Chapter 60: Chapter 41: Cloud Surge_1

Translator: 549690339

Such was the case, and so passed another night.

In Xuzhou City, within Jing’an Temple.

A Zen monastery held two figures facing each other.

One clad in snow-white attire, the other in jade-like green robes—both appeared otherworldly beneath the moonlight, as if on the verge of becoming celestial beings.

“Xuan Er!”

After an immeasurable time of silence, the woman in white finally spoke, “You’ve been in Xuzhou for over two years, haven’t you?”

The woman in green robes nodded, replying calmly, “Two years and three months, Master.”

“Is that so?”

The woman in white smiled, scrutinizing her, then asked, “What are your thoughts?”

The woman in green robes fell silent for a moment before responding, “Farmers have their fields, weavers their looms, dwellers their homes, the old and young have support, and the commoners are not fools. The people have food and warmth, there is no need to worry about clothing or food, doors are not shut at night, lost items are not picked up on the roads, though the laws are strictly enforced, they are strict but not harsh, agriculture is fundamental, accompanied by industry and commerce…”

“Truly a spectacle unparalleled in ancient times!”

“Indeed!”

The woman in white nodded, “This man is truly an unprecedented figure!”

The woman in green robes’ expression grew stern, “Then, Master…”

“But such a pioneer must be shunned by the world. Unprecedented they may be, yet they are also unwelcome throughout history!”

The woman in white shook her head, “His actions are perverse and contrary, and have provoked the great indignation of the world. Continuing thus, he is no different from Wang Mang or Zhang Jiao, adorned with fresh flowers for a moment, unmatched in influence, but like a fire frying in oil, eventually reaching its end, unsustainable in the long run.”

“Sustainable?”

The woman in green robes furrowed her brows, looking at her master, “From ancient times to the present, through all dynasties, which one has not vanished after two or three hundred years? Who has ever lasted forever, who wasn’t like a fire frying in oil?”

The woman in white fell into silence, gazing at her disciple, then after a long while said, “If he continues to act so perversely, I fear he won’t even last two or three hundred years.”

“What do you mean by acting so perversely?”

The woman in green robes met her gaze, “Does this world belong to all its people, or does it belong to the noble clans and sects?”

“It belongs to all its people!”

The woman in white calmly stated, “But it is also a world of the noble families.”

As she spoke, she turned her gaze outside the temple, “Human nature is self-interested. The household, the country, the world—that’s the immutable state of human affairs. He goes against human nature, goes against the will of heaven, and so he will be abandoned by the people, opposed by all under heaven, and in the end, his body and spirit will be crushed to dust!”

Having said that, she turned her gaze back to her disciple, “Xuan Er, do you think he can resist the great forces of the world on his own?”

The woman in green robes fell into silence.

“This man is a hero!”

“But not a sovereign!”

The woman in white stated calmly, “In terms of martial prowess, strategy, cunning, and means, he is beyond reproach. But in this, he is mistaken!”

“He was wrong to be so extreme, to replace the entire lineage of noble families in Xuzhou with the ‘Replace the People or Item’ tactic, causing all noble families to feel threatened and terrified at the mention of his name.”

“Such treatment of noble families is one thing, but he has also incited strife within the Martial World, causing bloodshed among the martial clans; before his foundation is stable and his royal cause established, he resorted to ruthless measures, making enemies of everyone, enraging both mortals and gods…”

“One false step leads to another!”

The woman shook her head, sighing, “At this point, there is no turning back for him!

The woman in green robes remained silent, speaking only after a long while, “So, Master, you already have someone else in mind?”

“That’s right!” “Who is it?”

“The Li Sect!”

The woman in white spoke evenly, “The Li Sect has entered Guanzhong, taking a strong hold over Chang’an, already possessing the air of a sovereign!”

“The Li Sect?”

The woman in green robes murmured to herself, “If the Li Sect takes over the world, will Xuzhou still have the prosperity it enjoys today?”

These words left the woman in white in silence, only after a long while did she reply, “Emperor Tang, ruling with kindness, will surely treat the common people well.”

“He is kind, but are his subordinates just as kind?”

The woman in green robes relentlessly pursued the matter, locking eyes with the other, “Master, when Mercy Sailing Temple selects an emperor on behalf of heaven, is it truly for the world’s common folk, for the well-being of the people, or is it for the enduring prosperity of Mercy Sailing Temple, for the Buddhist Sect?”

The woman in white fell silent, looking at her disciple, then after a long while said, “Xuan Er, you’ve changed!”

The woman in green robes too, was silent.

“You are still young, and it’s understandable to be emotional for a time.”

The woman in white shook her head, “But as the holy maiden of Mercy Sailing Temple, you must understand that reality is reality; it is not swayed by emotions. You must be rational, you must be clear, you must realize that…”

“He—will undoubtedly be defeated! !!”

With a voice like thunder, Fan Qinghui looked at Shi Feixuan and said each word, “This is reality, do you understand?”

Shi Feixuan’s eyes trembled, and she lowered her head.

“Very good!”

Fan Qinghui nodded in satisfaction, then suddenly changed the subject, “Have you seen him?”

The sudden question startled Shi Feixuan, who after a pause, shook her head gently, “No.”

“Is that so?”

Fan Qinghui’s gaze became unfathomable as she asked again, “He is that beggar boy from back then, isn’t he?”

Shi Feixuan fell silent, and in the end, she did not speak but simply nodded in silence.

“How unpredictable life is, the whims of fate indeed!”

Fan Qinghui sighed, speaking somberly, “If back then I had not brought you here, would there still be an Xu Qingyang today?”

After speaking, she turned her gaze back, looking at the silent Shi Feixuan,

“Perhaps this too is destined by the unseen will of heaven, that a descendant of Mercy Sailing Temple must face this calamity to awaken and attain the ultimate understanding of the path!”

“Master…”

Shi Feixuan raised her head, not continuing the topic, but asked instead, “You’ve chosen the Li Sect, simply because they have the appearance of a sovereign?”

Fan Qinghui looked at her, saying nothing.

Shi Feixuan did not mind, and said to herself, “The four great sects of the world, the Yuwen Sect has committed regicide and seized power, their loyalty waning, their days are numbered.”

“The Song Sect is secluded, and with a man like Song Que, if they succeed, they definitely won’t rely on my Silent Temple,”

“The Dugu sect is weak, nowhere near as powerful as the Li and Song sects, making success difficult!”

“Only the Li Sect, favored by the noble families and situated in Guanzhong, has strong power and a superior military force. However, they lack a Grandmaster to lead them. If they wish to unify the world and control the Martial World, they must rely on my Silent Temple!”

Shi Feixuan lifted her head and calmly gazed at Fan Qinghui: “That’s why, Master, you chose the Li Sect, right?”

This gaze, this questioning, silenced Fan Qinghui for a moment, but ultimately he admitted, “Indeed!”

“Then, is this chosen emperor truly for the people of the world, the common citizens, or is it for my Silent Temple, for the Buddhist lineage?”

Unwilling to accept this, Shi Feixuan pressed on, questioning: “Master, you didn’t teach Xuan Er this way before, whyu..?”

“Because that’s reality!”

Fan Qinghui cut off her words: “It is both for my Silent Temple and the people of the world. Private interests serve public ones as well; there’s no conflict. Do you understand?”

Shi Feixuan remained silent, just gazing at Fan Qinghui, feeling for the first time that her Master, who raised her, was somewhat… terrifyingly unfamiliar.

“You should and must understand.”

Fan Qinghui shook his head: “Now, this region of Xuzhou, he’s managed it to be as secure as an iron barrel, controlling nobility, factions, and the Martial World all with one hand, except for…”

“This Jing’an Temple!”

Fan Qinghui shifted his gaze and stared at Shi Feixuan asking, “Why hasn’t he laid his hands on Jing’an Temple? Is it because of you, or does he have a fondness for our Buddhism, allowing us to remain outside his control?”

Shi Feixuan was silent, unable to respond.

“Neither!”

“It’s because the time isn’t right yet. He doesn’t wish to startle the snake in the grass and provoke a counterattack from our Buddhism!”

Fan Qinghui, relentless: “Once the time is ripe and his power is sufficient, he will ‘Scour the Court and Sweep the Den,’ exterminate our Buddhist lineage, and sever our Buddhist teachings!” Shi Feixuan: ‘

“He’s too tyrannical, too domineering!”

Fan Qinghui shook his head: “He treats Buddhism this way, and similarly both Taoist and Confucian teachings. He can’t tolerate anyone in the world, so how could the world tolerate him?”

Shi Feixuan:

Fan Qinghui’s expression was indifferent as he continued: “If nothing unexpected happens, he will soon take action against Jing’an Temple and all the temples and Taoist temples within Xuzhou’s territory, thoroughly removing forces that are not under his control, ensuring there are no hidden dangers within Xuzhou.”

“This…’

Startled, Shi Feixuan asked, “Why?”

“Because he will soon make a big move!”

Fan Qinghui, hands clasped behind his back, spoke gravely, “A few days ago in Yangzhou, Golden Jade Hall held an auction. There, they sold information about Yang Gong’s Treasure for ten silver taels. Now, the whole world knows, Yang Gong’s Treasure is in Chang’an!”

“Yang Gong’s Treasure is in Chang’an?”

Shi Feixuan’s eyes narrowed slightly, half understanding.

“This is his scheme!”

Fan Qinghui spoke solemnly: “Using Yang Gong’s Treasure as bait, he’s lured heroes from across the world to Chang’an. There must be a plot.”

“This…” Shi Feixuan’s face changed, uncertain: “What plot?”

“I don’t know!”

Fan Qinghui shook his head, saying gravely: “But this man, when he acts, it’s always earth-shattering. Now that the location is Chang’an, it’s very likely that his scheme targets the Li Sect, so…”

Shi Feixuan’s eyes sharpened as she began to understand: “Master…”

Fan Qinghui shook his head and calmly said, “The Li Sect has officially sought help from my Silent Temple. I’ve already sent messages to Tiantai Sect, Sanlun Sect, Huayan Sect, and Zen Buddhism. The four Holy Monks will soon head to Chang’an. No matter his scheme or plot, this time we must eliminate him in Guanzhong!” Shi Feixuan’s pupils contracted: “Master, you…!”

“No more words!”

Fan Qinghui waved his hand, cutting her off: “The situation in Xuzhou today is all due to this man. As soon as he dies, Xuzhou, secure as an iron barrel, will instantly crumble and fall into our hands easily.”

Shi Feixuan still wished to argue: “But the people of Xuzhou…”

“It’s precisely for the people of Xuzhou that we must do this!”

Fan Qinghui firmly stated, “If this man doesn’t die, Xuzhou will inevitably raise arms, vying for the world. And as he is deeply loved by the people, who are willing to give their lives for him, with the power of one state opposing the momentum of the entire world, the blood of Xuzhou’s people is bound to be drained dry, while the world suffers ravages of war, ultimately harming both sides!”

“Therefore, he must die, he absolutely has to die. Only if he dies can Xuzhou be taken without a fight, surrender without battle. Only with his death can the world be unified by a call to arms and enjoy long-lasting peace. Only if he

dies…”

Fan Qinghui looked at Shi Feixuan, speaking word by word: “Can the noble families, the Martial World, and the hearts of the people be at ease!”

Shi Feixuan stood in place, staring blankly at her Master, unable to find a rebuttal.

“I know, these methods are not honorable.”

“But Xuan Er, you must understand, sometimes, for the sake of the world, for the sake of humanity, we must be ruthless!”

Fan Qinghui stood with hands clasped behind his back, his expression cold: “As for such karma, if there is retribution, let your Master bear it alone!”

“Master…”

Shi Feixuan tried to speak but stopped, as Fan Qinghui didn’t heed her: “Enough said, follow me, let’s leave. This Jing’an Temple… will soon cease to exist.”

Three days later.

Inside the Security Hall, in the courtyard. Xu Yang stood alone with his hands behind his back.

“Master!”

Su Beixuan approached briskly, presenting an item—it was a pure white handkerchief. “Just now, someone threw this into the hall!”

“Hmm?”

Xu Yang took the handkerchief and saw four elegant characters inscribed upon it.

“Chang’an… danger?”

Xu Yang looked at the handkerchief, smiling slightly: “Didn’t see anyone?”

Su Beixuan shook his head, looking ashamed: “No.”

“That’s fine.”

Unconcerned, Xu Yang asked: “How are the preparations going?”

Su Beixuan replied gravely: “Everything is proceeding smoothly.”

Xu Yang shook his head, gazing into the sky: “Hurry it up. Some people are already impatient. Don’t keep them waiting too long.”

“Yes!”