Temple? Daming Temple?

These are all world-renowned temples, with flourishing incense offerings and countless believers.

If what she said is true...

The waters of Buddhism were even dirtier and more murky than he had imagined.

Sure enough, there are very few good people in the Buddhist community under heaven.

but……

It was much better than the world of the Tang Dynasty, after all, Buddhism at that time had not yet absorbed Chinese culture, Confucianism and Taoism.

During that period, Buddhism was almost indistinguishable from cults.

Only Buddhism, which absorbed the culture of the Central Plains, can be considered a normal religion.

As for this woman…..

It still has a little bit of use.

"Your punishment may be mitigated at the discretion of the authorities."

"But a pardon..."

"The crimes of concealing huge sums of embezzled funds and tarnishing the reputation of Buddhism cannot be wiped off simply because of reporting accomplices."

Jingchen's heart sank.

Mitigation? Not a pardon?

What awaits her may still be imprisonment, or even a more terrible end...

No, no!

She must seize this only opportunity!

"Your Majesty... if... if this humble nun is willing to serve Your Majesty with her own body to atone for her sins?"

"Although I am a nun in the Buddhist order, I have long admired Your Majesty's divine power..."

"I wish to use my humble appearance to atone for my sins and serve before you..."

As she spoke, she even leaned forward slightly, letting her slender curves appear and disappear under the wide black robe.

Lu Zuo's gaze fell on her face, and he suddenly chuckled softly.

next moment.

Lu Zuo bent down, his arms passing under her knees and back, and lifted her up horizontally!

"what!"

Jingchen gasped softly and instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck.

Lu Zuo, holding her, did not walk towards the simple meditation bed, but turned around and walked towards the shrine inside the meditation room where a small gilded Guanyin statue was enshrined.

A short while later, the soft, melodious chanting of a woman came from the meditation room.

"Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva... Ah, ah... When practicing the profound Prajnaparamita, he perceived that the five aggregates are empty, and thus transcended all suffering and distress."

"Shariputra, form is not different from emptiness, emptiness is not different from form; form is emptiness, emptiness is form..."

……

The following day, morning light streamed through the windows of the Imperial Study, casting dappled shadows on the gold-brick floor.

On the dragon bed, Lu Zuo slowly opened his eyes. Before him, only faint golden characters, visible only to him, quietly appeared:

[Missed the morning court session; internal strength +6.]

[Enchanted by beautiful women, internal strength +3.]

[Disrespecting Buddhism, Stamina +5.]

[Excessive indulgence in lust has increased cultivation level by 128.]

The series of prompts, especially the generous amount of cultivation points at the end, made him quite satisfied.

Yesterday's trip to Shuiyue Nunnery, though done in accordance with the prevailing trend to warn that wicked nun, also yielded some cultivation points.

Internal strength and physical strength are also increasing little by little. This real feeling of becoming stronger is like the finest wine, intoxicating.

With a slight thought, his inner energy surged like the Yangtze River, becoming much more profound and refined than when he charged into the Jianghuai formation.

If he were to be surrounded by thousands of troops again, he was confident he could fight his way out.

At that moment, light footsteps sounded outside, and then the beaded curtain moved slightly. Li Qingzhao, carrying a basin of warm water, with a clean towel and casual clothes draped over her arm, quietly entered.

"His Majesty has awakened."

She spoke softly, placed the basin on the shelf, soaked a towel, wrung it out, and handed it to Lu Zuo. She then took his everyday clothes, preparing to help him change.

Lu Zuo took the warm towel and applied it to his face, letting out a comfortable sigh. He casually asked, "Were there any urgent reports yesterday?"

While helping him straighten his clothes and fasten his belt, Li Qingzhao reported clearly and logically, "Your Majesty."

"Reports from various regions indicate that the number of newly established cement workshops has increased to 61, the total number of displaced people resettled has exceeded 700,000, and people's hearts are gradually stabilizing."

"However, the three prefectures of Huaixi reported flooding, and the Ministry of Revenue has already allocated relief grain according to the plan."

"The Ministry of Personnel and the Imperial City Guard cooperated to investigate and arrest seventeen local officials involved in embezzlement and obstruction of land purchase orders, and all of them have been escorted to the capital."

"also……"

She paused, then lowered her voice slightly: "The martial arts world has been quite turbulent recently. There have been several sightings of Western Region lamas in various places, resulting in several clashes with martial arts practitioners from the Central Plains, with casualties on both sides."

"The Beggar Clan's leader, Elder Hong, sent a message saying that the Tantric sect seems to be secretly colluding with some scoundrels in the martial arts world who are dissatisfied with the new policies of the imperial court, and their intentions are sinister."

Successful resettlement of displaced people is fundamental. Small-scale natural disasters are unavoidable, but they can be dealt with according to the established strategy.

Arresting and executing corrupt officials will always serve as a deterrent for a while.

As for Tantric Buddhism and those clowns and scoundrels in the martial arts world...

"The affairs of the martial world are for the martial world people to handle."

"Send a message to Hong Qigong and Huang Yaoshi, instructing them to act as they see fit."

Lu Zuo said calmly, "You can handle these matters as you see fit. If you're unsure, come and ask me again."

"Yes, Your Majesty understands." Li Qingzhao obediently agreed, smoothing out the last wrinkle for him.

She is now assisting with paperwork and has become quite adept at handling these routine administrative matters, so that she no longer needs to trouble the emperor with many trivial matters.

.....

Meanwhile, thousands of miles away, in Shangjing, the capital of the Jin Dynasty.

The autumn wind, carrying the biting chill of the northern frontier, swept across the somewhat rugged palace walls of Huanglong Prefecture.

However, the atmosphere outside the imperial city today is quite lively.

Emperor Wanyan Dan of the Jin Dynasty, dressed in a fur robe, led his civil and military officials to personally greet the emperor at the palace gate.

In the distance, a group of distinctive figures slowly approached. There were about a hundred monks, all dressed in crimson or bright yellow robes, which were quite different from the style of monks in the Central Plains.

Most of them were tall, with dark skin, high noses and deep-set eyes, holding various ritual implements, such as vajras, prayer wheels, and bone prayer beads, which reflected a strange luster in the autumn sun.

Their steps were deliberate and their breaths were long. Although they were few in number, they possessed a profound and imposing presence, which was completely different from the fierce Jin warriors around them. This attracted the attention of the Jin people and soldiers on both sides of the road, who whispered among themselves.

Leading the group was an old monk wearing a crimson robe with gold trim. His face was gaunt, but his eyes were as bright as a hawk's. He was none other than Gongga, the chief guru of the Tantric sect who had been sent to the Jin Kingdom.

Behind him were more than ten monks of similar distinguished bearing, all of whom were famous martial monks or scripture masters in the Tantric sect.

"Welcome, Master!"

Wanyan Dan stepped forward a few steps, and in accordance with Tantric etiquette, put his hands together in prayer, displaying a very respectful attitude.

After Wanyan Zongbi's crushing defeat and death in the Jianghuai region, the morale of the Jin army was dampened, and voices advocating for peace rose in the court for a time.

He defied public opinion and insisted on revenge, adopting a strategy of uniting with Tantric Buddhism, using its mystical power to train elite troops, and assassinating high-ranking officials of the Song Dynasty.

"Your Majesty is too polite."

Guru Gongga returned the greeting with one hand raised in a gesture of respect, his voice booming: "Our Tantric school, like the Jin dynasty, suffered the same fate as the tyrannical ruler of the Song dynasty."

"Emperor Zhao Gou of the Song Dynasty seized my sacred scriptures, desecrated Buddhism, and persecuted my monks who traveled eastward to spread the Dharma. This enmity is irreconcilable!"

"I have come on the orders of the Living Buddha, and I will surely help Your Majesty train the 'Vajra Warrior' who can defeat the Song army, thus enhancing our national prestige and avenging this great humiliation!"

'

Upon hearing this, a stir immediately arose among the civil and military officials behind Wanyan Dan, followed by a chorus of praise and agreement.

"The Guru's Dharma is boundless; it will surely overcome the Song Dynasty's sorcery!"

"With the assistance of eminent Tantric monks, how can we fear the Song army's defeat?"

"That Zhao Gou brat only relies on some unorthodox martial arts. Once my Great Jin has mastered the 'Vajra Warrior' technique, I will surely capture and kill him, and present him before His Majesty!"

"The Song state may appear arrogant now, but in reality, it is plagued by displaced people, forcibly seizing land, and alienating its gentry. It is merely outwardly strong but inwardly weak!"

"I've heard they're also involved in some strange and ingenious tricks; how can that be considered the righteous path?"

"Our great Golden Iron Cavalry is truly invincible!"

The ministers chatted amongst themselves, praising Tantric Buddhism while expressing disdain and hatred for the Song Dynasty, as if with Tantric help, defeating the Song would be as easy as taking candy from a baby. The atmosphere was incredibly lively.

Wanyan Dan was overjoyed to hear this, his gloom of the past few days vanished, and he laughed loudly, "Good!"

"I am greatly comforted by the Master's words!"

"I have designated a large camp south of the city, exclusively for the Supreme Master's military training. All his needs will be granted!"

"I only hope that my master will soon train a mighty army to help me avenge our past humiliations and conquer Jiangnan!"

"Your Majesty, please rest assured."

Master Gongga nodded slightly: "My secret esoteric methods, combined with the bravery of your country's warriors, will surely produce an invincible army within six months."

"At that time, the martial arts world of the Song Kingdom will be nothing to worry about."

At that moment, outside the crowd of onlookers, an "old beggar" wearing a tattered sheepskin coat, with disheveled hair, leaning against the corner of the wall and basking in the sun, was squinting his cloudy but occasionally gleaming eyes, silently watching all of this.

After the crowd dispersed, the "old beggar" slowly got up, leaning on his dog-beating stick, and turned into a secluded alley. Deep in the alley, a younger beggar was squatting on the ground warming himself by a fire.

"Sixth son, the fat sheep has entered the pen, nestled in the southern camp of the city."

"Draw the picture, as usual, use the No. 3 sparrow, and send it straight to the old place in Yingtian Prefecture."

"Tell your family that the bald monk boasted that he'd have a cub in six months."

The young beggar Liu Zi's expression hardened, and he nodded emphatically.

......

More than twenty days later, at noon, in a warm pavilion by the water in the Imperial Palace of Yingtian Prefecture.

The autumn sun was shining brightly, streaming in through the carved window lattice.

Inside the pavilion was a soft couch, a small table, on which were placed several dishes of exquisite Jiangnan side dishes and a pot of warm yellow wine.

Lu Zuo leaned back on the soft couch, looking languid. Bao Xiruo, dressed in a pale yellow palace gown with her hair loosely tied up, was pouring wine for him with gentle movements, her eyes revealing an unyielding tenderness and dependence.

Since being taken into the palace by Lu Zuo, although she had no official title, her food, clothing, and housing were all provided according to the standards for high-ranking concubines. What was even more precious was Lu Zuo's occasional favor, which allowed her to find a sense of security in this deep palace.

"Your Majesty, please try this. It's a crab meat lion's head meatball that I learned to make from a chef in Jiangnan. I wonder if it suits your taste?" Bao Xiruo picked up a meatball, carefully blew on it, and brought it to Lu Zuo's lips.

At that moment, the beaded curtain rustled softly, and Li Qingzhao entered, carrying a secret letter with an lacquered seal.

Upon seeing this, Bao Xiruo quickly stood up, gave Li Qingzhao a graceful curtsy, and said in a soft voice, "Sister Li."

Li Qingzhao smiled and nodded in return, her attitude gentle.

He then turned to Lu Zuo, his expression slightly grave: "Your Majesty, an urgent secret report from the Heavenly Net has arrived from the Jin capital."

"read."

Li Qingzhao unfolded the secret letter, quickly glanced through it, and summarized: "The Tantric sect, led by Master Gongga, has sent about a hundred monks to the Jin capital, where they were warmly received by Emperor Wanyan Dan."

"The Tantric sect boasts that it will use secret methods to help the Jin Kingdom train 'Vajra Warriors,' claiming that they can be formed into an army in six months, capable of defeating our army, and plotting to deal with the martial arts world of our Great Song Dynasty."

"The letter is accompanied by a sketch of the latest troop deployment in the Jin capital, Shangjing. The southern camp has been designated as a training ground for the Tantric sect and is heavily guarded."

Lu Zuo took the letter, glanced at the sketch, and paused for a moment on the markings "Southern Camp" and "Esoteric Gongga". He then casually tossed the letter onto the small table, picked up his wine glass, and took a sip.

Half a year?

Although he valued the threat that the strange martial arts of Tantric Buddhism posed to top-tier combat power, he did not entirely believe the claim of mass-producing an army of "Vajra Warriors".

Martial arts training, especially advanced external skills, requires time, talent, and a great deal of resources; it is by no means something that can be achieved overnight.

but......

It's time to prepare for the Northern Expedition.

......

Jiangzhou, the new army camp.

On the training ground, the sounds of battle shook the heavens, and dust billowed everywhere. Compared to a few months ago, the atmosphere here had undergone a complete transformation.

Thousands of strong soldiers, shirtless and drenched in sweat, are training.

Their movements were perfectly synchronized, their roars thunderous, and every punch and kick was accompanied by a chilling whooshing sound.

What is most striking is that these soldiers are not practicing ordinary military formations with spears and clubs, but rather sets of powerful and unparalleled palm and fist techniques!

At a command, hundreds of people in the front row exhaled and shouted in unison, thrusting their palms forward!

"roar!"

The deep, rumbling sounds that seemed to pierce the air gathered together, as if they possessed the power of a dragon's roar and a tiger's howl!

Dozens of wooden stakes covered in thick leather were struck by this palm strike from a distance and swayed backward in unison, with clear dents appearing on the leather surfaces!

This is the prototype of the starting stance of the Twenty-Eight Subduing Dragon Palms, the Dragon Regrets!

Hundreds of men launched a simultaneous attack, their imposing presence enough to tear apart ordinary infantry formations on the battlefield!

On the other side, a square formation of about a thousand people was practicing a different set of techniques.

Their stances were steady, and each punch and kick was slow and heavy, as if they were carrying a thousand-pound weight. But upon closer inspection, the muscles in their arms and thighs were bulging like iron, with veins bulging, full of explosive power.

This is the foundational part of the Dragon Elephant Prajna Kung Fu, which focuses on training muscles, bones, and strength.

A hundred-pound stone lock was placed next to them, and many soldiers could easily lift and swing it during their breaks.

On the high platform, Yue Fei stood with his hand on his sword. He was dressed in ordinary general's armor, but it could not conceal his awe-inspiring righteousness and vigorous heroic spirit.

These soldiers, after receiving the divine martial arts manuals personally bestowed by His Majesty, practiced diligently day and night without ceasing.

The imperial court provided ample supplies, with meat at every meal, and specially allocated medicines to aid in recovery, resulting in extremely rapid progress.

Although they have only been around for a short time and are far from being fully developed, their strength, endurance, agility, and even teamwork have already far surpassed those of ordinary imperial guards. They also possess a fierce determination to fight and change their fate through military achievements.

"General."

Lieutenant Zhang Xian, standing to the side, whispered, "At this rate, it will take another six months, no, five months!"

"Five months from now, the new army will surely become the elite force in the land!"

"I'm confident I can handle the Golden Dog's Ironclad Cavalry and Swift Cavalry!"

Yue Fei nodded slightly, but his gaze was fixed further north, towards the Central Plains, the fallen capital of Bianjing.

"Your Majesty is determined to reform, bestows divine favors, and provides relief through public works to settle displaced people, thus winning their hearts and minds."

"Now the morale of the military is high, and the morale of the people is high..."

"It's time."

He turned around, strode towards the tent, took out paper and pen, and wrote: "The new army is ready for battle. Preparations for the Northern Expedition cannot be delayed. I implore Your Majesty to set a date for the expedition as soon as possible and recover our lost territories..."