Inside the ancient temple, Zhao De looked at the dilapidated Buddha statue and could not help laughing.
"This used to be the Great Underworld Temple. Now, only this one hall remains.
"They say the Great Underworld Buddha used to answer prayers, with hundreds of millions of followers."
"Master, was the Great Underworld Temple originally a force from Rong State? Did it later defect to the Great Dream Dynasty?"
Yang Ling was somewhat curious.
"The Great Underworld Temple belonged to the Great Dream Dynasty from beginning to end. Back then, they came to Rong State to spread Buddhism and maintained good relations with the various nobles. Later, Emperor Rong Wu discovered that the Great Underworld Temple harbored disloyal intentions and destroyed it."
With that, Zhao De turned to Yang Ling.
"Explain to your master how your cultivation rose from fifth rank to third rank in less than a month."
"It's difficult for me to explain. If I really must, all I can say is that I had a very long dream, gained an epiphany, and my cultivation advanced by leaps and bounds."
Yang Ling said respectfully, "Please believe me, Master."
"Are you one of the Rong Emperor's men?"
Zhao De suddenly asked.
"No."
Yang Ling answered without hesitation.
Zhao De nodded thoughtfully.
"Then are you a disciple of one of the seven first-rate sects?"
"No."
"Were you sent by an enemy of mine?"
"Absolutely not!"
"Are you my disciple?"
"Yes, Master!"
"If I told you to rebel, what would you choose?"
"I'd leap up and rebel!"
Their questions and answers came in rapid succession. Zhao De gave Yang Ling almost no time to think.
Zhao De wore a faint, ambiguous smile. "But you're the department master of Rong State's Iron Clothes Department, with a fourth-rank official position."
"Then I can do