Outside the western suburbs of Yanzhou, Liang Xiao's convoy was stopped by a troop.
The troop numbered a hundred, all in the attire of the Feathered Forest Guard.
The soldiers stationed around Bodhi Temple, like the Feathered Forest Guard, could only be commanded at will by the Emperor of the Great Gan dynasty and the two chief commanders of the Shadow Guards!
"Do you have official documents for being here?" the captain in the lead asked sternly.
Liang Xiao took the official document from his carriage and handed it to the captain.
"So it's the Marquis of Anguo, my apologies! Your subordinate is Captain Li Long!"
After verifying the document, the captain was both surprised and delighted, and together with his soldiers, he saluted Liang Xiao.
Liang Xiao praised them, "You have done well, but why are you stationed here for such a long time?"
Li Long explained, "A total of five hundred Feathered Forest Guards protect Bodhi Temple. This has been the regulation since the founding of the Great Gan dynasty. We dare not inquire about the reason..."
Liang Xiao nodded slightly, but became even more puzzled.
How did Mu Xueqin know that treasure was hidden here?
After Li Long returned to his post, everyone continued their journey, arriving at the main entrance of Bodhi Temple. They looked up.
Ahead lay one hundred and eight steps, and a seemingly massive ancient temple stood there, nestled against the mountains and forest, exuding an ancient and serene atmosphere.
Several monks were sweeping fallen leaves at the temple gate.
Liang Xiao looked at the plaque of Bodhi Temple and listened to the ringing of the bell, his heart filled with complex emotions.
His hands were stained with the blood of countless people. Unless the mission required it, he would never approach a holy Buddhist site.
But Mu Xueqin had shown him great kindness, and Liang Xiao could only come here to investigate.
Jian Qinwan, dressed in purple, looked like a fairy stepping out of a painting, breathtakingly beautiful. She walked to Liang Xiao's left, unable to resist stealing glances at him.
He wore white robes as pure as snow, a sword hanging at his waist, his bearing noble and elegant, truly a distinguished young gentleman in a chaotic world.
Even the Tianshan senior disciples, led by Chen Shaoling, looked impeccable, but standing next to him, they seemed somewhat... indescribable.
Yue Lian held Liang Xiao's arm, never leaving his side, afraid of falling behind.
When everyone reached the bottom of the steps, Jian Qinwan and the Tianshan swordsmen ascended without hesitation. Liang Xiao and Yue Lian, however, stopped there.
Jian Qinwan turned back and smiled, "What? Are you afraid to enter Bodhi Temple because you've done something wrong?"
Liang Xiao chuckled wryly, finally taking a step forward and resolutely ascending, "Yue Lian, stay close."
Since he was here, he would face it with an open heart and without fear!
Yue Lian obediently agreed, her face beaming as she looked at the plaque.
Her young master would surely be respected by the monks here!
Jian Qinwan saw this, appearing to disdain it on the surface, but secretly rejoicing.
This fellow, as the Marquis of Anguo, had done so many things beneficial to the country and its people. Even enlightened monks would surely hold him in high regard. Yet, he hesitated here about whether to enter?
And that General Tian, who was invincible on the battlefield and had slain countless enemies, could it be...
Everyone finally arrived before the main gate of Bodhi Temple. Chen Shaoling asked a young novice at the entrance, "May I ask if Master Hong Ren is here?"
"Master Hong Ren?" Liang Xiao's heart leaped.
Another familiar name from his past life! Was it mere coincidence?
"The abbot is meditating with the senior monks in the main hall. This humble monk can go and inform him," replied the novice.
Because of the protection of the Feathered Forest Guard, those who could enter Bodhi Temple openly were all permitted by them.
Liang Xiao smiled, "No need, we will go in to pay our respects."
The novice responded and continued to lower his head, sweeping the ground.
Liang Xiao glanced at the sweeping monks and nodded slightly.
These monks, compared to ordinary monks in the outside world, appeared to possess more Buddhist nature.
The group arrived outside the main hall and was finally stopped by thirty cudgel monks, "The abbot is meditating in the main hall. Please announce your purpose of visit."
Chen Shaoling stepped forward to introduce them, "This is the Marquis of Anguo of the Great Gan dynasty. I am Chen Shaoling, the eldest disciple of the Tianshan Sword Saint. This is the daughter of the Medical Saint and my master, a highly accomplished disciple of the Qin Saint, the Qin Immortal Jian Qinwan."
The cudgel monks looked at Liang Xiao and his group with surprise. The leading cudgel monk clasped his hands together and bowed to them, "So it is the Marquis of Anguo. We have heard of the Marquis's deeds recently and hold him in high admiration. Please allow this humble monk to inform the abbot."
The group waited for a moment. The cudgel monk quickly emerged from the main hall and bowed to Liang Xiao again, "Marquis of Anguo, the abbot has arrived."
Everyone looked closely and saw an old monk with white eyebrows and a white beard, clad in a kasaya, holding prayer beads, emerge from the main hall and bow to Liang Xiao.
"Your arrival, Marquis of Anguo, is indeed unexpected. Please forgive our lack of timely reception! This humble monk's dharma name is Hong Ren, and I am the current abbot of Bodhi Temple."
Liang Xiao quickly returned the bow, "You are too kind!"
Jian Qinwan took out Mu Xueqin's letter from her sleeve and handed it to Hong Ren, "Master Hong Ren, this is a letter from my mother to you. Please read it by yourself."
"It is Donor Qinwan. It has been many years, I hope you are well," Hong Ren nodded, motioning for the monks behind him to attend to other matters, and began to read the letter alone.
Liang Xiao watched Hong Ren. He first nodded slightly, then his face showed confusion, followed by a twitch of his brows, and finally a slight frown, accompanied by a wry smile.
Everyone observed this, not understanding why.
What content could cause Hong Ren's expression to change so drastically?
Hong Ren looked at Liang Xiao again and sighed, "I will certainly do my best to fulfill the Medical Saint's request. However, these two supreme treasures are the treasures of our temple and cannot be delivered lightly. Furthermore, the Marquis of Anguo may not dare to use them..."
"What is it?" Everyone was taken aback. Even the distant cudgel monks looked bewildered.
Hong Ren sighed and said, "Marquis of Anguo, Qin Immortal, please follow this humble monk."
Liang Xiao pulled Yue Lian along and said, "Yue Lian is my family. She won't reveal any secrets. She can come too!"
Yue Lian, afraid of causing trouble for Liang Xiao, said timidly, "Young master, it's fine if I wait here with senior Chen and the others..."
Hong Ren glanced at Yue Lian and sighed, "No matter, Donor Yue Lian may also come."
The three followed Hong Ren into the depths of the mountains and forests, arriving outside a storeroom guarded by a group of white-robed cudgel monks.
"The first supreme treasure is located here."
Hong Ren said, taking out a set of keys. Four keys were inserted into the four keyholes of the iron door, finally opening it.
Jian Qinwan and Yue Lian's breathing became somewhat constricted.
Was the treasure Liang Xiao needed inside?
Liang Xiao's expression grew solemn: with the Feathered Forest Guard, this storeroom seemed impenetrable. Such layered protection indicated that whatever was inside was world-shattering!
Hong Ren sighed, "Marquis of Anguo, if you cannot take this item, please do not reveal it. This item was left by the King of Donghai of the previous dynasty."
Liang Xiao and the other two changed their expressions: The King of Donghai of the previous dynasty?!
Entering the storeroom, Hong Ren lit candles, and everyone finally saw the state of the storeroom.
In front was a weapon rack, on which was placed a weapon resembling a halberd.
It was entirely silver-white, over a Zhang in length. The head was similar to a halberd, but unlike it, almost all parts of its head had a blade. Even the support connecting the halberd to the two crescent blades was as sharp as a knife's edge.
It could be imagined that the head of this weapon, shaped like a halberd, could cut down enemies like grass, whether it was swung, swept, thrust, or even pulled back.
Liang Xiao was certain this was an incredibly cruel killing weapon!
The cruelest killing weapon in the world was being kept in the purest Buddhist sanctuary!