Chapter 54: Chapter 48: Daoists and Buddhists Cannot Be Offended, Shang Rou Delivers a Shocking Message

"They are the true core figures of the rebel army that captured Anqing.

Both of them started out as bandits.

So they have no respect for the Daoist and Buddhist Sects.

They only want wealth.

On our way back this time, we’re going to teach them a lesson."

"Indeed."

Wu Gui nodded and said, "That Shang Yin is the brother of Shang Rou, the woman you’ve often given charitable donations to, Junior Brother Wu Tan.

That’s why we decided to bring you along this time.

Afterward, we will have to trouble you to be our public face.

Just like when we dealt with the Painted Skin Spirit.

You will be the one to display divine power before the masses.

After all, your name as the Divine Monk is already famous throughout the land.

You aren’t afraid of a little more fame.

Unlike us, who shun it.

This time, one of them must die—either the rebel army’s Grand General or its Second General!

But they can’t both die.

Otherwise, the rebel army will fall into chaos.

That’s not what we want.

What we want is for one to die, and the other to fear our Buddhist Sect!

As for who lives and who dies, we can let you make the choice, Junior Brother!"

"The rebel army is said to have over a hundred thousand men now!"

Xu Lei’s pupils constricted. "As the top two commanders at its core, they must be heavily guarded, surrounded by protectors.

Senior Nephew Hui Ming, Senior Brother Wu Gui, are you certain you can take one of their lives from within an army of ten thousand?"

「More than ten days later.」

Xu Lei, Hui Ming, and Wu Gui returned to Anchan Temple.

Anchan Temple was indeed in a state of considerable disrepair.

Everywhere, there were signs of the rebel army having broken in and ransacked the place.

The Monks who had remained behind weren’t all dead, but some had been killed.

Previously, Shang Yin and his men had wanted to force the Buddhist Sect to hand over more of its wealth.

So they beheaded some of the ordinary Monks in charge who had stayed behind.

"I greet you both."

Just then, a middle-aged Daoist with a short beard also arrived at Anchan Temple. Upon seeing Hui Ming and Wu Gui, he spoke respectfully, "At this time of dynastic change, the world is in chaos.

An ignorant rebel army of common-born rabble has begun to contend for the throne. We have no choice but to expend some of our Magical Power.

For this operation of divine manifestation and beheading, the Daoist Sect has ordered me to come and coordinate with you both."

「Three days later.」

After gaining a firsthand understanding of the situation, they confirmed the original plan could be executed, and that the outcome would indeed serve the interests of the Daoist and Buddhist Sects.

"Junior Brother Wu Tan."

On this day, Wu Gui said, "It’s all up to you now."

"Amitabha Buddha."

Xu Lei replied, "Rest assured, Senior Brother. I may have no Magical Power or Divine Power, but when it comes to pretending to be a Divine Monk, I’ve learned a few things over the years."

「That afternoon.」

Xu Lei arranged to meet Shang Rou.

Before the rebel army attacked the city, she had naturally already left to meet up with Shang Yin. Only after she was safe did Shang Yin feel at ease enough to launch the assault.

Now, Shang Rou was perfectly safe.

And of course, she was able to contact Shang Yin.

"How is the baby?"

After holding Shang Rou and kissing her for a moment, Xu Lei asked, "Is everything alright?"

"Everything’s fine."

Shang Rou smiled. "I hope it’s a boy this time."

After a tender moment, Xu Lei got straight to the point.

"Benefactor Xiaorou, I came today because I have a message for you to give to your brother," he began. "Previously, when the rebel army entered the city, they swept through the area, plundering even the Daoist Temples and monasteries, which led to the deaths of many ordinary Daoists and Monks.

This is a sin.

Of the rebel leaders—the Grand General and the Second General—one must die!

As an offering to the Daoist and Buddhist faiths.

That is, the rebel army’s Grand General and your brother.

One of the two must die!

As for the other, the Daoist and Buddhist Sects hope he will learn to be sensible.

The Daoist and Buddhist Sects do not wish to interfere in worldly affairs or participate in the struggle for supremacy.

But they will not be insulted or deceived!

This time, the choice of who must die has been left to me!

Considering that Shang Yin is your brother, Benefactor, and has some affinity with Buddhism,

I have chosen for him to live.

That means Shang Yin’s sworn brother, the so-called Grand General, must be the one to die!

Take this letter from me, and relay everything I’ve just said to your brother.

I know your brother does not believe in ghosts and gods, nor does he respect or fear Buddhism.

After all, he made that perfectly clear with his words when we first met at the Wei Mansion.

But what I’ve said this time is no joke.

In any case, relay everything to him. If he has any doubts,

just tell him to watch closely.

He will see how his sworn brother, his Grand General, is struck down and killed by the Buddha’s wrath, even while surrounded by an army of ten thousand.

By then, he should believe.

By then, he should understand why the Daoist and Buddhist Sects have stood tall through one dynastic change after another, and why they have never had to pay taxes.

Also, tell him to prepare himself.

When the time comes, after his sworn brother, the Grand General, is dead,

he must clean up the mess, seamlessly take power, and take control of the army. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

He must not let the rebel army fall into chaos, fighting for power, killing each other, and bringing ruin to the land.

Of course, you can also assure him that both the Daoist and Buddhist Sects are composed of ascetics.

Ascetics do not interfere in worldly affairs lightly!

And they certainly have no interest in Imperial Authority.

We are taking action this time because the Daoist and Buddhist faiths will not be trifled with!

I hope he comes to his senses soon. Repentance is the only way out!"

Hearing Xu Lei’s words, Shang Rou froze on the spot, stunned.

She almost thought she had misheard him.

"Behead the Grand General while he’s surrounded by an army of ten thousand?"

She swallowed hard. "Divine Monk, are you certain of what you’ve said? Did I mishear you?"

"Amitabha Buddha."

Xu Lei said, "There is no mistake. Just relay my words as I’ve told you.

I believe your brother is a smart man. When the time comes, he will know what to do.

Of course, since he is your brother, Benefactor Xiaorou, I hope you will speak to him plainly.

Don’t let him get carried away by the power he now wields, becoming arrogant and blind to the immensity of the world.

If he hears all this and still feels no fear,

then even I will not be able to save him.

The next time the Daoist and Buddhist Sects decide to act,

it will be to see his head fall.

No matter how many troops he commands, he will not survive.

When the Buddha decrees punishment, no mortal can endure it.

Only by revering the Divine Buddha can one be safe."

Shang Rou’s mind was reeling.

She couldn’t imagine how anyone could take the Grand General’s head from amidst an army of ten thousand!

But Xu Lei’s expression was dead serious.

And she never dared to take his words lightly.

She could only take the letter and hurry off to find her brother.

After all, according to Xu Lei, the rebel army had angered the Daoist and Buddhist Sects.

Her brother and the Grand General were in a situation where one was certain to die, and the other would seize full power.

And it was only because of her that Xu Lei had chosen for Shang Yin to live!

’Besides, why were the Daoist and Buddhist Sects able to stand tall through one dynastic change after another without ever paying taxes?

That truly is strange.’

「That evening.」

Clad in armor and holding a long spear, Shang Yin galloped majestically to the gates of the Wei Mansion, surrounded by a large escort of soldiers.

Shang Yin had been out earlier, so Shang Rou hadn’t been able to find him and had to send a message asking him to come to her home in the evening.

With Shang Yin’s protection, the Wei Mansion had remained untouched.

After the rebel army took control of Anqing, Shang Rou had naturally moved back in.

Shang Yin didn’t normally live there.

He lived life on the edge, a man who believed in seizing pleasure whenever he could.

He already had several other women and had fathered quite a few children, so he naturally had his own home.

After entering the city, he had seized a large estate to serve as his own residence.

But Shang Rou still wanted to live in the Wei Mansion and wouldn’t move in with him.

However, as his only sister, Shang Rou held a very special place in Shang Yin’s heart.

Therefore, he naturally visited his sister’s place quite often.

So on this day, he came as requested.

The moment Shang Yin, flushed with success and smiling broadly, stepped through the door,

Shang Rou, who had been pacing back and forth anxiously, immediately shut the door and took out the letter.

At the same time, she relayed every single word Xu Lei had said to Shang Yin!