Buddhist Sect (Seeking Monthly Votes)

After returning to Yunzhou, the first thing Gu Mo did was have the Zither Player set up a magic array to seal Wang Qingping's Nascent Soul within it.

Because forging the Dragon Scale Blade would take some time, and although Gu Mo had erased Wang Qingping's consciousness, his Nascent Soul was still intact. It could be rejected by the rules of the human world at any moment, ultimately dissipating into the void.

Gu Mo was currently using demonic energy to restrain it, preventing it from being expelled from the human world. However, he couldn't carry this unconscious Nascent Soul around forever. Once he left, the Nascent Soul's instincts might react and cause trouble.

Therefore, Gu Mo trapped it within the magic array, both to ensure its safety and to prevent its dissipation into the void.

Afterward, Gu Mo began to study the Heavenly Craft Exquisite and familiarize himself with the characteristics of the Seven-Colored Peacock.

Meanwhile, Gu Chundong busied herself with the Gu Family Manor every day.

Time flew by, and winter arrived.

After winter set in, an event that shocked the entire country occurred in Yunzhou: someone had rebelled.

The rebel was a Jianghu Master, a First-rate Master with considerable reputation in Dongping County. He gathered over a thousand people and attacked a county town, successfully killing the County Magistrate and proclaiming himself the Cloud King.

However, This "Cloud King" did not cause any further disturbances. The Dongping County Prefecture Government Office swiftly mobilized county soldiers from two surrounding counties to quell this mighty rebel army. The "Cloud King" himself was captured alive by Yang Qingtong, the leader of the Dongping County Martial Arts Alliance, while attempting to flee.

Although the incident was quickly resolved, its impact was extremely negative, even alarming the imperial court.

The current situation in Gan Country was dire. Although the frontline battlefield had gained some advantage after Emperor Gan personally led the troops, the domestic economy was on the verge of collapse, and the survival pressure on ordinary people was increasing.

Under these circumstances, the court's greatest concern was domestic turmoil while the war raged on the frontlines. Therefore, government offices everywhere had been vigilant, yet turmoil had still erupted.

Everything fears someone making the first move.

The "Cloud King's" rebellion was not a large-scale event, but its nature was extremely significant.

Suddenly, government offices across the land were on high alert, seeing enemies in every shadow.

Linjiang City, Gu Manor.

Heavy snow fell outside. Chu Yuan, the Six Doors Inspector of Linjiang City, held a cup of warm wine, his face etched with worry.

In previous years, this snowy season was a time for enjoying wine and conversation, a refined pastime. But this year was different. Chu Yuan looked at the falling snowflakes, feeling no elegance at all, because beneath the snow, he saw countless frozen corpses.

"Jiang Kingdom's severe cold has forced a halt to the fighting on the frontlines," Chu Yuan said. "This offers a slight respite for the soldiers on the front, but for the people within the country, this snow will be deadly. This winter will not be easy!"

Gu Mo sighed.

Since ancient times, it has always been this way. Whenever there is war, the bottom-level common people are always the unluckiest.

"Brother Gu, when do you think this war will stop?" Chu Yuan asked.

Gu Mo thought for a moment and said, "I'm afraid this war won't stop until the world is at peace. Whether Chu Kingdom wins or our Gan Country wins, the war won't stop. Because other countries won't sit idly by and give the victor time to recuperate. They will also join the battlefield. Therefore, it can only stop when one country successfully defeats all other countries and unifies the world."

After speaking, Gu Mo paused for a moment and said, "Instead of worrying about the front lines, you should focus on how to maintain the public order in Linjiang County. The 'Cloud King's' rebellion in Dongping County might just be the beginning. If large-scale rebellions occur within the country, the front lines will collapse on their own!"

Chu Yuan was silent for a moment, then said, "This is precisely the issue that worries the officials in the Imperial Court the most. War consumes lives and resources. Lives are sacrificed on the front lines, while the lives of the people in the rear become increasingly difficult.

As long as they can survive, few people would risk the extermination of their entire clan to rebel. This snow has become the last straw that breaks the backs of some of the common people. And with spies from Chu Kingdom guiding them in secret, rebellion will occur.

The incident in Dongping County this time was manipulated by several Chu Kingdom spies behind the scenes. For now, as long as this snow doesn't last for months, it should be controllable. However, I am worried about the future. The longer the war drags on, the weaker the people's resilience in the rear will become. If any natural disaster strikes, it could truly ignite a prairie fire, and then it will be uncontrollable!"

Gu Mo frowned and said, "This is a gamble on the nation's destiny."

Chu Yuan said solemnly, "Actually, Chu Kingdom is also gambling. Although Chu Kingdom is slightly stronger than our Gan Country in terms of economy, Emperor Chu Xiao Zhaolin is warlike and is fighting on two fronts simultaneously. Their expenditure far exceeds ours in Gan Country.

If Chu Kingdom encounters a major natural disaster, they won't be able to hold on either. So, Brother Gu, your statement about gambling on the nation's destiny is quite fitting. Although most factors lie on the front lines, the rear can also play a decisive role."

Gu Mo took a sip of wine and said, "I wonder how Ji Wusuan's progress is going!"

Chu Yuan asked in doubt, "Ji Wusuan? The Ji Wusuan who is known as the Number One Diviner Under Heaven among Jianghu People?"

"That's right," Gu Mo said. "The Emperor has assembled a team for him, specifically to search for the legendary Human Realm Dragon Vein."

Chu Yuan exclaimed in surprise, "The Human Realm Dragon Vein, which legend says whoever obtains it will possess destiny? Isn't that just a legend?"

Gu Mo replied, "It truly exists, but whether it has such powerful effects is unknown."

Jiang Kingdom, Pingnan City.

Emperor Gan personally led the army. After the winter truce, his temporary palace was established here.

At this moment, Emperor Gan was in his room reviewing memorials. A guard reported from outside the door, "Reporting to Your Majesty, General Ye requests an audience."

"Announce him."

Soon, Ye Jinglan, clad in armor, entered the study.

Emperor Gan immediately stood up and stopped Ye Jinglan from bowing. He pulled Ye Jinglan to sit by the fireplace and asked, "My loyal minister, you must have worked hard inspecting the military camps these past few days."

Ye Jinglan hurriedly replied, "It was not hard. I returned today specifically to report on the military situation..."

Then, Ye Jinglan then briefly explained the current situation of the military camp.

After listening, Emperor Gan's expression turned grave. "We lack firewood, clothes, and food. We truly lack everything. However, my minister Ye, rest assured, I had already sent an imperial decree back to the country for the Crown Prince to procure military supplies. We only need to hold on for another half a month."

Ye Jinglan nodded and said, "Actually, Your Majesty, the lack of military supplies is only a superficial problem. The most important issue is Tianma Pass. As long as we don't break through Tianma Pass for a single day, the army will remain tied down here and will always face the predicament of needing a continuous supply of logistics. This humble general suspects that the Chu Kingdom intends to fight a war of attrition to wear us down."

Emperor Gan's brows furrowed. He remained silent for a good while before suddenly looking up at Ye Jinglan. "My minister Ye, let's wait until spring. If by spring, Ji Wusuan still has no clues about the Human Realm Dragon Vein, then I will implement that plan with myself as bait."

"Your Majesty..."

Emperor Gan waved his hand. "My minister Ye, if you mention the Human Realm Dragon Vein to others, they will think I've gone crazy. But you are different. You know that thing is very likely real. If our Gan Country obtains the Human Realm Dragon Vein, it means we have obtained the Mandate of Heaven. If we cannot find it for a long time, it implicitly means the Mandate of Heaven is not with me. Then, I must take a gamble. Why would I spare my own life?"

Ye Jinglan was silent for a long time. "Since this matter was proposed by Brother Gu, this humble general absolutely trusts it. May I ask, what stage has Ji Wusuan reached now?"

Emperor Gan said, "I don't know either. The last time he wrote, it was before I personally led the troops. He had already taken his men across the East Sea to another ocean!"

Early December.

Gu Chundong finally finished renovating the Gu Family Manor. Afterward, she set off with Gu Mo for the Chu Kingdom.

For this trip, Gu Mo did not bring Hongyi, as Hongyi was in seclusion.

Over the past few months, Gu Mo, Hongyi, and the Zither Player had spent a significant amount of time discussing and integrating the martial arts secret manuals from Penglai Island. Finally, combined with Gu Mo's concept of Physical Body Ascension, Hongyi had found a path that could potentially lead to Physical Body Ascension to the Ascension Realm.

The Zither Player's talent was far inferior to Hongyi's. Even though Gu Mo provided the same guidance, the Zither Player simply couldn't comprehend it. He could only be responsible for guarding the home, especially for suppressing Wang Qingping's Nascent Soul, lest it cause trouble if Gu Mo left.

Departing from Linjiang City to the Chu Kingdom, the shortest route was to head north to Mobei, then cross the desert into the Chu Kingdom, following the route that Crown Prince Li Zhongqing had taken when he escaped from Chu.

Gu Mo and Gu Chundong's speed was very fast.

Although the siblings traveled with stops to admire the scenery, they were flying. Thus, in just ten days, they arrived at Tongzhou Nanling County, where the Great Bright Light Temple of the Chu Kingdom was located.

On this day, Gu Mo and Gu Chundong arrived at a market town.

The market town was very lively, and Buddhist culture was very prevalent. Monks could be seen walking around everywhere. Even the shops on the street displayed Buddhist flags. Stalls were filled with lustrous Bodhi Seed strings and wooden plaques carved with scriptures. An old woman was twirling prayer beads, softly chanting Buddhist names.

However, Gu Mo and Gu Chundong were already accustomed to it. Ever since they entered Tongzhou territory, they could feel the strong Buddhist culture. The closer they got to the Great Bright Light Temple's territory, the stronger the Buddhist aura became.

This was a normal phenomenon. Just like in Lu Province, where Dragon Tiger Mountain of the Gan Country was located, Taoist culture was very prosperous. From the Noble Families and Clans to commoners, everyone believed in Taoism. In contrast, Tongzhou in the Chu Kingdom worshipped Buddhist culture.

The Great Bright Light Temple held the same status in Buddhism as Dragon Tiger Mountain did in Taoism – they were both leading sects with a thousand years of inheritance, and their influence in the local area was even stronger than the imperial court.

"Ge, where is Ye Chen?" Gu Chundong asked.

Gu Mo shook his head and said, "His previous letter only mentioned meeting at this market town. Since we departed, we haven't been able to communicate. I don't know if he's arrived yet, but it doesn't matter. We'll walk around the town, and if he's here, he'll definitely find us."

When Gu Mo and Ye Chen parted ways in the Northern Zhou Kingdom, they had agreed that Ye Chen would be contacted once Gu Mo arrived in the Chu Kingdom. Therefore, after confirming the approximate departure time, Gu Mo sent Ye Chen a letter. Ye Chen then replied, arranging to meet at this market town to go to the Great Bright Light Temple together.

"Ye Chen always told me he was very well-connected in the Chu Kingdom and that he'd make all the arrangements for me when I arrived," Gu Chundong said. "I suppose, as the renowned Chosen One in the martial arts world and the Chu Kingdom's Third Master, he wasn't bragging, right?"

Gu Mo chuckled lightly. "I can't speak for other things, but with his foundation and reputation, we should have no problem enjoying ourselves in the Chu Kingdom..."

"Big Brother!"

Before Gu Mo could finish speaking, a disheveled beggar suddenly darted out from the side, blocking Gu Mo's path.

"This... Brother Beggar..."

As Gu Mo and Gu Chundong looked on in doubt, the beggar pushed aside his hair, revealing himself to be Ye Chen.

"Wuwuwu... Big Brother... It's me! You're finally here! If you hadn't come, I would have died here!"

Ye Chen cried, snot and tears streaming down his face, looking utterly miserable.

Gu Chundong asked blankly, "Ye Chen, did your family... go bankrupt?"

"No," Ye Chen said. "Aiyo, Sister Gu, how could I go bankrupt? Money is the last thing I lack!"

Gu Chundong scrutinized Ye Chen from head to toe, full of suspicion. "I really can't tell."

"Sigh," Ye Chen sighed mournfully. "My current state is truly out of desperation!" As he spoke, Ye Chen glanced around and quietly beckoned, "Let's go, Big Brother, Sister Gu. Follow me."

Ye Chen then led Gu Mo and Gu Chundong to a mountain outside the town.

Impatiently, he dug out a roasted chicken wrapped in lotus leaves from a pile of mud. Saliva was already flowing uncontrollably. He forced himself to reluctantly tear off two chicken legs and offered them to Gu Mo and Gu Chundong. "Eat up, Big Brother, Sister!"

Gu Chundong asked doubtfully, "Ye Chen, was this chicken... raised on Heavenly Material and Earthly Treasures?"

"No, it's just a regular chicken," Ye Chen replied.

"Then with that look of reluctant sacrifice, did you really go bankrupt and can't even afford chicken?" Gu Chundong said. "If you're really broke, just say so. That way, I can be prepared and hide my wallet a bit better!"

Ye Chen: "..."

Gu Mo smiled and said, "Alright, enough joking. Ye Chen, what's going on?"

Ye Chen sighed and said, "After I arranged to meet you, Big Brother, I rushed to this market town to wait for you. However, I never expected that the people of Nanling County have become so fanatically devoted to Buddhism that no one is allowed to eat meat."

Ye Chen ate the roasted chicken as he spoke. "Now, eating a piece of meat within Nanling County is like violating a Heavenly Law. You'll be beaten to death by the locals."

Gu Mo asked doubtfully, "It can't be that bad, can it? Believing in Buddhism doesn't mean becoming a monk, right? And even monks wouldn't forbid others from eating meat."

Ye Chen said, "Isn't that the truth? But that's how crazy Nanling County is right now. Not only do all households abstain from meat and chant Buddhist scriptures, but they also don't allow others to eat meat. From the government officials down to the common folk, everyone is like this. Furthermore, you absolutely cannot speak ill of Buddhism, or you will certainly incur public wrath.

Big Brother, you know me. I can't live without meat. I can't go a single meal without it. You tell me, wouldn't I go crazy being forced like this here? I had agreed to meet you here, and the nearest market town from this one is dozens of miles away. That place seems to still allow meat for now; at least it did when I arrived.

I was worried that if I ran too far to find meat, I would miss you. So, I had to stay in this town. To eat meat, I could only pretend to be this beggar. Otherwise, if people recognized Ye Chen as someone who steals chickens and dogs, wouldn't I be laughed to death by my peers in the martial arts world? To save face and to eat meat, I could only be in this state.

Every time I try to steal a chicken, I get beaten. They won't even take money. Anyway, those people simply do not allow killing. As soon as someone shouts, they will all attack together!"

As he spoke, Ye Chen swallowed his saliva and still handed the chicken leg to Gu Mo, saying, "Big Brother, have some. You're going to the Great Bright Light Temple now. The closer you get to the Great Bright Light Temple, the less chance you'll have to eat meat!"

Gu Mo frowned and asked doubtfully, "Has Nanling County always been like this?"

Ye Chen shook his head and said, "No. Although Nanling County has always had a strong Buddhist culture, at most, there were many Buddhists and a few more Buddhist temples. It wouldn't be this crazy.

The current Nanling County is no longer a matter of belief or disbelief; it's faith. Everyone has a fanatical faith in the Great Bright Light Temple and Buddhism. I feel that if the Great Bright Light Temple were to rebel and rally the people, the common folk and officials of Nanling County would follow without hesitation.

I heard from many friends in the martial arts world earlier that they all said the Great Bright Light Temple is expanding crazily now and might stir up a martial arts conflict. I didn't pay too much attention then, but now it seems to be more than just a martial arts conflict. If we're not careful, it might lead to a change of dynasty."

Gu Mo asked doubtfully, "Does the imperial court of the Chu Kingdom not care?"

Ye Chen said, "It's strange to say, but for such a big change in Nanling County, the imperial court seems to have no reaction at all. Moreover, it's not just the imperial court. At first, there were some rumors in the martial arts world, but gradually there was no more movement.

Logically speaking, as soon as the Great Bright Light Temple made some moves, people in the martial arts world should have become alert. Now, it's almost controlling the entire Nanling County. It should have caused a bigger stir in the martial arts world, but instead, no one mentions it anymore.

If I hadn't come here personally, I wouldn't have realized that Nanling County has become like this now!"

Gu Mo asked, "When did it start?"

"Last year... the second half of the year!" Ye Chen said.

"Brother," Gu Chundong said, "Are those people showing any abnormalities? Are they controlled by mental secret arts?"

Gu Mo shook his head and said, "If it were control by mental secret arts, I wouldn't be unable to detect it. Besides, whose mental secret arts could be so powerful as to control an entire county?"

"Pure brainwashing?" Gu Chundong asked in surprise.

Gu Mo nodded and said, "As far as I can see, yes."

"Then what does the Great Bright Light Temple want to do?" Gu Chundong asked.

"We can only go and ask Dharma Master Liansheng," Gu Mo said. "From my understanding of Dharma Master Liansheng, he shouldn't do this for personal gain."

"It shouldn't be," Ye Chen said. "Besides bewitching the people to believe in Buddhism and the Great Bright Light Temple, I haven't found any other abnormalities. Those people are no different from usual; they just have the added rule of not being allowed to eat meat.

The Great Bright Light Temple is not using this opportunity to amass wealth and extort the people. Instead, they are opening their granaries and distributing food to help the common folk. Especially this year, the imperial court, to fight wars, has been collecting taxes madly, and coupled with this year of heavy snow, many people in Nanling County have survived thanks to the relief provided by the Great Bright Light Temple."

Gu Mo said solemnly, "Then let's go ask."

Immediately, Ye Chen quickly finished the chicken, then ran into the woods to change his clothes. Afterward, the three of them headed towards the Great Bright Light Temple.