The Luoyang Rebellion

"The Vairocana Buddha was damaged, and he took the initiative to request repairs..."

"The Great Buddha's patterns were all intricately carved from Buddhist scriptures. I'm afraid someone has tampered with them..."

Master Kuzhu quickly recounted what had happened and said urgently, "It was said that back then, the Yique Flood Dragon stirred up storms, causing the river to flow backward and flood the Divine Capital. Emperor Tang Ming ordered the Three Great Scholars of Kaiyuan to empower the Great Buddha and suppress the flood dragon. Later, Chen Shoujing released the flood dragon. This old monk believes the restrictions above had long since been destroyed."

"But Madam Pei said a 'soul-collecting ship' appeared on the Yi River. It should be related to this matter. That fiend has lived in the temple for years and may attack the monks and laypeople inside. I'll return at once..."

Before the old monk could leave, Madam Pei's subordinate hurried over, his face filled with panic.

"It's chaos! It's chaos!"

"The Maitreya Sect has started a rebellion in Luoyang City, and even the prefectural government has been burned down!"

Dusk hung heavy over the land, and a restless, uneasy air permeated Luoyang's streets and alleys.

"Maitreya has descended into the world! Fortune comes of its own accord!"

Hundreds of men dressed in coarse hemp clothing shouted loudly before the City God Temple.

They waved yellow paper talismans in their hands, while even more commoners gathered around them.

"It's this! The City God Lord is suppressing our fortune!"

"Luoyang's people are suffering more and more. This thing is to blame!"

"Smash it! Only then can we be liberated!"

Amid the crowd, a sharp-jawed, monkey-faced man suddenly raised a stone and hurled it viciously at the temple doors.

"Bang!"

The wooden doors, already mottled and peeling, instantly