Xu Changfeng's brow instantly furrowed.
"Your Heaven Character Camp is full of The Department's elites, starting at Brigade Commander rank. Why would you need to borrow people from my Xuan Battalion?"
Jiang Yuechu narrowed her eyes, resting her elbows on her knees and lacing her fingers together.
"Borrowing people... naturally means we need to take action."
"Against whom?"
Xu Changfeng asked subconsciously, but the moment the words left his mouth, he suddenly realized.
Who else in the entire Liangzhou Prefecture could make this girl so serious, even needing to pull in outsiders, besides Baosha Temple, which arrived the day before yesterday?
"Are you insane?!"
"Insane?"
Jiang Yuechu twitched her lips, revealing a cold smile. "Back in Hechuan County, I discovered Baosha Temple colluded with demons. Their Disciples even obstructed the Demon Suppression Division's investigation and showed great disrespect toward the Great Tang Court in their speech."
"So what if I kill them?"
"Sigh..."
Xu Changfeng let out a long sigh, his face filled with helplessness. He leaned back against the chair and rubbed his throbbing temples.
"I know all that you've said, but the Longyou Commandery is not what it used to be. The position of Commander has been vacant until now, and Lord Wei alone is already struggling in this Liangzhou Prefecture."
He looked at Jiang Yuechu, his expression more solemn than ever.
"Baosha Temple has been established in the Region for hundreds of years and is deeply rooted. On the surface, the temple has no less than ten Minggu Realm experts, and even a Core Formation Realm expert presiding over it—and that's just what we know."
"If you take action against them, regardless of right or wrong, you will be putting Lord Wei over a fire."
He paused, and his voice carried a trace of pleading.
"Jiang Yuechu, I'm begging you, don't be rash. Don't make things difficult for Lord Wei."
"..."
The smile on Jiang Yuechu's face had vanished sometime ago.
She quietly looked at the man before her, watching the helplessness in his eyes.
After a long time.
She slowly stood up.
"Lord Xu, all you've said is simply to tell me that Baosha Temple is powerful and troublesome."
She walked step by step to Xu Changfeng's desk, looking down at him.
Her cold eyes reflected his slightly astonished face.
"But have you ever considered..."
"That I am also very troublesome?"
...That night.
Fuyun Tower.
The entire restaurant was brightly lit, shining like day, illuminating half the street in perfect detail.
Outside the building, there was a constant stream of traffic, consisting of the carriages of prominent figures in the city.
Inside the building, the atmosphere was even more bustling.
The second floor had been entirely reserved. The spacious hall, which usually accommodated thirty tables, only held ten today. Every guest attending the banquet was a well-known merchant or wealthy gentry within Liangzhou Prefecture.
Everyone was drinking and chatting cheerfully, but their eyes constantly and involuntarily darted towards the empty seat at the main table.
"Lao Qian, your Old Madam is the most devout Buddhist. For such a grand occasion today, what generous gift have you prepared?"
From the adjacent table, a greasy-looking Silk Shop Owner, holding a wine cup, chuckled and leaned over.
Qian Hong put down his wine cup, a hint of complacency on his face, yet he waved his hand in feigned humility. "Not at all, not at all, it's just a small token of appreciation. My mother brought out the Former Dynasty Jade Buddha that she has worshipped for many years."
"Hiss—"
The few people nearby all gasped sharply.
A Former Dynasty Hetian Jade Buddha?
That was a priceless treasure!
Qian Hong enjoyed the envious looks of the crowd, feeling increasingly comfortable inside.
In the corner, Qian Boyong sat quietly, only occasionally casting a cold, sharp gaze towards Qian Shaoyou at another table not far away.
Qian Shaoyou wore a brand new brocade robe today and was fanning himself with a folding fan, boasting about something to a few Young Masters. He occasionally let out a burst of frivolous laughter, seeming completely out of place amid the flattery and deception filling the hall.
He seemed to sense his older brother's gaze, shrank his neck, and instinctively patted his chest pocket.
Just at this moment.
A commotion sounded downstairs. Immediately afterward, the manager of Fuyun Tower scrambled up, "They're here! They're here! The Great Master is here!"
The previously noisy hall instantly fell silent.
Everyone stood up simultaneously, their gazes uniformly fixed on the stairwell.
Two figures slowly appeared in everyone's line of sight.
Leading the way was an old monk with white hair and beard, wearing an old kasaya. His face was gaunt, his expression solemn, and he counted a string of Prayer Beads in his hand. His steps were slow, yet he possessed an imposing, mountain-like demeanor.
The moment he appeared, the luxurious splendor of the hall seemed to dim slightly.
Following behind him was a Young Monk.
"Master Wangchen!"
Qian Hong, leading the group of wealthy gentry, quickly rushed forward. Every one of them bowed, their faces full of reverence.
Forgetting Dust merely nodded slightly in response, his gaze sweeping across the hall before he walked straight toward the main table that had been empty.
Only after he was seated did the others dare to cautiously sit down, not even daring to breathe loudly.
"Amitabha."
The old monk pressed his palms together, chanted a Buddhist name softly, and then closed his eyes, as if the hall full of delicacies was nothing more than fleeting clouds to him.
The more he acted this way, the more profound and unfathomable the crowd found him, and the greater their reverence grew.
Qian Hong raised his wine cup, his face full of respect: "Great Master's presence in the Region is truly a blessing for the people of our Region. We have prepared this humble wine to welcome the Great Master and express our sincerity. I toast the Great Master with this cup!"
The guests throughout the hall quickly echoed him.
Forgetting Dust slowly opened his eyes, merely nodding faintly. He picked up the tea in front of him and took a sip.
"Amitabha, all benefactors are thoughtful."
The Young Monk beside him, however, snorted lightly, "Master does not enjoy worldly affairs. Baosha Temple appreciates the intentions of all of you, but please dispense with the wine and meat."
As soon as these words were spoken, the atmosphere immediately became awkward.
It was the Head of the Zhang Family who reacted quickly and immediately smoothed things over.
"Yes, yes, yes, we common folk were inconsiderate! Quick, replace this with the finest vegetarian meal for the Great Master!"
After a flurry of activity, the atmosphere warmed up again.
Qian Hong gave a look, and Qian Boyong understood. He quickly stood up, carrying a brocade box, and respectfully walked up to Master Wangchen.
"My mother is deeply devoted to the Buddha. Hearing of the Great Master's arrival, she specifically instructed this Junior to bring the Former Dynasty Hetian Jade Buddha, which our family has worshipped for many years, to present to the Great Master, as a token of the Qian Family's sincere devotion to Buddhism!"
The brocade box was opened.
The entire hall was filled with the sound of sharp intakes of breath.
The jade Buddha was flawlessly white, exquisitely carved, and under the illumination of the lamps, it actually emitted a layer of warm, precious light.
An undisguised flash of greed erupted in the Young Monk's eyes, but he quickly composed himself, pressed his palms together, and assumed a solemn expression.
"Amitabha, Benefactor Qian is thoughtful. Such treasures, tainted by the Mortal World, are not beneficial to Master's cultivation. However... Baosha Temple is currently planning to expand its main hall. If this Buddha statue were used to guard the hall, it could also illuminate the Dharma and bring salvation to all sentient beings."
With the Qian Family setting the precedent, the others naturally refused to be left behind.
The Head of the Zhang Family followed closely, presenting a Thousand-Year Wild Ginseng contained in a jade box.
"My Zhang Family is not as wealthy as the Qian Family. We only have a Thousand-Year Wild Ginseng that we obtained by chance. We heard it has the effect of prolonging life and strengthening the foundation, and we wish to present it to the Great Master to help advance his cultivation!"
"Amitabha, we Buddhists have long since viewed life and death lightly. However, this item possesses rich medicinal properties. If it were made into pills and distributed to the poor common people down the mountain, it would also be an act of immeasurable Karma."
Before he finished speaking, the jade box was taken away.
Next, gold, silver, jewelry, antiques, and calligraphy were presented like flowing water.
"This gold can be used to reshape the golden body of our Buddha."
"This painting can be placed in the Scripture Pavilion for future generations to admire."
"This item..."
At the main seat, the old monk Forgetting Dust kept his eyes tightly closed the whole time, murmuring incantations, as if everything external had nothing to do with him.
However, the speed at which he counted his Prayer Beads unintentionally quickened slightly.
On his gaunt face, the corner of his mouth curved up into a nearly imperceptible smile.
The hall full of sycophancy, combined with his feigned aloofness, created an extremely absurd picture.
Finally, the gift presentation segment came to an end.
The Head of the Zhang Family's eyes darted around. As if remembering something, he smiled and said to Master Wangchen, "Oh, Great Master, I heard that you specifically requested to meet Commander Jiang of our Demon Suppression Division this time?"
As soon as these words were spoken, the entire hall quieted down.
Everyone's gaze converged on Forgetting Dust.
Qian Shaoyou straightened up, his ears practically pricked up.
Forgetting Dust's hand, counting the Prayer Beads, paused slightly.
"That is correct."
He raised his eyes, looked at the crowd, and spoke in a calm voice.
"I heard that a Dragon-Slaying Fairy has appeared in the Region. Despite her youth, she possesses heaven-reaching abilities and protects the local populace. This is truly a blessing for our Region."
"this poor monk admires this greatly, and thus wishes to meet her and form a good connection."
His words were high-sounding and righteous, but few of those present were fools.
People from Baosha Temple sitting at the same table to eat with people from the Demon Suppression Division?
The Head of the Zhang Family's eyes rolled, and he quickly laughed, "Great Master is merciful. Although Commander Jiang has some merit, she is ultimately a Junior before an enlightened monk like yourself. To receive a word of praise from you is already an immense blessing for her!"
"Exactly! Exactly!"
The Head of the Sun Family quickly chimed in, "Young people, once they achieve a little success, they forget their place. They truly need an elder like the Great Master to guide them properly."
"Haha, Brother Sun, you are mistaken. In my opinion, Commander Jiang is lucky to have entered the Great Master's Dharma Eye. This is a good connection that others couldn't gain even if they begged for it!"
Compliments rose and fell throughout the hall. In every word, they were belittling Jiang Yuechu to elevate Forgetting Dust's status.
Qian Shaoyou felt secretly delighted, thinking these old fellows were absolutely right—that woman deserved a good lesson!
Forgetting Dust still kept his eyes closed, but the hand counting the Prayer Beads sped up slightly again.
But they waited and waited, and seeing the dishes on the table were getting cold, Jiang Yuechu's figure still did not appear.
Finally, someone couldn't hold back their impatience.
A bloated salt merchant slammed his wine cup heavily onto the table, his face full of irritation.
"What time is it already? The Great Master personally graced us with his presence, yet she, a mere Sixth-Rank Langjiang, dares to act so arrogantly? The Demon Suppression Division's airs are a little too grand!"
"Exactly!"
Another person chimed in sarcastically, "She is the Dragon-Slaying Fairy, after all. It's only right that common mortals like us should wait longer!"
As soon as this was said, a burst of laughter erupted in the hall.
At the main seat, Forgetting Dust slowly opened his eyes and sighed softly: "Amitabha, perhaps she was tied up with official duties and was delayed. No matter, no matter."
The more he acted this way, the more the crowd felt that the Demon Suppression Division was oblivious to favors.
"Great Master is merciful, but that Demon Suppression Division clearly doesn't respect you!"
"Exactly! Relying on the backing of the imperial court, they don't even respect Buddhism anymore!"
"Alright, alright," Qian Hong stood up and mediated, "Let's just wait a little longer."
Just at this moment.
A languid voice came from the stairwell.
"Oh, so lively?"
The clamor in the hall came to an abrupt halt.
Everyone uniformly looked towards the stairwell.
A Fat Monk wearing an ill-fitting kasaya appeared. Behind him followed two burly men: one had a fleshy face and fierce eyes, and the other carried a long sword on his back and looked arrogant.
Behind the three of them, a slender figure slowly ascended the steps.
Black was the base color, with a golden lion embroidered on the shoulder.
The moment she appeared, the lamps throughout the hall seemed to dim slightly.