Buddhism was so powerful, why did they still need to seal their traitor in Great Feng? Either Sang Po in Great Feng had something special about it, or the problem lay with Shen Shu himself…
After a brief hesitation, Xu Qi An couldn’t resist asking this question.
“I’m just an ordinary person, I don’t know these inside stories,” Wei Yuan shook his head, indicating he didn’t know either.
“Xu Ning Yan, you’re twenty this year, right?” Wei Yuan suddenly asked.
“Yes, Lord Wei.” Xu Qi An was startled, thinking to himself why this opening line felt so familiar.
Sure enough, Wei Yuan continued, “It’s about time you started a family.”
In this world, the average lifespan of ordinary people is generally higher. Barring natural disasters or man-made calamities, living past sixty was no problem, and reaching seventy or eighty was common.
Therefore, the age range for marriage was quite wide. Some girls married at fourteen, their breasts not yet full and hips not yet rounded, a sight both laughable and pitiable.
Some women were still unmarried in their twenties, their boudoirs untouched by suitors, their jade-like beauty with no one to teach them to play the flute, a truly pitiful situation.
Xu Qi An had such examples around him: his aunt who married his second uncle at sixteen, and the twenty-five-year-old Princess Huai Qing who was still illiterate.
Speaking of lifespan, Xu Qi An couldn’t help but wonder why the Confucian sage had passed away at 82, which seemed somewhat unreasonable.
However, Wei Yuan was a weakling incapable of tying up a chicken. Discussing such high-level knowledge with him seemed pointless and unnecessary.
Xu Qi An probed, “Lord Wei, what do you mean?”
“The Right Censor-in-Chief has a granddaughter who is also of marriageable age, and quite pretty,” Wei Yuan said.
“Quite pretty… I’m afraid that’s not good enough for me,” Xu Qi An shook his head.
“The fourth daughter of Marquis Wei Hai is seventeen this year. The Marquis wants to find her a husband, and you’re a viscount, so it would be a suitable match,” Wei Yuan said.
“Not to brag, but a Marquis’s daughter isn’t good enough for me,” Xu Qi An still shook his head.
“How about the niece of the Superintendent of Grain Transport? I happen to be short on silver. If you could form a marriage alliance with him, it would help solve my urgent need,” Wei Yuan looked at him.
Wait a minute, although I joke about being a second-generation eunuch, you’re not my father. Your desire for a political marriage is too obvious… Xu Qi’an thought for a moment and asked, “Is she beautiful?”
“Naturally, she’s pretty and charming,” Wei Yuan replied.
Hearing the words “pretty and charming,” Xu Qi An immediately passed, shaking his head:
“To be honest, I’ve saved quite a bit of silver now. I plan to redeem all the courtesans from the entertainment districts. If my principal wife is merely pretty, I’m afraid she won’t be able to keep those seductive hussies in check.”
Wei Yuan frowned, “What kind of woman do you want as a wife, or do you already have someone in mind?”
Someone in mind? There are too many… Xu Qi An pondered, “First, she must be as beautiful as a celestial maiden. Second, she must have a noble status. Finally, she must be talented enough to be both refined and capable of managing the household.”
Wei Yuan smiled, “In that case, why don’t I ask His Majesty to arrange a princess for you to marry?”
Xu Qi An suddenly became excited, “Lord Wei?”
Wei Yuan nodded and pointed to the door.
“What are your instructions, Lord Wei?”
“Get out.”
…
After being chased out of the Tower of Righteousness, Xu Qi An didn’t return to his One Sword Hall. Instead, he headed to the newly built Spring Breeze Hall.
Li Yu Chun was about to lead Song Ting Feng, Zhu Guang Xiao, and a few other Bronze Gongs on patrol. After the commotion caused by the Buddhist monks last night, the citizens were buzzing with discussion this morning.
Some people marveled at the power of the Buddhist monks, while others felt that Buddhism was too overbearing and hoped the court would send troops to punish them.
From nobles to commoners, everyone was discussing this topic this morning.
If only this era had the internet, millions of Great Feng citizens would be shouting: “Keyboard warriors, assemble!”
They would engage in a three-hundred-round battle with Western Buddhism on their keyboards.
To prevent martial artists from causing trouble or spreading rumors, the Night Watchmen’s Office had increased patrols.
“Yiku yiku!”
Xu Qi An immediately stopped Li Yu Chun and the others, went back to One Sword Hall to call his subordinate Bronze Gongs, and about a dozen people strode out together, marching in step to patrol the streets.
After patrolling for half an hour, they passed by a brothel. Xu Qi An said, “Chief, you take my men and patrol that area. I’ll take Ting Feng and Guang Xiao to patrol this side.”
Li Yu Chun asked in return, “Why arrange it so chaotically? You take your men, I’ll take mine. There’s no need for such mixing.”
Xu Qi An thought for a moment and said, “Then Chief, you take the Bronze Gongs on patrol, and I’ll take the brothers to another area. This way it won’t be chaotic.”
Li Yu Chun thought about it and felt much better. He nodded, “Go ahead.”
Watching Li Yu Chun and the others leave, Xu Qi An led his two colleagues into the brothel.
With practiced ease, he asked for a private room on the second floor and called for a few pretty girls to accompany them for drinks, and the three men ate, drank, listened to music, and watched performances as if they had returned to their leisurely life during past patrols.
“Ning Yan…” Song Ting Feng said helplessly, “I was trying to turn over a new leaf, but I’m always surrounded by bad influences.”
Come on, we all know you’re still the same youth as before! Xu Qi An couldn’t be bothered to mock him. He enthusiastically listened to the music, opening his mouth to let the pretty girl next to him feed him a peanut.
As the saying goes, diligence is temporary, but laziness is eternal.
When suppressing bandits in Yun Province, Song Ting Feng trained diligently under environmental pressure, practicing every day without fail. But once back in the decadent capital, people’s inherent laziness and desire for pleasure would be stimulated.
However, compared to before, Song Ting Feng had become much more steady and determined, and his cultivation was more assiduous than before, which was a good thing overall.
“Clang!”
The sound of a cup being smashed came from the hall downstairs. A drunken swordsman threw his cup and stood up, hiccupping and pointing at everyone while cursing angrily:
“I’ve long heard that the capital is extravagant and corrupt, from high officials to common people, everyone indulging in pleasure. I didn’t believe it at first. But after entering the city for just ten days, all I see are actions of ‘wine and meat stinking behind vermilion gates’.
“The heroic platforms in the north and south of the city, those damned monks showing off their power, so many days have passed, and yet no expert has come forward to challenge them, everyone just watching coldly.
“Last night, Buddhist masters manifested their Dharma Bodies, questioning our Imperial Astronomical Bureau’s Supervising Censor in our Great Feng capital. This cannot be tolerated!”
His companions hurriedly came forward to pull him away, dropping a few pieces of silver and dragging him out of the brothel.
The performance continued, but the topic of conversation among the guests had changed to the Buddhist delegation.
“These Buddhists are indeed arrogant. Our Great Feng has suppressed Buddhism for four hundred years, yet they dare to preach in the city. In the north of the city, who knows how many households have converted to Buddhism? I heard some people even donated all their wealth, planning to build temples for the Buddhist monks.”
“The court doesn’t even manage this. Is our Great Feng afraid of Buddhism now? Think about the battle at Shanhai Pass twenty years ago, how powerful Great Feng was then.”
“Maybe it’s out of consideration for our allies… Sigh, anyway, the court has become more and more corrupt over the years.”
“Shh, don’t speak carelessly about these things.”
“Let’s not talk about last night’s commotion, that was divine power. But that little monk has been sitting on the platform in the southern city for five days. Isn’t there a single hero who will come forward? Has our Great Feng run out of capable people?”
Song Ting Feng put down his wine cup, pushed away the woman leaning on him, and cursed in a low voice, “Spoilsport!”
“Let’s just drink and mind our own business. Even if the sky falls, it’s not for us to worry about,” Xu Qi An said with a smile.
Masters, please try harder to make Emperor Yuan Jing lose more face. It would be best if the historians recorded: “In the 37th year of Yuan Jing’s reign, the Western Regions delegation entered the capital. A young monk set up a challenge platform for five days, undefeated. An old monk manifested a Dharma Body, questioning the court.”
Hehe, that would add another black mark to Emperor Yuan Jing’s history!
At this moment, a white-robed runner from the government office ran past the street, ringing a bell and shouting: “The Imperial Astronomical Bureau will have a contest of magic with the Buddhist monks! The Imperial Astronomical Bureau will have a contest of magic with the Buddhist monks…
“Everyone, go to the notice board to see the imperial edict! Everyone, go to the notice board to see the imperial edict…”
…
When Xu Qi An led Song Ting Feng and Zhu Guang Xiao to the notice board at the inner city gate, the spacious square was crowded with civilians and martial artists.
The soldiers guarding the city and a few night watchmen were responsible for maintaining order.
Xu Qi An took off his sword, waving the scabbard to slap some hot-tempered martial artists who were pushing too hard, helping to maintain order while listening to the civilians in the front row reading the edict.
The content of the edict was simple. The main idea was that the Western Regions delegation had come from afar, and the court warmly welcomed them. After friendly consultations, they had jointly formulated a sustainable development concept. The relationship between the two countries would become closer, and everyone would progress together and become prosperous through hard work.
Then, the Buddhist monks from the Western Regions proposed to have a contest of magic with the Imperial Astronomical Bureau for a “technical” exchange. The Imperial Astronomical Bureau gladly agreed, and both parties would hold a grand contest of magic tomorrow at the large square in front of the Star-Observing Tower. At that time, citizens of the city could go and watch on their own.
“As expected of an official document, a lot of nonsense without saying how they will compete… But why make such a big fuss about it? Is it Venerable Du E’s request?”
While pondering, he noticed that Li Yu Chun had also arrived with his men. They must have been nearby and heard the government runner’s announcement, so they came to take a look.
“Chief!”
Xu Qi An went over to greet him.
Seeing that order was being maintained well, Li Yu Chun said approvingly, “Since returning from Yun Province, you three have finally shed your previous laziness and become more mature and steady.”
“This shows we’ve grown up,” Xu Qi An replied with a grin.
…
By noon, the sun was high in the sky. Canopies had been set up in the large square outside the Imperial Astronomical Bureau, providing shelter for the nobles and officials of the capital.
Over a thousand imperial guards surrounded the square, prohibiting unauthorized people from approaching.
Citizens and martial artists who wanted to watch could only observe from the outskirts.
After lunch, the Western Regions delegation, led by Venerable Du E, made their way from the Sanyang Inn in the outer city, through the bustling crowds and markets, to the large square outside the Star-Observing Tower.
Chu Cai Wei stood at the edge of the Eight Trigrams Platform, looking down. A procession of monks approached slowly, figures in cyan robes interspersed with a few in red and yellow kasayas.
At the forefront was the thin, dark-skinned Venerable Du E, who looked more like a small old man.
“Teacher, the monks have come to cause trouble,” Chu Cai Wei said, pulling out a piece of pastry from her pocket, watching the spectacle with interest.
“Let them come,” the Supervising Censor said, drinking his wine and basking in the sun, completely at ease.
“Teacher, are you planning to fight personally?”
“Cai Wei, if I were to make a move, the Bodhisattva would have to come in person. Du E wants to have a contest of magic with me, not a battle.”
“Then who will you send to fight?” Chu Cai Wei tilted her head, analyzing, “Senior Sister Zhong Li is plagued by misfortune, killing 800 enemies but losing 8,000 of her own.
“Senior Brother Song and I are both alchemists, not skilled in combat. The second Senior Brother isn’t in the capital… Only Senior Brother Yang can fight.”
The Supervising Censor sighed.
“Why are you sighing, Teacher?”
“As bad luck would have it, your Senior Brother Yang went into Qi Deviation while practicing yesterday and can’t fight.”
“Ah?” Chu Cai Wei was shocked. Suddenly, the pastry in her mouth lost its flavor. She frowned her delicate brows in concern:
“What should we do then?”
“Your teacher is troubled too, so I need you to go to the palace and ask His Majesty for a person.”
…
Shortly after, a figure in a yellow dress galloped into the imperial palace on horseback.
It was just past noon. Emperor Yuan Jing was studying Taoist scriptures at Lingbao Temple, listening to the female National Preceptor explain the profound meanings of the classics, but he couldn’t calm his mind and was distracted.
“Is Your Majesty troubled by the upcoming contest?” Luo Yu Heng asked softly.
Emperor Yuan Jing hesitated for a moment before saying, “Although We have full confidence in the Supervising Censor, the Buddhist delegation came prepared this time… If we lose the contest, what will become of Great Feng’s reputation?”
“The Spirit Master system is rather unique and doesn’t prioritize combat power, so it’s indeed not very reliable,” Luo Yu Heng nodded.
Among all the current systems, the Spirit Master system had the weakest combat power. Its strengths lay not in individual combat ability, but in enhancing national power.
The reason why Great Feng’s army was invincible was largely due to its superior military equipment. Those ingenious siege engines, cannons, and crossbows all came from the Imperial Astronomical Bureau.
This was something other systems couldn’t achieve.
Tier 9 physicians saved lives and healed the sick, Tier 8 physiognomists and Tier 7 feng shui masters improved geomancy and feng shui – these were all extremely powerful support skills.
Even Tier 4 array masters were primarily support roles. Their expertise wasn’t in combat, but in crafting magical tools.
Spirit Masters needed to be attached to a dynasty; they had a symbiotic relationship.
Hearing Luo Yu Heng say this, Emperor Yuan Jing became even more worried.
“Your Majesty, why not invite the Chancellor of Cloud Deer Academy? Among all the systems, martial artists have the strongest combat power, but if we’re talking about which system is the most complete and without weaknesses, it would be Confucianism. Confucianism can handle any situation. No matter how sophisticated Buddhism’s techniques are, Confucianism can deal with them.”
Emperor Yuan Jing’s eyes lit up briefly, but then he shook his head, “National Preceptor, last year I intended to offer Chancellor Zhao an official position, but he refused.”
The implication was that he couldn’t persuade the scholars of Cloud Deer Academy.
As they were talking, the old eunuch hurried in and respectfully said, “Your Majesty, there’s a report from the palace that Chu Cai Wei from the Imperial Astronomical Bureau is seeking an audience on her teacher’s orders.”
Seeking an audience on her teacher’s orders… Emperor Yuan Jing pondered, “We are listening to the National Preceptor’s lecture and won’t return to the palace. Tell her to come to Lingbao Temple to see Us.”
The old eunuch accepted the order and left.
Emperor Yuanjing turned to Luo Yuheng and said, “The Supervisor must be here regarding the duel of spells. You, as the National Master, should listen and offer your counsel to assist me.”
Though he held the esteemed title of the Nine-Five Sovereign, his cultivation was lacking, leaving him without any strong opinions of his own. He relied on Luo Yuheng to provide insights and analysis.