Chapter 263 Tuoshan has gone mad; he wants to establish a new Buddhist ancestral temple.

"Hehe, Fellow Daoist Golden Peak, rest assured!"

Helian Clan Chief said with a relaxed expression:

"Calculating the time, Princess Yunshu's wedding procession should arrive soon. The Third High Priest of our Northern Mang Longevity Cult is also in the procession. With the combined strength of our four Celestial beings, Yan Chu is merely a newcomer in the Jianghu; it won't take much effort."

"That is good!"

Elder Golden Peak of the Great Black Heavenly Demon Cult nodded.

...

...

Just as the three Celestial beings of Northern Mang were waiting for the arrival of the wedding procession, an unexpected guest arrived at Mount Daruo in Yongzhou, west of Central Province.

Mount Daruo was where the Hanging Temple was located.

The entire mountain was exceptionally steep, shrouded in mist and clouds all year round. On the Golden Peak at the summit, halls and pagodas were situated, with many Buddhist halls built directly onto the cliff walls, appearing as if they were suspended in the air amidst the layers of clouds.

Hence the name, Hanging Temple.

Tonight, in the Arhat Hall of the Hanging Temple, Great Master Faxing, the abbot, sat on a meditation cushion. Opposite him sat a stooped, middle-aged monk.

This hunchbacked monk appeared small in stature, with a high hump on his back, yet he gave off a feeling of possessing strength capable of destroying cities and uprooting mountains, his body seemingly flowing with boundless power.

This was none other than Great Master Faxuan, one of the Four Great Vajras of Nalanda Temple, known as Tuoshan Vajra.

At this moment, Great Master Faxing felt the thick scent of blood emanating from Tuoshan Vajra, that terrifying Evil Qi that only appears after killing thousands of people, and he could not help but be secretly startled.

"I wonder why Junior Brother Tuoshan has come here in the dead of night?"

Tuoshan Vajra's expression was indifferent as he spoke straight to the point:

"Senior Brother Faxing, the Great Jin Dynasty is currently precarious, its Luck about to dissipate. Heavenly King Xue has been the first to raise the banner of justice to crusade against the tyrannical Great Jin Dynasty. Heroes from all over the world have flocked to him, and currently, the vanguard of his forces is pointed directly at Yongzhou."

"Although my Nalanda Temple is located in the Western Regions, we also care about the world's major trends. Currently, the temple is fully supporting Heavenly King Xue."

"I came here tonight to lobby on behalf of Heavenly King Xue, hoping that the Hanging Temple can recognize the situation and join the righteous army early to avoid the suffering of the common people."

Great Master Faxing smiled slightly, unconcerned.

Soaring Province and Yongzhou were connected. Ever since the rebel army of Xue Bai occupied Soaring Province, Grand Tutor Yuwen Xuan had fled to Yongzhou. The imperial court had also sent Li Meng, a Celestial being from the imperial clan, the Purple Robe Divine Constable Fang Yunsong, and Song Qinian, the Commander of the Imperial Guard—four Celestial beings in total—to station themselves in Yongzhou City.

This was already a significant portion of the power that the imperial court could mobilize, excluding the northern border and the Southern Defense Grand Commandery.

It was said that not long ago, the old patriarch of the Yuwen Clan, Yuwen Yi, personally went to Qingyang Palace to seek help. That person was the father of the current Empress Dowager; under these circumstances, Qingyang Palace was very likely to intervene.

After all, the Face of the Yuwen Clan and the Empress Dowager had to be given.

Although there were rumors that Xue Bai possessed a Heaven-Defying destiny, for top-tier clans and Sects with a Legacy of thousands of years, defying Heaven and changing fate was not impossible.

When the time came, would it be easy for Xue Bai's rebel army to capture Yongzhou?

Therefore, the Hanging Temple, which had always been a bystander, was not panicked.

Great Master Faxing had long anticipated that Heavenly King Xue might send someone to win them over, but he did not expect it to be Tuoshan Vajra, a fellow Buddhist.

"Junior Brother Tuoshan, you are currently filled with heavy baleful energy; have you not read the scriptures for a long time? Be careful not to enter the Demonic Path!"

"Do not trouble yourself, Senior Brother Faxing!"

Tuoshan Vajra snorted coldly:

"I work for Heavenly King Xue; I will kill whoever is an enemy of Heavenly King Xue!"

"Killing is just to protect life; severing karma is not the same as killing people!"

Great Master Faxing shook his head, a hint of mockery in the corner of his smile.

This Junior Brother Tuoshan claimed that since he started the uprising with Xue Bai, he had killed no fewer than eight or ten thousand people. He had long ago broken countless Buddhist precepts, his Buddha heart covered in dust. It would not be an exaggeration to call him a Demonic Buddha now.

Even if he returned to Nalanda Temple in the future, he would likely be suppressed under a pagoda, receiving the baptism of Sanskrit chants daily, with no possibility of leaving the mountain again.

Previously, the Hanging Temple had always supported the First Prince in his struggle for the throne.

But not long ago in Central Province, the First Prince sent people to intercept and kill Yan Chu. The assassination failed, and instead, Yan Chu killed his core subordinates. Now, his hope of competing for the throne was slim.

Moreover, it was said that His Majesty had been critically ill for more than half a year, sleeping in bed all day.

As it turned out, he had been critically ill for half a year and still hadn't died.

Things were becoming a bit subtle.

At such a moment of shifting global tides, Great Master Faxing could not help but start to consider which side to align with to gain greater benefits for the Hanging Temple.

"If Heavenly King Xue succeeds in his uprising and establishes a new dynasty, I wonder what my Hanging Temple could obtain?"

Tuoshan Vajra no longer had the aura of an enlightened monk; he seemed more like a ruffian of the Jianghu. Hearing this, he said directly:

"Heavenly King Xue has promised that he will reward the Hanging Temple with the three provinces of Yong, Qing, and Soaring, allowing us to enjoy the incense of all three provinces alone."

"amitabha!"

Great Master Faxing chanted a Buddhist name and said:

"If the Hanging Temple supports the First Prince to inherit the throne, he has promised to make the Hanging Temple the state religion, with a status above that of Qingyang Palace!"

"Hehe!"

Tuoshan Vajra sneered twice and said:

"The Great Jin Dynasty is currently precarious; even if it becomes the state religion, how much Luck can it enjoy?"

"Besides, does Senior Brother Faxing think that the Li family's fool can really ascend the throne? Even if he ascends the throne, can he sit securely?"

"Senior Brother studies Buddhism deeply and has unique insights into the world's major trends, so I probably don't need to say much, right?"

"Qingyang Palace will most likely fight to the death with the Great Jin Imperial Court. Senior Brother has been suppressed by the Daoist Sect for so many years; don't you want to suppress them for a change?"

Hearing this, Great Master Faxing's slightly narrowed eyes finally opened slowly.

"Junior Brother protects Heavenly King Xue so much; I wonder how Heavenly King Xue will thank you when the time comes?"

Tuoshan Vajra was silent for a moment and slowly said:

"Heavenly King Xue has made a promise that after establishing the new dynasty, he is willing to worship my Nalanda Temple as the state religion, allowing my temple to enter the Central Plains and establish a new Buddhist Ancestral Court in the Central Plains."

"Establish a new Buddhist Ancestral Court?"

Even with Great Master Faxing's state of mind, his breath stagnated slightly upon hearing this news, and he could not help but ask:

"What about the Ten Thousand Buddha Cave in the Western Regions?"

Tuoshan Vajra's expression was somewhat complicated as he said:

"The Ten Thousand Buddha Cave is a mixed bag. Although there are virtuous monks who serve the Buddha with one heart, there are also fake Buddhists who pose as members of the Buddhist Sect but actually commit all kinds of evil. It has long lost the true sense of right and wrong of the Buddhist Ancestral Court."

"Moreover, in order to absorb the incense of believers, the Ten Thousand Buddha Cave has been inciting various countries in the Western Regions to attack each other, causing countless deaths and injuries, leaving the entire Western Regions in turmoil."

"At this present time, the Ten Thousand Buddha Cave is no longer worthy of existing as the Buddhist Ancestral Court!"

"amitabha!"

Great Master Faxing shook his head, disagreeing with Tuoshan Vajra's statement.

"The Ten Thousand Buddha Cave has Buddha bone relics and once had a True Buddha descend to personally preach. Its status among Buddhist Disciples in the world is incomparable."

"When I was young, I went to the Ten Thousand Buddha Cave for further studies. Although the situation inside was complex, it was not a place that could not distinguish between right and wrong, as you said."

"Now I want to confirm with you again: are you really planning to establish a new Buddhist Ancestral Court?"

Tuoshan Vajra was silent for a long time before slowly saying:

"I just want what is good for Buddhism!"

"I ask you again, does the Nalanda Temple really intend to establish a new Buddhist Ancestral Court?"

Great Master Faxing's tone was somewhat aggressive, no longer as easygoing as before.

After all, the idea of establishing a new Buddhist Ancestral Court sounded too shocking.

Tuoshan Vajra was completely silent at this moment.

Seeing this, Great Master Faxing understood.

"It seems this is just Junior Brother Tuoshan's wishful thinking, not the intention of Senior Brother Fayuan and the others."

"In that case, I am relieved!"

"I still want to remind Junior Brother here: if the Nalanda Temple really dares to establish a new Buddhist Ancestral Court, all the Buddhist Disciples in the world will attack you. I hope you can think clearly about the consequences."

A hint of ferocity suddenly appeared on Tuoshan Vajra's Face, which had not been calm to begin with, and he roared:

"Fight! Let them fight! Let's see who is afraid of whom!!"

His roar was like thunder, rolling through the meditation hall.

At the same time, the hump on his back became higher and larger, as if it were about to burst through his loose monk's robe.

A bald monk appeared silently outside the meditation hall, pressed his palms together, and whispered:

"Senior Brother?"

"It is nothing, Junior Brother, you may withdraw!"

Great Master Faxing gave a faint instruction, then pressed a palm onto the top of Tuoshan Vajra's head. Golden ripples spilled from his palm, enveloping the other party, while he let out a shout like a great bell:

"Junior Brother, you have become attached to appearances!"

This shout carried Zen sound like a lion's roar, pouring into Tuoshan Vajra's ears like a sudden blow, causing his furious expression to slowly become peaceful, and a cold sweat broke out on his back.

"amitabha!"

Tuoshan Vajra lowered his head and thanked him with lingering fear:

"Thank you, Senior Brother Faxing!"

Great Master Faxing's eyes were somewhat complicated, and he couldn't help but advise:

"Junior Brother Tuoshan, your obsession with the Demonic Path is deep. Remember not to stain your hands with blood again, otherwise, there will be no turning back."

"Junior Brother understands!"

Tuoshan Vajra replied distractedly.

Seeing this, Great Master Faxing shook his head inwardly and stopped trying to persuade him.

In the final analysis, apart from being fellow members of the Buddhist Sect, they had no other relationship.

"What does Senior Brother Faxing think of Heavenly King Xue's conditions? Are you satisfied?"

Seeing that the other party brought this up, Great Master Faxing withdrew his thoughts and said:

"If you want my Hanging Temple to take action, Heavenly King Xue must cede two more provinces for my Hanging Temple to preach and give alms."

Tuoshan Vajra looked deeply at the other party and nodded:

"Good! I will convey your conditions to you."

"If the Heavenly King agrees, please do not stand on the sidelines anymore, Senior Brother!"

"That goes without saying!"

Since the matter was settled, Tuoshan Vajra did not stay any longer.

Great Master Faxing's sudden blow just now was only a temporary suppression of the demonic nature; he still needed to go back to meditate and practice, fighting against the Heart Demon deep inside.

After Tuoshan Vajra left, a middle-aged monk in a red monk's robe walked in. It was Great Master Fa Ning, the head of the Arhat Hall.

"Abbot Senior Brother, what happened to Tuoshan Vajra?"

"Junior Brother felt a trace of extremely terrifying Devilish Qi from him, which seemed to be entangled with him, difficult to separate."

Great Master Faxing shook his head lightly and said:

"This is his own tribulation. Whether he can overcome this tribulation depends on himself."

"Then what did he mean by fighting just now? Could it be that Nalanda Temple wants to use force against my Hanging Temple?"

Hearing this, Great Master Faxing's Face turned gloomy.

"Tuoshan is crazy; he wants to establish a new Buddhist Ancestral Court!"

...

...

At the same time, south of the Great Jin Dynasty, the Southern Defense Grand Commandery.

As everyone knows, besides the imperial Li family, the Great Jin Dynasty had two top-tier clans: the Yuwen Clan and the Xiao Family. Both were forces with a Legacy of thousands of years.

At the beginning of the founding of the Great Jin Dynasty, both the Yuwen Family and the Xiao Family had contributed greatly, and their descendants had served as generals and ministers in the Great Jin Imperial Court, being extremely prominent.

The current Yuwen Family effectively controlled the inner palace and the Imperial Guard, and had great influence over the Six Doors and the northern border army.

The Xiao Family held the position of Prime Minister and the Southern Defense Grand Commandery.

The current Southern Defense Grand Commander, Xiao Youqi, was the cousin of Prime Minister Xiao Hanwen.

At this moment, in the Grand Commandery, Xiao Youqi dismissed his servants and was receiving three guests.

If Yan Chu were here, he would recognize that one of them was the White Lotus Holy Master, with whom he had a ten-day affair.

She was dressed in white palace attire, her chest plump, her long hair hanging down like a waterfall. With every smile and frown, she was full of charm, even more alluring than before.

Accompanying her to this place was a middle-aged man in red, as well as an elegant old man with white hair wearing a Confucian cap.

Xiao Youqi had a faint sneer on his Face as he said:

"I didn't expect the Vice Dean of the White Deer Academy to get involved with the Holy Lotus Sect. It seems that Southern Wei is living in a corner and regressing."

The elegant old man was Lu Jian, the Vice Dean of the White Deer Academy.

Among the three countries of Northern Mang, Great Jin Dynasty, and Southern Wei, Southern Wei had the weakest national strength, with a land area of no more than four provinces of the Great Jin Dynasty.

Yet, with such national strength, it was able to withstand years of Great Jin Dynasty's attacks without falling. The root cause was the existence of the White Deer Academy.

The White Deer Academy was the Holy Land of Confucianism, and its status in the hearts of Confucian Disciples was the same as the Ten Thousand Buddha Cave in the hearts of Buddhist Disciples and Dragon Tiger Mountain in the hearts of Daoist Disciples.

Since a hundred years ago, when the White Deer Academy clearly and distinctly honored the Southern Wei imperial family as the orthodox ruler of the Central Plains, Southern Wei had attracted countless scholars from all over the world to join them.

Although its land area was small, its national strength had been flourishing over the years.

In the last ten years or so, the situation in the southern part of the Great Jin Dynasty had been chaotic, with no less than three provinces of territory incorporated into the actual control of Southern Wei.

As the Southern Defense Grand Commander in charge of the southern part of the Great Jin Dynasty, Xiao Youqi had always sat by and watched these things happen, even blocking the news so that the imperial court would not know in time about what was happening on the southern border.

Lu Jian stroked his long beard and smiled slightly:

"Grand Commander Xiao, you speak too seriously!"

"The Holy Lotus Sect is a great Sect that has spread for thousands of years, even longer than the Legacy of Buddhism and Daoism. His Majesty, the Emperor of Southern Wei, has already worshiped the Holy Lotus Sect as the State Preceptor. Now, the Holy Lotus Sect no longer needs to hide in the dark as before. This is a joyous matter for both parties."

"On the contrary, Grand Commander, I heard that ever since the Empress Dowager came to power, your Xiao Family has been pushed step by step by the Yuwen Family in the Great Jin Dynasty court. Now, even Prime Minister Xiao's position is almost lost. I wonder if this is true?"

"Hmph!"

Xiao Youqi snorted coldly:

"This world values strength. As long as our Xiao Family's four Celestial beings are still here, what can the Yuwen Family do even if they are powerful? Do they dare to force our Xiao Family to rebel?"

"Besides, the Great Jin Dynasty is now in jeopardy. The Yuwen Family is overwhelmed and has to rely on the power of our Xiao Family to quell the internal chaos."

Lu Jian nodded and smiled lightly:

"Grand Commander Xiao is right, but I wonder if you are aware that Heavenly King Xue's rebel army is now at the gates of Yongzhou, almost one step away from the Central Province. How much longer can the Great Jin Dynasty struggle?"