"Speaking of which, the origin of Xuanzang Temple is quite interesting."
Xia Weijun asked with a smile, "Do you know about 'substitute monks'?"
Lu Li wasn't quite sure, but Xiao Cha immediately said, "It means finding someone to take your place as a monk!"
"That's right." Xia Weijun's face showed a mocking expression.
"The Golden Aristocrat, desiring both blessings and the unwillingness to be ordained and abide by the strict rules, devised a method of having others become monks in their place. Xuanzang Temple was full of 'substitute monks.'"
Lu Li was speechless. Wasn't this just burying his head in the sand, deceiving himself?
He then asked, "If that's the case, then this sect must not be very strong?"
"It's alright, nothing special," Xia Weijun said.
"Having connections with the Golden Aristocrat, they can easily afford to give us a few measly gifts, and they've even managed to cultivate a prefect at the Innate Realm... but that's all. This [Xuanzang Temple] can't really be considered a sect; at most, it's just a powerful local force."
"Not considered a sect?"
"That's right! Only those who occupy Spiritual Vein and have Cultivator passing down their skills from generation to generation can be called a sect."
Xia Weijun knew that Lu Li from overseas and wanted to tell him more:
"The most powerful forces today are the five super sects that occupy the Five Great Immortal Mountains! With the help of the Spiritual Vein of the sacred mountains and the wishes of all living beings, each of the five sects has Grandmaster or a 'Manifestation' True Lord to suppress their Mountain Gate, making them a powerful force that is renowned throughout the world."
Xiao Cha listened with great interest and even asked a question:
"The Governor's daughter's master, Qiu Yan, is from the [Huashan Sect]?"
"Indeed." Xia Weijun nodded and said, "She is a true disciple of the Huashan Sect, World Walker."
At this moment, Lu Li suddenly asked:
"The Five Sacred Mountains are so powerful, yet their presence seems so weak... and the People of Izumo are allowed to act so arrogantly?"
Upon hearing this, Xia Weijun immediately sneered:
"They claim to be immortals, so naturally they won't be seen saving the world, rescuing people, or defending against foreign aggression. But if a magical treasure or Spiritual Vein appears... just you wait and see, you'll be able to see them right away."
Lu Li frowned and said, "When the nest is overturned, no egg remains intact. Aren't they going to care?"
"Because they have [a spiritual realm]."
Xia Weijun said:
"A spiritual realm is either created using great magical power or a naturally formed grotto-heaven. No matter how big the matter, you can simply hide inside and come out when the world is at peace."
Upon hearing this, Lu Li's impression of the five major sects plummeted.
Enjoying gifts without taking responsibility is just garbage.
Through this conversation, it was also learned that Xuanzang Temple was merely a stronghold of local tyrants...
Lu Li suddenly had the urge to rehearse a "family annihilation"!
Right now, we're about to get our hands on all the heavy weaponry. The overall goal remains the same: to destroy the Jiu Shan Sect.
Even if it weren't for cultivation methods, Lu Li was still very interested in that Spiritual Vein.
To completely destroy a genuine cultivation sect, a rehearsal is essential.
Xuanzang Temple is a perfect target!
Thinking of this, Lu Li asked:
"How does Sister Xia plan to deal with Xuanzang Temple? Its abbot is a Xiantian martial artist, he must be very strong, right?"
"Just Strongman who broke through by luck."
Xia Weijun had no idea what her younger brother was planning to do, and even tried to comfort him:
"This person doesn't have the Spirit Refinement, so his combat strength is limited. He's just currently too preoccupied with other matters to deal with, so there's no need to worry."
At this moment, Xiao Cha realized her man's intention and cooperated by asking:
"Sister Xia, just how powerful are innate martial artists?"
She wanted to find out information, but she was also genuinely curious.
Xia Weijun, unsuspecting, answered with a smile:
"Martial Arts are innate, Internal Breath energy transforms into true qi, possessing the strength of a dragon, which is 128,000 jin. The burst speed exceeds 100 meters per second, immune to all firearms, and even artillery shells can only harm it at extremely close range."
"That's amazing!"
"Yes, let's encourage each other and strive to break through to this level!"
As Xia Weijun spoke, she subconsciously glanced at Lu Li's legs.
My younger brother wants to break through to the Innate Realm, it looks like it's going to be quite a hassle.
Having no further questions, Lu Li took his leave.
"We've already disturbed you for quite some time; it's time for us to go."
"Okay, come over anytime if you need anything."
Xia Weijun personally went downstairs to see them off, and only after the two left did a solemn expression appear on his face.
"Even Xuanzang Temple has sided with the People of Izumo, what has become of this world...?"
~~~~~~~~~
The 10,000 mu of temple fields belonging to Xuanzang Temple were all planted with opium.
With such a production volume, the North alone certainly couldn't consume it all; its main market was the prosperous Jiangnan region.
However, due to the continuous introduction of new types of drugs by the People of Izumo, the price of opium has plummeted by 40%.
Logically speaking, such actions that cut off someone's livelihood should have resulted in a blood feud between the two parties.
Even Master Nan felt that, when faced with two evils, one should choose the lesser one, and Xuanzang Temple was someone worth uniting with.
But reality turned out the opposite.
At this moment, Xuanzang Temple.
A tall, burly monk with a face full of scars was walking briskly.
Upon seeing him, the monks along the way quickly stood by the roadside and bowed, saying, "Brother Kongxing."
This person was none other than Kongxing, who had set the fire earlier.
He rushed to the "presiding officer's room," barged in without knocking, and shouted, "Dad!"
The one being called "father" was none other than the monk "Zhenghong," who had large ears on one side.
Upon hearing this address, he immediately glared and roared, "You unfilial son! Believe me or not, I'll break your legs!"
The gaze of the innate master was sharp as a knife, Kongxing smiled and said:
"Host, host, that's enough, it's not like there's anyone who doesn't know."
"You unfilial son!" Zhenghong cursed, then asked irritably, "Did you get it done?"
"No!"
Kongxing walked over casually, picked up the teapot on the table, and blew on it.
"I even got a beating from that fake nun. Damn it~ I'll rip those big breasts off one of these days!"
"It didn't work out... it's not a big problem."
Zhenghong sat upright behind the desk and pondered for a moment:
"Anyway, it's just a way to show the People of Izumo a stance; leaving some room for maneuver is good."
"Father," Kongxing asked, his face darkening.
"Is it really necessary for us to pledge allegiance to the People of Izumo so soon? Don't you always say to be patient? Right now, neither the imperial court nor the Governor has made a move."
Zhenghong sighed, "I also wanted to wait and see how things went. But a few days ago I received some news from [Ling Gui]'s close aide..."
He carefully surveyed his surroundings to make sure no one was around before continuing:
"It seems the esteemed guests are about to flee."
"Run? The Jin people are trying to hide in the [spirit realm]!"
Kongxing was startled, but quickly regained his composure:
"We have to run. If word gets out that 'better to give to outsiders than to our own servants,' we'll be torn to pieces if we don't run now."
Zhenghong nodded. "That's why I contacted the People of Izumo. I didn't expect them to be so generous, giving so much..."
As they were talking, Zhenghong's expression suddenly changed, and he began to tremble all over.
No one knows a father better than his son, Kongxing immediately lifted the table in front of his father, where a woman was indeed kneeling!
The outfit, with its fitted silhouette and mesh lining, is exactly what a female ninja would wear.
"Holy crap!" Kongxing shouted excitedly, "Give me a few days to play!"
"Okay, okay, keep your voice down."
Zhenghong readily agreed. The monks in the temple all possessed spiritual cultivation and had very keen hearing; if they were overheard, it would inevitably affect the abbot's image.
"It's a promise~"
Kongxing then put the table back, and even exchanged flirtatious glances with the female ninja.
Zhenghong didn't take it seriously and made the arrangements:
"The People of Izumo are generous, so we can't be ungrateful. Make a memorial tablet for the samurai who died in the arena a few days ago, and have the temple enshrine it."
"Okay, I understand."
The father and son discussed for a long time, completely unaware that 2,000 meters above their heads, an "artillery companion" had memorized the terrain.