Banku, the capital of Tai Lan Country.

In the Tai Lan language, Banku means ’Angel.’ This bustling metropolis, a fusion of Eastern and Western cultures dominated by the traditions of the Buddhist Sect, is known as the "Angel City," or the "City of Buddha."

As the state religion of Tai Lan Country, the Buddhist Sect is exceptionally prosperous. Banku stands as one of the most important centers for the Buddhist Sect in the world today. Every Tai Lan person is required to spend a period of their life fasting in a temple, a testament to the eminent status of the Buddhist Sect in Tai Lan.

Among the countless Buddhist Temples in Tai Lan Country, one holds a position of paramount importance to the entire nation.

The Jade Buddha Temple.

It is, without a doubt, the foremost temple in Tai Lan Country, hailed as its most sacred site. It is the Huguo Temple of Tai Lan Country, located deep within the Ban Ku Royal Palace.

The Jade Buddha Temple gets its name from a Jade Buddha of noble origin. Even the King of Tai Lan must come to the temple at the change of each season, or when faced with an unresolved matter, to change the Jade Buddha’s robes and worship with sincere reverence.

Today, the Jade Buddha Temple is one of the most famous tourist attractions in all of Tai Lan Country.

「Early morning.」

The Jade Buddha Temple scenic area had not yet opened, but the Jade Buddha Hall, where the Jade Buddha resides, was not as quiet as its surroundings.

Teams of tall bodyguards in black suits stood outside the Jade Buddha Hall with solemn expressions, guarding it in silence.

The current King of Tai Lan, dressed in a white robe threaded with gold, was inside the Jade Buddha Hall, kneeling on a bright yellow prayer cushion.

This King of Tai Lan was new, having ascended to the throne less than two years ago.

Before him, a half-man-high Jade Buddha Statue sat serenely on a high platform. It was draped in a golden thread robe adorned with gemstones of various colors. Its expression was lifelike, its eyes downcast as if it could not bear to look upon the mortal world.

The King of Tai Lan prostrated himself before the Jade Buddha. Behind him, a beautiful young woman, many years his junior and also dressed in solemn, magnificent attire, was kneeling in worship as well. Her eyes, however, were restless, darting glances to the side of the Jade Buddha.

This woman was the Queen of Tai Lan.

Standing there was a tall, elderly monk. His hair and eyebrows were completely white, and he wore a kasaya. With his eyes downcast, he showed neither joy nor sorrow, yet he emanated an intensely oppressive aura.

Although it was their first meeting, the young Queen, who had only recently been conferred her title, knew this man’s status was anything but ordinary. He held an unimaginably immense influence over the royal family and the entire nation of Tai Lan.

The current Monk King of Tai Lan, Rajana.

He was the direct disciple of Long Tuo, the First Holy Monk of Tai Lan in modern times. Long Tuo himself possessed royal blood, which was why Rajana wielded such immense influence over the Tai Lan royal family, the common people, and the Buddhist Sect.

Moreover, he personally held not only tremendous influence in the Buddhist Sect’s Cultivation Realm, but also possessed exceptionally high strength. He was a rare, living "Arhat" who presided over all affairs of the Jade Buddha Temple and the Tai Lan Buddhist Sect.

Even the royal family had to act according to the Monk King’s disposition.

Just as the Queen of Tai Lan’s eyes were wandering, she suddenly saw the old Monk King glance at her.

In that instant, she felt as if she were facing one of the Arhat statues she had seen in the corridor when first entering the temple.

It was the furious glare of a guardian deity—fearsome and terrifying. She couldn’t help but tremble, breaking out in a cold sweat.

Though she was currently favored by the King, how could she possibly compare to someone like him?

She immediately retracted her gaze, not daring to be presumptuous again. Trembling, she lowered her head and fixed her eyes on the floor, focusing her mind inward.

After the entire reverent ceremony was complete, the King of Tai Lan and the Queen stood up.

"Your Majesty has come today. For what reason?"

Rajana spoke.

"Venerable One, why ask when you already know?"

"To so firmly reject the Starry Sky Country’s request for cooperation... it leaves no room for negotiation. This is not in our best interests."

"The global situation is very delicate right now. Our unique geographical position, in particular, makes us an easy target for all sides. The Starry Sky Country’s power is not something we can contend with."

The King of Tai Lan said with a frown.

In truth, Tai Lan Country’s rejection of the Starry Sky Country’s cooperation request was not entirely the new King’s decision. It was the Monk King who had orchestrated it from behind the scenes.

"So, in the King’s opinion, how should we respond?"

Rajana asked the King of Tai Lan, his expression unchanging, his tone benevolent.

"I think we can just stall them. Why reject them so decisively? Wouldn’t it be better to remain neutral?"

"Now that we’ve slighted the Starry Sky Country, how are we supposed to deal with them? It’s obvious they’re already in league with... those things."

The King of Tai Lan’s eyes flickered, and as he spoke of "those things," an almost imperceptible trace of fear appeared in them.

He paused, glanced at Rajana, and then continued, "Besides, it’s just a cooperation agreement. The country has so many cooperative projects. What does it matter if we join? It won’t fundamentally affect us. And who knows, it might even advance our technology."

Hearing the King of Tai Lan’s words, Rajana’s half-closed eyes finally opened fully, revealing a brilliant gaze that no one dared to meet directly.

"Your Majesty, have you forgotten what happened to the previous King? Or has someone been whispering in your ear?"

Rajana asked, his gaze as sharp as a torch.

"No. What I’m saying is the truth."

"It may have been the former King’s final instruction, but we have to consider the current situation. If an irreversible crisis occurs, it would be a catastrophe for this nation."

"My succession was accompanied by rumors among the people that are only growing more intense. At a time like this, we cannot afford any missteps."

Under that gaze, which burned like the Scorching Sun, the King of Tai Lan’s expression became slightly evasive. He didn’t dare to meet Rajana’s eyes.

The two of them fell silent for a moment.

The young Queen stood to the side, not even daring to breathe too loudly.

After a long moment, the light in Rajana’s eyes slowly faded, and he returned to the image of a benevolent old man with half-closed eyes.

"This old monk understands the King’s concerns. Please, follow me."

Rajana said slowly, turning to walk out of the Jade Buddha Hall.

The King of Tai Lan frowned, shot a look back at the young Queen, and the two of them followed Rajana out of the Jade Buddha Hall.

The moment they saw the King, the teams of tall bodyguards in black suits all bowed their heads in respect. They were about to close in around the King to protect him at all times.

Rajana glanced at the bodyguards. With a slow wave of his monastic robes, a ripple seemed to spread through the air, and an irresistible force pushed the bodyguards back a step.

"You will all wait here. If any harm can come to the King while he is with this old monk, then it would be useless no matter how many of you there were."

Rajana said flatly, then continued around the Jade Buddha Hall and toward the mountain behind the temple.

The King was silent for a moment before waving to signal his bodyguards not to approach. With only the Queen accompanying him, he followed Rajana, and their figures slowly receded toward the back mountain, eventually disappearing from view.