Chapter 794: Chapter 491: Farewell to the Old Heavenly Master (Part 3)
Zhao Douan and Haitang and others were dumbfounded, inhaling sharply.
Good heavens...really good heavens...if this scandal gets out, it will absolutely shock the entire Great Yu.
As for its truth, considering Princess Yunyang’s character, Zhao Douan thought it was most likely true.
"But what’s the deal with this monk Bian Ji? Couldn’t contain himself? Got hooked so easily? Or did he break his vows on his own initiative?" Zhao Douan found it bewildering.
Based on his few encounters with Bian Ji, he always felt that this renowned handsome mage wouldn’t be the kind of licentious monk who couldn’t control his desires.
However, considering that old nun Bodhi also constantly thought about sleeping with him...it was like leader, like followers, so the monks in Divine Dragon Temple might not be that proper in private...
"Enough, suppress this matter, strictly prohibit its dissemination, and as for the nuns in Jizhao Temple...temporarily confine them to the temple and wait for further instructions." Zhao Douan mused for a moment and ordered.
Although Jizhao Temple was closely linked with Divine Dragon Temple, it should logically be destroyed.
But firstly, with Princess Yunyang confined within, if the nuns are captured, who will manage Yunyang?
Secondly, and more importantly, Bodhi the Bodhisattva and Xuan Yin were not of the same faction, opposing each other, and had reached an agreement with the Empress before.
Although the main altar of Divine Dragon Temple in the Capital was destroyed, the temples spread across the various states of Yu Country were still there.
And there were still many monks outside, who had not yet been brought to justice.
The words of the lame old monk were true, for over a thousand years, Buddhist Law had already taken root among the people of Yu Country, with a solid foundation of faith.
The need exists here, forcibly eradicating all monks could instead support Bodhi, thereby intensifying the division within the Buddhist community of Yu Country, aiming to weaken Xuan Yin.
As for Bian Ji inexplicably getting involved with Yunyang...let’s tell Zhenbao when we return to the palace, let her niece headache over it.
All Jinyi took their orders and left, Haitang, Zhang Han, and others also escorted a large number of monks into custody, but Zhao Douan said: "You all go back first, I’ll head home for a while."
No one was surprised: Mr. Zhao had been away from home for months, and now with the chaos in the city settled, he should indeed return home to report peace.
...
...
Breaking away from the main group, Zhao Douan, alone on horseback, distanced himself from the now-sealed Divine Dragon Temple.
A centuries-old ancient temple, destroyed in a day, was indeed quite lamentable.
However, Zhao Douan was not in the mood to lament, he spurred his horse on and, instead of returning home immediately, turned towards the direction of the Heavenly Master Mansion halfway.
During the battle at Baihua Village, four disciples from the Heavenly Master Mansion acted on the decree of the Old Heavenly Master to rescue Zhao Douan.
Although the situation was resolved by the Empress, this favor needed to be recognized, and reasonably and emotionally required a visit to express gratitude.
Furthermore, Zhao Douan also wanted to ask face-to-face why Old Zhang was treating him so well...last time at Hu Ting’s assassination, the Little Heavenly Master’s intervention could be considered as profiting from Zhao Douan’s reward.
But this rescue had already exceeded the scope of normal compensation.
Zhao Douan felt he needed to have an earnest discussion with Old Zhang to figure out what exactly this freebie-loving elder was scheming, otherwise he wouldn’t feel at ease.
Outside the Heavenly Master Mansion, Zhao Douan knocked on the side door, identified himself, just about to explain his purpose to the priest who came out to greet him, but the young priest smiled first: "The Heavenly Master already knew Lord Zhao would come, he ordered me to wait here and welcome you, please follow me."
Old Zhang is waiting for me? Zhao Douan felt an inexplicable tightness in his heart.
Step by step, he followed the guiding priest through the door, along the corridor, through the grandly large Taoist Heavenly Master Mansion as if it were a huge amusement park.
He arrived at a secluded courtyard, in front of which grew a lush and verdant large banyan tree.
"Please, the Heavenly Master is waiting for you." The guiding priest smiled, turning to leave.
Zhao Douan took a deep breath, mentally prepared himself, and raised his hand to push open the courtyard gate.
This was his first time coming here.
"Creak——"
The courtyard gate slowly opened, revealing a serene and quiet courtyard, within which stood a massive, flourishing, age-old banyan tree swaying slightly in the summer breeze, rustling with a "sasa" sound.
Casting down large areas of shade.
Beneath the banyan tree, two bamboo chairs were placed, alongside a low bamboo table, upon which was set a tea tray, a tea pet, some scrolls, and a plate of fruits.
In one bamboo chair, wearing a dark-colored priest robe, was the tall, slender-faced Taoist Heavenly Master, Zhang Yan Yi, lounging at ease.
As the breeze gently blew, Zhang Yan Yi opened his eyes, looked at Zhao Douan with clear eyes, and smiled slightly: "You came."