Transcending Heavens: Starting with the Ancient Tomb Sect

Chapter 154 A Fated Person!

Deep in the desert, inside a relatively luxurious-looking yurt.

Amidst the aroma of tea and milk, Kublai Khan, the second son of Tolui, sat in the main seat, slowly adding milk to his tea. After this process of mixing, he took a small sip.

As he took a sip, the familiar taste made Kublai Khan subconsciously frown. Even after so many years, he still felt a sense of unease.

Below him, opposite him, sat four martial arts masters.

It was Xiao Xiangzi, Yin Kexi, Nimo Xing, and Ma Guangzuo, four skilled martial artists. After seeing Kublai Khan, who was sitting in the head seat, start drinking, the four of them picked up their milk tea and began to drink.

There is an empty space slightly below and to the side of Kublai Khan.

There was no one there, only a golden bowl, which represented the identity of its owner, Phagpa.

These four experts actually didn't understand why that person would use a golden bowl as a symbol. Normally, Phagpa, as the leader of the Sakya school of Buddhism, should have used vajra, golden mandala, and nectar bottle as ritual implements, rather than this golden bowl that represents the Buddhism of the Central Plains.

However, they only dare to discuss it privately or think about it in their hearts; they would never dare to bring it up directly and ask about it.

Kublai Khan, however, knew the owner's intentions in using the golden bowl as a ritual implement.

His heart is just like one's own.

It should be broad, large, and inclusive.

The other party wanted to become the leader of all Buddhist sects in the world, and all Buddhist sects in the Central Plains would fall into his golden bowl; and Kublai Khan naturally also had his eye on that position.

The same great aspirations are met with the same obstacles.

Standing in front of Phagpa were the current National Preceptor, the leader of Tantric Buddhism, the Golden Wheel Dharma King, as well as the Taoist and Buddhist sects of Central China; the golden bowl was a ritual implement that Phagpa had prepared to use to attain Buddhahood and take charge of Buddhism.

Phagpa was very clear about what it meant to adapt to local conditions. He knew that if he wanted to subdue the Buddhist community in the Central Plains, he could not use Tantric ritual implements.

Standing in Kublai Khan's way were the descendants of Ögedei Khan's lineage and his own elder brother.

Of course, after the Empress Dowager interfered in politics and altered the imperial edict, Kublai Khan no longer took her seriously. Instead, his elder brother Möngke was Kublai Khan's biggest rival.

The Golden Family has its own ancestral inheritance method, and Kublai Khan also wanted to try his hand at the position of Great Khan.

In the words of an old saying from the Central Plains, the struggle for the position of heir apparent is nothing more than this.

And so, the two ambitious individuals came together and formed a relationship that was both master and apprentice.

"How's the situation over there?"

After finishing his self-prepared milk tea in one gulp, Kublai Khan asked a question. He had been completely stunned ever since the Grand Preceptor, the Golden Wheel Monk, standing beside his elder brother, orchestrated the massacre of Prime Minister Yelü Chucai's entire family.

For the first time, he felt that the Golden Wheel Dharma King of Tantra seemed too extreme.

In comparison, the Sakya school appears much more peaceful and wise.

Even though they are both Tantric Buddhism, they are much more normal than the lineage of Dharma protectors in the Nyingma school, to which the Golden Wheel Dharma King belongs.

At least in Kublai Khan's view, he could gain wisdom and enlightenment from Phagpa, which played an extremely important role in his plans; but from the Golden Wheel Monk, he could only gain world-shaking insights. He didn't know if it was because Kublai Khan lacked wisdom or what, but he couldn't understand some of the Golden Wheel Monk's style and practices.

For example, the Golden Wheel Monk took two disciples and a group of soldiers to Dasheng Pass in the Southern Song Dynasty to participate in the anti-Mongol heroes' gathering held on the other side. Although he was unable to participate in the end due to some accident, this action really stunned Kublai Khan.

He had the same idea as Guo Jing, his uncle!

Is the Golden Wheel Monk out of his mind?

It remains the same now.

Of course, it was also possible that he himself lacked wisdom; Kublai Khan felt that it depended on whether Phagpa could understand.

"We were too late."

When Kublai Khan asked him the question, it was Ma Guangzuo, a warrior from Xinjiang, who answered frankly and honestly: "We did not manage to save Prime Minister Yelü's children."

"It seems that someone else rescued the orphan of the Yelü family."

At this point, Ma Guangzu bowed to Kublai Khan with great self-reproach, feeling that he and his entourage should bear this responsibility.

The moment Ma Guangzuo uttered those words, the other three secretly gritted their teeth in hatred.

So you think you're the only good guy?

Xiao Xiangzi, Yin Kexi, and Nimo Xing lowered their heads and exchanged glances, all seeing shame and anger in each other's eyes. Although the three couldn't bring themselves to harm Ma Guangzuo, they decided in their hearts to isolate him.

After all, among the four, you, Ma Guangzuo, are the only one who doesn't fit in with the others; you're truly an oddball.

If Ma Guangzuo hadn't been so favored by Kublai Khan, the three of them would have killed him long ago.

Finally, Xiao Xiangzi spoke up and offered a brief explanation: "That young disciple of the Imperial Preceptor—Prince Huo—has become somewhat strange."

"We dare not go up and make contact."

The Little Prince?

Kublai Khan didn't care much about this title; if it were truly deserved, Huo Du wouldn't have ended up in that position.

However, when Xiao Xiangzi roughly described Huo Du's current attire—wearing red clothes, carrying a sword, and even adorned with flowers—Kublai Khan's interest was immediately piqued. His previously languid posture straightened instantly, and Kublai Khan exclaimed in surprise, "Huo Du has only been to the south a few times, and he's already made such a big impact?"

Wouldn't this have the same impact as Uncle Guo?

If that's the case, then he and Phagpa's plans will probably need to be rearranged.

If someone goes to the South and changes completely, that won't do.

If Kublai Khan went to the south, would he also turn around and kill his own relatives and friends?

No one knows the grasslands and deserts better than him.

For a moment, Kublai Khan even subconsciously forgot about the orphan of Chancellor Yelü.

Xiao Xiangzi was taken aback by Kublai Khan's words and didn't know how to respond for a moment.

However, Yin Kexi, who was a Persian jewelry merchant, gave a more reasonable answer: "It was Prince Huo Du who was blinded by the dazzling splendor of the Southern Song Dynasty."

"I've also heard that the Little Prince once sent someone to Zhongnan Mountain to propose marriage to someone."

While bowing and scraping, Yin Kexi also subtly mocked the young prince Huo Du, echoing Kublai Khan's words.

Just as the group was chatting, a sound of footsteps was heard.

soon.

The yurt was knocked on, and after Kublai Khan's permission was granted, a small red figure pushed open the door and entered.

The visitor was none other than Phagpa, the current leader of the Sakya sect of the Flower Sect.

His complexion was fair with a rosy glow, and his features were delicate. He looked like a young monk who had just started his monastic life, completely opposite to the gaunt and aged image of the Golden Wheel Monk.

Upon seeing the young monk, the four masters immediately bowed respectfully, showing their sincere admiration. Kublai Khan, on the other hand, greeted him with a smile, saying, "Young teacher, we were just talking about Prince Huodu. Judging from his attire, I thought he was one of your last disciples."

The young monk Phagpa before them was wearing a red kasaya, while the current National Preceptor, Golden Wheel Dharma King, was wearing a bright yellow robe.

Huo Du, dressed in red, truly looked like a disciple of Phagpa.

"oh?"

Phagpa was quite surprised, so under his astonished gaze, Kublai Khan recounted the story again.

After listening, Phagpa frowned and pondered.

Huo Du was certainly not his newly accepted disciple, and judging from the description, Huo Du seemed very strange.

Hmm————

It seems highly likely that he went south to Zhongnan Mountain and encountered something that he shouldn't have encountered in the Taoist community.

Even if Huo Du had practiced some kind of evil martial arts manual, it wouldn't be a bad thing for Basiba.

If it were truly a Taoist practice, Phagpa might even lend a helping hand if necessary.

In his view, the position of Great Khan had actually fallen to the Tolui lineage, and the real Khanate would be decided between the brothers Möngke and Kublai.

As for the descendants of the former Khan—when the Empress Dowager intervened, they were already dead bones in a well.

If we could cause problems for the Golden Wheel Monk, that would be ideal.

After all, we are all from the same Tantric lineage, so it's impossible for us to directly break off relations.

No one knew better than Phagpa how long the practitioners of the Red Sect's lineage of martial arts could live after reaching a certain level of proficiency—unless the Golden Wheel Monk went astray in his cultivation and suffered a qi deviation, or was simply killed by someone.

The latter two seem more difficult to achieve.

Moreover, Phagpa found the astonishing wisdom of the Golden Wheel Dharma King quite appealing.

For example, the golden boys and jade girls of Taoism and Buddhism.

For example, the entire family of Chancellor Yelü Chucai was wiped out.

The Golden Wheel Monk was helping Möngke to expel the enemy, giving Kublai Khan an opportunity to take advantage of the situation, since those were his own people.

"Oh, right."

"Young teacher, what is the purpose of your trip?" Kublai Khan only remembered to ask about the important matter after Phagpa sat down in his seat.

"I wanted to train a master of Taoism, but unfortunately, I haven't found the opportunity!"

Phagpa expressed deep regret over his previous journey, his voice gentle and melodious as he sighed, "I failed to find the right person."

If a suitable and talented young Taoist could be guided into the Buddhist path, it would be a great blessing for Buddhism.

Phagpa had heard about Lin Lingsu's story, and he also wanted to do something similar for Buddhism.

He actually had his eye on Yin Zhiping of the Quanzhen Sect, but unfortunately, Yin Zhiping had been staying in Zhongnan Mountain for years studying the Daoist scriptures and hadn't made any moves, leaving him helpless and forced to give up.

Fortunately, he didn't say it aloud, otherwise it would have been incredibly strange for a young monk to fall for an older Taoist priest.

This situation did not surprise anyone present.

Because the direct lineage of the Flower Sect is the initiation, which is the inheritance of wisdom and power!

The current lineage of the Nyingma school, led by the Golden Wheel Dharma King, pays less attention to this and focuses more on terma (hidden treasures) and the practice of Dzogchen (Great Perfection).

To pursue spiritual cultivation instead of initiation is to be on the wrong path.

This is also why the young monk Phagpa thought the Golden Wheel Dharma King was not very wise.

The word "degree" immediately made the other four people present lower their heads and look at the pattern on the carpet beneath them.

Even Kublai Khan was taken aback and subconsciously avoided his gaze.

Everyone was afraid of becoming that destined person.

Picking up the golden bowl, Phagpa sighed again. This time, he walked across the Central Plains, measuring the Buddhist lineage there, and even visiting all the territories of the Quanzhen Sect.

However, they have yet to find a suitable candidate.

However, Phagpa received another piece of news that he thought would concern Kublai Khan: "There is some news that I think you should pay attention to."

Under everyone's gaze, Phagpa said, "The Golden Knife Prince Consort has gone north."

"!!!"

Everyone present was so shocked by Phagpa's words that they stood up.

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