Confucian and Taoist scholar

Wuqiu and the others underwent a check by the soldiers before they were able to approach Wang Meng.

Wang Meng sized them up and said with a smile, "You're the only ones here to help people in distress?"

Wuqiu said, "There are still more than ten people traveling with us, but we split up earlier."

Wuqiu then produced a newly compiled register of Buddhist monks from the Wei Kingdom to prove his identity.

Wang Meng took it and examined it, then said indifferently, "Mahayana Buddhism... I don't care what kind of Buddhism you are, but the propagation of any doctrines is strictly prohibited here."

Wuqiu said, "We have come to save people..."

Wang Meng said, "Alright, tell me about the situation in your Wei Kingdom. I heard that your Buddhist sect is being regulated and local people have been exempted from land taxes. How are the results?"

Wang Meng was quite interested in these things.

Regarding governance, the Shu Kingdom could learn a thing or two from it.

Without seeking words, he calmly and slowly recounted the events.

He was involved in many matters, so he spoke in great detail, and it didn't sound like a casually made-up boast.

Wang Meng listened attentively and asked some more detailed questions.

Afterwards, Wang Meng and Wu Qiu talked about Lu Zheng and Taiping Domain.

Wang Meng was certain that the young monk and Lu Zheng did indeed have some connection.

After a long talk, Wang Meng agreed that Wuqiu and the others could act in the city to treat the people, but they could not break the rules.

The group thanked them briefly and then took their leave.

Wang Meng sat there quietly, recalling and pondering the conversation he had just had, and felt that the relationship between Lu Zheng and the Buddhist community was quite unusual.

"Talented individuals will be valued wherever they go!"

Wang Meng couldn't help but sigh softly.

Not long after, several Taoists arrived in a hurry.

One of the men, his face clearly displeased, said, "General Wang, why were those Wei monks allowed into the city? This is utterly disrespectful..."

They were somewhat dissatisfied when they saw that Wuqiu and his companions were actually treating some ordinary people in the city.

Upon hearing this, Wang Meng leisurely replied, "They've come all this way to relieve suffering and do good deeds; we can't just send them away, can we? I've already warned them not to use the guise of saving people to spread any kind of teachings. On the land of my Great Shu, the establishment of any Buddhist temples is not permitted..."

"They're just a few young monks. Why don't you treat them like ordinary people? If Confucian scholars or martial artists come to do good deeds, are you going to turn them away too?"

The Taoist priests thought that things were still somewhat different; the scholars and martial artists were chivalrous and didn't compete with them for incense offerings.

Wang Meng said calmly, "Alright, there's no conflict between you two. I'll have people keep an eye on them. It's always better to have someone under your nose than to have them out of your sight, isn't it?"

Having heard Wang Meng's explanation, the Taoist practitioners couldn't find any other reason to leave, and could only depart in displeasure.

After the men left, Wang Meng's bodyguard's face turned cold, and he said in a deep voice, "General, these newly arrived Taoists are extremely rude, daring to question your decision. Should I send someone else..."

Since the Shu army attacked the Chu state, the imperial court has assigned some Taoist practitioners to assist in the operation.

However, these Taoists who lived in the sect for many years had not experienced so much life-and-death trials, and their attitude was somewhat arrogant, even when facing soldiers, they regarded themselves as having a noble status.

This wasn't the first time a Taoist priest had given Wang Meng a hard time.

Wang Meng simply smiled upon hearing this, "Why bother arguing with them? They've put in a lot of effort to stabilize so much territory, and we'll need their help in the future..."

Wang Meng paused for a moment, then said, "But speaking of which, the Taoist community these days is indeed a mixed bag, with all sorts of people. This can't go on like this."

After thinking it over, Wang Meng decided that he should write a letter to the emperor and offer some suggestions on how to regulate the Taoist sects in Shu.

The Buddhist sect in Wei was reformed, and the Confucian sect was in dire straits. If the Taoist sect in Shu is not reformed, it will eventually fall into ruin as well.

Wang Meng narrowed his eyes, a sharp glint in them.

He doesn't usually care about anything, but when he does, it's a different story.

A few hours later, Wang Meng handed a thick envelope to his subordinate.

"Make sure someone delivers the letter to His Majesty as quickly as possible."

"As ordered!"

……

The State of Chu, the State of Gui.

In the Ghost Market of the Mountain Abyss, the tall and imposing Wei Xing sat in his mansion, his face ashen, staring blankly into the dark night.

I heard that the State of Chu has been attacked by the combined forces of Shu and Han, and has already lost many cities.

Given the course of the war, it's possible that the conflict could reach this area at any time.

Wei Xing sensed that this was not good news.

Just then, a glimmer of moonlight appeared, and a hazy, graceful figure materialized.

Wei Xing's eyes narrowed as he looked at the person who had just arrived, a hint of wariness flashing in them.

He quickly and calmly replied, "It is an honor to welcome you, Lady Moon Goddess. May I ask what brings you here in person?"

The Moon Goddess gazed intently at the former dynasty's ghost general, her voice cold and clear: "What secrets do you harbor?"

Upon hearing this, Wei Xing's expression stiffened slightly, but he smiled and said, "What do you mean by that, Moon Goddess? I don't quite understand."

He didn't expect that this righteous god of Chu would ask such a question as soon as he arrived.

The Moon Goddess said calmly, "Back then, a sage's writings appeared in this place. Did you have nothing to do with that? Wasn't it you who brought out that thing?"

Wei Xing raised his eyelids, only to find that the other party had actually brought up the old matter again.

He couldn't help but grin. "The Moon Goddess's jokes are not funny at all. How could a ghost like me hide such a sacred text?"

"It's hard to say..."

The Moon Goddess said unhurriedly, "I investigated your surrender to my Great Chu back then. I heard that you made deals with quite a few people to get your current position, but all you get is this place, guarding a ghost abyss filled with the corpses of a million soldiers..."

"What is there here that you should be guarding? Or rather, what is the meaning of your life? What are you waiting for?"

The Moon Goddess stared intently at Wei Xing with her bright eyes, but did not use any divine powers or magic.

With her strength, she could easily suppress this ghost general.

But she didn't do that; who knows if Wei Xing had any hidden tricks up his sleeve?

Wei Xing narrowed his eyes, his face became even more gloomy, and the ghostly aura around him was even stronger than before.

"What exactly does the Moon Goddess want to say?"

The Moon Goddess said, "I only want one thing. If you have it, we can make a deal. I won't bother to find out how many secrets you are hiding."

Wei Xing's eyes flickered, and he asked, "What do you want?"

The Moon Goddess slowly said, "The previous dynasty established its country on the path of gods. I have heard that there is a divine artifact that can protect even a righteous god who has been removed from the path of gods."

Upon hearing this, Wei Xing looked at Yue Shen with a strange expression. "You're going to be removed from the list?"

The Moon Goddess is a highly regarded deity in the Chu Kingdom, so it's quite intriguing that the other party would want such a divine artifact.

The Moon Goddess explained, "It's just a matter of being prepared."

She had cultivated an avatar in the past as a precaution, but unfortunately, she got into a fight with a young man and destroyed her avatar...

The situation in the State of Chu has been unfavorable recently, and the amount of incense offerings received is far less than before.

Although the State of Chu was not yet on the verge of collapse, the situation was such that the gods would not have an easy time. The Moon Goddess was too late to cultivate a new avatar to protect herself, so she thought of what had happened before and felt that something was amiss. She then approached Wei Xing.

Seeing that the Moon Goddess spoke frankly, Wei Xing did not doubt the truth of her words.

The righteous god of Chu was also a human in disguise, so it's only natural that he would think about finding a way out for himself.

Seeing Wei Xing remain silent, the Moon Goddess continued, "I have something else to tell you. In less than half a month, Ghost State will likely be gathering Yin Ghosts as soldiers to fight on the front lines. At that time, I'm afraid even you won't be spared..."

"I can give you another seven days to consider. Next time you come, I hope to see what I want."

Wei Xing frowned and said, "Are you so sure I have such a divine artifact?"

The Moon Goddess said, "You'd better have one, so that it won't be troublesome for everyone."

Having said that, the moon goddess's figure vanished into nothingness as a hazy mist.

Wei Xing frowned as he looked at the spot where the Moon Goddess had disappeared.

He was surprised that the other party did not attack him. It seemed that they were genuinely wary of the extraordinary treasure he possessed, and were therefore willing to have a calm discussion with him.

But who knows, we might not meet again.

Wei Xing couldn't help but smile helplessly. How could he possibly possess the kind of divine artifact that the Moon Goddess had mentioned?
He didn't cultivate the divine path during the previous dynasty, so he didn't know much about these kinds of divine artifacts and treasures.

Perhaps only that one person knows...

"Summoning ghosts as soldiers... Has the war outside really reached this point?"

Wei Xing's expression was really not good. If he were appointed as a ghost general and sent out to fight, he would probably die.

At this point, it would probably be too late to seek help from other connections in the State of Chu.

Moreover, in order to keep a low profile over the years, he has not maintained any contact with those people with whom he had done business.

After thinking it over, Wei Xing sent some underlings out to gather information.

Time passes day by day.

Late on the fourth night, Wei Xing could no longer sit still. He quietly disappeared from his residence, sneaked into the great formation deep underground, and once again stepped into that hidden cave.

Inside the grotto, the weather cycles just like the outside world.

A serene woman sat in a stone pavilion, quietly watching the autumn wind sweep away the fallen leaves.

"your Highness……"

Wei Xing stepped forward and bowed respectfully.

The woman slowly turned her head, her eyes sparkling, "Long time no see, General Wei."

In this secluded paradise, the woman had no idea how many years she had spent there.

She even thought that one day she would grow old and die here, never getting a chance.

Wei Xing began, "I have something important to report..."

Wei Xing dared not hide anything and told the whole story.

The woman listened quietly until Wei Xing finished speaking.

She then asked, "So, this place is no longer safe?"

When she said these words, the woman felt a sense of relief.

Wei Xing said, "Given the circumstances, we can only ask the princess to go to Taiping Domain, where we may find temporary peace."

"Peaceful Domain? What place is that?"

The woman showed a hint of curiosity upon hearing this; the place name itself was clearly unusual.

Wei Xing quickly recounted many things that had happened in the outside world over the years, especially the events concerning the Taiping Domain, which he described in great detail.

The woman's eyes widened in astonishment when she heard that the Taiping Domain was built by the young man who had taken the Sage's Chapter.

Wei Xing said in a deep voice, "I think that the other side is safer, but I'm afraid I won't be going with the princess this time."

His intentions are too obvious, and the Moon Goddess will definitely be watching his every move.

After a long while, the woman spoke softly, "The general has done very well."

Wei Xing lowered his head and said in a deep voice, "It is my duty!"

The woman raised her hand and waved it, and two shimmering, colorful objects floated in front of Wei Xing.

A jade ruyi scepter, a jade seal.

The two objects quickly lost their luster and aura.

The woman said, "You can give this ruyi scepter to the Moon Goddess. Keep the jade seal; it can protect you if necessary. Live well..."

Wei Xing quickly said, "Thank you, Princess! I shouldn't have made you do this..."

The woman waved her hand and sighed, "They're just inanimate objects. As long as they can be put to good use, that's fine."

The woman stood up and said, "In that case, shall we set off now?"

Wei Xing solemnly said, "This humble general will cover the princess..."

After saying this, Wei Xing bowed and left the cave.

The next moment, he was outside and destroyed a part of the underground formation without hesitation.

A short while later, the entire mountain valley shook violently, and a thick aura of evil spirits rose into the sky.

Some remnant souls and evil spirits also emerged from the depths of the earth.

In the ghost market, many ghosts and monsters noticed the unusual commotion and fled one by one.

The entire area around the mountain was in chaos.

Wei Xing returned to his residence and sat quietly in the courtyard.

However, in a short while, the figure of the moon goddess appeared.

The Moon Goddess looked at Wei Xing and asked, "What did you do to disturb the Yin Qi Dragon Vein Formation here?"

Wei Xing grinned and said, "Didn't the Moon Goddess want a treasure? I'm getting one for you."

Wei Xing spread his hands, and a jade ruyi appeared in his hand.

The jade ruyi was in the Moon Goddess's hands in the next instant.

The Moon Goddess sensed the extraordinary power contained within this object. Although she did not yet know how to use it, she was certain that this was what she wanted.

Wei Xing then added, "We'll have to trouble the Moon Goddess to reinforce the great formation beneath the abyss. Otherwise, if all the lingering spirits and vengeful souls of the fallen soldiers were to rush out, they would form another powerful army of ghosts..."

The Moon Goddess frowned, not wanting to pretend she hadn't seen it, and said, "Take me there, the exact location..."

Wei Xing then took Yue Shen to the place where the problem first occurred, leaving her behind, hoping to buy some time.

On the other side, in the Yunmeng Great Swamp.

A woman dressed in white looked up at the sky and took a deep breath of the outside air.

She felt a sense of freedom, perhaps only for a short time, but it was still better than staying in that small space forever.

"This is Yunmeng Marsh, already outside the Chu Kingdom. Taiping Domain is in the north, and the north... is still very far. What's the best way to get there?" (End of Chapter)