The sudden inquiry startled both Liang Xiao and Jian Qinwan.
Considering that Master Liuyun had just publicly shamed Jian Qinwan and might be suffering from a touch of senility, Liang Xiao fell into a brief silence, contemplating whether it was necessary to tell the truth.
Unexpectedly, Master Liuyun merely observed Liang Xiao's reaction, his voice full of vigor. "The divine intervention protecting Lúzhōu has naturally reached Chúzhōu as well. However, I have never believed in ghosts and spirits in my life, so I only believe that the Heavenly General is a living person."
Liang Xiao chuckled wryly.
It was true that people in this world generally believed in ghosts and spirits, but it was also normal for a small portion to be atheists. Wang Chong of the Eastern Han Dynasty had even written the "Lun Heng" to refute the theories of ghosts and spirits, believing them to be natural phenomena.
Seeing that neither of them responded, Master Liuyun sighed and said, "I was once a martial artist, not part of the court, but I can still vaguely guess the reason. I won't break it, and I believe you have your own judgment. With you in Great Qián, it makes me want to believe in the existence of 'destiny'."
Liang Xiao expressed his gratitude. "Thank you, old senior, for your understanding."
The Master Liuyun before him was indeed deeply hidden, not truly senile. At his advanced age, he could see through someone he had never met.
Of course, the main reason was that Master Liuyun himself did not believe in ghosts and spirits.
It was at this moment that Liang Xiao finally understood how special and profound the Tai Chi Dao was. The atheistic consciousness alone surpassed this era.
It was precisely for this reason that Master Liuyun did not allow people to burn incense and offer sacrifices, because he knew it was useless and a waste of resources!
"Now, you may ask your questions," Master Liuyun said with a smile.
Liang Xiao asked, "I heard that you know a lot about the Spring Revival Cult?"
Then, Liang Xiao truthfully recounted his grievances with the Spring Revival Cult to Master Liuyun.
Master Liuyun pondered for a moment and replied, "This Spring Revival Cult has a long history. A large portion of its core followers are actually from the imperial family of the Great Zhou Dynasty. They are more insidious than the remnants of the Great Heng Kingdom."
The imperial family of the Great Zhou!
This was a dynasty that existed only in historical records, buried in the forgotten corners of history with the territorial expansion of the King of the East Sea.
Now, Liang Xiao fully understood why the Spring Revival Cult was so eager to seize Lúzhōu.
Restoring the kingdom!
"The Spring Revival Cult is a hundred times more rampant than the remnants of the Great Heng Kingdom. They even collude with the barbarians and foreign countries like the Izumo Kingdom to cause rebellion. Their poisonous influence is widespread. That book, 'Refutation of the Spring Revival Cult,' is truly brilliant, and I presume it also came from your hand," Master Liuyun praised.
"How did you know, old senior? And why didn't you notify the court?" Liang Xiao nodded.
Master Liuyun smiled. "I discovered it by accident some time ago. A core follower of the Spring Revival Cult sneaked into Liuyun Temple to assassinate me. He failed and was captured, and later I enlightened him, and he told me about this matter. He was also influenced by your 'Refutation of the Spring Revival Cult' and wished to leave the Spring Revival Cult. Afterward, Liuyun Temple announced to the public that he had died in an accident, allowing him to flee far away."
"A branch of the Great Zhou Dynasty's imperial family was in the southwest. Before the King of the East Sea could reach them, they fled with vast wealth to the land of the present-day Peacock Dynasty. From then on, they developed in seclusion, combining local heresies to develop the Spring Revival Cult."
After speaking, Master Liuyun looked at Jian Qinwan, whose gaze was full of resentment. "The important matters are finished. Oh, little Qinwan, just say what you want to say."
Jian Qinwan chided him, "Grandpa, you are clearly not confused at all, and you still..."
"Still tease you and your husband in public?" Master Liuyun chuckled.
"Hmph~" Jian Qinwan's face turned red, and she turned her head away.
"It was your father's request. If you came to find me, he asked me to try and set you up in public," Master Liuyun said calmly.
Jian Qinwan was speechless.
Now, she suddenly felt a little afraid to face her own father!
"Although I do not believe in ghosts and spirits, and firmly believe that the Spring Revival Cult merely pretends to be divine, this is my personal belief. Young friend, you must be vigilant against the various methods of the Spring Revival Cult, including poisonous smoke, aphrodisiacs, anesthetics, traps, and fire attacks... I will give you all the content written by that reformed cult member later."
Liang Xiao was immensely grateful.
This Spring Revival Cult was far more formidable than he had imagined, capable of raising an army!
"In return, you will write those two brilliant phrases you just said on our couplets at Liuyun Temple."
As Master Liuyun stood up, both of them moved to help him.
"No need."
Master Liuyun simply chuckled and nimbly walked to the door to open it. Jian Qinwan stared in astonishment.
After the three of them left the study, Master Liuyun once again appeared to be a muddled old man with narrowed eyes, yawning and publicly ordering someone to fetch the brush, ink, and paper.
Upper Couplet: Malicious intentions, no benefit from burning incense.
Lower Couplet: Righteous conduct, why should one bow to me?
Completed in one go, penetrating and powerful, the whole place erupted in applause!
This was the first time the simple Liuyun Temple had displayed couplets, yet no one raised any objections.
Master Liuyun then allowed Liang Xiao and the others to move freely while he took a few disciples to excuse themselves briefly, saying he needed to get a gift for Liang Xiao.
Liang Xiao led everyone to visit a scripture repository on the west side of Liuyun Temple, and his gaze suddenly fell upon a scroll.
"Tai Xuan Jing."
Author: Yangzi!
Liang Xiao flipped through a few pages, shocked.
The content was remarkably similar to the "Tai Xuan Jing" he knew!
"Where is this Yangzi?" Liang Xiao asked.
Xiao He, who was responsible for their reception, now felt only deep reverence for Liang Xiao. He quickly replied, "Reporting to Marquis Anguo, it was written a hundred years ago. Yangzi has already ascended."
Liang Xiao sighed, carefully placed the "Tai Xuan Jing" back, and looked around.
All the books were ancient scriptures.
In a civilian residence in Chúzhōu, Hong Jie and Hong Qu were secretly discussing matters when a subordinate suddenly reported, "My lords, we've received news from the Spring Revival Cult. Liang Xiao has indeed arrived in Chúzhōu!"
After the subordinate left, Hong Qu frowned. "Is the Spring Revival Cult's information network this efficient?"
Hong Jie nodded. "Their followers are all over the world, so it's not surprising. However, we cannot trust them entirely, as they have their own hidden agendas. It's just that we both have a common enemy for now."
"Little brother, do you think the Marshal's expedition will be successful?" Hong Qu sighed.
Hong Jie shook his head. "I don't know, but without the help of the Cloud Sky Guard, we have absolutely no hope."
A moment later, two figures walked in through the back door. The brothers rejoiced and rose to greet them.
It was Zuo Wushang and a white-robed person whose face was entirely covered except for their eyes.
"Greetings, esteemed brothers." The white-robed person spoke, her voice clear and resonant.
The brothers were startled. "Why did you bring her?"
Zuo Wushang smiled. "She is the leader of the Cloud Sky Guard and can command half of the Cloud Sky Guard. She will assist Hong Jie in his plan to capture Liang Xiao and retrieve the princess!"
Back at Liuyun Temple, Liang Xiao and his group had casually browsed through some scriptures and returned to the main hall to wait.
A short while later, Master Liuyun also returned, followed by four disciples pushing small carts, each laden with a sandalwood chest.
After instructing the disciples to leave, Master Liuyun took out a key from his waist pouch and muttered, "You have rendered meritorious service in protecting the people of Lúzhōu. I shall bestow upon you a few treasures."
Liang Xiao quickly stepped forward to help, watching as Master Liuyun opened the first chest.
It contained a pair of specially made white gauntlets, with several ring-like iron bands on the finger parts!