The night is like ink, tightly wrapping Lin'an City.
Chancellor Liang I don't know how I walked out of the palace.
He only felt that his legs were weak.
The back of the official robe had already been soaked with cold sweat, and now it clung to the skin, bringing with it waves of sticky chill.
The light of the lanterns on both sides of the street turned into dancing will-o'-the-wisps in his eyes, and any slightest movement made his heart tremble.
Finally, we arrived at the Prime Minister's Mansion and almost staggered across the high threshold. The familiar sights in the mansion did not bring any peace of mind.
He waved away the servants who came up to him, wanting only to return home as soon as possible and wrap his frightened mind in darkness and silence.
However, when he was walking through the flower hall, his steps suddenly stopped.
Under the dim light of the lantern, Zen Master Fahai, the abbot of Jinshan Temple, was sitting on a rosewood chair on the side of the flower hall, just like a stone sculpture in meditation.
At this moment, when he was blocking people in the flower hall of his inner house, his behavior revealed an extraordinary urgency, which was completely different from his usual calmness.
Normally, Chancellor Liang would inevitably feel a hint of displeasure in his heart, but at this moment, he didn't even have the energy to care.
He can completely understand why Fa Hai appears here.
Today, the chief eunuch led the imperial army and pounced on Lin'an major temples like wolves and tigers, confiscating assets and locking up monks. The city was filled with uproar and people were in panic.
"The officials will follow the example of the previous dynasty and destroy the Buddha!"
Such rumors are spreading secretly. As a Buddhist, Fa Hai is the abbot of Gold Mountain Temple. How can he not be anxious? How can he not panic?
"Zen Master..." Chancellor Liang's voice was hoarse, with the exhaustion of the rest of his life, "When... did you come?"
Fa Hai stood up immediately. Although he tried his best to maintain a calm expression on his face, his frowning white eyebrows and the beads that were unconsciously and quickly twisting in his hand revealed the anxiety in his heart.
"Amitabha, Prime Minister is back."
He made an inquiry, but his tone could not conceal his urgency, "The poor monk took the liberty of bothering me late at night, but it was actually because he was confused and felt like he was sitting on pins and needles."
"The great changes in the city today have shaken the world. The Prime Minister is a powerful minister and must know the inside story. This... what is going on? I hope the Prime Minister will make it clear!"
Chancellor Liang waved his hand feebly, leading Fa Hai to sit down again, while he slumped on the chair opposite, as if all his strength had been drained away.
He did not answer directly, but asked, "Zen Master, your Purple-Gold Alms Bowl is a Buddhist treasure. It is said that it can see the three realms and calculate cause and effect... Why don't you see for yourself what happened?"
Fa Hai heard this, with a hint of bitterness on his face, shook his head and sighed, "Amitabha, the Prime Minister is unaware of something. Although the Purple Gold Bowl is powerful, it has its limits."
"Your Majesty is the most important person of the Nine-Five Years. He is responsible for the important weapons of the country. He is protected by the mighty national destiny. He is surrounded by dragon energy. He is like a bright sun and cannot be looked at. Not to mention calculating the cause and effect, even a little prying with Law Eye may cause the national destiny to backfire. I don't dare to look at it, and I can't look at it."
Chancellor Liang After hearing this, a very strange look appeared on his face, as if he wanted to laugh or cry, and finally turned into a long sigh.
"Even you, a foreign monk, know this truth, but I've lost my mind and gone crazy."
Chancellor Liang lowered his voice and said slowly, "Since the Zen Master asked... Alas, this matter is not the "extermination of the Buddha" as rumored by the outside world."
He paused and organized his words: "Your Majesty summoned all eminent monks today to discuss the essence of Buddhism."
"Who would have known... who would have known that a group of people led by Lingyin Temple Temple Hui Ming would suddenly launch an attack in the palace with the intention of assassinating the Holy Emperor! This is a serious crime of treason! His Majesty was so angry that he ordered... severe punishment. The execution of the Nine Clans was in accordance with the law. It was aimed at the treasonous people, not Buddhism."
Fa Hai Listening, the tense expression on his face softened a little.
As long as it is not a systematic and premeditated "destruction of the Buddha", there is still room for change.
But the death of dozens of eminent monks still made his heart extremely heavy.
Chancellor Liang observed Fa Hai's face, changed the subject, and continued, "Furthermore, after this incident, His Majesty, instead of hating Buddhism,... instead, he developed a strong interest in Buddhism."
He leaned forward slightly. "Your Majesty personally told me that he wanted to find a great man with profound Buddhist teachings and profound virtues. He would come to the palace to teach him the essence of Buddhism and purify his mind."
He looked at Fa Hai with burning eyes, "Chan Master Fahai, you and I have been friends for many years. Your cultivation and virtue are unmatched by Lin'an in Buddhism. When this opportunity comes, the first thing I think of is you. Are you... willing to take on this important task and enter the palace to preach to His Majesty?"
Fa Hai was shocked, and there was great hesitation and struggle in his eyes.
Entering the palace? To face the king who just slaughtered dozens of monks with bloody means? This is tantamount to stepping into the dragon's den and the tiger's den! Who knows what the official's real intention is?
Chancellor Liang saw Fa Hai's hesitation in his eyes. He didn't know whether it was out of the public intention to relieve the king's worries, or the selfish intention of pushing this hot potato out of the way, or both:
"Zen Master, if you agree to this, you will be the Imperial Master."
"Educating the emperor and guiding the kings to the Buddha is not only a supreme honor, but also a great merit! For you personally, it is an opportunity to leave your name forever; for Buddhism, if your majesty can get close to the Buddha, wouldn't it be a real "Dharma protector" event? Its merits are enough to shine through the ages and protect temples all over the world!"
"Emperor... guide the king... glorify Buddhism..." These words echoed violently in Fa Hai's heart.
He practiced for twenty lifetimes, and all he wanted was to promote Buddhism and achieve Bodhi.
If you can become an imperial master and instill Buddhism into the most powerful people in the world, the influence and merits this will bring will indeed be far greater than practicing hard in Gold Mountain Temple behind closed doors.
He took a deep breath, and all the hesitation in his eyes was replaced by an almost gambler-like determination. He clasped his hands together and said in a deep voice:
"Amitabha. Since Your Majesty has the heart to worship the Buddha, and the Prime Minister shows such love, I, the poor monk... are willing to go."
Chancellor Liang looked at Fa Hai who had finally made up his mind, with mixed feelings in his heart. He didn't know if he was relieved for him, or if he was pushed into a deeper pit of fire.
Inside the palace, the lights are dim and dim.
The official sat high on the throne, looking down at the group of ghosts below the steps that were gathering and lingering with black and red evil aura - Shui Bo Mount Liang Ghost Lord, Song Jiang.
The hall was silent, except for the invisible pressure that filled the air like mercury, so heavy that even a ghost king like Song Jiang felt his soul stagnant.
After a long time, a dull voice came from the throne, breaking the dead silence:
"Song Jiang, you are very good." The official's tone did not reveal any emotion or anger, but it made Song Jiang's heart tighten, "It's really very good."
"My original plan had its own rules. But I didn't expect that you at Qiantang would be able to create such an extra "Ghost Plague" for me..." There seemed to be a hint of... appreciation in the official's voice.
"What you did made me unable to bear it. I changed my mind and wanted to adopt you as my adopted son."
"The Complete Book of Ancient and Modern Affairs" says: In the past Zhuanxu had three sons, who died and became plague ghosts. So in the twelfth month of the year, he ordered the officials to sacrifice Nuo and drag them into the room to drive away the plague ghosts.
Even though Song Jiang is a ghost, chapter update reminder: Chapter 48 Heaven-Severing Guards, reading address. His heartbeat had long since stopped. At this moment, his mind was shaking violently, and an indescribable ecstasy and throbbing instantly swept over him.
To become the adopted son of today's emperor? What a tremendous opportunity this is.
This means that he will jump from being a grass bandit ghost king to having an almost "orthodox" identity. He may even share part of the dynasty's luck, and his future prospects are limitless.
He raised his head suddenly, so excited that he almost blurted out his agreement.
However, when he saw the young face on the throne clearly, the words "Father" stuck in his throat like a fish bone, and he couldn't say it out no matter what.
He, Song Jiang, was also a hero during his lifetime, and after his death, he became a roaring ghost. He bowed down to a man who looked younger than himself and called him his father. This face of an old ghost was really difficult to erase.
Finally, he hid his ghost body deeply:
"Your Majesty's heavenly grace is so great! Song Jiang I will deeply appreciate it! Being able to serve as your Majesty's commander is already a blessing for Song Jiang's three lifetimes. I really dare not ask for more, which is arrogant to human ethics..."
There was silence for a moment on the throne.
"Oh?" There was no disappointment in the official's voice, but a hint of understanding smile, "You don't want to..."
This laughter gave Song Jiang chills to his soul.
"That's okay." The official didn't seem to force it. "In that case, let's take another path. Take an oath and dedicate your life, your loyalty, everything... everything you have to me."
"And I will confer you as my Daoist soldier, Heaven-Severing Guards."
This time, Song Jiang didn't hesitate.
"I, Song Jiang, hereby swear..."
After the oath was completed, he felt that he had established a master-slave relationship with the official family that was far closer and more absolute than any previous relationship.
"Since we have become one of our own, let me introduce two people to you." The official said in a casual tone, "I think you haven't seen each other for a long time."
As his words fell, the space next to the throne was distorted, and two figures slowly emerged from virtual reality.
When he saw the faces of the two people clearly, Song Jiang was overjoyed!
It turned out to be the think tank he had been searching for for many years but had no news about - Resourceful Star Wu Yong.
And his beloved general who he relies on most and who is sympathetic to his brothers and sisters-Little Li Guang Hua Rong.
"Study! Hua Rong, my dear brother!" Song Jiang exclaimed in surprise, and was so excited that he stepped forward.
However, Wu Yong and Hua Rong just stood there quietly, with expressionless faces and empty eyes, like two exquisite dolls.
The official's faint voice came. "No need to call, they can't hear you, and they won't recognize you. The cause and effect of the past is over, now they are just my "Heaven-Severing Guards"."
"Okay," the official waved his hand as if he had done something trivial, "Song Jiang, now that you have been granted the title, you can exercise your authority. Go ahead and call all your brothers who are scattered around. Before holding the ceremony in two days, I will complete the sacrifice of your brothers. Now you are full of ghosts. How do you behave?"
"Back then, my method of sacrificing Daoist soldiers was not yet proficient, and the two of them had some flaws, but now they are more confident. Just wait for a few days, and soon you will be good brothers who share the same mind."
Song Jiang stood stunned on the spot as if struck by lightning, with an endless chill in his heart.
As the sun rises, the golden light pierces the clouds, giving the stern imperial palace a solemn but cold outline.
Gold Mountain Temple abbot Chan Master Fahai, holding Azure Dragon Staff, wearing Brocade Kasaya, walking calmly Walker on the white marble royal road leading to Hall of Blessed Tranquility.
He was ordered to enter the palace to explain Buddhism to the emperor, but his heart was far less peaceful than it seemed.
The moment he stepped into Hall of Blessed Tranquility's outer hall, an invisible air of chilling air hit his face, suffocating the breath of a person like Fa Hai who had profound spiritual practice.
On both sides of the hall, more than a hundred armored warriors stood like sculptures.
They are not ordinary palace guards. They are all tall and tall, with fierce auras, wearing dark armor that is obviously not extraordinary iron, and holding long halberds with uniform standards and cold light.
Sunlight slanted in from the tall palace windows, shining on their armor and weapons, reflecting a cold metallic luster.
There was a faint ferocious aura around these warriors. They were silent, and even their breathing seemed to be synchronized, like an iron wall guarding the depths of the inner hall.
"There are so many brave men under your Majesty's command?" Fa Hai was secretly shocked, "Looking at his appearance, he is definitely not an ordinary soldier, but rather like... a ghost soldier crawling out of a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood!"
Among the indifferent faces, he could vaguely catch some familiar outlines.
That seems to be... the face I've seen in the portrait of Liangshan Marsh?
Could it be that the big black man wielding an axe... and the one with a calm face and holding a spear... As soon as this thought arose, he suppressed it forcefully.
"Impossible, the poor monk must be dazzled."
Gathering his mind, Fa Hai, guided by the chamberlain, walked into the inner hall and finally saw the official sitting on the royal couch.
The process of preaching was beyond Fa Hai's expectations.
The speed of his understanding and the sharpness of his thinking made Fa Hai, a monk who had practiced for twenty generations, secretly frightened.
An hour of sermons passed by in a flash.
Fa Hai When he was resigning, the official suddenly spoke, his voice was plain but with unquestionable dignity:
"The Zen Master gave a lecture today. He explained the sutra in a simple and profound way. I am very pleased. Is there anything you can ask for, Zen Master? But it doesn't matter. I will reward you."
Fa Hai paused in his steps, and countless thoughts flashed through his mind.
He turned around, clasped his hands together, and bowed deeply.
"Amitabha. Your Majesty generously rewarded me, and the poor monk is extremely grateful. The poor monk is an outsider and should not be greedy for external things. But..." He pondered for a moment, and his tone became solemn, "The poor monk follows the Buddha's decree and shoulders the responsibility of slaying demons and protecting the right path in the world."
"However, in today's world, demons are hidden. There are many people who are profound and cunning, and there are even some monsters. With their deep connections with the world, they are good at hiding and are extremely difficult to trace. Even if they are found, it will cost a lot to subdue them. If you are not careful, you may harm innocent people..."
He raised his head, glanced at the fierce warriors outside the palace, and his tone became more sincere:
"The poor monk observes that the officers and soldiers under your Majesty's command are all fierce warriors, with masculine energy and strong evil spirits. They are the nemesis of all kinds of evil spirits. I wonder... I wonder if your majesty can be merciful and allow the poor monk to mobilize some soldiers to help when necessary, so as to wipe out the demons and demons with the power of thunder, and restore a peaceful world to the world?"
After saying that, he stood quietly with his head bowed, waiting for the emperor's response. This was a request he made after much consideration. If he could borrow the power of these obviously extraordinary "soldiers" to deal with the Qiantang County White Snake and his followers, he would undoubtedly have a greater chance of winning!
"That's right."
Just two words, but Fa Hai felt a huge stone fall to the ground, and an uncontrollable joy surged into his heart! He suppressed his excitement and bowed deeply again:
"Poor monk, thank you for your grace! Your Majesty is wise!"
Fa Hai withdrew from Hall of Blessed Tranquility. When he passed the hundreds of warriors in the outer hall again, a burning expectation arose in his heart.
"Bai Suzhen... Your doom has arrived!"
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