I became an immortal in the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 283 Your Majesty, the Poison Wine Has Arrived

The monk answered with his hands clasped together.

"I've seen it."

The officials and palace maids inside the palace were astonished.

"Since they have come to Chang'an, why did they not see me?" the emperor asked.

The monk bowed slightly and explained, "My old benefactor is used to a life of leisure and rarely cares about worldly affairs. Even if someone were to summon him to the palace, he would not accept the official position."

"Back then, I only came to see the bustling city of Chang'an, and then I went back."

The emperor shook his head.

He raised his hand, "I may grant him a temple."

"And that immortal, if he were to appear, would he truly possess divine powers? I can build a temple for him and order all Taoist priests in the land to worship him."

"The monk can pass this message on to them."

This is already a huge commitment.

Nowadays, Taoist temples enshrine only the Three Pure Ones, or Laozi, the Supreme Lord of Heaven, the Star Lord of the Big Dipper, and the deities of the Five Sacred Mountains. Many Taoist temples also enshrine the City God and the Earth God from the surrounding area.

Serve to the high platform.

Born as a human immortal, die as a ghost or god.

As long as the Tang Dynasty exists, there will always be worshippers.

The monk thought for a moment and then declined on Mr. Jiang's behalf.

He sighed:
"Although we do not know the seasons and weather of immortals, this humble monk once heard an immortal casually speak about the past and present, about the human world, about the sun, moon, mountains and rivers. It was so mysterious and profound that it is unforgettable."

"If we really want to talk about it, it probably predates Taoism by some extent."

"If that's the case, why would immortals care about these things? They'd probably only find the incense offerings a nuisance."

"Your Majesty, please rescind this order."

"As for the worldly riches Your Majesty promised, in the eyes of true immortals and gods, mortal dynasties are nothing but fleeting clouds, gone in an instant!"

The officials and eunuchs roared angrily.

"Be bold!"

"How dare you curse my Great Tang Dynasty to have a short lifespan!"

"Take him down quickly—"

The emperor's expression darkened slightly. He looked at the monk and smiled.

"I heard that when the sorcerer extended Prince Qi's lifespan, he claimed to know a kind of talisman. I wonder if he could demonstrate it?"

"If there truly is a miraculous method, it proves that the Master is indeed a person of the world, and I will not pursue those words you just said."

The monk shook his head.

The way he said those things just now meant he had already foreseen his fate.

"This humble monk's cultivation is shallow; I can neither fly nor burrow underground. Showing off talismans is more like a child's joke. I have no miraculous methods."

He clasped his hands together and said nothing more.

An official from the Prince's residence came out, bowed to the Emperor, and respectfully said:
"If Your Majesty wishes to see Zhang Guolao and that immortal, I have a way."

"tell me the story."

The officials of the Prince's residence addressed the monk with utmost respect, changing their form of address:

"I believe that if what this monk said is true, and Zhang Guolao and that immortal are really that powerful, they should know about today's events."

"It would be better to grant this man death."

"If it's true."

“Zhang Guolao enjoys excitement and will surely be watching from the sidelines, willing to show himself. And this monk has died once before, so as long as a master uses magic, he can naturally be brought back to life. It's a win-win situation for both of them.”

"If it's fake."

“This monk spreads heretical doctrines and even curses the Tang Dynasty. He deserves to die ten thousand times over.”

After the words were spoken, the hall fell silent. Everyone looked at the Venerable Guan Yan. Among them were people who had witnessed his Taoist arts and received his favors at the Yanzhou Palace. A eunuch wanted to step forward, but ultimately lowered his head.

The emperor's expression shifted between light and dark.

He looked at the monk.

"If you, Master, can summon Zhang Guolao or an immortal, as long as you can summon one of these two to see me, you will be spared from death."

"I'm giving you this last chance."

All eyes turned to them.

A former official from Prince Qi's residence, unable to bear it any longer, hesitated for a moment before speaking: "Master, you should quickly apologize to His Majesty. Those who are not monks have made mistakes in their words and actions, alas..."

The monk bowed his head.

He wasn't fearless, nor did he know if his old benefactor would save him this time. He pressed down his slightly trembling hand, paused for a long time, and then the monk finally spoke:
"This humble monk does not have such a great face."

"I can't see immortals and gods just because I want to."

There was silence in the hall.

Even the official who had initially pleaded for him lowered his head, sighed inwardly, and dared not speak again.

The emperor looked around the hall.

He had lived in this palace for seventeen years. He was very familiar with every blade of grass, every tree, every flower, and every scene. Even the carvings on the palace were very familiar to him. Under the black glazed tiles were vermilion palace walls. There were only a dozen or so officials and palace servants in the palace. Further away were the imperial guards on duty.

I wonder if the immortals have come, and where they are.

The emperor turned his gaze to the monk.

Master Guanyan kept his head down, his bald head covered with fine stubble. The robe he wore was a gift from him.

The emperor waved his hand and gave instructions to Gao Lishi.

"As you say, Wan Qing—"

"Give him poison."

Gao Lishi carefully withdrew from the main hall. As he passed the high monk, the monk straightened his robe to make sure it didn't block his path. Gao Lishi glanced down at him; the monk's hands were still trembling.

I was afraid inside too.

After Gao Lishi left, the officials in the hall began to try to justify the monk's earlier remark.

"Our Great Tang Dynasty enjoys favorable weather and abundant harvests, peace and prosperity, full granaries in every household, no famine, and the people are unaware of war. Surely our empire will be forever secure, and our imperial rule will be far-reaching."

"exactly……"

Right next to the emperor, Zhang Guolao and Jiang She shook their heads.

The two stopped listening to their flattery and walked up to the monk.

A cat and a donkey followed behind, the donkey's hooves still treading on the mud beside the mountain stream, leaving many hoof prints.

I heard the monk chanting Buddhist mantras in a low voice.

"So this silly monk was waiting for me here."

"Looks like we're about to face another round of trouble..."

Zhang Guolao sighed for a moment, then looked at Jiang She and asked with a playful expression:
"Will you be able to appear later, sir? They are searching for you in the quest for immortality."

"Perhaps if you, sir, were to step in, you could also become a high-ranking official."

Jiang She burst into laughter.

He stroked the cat that was peeking out and said, giving way.

"Let Elder Guo do it."

"It seems that Guo Lao has a better chance of getting an official position than I do."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Guolao's wrinkled old face became even more worried. He tugged at his beard, and two white hairs fell out, causing Zhang Guolao to feel a pang of regret. He quickly regrown his long beard back on.

He also encouraged the precious white donkey whose feet were covered in mud.

"Stomp on it a few more times."

"They should be disgusted."

The white donkey flicked its tail, not understanding what its old master was talking about.

Zhang Guolao sighed deeply and glanced enviously at the cat that had curiously run onto the dragon throne and was scratching and clawing at it.

"You donkey are really stupid, you can't even understand what I'm saying."

"Everyone else is already learning lightning magic, what can you do?"

The donkey couldn't understand, so it lowered its head and chewed on Zhang Guolao's sleeve, making it all crumpled. Zhang Guolao then struggled to pull the sleeve back from the donkey's mouth.

Jiang She laughed loudly.

The immortal and the master chatted idly, seemingly oblivious to everyone else, yet the atmosphere inside the hall was solemn.

After a while, Gao Lishi entered the hall carrying a small table and bowed, saying:
"Your Majesty, the poisoned wine has arrived."

"Master, please."

【Ask for monthly ticket】

(End of this chapter)