Legend of Zhan Zhao

Chapter 116: Reading people accurately
Taoism and Buddhism have always been the schools most likely to produce masters.

Because of its long history and complete inheritance.

Since the founding of the Song Dynasty, with the support of the imperial court and its own inherent strength, Daxiangguo Temple became the first ancient temple in the world and the head of Buddhism, while Laojun Temple became the first Taoist temple in the world and the head of Taoism.

During the war between the Song and Liao dynasties, Lao Jun Temple also suffered heavy losses. The temple's abbot, Master Miao Yuan, passed away, and many of the temple's elders were killed or wounded. Nearly half of the Seven True Warriors, who were considered the most promising disciples, were also lost.

But their situation seemed to be much better than that of the Great Xiangguo Temple.

As is well known, there were two periods when Taoism flourished in the Northern Song Dynasty: one was during the reign of Emperor Huizong, who later embraced Taoism, and the other was during the reign of Emperor Zhenzong, when the Heavenly Book Fengshan ceremony was performed.

To consolidate his rule, Emperor Zhenzong of Song forged a "heavenly book" and held a grand Fengshan ceremony at Mount Tai, thus bringing Taoist deities into official worship.

According to Pang Lingyi, the Jade Emperor was revered as "Haotian Shangdi" (昊天上帝), which combined with the Confucian belief in Haotian. Laozi was further honored as "Hunyuan Shangde Huangdi" (混元上德皇帝), thus greatly elevating the status of Laozi Temple.

Not only did many Taoist temples receive special preferential treatment, but Taoist priests also enjoyed judicial immunity and tax and service exemptions.

That is, if a Taoist priest commits a crime, the Taoist Registry must first handle the case; secular government officials are not allowed to deal with it directly.

Taoist priests are exempt from taxes and military service. High-ranking Taoist priests enjoy the same salary as officials from the imperial court, and are granted money and land by the court.

Hearing this, Zhan Zhao slowly shook his head: "This is not a good thing for a martial arts sect!"

"Senior brother, you are wise!"

Pang Lingyi agreed: "I heard my father mention that since the Heavenly Book was born, Laozi Temple has begun to decline. Its disciples are of mixed quality, and they are increasingly indulging in extravagance..."

Zhan Zhao asked, "The Taoist priest from the Pang family?"

Pang Lingyi snorted: "At that time, all the powerful and wealthy people in the capital worshipped Taoism. Father did not want to be different, but he did not approve of those greedy Taoists and never took the pills recommended by them."

In later generations, people's impression of Taoism is often much better than that of Buddhism. Taoists are often seen as having an otherworldly and refined demeanor, while Buddhist monks are often depicted as fat and bloated. Zhan Zhao was no exception, and he also held this view.

But for the present day, it is the opposite.

Many people have a strong aversion to Taoist priests, believing them to be even more greedy than Buddhist monks.

Monks only ask for incense money and at least don't murder for money. Taoists, on the other hand, not only ask for money but also often practice alchemy. Several emperors in the early Tang Dynasty died from taking elixirs, yet countless people still blindly believe in them and suffer as a result.

Against the backdrop of the rise of Taoism, the Taoist community became a mixed bag, with all sorts of opportunists infiltrating it.

Unfortunately, the old abbot of Lao Jun Temple was killed, and many elders suffered heavy casualties. The new abbot could not resist the temptation, embraced imperial power, and cooperated with Emperor Zhenzong to promote the superstition of the Heavenly Book. As a result, extravagance flourished within the temple, and the temple's reputation deteriorated.

"Therefore, Luo Shijun does indeed have an opportunity to bribe the experts within such a Lao Jun Temple."

Zhan Zhao said, "But no martial arts master is unknown. If there is a master in Lao Jun Temple who has gone into hiding outside the temple and disappeared without a trace, then it is very likely that he has been won over by him."

Pang Lingyi frowned: "I always felt that my uncle didn't have the ability. He may have some money and be willing to use it to win people's hearts, but there are so many high-ranking families in the capital, which one is lacking in gold and silver? Why would a martial arts master need to rely on him?"

Zhan Zhao's eyes flickered: "We can also deduce something from Sun Tao."

“Sun Tao exposed the secrets of the Liaoning spies and then used them to blackmail Luo Shijun.”

"Even if Luo Shijun discovers something amiss, will he choose to expose this person for the sake of the nation, or will he cover for him and continue to promote him?"

Pang Lingyi answered without hesitation: "Keep covering it up! He's never been one to use people unscrupulously!"

Then she understood: "Senior brother, do you mean that this grandmaster committed a crime? Other powerful and wealthy families dared not take him in, so his uncle recruited him and secretly enshrined him in Tianxiang Tower?"

"That's easy! We can investigate the Pang family's affairs!"

The Pang family has deep roots, and Pang Ji especially values ​​intelligence gathering. Lao Jun Temple is the most prestigious Taoist temple in the world, attracting attention from many parties, so there is indeed a chance to find information about it.

"Thank you, junior sister, but if it's Lao Jun Temple, it would be faster for Da Xiang Guo Temple to step in."

Zhan Zhao believed that the Pang family had the capability.

However, the Six Doors group was still inside Tianxiang Tower, and given the time constraints, they had to take a faster route:

“I have a junior brother who has already returned to Daxiangguo Temple. As for how well we know each other, Daxiangguo Temple, being the head of both Buddhism and Taoism, is certainly no stranger to Laozi Temple. He should have received news from there.”

"it is good!"

Pang Lingyi nodded, but still concerned for his safety, she suggested, "Senior brother, a grandmaster is a grandmaster after all. Why don't I lure Luo Shijun out of Tianxiang Tower..."

She stopped addressing him as "uncle" and said directly, "I used my lust for the Xi Yan Flower as an excuse. Luo Shijun is blinded by greed and will not suspect anything. Once he leaves the building, I will arrest him. The masters in Tianxiang Tower will not be able to harm Constable Li's life without instructions."

"inappropriate."

Zhan Zhao shook his head decisively: "You are greedy for the anti-aging effects of the Xi Yan Flower, and Luo Shijun is indeed likely to believe it. But you cannot explain why your father would let you out of the mansion after a series of murders. Once Luo Shijun becomes suspicious of this, you will be in danger. You must not take any chances!"

"All right!"

Pang Lingyi felt a surge of joy: "I'll listen to my senior brother and not take any risks."

Zhan Zhao knew that if the other party was truly a disciple of Lao Jun Temple, with the Great Xiangguo Temple intervening, there shouldn't be any need for war. However, Luo Shijun was ruthless, and to prevent this person from sowing discord and causing unnecessary conflict, luring the snake out of its hole was indeed a good method. So he asked, "Where is your maid? Can she go forward and ask for the flowers in your place?"

Pang Lingyi shook her head: "They are not capable of doing anything. I have never been used to letting maids represent me, and Luo Shijun knows this."

That's the downside of being family; you know each other inside and out.

Just as Pang Lingyi knew that Luo Shijun was not only selling flowers, but also trying to control her and her daughter, Luo Shijun was also very familiar with this niece.

Fortunately, Pang Lingyi pondered for a moment, then her eyes lit up: "I've got it!"

Before long, Pang Xu appeared before him with a cheerful smile: "Master! Little sister! You were looking for me?"

Seeing that he wasn't surprised at all that the two were standing together, Zhan Zhao knew that his junior sister had a good eye for people.

As expected, Pang Lingyi said directly, "I want Xiyan flowers. Second brother, go to your uncle's residence and ask him for some!"

Pang Xu's expression immediately changed: "That flower has already killed two people. It's such an ominous sign. Little sister, you should just forget about it."

Pang Lingyi retorted, "Does a haunted house in the capital, where someone died, mean that no one lives there anymore?"

Pang Xu choked.

Given the housing prices in the capital, that's definitely impossible. At most, rents might drop a bit, but once the turmoil subsides, they'll have to go back up.

But the problem is that this analogy is even more ominous, isn't it? Who would compare a face cream to a haunted house?
Pang Lingyi harbored extreme disgust for the evening primrose, which was naturally reflected in her words: "Second brother, are you going or not?"

"Go away! Go away! It's just bringing back some flowers, isn't it?"

Realizing that his younger sister was in a bad mood, Pang Xu sighed and said to Zhan Zhao, "I'm sorry to have made you laugh, Master."

Zhan Zhao smiled.

Compared to Luo Shijun's scheming, this is true kinship.

Although Pang Lingyi believed that Luo Shijun would not suspect anything since her second brother was involved, she still gave him detailed instructions.

Finally, Pang Xu became a little impatient: "Little sister, when did you become like your mother? I'm a grown woman, do I need to be told and reminded so many times just to pick up a few flowers?"

"Hmph! You don't appreciate kindness!"

Pang Lingyi's eyes flickered: "Master, my second brother is also very persistent in practicing martial arts. Why don't we enroll him in the Great Xiangguo Temple as a lay disciple?"

It's impossible for a senior apprentice to take on a disciple. First, there's a difference in seniority, and second, the master-disciple relationship cannot be taken lightly.

For martial arts practitioners, disciples are the closest people, sometimes even more so than their own children.

Since one cannot choose one's own children, disciples can be selected and are often more likely to inherit the master's will.

So even if it's a joke, it's impossible for him to take on apprentices.

But lay disciples are different.

Pang Xu was reluctant: "A lay disciple... can he really learn real skills? The monks in the temple aren't as skilled as the master, are they?"

"Why should I worry, Second Brother?"

Pang Lingyi chuckled and said, "With the title of a lay disciple, wouldn't the master be able to instruct you in martial arts? When you go to the hunting grounds in the future, you won't have to worry about being outshone by the young man from the Cao family. You can even suppress his limelight!"

"Oh? That's great! Ever since that young Cao became a disciple of Xiaoxiang Pavilion and learned swordsmanship, he's become quite arrogant!"

Pang Xu's spirits lifted: "Master! Then please accept me into your temple. I also want to learn the true superior martial arts!"

"Ok."

Zhan Zhao agreed.

Pang Xu probably can't endure the hardship. He should know that his current skills are the result of ten years of hard training in his hometown, day in and day out, without stopping in the cold or heat. For martial artists, the most taboo thing is to be frivolous and take shortcuts when building a foundation.

However, since Pang Lingyi wants to fight for a chance for her brother, why not give him one?

I wonder if Jiewen will continue to laugh.

The Great Xiangguo Temple has recently been recruiting talents from all directions!
How could Pang Xu, as Pang Ji's biological son, not be a talented person?

After Pang Lingyi finished giving her instructions, Zhan Zhao led the spirited Pang Xu out of the mansion. Sure enough, Pang Ji ignored his second son as soon as he left.

Just as the servant brought the horses, Gu Lin appeared in front of the mansion gate. He greeted Pang Xu and immediately transmitted his voice, saying, "The temple already knows about the situation at Tianxiang Tower. Senior Brother Jiewen consulted with Uncle-Master Chihui and suspects that the master hiding in the tower is 'Xuanyinzi' from the Danding lineage of Laojun Temple."

Zhan Zhao asked, "What has this person done?"

Gu Lin was extremely cautious: "He was the late emperor's personal alchemist, and once held a position comparable to a prime minister. The pills he refined were extremely rare. The Imperial Medical Academy's 'Ten Perfections Pill' was developed by him. He was also the leader of the 'Seven True Martial Masters' of Laozi Temple, and his reputation was renowned throughout the martial arts world. However, he was also both praised and criticized, and was eventually expelled from Laozi Temple. He was a legend in the past!"

(End of this chapter)