Cultivation: Fortune by Lots-Chapter 498 - 254. Slapped Broken (Two-in-One Chapter)

Lei Jun did not use any special channels to contact the Tang Court; he simply relayed the relevant information back to his master, Yuan Mobai.

On Dragon Tiger Mountain, Yuan Mobai would consider and discuss the matter with Shangguan Ning and Zhang Jingzhen, so they could report it to the Imperial Court.

As for Xuantian Temple, the Tang Imperial Court had always been closely monitoring the situation.

After all, the focus of this trip, Jinzhou, was right next to Xuantian Temple.

And according to rumors, the Jinzhou Ye Clan had been continuously infiltrating Xuantian Temple in a relatively gentle manner.

Xuantian Temple itself was conservative and insular, relatively passive, with few strong reactions.

The actions of the Jinzhou Ye Clan over the years were said to be quite effective.

The Tang Imperial Court, on the other hand, was engaged in counter-infiltration.

This unassuming Buddhist Sacred Land had long been fraught with silent strife.

As for the Gao Family, located in Zezhou to the south of Jinzhou, they had always been staunch supporters of the Jinzhou Ye Clan. Under the Ye Clan’s support, they had become a prominent but second-tier noble family within the Great Tang Dynasty.

According to ancient records that Lei Jun had previously read, when the Gao Family first rose to power, it was through marrying a daughter of the Ye Clan.

The current head of the Gao Family was Gao Xian. He was one of the few Great Scholars of the Upper Three Heavens, outside the ranks of the Tang Imperial Court and the Five Clans and Seven Families. His wife was from a collateral branch of the Ye Clan.

It was rumored that Gao Xian spent his youth and early years traveling and studying in Jinzhou.

Now that the Jinzhou Ye Clan was facing a crisis that came once in a century, all their underlying forces were being mobilized.

Lei Jun concealed his presence and moved quietly, arriving at the borders of Zezhou.

After looking around to confirm that nothing was out of the ordinary, he headed towards the ancestral land of the Gao Family.

「...」

In the height of summer, the estate spread out before him, with mountains and rivers in the distance. Though not as grand as the ancestral lands of the North and South Lin Clans in Youzhou and Jiangzhou, it was still a magnificent scene, resembling a fortress. It was the ancestral land of the Gao Clan in Zezhou.

At that moment, a young-looking but gaunt monk arrived outside the city. He was a True Inheritance disciple of Xuantian Temple, with the Dharma name Yongxiang.

"My grandfather and father are both unwell and cannot receive guests at the moment. Please forgive us, Master," said the Gao clansman who received Yongxiang Monk, his voice impassive.

Yongxiang Monk brought his palms together in greeting, "Then I would like to see Jingxiang. Please pass on my request."

The Gao clansman replied, "No esteemed monk from your sect has visited this place."

Yongxiang Monk was unperturbed. "Please accommodate me," he said.

The Gao clansman insisted, "I really don’t know what you’re talking about, Master."

Yongxiang Monk said, "Please tell Jingxiang that I am waiting for him outside."

After saying this, the Xuantian Temple disciple stepped back slightly, giving room in front of the Gao Family’s ancestral hall, and began meditating silently under a towering ancient tree outside.

No matter what the Gao clansman said, Yongxiang Monk ignored him. He would not leave, and he continued to chant sutras to himself.

A faint Glazed Buddha Light transformed into a Lotus Flower, enveloping Yongxiang Monk and lending him a dignified and solemn appearance.

His actions left the Gao Clan members at a complete loss.

The teachings of Xuantian Temple were almost considered the best in the world in terms of defense and resilience.

Yongxiang Monk was profoundly skilled in the Buddhist Law, his cultivation having already reached the Middle Three Heavens realm. Consequently, even Gao Clan elders of the same cultivation level could do nothing about him.

He did no harm, and the Gao Family members likewise could not harm him, nor could they drive him away.

To act against him would either require the Gao Family Head, Gao Xian, to personally intervene, or the person he wanted to see would need to appear.

Within the Gao Clan’s ancestral land, Gao Xian stood atop a pavilion looking towards the distant tree, frowning deeply.

Two people stood beside him, one of whom was clearly also a monk dressed as an ascetic.

The monk brought his palms together, "Delaying is not a solution; the longer we wait, the more can go wrong. Allow this humble monk to go and persuade Junior Brother Yongxiang."

He left the Gao ancestral ground and approached the tree.

Yongxiang Monk, whose expression had been numb and pained, finally showed some liveliness upon seeing his fellow disciple, and he sighed softly, "Senior Brother, you really are here."

Although Jingxiang was also dressed as an ascetic, a faint smile appeared on his face as he said, "Benefactor Gao here is an old friend of mine. Hearing of his recent ill health, I came to visit."

Yongxiang Monk said, "There is nothing improper with visiting friends, Senior Brother, but in these troubled times, the temple is not peaceful. After visiting your friend, please return to the temple with me."

Jingxiang remained unperturbed, "What happened at the temple?"

Yongxiang Monk sighed, "My Master and Master Kongjian are having a severe disagreement."

Like Master Kongjing, Master Kongjian was one of the Elders of Xuantian Temple.

It is worth mentioning that before he took his vows, Master Kongjian’s family name was Ye.

"What did the Abbot say?" Jingxiang asked in return.

Yongxiang Monk fell silent for a moment.

Jingxiang’s smile became more pronounced, "The Abbot, he said nothing, right? The Abbot’s silence is his stance."

Yongxiang Monk shook his head, "The Abbot’s intention is the same as my reason for coming to find you now, Senior Brother."

He looked directly at Jingxiang, "This battle in Jinzhou has already begun. We are powerless to stop it, but at the very least, we must not add fuel to the fire. Otherwise, the turmoil will escalate beyond control and inevitably spread further, Senior Brother!"

Jingxiang replied calmly, "Everyone has their destiny, and the world is inherently a Bitter Sea. The more karma one accumulates, the more suffering one endures. I believe you understand this, Junior Brother Yongxiang."

Yongxiang Monk said, "Of course."

Jingxiang continued, "Currently, those adding to the strife in this world are not our Xuantian Temple, not the people here in Zezhou, nor those in Jinzhou."

Yongxiang Monk sighed, "Karmic ties entangle, and grievances deepen with each passing conflict. That is why my Master hopes both sides in this Jinzhou battle can cease hostilities."

Jingxiang said, "If Xu Yuanzhen had not initiated this conflict, and if the current Tang Emperor had not fanned the flames, this battle in Jinzhou would never have occurred."