I was a charlatan in India

"In that case, let's proceed according to the divine messenger's plan."

Faced with the entreaties of the heavens, Maha Tathagata finally wavered.

However, he still had a vague feeling that something was wrong.

The Mahakala Cult in Varanasi, which has recently been expanding rapidly, is finally holding its first major internal event.

"Thump—!"

The melodious sound of the sacred bell rang near the statue of the Great God, where a huge crowd had already gathered.

Just last night, almost all believers heard the voice of the heavens.

"Your destiny is about to take a crucial turn."

"At sunrise tomorrow, come to my idol to receive your transformation!"

A dense mass of people stretched from the stone steps all the way to the Ganges River, each feeling special.

They all believed that it was this period of arduous practice that had finally brought about a qualitative change!

Haha, I'm going to become a Brahmin!

A person from all corners of the world who practices asceticism has attained the status of a Brahmin in this world!

Those brothers were right...

Pooh!

I am someone who has received divine instructions from the heavens. How dare they, a bunch of lowly people, call me brother?

Yes, an oracle!

I am the one and only chosen one!

The Vaishya merchants all put on their finest cotton robes, many with gold thread sewn onto their cuffs, fully demonstrating their economic power.

The Shudra artisans, on the other hand, washed away the wood chips and paint from their bodies and presented themselves in their most presentable form.

Even the worst Dalit looked at the benevolent statue of the Great God with shining eyes and anticipation.

Every social stratum is filled with hope.

Even the divine feedback became incredibly harmonious at this moment, having almost no negative impact on Shenhe.

That's fantastic! Everyone has a bright future ahead of them!

Under the vast sky, three seats are set up side by side.

The tiger skin in the middle, covered in mottled patches, belongs to the city lord, Surieh.

On the left and right sides, naturally, are the Shen River and the Mahata.

Two rows of Surya's personal guards stood nearby, their armor gleaming coldly in the morning light.

Near the square, freshly cut banana leaves were spread out, sprinkled with water, making them very translucent.

Those standing on top naturally felt they had secured a good spot and felt even more special.

Those who didn't manage to get a spot cursed inwardly.

Bah! I don't have the favor of the heavens. You dare to steal my position? You'll regret it!

"quiet!"

The soldiers spoke in unison.

Immediately afterwards, four burly and strong men carried out a wooden board covered with a red cloth, which looked quite mysterious.

The buzzing from the crowd subsided, and everyone nervously looked towards the stage.

After all, the heavens have said that this is a turning point in their fate!

"Blessed by the great heavens, and graced by the city lord."

The soldier shouted, "To propagate the true Dharma and enlighten all beings, from this day forward, the Mahakala Order is officially established in Varanasi!"

The strongman promptly tore off the red cloth.

Several lines of words were painted on the wooden board, neat yet eye-catching.

The followers of the order are divided into five classes, distinguished by the color of their turbans!

Newcomers to the order are given a white turban and receive two bags of millet and one bolt of salt per month!

Those with qualifications are given a yellow turban and receive five bags of millet, three handfuls of salt, and one bolt of linen cloth per month!

Those with exceptional intellect are given a red headscarf and a monthly allowance of a bag of rice, five handfuls of salt, and a bolt of fine cotton cloth.

Those with many disciples are given a black headscarf and receive three bags of rice, ten handfuls of salt, and three bolts of fine cotton cloth each month!

Those who achieve success in their practice may enter the inner city to listen to the sutras and practice together with Lord Surya, Lord Divine Messenger, and Lord Mahata!

With a loud bang, the crowd erupted.

"Does this... mean I'll have two bags of rice to eat every month from now on?"

If you're careful with your rice, two bags are enough for a lowly person to live on for a month!

"I wonder what the standards are for joining the order, since according to them, it has only just been established."

"Yeah, we durian kickers, I don't even know if we can be considered believers."

They say that, but deep down they'd love to have some kind of threshold.

Because the heavens said that they were special!

Tsk tsk, as long as I keep these lowly people out of the door, I can show off in front of them even if I only get two bags of millet!

Not to mention it also has salt!

Below the stage, a shoemaker clutched the greasy hem of his apron tightly, his mind racing with calculations:

"Two bags of millet... if we're careful, and mix in some wild watercress from the riverbank, it'll be enough for the family to eat for a month."

"Salt...we can save the salt and exchange it for needles and thread on market day..."

They hadn't realized that rice and salt were about to become worthless.

"Salt! That's..."

"And cotton cloth, oh my god!"

Oh right, and cotton fabric too, it's about to depreciate in value.

The sounds were mixed together, making it impossible to distinguish whether it was the Vaishya's exclamation or the Shudra's gasp.

Several Dalits who were squatting against the wall suddenly stood up, then quickly squatted down again, their dirty fingers digging into the soil, but their eyes were glued to the wooden board, not blinking.

Like a toad about to launch an attack.

Those with a slightly broader perspective will naturally understand that the last item is the most valuable.

"Enter the inner city to listen to the sutras, and practice together with Lord Surya, Lord Divine Messenger, and Lord Mahata!"

Although I don't know who that so-called divine messenger is, the name sounds pretty cool!

Mahada...

Isn't that the high-ranking monk from the capital? The one who previously discussed the Dao with the powerful and mysterious ascetic Nishi...

As for Lord Surrey, he is known to everyone!

Oh, the kind and understanding Lord Surya!

We respect and love your teeth!

Surrey was very satisfied with the reaction before him; he narrowed his eyes, quite enjoying it.

After the noise subsided, they clapped their hands again.

Another strongman carried over a ceramic pot and placed it next to the wooden board with a "clang".

"This is a donation jar!"

The strongman announced loudly, "Any sincere offering, whether in money, grain, or cloth, may be made!"

"The religious organization conducts monthly accounting, recording merit points based on the amount of offerings received!"

"The five categories of believers mentioned earlier are open to evaluation by all members of our church! Regardless of caste, only three criteria will be considered!"

He cleared his throat, and then all the soldiers spoke in unison.

"Firstly, the amount of merit is different!"

Secondly, sincerity in reciting scriptures and upholding precepts!

Thirdly, the ability to influence and inspire others!

"All three have the same upper limit; the candidate with the highest score will be promoted!"

"Starting today, the first month will be the examination period! Anyone who is willing may register at any of the temples, where they will be examined by Master Mahada and his disciples!"

Not far away, a Vaishya merchant selling spices squinted at the donation jar.

Cultivating alongside the city lord...

This undoubtedly means a better background. Even if Surrey doesn't help, just based on this identity, he can still outshine his peers.

This deal might be worth doing.

He stroked his well-maintained mustache and glanced at the three main figures on the high platform.

These three assessment criteria are naturally designed for three different groups of people.

Merit points, or donations, are naturally used to kill wealthy and unjustly accused individuals.

After all, once these supplies are deployed, they need to be recycled, otherwise they will quickly become worthless.

At the same time, this can also help maintain a good relationship with investors.

As for reciting scriptures and upholding precepts...

It's naturally about bullying honest people.

What the hell is this chanting of scriptures and keeping precepts? It's nothing more than following the core ideology of the religious order, not harming my divinity, and properly unleashing the power of ascetic practice.

We should identify a few such exemplary cases, frame them prominently, and make sure others can see and learn from them!

Hard work pays off!

As for those who influence others, they are naturally living bodhisattvas who not only believe our nonsense but also use it to deceive others!

The three scores cannot be combined; the one with the highest upper limit is taken, so that everyone has something to strive for and can encourage each other to participate.

Wow, wow, wow, fight for it fiercely!

The crowd erupted in excitement.

"Is it really true that there's no caste distinction!?"

"Then, Dalit can also..."

"Bullshit! You dare say that!"

"Damn it, you're just a Shudra!"

Everyone is very confident.

After all, Heaven said this is my chance to change my destiny!

Hmph, just you wait and see! The day I rise to the top and become the master, I'll make you all regret your disdain!

Thirty years in Hexi, thirty years in Hedong, don’t bully young people into poverty!