I have Immortality In The Cultivation World-Chapter 569 - 318: Recall to the Capital

Chapter 569: Chapter 318: Recall to the Capital

Qingling Mountain.

Vajra Temple.

The foremost Buddhist temple, a Martial Arts Holy Land.

Many tales of chivalry on the jianghu began here.

On this day.

The bells of the temple tolled long, and the incense burned brightly.

...

The guest-welcoming monks stood in two rows along the mountain path, while Abbot Fang Zheng and the heads of various departments bowed in wait at the gate.

Days ago, Vajra Temple had already suspended the admission of worshippers to await the arrival of the Director of the Eastern Depot.

Around noon.

Scouting martial monks rushed up the mountain to report to Abbot Fang Zheng.

“They’re here, they’re here, at least thirty or forty thousand soldiers, a vast sea of them with no end in sight!”

“Amitabha Buddha!”

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Fang Zheng’s expression subtly changed, and he turned his head to address the heads of the Discipline and Scripture Pavilion: “Brother Fang Ming, under no circumstances should we clash with the director. Let’s not give that scoundrel a reason to lose his temper.”

“Brother Fang Yuan, if the director wishes to visit the Scripture Pavilion, there’s also no need to stop him, let him reciteto his heart’s content!”

Jing Ming, towering over eight feet tall with a face full of fierce muscles and a string of fist-sized Mysterious Iron Beads hanging around his neck, couldn’t help but curse upon hearing this.

“To consort with such eunuchs, how can this be considered the true path?”

“The living are the true path!”

Fang Zheng said, “You should read more scriptures and practice martial arts less, dispersing the malice in your heart as soon as possible, otherwise you will surely bring disaster upon yourself one day.”

Jing Ming retorted, “It is better for me to court disaster in the future than for you, brother, to be a present scourge!”

“Amitabha Buddha!”

Fang Yuan said, “Brother, you have misunderstood. Allowing the director into the Scripture Pavilion is not out of fear, but rather a wish to transform the director with Buddhist law. It is a superior and Wonderful Method.”

Fang Zheng was momentarily taken aback, then nodded repeatedly.

“That is indeed what I had in mind!”

While they were talking.

The ground rumbled, and a dark line appeared on the horizon, which on closer inspection turned out to be layers upon layers of figures.

The “Zhou” flag fluttered in the wind, and without any need for slogans or threatening words, the mere sight of the endless human tide approaching brought a terrifying sense of oppression.

The army formation stopped at the foot of Qingling Mountain, the cavalry patrolled around, and the infantry set up camp.

Seeing this, Fang Zheng hurriedly said, “Let us go down the mountain to welcome the director.”

Even Jing Ming, with his explosive temperament, didn’t dare to speak out of turn anymore. One’s personal bravery was nothing in the face of an army, like a praying mantis obstructing a chariot.

The monks used their Qinggong, swiftly heading down the mountain.

Just as they approached the camp, several hundred cavalrymen charged over, with the leading young general shouting sternly.

“This is a military camp, kill any who approach!”

Fang Zheng put his hands together, “General, I am the Abbot of Vajra Temple, and I have a prior arrangement with the director. Please allow me to pass.”

“So, you are Abbot Fang Zheng.”

The young general had heard of Fang Zheng’s reputation, and ordered his soldiers to surround the monks while he personally went back to the camp to report. Moments later, he came out and said.

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“The director orders that Abbot Fang Zheng be allowed to meet with him; the rest shall wait outside!”

The monks showed displeasure on their faces. Their reputation in the jianghu was illustrious; wherever they went, they were treated with the utmost hospitality. Never had they been made to wait outside.

“Kindly lead the way.”

Fang Zheng gave them a meaningful look; today, no matter what indignities they suffered, for the sake of peace in the jianghu, they had to endure them.

Following the young general into the camp, they saw the auxiliary soldiers setting up the tents and the soldiers practicing their formations. Involuntarily, their statures shrank a little, no longer displaying the demeanor of “divine monks.”

In the center of the camp, there was a dark-colored tent.

The watchful Eastern Depot agents at the entrance smiled with satisfaction when they saw Fang Zheng, as if provoking him.

Before joining the Eastern Depot, they were scum and villains of the jianghu. If they were unlucky enough to encounter Fang Zheng, they would have no chance even to flee.

“Reporting to the director, Abbot Fang Zheng has been brought here.”

“Come in.”

Zhou Yi waved his hand casually, using his Capturing Dragon Palace technique to open the tent door.

That nonchalant action filled Fang Zheng with awe; to open a door from two or three zhang away with True Qi, it was no wonder rumors abounded that the director of the Eastern Depot’s True Qi was as deep as the ocean.

“This poor monk Fang Zheng greets the director!”

“According to the laws of the National Dynasty, those without official position or noble titles must offer prostrations when they see me.”

Zhou Yi said, “Does Abbot Fang Zheng abide by the laws of the National Dynasty?”

“This poor monk strictly observes the law.”

Fang Zheng’s tone changed as he said, “However, I have entered the Buddhist order and do not concern myself with worldly matters. I bow only to the Buddha, not to officials. The Great Ancestor once offered incense at Vajra Temple, and the monks there have never knelt either!”

“How can I compare to the Great Ancestor? I was merely joking with the Abbot,” Zhou Yi said, his eyes flashing with ferocity, as he smiled. “Please take a seat, Abbot.”

“Thank you, Director.”

Fang Zheng sat cross-legged with his hands together and said, “The name of Vajra Temple comes from the Vajra Indestructibility Divine Skill. The temple has inscriptions from past sages who have practiced and gained insight, which I invite the director to review.”

“There’s no hurry for that matter.”

Zhou Yi said, “I am here under His Majesty’s orders to inspect the lands occupied by the various sects and schools of the jianghu who have been evading taxes. What is your opinion on this matter, Abbot?”

“Director, after monks take their vows, they only worship Buddha and recite scriptures, not working the land, and thus naturally they do not need to pay taxes.”

Fang Zheng’s tone shifted again as he said, “As for those Jianghu sects outside of Buddhism, operating businesses like escort agencies and amassing wealth, it is only right that they should pay taxes according to the law!”

Zhou Yi understood that this was the condition Fang Zheng was offering.

Buddhism and Daoism would support the inspection of lands, and would even help in inspecting the sects of the jianghu, but in exchange, they wanted to ensure their own tax exemption.

“How calculating, Abbot! In doing so, aren’t you using the power of the Imperial Court to eliminate your adversaries?”

“It’s a solution that benefits all,” Fang Zheng said. “There has never been a precedent of monks paying taxes. If the Imperial Court insists on taxing forcibly, billions of believers will surely support Buddhism and oppose the measurement of lands, even the new policies!”

“Humph! What use is the opposition of the common folk?”

Zhou Yi said coldly, “The Abbot should not think about leveraging public opinion to bolster his power. I would only find it laughable. When the time comes, catching a few hundred of the most troublesome individuals is enough, and the rest will scatter like birds and beasts.”