Inside the Ancient Monastery, Zhao De looked at the ruined Buddha statue and could not help laughing:
"This used to be Great Nether Temple. Now only this one hall remains.
They say the Great Nether Buddha once answered prayers, and his followers numbered in the hundreds of millions."
"Master, was Great Nether Temple originally a power of Rong Kingdom? Did it later defect to the Great Dream Dynasty?"
Yang Ling was curious.
"Great Nether Temple belonged to the Great Dream Dynasty from beginning to end. Its monks came to Rong Kingdom to spread Buddhism and built good relations with the nobles. Later, Rong Martial Emperor sensed that the temple harbored disloyal ambitions and destroyed it."
Zhao De turned to Yang Ling. "Explain to your master how you advanced from Fifth Grade to Third Grade in less than a month."
"It's hard for me to explain. If I had to, I'd say I had a very long dream. I gained an insight, and my cultivation advanced by leaps and bounds."
Yang Ling spoke respectfully. "Please believe me, Master."
"Are you working for the Rong Martial Emperor?"
Zhao De asked suddenly.
"No."
Yang Ling answered without hesitation.
Zhao De nodded thoughtfully.
"Then are you a disciple of one of the Seven Great First-Rate Sects?"
"No."
"Were you sent by one of my enemies?"
"Absolutely not!"
"Are you my disciple?"
"Yes, Master!"
"If I told you to rebel, what would you choose?"
"I'd jump right into the rebellion!"
The questions and answers came fast. Zhao De gave Yang Ling almost no time to think.
Zhao De smiled faintly. "You're the Division Chief of Rong Kingdom's Iron Garment Division, a Fourth-Grade official."
"I can do without the rank."
Yang Ling's expression was solemn.
Zhao De nodded gently. "Can I trust you?"
"Yes!"
"Good. I've