Chapter 83 Entering the Palace

Jianzhen walked along the bustling streets of Chang'an. This time, he was not with his Master, Master Shi Daoan, but was strolling along the streets alone, stopping and going as he pleased.

Watching the bustling scene, Jianzhen felt like an innocent child, unable to resist looking here and peeking there.

"Benefactor, may I ask how much this costs?"

Jianzhen looked at the fragrant sesame seed cake, unable to tear himself away.

"Master, these cakes are five wen each. How many do you want?"

Seeing Jianzhen's expression and actions, the vendor quietly raised the price.

Jianzhen touched the money in his pocket, a look of struggle appearing on his face, then he gritted his teeth and said: "Give me half!"

The vendor rolled his eyes, but still spoke in a good-natured tone: "Master, I only sell these by the whole piece; I can't sell just half!"

"Then I will take one."

"Alright!"

When he received the still-warm sesame seed cake, Jianzhen's expression turned happy once again.

He carefully tasted the sesame seed cake, holding one hand underneath to catch any crumbs, afraid of wasting even a little bit.

At this moment, a middle-aged man dressed like a woodcutter, sporting dark circles under his eyes and bloodshot eyes, yet still looking spirited, walked down the street carrying two carp that must have weighed over ten jin.

"Brother Wang, eh? How did you know I caught two fresh carp today?"

"Auntie Liu, that's right, tell Uncle Liu that I just caught two carp today; come to my house tonight to eat fish!"

"Old Fourth Zhao, do you know where the nearest fish processing workshop is? I caught two fish and I'm worried about how to handle them!"

The man shouted towards a tightly closed door.

A muffled voice came from inside: "It's just two lousy fish, do you have to let the whole of Chang'an know about it?"

The man didn't mind, smiled, and continued walking forward, just brushing past Jianzhen.

Jianzhen watched the two fish tied with straw ropes, clear droplets falling from their eyes—whether water or tears, he didn't know—and for some reason, he was suddenly moved.

The Vinaya School emphasized using strict precepts to restrain oneself, first delivering oneself, then delivering others.

It was not like the Chan School, which talked about universal salvation at every turn.

But looking at the state of these two fish, their fate for the next moment seemingly already sealed, Jianzhen suddenly felt his heart soften.

He walked forward.

"Amitabha, Benefactor, are you selling these two fish?"

The man looked at Jianzhen with some surprise: "Little Master, do monastics eat meat?"

Jianzhen said: "It is just that this poor monk felt pity for them and wished to set them free."

The man suddenly understood, then, without hesitation, handed the fish in his hands to Jianzhen and grinned.

"Two carp aren't worth much. If Little Master wants to save all living beings, just take them."

Jianzhen hurriedly shook his head: "No, no, this is something you spent a lot of effort to catch. How can I take what you love because of my own selfish desires? If you are willing to sell, this poor monk will buy them. If you are not willing, then so be it."

"It's just two fish; I caught them in less than half an incense stick's time, so what's there to regret? Then just give me whatever you feel is appropriate."

Jianzhen thought for a moment, then took out all the money he had on him and gave it to the man.

"Oh, that's too much, way too much, Little Master, you..."

"To me, two lives are also priceless."

"Little Master, you are truly a good person."

"Benefactor is also a good person."

After getting the two fish, Jianzhen hurriedly ran towards the river canal in the city.

Then he released the two fish into the river, and only after watching the two carp swim away into the river, full of vitality once again, did he smile.

This scene was just happened to be seen by Princess Yuzhen and Jiang Chen, who were passing by.

"This person possesses Buddha-nature; at such a young age, he understands the principle of universal salvation and will surely achieve great things in the future," Princess Yuzhen exclaimed in admiration.

Jiang Chen glanced at Jianzhen, then looked at Princess Yuzhen once more.

She considered herself a member of the Daoist sect, yet she had the audacity to acknowledge Grand Master Sima Chengzhen as her Revered Master, make him her Junior Brother, and build the Yuzhen Taoist Temple and Lingdu Temple.

Yet, she seemed to be very close to the Buddhist sect and also had dealings with someone with such a mysterious background as Su Baiwei.

Jiang Chen did not believe this was a coincidence.

Emperor Xuanzong of Tang had chosen Taiye Pool as the location for this banquet.

The scenery here was beautiful, the lake was expansive, and the temperature was cool—it was the perfect place to enjoy the moon.

Their route was leading towards the Vermilion Bird Gate.

And Princess Yuzhen, being very approachable, did not use a carriage.

After saying this, Princess Yuzhen did not pause but continued moving forward.

Jianzhen looked back at the group, but didn't pay it much mind, and started walking back; he had to go to the palace to attend the banquet with his Master.

The Vermilion Bird Gate had three entrances, and Jiang Chen's group walked through the central one.

Above the gate stood a row of fully armored soldiers.

As soon as he stepped into the Vermilion Bird Gate, Jiang Chen felt the True Qi in his body stagnate.

However, after he activated his Cultivation Technique, the stagnant True Qi instantly returned to normal.

Jiang Chen was lost in thought; this was the influence of the Imperial Dynasty's Luck. Ordinary people and low-level cultivators could not perceive it, but cultivators with cultivation like Jiang Chen's could already influence the national Luck of a country.

Coming to the Imperial Palace, one would naturally be passively targeted by the Imperial Dynasty's Luck.

However, what surprised Jiang Chen was that when Su Baiwei walked into the Imperial Palace, her figure also paused slightly, her face turned slightly pale, and she appeared even worse off than him.

Princess Yuzhen took in the performance of the two people beside her, and was somewhat surprised by Jiang Chen's reaction.

The group continued forward and soon reached the end of the corridor. At the end of the corridor were two vermilion doors, on which were pasted images of two fierce-looking door gods.

These door gods seemed to possess unfathomable power, and as Jiang Chen looked at them, he also felt the sensation of being watched.

An invisible pressure gathered on him, but it didn't have much of an effect.

Su Baiwei, on the other hand, became increasingly pale, seemingly more severely targeted by the door gods, and Princess Yuzhen, who was beside her, frowned slightly.

Quietly, she used her spiritual intent to shroud Su Baiwei, who then felt her whole body lighten.

Passing through the vermilion doors, there was another long corridor, with two majestic stone lions standing in front of the gate.

They also seemed to possess unfathomable power, capable of suppressing demons and evil.

Passing through a few more narrow corridors, finally, the path ahead opened up, no longer the cold, walled corridors.

Along the roadside, there were now lush trees and various precious flowers.

Continuing forward, one could vaguely see a lake shimmering with rippling light, and several small islands on the lake.

Guards stood along the road, and even when Princess Yuzhen passed by, they did not make a single move.

Soon, Taiye Pool was presented before their eyes!

The entire Taiye Pool was probably a hundred zhang wide, with vibrant, delicate lotus flowers in full bloom in the pool, and a quiet bamboo forest and pavilions beside the pool.

At this moment, many people had already arrived at the pavilions, mostly high-ranking court officials, some of whom had brought their own offspring.